The Unknown
by Patricia Henry
Chapter Eighteen
Gwen entered the cabin. �Well our clothes are hanging up to dry.� She smiled at Ronnie.
Jess watched the young boy fight to stay awake. �Tiger, you think you want to go to bed?�
�Not yet,� he mumbled but soon, very soon his eyes closed.
Jess laughed softly. �Sure never thought he�d last this long.�
�He enjoys spending time with you. I think this was the best day he�s had in a long time. I�ll take him.�
�No, after fixing supper you got to be worn out too. I�ll put him to bed.� Jess gently picked the young boy up in his arms. He was gone only a few minutes. �Gwen-� he hesitated. �I�m going to leave in the morning.�
�You�ve decided?�
He nodded.
She moved close to him. Her hand touched his cheek.
He looked questioningly at her.
�Take me with you. Me and Ronnie. Please Jess. We won�t be no trouble.�
�Gwen, I don�t know-�
�Please! We can�t stay here another winter. We don�t have the supplies or even the money to
buy more food. I didn�t know what I was going to do. Not until you came along. And you like me; I can tell.�
He nodded. �I do. Who wouldn�t? You�re pretty and-�
Her eyes searched his face. �Please!�
�I might have a wife and a family. And you saw the poster. I�m a wanted man. What kind of life would that be? To be on the run, always watching over your shoulder?�
�A better life than this. I�ll take my chances. And if you do remember and there is someone else, well at least we�ll be away from here. I won�t make any demands on you, Jess. I give you my word.�
�And Ronnie? You think that kind of life will be good for him?�
�You think the life he�s got now is?� she argued.
�If I had some money, I�d give you what I had but-�
�Then give us something else. Take us along. I need your help to get out of here.�
�And your husband?� Jess searched her face, looking for an answer.
Her eyes avoided his. �I think I would know if he was alive. But I�ve had a feeling for a long time that he weren�t. He�d have come home by now if he was. And if he is alive, then that means he has abandoned us. Either way Ronnie and me are on our own.�
�But Gwen...�
�Please, Jess. Please! If not for me. For Ronnie. I know you like children. I can tell. You�re patient with him and always willing to listen and talk to him. Please don�t leave us here!�
Jess replied, �I don�t know...�
�If you take me, I�ll be good to you.� Her fingernail outlined his lips. �Real good.� She started to kiss him.
He turned his head away. �If I take you, you don�t have to do anything for me,� he said with anger. �I ain�t that kind of man.� At least he thought he wasn�t.
�It�s been a long time, Jess. You felt what I felt at the pond. So far we�ve only kissed. If it goes further then it�s �cause I want to. And I�m hoping you�re wanting what I�m feeling.�
His lips claimed hers. And she responded.
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