Brance Brenneman is used to harsh conditions -- the eldest son of a stern Amish preacher, Brance was bit by a werecat as a young boy, and managed to keep his secret from his family until he was old enough to leave them and their religion behind. Years later, when the nation is divided by the American Civil War, Brance finds himself enlisted in the Union army. By sheer chance, he meets Caleb Chilson, a Confederate soldier who bears his same shapeshifting burden.<br><br>Together they leave the war behind to forge a new life in the wilderness of Pennsylvania. But trappers near their camp are hunting bobcats, and they don't much care if Brance and Caleb are only in the fur part of the time. Brance finds his peaceful existence shattered, and he has to fight to defend the life -- and the bobcat, the man -- he's come to love.

Beneath a Yankee Sky

Chastised,Caleb rolled away from Brance.He sat on his haunches,eyes closed,as if he hadn’t just been cavorting like a kitten a moment ago.With feline dignity,he licked one forepaw,smoothed it back over his ear,repeated the gesture.::Fine.::


Lying on his side,Brance watched his lover,wary.The grooming was a ploy,nothing more.He watched the large paw run back over the ear,turning it inside out until Caleb flicked it right again.Caleb kept his eyes closed,his whole body still except for the paw and the tip of his tail,which tamped down the grass.With an almost human-like sigh,Brance drew in a deep breath and blew it out through his nose.The last thing he wanted to admit was that itseemed tooquiet now,with Caleb pretending to ignore him.His own tail slapped the grass in a quick,angry motion.


Chapter 4