0 comments/ 9511 views/ 2 favorites Tecumseh Valley By: Scorpius1945 Author's note: This story is based on the song 'Tecumseh Valley' written by the late Townes Van Zandt. As far as I can tell, the song itself is fiction; this story certainly is. No characters in the story are based on any living or deceased person. It is set during a major recession in the US in 1880. Conditions portrayed in the story are as I imagine them to have been at that time and once again are fictional, as are the locations mentioned in the story, and probably in the song. Enjoy. * * * * * Jed slumped at the rough wooden table on which Caroline had placed two bowls of watery soup. He looked at the soup, then at his beloved daughter, and tears welled in his eyes. "Ah'm sorry, darlin'," he said with a sigh, "This ain't how Ah 'magined it'd be. Ah had no right bringing you and yer Ma out here to struggle and suffer like this." Caroline placed her hand on his arm. "Pa," she replied, "We're together. I'm your daughter so I need to look after you now Ma's gone. I'm sorry I can't do much to help you. There's just no work here; the mine's closed because it's not worth digging the gold out. It isn't your fault." "Yeah, 'tis," he replied, "Shoulda never brung yer out here. Goddammed cold place. Be snowin' afore ya know it." He sampled the soup, pulling a face as he tasted the foul meat and weeds that was all they had for food. "Best ya go ter town ter get yerself a job. Leastways yer'll have sumpin' to eat then." "Are you sending me away?" asked Caroline, looking aghast at him. "I could never leave you here like this." "Well, if'n yer don't, then we'll both die here. Best yer save yerself. Yer young and healthy, nearly 20. Me, ah'm old an' grey an' tared an' past it. No great loss if ah cark it, but you've gotten yer life ahead of yer. Get out now an' make sumpin' of it." Caroline was quiet for a few moments while they both drank their soup, which did little to quell the ravenous hunger eating away their strength, health and good humor. When they had both finished, Caroline replied. "Guess there's not many other options. I could get a job and send the money back to you so you could at least eat. Then I could return in spring and help you with your prospecting if you like." "Nah, best if we part ways fer good," he replied. "Pa, I couldn't," she says, tears coming to her eyes as she puts her arm around his sagging shoulders and buries her face in his neck, sobbing. They stayed like this for a few minutes. Jed gently stroked her long blonde hair, thinking how much she was like her mother. Oh how he missed Mary. If only he'd got to her sooner she mightn't have drowned in the river when she slipped and hit her head. No sense thinking about that now. Enough problems here now without delving into the past. "Well, it's 'bout the only thing we can do," he replied resignedly. "Yer got a better idea?" Again there was silence for a long time and they both considered the enormity of what Jed was suggesting. At last Caroline replied. "I guess it's our only hope. But I'll send money when I can and I'll be back in spring. That's final. You look after yourself till then, y'hear?" "Don't yer go and worry yer pretty little head 'bout me. Ah'll survive just fine on me own. Now, there's a wagon headin' over the hill to Tecumseh Valley town this afternoon. Ah'll talk to Hank an' see if ah can get yer on it. So yer'll need to be packed by then. Go an' start now; ah'll clear away." Caroline went to her small cold room and looked at her few belongings. She had nothing really to pack. She found a small case that used to be her mother's and carefully folded her clothes and placed them inside. She looked about her and added a book of wise sayings, some paper and a pencil, and her Bible which had all been given to her by a travelling priest. She closed the case and took it into the kitchen. "I'm packed," she told her father, tearfully, still not believing that she was going. "Good," was his gruff reply, hiding the devastating emotions he was feeling. "Come with me an' we'll find Hank." They found Hank at the livery stable, stacking his loaded wagon with hay for the horses. Jed persuaded him to take Caroline as a passenger without payment, promising him an ounce of gold from the mine he was convinced he would find very soon. Hank felt sorry for the old prospector and miner so agreed, with no expectations of ever receiving his payment. However, if he played his cards right, he thought sizing Caroline up, who knows what could happen. It was a very emotional farewell, Caroline and Jed clinging to one another, both weeping openly in spite of it being in public. "I'll write when I can and be home in spring, promise, Pa," sobbed Caroline. "Thank yer, sweetheart," replied Jed, holding Caroline away from him so he could get a last look at her. "Ah'll write yer too." Caroline climbed onto the hard seat next to Hank and wrapped herself up in her warmest shawl. Hank whistled the horses and they started off at a slow pace out of the settlement next to the Spencer mine. With tears in her eyes and grief in her heart, Caroline looked behind at her father until he had disappeared behind a rocky outcrop. Only then did she look where they were heading. The road, more like a track with two wheel ruts, was rough and at times sidled around bluffs with a sheer drop on the other side. At such times Caroline held on in terror, as though the act of holding on would keep the wagon from tumbling down the cliff. Hank watched her surreptitiously, noticing her stiffen in fear and relax when the going became smoother and the track wider. "Y'enjoyin' yer ride?" he asked. "N-n-not really," replied Caroline hesitantly. "Is this the worst part?" "Just about, though there's a few steep bits up ahead a mile or so. That really tests the horses. Not too bad with a near empty wagon, but when she's full takin' food to the camp it's real hard. 'Specially if there's still snow onna ground." They rode in silence for a while, Caroline lost in her thoughts of her father and mother from what she could remember of her, and Spencer, the village near the mine which was the only home she had ever known. The enormity of leaving her only home and her loving father and setting out alone into the world was almost overwhelming. However, she had come from strong stock so she was determined to make the best of it. "How long's it take to Tecumseh Valley?" she asked, breaking the silence. "Ahhh, we should get there about this time termorrer if the weather holds," replied Hank. "So where do we stay tonight?" asked a now seriously concerned Caroline. "There's a hut about another two hours travel from here. We'll stay there the night, then push on at first light." Caroline envisaged a rustic house of several rooms, a warm cosy fire and soft beds to sleep on. It really could be quite romantic, she thought, wondering if she would have a view of the snow-capped mountains from her window. Reality hit home a couple of hours later when Hank pulled the horses to a halt in front of a tumbledown shed amongst the pines made of rough timber and covered with a rusty iron roof. "Here's home fer the night," he announced. "What, is this where the horses stay?" asked Caroline. Hank hooted with laughter. "Nah, this is where we sleep the night. It's quite cosy. Ah stopped the cracks in the wall with moss a while ago so it ain't too drafty, it has a fireplace for cookin' and heatin' and the bed's comfortable. Can yer take our stuff inside while I tend the horses, then ah'll get a fire goin'." With her case and Hank's bedroll in her arms, she pushed the door with her foot. It gave with a creak of its rusty hinges and Caroline entered the single room, if it could be called that. It looked more like a stable. A fireplace, simply a grate with a tin chimney, sat in the middle of one wall, there was a bench at one end and an area that looked like a sleeping space at the other. She put their belongings on the bedspace. After her ride she really needed a bathroom so went outside to ask Hank where that was located. "Any tree yer like," he replied with a wave of his hand, "Just help yerself. Washin's done in the stream over there," he added pointing to a narrow track leading downhill to where Caroline could hear running water. Caroline went into the trees a way, out of sight of Hank, and did her business, then walked down the track and tried her best to wash her face and freshen up in the almost freezing water. Once she returned to the wagon she noticed that Hank had split a hay bale to feed the now hobbled horses and given them a bucket of water. They both arrived at the hut at the same time. "There's stew inna pot an' a few carrots yer can add if yer like while ah get the fire goin'," he told her, pointing to the pot and vegetables and collecting an armful of dry wood from a lean to outside. Caroline tended to the stewpot and by the time it was ready for cooking Hank had the fire blazing. It was almost dark outside, the inside of the hut being lit by the flickering light of the fire. They both sat on their packs of clothing and bedroll. "So where do you sleep," asked Caroline pointedly looking at the bed. "Ah usually sleep this side so yer'll be on t'other side. That suit yer OK?" he asked. "We're not sleeping in the same bed!" she exclaimed horrified. Hank guffawed with laughter. "OK, have it yer own way," he replied, "Ah'm sleepin' there; yer can sleep wherever yer want. Wassa matter, yer never slept with a man afore now?" "No, I've never slept with a man and I don't intend to start now," replied Caroline aloofly, concerned now. "Waal," began Hank, "Ah guess there be a firs' time fer everthin'. But suit yerself." They sat, gazing into the flames as the stew boiled and the carrots cooked. Caroline thought hard. She had never been with a man but had heard some of her friends talk about it. She remembered her mother telling her it was something special and should be saved for marriage, but her friends had told her, with hushed giggles, how much fun it was, how great it felt, and part of her wanted to get rid of this thing called virginity; the other half wanted to keep it as a treasure for her future husband. And anyway, she thought, was Hank the right person for her first? Hank interrupted her reverie by taking two tin plates and a couple of spoons from a shelf and ladling generous portions of stew and carrots onto the plates, handing a plateful and a spoon to Caroline. "Here, get some food inter yer and yer might see things different," he grunted. They sat and ate silently while the fire heated a pot of water for some tea. Caroline came to a conclusion. Hank seemed a good-hearted man so while she wasn't ecstatic about the possibility of him being the one to take her virginity, at least it didn't seem like he'd be rough and he seemed to be caring. So she came to accept that if it happened tonight, then it happened. After they'd emptied their plates, washed these with some of the hot water, and had the tea brewing in the pot, Hank asked: "So, have you decided where yer goin' sleep tonight?" Caroline nodded towards the bed, "Yep, right there." "Nexta me?" "Yep, sure am." "So yer not concerned 'bout sleeping with a man for the first time?" "Nope, just keep your hands to yourself and we'll both sleep well." Hank sipped his tea in silence for a few moments. "How old're yer?" "Nineteen, nearly twenty." "An' yer ain't never slept with a man. Amazin'. So yer never had sex either ah guess?" Caroline blushed furiously, the colour hidden from Hank by the orange glow of the firelight. "Never. My Ma told me to keep it for my husband on our wedding night." She decided to open up a little to Hank. "But some of my friends have been having sex. They think I'm stupid to keep it for my husband. They say I'm missing out on lots of fun and they also say what would happen if I don't marry or if I die before I marry; I'll have completely missed out." "Well, ah guess it's somethin' yer'll just havta work out for yerself. We could do somethin' 'bout it tonight ifn yer like." Caroline blushed furiously again, part of her aghast at the thought of having sex with this rough outback wagoner. But then, she thought, was she so much better? She was the daughter of a failed miner and prospector; not exactly the highest recommendation in the wife stakes for an eligible husband. Maybe she should just take what she can get, when she can get it. Her friends had said that sex was fun, why was she so concerned about keeping it for a husband who may never happen? "Guess you'd like that, eh," she replied, grateful of the fireglow to hide her blushes. "Well, yer could be right there too, li'l lady. If yer want to, ah'm sure ready. Anyways, we gotta big day termorra so ah'm goin' to bed. If yer wanta join me yer can otherwise suit yerself." Having said that he tossed the dregs of his tea into the fire, pulled off his outer clothing and lay down on the bed, pulling a couple of blankets over him. It was now or never, thought Caroline. Following suit she tossed the dregs from her cup into the fire, turned her back to Hank, wishing it was darker. Then removed her dress and petticoats, leaving her blouse, slip and bloomers in place. She lay on the side of the bed as far away from Hank as she could and gave the blankets a tug, hoping to retrieve enough to cover herself. She couldn't budge the blankets; Hank was lying on the far side, so she had the option of either freezing or moving closer. She chose the latter, moving just close enough so that she could draw the blankets over her. She heard her heart beating fast, a frantic response to being in bed with a man for the first time. Hank lay still, eyes closed. He sensed that she was lying next to him, and sensed she had moved closer than she really wanted. Tentatively he reached towards her, touching fabric gently and continuing until he felt Caroline's body beneath his hand. He gently rested it on her shoulder. Caroline felt the pressure on her shoulder. Was he awake or asleep, she wondered. Had he just moved in his sleep or was this the start of something more? She didn't know what she hoped for. She left his hand where it was, neither encouraging nor rejecting his touch. His hand started gently moving, caressing her shoulder lightly. He was awake. How to respond? She could just move his hand off her, or she could move away. She did neither and instead reached her hand towards him, resting it on the singlet covering his ribs. She also began a gentle caressing motion in time with his own. After several minutes of this, he moved a little closer. The blanket between them sagged slightly and Caroline relaxed. She started enjoying his caress on her shoulder and moved her hand slightly, slowly down his ribs to his abdomen, maintaining her slow caresses all the while. Caroline felt his hand move gently to her neck, making skin contact before it very slowly, very tentatively slipped under the fabric of her blouse and down the side of her ribs, carefully avoiding her breast. She also felt him roll towards her slightly, allowing his other hand to rest on her blouse at her waist. The intimate touches she was receiving caused her to tense up and freeze, stopping her own caressing of Hank's abdomen through his singlet. Hank felt her tense and maintained the motion of his hands, hoping she would relax. A flighty filly, he decided. She relaxed slowly and continued her caresses through his singlet before she moved her hand downwards, searching for the lower edge of the garment. Once she found it she carefully, slowly and tentatively eased her hand beneath it against the skin of his abdomen. Caroline felt Hank's hand follow her lead, pulling her blouse up slightly so he could slip his hand under it and lightly, teasingly caress her lower ribs and abdomen. She felt a tremor pass through her body and, analysing it, noticed it was excitement and a previously unknown feeling which she guessed must be lust. She wanted him; no, she decided, she needed him, now, hard. She wanted him inside her! A part of Caroline's mind examined her thoughts and feelings unemotionally. What are you thinking, woman? This is wrong; this is against everything you've been taught, everything you know. Get out of here now. However, that part was quickly swamped by the overpowering lust she was feeling, the sensations of being a woman. Her lusty self won out; she rolled onto her side and moved closer to Hank, using her free hand to gently move Hank's hand over her breast, holding her breath as she waited to see what he would do. Hank gently rested his hand on her soft breast, cupping it as he waited for her to release her breath and relax. Once she did, he started to slowly move his hand, kneading her breast ever so gently, lightly touching her engorged nipple while feeling her hand on has abdomen gradually moving downwards towards his hard and ready penis, which was tenting his pants and causing him pain from being constricted. He wriggled his hips, trying to make it more comfortable. Caroline had seen her father's penis when he was washing, but it had always been small and floppy. She had never even known that a man's penis could grow hard and huge. She had never touched a penis either. She decided it was time to remedy that. Slowly she continued her exploration, moving her hand down further beneath Hank's pants and underclothes as the tips of her fingers felt the space created by his hard penis tenting his clothing. Caroline gasped as her fingers found his rigid member. She followed it upwards towards the head, amazed at the size and hardness. "Is it painful having this so constricted?" she whispered to him, the first words spoken since they lay together. "Mmmm, yep, sure am," he replied, "Yer could pull it upward if yer like, that'd help." She reached around his penis, noticing it was so thick her fingers didn't meet the palm of her hand, and carefully, slowly pulled it upwards until it lay on the lower part of his hairy abdomen, pointing towards his chin. She tentatively held it, noting that it was far longer than the width of her hand. She explored carefully, feeling the head, which was wet on the end, and giving it a small, tentative rub, causing Hank to groan. "Did that hurt?" she asked. "Nah, not hurt; jes' felt good," he told her. Hank moved his other hand to cup her other breast and started a more serious massage of both breasts and nipples. Caroline lay still, enjoying what Hank was doing, holding his penis in her hand and making slow movements which Hank responded to by moving his hips. "What do you call this?" she asked giving his penis a squeeze. "It's me prick." He replied. "What d'yer call these?" he asked giving her nipples a squeeze. "They're my titties," she giggled. "It feels lovely when you do what you're doing to them." "Yeah, I like yer playin' with me prick too." They continued playing with each other, Caroline becoming increasingly more at ease with Hank touching her intimate parts and giving her all the wonderful feelings that were coursing through her body. After a while Hank moved over towards her and she felt his warm breath on her cheek. "Yer ever kissed a man?" he asked. "Only my Pa," she replied. "Well, here's 'nother first. Jes' relax." She felt his lips meet hers, their breath mingling as his lips gently at first, then with more pressure, pressed down onto her mouth. She then felt his tongue lick her lips, then gently spread them apart and insinuate its way into her mouth. The feelings it gave her were very erotic; her lust was rapidly increasing. Ohhh, she needed him inside her, although she had no idea what that would feel like. Tecumseh Valley After a few minutes she started kissing him back, pressing her lips to his, forcing her tongue into his mouth and tongue-wrestling, causing her to want more. She then felt Hank's hand move over the skin of her abdomen, down to her bloomers. She felt him undo the tie to her bloomers and slip beneath them, tracing a path downwards towards the cleft in her groin which had given her such pleasure on the few occasions she had been game enough to rub it herself. Gently he moved his hand down until he was cupping her mound. Caroline could barely breath; the excitement was incredible, the feelings amazing. She felt him carefully separate her lips with his fingers, bathing them in her copious juices. She then felt him start gently rubbing the little nubbin of flesh at the front of her cleft and she was overcome with sensations, moving her hips in time to his hand as he possessed her clit, giving her overwhelming pleasure. "Yer like that, eh," he said. "Ooohhhh, yes, yes, do it to me. I want your prick inside me, please, please, take me, now. Push your prick into my cunny, please." "When did yer last bleedin' end?" he asked. Despite herself she blushed again at the personal question. "Two days ago," she replied, "Why?" "Just need ter know. Don't want no kids coming now do we? Two days ago's safe enough." Hank rolled on top of Caroline. She felt his weight on her momentarily as he positioned himself, pushing both her bloomers and his pants and underwear down until his prick rested on top of her cunny, and then he took his weight on his arms. He kissed her again and she responded desperately. "Now yer know the firs' time might be a bit sore," he cautioned once they had broken their kiss. "Yes, Ma told me that. Just do it, get it over with; make me a real woman now. Please," she begged. Hank used his knees to push her knees apart and bend her legs to open herself to him. She wriggled her feet, getting them out of her bloomers, and then lay beneath him, wide open and waiting for defloration. Caroline felt the head of his prick move against her cunny. Ooohhh it felt so good as it gently nudged her sensitive clitty, she thought. She wriggled her hips to gain more stimulation. "Push it in me, Hank. Take my virginity; make a woman of me now," she demanded. Hank would not be hurried. He gently moved his prick against her clitty, trailing it down to her entrance before withdrawing and starting again from the top. Over and over. Caroline felt she was going insane. The build-up of sensations was overpowering. She had never felt like this before nor even imagined it could feel like this. She rocked her head from side to side, pushing upwards, trying desperately to force him to enter her. All to no avail. When Hank sensed that the time was right and that she was good and ready, he slowly pushed the head of his prick into her opening, moving with her to prevent any premature entry as she attempted to impale herself on him. Once he was inside a short distance he felt her hymen blocking any further progress. He withdrew slightly, then pushed back against the membrane, withdrew, pushed again. "This'll hurt a bit," he whispered into her ear, "Jes' bear with the pain. It'll get better, ah promise." Caroline was beyond caring. All she wanted was to feel him fill her cunny, feel his sweet prick in her sopping wet tunnel. Oh why did he have to tease her like this? She nodded. "Just do it," she commanded. He withdrew slightly then heaved his hips forwards, pressing as hard as he could against the thin membrane, feeling it rupture allowing his prick to fully enter her with a rush, ending up seated deeply inside her. "Aaaaarrrggghhh," screamed Caroline, before wrapping her arms around him, holding him still, his prick fully inside her stretched cunny. She quietly sobbed against his shoulder. "Ah'm sorry, li'l darlin'," soothed Hank. "Pain'll be gone soon. Ah'll hold still fer a bit 'n' yer can let me know when to move. OK?" Caroline nodded, still sobbing, feeling the pain rapidly abating, replaced by the driving sexual need she was feeling before. She nodded. "Keep going, sweetheart," she whispered in his ear, "Do me good. Make it worth the pain." Hank withdrew slightly, sensing Caroline's wince of pain, then plunged inside once more, feeling the head of his prick pressing against the end of her cunny. He wriggled his hips, holding himself fully inside, rubbing her sensitive clit with his hairy pubic bone. Caroline gasped, not from pain but from ecstasy as sensations she had never dreamed of flooded her being. She wrapped her legs around his hips, trying desperately to get more of him inside her. "Oooohhhh, yes, yes, like that, yes, fuck me, fuck my little cunny," she murmured in his ear, over and over. Hank needed no second bidding. He began fucking her hard, drawing out almost completely before plunging back in, filling her completely, time after time. Caroline's breathing became more rapid and shallower. "Oh, oh, oh, oh yes, like that, yes, yes, OOOOOOHHHHHHHH," she screamed as her orgasm struck her hard. With a final hard thrust Hank spewed his cum into the end of Caroline's cunny as he lay on her, suddenly too weak to support his weight during his climax. Gradually the lovers came back to reality. Caroline looked aghast as she realized what they were doing. A wave of shame washed over her, replacing the ecstasy she had so recently felt. She pushed Hank away, rolling him off and dislodging his prick from her cunny. She then hid her face in her hands and sobbed inconsolably. "What's wrong?" asked Hank, puzzled by the rapid change in Caroline's demeanor. "What have ah done wrong?" Caroline rolled onto her side and started beating against his chest with her fists. "You fucked me, you took my virginity, you bastard, you had no right to do that," she screamed at him, becoming more distraught by the second. Hank lay beside her, stroking her hair, saying nothing. He had heard of women who had remorse like this, mainly brought about when they had been told for many years that sex was bad and then their own bodies betrayed them. Slowly, with his loving care, Caroline settled down; the sobbing stopped, her anger lessened. Caroline opened her eyes and in the flickering firelight she gazed at Hank's rugged profile. "I'm sorry," she said contritely. "It wasn't your fault. I guess that I've been told for so long that I need to remain a virgin that I believed it and then when you took that I was completely overcome. But I'd definitely do it again. That was fantastic. You're such a wonderful, considerate lover. Thank you so much. I couldn't have asked for anyone better for the first time." She reached up and drew his face to hers and kissed him, long and lingeringly on the lips. "Did you enjoy it too?" she asked when she came up for air. "Oh yeah, yer really somethin' special. 'Twas great. Thank yer, sweetheart." "No, thank you. You're such a considerate lover. Thank you." They embraced and lay entwined together, drifting off into deep dreamless sleep. Caroline awoke with a start, taking a few seconds to orient herself. Then it all came flooding back; the shed, Hank, making love and sleeping with a man for the first time. A wave of remorse flooded through her, followed very closely by an incredibly erotic sensation emanating from between her legs. She realized for the first time in her life that she was horny; she needed a man; now. Hank strode into the shed carrying a bucket of water and shaking the frost off his boots. He noticed she was awake. "'Mornin' l'il darlin'," he greeted her, "Sleep well?" "Very well, thank you, did you sleep well?" "Like a top," he replied, moving to the bed and bending down to give her a kiss. She reached up and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him off balance so he collapsed onto the bed beside her. They kissed long and sensually. "I want to fuck you again, now," she said huskily after they broke their kiss, "Fuck me, please, hard, now. I feel so horny. Please, darling." Hank moved away slightly and looked at her hard. "Are yer the same gal what was here last night?" he asked, smiling at her, "The one who called me a bastard fer takin' her cherry?" Caroline nodded sheepishly. "Well, then, l'il darlin', if'n that's what yer want, that's what yer'll get." He quickly pulled his pants down and opened his underpants. Caroline saw his prick in daylight, growing rapidly in anticipation of its required use. He then flipped her petticoat over her head, baring her from the waist down as she had not yet retrieved her bloomers from somewhere in the bed. She struggled to move the petticoats from her face so she could see. "I want you on your back this time," she said, pulling him down on the bed and attempting to turn him over. He willingly obliged, lying on his back with his hard prick waving in the chill air. Caroline wasted no time in straddling him, holding her cunny entrance over his prick and slowly lowering herself down onto it. She watched his face as he was slowly engulfed, just as he watched hers. "Oh sweetheart, I feel so full; it feels so wonderful," she murmured in his ear as she lay down on him once she had fully engulfed him. "Sure does," agreed Hank, smiling widely, "Who'd a thought yesterday that yer'd be such a sexy wench today, eh? Ain't life grand." Together they quickly developed a rhythm which took them both to the peak of sexual pleasure. Hank reached under her blouse and kneaded her titties, squeezing her nipples as he approached orgasm. A final hard squeeze of her nipples pushed Caroline over the edge, causing her to bend backwards in ecstasy as Hank thrust fully into her cunny and squirted his cum into the end of her tunnel. After a few moments, she fell forward slowly, resting herself on her lover's chest as she recovered, panting hard. "Oh darling, you're just the best," she said when she could speak, "Even though you're my first and only, nobody could be better. Thank you, darling." She kissed him on the lips, hard. "Well, ah cain't say yer me first, but ah can truthfully say ah ain't had none better. For a beginner, yer wonderful," he replied when she released his lips. "But right now we've gotta get movin'. Times a wastin' and the days ain't too long and we gotta long way ter go terday." He gently pushed her sideways, letting her fall onto the bed as he extricated himself, stuffed his flaccid prick back in his pants and stood up. "Yer OK with flapjacks fer breakfast?" he asked, "'Cos if'n yer ain't there ain't much else." She nodded her head, standing up and rummaging through the bed to retrieve her other clothing. "Don't look," she told him, turning her back. He grinned at her. "Yer mean t'say that even though we've fucked twice, you still don't want me ter see yer undies?" He hooted with laughter. "Women, eh. No wonder us guys never understand 'em." He flipped a flapjack in the pan while Caroline turned her head and poked her tongue out at his back. They ate breakfast in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. After they had eaten and washed the plates, they packed their meagre belongings into the wagon, made certain the fire was out, shut the door to keep our marauding animals and hit the trail. The sun was just rising over the tops of the forest, melting the frost on the grass as they continued to travel slowly up the hills. They shared a companionable silence, holding hands on occasions; for a while Caroline rested her head on Hank's shoulder as the wagon rocked its way over the rutted and water-worn track. They forded a shallow stream, watching a pair of ducks as they searched for food, until by late morning they reached the ridge overlooking Tecumseh Valley, the small frontier town and port opening onto an inlet leading to the Atlantic Ocean. "That's yer home for the nex' while," commented Hank as Caroline took in the view, seeing the distant ocean for the first time in her life. "It's a good 'nuff place 'n' the people're pretty much OK too." Caroline looked at the township, the main street running from the wharves a little into the foothills. She could see a few wagons being loaded on the wharf, where a ship was tied up and people were busy swarming over it loading and unloading cargo. Another ship lay at anchor in the channel awaiting a berth. "Do you visit the town often?" asked Caroline. "Yeah, in summer not so much but in winter the high trails're closed so ah'm there most the time, 'cept when I go out huntin' or workin' on the boats." "So we'll be able to see each other then?" Hank glanced at her. "Yer wantin' to stick with me then," he asked. "There be lots more men in Tecumseh who'd love ter git inta yer bloomers. Why me?" Caroline looked at him, looked into his crisp blue eyes, battered face mostly covered with brown stubble, unkempt hair. She knew she could probably do far better in Tecumseh Valley, but she had realized that she loved him, not some other man who might be more polished. She knew she'd be forever grateful for the careful way he had taken her virginity last night and would also miss his strength, common sense judgement and, most of all, his sexiness. "Because I love you," she replied, blushing scarlet at the admission. "Mmmm, yer do, eh? Well, ah've had a good lot o'women in my time 'n' I was 'spectin' to have a good lot more. But one thing ah've never told any of 'em is that I love 'em. Never 'spected to either. But with yer there's somethin' different, some magic that yer weave. Never thought ah'd tell a woman I loved 'er, but ah'm tellin' yer now. Ah love yer too, l'il darlin'. So if'n yer wantin' ter see me some more in town, ah guess ah'm ready ter see yer too." Hank grinned at her, and Caroline, expecting to be rebuffed by this older, more experienced man, was taken aback. She looked into his eyes and saw the light of truth there. Her heart lightened as it skipped a few beats. She threw her arms around him. "Thank you, sweetheart," she murmured into his ear, "Thank you so much. Does that mean we'll live together, sleep together, make love together?" "Whoa, hol' up there a bit. Yer'll have us married afore long at that rate. Yeah, ah'll be yer man, and we'll sleep together 'n' make love 'n' all, and maybe ah'll move in with yer sometime, but not yet. Let's jes' give our love time and a bit o' breathin' space first, eh." They parted after a long, lingering kiss and headed down the hill to the town. The horses knew they'd have stables and good food so were keen to get there quickly, but Hank held them back, retaining full control of the heavy wagon on the steep and often slippery track. Eventually they arrived and were followed by a few children as they headed towards the stables. Hank pulled the wagon up outside a bar. "There's a few places to try if'n yer want work. Not much to do 'roun' here but yer could try the Silver Saddle bar," he pointed across the street, "Or maybe the Golden Nugget down the side road or p'raps Gipsy Sally's 'roun' the corner there." Again he pointed. "Tell 'em Hank sent yer, that may help." "Thank you," said Caroline softly, aware that her time with this gorgeous man had ended, at least for now, "Thank you for the ride, the advice," she lowered her voice, "And for the amazing sex and taking my cherry so carefully and gently. I love you." She kissed him on the lips, despite his obvious embarrassment of this happening in public. "Ma pleasure," he replied, smiling, "Ah'll be roun' to see yer sometime soon." He also lowered his voice as he added, "Ah love yer too." Caroline climbed off the wagon and Hank handed her bag down to her, then the horses moved off and she was alone on the street. For a few seconds she felt panic rising in her throat. She was alone in a strange town with no work, no money, no friends and nowhere to stay. She missed Hank already and felt emotional tears well in her eyes. That's not going to happen, she told herself firmly; I'm here for winter to make some money so I can help my Pa, so whatever else happens, that's what I'll do, somehow. She walked across the street to the Silver Saddle bar and was greeted by a rotund bar tender who asked what she wanted to drink. "Just a water, please," she replied. He brought that to her. "On the house," he said, "You new here?" "I've just arrived from Spencer and I need to find somewhere to stay, preferably where I can work for my keep," she replied hopefully. "Hmmm, times are hard and jobs're few," he informed her thoughtfully. "What sort of work you lookin' for?" "Well, I've only worked on a farm and a gold claim with my Pa till now, but I'm a fast learner and could wait tables, pour drinks, wash dishes, clean the place and stuff like that." "Mmmm, well, we don't have any vacancies at present. Best if you try the Golden Nugget or Gipsy Sally's. In fact, I think they wanted someone at Gypsy's a few days ago but they may have found someone suitable by now." "OK, thanks for that and thanks for the drink," replied Caroline, finishing the water and smiling at the bartender. Once outside, Caroline walked around the next corner and came to the Golden Nugget saloon bar. Again, with a silent prayer, she walked in. There were a couple of guys in the corner drinking and she could feel their eyes on her as she approached the bar and the tall thin guy lounging on a stool behind it. "Well, little miss," he greeted her, "What can I get you?" "Actually, nothing to drink, but I really need somewhere to stay and a job, if you have one," replied Caroline. "Times are tough. There are few jobs specially at this time of year. We could certainly offer you a room but I'm guessin' that you'll not be wantin' to pay for it, eh." "That's right. I need somewhere to stay where I can work to pay for my food and lodging." "Sorry, cain't help you but try Gipsy Sally's a coupla doors down. I heard they wanted someone. You may be too late 'cause these offers are snapped up real quick, but it'd be worth a try." "Thank you," replied Caroline, with a smile that she didn't feel inside. "I'll try them now." She stepped back out on the street and, although she was not overly religious since her Ma died, she muttered a prayer to herself as she walked the few steps to Gipsy Sally's. As she stepped into the bar she noticed it had an unkempt appearance and seemed quite dirty. It was empty at this time in the afternoon and she walked up to the counter where a portly man in a suit that had seen better days was idly polishing the woodwork. As she approached she could feel him appraising her as he stopped his polishing. "Hello little lady," he greeted with a soft Irish accent, "How nice of you to bring a ray of sunshine into this place today. And what might you be here for? You probably don't want a drink, most likely a job or something?" "Good afternoon," replied Caroline, greeting him more formally and very aware that this could be both her best and last chance to obtain what she needed. "Thank you, you're absolutely correct. I've just arrived from Spencer and desperately need both work and lodgings. I have no money so would only be able to pay for the lodgings and food by my work. I really do hope you're able to help me please." "Waall," he replied thoughtfully, "We been lookin' for a waitress, cleaner, cook and barmaid all in one. Would you be interested in that?" "Oh yes please, anything at all would be suitable." "Hmm, OK, you got yourself a job and a place to stay. So you work here, sleep in a room upstairs, and I'll pay you a dime a day as well. Of course you can eat here too, so you'll have very few expenses." "That's wonderful, thank you so, so much," enthused Caroline, having to restrain herself from vaulting the bar and throwing her arms around him. "By the way, my name's Caroline." Tecumseh Valley "OK, come with me and I'll show you your room. I'm Mr O'Flynn but you can call me Liam, been here about 30 years now but still got a bit of the ol' Irish accent. Me wife died a few years ago so I just carried on alone here." They had been walking up the stairs to the second floor as he had been telling her a bit about himself. He stopped in front of a door, took a bunch of keys from his pocket and unlocked it, throwing the door open and stepping aside to allow Caroline to precede him. It was a standard sort of room, bed with a chamber pot beneath, dresser with a pitcher on it for water, a view from the window towards the hill she and Hank had come down today. It was basic but eminently suitable. "Thank you. This will be just perfect," said Caroline. "Pleased you like it," replied Liam drily, "Leave your bag here and I'll show you 'round and find some workin' clothes that'll fit you. Then you can start by cleanin' the barroom, which is pretty dirty as you may have seen." They left the room and Liam took Caroline on a conducted tour of the whole establishment. Liam's room was a short way down the hall from hers; there was a kitchen downstairs where she would have her meals, there was an outhouse for ablutions, and Liam found some more suitable working clothes that appeared to fit. "Have you eaten lunch?" Liam asked in the kitchen. "No, not yet," replied Caroline, eyeing the food hungrily. "Well, once you're dressed for work you can have a bite to eat then you can start your cleaning. Normal working hours will be about mid-morning until the bar closes at night. We're pretty flexible about times here. What I do want is the place looking spic and span for our customers and for you to serve them good food and drinks promptly. If you do that things'll be great." "I'm sure I can manage that," replied Caroline. "I'll go and get changed now, have some lunch then start work." "Great. I can see we'll get on just fine," replied Liam, handing her two keys. "One of these is for your room, the other for the front door in case you're out late or early and it's locked up. By the way, normally you'd wear your own clothes when you're workin' with customers," he reached into a cupboard and handed her a bundle, "Here's a couple of aprons to wear over your clothes to keep them clean. Once you've changed, come back here and have some lunch before starting your cleaning." Caroline went to her room and started changing her clothes, thinking about her good fortune in finding this place and giving a silent prayer of thanks. When she was in her cleaning clothes, she returned to the kitchen and ate a meat pie and a couple of slices of bread and butter. She opened a few cupboards and found some buckets, mops, brushes and soap then started cleaning in the main bar. By late in the afternoon she had almost finished the main barroom. Liam returned and inspected her work. "Jeez, you've sure made this place shine like a new pin," he complimented her. "Probably time to pack things away now and get ready to serve the customers. They start arriving about dusk once it's too dark at this time of year to work." Caroline finished polishing the mantelpiece she was working on, having removed many years of grime from the varnished woodwork, stowed her cleaning gear in the cupboard then went to her room and dressed in a serviceable but smart dress and donned an apron, struggling to check her appearance in the small chipped mirror on the wall. She returned to the barroom where Liam eyed her critically. "Well, you look terrific, me love," he praised, smiling, "You bring a real ray of sunshine into this old bar." Caroline blushed slightly at the compliment, then Liam took her through the processes of taking orders, menu selections, serving food and drinks, accounting for money, giving change and all the numerous other aspects of her job that were new and strange to her. The first customers, a couple of sailors probably off a ship berthed at the wharf, wandered in and stared at Caroline, one of them letting out a low whistle. "Well, who do we have here?" the whistler asked as they approached her standing behind the bar. "Good evening," greeted Caroline, "My name's Caroline. How can I help you two gentlemen?" "Well, ifn you ain't a sight fer sore eyes," the non-whistler replied. "I'm Joe, this here's Bill. We'll have a coupla beers thanks, luv." Caroline pulled two glasses of beer from the tap and placed them on the counter. "That's a dime each," she told them. Joe put down a quarter. "Keep the change," he told her with a grin, "An' come back soon, li'l darlin'" They sauntered away to a table where they sat, watching Caroline surreptitiously. Caroline put the quarter in the till, took out her tip and put it in her pocket. Slowly the number of patrons increased, each seemingly surprised to be greeted and favorably impressed by Caroline. Each also gave her a tip, so she soon realized that she was going to make far more than her dime a day in this job. Part way through the evening Liam came out of the kitchen, where he had been cooking meals, and checked how things were going. "No problems at all," said Caroline. "The patrons are really great and most of them give me a tip. That's OK, isn't it?" "Yes, if they tip you that's yours to keep. They're obviously pleased to see a pretty gal in the bar instead of grumpy old me." He chuckled to himself. "Sure you'll draw the crowds. Wait till tomorrow, there'll be lots of new faces in here; all here to check out the pretty new barmaid. You'll be world famous in Tecumseh Valley before you know it," he laughed. The evening progressed and soon people were leaving, tomorrow being another work day. Midnight found Caroline farewelling the last few patrons as they departed, closing the doors and tidying the place up. Liam came out from the back where he had spent most of the evening cooking then doing some much needed tidying and cleaning. "Well, how'd your first evenin' go?" he asked. "It was busy and really enjoyable. Seems like people liked me being here." "Yeah, you sure are a sight for sore eyes. Could be a late night tomorrow with everyone coming to check you out so best get some sleep. You can continue cleaning tomorrow when you start at 10. Off you go now. Goodnight." "Goodnight, Liam, and thank you so much," replied Caroline as she headed for the stairs to her room. Once there she undressed, washed using the pitcher of icy water she'd fetched earlier, then climbed into bed. She lay there, tired from travel, work, excitement and lack of sleep the previous night. She thought of the previous night, remembering the feel of Hank's hands on her body, the feeling of his prick inside her. She smiled and hugged herself then felt between her legs, rubbing herself gently and wishing Hank was there to do it for her. After a few moments more she slept. The next couple of days went quickly. The barroom gleamed under her care, patrons flooded the bar in the evenings and on Saturday evening Hank walked in and greeted her. "Hiya li'l darlin'," he greeted her softly, "See yer've found yerself a place to work and stay. Talk on the street is that this 'ere bar's the best place in town now yer 'ere." "Sweetheart, I've missed you so much," she replied, struggling to restrain herself from jumping the bar and embracing him. She pulled him a beer from the tap instead and pushed it towards him. "Have yer now," he said, then lowered his voice, "Ah've missed yer too yer know." Caroline was too busy to spend the time talking with Hank, much as she would have liked to. She tended to other patrons while he sauntered away to join some other guys at table where they began playing poker. Caroline visited them frequently, keeping them supplied with beer and whiskey. As the evening drew to a close and people started leaving, especially those married men whose wives would be dragging them off to church the next morning, the crowd thinned and Caroline was able to spend a few moments with Hank when he came to the bar for a refill. "So, how's it been fer yer?" he asked. "It's been a great few days," she replied. "Liam's a fine boss, I enjoy the work, the patrons are generally respectful and pleasant and I even get tips. What more could a girl ask for?" "Waal, this gal could ask fer me ifn she wanted," he replied, winking at her. Caroline felt a jolt of wanting travel through her body, lodging at the apex of her thighs. "Well," she replied, "If you'd be wanting to spend the night with me, I guess that could be arranged," she replied coquettishly, caressing his cheek with her hand. Hank smiled at her. "Ah'm mighty pleased ter hear that," he said. "Ah'll hang round fer a bit an' see what happens after." Caroline continued her work, cleaning up after the customers and finally farewelling the last few, leaving her and Hank alone in the barroom. She removed her apron, placed her cleaning cloths on the bar, turned and threw herself into his arms, nearly knocking him over as her lips found his and they kissed feverishly for what seemed an age. Once they broke the kiss Hank held her away a little and observed her. "Ah've missed yer so much," he said, "Never thought ah would but ah have." Liam walked into the barroom and Hank and Caroline immediately separated. "Liam, this is Hank. He's the guy who brought me from Spencer. Hank, Liam" Liam and Hank shook hands. "Good to meet yer again," said Hank. He turned to Caroline. "We've met each other afore. Ah sometimes take whiskey to Spencer for Liam." "Yeah, good to see you again," replied Liam. "She's a great worker. Certainly increased the numbers here this week and she's cleaned the place up a whole lot." "Yeah, thought it looked a bit better than las' time." "As I came in I noticed you two holding each other. Are you two together?" asked Liam. Caroline and Hank looked at each other and smiled. "You could say that," replied Caroline. She blushed a little then decided to bite the bullet. "I've invited Hank to stay with me tonight, is that OK?" "Fine by me," replied Liam, "What you do in your own time ain't my business. Just make sure you're good to work when you're needed. Tomorrow's Sunday and we're closed anyway, so that's fine. Enjoy your day off and I'll see you for work at ten on Monday mornin'." "Thank you, Liam. Thank you for everything," replied Caroline gratefully. Liam reached into his pocket and brought out some coins. "Here's your pay for the days you've worked since you arrived. It don't seem like much for the way you've cleaned the place up and for all the custom you've brought in," he said, holding the coins out to Caroline, who took them gratefully. "Thank you, Liam. Everything helps and I've been given quite a few tips this week so it all adds up. I hope to take a sizable amount back to Pa in spring." "I'm off to bed. Please lock up and turn out the lamps when you leave. Don't worry about stokin' the fire tonight because we're not here tomorrow. Goodnight to you both," said Liam as he walked out the door towards the stairs, leaving Caroline and Hank alone in the barroom. Again Caroline immediately hugged Hank and kissed him hungrily. "Come to bed with me," she whispered in his ear. Together they extinguished the lamps in the barroom, closed and locked the doors and headed upstairs to Caroline's room. Once inside the room they resumed their clinch, kissing and caressing each other as they feverishly began removing each other's clothing. Once the outer layers were removed they toppled onto the bed and continued at a more leisurely pace. "I've missed you so much," murmured Caroline into his ear, "I didn't think I could miss anyone that much, especially since I've only known you for less than a week." "Mmmm, ah've had lots of women and ah've certainly never missed 'em like ah miss you," he replied, easing her out of her camisole and blouse and kissing the sides of her breasts. Caroline, meanwhile, was rubbing her hands over his muscular chest under his singlet. "That feels real nice. Yer can keep doin' that all night ifn yer like, unless yer got other ideas. Ah got somethin' fer yer too." Hank struggled to sit up and reached into his bag, bringing out a small packet and showing it to Caroline. He opened it and she took out a small wrapped thing and held it out to Hank. "What is it?" she asked. "Ah kinda thought yer mightn't have seen these afore. They's condoms. I put one on me prick and it stops yer getting' pregnant. It's not too bad now but as time passes an' you get to the middle of yer cycle, yer more likely ter get pregnant so either we don't do it for a week or so or we use these." "Oh," replied Caroline, previously unaware that such things existed. "Lucky you know about these things else we'd have had kids running around before we knew it, 'cause I don't want to miss out on a week or so of your loving each cycle." They went back to cuddling and kissing, Caroline feeling Hanks erection pressing into her side as she was gradually stripped of her clothing, as she also stripped Hank. Once they were both naked Hank started kissing her all over, bringing her lust to fever pitch as he nibbled her nipples and caressed her very moist pleasure valley and clitty. Similarly she was gently squeezing his balls and massaging his prick, using his precum as lubricant. "Please put him in me," she whimpered, rubbing her body against his before rolling onto her back and spreading her legs. "Do yer want that ah wear a condom or do we do it bareback one last time?" he asked. "Probly still fairly safe but up to yer." "Bareback, last time," she gasped as she struggled to pull him on top of her. "OK, l'il darlin', bareback it am." Hank lay on top of her, supporting himself on his elbows so she could breathe, then renewed his attack on her titties, sucking gently at her engorged nipples which brought moans of pleasure from Caroline. He pushed her legs further apart with his knees then sat back, looking at her gorgeous body as she lay there, wanting him, waiting to be fucked. He thrust his hips forward until the tip of his prick was able to rub gently up and down her well-lubricated trench. She started gasping, her body responding with a jolt every time the head of his prick passed over her sensitive clitty. "Oooohhhh, darling, please don't tease me, shove it in me, fill me up, fill my cunny with your prick, please darling, do it now, please, do it ..." Hank smiled, amazed at Caroline's wantonness and appetite for sex. What a woman, he thought. He continued teasing her despite her pleas until at last he could take it no longer. He stopped his teasing movements and gently inserted his drooling prick into her opening, stopping when just the head was in, watching as she tried to thrash about under his weight to gain more penetration, but to no avail. He held her like that for several minutes before slowly, ever so slowly, he continued the penetration, taking many minutes until his prick was fully engulfed by her warm wet tunnel. Caroline let out the breath she hadn't known she was holding. "Oh, sweetheart, that feels so wonderful. What a wonderful lover you are. Now please, darling, make love to me, make me cum, cum inside me, do me now." Hank slowly started moving backwards and forwards, sliding out until only the tip remained inside, then thrusting back hard until he was pressing her pubic bone with the root of his prick. He slowly sped up, not intentionally, but simply because he felt himself progressing towards a massive climax. Caroline started thrusting her hips upwards, maintaining his rhythm and forcing him to penetrate her deeper with each thrust. The tip of his prick felt her cervix and the repeated stimulation of this pushed him over the edge. With a final thrust he came hard, burying his mouth against her neck to muffle his cries of ecstasy. The feeling of him pumping his seed deep inside her cunny pushed Caroline over the edge as well and she let out a short sharp scream as she came on Hank's prick, writhing as she too felt the ecstasy of her release. For what seemed like forever they bathed in the glow of their orgasms, pressed hard together, he fully engulfed by her, until at last Caroline pushed at Hank's chest. "I need to breathe, sweetheart," she gasped. He raised his body a little, still maintaining his deep penetration as he looked down at her with 'just fucked' written all over her flushed face and mussed up hair. He bent his head down and kissed her gently, deeply and very sensuously. "Ah love yer, l'il darlin'," he whispered to her. "Mmmm, love you too," she replied. "For only the third time that was just so wonderful. No wonder lots of people say that it's wrong and people should wait till marriage. If everyone was doing this all the time nothing else would get done." Hank chuckled. "Ah'm sure if everyone did this all the time they'd soon 'nough all wear theyselves out," he replied, reaching out to turn the lamp down as low as it would go. They kissed and cuddled for a while longer, Hank rolling off her until they lay spooned together, embracing. He gently massaged her breasts, feeling his now flaccid, damp prick nestled between her ass cheeks until they both drifted off to sleep. They awoke late the next morning, the sun shining on the hills they had travelled only a few days before. As Caroline opened her eyes she saw Hank propped up on one elbow, watching her. "Yer look so beautiful sleeping," he drawled, "Ah could watch yer forever." He bent forward and gave her a chaste kiss on her lips, which she responded to sensuously, reaching up and pulling him down onto her. Her free hand felt for his prick, now hard and pressing into her hip. "Oh, darling, what a gorgeous thing your prick is. Please fill me with it again, sweetheart." "Hmm, yer insatiable," he grinned, "But yer wish is mah command. How d'yer want it, l'il darlin'?" "How haven't we done it yet?" "What say yer get on all fours an' stick yer ass out an' I'll push it in yer that way." Caroline quickly positioned herself on all fours with her ass pointing to Hank. Hank moved her legs wide apart then pushed her head onto the bed while pulling her backwards, looking at the beautiful sight of her pussy gaping slightly open for him, drooling feminine juices. "Jeez you look good, darlin'," he murmured in her ear as he leant forward across her back. "What about condoms?" "No, one last time without. It'll be OK, won't it sweetheart?" "Cain't say fer certain, but should be." She felt the tip of his prick seeking her tunnel entrance. Once it was there, she pushed backwards, engulfing the head as he pushed forward slowly until she was completely impaled on his hard pole. He stayed like that as he reached around and fondled her breasts with his hands, tweaking and squeezing her nipples, teasing them so they became longer and harder as they were fully engorged. "Hmmm, yer feel so good," he whispered. Still holding her breasts, he began moving in and out, gradually increasing in speed until each inward thrust was accompanied by a grunt from each of them as the air was expelled from their lungs. His prick went in deeper from this angle, pressing hard against Caroline's cervix with each thrust. Caroline missed the pressure on her clitty so she reached under her body and rubbed it gently, causing her to feel amazing sensations which were quickly arousing her and pushing her towards her climax. As Hank fucked into her cunny, he also approached his release. He increased the speed and force of his movements, feeling the head of his prick press hard against her cervix before it slid off and nestled alongside it with each thrust. The friction and pressure aroused him quickly and he was soon past the point of no return. He gave her nipples an extra hard squeeze, which caused her to give a small shriek and tense as she went over the edge into her orgasm, at the same time as he pushed into her deeply and squirted his potent seed alongside her cervix.