They sat down on the side of the river for a picnic. Two tiny nuggets of gold resting on the blanket between them. Nova's appetite had returned with full force and she devoured the loaf of bread slathered with freshly churned butter.

"Do you think there is much more?" She asked. Motioning at the gold.

"I imagine so. But it might be deeper than surface level."

"I'd hate to think how much Brandon has taken over the years."

"Ignorance is bliss." He stretched his legs out.

The words managed to make her angry.  Was that why he'd told her nothing about himself? So she could be blissfully ignorant?  The fact that he hadn't trusted her enough to tell her his secret was not only insulting but incredibly dangerous.

Had he thought she was such a giddy fool that she would have called upon every neighbor in the area to tell them about her new husband's notorious past? Or - worse still - that she would have cut a sweet deal with Brandon and his henchmen?

It had been spectacularly dangerous. That she was alive - that she was eating that picnic - and not pushing up daisies... it was fools luck. Her eyes glittered angrily. If he'd only told her the half of it she wouldn't have risked her life so thoughtlessly.

"A penny for your thoughts?" His tone was hesitant - like he suspected that he wouldn't like what he heard.

"I'm thinking about how dangerous it was for me to be 'blissfully ignorant'."

"How so?" His eyes grew large in shock. Like he'd expected everything to be brushed away.

"When I think of everything I went through... I realize how easily it could have been prevented by you."

A confused look settled on his brow. "I beg your pardon?"

"Your lack of trust," she said in an acidic tone. "Nearly killed me."

"Likewise!" His confusion disappeared quickly under her verbal assault.

"You told me nothing. Only a fool would have followed you blindly."

"You should have trusted your gut."

"I was about to, until you recommended otherwise." Her eyes flashed with rage. She was consumed with angry injustice toward him.

"So, it is back to being my fault again?"

"Why can't you just accept it and apologize? You should have trusted me."

"You never gave me any indication that you cared if I was dead or alive."

"That's ridiculous. You knew how smitten I was of you when I was a child."

"Smitten?" He roared, jumping to his feet. "I don't mind the fact that you so stupidly charged off around the country-side in a desperate attempt to have us both hung from the gallows, I also have come to accept that you are a highly stubborn and infuriating individual but - by god, Nova - your lies are an insult to my intelligence. I thought you were better than that." Turning on his heel he marched off down the river.

"What?" Her voice cracked in shock.

Jese turned on her. "Oh don't try that simpering damsel act on me. The only thing you were smitten with as a child was yourself. So appalled to even walk past me on the street in case it tainted your reputation."

Nova stood up slowly, scared of his emotional outburst. In all of the dangerous situations she'd seen him, she'd not once seen him so vicious. "You really don't believe that do you?"

"Look at you," Jese snarled derisively. "Such a brilliant actor. Your wounded pride would win you rave reviews.  From saloon girl to theater.  Bravo!" He clapped sarcastically.

"Wounded pride?" Nova shot from hurt to outraged in seconds. "What is wrong with you? I don't need to put up with this." Marching to Twilight's side she loosened the reins.

"Where are you going?" His voice barked.

"To the city council. It is about time we annulled this facade."

"Not so fast." He snatched her into his embrace. "You wanted to talk, so we're talking."

"We are not talking! You are accusing me of things that you won't allow me to defend myself of. If that is your idea of marriage then you are welcome to it.  There are many woman in the County that would be very obliged to live with such a brute, but I'm not one of them." Her hands were swinging at him. Hurt and angry at his idea of her.

"I don't want any other woman, Nova." She felt him clasp her upper arms, with such a grip that she was sure he would leave red welts on her skin. "I want you. So tell me... what is it I won't believe?" Nova knew he was trying to resist from shaking her.

"You were obviously an insecure boy if you couldn't tell how much I fancied you."

He snorted angrily. Disbelieving.

"But you were so busy running after all of the older girls that you didn't pay any attention to me. I fell over in front of you two times, trying to catch your eye, but you didn't even notice. I was surprised you helped me up."

He did remember Nova being an uncoordinated girl... but he'd put it down to weak ankles and an awkward personality - not the clumsy throes of young love.

"So go on," Nova continued. "And find what gold you need to pay for your loan and services while I go to town to end this sham of a marriage."

The thought lingered on the breeze between them, unspoken. Their unconsummated marriage. She was forever throwing the fear of it in his face - that he wasn't man enough to tame her. That no man was.

His lips found hers, crushing down on their softness, she was too shocked to deny him. A sense of urgency overtook him. If stolen kisses were all he could take then he was going to be an opportunist and take all he could. His hand crept up behind her head. Fingers tangled in her thick chocolate locks. Clenching his hand into a fist her mouth was dragged open. Jese deepened the kiss. Hearing a moan escape. Pleasure or pain? Neither was repulsion - that had to be a start! His free hand sought to pull one strap off her shoulders.

Hearing the flimsy fabric tear away, Nova gasped and clutched at the dress. Desperate to keep it from falling to a pool at her feet. His hand caught hers and pulled them down and back into his embrace. She could feel his starched shirt on the skin exposed from her corset and panties.

"You may be the most single minded stubborn and completely erratic woman that I've ever met," Jese breathed against her ear. "But I can promise you this... I love you as any husband should love his wife."

"Liar," she snarled. "Just take what you want and go."

He hauled her up over his shoulder, "Alright then."

"What are you doing?"

"Taking what I want. But I'd much rather we found comfort on that picnic blanket than here against this horse."

"Unhand me you brute!" Her fists pummeled his back as he marched her back to the soft blanket on the side of the river. "You've certainly changed with the years!"

"How so?" He asked conversationally, as he carefully laid her on her back and began undoing the ribbons of her corset.

"Taking a woman without her consent."

His hands stopped immediately and he sat back. Thrusting his head into his hands.

With a sniff of indignation, Nova began to tidy her disheveled appearance and stood carefully to leave. Her heart heavy with pain and longing. Why did it keep ending like this? Was this the last she would see of him?

"I have a confession to make," Jese was lost in thought. But his hand found its way to his breast pocket.

"Oh?"

"I write letters to my wife." He stopped himself. "Sorry, my late wife. It is a bit like a journal."

Nova nodded. Guiltily not acknowledging what she'd read.

"I was going to stop after our wedding but after everything that happened I wrote one more."

"Oh."

"Before you annul this marriage I'd really like you to read it."

Nova took the parchment carefully and opened it.

My darling Magda,

I wasn't going to write to you again... at least not for awhile. But once again I find myself with my quill in hand. It never dissipates from my memory the scene I came home to that day. You lying there in bed holding onto Pedro's cold body. I don't expect I will ever truly forget it.

Nor do I think I will ever forgive myself for not being with you when you needed me the most. I am constantly overwhelmed with anger and regret, that because of my youthful arrogance you and Pedro are dead and yet I am lucky enough to live on.

My heart is submerged in guilt that it isn't you falling in love again. Why can't it be you? You had the sweetest disposition and the kindest soul... and all I had was an angry sense of injustice. The world lost two angels when I lost you both, and ironically it chose to keep the devil living on.

You have probably witnessed it, Magda. I am falling in love with my wife. I've tried desperately to push her away... to hold her at arm's length... because it isn't fair for me to be happy when you are both dead. And yet she has caught me in her spell, sucking me in.

And all I feel is guilt.

Yet by punishing myself aren't I punishing Nova?  She has given me a second chance at life, doesn't she deserve happiness? When I buried your bodies I promised myself I'd never hurt another innocent soul. Now I need to keep that promise.

Please don't think I will ever forget you both. You will forever be cherished in my memory. But now I need to move forward to my future. I only hope that wherever your soul is that it is happy. That your heart is full of joy and that Pedro's laughter echos through the heavens as it used to echo through the swamp. And that I see you again in time.

Yours JC

Tears rolled down Nova's cheeks and she sat heavily back onto the blanket. "Oh Jese."

He leaned forward to kiss them away. Nova had the strangest feeling, as if she was being dangled by her toes and all of the blood pumped to her head... she couldn't breath and felt it hard to think. The sound of the river rushing past and her heart banging against her chest deafened her to all else. Was he going to kiss her again? Here by the river? But this time it would be different. This time it would be without anger and without doubt... it would be an act of love.

His lips teased hers. Softly at first, so that she wondered if she'd imagined it, and then deeper until her heart threatened to stop altogether.

Jese laid her back against the gravel, she could smell the tang of wild flowers on the breeze her lips tingling as his mouth became a little more persistent and demanding.

Feeling his tongue - soft and playful - as it danced slowly with hers. She struggled to breath. So nervous that the moment would vanish in an instant.

His kisses grew deeper and longer until she was forced to retreat breathless and senseless. Gasping the cool air into her lungs she felt his fingers on her dress, once more revealing the pretty cream colored corset underneath. This time his eyes were gentler, full of appreciation and wonder.

"Oh Nova," his voice rasped. "You're perfect."

Her bones melted. All the aches and pains of the previous day disappeared - but an overwhelming ache growing in their place. Starting somewhere between her legs. Leaning eagerly into his embrace, Nova felt his kisses slowly devour her body.