Marita goes to the house looking for Sean but is informed by an upset Ned that Sean has moved OUT! Alice tells her that Pa and Sean had a big fight and Sean just left. Marita turns and leaves the house. Lexy rushes to catch up to her.
"Marita" she calls.
Marita turns. "Hi Lexy" Marita smiles.
"Hi. Sean told me to give you this" Lexy hands her a folded note. She stands there with her hands on her hips and a smile on her face waiting for Marita to open the note and read it. Marita looks at her and wonders if she has read the note. Marita opens it and reads:
Marita
I'm at the warehouse. Come see me tonight if you
get a chance. If not, I'll see you tomorrow after work,
but please try to come.
Sean
"What's it say?" Lexy isn't shy to ask.
"You haven't read it?" Marita laughs.
"Sean told me not to" Lexy admits. "So, what does it say?"
Marita smiles, "Sean is at the warehouse".
"Are you going to see him?" she asks.
"I'm going to take him some supper" Marita tells her.
"Oh, he said he was hungry?" Lexy is fishing.
"Well, no but knowing your brother, he hasn't eaten since this morning" Marita says.
Lexy sees she won't be able to get any more information right now so decides to retreat. "OK. I'll see you tomorrow Marita. Tell Sean I said 'Hi'" she says as she runs back to the house.
"I wonder what she knows" MM
Marita goes home and prepares dinner for her and Isaac. After they eat, Marita decides to read until Isaac retires. Once Isaac turns in for the night, Marita prepares a basket for Sean and heads into town.
It was getting late and Sean thought Marita could not get away. He lays down on his make shift bed and decides read until he falls asleep.
Sean is startled by a sound at the entrance of the warehouse. He sits up immediately and looks toward the sound. It's Marita and she has a big smile on her face and a picnic basket on her arm.
"There's my baby!" SM
"I'm glad she's here" SH
He smiles as he lays the book aside and rises to greet her.
"Hey" he says as he grabs for the basket with his right hand and grabs her arm with his left hand.
"Nice place you got here" Marita says as she looks around.
"I hate to think of him living here!" MH
"Oh yeah. You should see it by daylight" Sean teases. "Nah, come to think of it, I guess you shouldn't" he smiles and pulls her close to him.
Marita returns the smile and leans into him as she removes her hat. Their lips meet and the dueling match begins. The kiss is sweet, warm and passionate. When they end the kiss, Sean rests his forehead on hers and just smiles at her.
"I love you SO much!" SH
"There's a lot of commotion going on at home." Marita began.
Sean takes a deep breath.
"Sean's gone. Ned's all upset." she continues.
Sean grunts, turns and walks back to the bed and sits down.
"I hope you have good reason for turning everything upside down" Marita said as she went to sit next to him.
"Hand me that candle would you" Sean asked her as he grabbed his ledger.
"Take a look at this" he said as he lifted the altered page and put the candle behind it. "See that" Sean showed her the figures. "Someone bleached out the original numbers and put another one on top of it."
"Right" Marita said.
"There are 4 or 5 places where that had been done" he said.
"Yeah, well that's what you do when you correct a mistake" Marita reasoned.
"That's right. Except the original numbers here aren't mistakes" Sean said.
"So you think someone's trying to make you look bad in front of your Pa. Cause that's about the only consequence that can come from changing the books but it doesn't change what's real" Marita said.
"It kept him from giving me a loan, didn't it?" Sean pouts.
"Did the books do that or was it your temper" Marita gently asked. Sean could only look at her and smile.
"You know me so well" SM
"I brought you some supper" Marita said as she got up and walked over to the table and began unpacking his supper.
"And what makes you think I didn't eat already?" Sean asked as he came up behind her.
"Are you kidding me" Marita looked at him and laughed.
"Everything looks good" Sean said as he looked into the basket and picked up a piece of bread.
Marita loving ran her hand through his curls and down his strong arm. "Well I guess I can see why you prefer this palatial apartment to your little room at home. But I do have to ask you something".
Sean looked at her because he knew she was about to make him face something.
"Are you sure your not using those books as a reason to be mad at your Pa. Ya know, so you can leave" Marita probed.
Sean turned and walked over to the bed. "Why would I want to leave?" Sean asked as he sat down.
"Seems like to me you been trying to leave for a long time now. You just never do it" Marita suggested.
"Oh, yeah. That's, that's because...." He really didn't have an answer.
"I'm just saying. Think about it" Marita said.
Sean turned to her and smiled.
"I'll think about it later. Right now, I'm thinking about you" SM
Marita recognized that "let's make out" look and couldn't resist a make out session with her husband. They moved closer to one another and their lips met in a sweet kiss. Sean moved on top of her as Marita lay back on the bed. The tension and stress of the day soon melted as Sean lost himself in Marita. He began to caress her breast as he moved his kiss to her neck.
"We can't Sean" Marita breathed regrettable.
Sean looked at her and knew it was her time of the month. He was greatly disappointed. He rolled off her onto his side and propped his head up on his elbow. Marita turned on her side and they faced each other and just smiled.
"Lexy told me to tell you 'hi'" Marita smiled.
"She did, did she. How did she know you were coming here? Did she read my note?" Sean asked with a half frown, half grin on his face.
"She said she didn't. She just asked questions. You know how your sister is" Marita laughed. She paused a minute before asking, "So, what happened between you and your father?"
"He accused me of operating in the red. Spending money I don't have." Sean said in disgust. "I can't believe it Marita. I told him I had paid all the workers before I even paid him back for paying off my loan. I guess he thinks I'm lying! And then, he had the NERVE to say maybe you messed up my books!" Sean said. "I know she did it Marita. Who else would?"
"Did you accuse her in front of your father?" Marita asked as she caressed his cheek.
"Yeah, I guess I did" Sean admitted.
"Well, what's done is done. But please try not to be too angry with your father. How did you feel when he suggested that I may have messed up the books? Try to understand how he felt" Marita wanted to make peace.
"But that's not all. He took my land Marita" he said with hurt in his voice. "I'm tired of him saying the land is mine and then turning around and taking it when he thinks 'I'm in over my head'. How am I supposed to be a man and make it on my own when he tries to control everything! That's why I left. I'm going to build us a future no matter what it takes. I won't ask him for a dime so he won't have anything to hold over my head!" Sean said.
"Don't let this tear you and your father apart" Marita pleaded as she rubbed his arm.
"Marita...." he started to argue.
"Sean" she interrupted. "Family is very important to us and nothing is worth losing our family".
"You're all the family I need" Sean insisted.
"Sean you know that's not true. I know you love your father. I'm asking you to try and understand his point of view and don't let this destroy what you have with him" Marita said.
Sean knew she was right. "Yeah, well I'm still going to build this company on my own. It's time for me to stand on my own two feet".
"Alright" Marita said. "I'll be standing right next to you". She gave him a tender kiss.
"So, where do we go from here?" Marita asked.
"I'm looking for some land to sharecrop on" Sean said.
"Any prospects?" Marita asked.
"Not yet" Sean answered.
"Well, something will come" Marita was always so optimistic.
Sean ran his finger down her cheek. "Remember that cabin we found when we were kids?" he asked, changing the subject.
Marita had forgotten all about the cabin until now. "Can you believe I had forgotten about it" Marita said as she remembered all the fun they had there when they were children.
"Well, I was thinking that we could clean it up and make it our hide-a-way like we did when we were kids" Sean said.
Marita loved the idea. "Sean" she exclaimed. "It's perfect!" Marita had already started mentally decorating to cabin.
They spend the next hour talking about the cabin and remembering the day they found it. They laughed about all the fun and adventure they had at their little hide-a-way.
"I'd better get you home" Sean said when he realized how late was.
"Yeah, I'd better get going" Marita said.
They headed outside to her carriage. Sean got his horse and tied him to the back of the carriage and got in with Marita and he drove them back to the farm.
"Promise me you're going to talk to your father about what happen" Marita said on their way home.
"Marita........" he said.
"Please, Sean. I know you are still angry with him for taking your land, but after you have calmed down, try to understand what he did".
"Are you taking his side!" Sean looked at her in disbelief. He felt like Marita was deserting him.
"No, honey" Marita assured him as she rubbed his back. "I think your father is afraid".
Sean gave her a puzzled look. "You know the story of how his grandfather acquired his first piece of land. You also know how much that land means to your father. It's what the Logan Legacy is build on. I'm not making excuses for him, but he is probably so afraid of losing even one acre of that land. I know you wouldn't lose it Sean but your father doesn't have the kind of faith in you that I do. I believe he will come around, just try to be patient with him" Marita said. "I think he's also afraid of losing you" Marita continued when Sean didn't say anything. "Think about it. You want to go your own way and be a farmer instead of horseman. Maybe he feels you are slipping away from him and you won't need him anymore".
Marita hooked her arm around his and laid her head on his shoulder as they rode the rest of the way in silence.
When they reached Marita's house, Sean pulled the carriage into the shadows behind the house. He got down and helped her to the ground. Sean's hands lingered on her waist as Marita put her hands on his shoulders. They smiled as they moved toward each other. They shared a sweet kiss. A kiss filled with regret that they couldn't make love. If Sean's body couldn't get pleasure from Marita tonight, his hands were determined to. He ran his hands down the sides of her body and moved them to her derrière. He though her behind was a perfect fit for his hands. He palmed and squeezed her. He pulled her close to his groin and she felt his hardness. If it were not her time of the month, Marita would have thrown caution to the wind and let him make love to her right there on the grass. Sean moved his lips from her lips to her ear.
"When will your monthly be over?" Sean said in a desperate whisper.
"In a day or two" Marita answered, wishing it were over now.
Sean then moved his lips to her neck. Marita's pulse increased rapidly and she knew they needed to stop. "We'd better stop" she said with regret.
"I guess we'd better" Sean said between kisses. "Since we can't finish this".
He put his forehead on hers while he let his body cool down. Marita smiled at him and caressed his cheek. She loved him so much.
"I'd better sleep in town tonight. I don't want to oversleep because I have some early meetings in the morning. I'll be at the warehouse around noon" Sean told her.
"Alright. I'll come by about 12:30 or 1:00" she said.
"You sure you don't want to come back to the warehouse with me" Sean grinned.
"And what would I tell PaPa?" Marita asked with a smile.
"You spent the night with your husband" he said.
Marita laughed. "You can tell him that".
"We have to tell them sooner or later" Sean turned serious.
"I know" Marita said.
Since Ned had married, they both hesitated to tell the family about their marriage. They both had been thinking of how to tell the family but hadn't come up with anything yet.
"Alright, well I'd better get back" Sean let her go. He walked her to the door and gave her one last kiss. He turned as walked to his horse.
"Be careful" Marita said as she watched him mounted his horse.
"Night, baby" Sean said.
"Night" Marita waved at him.
After Marita went inside and closed the door, Sean trotted off.
*************************
Marita found Sean in the back of the warehouse moving crates.
"Hey" she smiled.
"Hey" Sean said as he put down the box he was carrying and walked over to Marita and kissed her.
"I, uh, need to tell you something" he said a little cautiously as he let her go.
"What" Marita asked.
"Well, uh, I saw Vivian today" he started.
"Really" Marita said as that little green-eyed monster reared its ugly head. She knew Sean loved her and he was all hers, but the mention of him "seeing" Vivian stirred something in her.
Sean saw the expression of Marita's face and heard the tone in her voice and decided to tell her about Clay seeing Vivian. "Clay was there too. They were meeting for lunch. They're seeing each other."
That didn't pacify Marita. She had seen Vivian play Sean and Clay against each other before. Sean noticed that the news of Clay and Vivian seeing each other didn't soften Marita expression so he decided to just dive in and tell her.
"Vivian offered to let me plant my crop on her land" he said.
"Really?" Marita said with a raised brow as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"She said she heard about what happened with my land and wanted me to use hers." Sean said. "But I was hesitant about it" he quickly added.
"So, are you going to use it?" she asked, her arms still folded across her chest.
"Only if it's OK with you" he said as he looked at her with pleading eyes.
Marita knew how important starting the company was. She saw in Sean's eyes that he wanted to take Vivian up on her offer, but wouldn't unless she agreed to it.
"He loves you, not Vivian. Don't you trust the love he has for you?" MH
Marita realized her reaction was pure jealously. She trusted Sean completely.
"OK" she broke out in a smile. "It's OK with me".
Sean felt relief as he heard Marita's words. "We need draw up an agreement with Vivian outlining the specifics." he said.
"Alright. When do you want to do it?" Marita asked.
"As soon as we can" he said.
"Alright, maybe we can work on it this evening" Marita said.
Now that he had gotten over that rough spot, Sean said "How about helping me move these crates".
"Sure" Marita was back to her old cheerful self again. Sean was glad about that.
"What'd you say you come out to the house for supper tonight" Marita said as they carried crates to the front of the warehouse.
"Your house" Sean said with a smile.
"Yes" Marita said.
"You think your Pa will be alright with that" Sean wondered.
"Depends on how much you eat" Marita teased as she put her crate down.
Sean moved to kiss her. Marita saw William come into the warehouse and motion to Sean. He had a smile on his face until he turned to see William.
"You don't own the land" the little wimp said.
"I can explain that" Sean said.
"I made you a loan with collateral that you don't have. I want the money back" the coward demanded.
"I already spend the money to buy this place but I found some land to put my crop on" Sean explained.
"How resourceful. Unfortunately, that does the bank no good what's so ever. I'll expect the keys to the warehouse on my desk by 10:00 tomorrow morning" he said in his most snobbish tone.
"William" Sean tried to reason with him.
"Or I'll have you jailed for trespassing" he was enjoying his position of power.
High and mighty left as quickly as he came, not realizing that he would eventually have to beg Sean to take the warehouse off his hands.
Sean dropped his head in dejection. He felt like he was losing everything. He walked over to a crate and sat down. Marita's heart ached for Sean. She knew how disappointed he was at the moment. She also knew that it would not do any good to talk to him right now, so she simply walked over and stood behind him. She bent down and wrapped her arms around him and gave him a loving squeeze. She held him like that for a few minutes before she kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear "I love you".
Sean took comfort in the arms of the woman he loved. He always felt safe and secure with Marita. He was grateful for her support and that fact that she knew him so well. She understood that all he needed right now was her arms around him. He loved her so much.
"I need to get back to the house" Marita said as she kissed his cheek again. She stood up straight and moved her hands to his shoulders. She walked around and stood in front of him. She put her hands on his knees and bent down between his legs. She looked into those beautiful blue eyes and smiled. She pulled his head close and placed a sweet kiss on his lips. Her kiss said, "I love you". Her kiss said, "I support you". Her kiss said, "I believe in you". Her kiss said, "I stand by you". Marita ended the kiss and stood up. She bent over and kissed his forehead and ran her fingers through those curls. "I'll expect you at 7:00" she said. Then she left him alone with his thoughts.
**************************
KNOCK KNOCK
"Hey" Marita says.
"Hey" Sean says with disappointment in his voice.
Marita caressed his arm as he came into house. She knows he is still upset about losing the warehouse.
"Evening, Sean" Isaac said as he came to the table.
"Evening, Isaac" Sean said.
"Dinner's just about ready" Marita said as she went into the kitchen.
Sean and Isaac sat down at the table. "How are things going for you, son" Isaac asked.
"As well as can be expected, I guess" he answered with a slight smile.
"Well, I'm glad you are joining us for dinner" Isaac said.
"I appreciate the invitation" Sean said.
"Well, you have Marita to thank for that" Isaac smiled. "She's always worrying about you".
Isaac had come to accept his daughter's relationship with Sean, whatever it was. After Henry Langston came and left, he knew he couldn't stop Marita from caring for Sean, so he was willing to accept them as friends who cared for one another. Poor Isaac was not willing, at least not yet, to accept the fact that they loved each other. Whenever he saw signs (or heard sounds coming from Marita's room) that said they were in love, Isaac put on the blinders and put in the earplugs!
When dinner was ready, Marita served her two favorite men. Two men that she loved deeply and that she knew loved her in return. Marita made all of Sean's favorites: Fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, sweet corn bread and lemonade. For dessert, she made her famous peach cobbler.
After the men had gotten their full, Isaac went out on the back porch to have a cigar and Sean helped Marita with the dishes. After they cleaned up, Marita asked "Wanna go for a walk?"
"Sure" Sean replied.
"OK. Let me tell Pa" Marita said as she walked to the back door.
Sean headed for the front door and walked outside. After Marita told Isaac she was going for a walk, she grabbed her shawl and joined Sean on the front porch.
"Ready?" Marita said as she hooked her arm with his.
"Ready" Sean smiled as they headed to the bench.
They walked in silence. When they got to the bench, they sat in silence.
After fifteen minutes of silence, Sean said "Marita, I feel like I'm losing everything. I feel like I've lost my home, my dreams of owning my own tobacco company. It seems as if everything is going against me. I feel like a failure".
Marita reached over and took his hand in hers and laid their hands in her lap. She looked down at her lap began moving her fingers over his strong hand. "You know I love you. You have not lost everything. You still have me. You also know that I'm not going to let you quit. I'm not going to let you give up your dreams. I believed in you when you first told me this was what you wanted to do. And I believe in you now" Marita said as she raised his hand to her lips and placed a soft kiss on it.
Once again, Sean was amazed at how Marita could turned him completely around. It seemed as if every time he was ready to quit, Marita was right there telling him that he couldn't.
"What would I do without her?" SH
"I don't know" SM
Marita turned and looked at him. She saw his expression brighten and knew her words had cheered him up. She looked back down at the strong hand she held. It had been a week and a half since they had made love. She missed his strong hands on her naked body. She turned and moved her lips close to his ear.
"Your wife has missed you" she breathed as she kissed his cheek. Sean's body reacted immediately.
To Be Continued..........................
"Marita" she calls.
Marita turns. "Hi Lexy" Marita smiles.
"Hi. Sean told me to give you this" Lexy hands her a folded note. She stands there with her hands on her hips and a smile on her face waiting for Marita to open the note and read it. Marita looks at her and wonders if she has read the note. Marita opens it and reads:
Marita
I'm at the warehouse. Come see me tonight if you
get a chance. If not, I'll see you tomorrow after work,
but please try to come.
Sean
"What's it say?" Lexy isn't shy to ask.
"You haven't read it?" Marita laughs.
"Sean told me not to" Lexy admits. "So, what does it say?"
Marita smiles, "Sean is at the warehouse".
"Are you going to see him?" she asks.
"I'm going to take him some supper" Marita tells her.
"Oh, he said he was hungry?" Lexy is fishing.
"Well, no but knowing your brother, he hasn't eaten since this morning" Marita says.
Lexy sees she won't be able to get any more information right now so decides to retreat. "OK. I'll see you tomorrow Marita. Tell Sean I said 'Hi'" she says as she runs back to the house.
"I wonder what she knows" MM
Marita goes home and prepares dinner for her and Isaac. After they eat, Marita decides to read until Isaac retires. Once Isaac turns in for the night, Marita prepares a basket for Sean and heads into town.
It was getting late and Sean thought Marita could not get away. He lays down on his make shift bed and decides read until he falls asleep.
Sean is startled by a sound at the entrance of the warehouse. He sits up immediately and looks toward the sound. It's Marita and she has a big smile on her face and a picnic basket on her arm.
"There's my baby!" SM
"I'm glad she's here" SH
He smiles as he lays the book aside and rises to greet her.
"Hey" he says as he grabs for the basket with his right hand and grabs her arm with his left hand.
"Nice place you got here" Marita says as she looks around.
"I hate to think of him living here!" MH
"Oh yeah. You should see it by daylight" Sean teases. "Nah, come to think of it, I guess you shouldn't" he smiles and pulls her close to him.
Marita returns the smile and leans into him as she removes her hat. Their lips meet and the dueling match begins. The kiss is sweet, warm and passionate. When they end the kiss, Sean rests his forehead on hers and just smiles at her.
"I love you SO much!" SH
"There's a lot of commotion going on at home." Marita began.
Sean takes a deep breath.
"Sean's gone. Ned's all upset." she continues.
Sean grunts, turns and walks back to the bed and sits down.
"I hope you have good reason for turning everything upside down" Marita said as she went to sit next to him.
"Hand me that candle would you" Sean asked her as he grabbed his ledger.
"Take a look at this" he said as he lifted the altered page and put the candle behind it. "See that" Sean showed her the figures. "Someone bleached out the original numbers and put another one on top of it."
"Right" Marita said.
"There are 4 or 5 places where that had been done" he said.
"Yeah, well that's what you do when you correct a mistake" Marita reasoned.
"That's right. Except the original numbers here aren't mistakes" Sean said.
"So you think someone's trying to make you look bad in front of your Pa. Cause that's about the only consequence that can come from changing the books but it doesn't change what's real" Marita said.
"It kept him from giving me a loan, didn't it?" Sean pouts.
"Did the books do that or was it your temper" Marita gently asked. Sean could only look at her and smile.
"You know me so well" SM
"I brought you some supper" Marita said as she got up and walked over to the table and began unpacking his supper.
"And what makes you think I didn't eat already?" Sean asked as he came up behind her.
"Are you kidding me" Marita looked at him and laughed.
"Everything looks good" Sean said as he looked into the basket and picked up a piece of bread.
Marita loving ran her hand through his curls and down his strong arm. "Well I guess I can see why you prefer this palatial apartment to your little room at home. But I do have to ask you something".
Sean looked at her because he knew she was about to make him face something.
"Are you sure your not using those books as a reason to be mad at your Pa. Ya know, so you can leave" Marita probed.
Sean turned and walked over to the bed. "Why would I want to leave?" Sean asked as he sat down.
"Seems like to me you been trying to leave for a long time now. You just never do it" Marita suggested.
"Oh, yeah. That's, that's because...." He really didn't have an answer.
"I'm just saying. Think about it" Marita said.
Sean turned to her and smiled.
"I'll think about it later. Right now, I'm thinking about you" SM
Marita recognized that "let's make out" look and couldn't resist a make out session with her husband. They moved closer to one another and their lips met in a sweet kiss. Sean moved on top of her as Marita lay back on the bed. The tension and stress of the day soon melted as Sean lost himself in Marita. He began to caress her breast as he moved his kiss to her neck.
"We can't Sean" Marita breathed regrettable.
Sean looked at her and knew it was her time of the month. He was greatly disappointed. He rolled off her onto his side and propped his head up on his elbow. Marita turned on her side and they faced each other and just smiled.
"Lexy told me to tell you 'hi'" Marita smiled.
"She did, did she. How did she know you were coming here? Did she read my note?" Sean asked with a half frown, half grin on his face.
"She said she didn't. She just asked questions. You know how your sister is" Marita laughed. She paused a minute before asking, "So, what happened between you and your father?"
"He accused me of operating in the red. Spending money I don't have." Sean said in disgust. "I can't believe it Marita. I told him I had paid all the workers before I even paid him back for paying off my loan. I guess he thinks I'm lying! And then, he had the NERVE to say maybe you messed up my books!" Sean said. "I know she did it Marita. Who else would?"
"Did you accuse her in front of your father?" Marita asked as she caressed his cheek.
"Yeah, I guess I did" Sean admitted.
"Well, what's done is done. But please try not to be too angry with your father. How did you feel when he suggested that I may have messed up the books? Try to understand how he felt" Marita wanted to make peace.
"But that's not all. He took my land Marita" he said with hurt in his voice. "I'm tired of him saying the land is mine and then turning around and taking it when he thinks 'I'm in over my head'. How am I supposed to be a man and make it on my own when he tries to control everything! That's why I left. I'm going to build us a future no matter what it takes. I won't ask him for a dime so he won't have anything to hold over my head!" Sean said.
"Don't let this tear you and your father apart" Marita pleaded as she rubbed his arm.
"Marita...." he started to argue.
"Sean" she interrupted. "Family is very important to us and nothing is worth losing our family".
"You're all the family I need" Sean insisted.
"Sean you know that's not true. I know you love your father. I'm asking you to try and understand his point of view and don't let this destroy what you have with him" Marita said.
Sean knew she was right. "Yeah, well I'm still going to build this company on my own. It's time for me to stand on my own two feet".
"Alright" Marita said. "I'll be standing right next to you". She gave him a tender kiss.
"So, where do we go from here?" Marita asked.
"I'm looking for some land to sharecrop on" Sean said.
"Any prospects?" Marita asked.
"Not yet" Sean answered.
"Well, something will come" Marita was always so optimistic.
Sean ran his finger down her cheek. "Remember that cabin we found when we were kids?" he asked, changing the subject.
Marita had forgotten all about the cabin until now. "Can you believe I had forgotten about it" Marita said as she remembered all the fun they had there when they were children.
"Well, I was thinking that we could clean it up and make it our hide-a-way like we did when we were kids" Sean said.
Marita loved the idea. "Sean" she exclaimed. "It's perfect!" Marita had already started mentally decorating to cabin.
They spend the next hour talking about the cabin and remembering the day they found it. They laughed about all the fun and adventure they had at their little hide-a-way.
"I'd better get you home" Sean said when he realized how late was.
"Yeah, I'd better get going" Marita said.
They headed outside to her carriage. Sean got his horse and tied him to the back of the carriage and got in with Marita and he drove them back to the farm.
"Promise me you're going to talk to your father about what happen" Marita said on their way home.
"Marita........" he said.
"Please, Sean. I know you are still angry with him for taking your land, but after you have calmed down, try to understand what he did".
"Are you taking his side!" Sean looked at her in disbelief. He felt like Marita was deserting him.
"No, honey" Marita assured him as she rubbed his back. "I think your father is afraid".
Sean gave her a puzzled look. "You know the story of how his grandfather acquired his first piece of land. You also know how much that land means to your father. It's what the Logan Legacy is build on. I'm not making excuses for him, but he is probably so afraid of losing even one acre of that land. I know you wouldn't lose it Sean but your father doesn't have the kind of faith in you that I do. I believe he will come around, just try to be patient with him" Marita said. "I think he's also afraid of losing you" Marita continued when Sean didn't say anything. "Think about it. You want to go your own way and be a farmer instead of horseman. Maybe he feels you are slipping away from him and you won't need him anymore".
Marita hooked her arm around his and laid her head on his shoulder as they rode the rest of the way in silence.
When they reached Marita's house, Sean pulled the carriage into the shadows behind the house. He got down and helped her to the ground. Sean's hands lingered on her waist as Marita put her hands on his shoulders. They smiled as they moved toward each other. They shared a sweet kiss. A kiss filled with regret that they couldn't make love. If Sean's body couldn't get pleasure from Marita tonight, his hands were determined to. He ran his hands down the sides of her body and moved them to her derrière. He though her behind was a perfect fit for his hands. He palmed and squeezed her. He pulled her close to his groin and she felt his hardness. If it were not her time of the month, Marita would have thrown caution to the wind and let him make love to her right there on the grass. Sean moved his lips from her lips to her ear.
"When will your monthly be over?" Sean said in a desperate whisper.
"In a day or two" Marita answered, wishing it were over now.
Sean then moved his lips to her neck. Marita's pulse increased rapidly and she knew they needed to stop. "We'd better stop" she said with regret.
"I guess we'd better" Sean said between kisses. "Since we can't finish this".
He put his forehead on hers while he let his body cool down. Marita smiled at him and caressed his cheek. She loved him so much.
"I'd better sleep in town tonight. I don't want to oversleep because I have some early meetings in the morning. I'll be at the warehouse around noon" Sean told her.
"Alright. I'll come by about 12:30 or 1:00" she said.
"You sure you don't want to come back to the warehouse with me" Sean grinned.
"And what would I tell PaPa?" Marita asked with a smile.
"You spent the night with your husband" he said.
Marita laughed. "You can tell him that".
"We have to tell them sooner or later" Sean turned serious.
"I know" Marita said.
Since Ned had married, they both hesitated to tell the family about their marriage. They both had been thinking of how to tell the family but hadn't come up with anything yet.
"Alright, well I'd better get back" Sean let her go. He walked her to the door and gave her one last kiss. He turned as walked to his horse.
"Be careful" Marita said as she watched him mounted his horse.
"Night, baby" Sean said.
"Night" Marita waved at him.
After Marita went inside and closed the door, Sean trotted off.
*************************
Marita found Sean in the back of the warehouse moving crates.
"Hey" she smiled.
"Hey" Sean said as he put down the box he was carrying and walked over to Marita and kissed her.
"I, uh, need to tell you something" he said a little cautiously as he let her go.
"What" Marita asked.
"Well, uh, I saw Vivian today" he started.
"Really" Marita said as that little green-eyed monster reared its ugly head. She knew Sean loved her and he was all hers, but the mention of him "seeing" Vivian stirred something in her.
Sean saw the expression of Marita's face and heard the tone in her voice and decided to tell her about Clay seeing Vivian. "Clay was there too. They were meeting for lunch. They're seeing each other."
That didn't pacify Marita. She had seen Vivian play Sean and Clay against each other before. Sean noticed that the news of Clay and Vivian seeing each other didn't soften Marita expression so he decided to just dive in and tell her.
"Vivian offered to let me plant my crop on her land" he said.
"Really?" Marita said with a raised brow as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"She said she heard about what happened with my land and wanted me to use hers." Sean said. "But I was hesitant about it" he quickly added.
"So, are you going to use it?" she asked, her arms still folded across her chest.
"Only if it's OK with you" he said as he looked at her with pleading eyes.
Marita knew how important starting the company was. She saw in Sean's eyes that he wanted to take Vivian up on her offer, but wouldn't unless she agreed to it.
"He loves you, not Vivian. Don't you trust the love he has for you?" MH
Marita realized her reaction was pure jealously. She trusted Sean completely.
"OK" she broke out in a smile. "It's OK with me".
Sean felt relief as he heard Marita's words. "We need draw up an agreement with Vivian outlining the specifics." he said.
"Alright. When do you want to do it?" Marita asked.
"As soon as we can" he said.
"Alright, maybe we can work on it this evening" Marita said.
Now that he had gotten over that rough spot, Sean said "How about helping me move these crates".
"Sure" Marita was back to her old cheerful self again. Sean was glad about that.
"What'd you say you come out to the house for supper tonight" Marita said as they carried crates to the front of the warehouse.
"Your house" Sean said with a smile.
"Yes" Marita said.
"You think your Pa will be alright with that" Sean wondered.
"Depends on how much you eat" Marita teased as she put her crate down.
Sean moved to kiss her. Marita saw William come into the warehouse and motion to Sean. He had a smile on his face until he turned to see William.
"You don't own the land" the little wimp said.
"I can explain that" Sean said.
"I made you a loan with collateral that you don't have. I want the money back" the coward demanded.
"I already spend the money to buy this place but I found some land to put my crop on" Sean explained.
"How resourceful. Unfortunately, that does the bank no good what's so ever. I'll expect the keys to the warehouse on my desk by 10:00 tomorrow morning" he said in his most snobbish tone.
"William" Sean tried to reason with him.
"Or I'll have you jailed for trespassing" he was enjoying his position of power.
High and mighty left as quickly as he came, not realizing that he would eventually have to beg Sean to take the warehouse off his hands.
Sean dropped his head in dejection. He felt like he was losing everything. He walked over to a crate and sat down. Marita's heart ached for Sean. She knew how disappointed he was at the moment. She also knew that it would not do any good to talk to him right now, so she simply walked over and stood behind him. She bent down and wrapped her arms around him and gave him a loving squeeze. She held him like that for a few minutes before she kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear "I love you".
Sean took comfort in the arms of the woman he loved. He always felt safe and secure with Marita. He was grateful for her support and that fact that she knew him so well. She understood that all he needed right now was her arms around him. He loved her so much.
"I need to get back to the house" Marita said as she kissed his cheek again. She stood up straight and moved her hands to his shoulders. She walked around and stood in front of him. She put her hands on his knees and bent down between his legs. She looked into those beautiful blue eyes and smiled. She pulled his head close and placed a sweet kiss on his lips. Her kiss said, "I love you". Her kiss said, "I support you". Her kiss said, "I believe in you". Her kiss said, "I stand by you". Marita ended the kiss and stood up. She bent over and kissed his forehead and ran her fingers through those curls. "I'll expect you at 7:00" she said. Then she left him alone with his thoughts.
**************************
KNOCK KNOCK
"Hey" Marita says.
"Hey" Sean says with disappointment in his voice.
Marita caressed his arm as he came into house. She knows he is still upset about losing the warehouse.
"Evening, Sean" Isaac said as he came to the table.
"Evening, Isaac" Sean said.
"Dinner's just about ready" Marita said as she went into the kitchen.
Sean and Isaac sat down at the table. "How are things going for you, son" Isaac asked.
"As well as can be expected, I guess" he answered with a slight smile.
"Well, I'm glad you are joining us for dinner" Isaac said.
"I appreciate the invitation" Sean said.
"Well, you have Marita to thank for that" Isaac smiled. "She's always worrying about you".
Isaac had come to accept his daughter's relationship with Sean, whatever it was. After Henry Langston came and left, he knew he couldn't stop Marita from caring for Sean, so he was willing to accept them as friends who cared for one another. Poor Isaac was not willing, at least not yet, to accept the fact that they loved each other. Whenever he saw signs (or heard sounds coming from Marita's room) that said they were in love, Isaac put on the blinders and put in the earplugs!
When dinner was ready, Marita served her two favorite men. Two men that she loved deeply and that she knew loved her in return. Marita made all of Sean's favorites: Fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, sweet corn bread and lemonade. For dessert, she made her famous peach cobbler.
After the men had gotten their full, Isaac went out on the back porch to have a cigar and Sean helped Marita with the dishes. After they cleaned up, Marita asked "Wanna go for a walk?"
"Sure" Sean replied.
"OK. Let me tell Pa" Marita said as she walked to the back door.
Sean headed for the front door and walked outside. After Marita told Isaac she was going for a walk, she grabbed her shawl and joined Sean on the front porch.
"Ready?" Marita said as she hooked her arm with his.
"Ready" Sean smiled as they headed to the bench.
They walked in silence. When they got to the bench, they sat in silence.
After fifteen minutes of silence, Sean said "Marita, I feel like I'm losing everything. I feel like I've lost my home, my dreams of owning my own tobacco company. It seems as if everything is going against me. I feel like a failure".
Marita reached over and took his hand in hers and laid their hands in her lap. She looked down at her lap began moving her fingers over his strong hand. "You know I love you. You have not lost everything. You still have me. You also know that I'm not going to let you quit. I'm not going to let you give up your dreams. I believed in you when you first told me this was what you wanted to do. And I believe in you now" Marita said as she raised his hand to her lips and placed a soft kiss on it.
Once again, Sean was amazed at how Marita could turned him completely around. It seemed as if every time he was ready to quit, Marita was right there telling him that he couldn't.
"What would I do without her?" SH
"I don't know" SM
Marita turned and looked at him. She saw his expression brighten and knew her words had cheered him up. She looked back down at the strong hand she held. It had been a week and a half since they had made love. She missed his strong hands on her naked body. She turned and moved her lips close to his ear.
"Your wife has missed you" she breathed as she kissed his cheek. Sean's body reacted immediately.
To Be Continued..........................
