Note: Glad you liked the last chapter! :) Sorry if you felt "tricked" but what fun would it be unless the story didn't at least keep you guessing at least a little bit? You're going to be irritated with me but this is a teaser chapter. Tell me how you are liking things and I'll get the next one up VERY soon. ;)


He didn't know when he finally had fallen back to sleep but Dominic was eventually stirred awake by the smell. Then it was the sizzle and popping of the fire. His eyes fluttered open. He blinked a few times and through a hazy cloud of smoke, he saw Leslie crouched near the fire poking it with a stick. Over the fire was another stick impaled by a freshly killed rabbit.

He stumbled to his feet and stretched his suspenders over his bare shoulders. "What's this?" he asked.

Leslie stood with a slight smile, "Oh good! I didn't kill you!"

Dominic patted his side softly. "Uh, no. You didn't kill me. I think I'll survive this one."

"Well, you had me fooled, Private. You were passed out cold."

Dominic felt his cheeks flood warmly. "Yeah, well, you'd think I'd be used to blood by now wouldn't you? What is all this?" He asked pointing at the fire with one hand while clutching at his aching side with the other.

Her hands fell into his coat pockets as she pulled the coat in closer around her with a shrug, "I thought you may be hungry."

"You caught a rabbit?" Dominic asked in surprise.

"Don't be so shocked, Private Perelli" she scoffed. "I am very capable of making us a meal. Although I am not so fond of that look that poor bunny gave me before I plunged your knife into it."

"Maybe I need to get that knife back. I'm not sure my 'hostage' should be armed."

Dominic chuckled but quickly noticed Leslie's eyes turn downward and her smile faded. "I'm sorry. That…that… well, I was out of line. I didn't mean it. Especially after last night…" His voice trailed off and suddenly he couldn't look at her.

Leslie gave him a confused smile. "Last night? What? Are you ok?"

He couldn't respond. He was lost in her eyes trying to search for the right words. His mind raced and quickly ran his hand through his ragged hair. He didn't know quite what to say but he realized he couldn't look at her anymore so he turned to Lucifer and patted the horse on the neck.

He stroked the horse for a few moments and then finally said, "I meant that you uh, cared for me last night and uh, well, you could have left me but…."

Leslie had slid up next to him and had taken hold of Lucifer's bridle. The horse nuzzled her under the chin and Leslie gave a quick kiss to the horse on his nose and said simply, "You were hurt. I wasn't going to leave you like that."

Dominic could smell her sweetness. It intoxicated him. He breathed in deeply, secretly thinking about his vivid dream once more. She smiled. Clearing his throat, he stepped away suddenly and turned his back so she couldn't see the look of desire in his eyes. "We lost some time that we'll need to make up. We should eat and be on our way."

"Yes, of course," she said. "It's about ready. Let's eat!"


They were back on the trail a short time later. Dominic led Lucifer through the woods slowly. He half-heartedly kept them on a small path, hesitant to find a way back to the main road. His thoughts consumed him. He had forgotten why they were running, where they were running to and just didn't really understand the urgency anymore. His hand fell to the leather messenger bag that was slung over his shoulder and he thought about the dispatches that were inside. He wondered how important they really were and he imagined not finding a commanding officer to give them to and instead running the opposite direction away from the war and finding someplace private and hidden for him and this girl who had bewitched him.

What was this? How did this happen?

Leslie was lost in her thoughts too. She was glad that Dominic couldn't see her face. She was so disappointed in herself and what she was feeling. She had always thought of herself as someone who wouldn't let anyone get to her. She was fiercely independent – almost defiant and certainly not your typical southern belle. Demure wasn't how you'd describe her. There was a fire in her that confused young men – not that she came into contact with many of them but it was an attribute that her father loved about her. He never had to worry about her being carried away with her heart. He always knew her head would keep her at arms length from the wrong sort of gentlemen. But he hadn't counted on Private Dominic Perelli.

As they rode further, they never made it back to the main road. They seemed to journey deeper into the woods. At one point the trees cleared and they found themselves stopped in front of an abandoned cabin. The brush had over grown much of the surrounding land. A shack that resembled what was left of a small barn was around back. Cobwebs clung to the corners of the front porch. It wasn't the Spencer plantation but it was shelter.

Dominic dismounted and with his hand on his pistol, he crept into the cabin for a quick look. Leslie silently watched him inspect the home and barn. He returned a short time later. "It's been abandoned a long time," she heard him say. She didn't look up. Instead she focused on her hands, dusty and dry. She stretched out her fingers as she rubbed at her nails attempting to rid them of the dirt. Grabbing at her hair, she tugged at it and pulled it over her shoulders in disgust.

He watched her silently for a moment. "You know I found clothes inside," he finally said. "And a bath. I think there's a well out back, too."

Leslie looked up at him with a smile. "I would love a bath."