He wouldn’t think on that too heavily, for he might be tempted to finish what he knew he had started here. She needed time to get used to the idea of being his. Time to build the fire that he knew she would. He’d felt the heat on his hand when he touched her, felt the moisture between her legs, and smiled contentedly into her eyes.
“I better go, while I still can…” he murmured. “But hold that thought…”
“I been holdin’ for too long as it is…but…be careful…my love. Come back to me so we can finish this together.”
“My God, honey, how could I not with a promise like that?” Lee said and moved to go get his gun. Hattie started to stop him from leaving, but Violet came inside, slamming the door, and Hattie hurriedly fixed her shirt and pants. Flustered, she tried to look and act normal, feeling as though something new and wonderful had just transpired.
“Where’s Uncle Lee?” Violet asked when Hattie came out of the dining room.
“He’s getting ready to go to town.”
“Oh, could I go with him?” Violet asked.
Hattie shook her head, trying to put things back in perspective. “No honey, that’s not a good idea right now. Maybe another time, okay?”
“Alright mommy, can I help with the dishes?” Violet shrugged.
“I never turn down help in the kitchen.” Hattie laughed.
When Lee came strolling through the kitchen once more, Violet grabbed him and hugged him.
“What’s this for?” He chuckled as he held her.
“Just for bein’ my Uncle.” She smiled.
“Well, thanks, honey. Now, what’s your favorite candy? I thought I might pick some up at the dry goods store,” he said.
“Really? We all like peppermint sticks.” Violet smiled.
“Peppermint, it is. I’ll be back directly.” Lee kissed Violet on the cheek and glanced at Hattie.
Hattie watched him leave, trying to shake the trepidation from her shoulders, not fully liking the idea of him going alone into town.
“What’s wrong, Mama?” Violet picked up on her tenseness.
“Nothing, honey.” She went back to washing the dishes. "You just miss Daddy?"
"Daddy?" she glanced at her with surprise.
"Uncle Lee, I'd rather call
him daddy. He acts like my daddy. I love him…"
"So do I sweetheart, so do I." Hattie smiled.
“Can I help dry the dishes?” Violet asked, grabbing a big flour sack towel.
Hattie smiled and handed her the cup-towel. “Mama never turns down help.”
***
It was overcast and Lee could almost smell the rain coming. The trees always got greener just before a rain, and the smell in the air was prominent. He spurred his horse to a trot and tried to kick the feeling that something was about to happen. He heard a mockingbird in the distance singing his little heart out and he smiled.
His mind was still on Hattie and the hot kisses they shared, each time he took her into his embrace, he could barely manage to walk away from her. This time was the hardest of all, because what he started he sure wanted to finish. The misery of not having her was compounded by the needs. Nothing stood between them but hatred. He knew she wanted the same thing he did. But now she knew how he felt, it was hard not to act on it. Somehow he had to find a solution so they could be together always, because he knew now, they had to be.
He was almost humming when suddenly out of nowhere three riders approached him, not that Lee was surprised, but how could they have known he was leaving?
“Well now Lee, it’s good to see you finally came home,” Frank muttered.