Enemies & Friends: Book 1

By Desiree Love

This book is set in the 1800's. Jackson and his wife Claire have decided to take their family away from the bustle of the city. They want a frontier life, full of adventure and nature. As the wagon gets closer and closer to the prairie they find themselves yearning more and more for a home. When they finally find the most amazing place, they begin the development of their homestead. Even with two children their love and passion for each other is as strong as it always has been. The family will undergo trials and only their love for one another will keep them together. When their daughter finds a new friend they think it is only imaginary until it is revealed that the little girl that Esme has been playing with is actually a ghost from a tribe not far from their home. As the mystery of the little girl's death unfolds they find out that there are stereotypes everywhere and those they should fear are actually the ones to come to their rescue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penny Powers
• Release date: Dec 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463547526

Book preview

Enemies & Friends

Book 1

Desiree Love

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2016 ©

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means. This includes electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, scanning or recording, or by any electronic transmittal service or device, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Except for brief quotations or reference for the purpose of reviews or were permitted by non-commercial copyright laws. This novel is the original work of fan fiction. All characters’ names, places or any other aspects mentioned are trademarked and the sole property of those stated and their respected owners.

All Rights Reserved

© 2016

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Prologue

The wagon seemed to roll effortlessly across the barren trail. The trial that had been the same trail used by people and animals alike seemed to kiss the horizon. The earth was dry and cracked under the same heat that scratched at the canvas roof which has been patched more times than Jackson could count. Still, it remained the only transportation they had, and as the sun beat down upon him from his perch, Jackson wished they would get somewhere...anywhere...sometime soon.

He looked over at his flustered wife as she wiped away the sweat beads that seemed a permanent addition to her face now. She sighed and looked to the dusty expanse on her right. But there was nothing to see on either side, but an endless arena of land sparsely covered with grass. She coughed as she inhaled the dust that clung to her, and her eyes watered as she tried to empty her lungs of the unwelcomed visitor.

Esme, mind your brother, Jackson said as he saw his younger son leaning too far through the side boards of the wagon.

Papa, how much farther? I want to play with Bandit, the little girl said, more concerned with playing with their dog than she was with watching her sibling.

Just a bit more, he lied. But he hoped there was a bit of truth hidden in there somewhere.

They had been travelling for weeks, and there had been little conversation among the family. They were all eager to make their roots somewhere; to find a place they could call home. It was especially hard on the children to remain cooped up in the back of the wagon, and they constantly made a fuss.

You said that before, she said as she fell back against the wooden prison that happened to be their temporary home. Jackson heard, but he was unable to produce an answer that would appease a five-year-old. He could barely find one to satisfy his own longing.

They used to live on a homestead they built out of blood, sweat and tears, but renegade outlaws who plagued the territory kept harassing them, raiding their corn and grain, and plundering the territory.

The land was still uncivilized and law was sparse. After the last raid, all they had left was an ox and a sheep dog named Bandit that had no sheep to mind. Jackson sighed at the thought of starting all over again.

But this time, he made a promise within himself he would find a haven somewhere that even the marauders wouldn't venture onto. Jackson wasn't a large man, but he was a protector and a provider, and he prided himself in that.

Is everything alright Claire? he asked when he saw the dismayed look on her face. She was a beautiful woman with deep set eyes and raven black hair that fell to her waist. She was petite and looked no older than twenty, and she still aroused him every time he looked at her. The sweat gathering between her cleavage made her already thin dress cling even tighter to her breasts. He swallowed the yearning that had raced up the length of his body and gathered in his throat just before his eye caught the scar that lingered on her left arm. She and Jackson had tried to fight off their trespassers, but she was too weak to take on the likes of those things that shouldn't even be called men. Jackson realized he had been defeated. Enough was enough, and rather than lose his young wife and family, he had taken what he could and set off to start over in a place where they wouldn't be disturbed.

But that place was beginning to look more like a dream the further they travelled. All he could make out was nothingness for miles on end.

Look! she suddenly said with a start that caught the family's immediate attention. Even young Jacob, who couldn't understand much of what was happening.

Jackson followed her line of sight and spotted something in the distance. The grass there was a bit greener and there were trees that offered some shade from the merciless sun. He smiled as he pulled back on the reins and redirected the horses off the faint trail that had been all but overgrown, and onto the Promised Land, all the while hoping it wasn’t just a mirage.

Where is everyone else? Esme asked with wide eyed wonder. Her little mind was trying to take in everything that it could muster.

Claire and Jackson shared a knowing smile as they appreciated the silence and the distance from potential trouble. This was a place that would be safe from the trouble found in a town. The trouble of people and their deceitful ways. They hadn’t seen any form of life for days. The wagon rolled up to the grassy mound; the air was cooler there and Claire got out and immediately fell onto the cool surface.

Jackson smiled as he scooped the children from the cart and planted them on the ground. Immediately they ran off, and he let them. There was nothing here to be afraid of.

He turned to his wife. So, what do you think? he asked her. It’s strange how this crop of land just seemed to jump out at us. I didn’t even see it coming until you pointed it out.

She looked around as she surveyed the space. Just be happy we found it. I like it. There is enough space to plant crops and raise cattle, if even just the one, she said as she giggled, her misery all but forgotten. And the children have lots of space to play and explore.

I reckon you’re right, he said. This is a fine piece of land to call home.

Just then the trees overhead began to dance to an unfamiliar rhythm, and the giant oak that towered above the other trees joined in. The couple looked up from their resting place in unfamiliar territory, smiling at what they believed to be blessings from the Gods.

Chapter 1

A New Home

Children, don’t go too far, Claire called as she watched her young ones playing with Bandit a little distance away. They didn’t seem to hear her.

Oh, let them be Claire, Jackson said to her. What else are they going to do?

I suppose you are right, she said as she rested against the giant oak tree. "Isn’t it strange that no one saw this piece of land before? It is beautiful.

It is, Jackson echoed. But I am happy no one came upon it before us. I don’t think we could have gone much more the way we were. It seemed that we would have continued endlessly into the distance.

Papa, where’s house? Jacob asked as he sauntered back to his parents. He was the living embodiment of his mother, with the same intense eyes and dark hair. Unlike Esme who had the same sandy blonde hair as her father.

Claire laughed as she pulled him to her. You can barely speak and here you are making demands of your papa already, she said as she turned him over in her lap. Her fingers wiggled against his middle causing an eruption of laughter to spill from his lips.

No mama, Jacob giggled. No! But Claire was relentless in her tickling until tears started flowing from his eyes. Stop mama! he pleaded. His little fingers tried to grasp at hers to no avail.

Okay, she said eventually and set him down. He skittered off as soon as she let him go, tumbling onto the grass as he did and giggling.

My turn, Esme said as she started growing jealous of the horse play between her mother and brother.

Oh no, I leave that to your papa; you are much too big for my lap, she said as she struggled to stand.

Papa, will you play with me? she asked him.

Maybe later, pumpkin. I need to get wood to make a fire and build a house like Jacob asked for, he said as he winked at his son. Go play while your mother gets dinner ready.

Esme developed a pout then, but there was nothing left to do but wander off again. But there just wasn’t much to see out there. There was nothing but trees, grass, dirt and... well, that was all.

Do you think they will be fine out here? Claire wondered aloud.

They will. They have always had just each other for company, Jackson replied as he leaned over and kissed his wife on her cheek. It may have been the weeks’ long ride that had limited their intimate encounters that caused a shiver to race along her spine as she felt his lips on her skin. Just that tender touch had awakened more than just her imagination. Still, she left him seated on the ground and made her way to the rain barrel to draw water. But while her thoughts of pleasure temporarily subdued, her mind on the lack of privacy they shared, Jackson’s were only just coming to life.

He watched her as she walked away, the thin dress barely hiding anything from him. He could make out her petite figure underneath the thinness of the cloth, and feel the tension building below as her hips swayed from side to side. It had been a while since he last felt her pressed up against him and with a quick glance backwards to ensure the children were safely on the other side of the field, he slowly rose to make his imagination real.

She was leaning over the barrel now as she drew the water, and as she did, she slipped, and her bosom disappeared within the vessel. His heartbeat quickened as he thought she might have been hurt, but when she rose, she had a sly grin on her face. Where he was only seeing cloth before, he could make out her perfectly shaped breasts beneath the wet material. They hardened mercilessly and beckoned for him to come closer. Jackson seemed rooted to the spot as he watched her dip the wooden ladle into the barrel once more. This time she scooped up some of the liquid, and as he watched, began to pour it slowly at her nape, like a waterfall cascading over her perfect skin. The water cascaded down her chest and fell from her nipples. It was like a silent punishment for waiting too long. But he wouldn’t resist her anymore.

His body made quick word across the small space between then. She gasped as his arms grabbed her to him quickly. There was such aggression in his touch, such passion that she yearned for more. Her breathing became erratic and shallow in her need. His lips were firm yet hungry as they sought out her needy ones. As they met they whispered sweet secrets between them that no other would understand as the wind picked up from the oak tree nearby. Claire grabbed a handful of his shoulder length hair and pressed him even further into her. Her wet breasts flattened against his hard chest intensified his breathing, and one could easily see the mist being formed from the water and their body heat.

Then Jackson’s lips found the base of her throat, and as he buried his passions there, her head fell back, her long hair painting the exterior of the wagon. Her breath quickened as she gripped his arms, and in one quick motion he dug his hands into her buttocks and hoisted her onto him. Eagerly, she locked her legs behind him as he held her firmly around the middle, both desperate to taste the pleasures they had been so long denied.

It was now Claire’s turn to be impatient, as she reached into his trousers, fishing out her cherished phallus, ready and willing to take a dive into her steamy cove. With skillful hands she guided him inside her, and as she did, both heads swung backwards, and Jackson dug into her flesh as he felt her walls closing in on him. Claire danced atop him, and he held her in position as he rose and fell to the occasion like the tide. He leaned her up against the back of the wagon as his hands cupped her swollen breasts, and she moved on him with great familiarity and need.

But time had been cruel to them, and anxiety now beset them both as Jackson was unable to quell the river of white that was chasing upwards. He pressed her closer to him as he dug deeper into her, and released all his needs, his emotions, his love, into the woman who received it all and responded in kind.

They trembled when it was over, and slowly he let her legs fall to the ground. She rested against the side of the wagon until her chest stopped heaving.

Jackson stood shakily too, and when he felt more confident in his ability to walk he slapped her on the behind and gave her a crooked grin. "Now, make