On the Frontier

[Perplexia]

As soon as she figured out where he was heading she gripped his hand tighter. "Aaron i don't think this is a good idea" she advised in her worried tone. The dirt road led them up. Nothing she could say was going to stop him, she could tell by the way he walked, the look in his eyes, she came along quietly.

George Dunn lived on the outskirts of town. He had one of the larger land claims, but it was poorly managed. The little money he did come across was normally through gambling. He stepped out on the porch lighting his stoke, with a sarcastic grin upon his face. "What do i owe you for bringing me my breeding mare" George asked him practically undressing Abby with this eyes.

 

[susurrus]

Abby was reluctant for Aaron to confront George, but Aaron had met enough of his type to know that a person like George wouldn't even let marriage keep him from pursuing Abby. And there was only one thing that a man like George understood.

George was a big man, and for years, Aaron had watched him bully his way through life. Not many people would stand up to him, and those that had before usually found themselves on the ground with a bloodied nose or gasping for breath.

The thing that George - and not even Abby - knew, was these years of working at the sawmill and clearing land had toughened Aaron more than was evident. Aaron wasn't a bulky man, but these years of physical work had strengthened him far beyond his wiry form showed.

And his grandfather had taught him how to fight. Before he'd become a shopkeeper, Aaron's grandpa had been quite the scrapper. "Keep your wits about you, son," he'd told his grandson. "As soon as you lose your temper, you've lost. The primary thing to remember is to not let your opponent land a punch if you can help it. Either hit him first, or get out of his way. A lot of times, you can defeat a slower thinking man by getting him frustrated by not letting him hit you. Then he'll lose his temper, and the cooler mind can prevail."

Aaron hadn't had to fight for years, but he was confident he could frustrate George enough for the big man to make a mistake.

When George saw them arrive, his boorish nature came out immediately. He got his cigar lit and shouted out, "What do I owe you for bringing me my breeding mare." Just that one statement grated on Aaron enough that he almost lost his own temper, but he tamped his anger down and gave Abby's hand a squeeze.

"Your blood, George Dunn," he said across the ten feet or so between them. "And she's not your woman. She's mine." Aaron was talking about Abby like she wasn't there, but given the circumstances, there wasn't time to try to straighten out the subtleties of language.

George laughed, as Aaron thought he would. The years of being the town bully had taught George that since he was biggest, he could have what he wanted, and anyone who stood against him would fall shortly.

George slowly huffed his way down the steps of his porch, until he stood at the base of them, still several feet from where Aaron stood and Abby hid slightly behind him.

"Step back, Abby," Aaron told her, but didn't wait to see if she obeyed.

George was so confident he'd win this confrontation, he hadn't even left his smoke on the porch rail. Aaron decided it was time to work on George's temper, stepped up, reached out and took the stogie from George's lips, threw it in the dirt and ground it down with his heel.

"Hey, that cost me a nickel!" George howled. His face then darkened, and his bulk rushed Aaron.

George was an inch or two taller than Aaron, but his greater size made him slower than the thinner man, and Aaron easily stepped aside. George nearly tumbled onto his face, having expected to barrel headlong into Aaron.

Aaron could see it wasn't going to take a lot to get George mad enough for him to make mistakes, but he also knew he couldn't get overconfident himself. Too much pride would lose this fight as easily as too much anger would.

As George stood and puffed, his face getting redder and redder, Aaron said, "Abby's my girl. You speak to her and about her with respect, you hear me?"

"Fuck you," George spat, uncaring if Abby could hear. It further raised Aaron's ire, but once more, he smoothed it down so he could think. George then made another lunge at Aaron.

This time, Aaron grabbed George, and drove a knee into the bigger man's gut. George's eyes grew wide with surprise just before he plummeted to the earth.

"Are you going to be nice to Abby now?" Aaron asked his gasping opponent.

"Fuck you," George wheezed. It appeared his vocabulary was deteriorating to this one phrase. Aaron waited for the big man to get up. When he did, George wasted no time in taking a swing at him. Aaron easily avoided the blow, and delivered a well placed shot to George's diaphragm.

Again, George doubled up and fell to the ground. Aaron knew he had to finish this soon. If George managed to get a lucky shot in with all his weight behind it, Aaron would be done.

"Will you leave Abby alone from here on out? Talk to her with the respect she deserves?" Aaron continued.

"Fuck you," George shot back. It appeared that it was the only thing that George knew to say. To have spoken that way once in front of Abby was unthinkable. To have said it this many times, unpardonable.

Aaron reached out and held a hand for George to take, knowing he had to be careful that his opponent didn't take advantage and finish this his own way.

And take advantage was exactly what George did. He held tight on Aaron's hand and pulled him in, with the obvious intention of holding the smaller man captive while he beat him with one big meaty fist. However, Aaron had been expecting it, and used his greater speed to drive another punch to George's midsection, and followed it with another to his jaw, while the bigger man fell once more.

Aaron didn't let George get back up. Instead, he drove one more shot into George's stomach, then knelt, placing a knee on the side of the big man's head.

"Now, Mr. George Dunn," Aaron started firmly. "You WILL leave Abby alone. When you have to deal with her at the store, or meet her on the street, you'll be very polite, and treat her better than you would your own grandmother. Got it?" George hesitated, then nodded his head as much as Aaron's weight would allow. "And in addition, you'll treat everybody you meet with more respect than you ever have in your life. Do you understand me?"

Aaron then added, "Think of it like this. Your way has made you a lonely bully, where nobody wants a damn thing to do with you." He winced at his own cursing, but he was starting to get a little worked up, himself. "If you were nicer to people, you might have had a chance at a girl like Abigail Johnson." He looked over to where Abby stood. "But Abigail Johnson isn't your 'breeding mare,'" Aaron sneered, "or your anything else. And as long as you continue on as you have, you'll never be anything but a lonely bully."

There was a whole litany of other things Aaron thought to say to George, but his heart was starting to pound, and his temperature was rising. He knew if he continued, he'd be as angry as George had been, and then he'd have won nothing.

Aaron pushed himself up, using the knee on the side of George's head for leverage, then stood and looked down. George Dunn had tears streaking down his face, and his body was starting to shake. George faced away from Abby, so it was unlikely she could see what was happening. It was just as well. George had just been beaten by a smaller man in front of a woman. It wouldn't do for him to be seen crying in front of her.

Aaron left George on the ground in front of his disheveled home, to think on what had just happened. He was pretty confident that, while he probably wouldn't be as kind and gentle as he could be, that chances were people would see a very much changed George Dunn from this day on.

When Aaron stepped over to Abby, he stood and waited, then held his hand out to her.

 

[Perplexia]

Abby placed her hand over her mouth stepping back as ordered. Her eyes were wide flinching as Aaron taught George Dunn one of the largest lessons of his life.
She was truly amazed seeing a side of Aaron she never knew to exist. He really wasn't a violent man. But to hear him repetitively call her his was a moment of pride for her. Never had she liked the idea of belonging to anyone. It went against all that she believed in. But there was something about belonging to Aaron that made all the difference in the world. Perhaps it was because she loved him, because he made her laugh, because he was the only one that could reel her in when she needed it. Yes she did belong to him and only him.

The fight really did seem unfair to start with, but at every turn Aaron out stepped and out witted him. It seemed like forever, but in reality it only took minutes. Oh how she loved this man. When it was done, and Aaron held out his hand. She took it and gave his hand a light squeeze. Yes she was his. Together they walked slowly into town. She stayed a step behind him as he led her into town. It seemed like the whole town stopped to look at the spectacle. There was that quiet man Aaron, leading the profound wild child into town.

 

[susurrus]

Aaron's heart was pounding. If only one thing had gone wrong, that whole exchange could have ended far differently. As it was, it had gone as he'd hoped - not as he'd planned, he wasn't that arrogant - and he had a feeling the next time people in town saw George Dunn, they'd hardly recognize him.

He felt Abby squeeze his hand when she took it, but he couldn't look at her. He wasn't proud of what he'd just done - humiliating another human being wasn't something he took joy in. If anything, he felt some degree of relief, mixed with shame that he'd had to resort to such behavior. As he knew, though, some people only understand life their own way, and what had just happened was the way George Dunn understood it.

Aaron only vaguely noticed the looks he and Abby got as they walked toward the house next to her father's store. Abby had taken up a place just behind Aaron's left hip, as if she was unable to keep up - or, as if she was acknowledging what had just happened and what he was capable of. The thought that she might think of him as someone remotely like George was alarming, but he was in a mood now, and there was no deterring him from the path he'd blazed. He only hoped Abby understood and accepted.

When they reached Abby's home, he heard her younger brother and sister playing out back. He knew her mother and father typically sat out on the back porch after church, her father with his pipe or a cigar, her mother with her knitting or needlework.

Turning the corner of the house, there they were. Little Ephraim and Dolley stopped whatever chasing game they were playing when they saw Aaron and Abby approach. Without hesitation, Aaron stopped at the lower porch step and tipped his hat to Mrs. Johnson, then turned to Abby's father.

"Mr. Johnson. If I may be so forward, I'd like to ask permission to court your daughter, Abigail." This all seemed so strange, after the encounter with George Dunn. Aaron felt like he was watching himself from outside his body. Still, he knew he was actually there, and that Abby was, too, and he was suddenly aware that he still stood there, in front of Abby's parents, holding her hand...

 

[Perplexia]

Mr. Johnson didn't react to Aaron holding Abby's hand. If anything he was glad to see his daughter subdued. "As if you needed to ask Aaron. You've been a part of our family for a long time now, we were hoping you'd want her."
The statement from her father caused her to glare at him. He'd been trying to unload her for a while. She was a bit of embarrassment to not be demure like the other young ladies.

"I hope this means you'll be willing to take on partnership the shop as part of her dowry" her father added
"father!" Abigail spoke out. "You are rushing this quite a bit don't you think. He's not asking to marry me, he's asking to court me." A squeeze of her hand caused her to shut her mouth but her eyes still glared with a fiery fury.

 

[susurrus]

Aaron's heart swelled when he was given permission to do just as he'd asked, even though it was phrased in a very strange manner. He knew Abby's father had been hoping for some time that he'd finally work up the nerve to make it all official.

He was a little taken aback when Mr. Johnson added, "I hope this means you'll be willing to take on partnership of the shop as part of her dowry," which brought on an outburst from Abby, but that wasn't a surprise.

Now, his heart pounded harder. He was afraid this would happen. It was the same thing that had happened to his grandfather. He'd made a promise, and it went farther back than Abby Johnson...

Aaron squeezed Abby's hand even tighter, finally aware he'd been holding it the whole time while asking permission to do just what he was already doing, and said:

"Mr. Johnson, I appreciate your most generous offer. However, I must decline." The look of surprise on Abby's father's face would have been comical on anyone else, in a different situation, but given the circumstances, Aaron needed to talk and talk fast, and hoped it would be enough.

"Please, sir, before you say anything, let me explain.

"I made a promise to my grandfather years ago that I would become a farmer. It isn't a very glamorous promise to have made, and not a very lofty one, but it was something he'd always wanted to do, but the circumstances of his life made it impossible. I understand that it would seem I'm not following my own mind, but my grandfather meant more to me than anyone most of my life, and still carries a great portion of my heart. I wish you could have known him, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. He was a great man.

"Anyhow, I realized a long time ago that by trying to be that one thing he never could, that I was also fulfilling my own wishes. I only hope that Abby can be happy with a farmer for a husband, if it comes to that."

Aaron squeezed Abby's hand again and glanced over to her. He then turned back to her father.

"So, please forgive me. I'm honored that you'd like me to continue on for you, but until I know whether I have what it takes to work the land and bring something from it, I have to try."

 

[Perplexia]

Abby squeezed Aaron's hand back as he told her father he had no plans of taking over the business. She had hoped he would accept and let her stay on to bring them some extra income. It wasn't customary for a man to let his woman work. Especially a farmers wife, but Abby had hoped she'd be able to address it with him later. She wouldn't do it now in front of her father and risk another statement on how she needed to learn her place.
Mr Johnson looked at Aaron and nodded. "Well you must stick to your word son, I've always admired that about you. I'm just glad you finally got your bearings about you."

Abby scowled at her father, who in return scowled back. He already had them married, of course that's what she'd hoped for as well, but courting was just that.
With everyone happy they were courting Aaron then took Abby out for a walk about town. It was strange to have so many people stare and point. But Aaron kept the conversation going as if nothing else existed.

 

[susurrus]

Aaron was greatly relieved when Abby's father sat and digested the words he'd said, then acquiesced to his refusal to become a shopkeeper. When he added another rather off-the-cuff statement, Abby scowled at her father again. For a store owner, who deals with the public on a regular basis, Mr. Johnson could be fairly abrasive at times. It was pretty obvious who Abby tended to take after...

The business now taken care of, Aaron bid his farewells to Abby's family and they went for a walk, primarily to show off their new relationship. There were lots of looks, and plenty of pointing and whispered comments, but Aaron didn't let it bother him. Abby was exactly what she needed to be with him. She could still be her outspoken self when it was needed, but at least with him, she knew when to back down and submit to his will.

Aaron really had no idea where to go from here. They still had most of the day left, but now that he and Abby were courting, he was at a loss for what to do next. He knew that for sure, he wanted to kiss her more. He wasn't sure if that was a part of most folks' courting proceedings, but he hoped it would be for he and Abby.

They'd gotten maybe two thirds of the way to the church when from behind a building stepped George Dunn. He looked as if he hadn't cleaned up from his ordeal earlier, so he looked rather rougher than usual. He stood directly in Aaron and Abby's path. For a moment, Aaron was afraid he was looking to resume the encounter they'd had, and to attempt evening the score.

For several long, nerve-wracking heartbeats, all three stood there, unmoving, silent. Then George started to move. It was just an arm, but Aaron tensed, ready to dodge as he had before, his hand tightening around Abby's.

Relief washed over him when George took off his hat and nodded to him, "Good morning, Aaron," then turned to Abby, "It's nice to see you, Abigail." He then placed his hat back on his head and held the hand out to Aaron.

Wary that it was a trick, Aaron released Abby's hand and reached out slowly to take George's big paw. George stepped in closer and said into Aaron's ear, "No man's been able to get the best of me since I was nine. I know I should be mad at you, but I can't do it. You're a lucky man to have Abigail. I'm gonna take a shot at what you said and see if Becky Robinson or maybe even Netty Richmond will have me. The trouble will be deciding which girl to choose..."

George shook Aaron's hand one more time, then headed off at a brisk pace, supposedly to seek out one of the young women he'd mentioned...

 

[Perplexia]

When George Dunn came out from behind the church Abby squeezed Aaron's hand rather tightly. As he stepped forward she stepped back. She watched and listened as George practically apologized to Aaron and herself for his behavior. Now thinking he was a changed man, he would go off and find a woman for his own.

She stayed behind Aaron until he was gone never releasing his hand and stepped up to simply be a step behind him. Just when the feeling of serenity began to pass over them again out stepped Netty. Ignoring completely that Abigail was there. She practically threw herself in Aaron's path. "Aaron, would you like to stop by for dessert later, I've made my special apple pie that you like so much."

Abby felt her temper bubbling as her fist clenched at her side. The statement that Aaron was making by strolling Abby through town was showing her off as his, that he alone was courting her.
Netty was disrespecting tradition, as well as Abby in general. If daggers could be shot from ones eyes Netty would have been dead a long time ago. She stared at the dashing brunette and a squeeze to her hand from Aaron let her know he had this.

 

[susurrus]

The possible second confrontation with George over, Aaron had forgotten there was at least one other potential obstacle to be taken care of.

Aaron was shocked at the audacity of Netty Richmond when she sidled up to him as if Abby wasn't even there and invited him over. A glance to Abby told him a very nasty, unladylike was looming if something wasn't done to head it off.

With a squeeze of her hand, Aaron let Abby know he'd take care of the situation. He only hoped Netty would get the picture and back off.

"Netty," Aaron said as nicely as he could, receiving a flirtatious batting of the eyes in return, "do you see what's happening here?" With that, he held up the hands Abby and he had had clasped together since they'd left the river to ask her father permission.

"I'm courting Abby Johnson now. It's something I should have asked to do a while ago.

"I won't lie to you. You're a fine looking girl, Netty, but you're not the girl for me." Netty seemed as thick as George Dunn, but Aaron knew he couldn't take care of her like he had George. Still, he was pretty sure it was going to be necessary to take drastic action for it to sink in.

"Netty, have I ever done this to you?" With that, Aaron turned, and with Netty only a foot or so away, he laid his lips on Abby's. It wasn't quite appropriate, to be doing such a thing in broad daylight, in the middle of the street, but he figured it was the only way Netty was going to get the two-by-four in the head it would take.

After a few seconds, Aaron forgot Netty was even there. He felt Abby's curves under his hands as he kissed her, and his cock started to rise once more. Only when he heard Netty clear her throat did he come back to his senses and lift his lips from Abby's. When he looked over to Netty once more, she didn't look pleased.

 

[Perplexia]

Abby beamed as he held up her hand and advised Netty that he was courting her. Still to get the point across he turned and kissed her. Abby found her body responding to his touch in ways that were unthinkable and well past her experience.

When his lips left hers she felt herself grinning from ear to ear and a bit wobbly and light headed. Netty huffed and stomped away like a spoiled child. Her hands gripped his arm to steady herself.

"thank you" she managed to get out as her wits came back to her with her balance. They continued their walk through town and regained their conversation as if nothing had changed between the two of them.

Their walk continued until it was time for dinner, in which he was invited to. Abby stayed silent for the most part of it. Stealing looks to Aaron that only he would understand at statements her father made.

When the end of the night came Abby walked Aaron out like she had so many Sundays before. "I cannot even begin to express to you how happy you've made me today Aaron." she said softly her hand stroking his cheek.

 

[susurrus]

Abby was delighted at the way Aaron had handled the situation. Netty not so much. She huffed off to god-knows-where, and while Aaron hated to be impolite to anybody, it was the only way Netty would take the hint.

Aaron and Abby stayed out all day, as if wanting to make sure the entire town knew of their new relationship. Their conversation was light and cheerful, and when it came time to eat, Abby invited Aaron to eat with her family.

Aaron had dined with the Johnson's before, but never before had he been courting Abby before. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson asked him questions, and he remembered answering them, but he couldn't remember what he said, or even what he'd been asked. He tried his best to look attentive when spoken to, but all he was really paying attention to was the young woman who sat across the table from him.

At one point, Abby's little sister stepped up to Aaron's place at the table and asked, "Are you going to marry my sister?"

Suddenly, Aaron felt every eye in the room on him. It had been an innocent question, but he knew it was a huge one, even so. Abby seemed amused by the situation, her mother quite interested in his answer.

Aaron turned his chair to speak directly to the child. "Well, Charlotte, that's yet to be seen. Your sister and I have just started courting, and the chances are good. I like Abby very much, and I'm pretty sure she feels the same way about me, so I sure wouldn't rule it out. It might be a while, though."

Little Charlotte listened to what Aaron said, but it was pretty obvious not everything he said made sense to her. "But you're the only boy Abby will listen to. She doesn't even obey Papa half the time."

Aaron gave a glance to the girl in question, and to her credit, she smiled sheepishly, her cheeks dark with embarrassment. It was the first time in a long time he'd seen any kind of reaction like that in Abby. Usually she was brash and confident. It seemed having such observations come from an eight year old was more than she was used to.

Charlotte went back for her apple cobbler then, and the rest of the evening with Abby's family went well. He stayed until well after nightfall, and knew he'd be walking back home with only the moonlight to guide him. Fortunately, he knew the way well.

When he excused himself for the evening, Abby walked him out like she always did. When they were out of earshot, Abby snuggled in close and placed her hand on Aaron's cheek. "I cannot even begin to express to you how happy you've made me today, Aaron." she whispered, looking dreamily into his eyes.

Aaron placed a hand around Abby's waist. "It's been a very good day, at that," he agreed. He then bent down and kissed Abby yet again. Once more, as they kissed, Aaron's body reacted to having her so close. He was a little embarrassed at his cock getting so hard while kissing Abby, knowing she could feel it pressing against her, but he couldn't help it, and she didn't seem to mind.

 

[Perplexia]

Her little sister nailed it when she told Aaron that she was the only one he would ever listen to. It wasn't because she was afraid of him, or that she was simply behaving because she fancied him. It was because she respected him. She respected what he had to say, and mostly because it mattered to her what he thought of her.

She didn't realize anyone had seen that. Much less that she had seen it herself.

With Aarons kiss at the end of the night she found herself wobbly in his arms as he held her tightly. She could feel his excitement pressed against her. But it didn't matter. In her heart she knew they were meant to be. But Aaron was right, they were just getting started. This was a new step in their friendship, on that she had dreamed of for the past two years. But one that was new to the way Aaron admitted to himself how he saw her.

The way his lips felt on hers caused her to moan into his mouth shocking herself into blushing once again. "I don't understand what you do to me" she said softly blushing as the kiss was broken. "Its as if with each kiss you steal a piece of my soul, you leave me weak and confused". To any other this may be odd talk. But with Aaron there was never any pretext on conversation topics. They could always talk about anything.

 

[susurrus]

When they parted, for a moment, they both seemed disoriented and needing their bearings. It was one of the things that just proved to Aaron that there was more to this than just a boy and a girl who liked one another.

Even though people would frown at how close they were, neither Aaron nor Abby cared. It seemed that they couldn't get close enough. Aaron ached for Abby, and though it had been evident before, Abby had made the commitment to the promises they'd silently been making to one another for the last couple years.

"I don't understand what you do to me," Abby finally said, breathlessly. "It's as if with each kiss you steal a piece of my soul, leaving me weak and confused."

Aaron smiled at the way Abby talked. It sounded a lot like some of those books she read. Still, he read once in a while, too, so he replied, "Maybe instead of stealing part of your soul, I'm giving you a little of mine, and the weakness and confusion is from your body making room for it."

 

[Perplexia]

Abby grinned at him and laughed softly. "how is it that when i make no sense, you find the sense in what i meant?" she questioned smiling and hugging him tightly. "I would have waited a hundred years for you Aaron" she whispered softly in his ear as her arms stayed wrapped around him. His arms enclosed her making her feel safe like he always did. Their relationship was never the typical. Perhaps that's why she confused it with that of a sibling. There was never any awkwardness or hesitation, it always just was.

Slowly she released her hold on him, stepping back slightly. Her hand stroked his face softly. "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow" she said softly her eyes searching his.

 

[susurrus]

Aaron shrugged. "Maybe you make more sense than you give yourself credit for. Or maybe I'm speaking nonsense, too, and we just happen to both be speaking the same language."

Abby then told him, "I would have waited a hundred years for you, Aaron," then hugged him up close.

He put his arms back around her, saying, "I'm glad you didn't have to."

Finally, they both knew it was necessary to let the other go, and reluctantly released their hold. As they parted, Abby once again placed her had on Aaron's cheek. "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow," she said before heading back to the house.

"So do I," he told her, backing away toward his place.

Eventually, it was necessary to turn and actually walk in the proper direction back home. The moon wasn't quite full yet, but it still gave off plenty of light for him to navigate by.

Back at the cabin, he checked on his few livestock, then promised himself he'd get some work done the next day. He wasn't sure how Abby would react, but he was tempted to ask her to lend a hand, since if they married, she'd need to help with some decidedly un-ladylike things from time to time. Of course, he hadn't asked any of the other young men in town if they had some time to spare, because everyone seemed very busy with the4ir own responsibilities at the moment. He hoped to be able to get Roger Swann and his team out one day to try and get the big rock in the center of the east field cleared away.

Taking the time to read a little, Aaron finally turned in, his mind awhirl with the events of the day...

 

[Perplexia]

Abby reluctantly made her way back inside. Her heart was racing from the feeling she had with in her. After spending some time embroidering she made her way upstairs to her room where she tried to focus on a book. Instead she found herself tracing her lips where his had been.
Eventually she blew out the lamp and went to sleep with thoughts of Aaron floating through her mind.

She got up early the next morning and opened up the shop after breakfast. It was one of their busiest days. Her mood had her more pleasant then normal which was responded to accordingly. Some smiled and congratulated her on catching the young sought after Aaron.

It irritated her that people thought of marriage as a necessity. That he was some prize bull, or that she was a prize breeding mare. But it wasn't that way at all between her and Aaron. They had genuine feelings and friendship for each other. They actually fit, they didn't have to force their bond.

 

[susurrus]

The boys at the sawmill were both congratulatory and wary about Aaron's new relationship.

"Do you really know what you're getting into?" the couple of married guys asked him.

"You sure about Abigail Johnson?" he heard more than once. She'd done a good job of making herself rather unlikable to many over the years. They didn't know how she could be. He certainly knew how she could be with others, but while he still didn't really understand why she was different with him, he did know that she was.

When work let out for the day, Aaron headed to the store like he always did, but when he saw Abby, he had to tell her, "I need to get some things done at the farm. I've still got a lot of land to clear, and if I don't get to it, I might as well take your father up on his offer of running the store."

 

[Perplexia]

Abby beamed as she saw Aaron walk in. She nodded. "I'll get my Ma to cover for me and i'll come out and help you" Abby nodded. She knew that Aaron didn't want to run the store. But she also had another idea in mind that she would talk to him about on their walk to his place.

Once her Ma made it out front to take over, Abby went upstairs and changed into some mens trousers and a shirt that was way to big that showed a bit of cleavage. It wasn't her intention, but she knew that helping Aaron she would get dirty.

Pinning up her hair she made her way back downstairs and grabbed a pair of gloves. "Ok Ready" she advised him looking the least lady like anyone had ever seen.

 

[susurrus]

Instead of being disappointed that we wouldn't be able to spend time together, Abby immediately told Aaron she'd help. He was grateful for her offer, but hoped she'd be up to the task. Still, it would be nice to have her there.

When Abby's mother came out from the back, she greeted Aaron a bit more brightly than she might have before. Abby then ducked into the back and was gone for several minutes.

When Abby emerged again, she looked far different than she usually did. The clothes she wore were definitely not her own, or at least, they didn't start out as hers. Still, even in men's clothing, Abby's female form looked very attractive. The amount of bare flesh she showed at the neckline of the shirt she had on was almost scandalous, and she got a frown from her mother and a couple of the older ladies present, but all the men sneaked a peek.

Armed with clothes more suitable to what she might be expected to do, and a pair of work gloves, Abby announced she was ready to go.

Aaron almost laughed. If he'd been afraid for Abby's willingness to lend a hand before, there was little doubt of it now. Instead, he simply smiled and said, "Well, let's go, then. We've got a couple hours or so of light left, and a lot to do before dark." He then said his farewells to Abby's parents and they headed out, Aaron thinking about what needed doing the soonest.

"Thanks for coming along," he told Abby as they started toward the farm. He'd ridden his horse in that morning, so he could make better time getting home and hopefully get a bit more work done.

He helped Abby up, then mounted, himself. The pair then started back to Aaron's farm.

 

[Perplexia]

"I have something i'd like to discuss with you." she said lightly as they rode to his farm. "If we decide to get married. I think you should take the offer my father made about being partner in the store. You could still work the farm, and i would work in your place at the store. In a few years we could buy him out, and i could run the store, and you the farm and we'd have twice the income." In harvest season i could always close down early or even have limited days available at the store so i could be in the fields with you. I know the store better then my father, i also know the amount he puts away and never touches because of the way its ran. It would give you the ability to buy more land or livestock." She then decided to let him mull over her thoughts.

She knew it wasn't a woman's place to know business. But she did, and wasn't afraid to let that be known.

 

[susurrus]

Aaron listened to what Abby had to say and then thought about it a moment. Extra money would be very handy, that was for sure. Of course, there would be things that would need to happen around the farm while he was out in the fields, but he was managing to get by so far, and aside from the extra body around the house, how would the situation be much different from how things were presently.

Most women wouldn't even consider taking a job while their husbands worked, so they could dedicate themselves to the household. However, until there were children involved, would that be so important?

It was quite a big decision to make.

Aaron hoped he didn't sound too final when he said, "Let me think on it a while." He knew Abby's spirit. It was one of the things he liked about her, and he didn't want to squash it. Still, he knew she'd abide by whatever decision he made, so there was little chance of upsetting her either way.

When they arrived at the farm, the weather had started to cloud up. There wouldn't be quite as much light as Aaron had hoped.

As he helped Abby off the horse, he told her, "It'll be dark sooner than I'd hoped. Still, I want to get a couple trees cleared out behind the shed." He then turned and went to get an axe.

"C'mon," he said as they headed for the area he wanted to clear.

 

[Perplexia]

Abby nodded when he said he wanted to think on it. It would ultimately be his decision. Although the extra income would help them out greatly. Of course she was getting ahead of herself.

Following him enthusiastically, she really had no idea what she was doing. Other then the store, she'd never done a days worth of physical labor. It wasn't a woman's place to do that. Placing on her gloves she followed his directions precisely and began to help him. They managed to get more done then he anticipated they would.

Once the trees were cleared she plopped down on the grass and welcomed the rain as it began to fall trickling down her face. She laughed as he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder running into his house.

 

[susurrus]

It was pretty obvious that Abby didn't know what she was doing. Still, she took orders well, and while she wasn't a lot of help on the real heavy stuff, he appreciated that she did what she could. Fortunately, his horse, Abraham, was able to handle the big stuff without much trouble, and Abby did seem pretty adept at hitching him up to the logs once they were in position. Aaron figured he'd borrow a saw to cut the logs down for firewood later, after they'd sat for a while. He didn't relish hefting around the green wood any more than necessary.

Even though Abby wasn't used to such work, Aaron enjoyed having her there helping. Every once in a while, they'd catch each other's eye and smile warmly, then get right back to work. By the time it was too dark to really see well enough to do any more work, they had both trunks laying up by the shed, and a pile of brush to go through later out back. It was as much as Aaron figured he'd wanted to do that evening, and he'd managed. He had to admit, it was partially with Abby's help that he was able to get it done.

And just as he was about to walk over to a tired, sweaty Abby, the clouds that'd moved in opened wide. This wasn't a gentle shower that'd wet the road and settle the dust, it was a downpour. Within seconds, Aaron was soaked to the bone, and he could hardly see Abby through the sheets of rain that were coming down.

Acting immediately, he ran toward Abby, lifting her up over his shoulder like a sack of grain and high-tailing it to the house, where at least it'd be dry.

Inside, Aaron lit the lamp and wiped the water from his face. Abby was completely soaked, her baggy clothes hanging off her like they were melting. At first he smiled a little at how absurd she looked, but then saw how cold she was and got right to work.

He went to the bed and got the quilt he'd been told was his mother's, then set it on the table. He then stepped up to a shivering Abby and started undoing the buttons on her shirt. Anyone they knew would have been scandalized by what he was about to do, but he couldn't leave her to get sick, especially after having helped him get those trees moved. Abby was too cold to protest, too, and let Aaron undress her.

A part of Aaron was pruriently thrilled at the prospect of what he was doing, and each bit of womanly flesh he revealed was a delightful revelation. Soon, the shirt slapped wetly to the floor, leaving Abby in her trousers and a camisole. She still didn't seem to be able or willing to tackle the trousers, so Aaron took care of those, too.

Before long, Abby was standing before him in her underwear. The sight both thrilled and embarrassed him. However, after a brief look at Abby's barely clad form, he regained his sense of propriety and turned, grabbing the quilt and holding it out to her.

 

[Perplexia]

Abby shivered uncontrollably as Aaron undress her. She couldn't say no, she couldn't move her hands all she could do was turn her head as he undressed her. Avoiding his glances. Yet still the perfect gentlemen he didn't touch her at all. In her peripheral seeing the blanket she walked into it feeling his arms the quilt close tightly around her.

As his hands moved up and down her body creating friction. She slowly regained her senses. "You need to change" she advised him, not wanting him to get sick either. She moved from his arms in the blanket to the fire. Sitting down in front of it. She heard his heavy pants fall to the floor with his shirt. Keeping part of the quilt wrapped around it she opened the blanket for him to join her. Body heat was the best heat. As inappropriate as it was, no one would ever know.