-The Pond-

-Outside of Fort Gibson- Shepard farm- 5/18/1878

James made his way back inside just as his other sons were about to walk out of the house.

"Hold on boys." He said and they stopped and looked at their father, "Thomas has done wrong and is to be punished, his punishment is for him to do your chores for the day." He paused to take a breath and his other sons started to cheer at not having to do work today, or so they thought.

"However, I'm sure your mother and your sisters will need your help, you will help them today." He said and walked off, He could hear his sons groan about having to do kitchen work. Martha approached her brothers with a smile, she was a damn near spitting image of their mother.

"Well gentlemen...You heard father, I need...I mean mother needs this house swept from top to bottom." She said and grabbed the broom lying next to her," Let's see...Oh William you look like you would enjoy this." She said and handed him the broom.

"Don't be such a shrew Martha." He said and took the broom from his sister, "You forget who's oldest, we will do the work, but we don't need you being an ass about it." He said and walked off. Martha scuffed, she then looked at her younger brothers.

"Who will do dishes?" She asked.


James started to feel sweat pour down his face as he started to pick some of the corn that grew, it was the hottest day of the month, possibly the year. James looked over to find Thomas hard at work with the hoe. Thomas stopped for a second to wipe the sweat from his eyes. James set the basket of corn down and made his way over to Thomas. When Thomas noticed his father was approaching he stopped and looked at him. James grabbed his canteen of water.

"Here, drink up." He said and handed Thomas the canteen, they had been hard at work for five hours with little rest, yet it seemed like more work was getting done with only the two. Thomas had taken a drink from the Canteen and handed it back to his father.

James then heard the distant sound of horse feet, He turned around to notice a rider coming up to their property, James already knew who it was, Taylor Mayflower, daughter to Dikes Bigbae Mayflower, the richest man in the area. Taylor happened to been very close friends with Thomas for a years. James looked around to see that Thomas would be completely done with his and his brothers chores in a few moments. He figured the boy had learned his lesson.

"Alright boy, your friend appears to be on her way, and I'll admit you've worked hard. If you two happen to leave be sure to return before sunset, you hear me?" He asked. Thomas nodded.

"Yes father." Thomas said and placed the hoe on a cart, he started to make his way down the road where Taylor would end up. After a few moments she appeared on a white horse, she wore a fancy blue dress, she had dark green eyes and long red hair, she smiled at Thomas' sight.

"Hey farm boy." She said with a smile.

"Howdy rich gal." Thomas said trying to sound as western as he could, in fact his grandfather and grandmother from his father's side taught him and his siblings the "proper" way to talk. He talking all western always made her laugh, he figured it was because he was a half-breed.

"So what brings you all the way here?" He asked, Taylor slowly got off her horse.

"Well, the Fair is coming up in a few days, and I was wondering I you would...escort me." She said, over the years he had started to grow deep feelings for Taylor as she had deep feelings for him, however rich being with the poor was looked down on, so they had to keep their love affair a secret.

"It would be my pleasure." He said and smiled, Taylor smiled back at him and approached to hug him, until his body odor caused her to change her mind.

"Oh Thomas." She said and covered her nose, "Darling you smell quite foul." She said.

"Oh sorry about that, just got finished with chores." He said, "You know there is a pond around here, where we could swim for a while." He said. Taylor nodded.

"Lead the way my smelly farm boy." She said as she held onto his hand, Thomas always loved it when they were able to hold hands, they interlocked their fingers and walked off, her horse following close behind.


Thomas and Taylor made their way down the dirt road a little ways and came to a tree stump.

"Okay it's up here a little way." He said, Thomas and Elijah found this pond one day after they had snuck off from doing their chores. They ended up getting whopped badly by their father later that day for skipping chores, but it was worth it. Thomas would normal go there to be by himself when he was sad or upset.

Thomas and Taylor made their way into the woods following carvings in the trees.

"This pond sure is far." She said holding tightly to his hand, "And these shoes are killing me." She said, Thomas smiled and figured he should be a gentleman for his lady.

"Allow me to carry you my lady." He said and picked her up, holding her by the back and, legs.

"Why Thomas you're such a gentleman." She said and leaned up to kiss his cheek, she then started to lick her lips, "And very sweaty." She chuckled.

"Don't worry, the pond is just up here." He said and made his way up a hill, and on the other side was a pond, the water was clear stretching over twenty ft. Thomas sat her down on the ground, he made his way closer to the pond taking off his clothes. He was fully nude and jumped into the pond.

Taylor blushed at seeing him naked, although she had seen him naked many times before, just as he had seen her naked many times before. Thomas came out of the water and started to rub the water from his face, he looked up at Taylor and smiled.

"Are you coming?" He asked, Taylor smiled and slowly made her way to the pond.

"Are you trying to see me in the nude Thomas Shepard?" She asked, Thomas smiled.

"Would you like me to turn around so you may undress?" He asked, Taylor nodded, Thomas chuckled a bit and turned around. Taylor started to take off her blue dress, then her under garments and lastly her shoes. She step into the water and shivered at its coldness, she looked up to see Thomas was still turned around.

Taylor slowly waded through the water and was right behind Thomas, she stepped closer laying her head on his back and wrapping her hands around his chest, she kissed his back. She pulled away and he turned around, embracing her in a hug. He could feel the warmth of her body, as she could feel his. He gently pulled away and brought his hands to cup her face, he leaned down as she leaned up, and their lips met.

When they pulled away they stared into each other's eyes for what felt like years, yet neither of them were willing to break the connection, Thomas couldn't help but blush looking at her. There were many suitors who have already asked for her hand in marriage, each one she refused. Some even went straight to her father and asked hoping that would make things easier, which it did not. There was only one man and one man only that she wanted to be with, and she was already with him, holding onto him as he held on to her.


Bit of a slow start I know, but I really wanted to introduce the characters first, the next few chapters will also be a bit slow, but will speed up. Ill post a chapter or two every week.

please review and let me know what I think, I plane on going really far with this, and having famous Lawmen and famous Outlaws appear, some will help the main character, others will try to kill this main character. I hope you enjoy