Copyright 2005 to 2008 Diane M. Wylie

“It is all so ironic, is it not, my Jenny? For my whole life I have been searching for some little slice of happiness in this world and now that I have found it in you, I have to leave you behind.” A few low, fierce curses erupted, startling Jenny with his intensity.

“I’m sorry, Jenny…I have been with the army too long. Been around only men for too long. I forget myself and my manners…it’s just that…Christ!”

He shuddered and pulled her to him tightly, kissing her mouth with hard, demanding lips. Jenny felt his frustration and felt her body grow hot with the warmth of a thousand candles in re-sponse to his kiss. His hands were fisted in her hair, then on her neck rubbing and caressing her skin. Now his hands seemed to be moving all over, touching and exploring her body through her clothing.

Pushing her hands between their closely pressed bodies, Jenny found herself unbuttoning the shirt he wore. She was seized by an overwhelming desire to touch him, to touch the soft hair on his chest and run her fingers over the hard swell of muscles and sleek, warm skin. Sighing, she gave into those desires, closing her eyes at the pleasure of it as she felt the coarseness of the hair that gathered to a v-shape down his flat stomach and disappeared into the waistband of his trousers. Jenny felt him suck in a shuddering breath and go still.

“Open your eyes, Jenny.” His voice was gentle, but firm. She did as he requested and looked up to his handsome face. He was clean shaven tonight and her hand went up of its own accord to trace the smooth edge of his jaw. “Do you want this? Just tell me now, before I can’t stop my-self…I…it has been a long time, Jenny.”

It was plain to Jenny what he meant. The look on his face confirmed it. He was willing to rein in his desire and leave her a virgin. Dear God, she wanted his love, she wanted him to be the one she gave herself to. But, she told herself she was not raised this way. Her mother and father had brought her up to be chaste, pure of thought and deed. They were a religious family—at least they were until her mother died. Elizabeth had tried to pick up the threads of their Christianity to bring them back to the church, but she too had died too soon. The deaths of her adored mother and stepmother and the coming of this hideous, murderous war had long-lasting effects on Jenny’s religious convictions. Now she was convinced that life was just too short and too fragile to waste precious moments like this. God had sent Captain David Reynolds to her and she would not, could not, simply put aside the feelings she had for him.

“Yes, David. This is truly what I want. Our world has gone crazy and may never be the same again. I love you and I want you with me.”

“But—”

She put her fingers to his lips, shaking her head.

“I know. I know you have to leave. A part of you will be with me always, no matter what the rest of our lives bring.” The last few words came out in a sob.

David gathered her close in his arms and gently stroked her back. He heard her lose her composure against his chest and almost lost his own. Her tears wet his rough linen shirt, but he didn’t let go. David’s throat constricted, listening to Jennifer’s sobs and knowing there was noth-ing he could do to ease her pain. His own pain at the thought of their separation felt like a cold, hard cannonball in his stomach. Soon he would be well enough to leave here and return to the nightmare that was this Civil War. It was a good possibility that he would never see Jennifer Winston again. There were too many unknowns that threatened his very survival. There was also the real possibility that she would not wait until he had a chance to return. Perhaps another man, maybe a Southern gentleman with land and money—one of her own kind—would seek her hand in marriage. David had nothing to offer a wife…nothing belonged to him but his horse and his honor. Even the clothing he wore belonged to the U.S. army.