“You feel so good,” he groaned. “My god.”
She wrapped her legs around him, drawing him into her. With one slow, strong thrust he ruptured her hymen and caught the cry coming from her lips with his kiss. Every nerve in his body demanded that he pound into her again, harder, but he waited until her cry faded into a whimper before he began his movements, He forced himself to be gentle and slow. “I know it hurts the first time, my love. Are you all right?” he murmured in her ear.
“Yes,” she said and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love how it feels now. It’s so strong, the feeling I have.”
“Good girl. Let that feeling build.”
She came soon after, which surprised and relieved Max, as he didn’t think he would’ve been able to hold off for very long with her virgin canal so tightly clenched around him. As soon as she wailed and arched her back, his release followed, and he spilled his seed inside of her. With one final thrust, he pulled out and collapsed next to her on his back, breathing hard.
Charlotte rolled over to him and rested her head in the crook of his arm and shoulder. She traced circles on his chest, and he cuddled her into him and kissed her forehead. While entangled in each other’s embrace, they talked about how they envisioned their future together, how many children they wanted, how Tim would be like a big brother to them, and other happy topics that they smiled and sighed about. In that moment, life seemed just about perfect.
Tim decided to use the scholarship and attend college after again receiving Max’s assurance that he could return to work for him as a blacksmith if he so desired. Although Max was proud of Tim and thought he made the right choice, he mourned it and expressed his sadness to Charlotte. He knew it was unlikely that Tim would return to blacksmithing. The only hope Max allowed himself to feel was that Tim would return to Arizona eventually and take another occupation that suited his education. He didn’t like the thought of Tim being gone for good.
Because of the marshal’s official report to the college regarding Simon’s planned theft, the dean altered the scholarship’s disbursement plan in a couple of ways. He elected to only send Max enough money to pay for Tim’s travel expenses and room and board during his journey east. The rest of the scholarship money would be paid directly to the professors at the college and the landlord at the dormitory where Tim would reside.
Simon made himself so scarce after the marshal visited him that Max was tempted to dismiss him as a threat. He resisted doing so, however, knowing that letting his guard down could have dire consequences. He wore his Remington at all times except while sleeping, when he kept it next to the bed. He escorted Charlotte to and from the schoolhouse so that she was never alone, and he kept Tim close as well. Tim discontinued attending his book club and instead walked home with Max and Charlotte after each work day.
A month before Tim was to depart, the money for his travels was wired to Max. As much as Max hated the thought of saying goodbye to Tim, he also looked forward to the day. Leaving would finally provide the boy with total freedom from his father, whose very presence in the small town served as a painful reminder of the violence in his past.
Chapter Ten: Patience Required
Charlotte grew impatient with the need to be escorted everywhere she went. Although she enjoyed Max’s presence most of the time, and found the morning walks to work with him and Tim pleasant, not being allowed to travel home without Max became a serious inconvenience. She would often have to wait for him to finish his work at the shop long after she finished teaching at the schoolhouse. The sounds of banging metal and the heat from the forge gave her a headache, and she wasn’t able to do much but sit idly in the shop until Max and Tim finished working.
She complained about it one evening and suggested that in the future Max allow her and Tim to walk home together after she finished teaching. Max was adamant in his refusal. “Absolutely not. You think Simon couldn’t overpower you both, especially if he carried a gun?”
“But Max, how long must we live like this?” she despaired. “I feel like if Simon was going to hurt us, he would have done so by now. The marshal’s threat must have worked.”
Max shook his head and scowled. “We can’t know that for sure, Charlotte. We’ll discuss it again after Tim goes to college. Until then, you must stay by my side.”
Charlotte glowered at him before she turned and stormed out of the house. Shortly after she slammed the door to the cabin and set out for the barn, the door reopened.
“Get your ass back here,” Max called to her, with no attempt to disguise his irritation. “You got cotton in your ears? What did I just say?”
She stopped and turned. “I can’t even go to the barn alone? You must be joking.”