Marita opened the door to her room and almost jumped out of her skin. Her lamp was not lit and the moon provided the only light in the room. There was an outline of a man on her bed. After her shock, she realized it was Sean and quickly closed and locked the door.
"Sean! You scared me!" she said as she went to light the lamp.
Sean had gotten off the bed and came up behind Marita as she lit the lamp. "I missed you today" he said as he put his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. Marita smiled because she had missed him too. They usually saw each other through the course of the day, but today they kept missing one another.
"I missed you too" Marita said as she turned around in his arms and kissed him. Their kiss was a hungry kiss. Sean parted her lips and searched for her tongue. When he found it, he drew it into his mouth and sucked it like a piece of candy.
As they continued to kiss, Sean began to unbutton Marita's dress. He was becoming very proficient in undressing her. Marita unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hands over his strong chest. When they were both naked, Sean ran his hands over Marita's body, relishing the softness of her skin. He took her by the hands and pulled her close again for a passionate, wet kiss. When the kiss ended, Sean sat on the bed with his back against the headboard. He then pulled Marita on top of him. Marita put her hands on his shoulders as she straddled him. He pulled her head down to meet his lips. He stuck his tongue into her warm, wet mouth. His hands moved from the sides of her face to her breasts. Sean caressed and rubbed them until Marita moaned into his mouth. His hands moved down her sides and pulled her closer. His lips left hers and traveled down her throat to her breast. He gave special attention to them both as Marita bit her lip to keep from crying out.
"Sean" she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his head and held him in place.
After giving each breast one last lick, Sean moved his hand to her sensitive spot. He used his other hand to pull her head down to his lips again. His fingers began to move in a rhythmic motion as his tongue did the same. Marita ran her fingers through his hair as she moaned into his mouth. As he brought her to climax, Marita held him tighter and kissed him deeper in order to keep from crying out in ecstasy.
"OH! Sean" she whispered into his mouth as her tremors subsided.
Sean began sucking on her neck. "Touch me, Marita" he breathed as he grabbed her hand and placed it on his manhood. Marita squeezed and caressed him.
"MARITA!" Sean breathed right before his lips found her neck again.
Marita continued to caress him. She was happy to see that her touch gave him as much pleasure as his touch gave her.
"I need you, Marita!" Sean begged in a whisper. He put his hands on her hips and lifted her up, then sat her down on his manhood.
"OH!" Marita whispered as she settled down on him. The sensation felt so good. Marita began to rock back and forth, up and down. Her motions increased as the intensely of their lovemaking increased.
UP and Down, BACK and FORTH.
UP and Down, BACK and FORTH.
UP and Down, BACK and FORTH.
UP and Down, BACK and FORTH.
"MARITA" Sean said through clinched teeth. As she brought him near ecstasy, Sean sucked her soft mounds to keep from shouting. As he reached the point of release, deep growls started in his throat and threaten to escape him. His lips traced their way from her breast, up her throat to her mouth. Marita closed her eyes tight and opened her mouth to him. They both shouted their release into the other's mouth. Sean collapsed against the headboard and Marita collapsed against Sean as they caught their breath.
"You're killing me, Marita" Sean breathed. Marita smiled. She liked the fact that she could drive him crazy like he drove her crazy.
Sean scooted down and lay on his back with Marita sprawled across his chest. He began rubbing her naked back and behind. Marita closed her eyes and enjoyed being in the arms of her man. They lay there for ten minutes before Sean spoke.
"I want to expand the business. What do you think?" Sean said.
"I think it's great!" Marita said.
"I have already thought of a name for the company." Sean said.
"What?" Marita said.
"S&M Tobacco Incorporated. How do you like it?" Sean asked.
"I love it!" Marita said. She knew Sean loved her, but at times he still amazed her with his total commitment to her. "How do you plan to expand?"
"I want to start making the cigars" Sean said.
"Cut out the middle man" Marita said as she nodded.
"Yeah. We can grow the tobacco then turn around and make the cigars and sell them" he said.
"You'll have control of your product from beginning to end and that will increase the profit" Marita commented.
"Yeah. I want to eventually invest in a horse farm with Clay. He's been talking about it and maybe I can help him get started" Sean said.
"That sounds like a great idea" Marita loved how Sean wanted to help Clay realized his dream. "Where are planning to make the cigars?"
"I'm going to start looking around in town tomorrow. I think Benjamin Gaines is selling his warehouse" he said.
"How much are you willing to spend?" Marita asked.
"I'm not sure yet. It depends on the building" he answered.
"Well" Marita said a little hesitantly. "I have my savings" she offered.
"NO" Sean said immediately.
"Sean..." she said.
"Marita" he said "I am supposed to provide for you, not the other way around".
"Sean, you're being stubborn. We are in this together and I have money, so why not use it!" Marita said.
"Male ego!"MM
"NO! Marita. You keep your money for yourself and I'll provide for us" he said.
"Sean..." she tried again
"I said NO, and I mean it!" he snapped.
"You are SO stubborn!!" Marita said as she rolled off him and onto her side.
Marita turned her back to him in a huff. Sean folded his arms beneath his head and stared up at the ceiling.
"I'm going to provide for her and that's the end of it!" SM
"He's SO stubborn! I could kill him!" MM
"He just wants to take care of you, so don't be too mad at him" MH
"I'll sleep on that suggestion" MM
For the first time since they married, Sean and Marita went to sleep without holding each other.
*******************************
Marita was dreaming. "Marita" a voice whisper in her ear. A hand sought and found entrance between her legs. She was caressed her until she moaned. She was turned over on her back. Her legs were parted. A weight settled on top of her. Her body was invaded. A kiss was placed on her cheek.
"Wake up, Marita" the voice whispered in her ear.
Marita woke to her husband making love to her. After they were both satisfied, they apologized to one another.
"I'm sorry for last night, Marita, but I need to do this for us" Sean said.
"I'm sorry too. I was just trying to help" Marita understands Sean's desire to provide for her.
After they had their devotion and prayer, Sean kissed Marita on the cheek and got out of bed. "Come to the house for breakfast" he said as he dressed.
"Alright. I'll fix something for Pa first then I'll come" Marita said.
"OK" he gave her another quick kiss before climbing out the window. The sun was just coming up as Sean entered the house. He went upstairs and washed up and changed his clothes. He lingered because he hadn't heard Marita come in yet.
When Sean heard the door open, he headed downstairs. "Hey, Marita".
"Hey" she smiled.
"Hey Marita" Lexy said from the dining room entrance. "Are you going to have breakfast with us?"
"Yes" Marita smiled.
They entered the dining room to find everyone was there except Ned and that woman. Breakfast was enjoyable for everyone. After breakfast, everyone dispersed to get their day started. Marita went into the study to go over her correspondence. Sean followed her.
"I've got to go into town this morning for some meetings." he said.
"OK. Will you be back in time for lunch?" Marita asked.
"I'm not sure" Sean said.
"Well, have a good day" she said.
He puckered his lips and winked at her. "I love you" he mouthed.
"I love you" she mouthed and returned the gestures.
"Bye" he said.
"Bye" she said.
***************************************
It was around 2 o'clock when Sean made it back home. He found Marita in the garden. "Hey" he smiled.
"Hey" Marita said as she smiled up at him. "How was your day?" Marita asked.
"Pretty good. Our meetings went well. I'm meeting Benjamin Gaines tomorrow night at his warehouse. It's in a good location. I haven't been inside yet, but it's pretty big. I'm excited Marita" he said with a smile.
"Good. I am too" she said.
Sean stayed in the garden with Marita while she picked her flowers. They talked mostly about the business and how they would eventually expand into other business ventures.
***************************
The next night at the warehouse
Sean negotiates for the warehouse. He promises he can have the money by tomorrow because he knows just what to say to Pa to get a loan. He is establishing himself as his own businessman. He's laying a foundation that he and Marita can build on.
As Sean rides home, he gets more excited about the expansion of their business. It's becoming a reality to him now. The quicker he gets started, the quicker he'll be able to build the house for Marita. Once Sean nears the Logan property, he heads for Marita's. He hadn't seen her since this morning and he needed to tell her about their acquisition of the warehouse. He knocks on the door and she answers with a bright smile.
"Hey" she says happily.
"Hey" he smiles as he enters the house.
"What a way to end a perfect day - with the perfect woman" SH
"Is your Pa home?" Sean asks as he looks around for the answer to his question.
"I want a kiss" SM
"He hasn't made it in yet" Marita smiles.
"I want a kiss too" MM
Sean grabs her by her arms and pulls her close.
"How was your day?" he whispers as he devours her with his eyes.
"It was good" Marita blushes. When he looks at her like that, butterflies begin running wild in her stomach. She is still a little shy about them being so affectionate. Not that she is complaining, but she still has to get use to seeing this side of Sean.
"She is so cute when she blushes" SM
Sean moves in for the kill. He grabs her around her waist and as if she weren't close enough, pulls her even closer. She runs her hands up his chest, around his neck and lands in their favorite spot - that soft, curly hair. He takes those full lips of hers and parts them with his own. Their tongues meet and the duel begins. The kiss is warm and tender. As the kiss deepens, Marita's butterflies increase. She pulls away but Sean is not finished yet. He goes after and conquers those lips again.
"I know you hate to stop but Isaac could walk in here any minute" SM
The kiss ends. Sean sees that Marita is flustered and he enjoys it. He smiles a very satisfied smile and reluctantly lets her go. Marita catches her breath and asks, "How was your day?"
"Well, you just made it great" Sean was teasing her again, but he meant it. "Let's go for a walk".
"OK. Let me leave Pa a note." she says
They go to their favorite spot - the bench.
"Benjamin is going to sell me the warehouse for $1.07 a square foot.
"How big is the warehouse?" Marita asked.
"A thousand square feet" Sean answered.
"So, where are you going to get the money?" Marita asked.
"I'm gonna ask Pa for a loan" Sean says.
Marita does not want to start an argument so she wisely decides not to mention her savings.
"You know this wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for you" Sean looked at his friend, his partner, his wife.
"Really?" Marita says.
"Yeah. It was you who supported my idea in the beginning. It was you who would not let me give up on that first crop. It was you who encouraged me after Vivian said I would fail. It was you who saved the crop with your aunt's remedy. What would I do without you?" Sean says as he looks at her and smiles.
Marita is always touched by the love she sees in Sean's eyes.
"I want to talk to Pa tonight. I'm not sure how long I'll be but try to wait up for me" Sean said as they walked back to Marita's.
"Alright. I'll wait up" Marita smiled.
*********************
"Wade in the water. Wade in the water children. Wade in the water. God's gonna trouble the water" Sean sang as he trotted home.
As he drew closer to the house, he saw his father dancing. With her.
"This throws a damper on things. I can't talk to him now" SM
"I feel like Ma's being replaced" SH
Sean goes into the house and gets some dinner. After he eats, he checks in on Lexy and Alice to see how their day went. After talking with them, he left to go home to Marita.
tap .............. tap tap............tap...........tap tap tap
Marita walks over and opens her window. "That was quick" she said as Sean climbed in.
"He was busy" Sean remarked.
Marita saw he wasn't going to talk much so she returned to her chair and resumed reading her novel. After Sean got comfortable, he lay across the bed and picked up his bible and began reading. She occasionally glanced over at him and saw that something was bothering him.
After Marita finished reading, she changed into her nightgown and walked over to the bed. "Ready for bed?" she asked.
"Yeah" Sean said, he voice sounding weary.
"What's wrong Sean?" Marita asked when they were snug in bed and Sean lay his head on her bosom.
"Nothing" he said.
"Are you thinking about your mother?" she asked as she rubbed his curls and placed a kiss on his forehead.
"Yeah, I guess" he said a little uneasily.
"She could never replace your mother" Marita assured him.
Writer's note: I can't bring myself to type her name!
"I just have an uneasy feeling about her" he said.
"Because you think she's replacing your mother?" Marita asks.
"I don't know" Sean answers honestly.
"Everything is going to be OK" she assured him as she ran her hand through his curls. Marita began to sing the song that Libby would sing to them when they were children.
"Good gifts of love
Good gifts you hand me down
From your first touch to my wedding gown
Do you even know what you've given me
Do you even see that you are wisdom
You are wisdom to me
My song, my soul
You gave so easily
I'll not forget these gifts to me
We say goodbye but we are not alone
Here with me still my heart, my home
Do you even know what you've given me
Do you even see that you are wisdom
You are wisdom to me
My song, my soul
You gave so easily
I'll not forget these gifts to me
I'll not forget these gifts to me" she sang him to sleep.
After being sung to sleep by his wife, Sean woke the next morning in high spirits.
"I'm going to show Pa the warehouse and talk to him about the loan this morning" Sean said after he climbed out the window.
"OK. God bless you" Marita smiled as she leaned out the window to give him a kiss.
"I love you" he said.
"I love you, too" she said.
************************
Sean takes the family out to see his the warehouse and presents his case to Ned. Ned reviews Sean's books and sees that he is operating in the red. Sean scans the books and instantly knows that someone has tampered with them. He indirectly accuses Charlotte and this causes a riff between father and son.
Sean, being the hot head that he is, runs to William for a loan. As soon as William agrees to the loan, he knows he should have talked to Marita first but his pride had gotten the best of him. After getting the loan, Sean heads home and Isaac tells him that Ned wants to have a word with him. Sean sees Ned riding up to the house and races to meet him.
"You wanted to see me?" Sean said as he rides up next to Ned.
"Yeah. I wanted to talk to you before about the loan. I was a little harsh yesterday. I realized it the minute it was over" Ned explains.
"No need to explain Pa" Sean said.
"The problem with the books could be a simple mistake of addition or subtraction. An entry you or Marita made" Ned suggests.
"Marita" Sean looks at his father. "You're blaming this on Marita?!"
"No one, even you Pa, accuses Marita. Especially when its YOUR wife who is to blame!" SM
"I'm not blaming anybody. I'm only telling you that I realized there are more possible answers to this problem than I've considered" Ned says.
"I appreciated what you're saying" Sean said.
"But I STILL don't like you accusing Marita!" SM
"Good" Ned says. "So let's talk about what kind of terms you need to make this loan."
"I don't need the loan now. I needed the money this morning so I borrowed it from someone else" Sean said.
"The bank?" Ned can't believe he has done this again.
"Yeah" Sean says.
"You mortgaged that land again?" Ned is angry.
"What did you expect" Sean's temper is rising. "You didn't want to loan me the money so I got it from someone else".
"After I specifically told you that you were getting in over your head!" Ned said.
"You told me a lot of things Pa. And one of the things you told me was that land was mine" Sean insists.
"Its yours to use not give to the bank" Ned thought he understood that.
"This again" Sean said.
"You're damn right, this again" Ned exclaimed.
"You say you want us to grow, to be our own men. But the truth is you just want to hold onto everything. You got a death grip on everything you touch." Sean bits out bitterly.
"I'll be informing the bank tomorrow that land is not yours to mortgage" Ned said.
"That's fine Pa. You want the land back? Take it back. Take everything back."
Sean leaves his father and immediately goes looking for Marita but she is nowhere to be found.
What started out as a very promising day ended in disaster. His books have been tampered with. He danced with the devil when he took the loan from William. His father takes his land from him. He can't find Marita. What else could go wrong?
As Sean thinks about his father taking his land, he gets angrier and decides to move out.
To be continued..........................
"Sean! You scared me!" she said as she went to light the lamp.
Sean had gotten off the bed and came up behind Marita as she lit the lamp. "I missed you today" he said as he put his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. Marita smiled because she had missed him too. They usually saw each other through the course of the day, but today they kept missing one another.
"I missed you too" Marita said as she turned around in his arms and kissed him. Their kiss was a hungry kiss. Sean parted her lips and searched for her tongue. When he found it, he drew it into his mouth and sucked it like a piece of candy.
As they continued to kiss, Sean began to unbutton Marita's dress. He was becoming very proficient in undressing her. Marita unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hands over his strong chest. When they were both naked, Sean ran his hands over Marita's body, relishing the softness of her skin. He took her by the hands and pulled her close again for a passionate, wet kiss. When the kiss ended, Sean sat on the bed with his back against the headboard. He then pulled Marita on top of him. Marita put her hands on his shoulders as she straddled him. He pulled her head down to meet his lips. He stuck his tongue into her warm, wet mouth. His hands moved from the sides of her face to her breasts. Sean caressed and rubbed them until Marita moaned into his mouth. His hands moved down her sides and pulled her closer. His lips left hers and traveled down her throat to her breast. He gave special attention to them both as Marita bit her lip to keep from crying out.
"Sean" she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his head and held him in place.
After giving each breast one last lick, Sean moved his hand to her sensitive spot. He used his other hand to pull her head down to his lips again. His fingers began to move in a rhythmic motion as his tongue did the same. Marita ran her fingers through his hair as she moaned into his mouth. As he brought her to climax, Marita held him tighter and kissed him deeper in order to keep from crying out in ecstasy.
"OH! Sean" she whispered into his mouth as her tremors subsided.
Sean began sucking on her neck. "Touch me, Marita" he breathed as he grabbed her hand and placed it on his manhood. Marita squeezed and caressed him.
"MARITA!" Sean breathed right before his lips found her neck again.
Marita continued to caress him. She was happy to see that her touch gave him as much pleasure as his touch gave her.
"I need you, Marita!" Sean begged in a whisper. He put his hands on her hips and lifted her up, then sat her down on his manhood.
"OH!" Marita whispered as she settled down on him. The sensation felt so good. Marita began to rock back and forth, up and down. Her motions increased as the intensely of their lovemaking increased.
UP and Down, BACK and FORTH.
UP and Down, BACK and FORTH.
UP and Down, BACK and FORTH.
UP and Down, BACK and FORTH.
"MARITA" Sean said through clinched teeth. As she brought him near ecstasy, Sean sucked her soft mounds to keep from shouting. As he reached the point of release, deep growls started in his throat and threaten to escape him. His lips traced their way from her breast, up her throat to her mouth. Marita closed her eyes tight and opened her mouth to him. They both shouted their release into the other's mouth. Sean collapsed against the headboard and Marita collapsed against Sean as they caught their breath.
"You're killing me, Marita" Sean breathed. Marita smiled. She liked the fact that she could drive him crazy like he drove her crazy.
Sean scooted down and lay on his back with Marita sprawled across his chest. He began rubbing her naked back and behind. Marita closed her eyes and enjoyed being in the arms of her man. They lay there for ten minutes before Sean spoke.
"I want to expand the business. What do you think?" Sean said.
"I think it's great!" Marita said.
"I have already thought of a name for the company." Sean said.
"What?" Marita said.
"S&M Tobacco Incorporated. How do you like it?" Sean asked.
"I love it!" Marita said. She knew Sean loved her, but at times he still amazed her with his total commitment to her. "How do you plan to expand?"
"I want to start making the cigars" Sean said.
"Cut out the middle man" Marita said as she nodded.
"Yeah. We can grow the tobacco then turn around and make the cigars and sell them" he said.
"You'll have control of your product from beginning to end and that will increase the profit" Marita commented.
"Yeah. I want to eventually invest in a horse farm with Clay. He's been talking about it and maybe I can help him get started" Sean said.
"That sounds like a great idea" Marita loved how Sean wanted to help Clay realized his dream. "Where are planning to make the cigars?"
"I'm going to start looking around in town tomorrow. I think Benjamin Gaines is selling his warehouse" he said.
"How much are you willing to spend?" Marita asked.
"I'm not sure yet. It depends on the building" he answered.
"Well" Marita said a little hesitantly. "I have my savings" she offered.
"NO" Sean said immediately.
"Sean..." she said.
"Marita" he said "I am supposed to provide for you, not the other way around".
"Sean, you're being stubborn. We are in this together and I have money, so why not use it!" Marita said.
"Male ego!"MM
"NO! Marita. You keep your money for yourself and I'll provide for us" he said.
"Sean..." she tried again
"I said NO, and I mean it!" he snapped.
"You are SO stubborn!!" Marita said as she rolled off him and onto her side.
Marita turned her back to him in a huff. Sean folded his arms beneath his head and stared up at the ceiling.
"I'm going to provide for her and that's the end of it!" SM
"He's SO stubborn! I could kill him!" MM
"He just wants to take care of you, so don't be too mad at him" MH
"I'll sleep on that suggestion" MM
For the first time since they married, Sean and Marita went to sleep without holding each other.
*******************************
Marita was dreaming. "Marita" a voice whisper in her ear. A hand sought and found entrance between her legs. She was caressed her until she moaned. She was turned over on her back. Her legs were parted. A weight settled on top of her. Her body was invaded. A kiss was placed on her cheek.
"Wake up, Marita" the voice whispered in her ear.
Marita woke to her husband making love to her. After they were both satisfied, they apologized to one another.
"I'm sorry for last night, Marita, but I need to do this for us" Sean said.
"I'm sorry too. I was just trying to help" Marita understands Sean's desire to provide for her.
After they had their devotion and prayer, Sean kissed Marita on the cheek and got out of bed. "Come to the house for breakfast" he said as he dressed.
"Alright. I'll fix something for Pa first then I'll come" Marita said.
"OK" he gave her another quick kiss before climbing out the window. The sun was just coming up as Sean entered the house. He went upstairs and washed up and changed his clothes. He lingered because he hadn't heard Marita come in yet.
When Sean heard the door open, he headed downstairs. "Hey, Marita".
"Hey" she smiled.
"Hey Marita" Lexy said from the dining room entrance. "Are you going to have breakfast with us?"
"Yes" Marita smiled.
They entered the dining room to find everyone was there except Ned and that woman. Breakfast was enjoyable for everyone. After breakfast, everyone dispersed to get their day started. Marita went into the study to go over her correspondence. Sean followed her.
"I've got to go into town this morning for some meetings." he said.
"OK. Will you be back in time for lunch?" Marita asked.
"I'm not sure" Sean said.
"Well, have a good day" she said.
He puckered his lips and winked at her. "I love you" he mouthed.
"I love you" she mouthed and returned the gestures.
"Bye" he said.
"Bye" she said.
***************************************
It was around 2 o'clock when Sean made it back home. He found Marita in the garden. "Hey" he smiled.
"Hey" Marita said as she smiled up at him. "How was your day?" Marita asked.
"Pretty good. Our meetings went well. I'm meeting Benjamin Gaines tomorrow night at his warehouse. It's in a good location. I haven't been inside yet, but it's pretty big. I'm excited Marita" he said with a smile.
"Good. I am too" she said.
Sean stayed in the garden with Marita while she picked her flowers. They talked mostly about the business and how they would eventually expand into other business ventures.
***************************
The next night at the warehouse
Sean negotiates for the warehouse. He promises he can have the money by tomorrow because he knows just what to say to Pa to get a loan. He is establishing himself as his own businessman. He's laying a foundation that he and Marita can build on.
As Sean rides home, he gets more excited about the expansion of their business. It's becoming a reality to him now. The quicker he gets started, the quicker he'll be able to build the house for Marita. Once Sean nears the Logan property, he heads for Marita's. He hadn't seen her since this morning and he needed to tell her about their acquisition of the warehouse. He knocks on the door and she answers with a bright smile.
"Hey" she says happily.
"Hey" he smiles as he enters the house.
"What a way to end a perfect day - with the perfect woman" SH
"Is your Pa home?" Sean asks as he looks around for the answer to his question.
"I want a kiss" SM
"He hasn't made it in yet" Marita smiles.
"I want a kiss too" MM
Sean grabs her by her arms and pulls her close.
"How was your day?" he whispers as he devours her with his eyes.
"It was good" Marita blushes. When he looks at her like that, butterflies begin running wild in her stomach. She is still a little shy about them being so affectionate. Not that she is complaining, but she still has to get use to seeing this side of Sean.
"She is so cute when she blushes" SM
Sean moves in for the kill. He grabs her around her waist and as if she weren't close enough, pulls her even closer. She runs her hands up his chest, around his neck and lands in their favorite spot - that soft, curly hair. He takes those full lips of hers and parts them with his own. Their tongues meet and the duel begins. The kiss is warm and tender. As the kiss deepens, Marita's butterflies increase. She pulls away but Sean is not finished yet. He goes after and conquers those lips again.
"I know you hate to stop but Isaac could walk in here any minute" SM
The kiss ends. Sean sees that Marita is flustered and he enjoys it. He smiles a very satisfied smile and reluctantly lets her go. Marita catches her breath and asks, "How was your day?"
"Well, you just made it great" Sean was teasing her again, but he meant it. "Let's go for a walk".
"OK. Let me leave Pa a note." she says
They go to their favorite spot - the bench.
"Benjamin is going to sell me the warehouse for $1.07 a square foot.
"How big is the warehouse?" Marita asked.
"A thousand square feet" Sean answered.
"So, where are you going to get the money?" Marita asked.
"I'm gonna ask Pa for a loan" Sean says.
Marita does not want to start an argument so she wisely decides not to mention her savings.
"You know this wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for you" Sean looked at his friend, his partner, his wife.
"Really?" Marita says.
"Yeah. It was you who supported my idea in the beginning. It was you who would not let me give up on that first crop. It was you who encouraged me after Vivian said I would fail. It was you who saved the crop with your aunt's remedy. What would I do without you?" Sean says as he looks at her and smiles.
Marita is always touched by the love she sees in Sean's eyes.
"I want to talk to Pa tonight. I'm not sure how long I'll be but try to wait up for me" Sean said as they walked back to Marita's.
"Alright. I'll wait up" Marita smiled.
*********************
"Wade in the water. Wade in the water children. Wade in the water. God's gonna trouble the water" Sean sang as he trotted home.
As he drew closer to the house, he saw his father dancing. With her.
"This throws a damper on things. I can't talk to him now" SM
"I feel like Ma's being replaced" SH
Sean goes into the house and gets some dinner. After he eats, he checks in on Lexy and Alice to see how their day went. After talking with them, he left to go home to Marita.
tap .............. tap tap............tap...........tap tap tap
Marita walks over and opens her window. "That was quick" she said as Sean climbed in.
"He was busy" Sean remarked.
Marita saw he wasn't going to talk much so she returned to her chair and resumed reading her novel. After Sean got comfortable, he lay across the bed and picked up his bible and began reading. She occasionally glanced over at him and saw that something was bothering him.
After Marita finished reading, she changed into her nightgown and walked over to the bed. "Ready for bed?" she asked.
"Yeah" Sean said, he voice sounding weary.
"What's wrong Sean?" Marita asked when they were snug in bed and Sean lay his head on her bosom.
"Nothing" he said.
"Are you thinking about your mother?" she asked as she rubbed his curls and placed a kiss on his forehead.
"Yeah, I guess" he said a little uneasily.
"She could never replace your mother" Marita assured him.
Writer's note: I can't bring myself to type her name!
"I just have an uneasy feeling about her" he said.
"Because you think she's replacing your mother?" Marita asks.
"I don't know" Sean answers honestly.
"Everything is going to be OK" she assured him as she ran her hand through his curls. Marita began to sing the song that Libby would sing to them when they were children.
"Good gifts of love
Good gifts you hand me down
From your first touch to my wedding gown
Do you even know what you've given me
Do you even see that you are wisdom
You are wisdom to me
My song, my soul
You gave so easily
I'll not forget these gifts to me
We say goodbye but we are not alone
Here with me still my heart, my home
Do you even know what you've given me
Do you even see that you are wisdom
You are wisdom to me
My song, my soul
You gave so easily
I'll not forget these gifts to me
I'll not forget these gifts to me" she sang him to sleep.
After being sung to sleep by his wife, Sean woke the next morning in high spirits.
"I'm going to show Pa the warehouse and talk to him about the loan this morning" Sean said after he climbed out the window.
"OK. God bless you" Marita smiled as she leaned out the window to give him a kiss.
"I love you" he said.
"I love you, too" she said.
************************
Sean takes the family out to see his the warehouse and presents his case to Ned. Ned reviews Sean's books and sees that he is operating in the red. Sean scans the books and instantly knows that someone has tampered with them. He indirectly accuses Charlotte and this causes a riff between father and son.
Sean, being the hot head that he is, runs to William for a loan. As soon as William agrees to the loan, he knows he should have talked to Marita first but his pride had gotten the best of him. After getting the loan, Sean heads home and Isaac tells him that Ned wants to have a word with him. Sean sees Ned riding up to the house and races to meet him.
"You wanted to see me?" Sean said as he rides up next to Ned.
"Yeah. I wanted to talk to you before about the loan. I was a little harsh yesterday. I realized it the minute it was over" Ned explains.
"No need to explain Pa" Sean said.
"The problem with the books could be a simple mistake of addition or subtraction. An entry you or Marita made" Ned suggests.
"Marita" Sean looks at his father. "You're blaming this on Marita?!"
"No one, even you Pa, accuses Marita. Especially when its YOUR wife who is to blame!" SM
"I'm not blaming anybody. I'm only telling you that I realized there are more possible answers to this problem than I've considered" Ned says.
"I appreciated what you're saying" Sean said.
"But I STILL don't like you accusing Marita!" SM
"Good" Ned says. "So let's talk about what kind of terms you need to make this loan."
"I don't need the loan now. I needed the money this morning so I borrowed it from someone else" Sean said.
"The bank?" Ned can't believe he has done this again.
"Yeah" Sean says.
"You mortgaged that land again?" Ned is angry.
"What did you expect" Sean's temper is rising. "You didn't want to loan me the money so I got it from someone else".
"After I specifically told you that you were getting in over your head!" Ned said.
"You told me a lot of things Pa. And one of the things you told me was that land was mine" Sean insists.
"Its yours to use not give to the bank" Ned thought he understood that.
"This again" Sean said.
"You're damn right, this again" Ned exclaimed.
"You say you want us to grow, to be our own men. But the truth is you just want to hold onto everything. You got a death grip on everything you touch." Sean bits out bitterly.
"I'll be informing the bank tomorrow that land is not yours to mortgage" Ned said.
"That's fine Pa. You want the land back? Take it back. Take everything back."
Sean leaves his father and immediately goes looking for Marita but she is nowhere to be found.
What started out as a very promising day ended in disaster. His books have been tampered with. He danced with the devil when he took the loan from William. His father takes his land from him. He can't find Marita. What else could go wrong?
As Sean thinks about his father taking his land, he gets angrier and decides to move out.
To be continued..........................
