THE BEGUILEMENT OF KID CURRY - Chapter Three

Lust begins as a seed…

Miss Martha woke from her tormented sleep. Disgusted she jerked her hand off her bare breast. She threw the thin sheet aside, straightened her disheveled gown and hurried to the basin to wash her face and hands. When she raised her head to look at herself in the mirror, she scarcely recognized the woman that stared back. Her eyes were dark and tormented as she struggled with the impure thoughts that seemed to dominate her mind. She repeatedly washed her hands, dried them but still hesitated before she picked up the Bible off the bed stand taking a seat on the edge of her bed.

"O Lord my rock and redeemer." She moaned as she rocked back and forth. Lust leads to wicked thoughts and the ultimate sin...She of all people knew that.

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Kid's eyes wandered around the room, taking in the four poster bed, the walnut wardrobe and the matching desk. Judging by the musky odor and the presence of dust, this room hadn't been occupied in a long time.

He turned his attention to Heyes, who at the moment lay sleeping with his mouth slightly open. Sweat had already started to bead on his forehead. Kid debated whether to wipe it off his forehead or wait until he woke up. He decided it was better to let him get some much needed rest.

Kid had already tried the door and found it locked as promised. He went to the windows and pushed them open as far as they would go. He could have easily gotten out of the window, so locking the door seemed pointless other than a test to see if Kid would abide by Miss Martha's wishes.

He took a seat by Heyes and waited for the now familiar footsteps of Miss Martha to move down the hallway to their door.

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There was the strong odor of garlic as Miss Martha set the tray down. Kid peered over her shoulder, as she slowly unwrapped the bandages. Heyes gave a small gasp as the final wrap stuck briefly, held by the now dried blood.

Martha cleaned the wound and dried the excessive moisture before reaching for the bowl of finely chopped raw garlic.

"This might sting but it will help with any infection," Miss Martha said as she began packing the wound with it.

Might like hell thought Heyes, as he fought to hold still.

Before Miss Martha could leave, Kid spoke up, "Ma'am I do have some money and would be glad to pay you. I can also do some repairs to help with our keep. Can't say I'm a first rate carpenter."

Miss Martha paused with her hand on the door. She turned to face Kid.

"Your first project will be the front door."

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The heat was stifling, compared to the aridness of the west. After only a half an hour, Kid was drenched in sweat. He took off his bandana and wrapped it around his forehead to catch the sweat from running into his eyes. Although his hat had offered some shade, it had made his head too hot and he quickly removed it along with his shirt.

Once the door had been repaired, Kid moved to the front shutters. He had taken an extra board to push the shutter back into position before starting to nail it into place. On the last nail, the hammer slipped in his sweaty hand causing it to miss it's intended mark and smash into a finger. Kid quickly squeezed his eyes shut in pain.

"God dammit!"

"Thaddeus! You will not use the Lord's name in vain!"

Startled, he spun to see Miss Martha holding a small tray with a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses.

Kid looked embarrassed, as he lowered his eyes and apologized.

"Sorry Ma'am."

"I thought you might be needing a drink. This heat does suck the life out of one if you're not careful."

There was an awkward moment of silence.

"Get dressed," she said, nodding her head towards her shirt hanging off a low branch, "And meet me in the shade under the oak."

Kid pulled his shirt off the branch and quickly buttoned it leaving the top two buttons unbuttoned. She watched as he eagerly drank the lemonade. Her attention was drawn to the beads of sweat that slowly rolled off his face, down his neck disappearing under his half buttoned shirt. She imagined it slowly crawling across his tanned muscular chest, across his flat stomach...She stopped when she felt Kids eyes on her. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. She reached for his empty glass, their hands briefly touching as Kid passed it to her.

"I should be able to finish those shutters today."

Miss Martha sighed as she looked around the property with sadness.

"You should have seen this property before the war stole all its grandeur. Oh, the parties we had. The dances, dresses imported all the way from Europe and the food...cooked doves in a nest of colored orange peels, cooter stew, the fancy cakes and pies" She said with her eyes closed as the memories flooded back.

Kid's stomach growled loudly.

"Sorry Ma'am," Kid said as his face reddened.

Miss Martha smiled as she stood up. "Wash up Thaddeus. Please join us in the dining room for lunch."

"Okay...Ma'am," Kid said slowly. Miss Martha was one of the most confusing people he had ever met. One minute she could barely contain her hatred...the next minute as sweet as a refined Southern Belle.

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"Shut up Emily. You'll wake him up." Amy admonished in a low whisper, as she slipped the spare key in her pocket.

Several of the young girls stood in the doorway.

"If Miss Martha finds.."

Amy whirled around and stopped her with one look.

"I think boys are yucky." The other little girl muttered, as her friend nodded in agreement.

"Then leave. Go." Amy heard their little feet as they scampered down the long hallway.

Amy quietly approached Heyes. She stood quietly and stared at the handsome man. watching as his bare chest rose and fell with each breath. She inched closer and carefully pulled back the sheet covering his lower body.

Oh my…

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