At least I had a hobby that could distract me from the whatever that was.I'd studied the Civil War since my Dad, god rest his soul, told me about some...family trinkets that had a connection to it, the prize being a family heirloom sword we keep in a place of honor that was actually at Appomattox at the Surrender. How it got there from where I knew Great-Great-Grandaddy lived, I still haven't figured out. He fought in Arkansas and Missouri along the Mississippi, at places like Wilson's Creek, Pea. His lips were soft, yet still firm and warm, and he used them expertly. After a long kiss, he broke away and sat back with a smug grin on his face, because he had no doubt I had enjoyed that. As I looked at them, fumbling for words, they all looked back at me expectantly. No words coming to my lips, I did the only thing I could think of: I leaned over Collin and kissed Blake right on the lips. No twanting to look like I was picking favorites, I reached over with one hand and began to rub Mike's. "Janette?" Maia says, obviously teeing up a pre-planned conversation. I look from my wife to her friend."Guess why Maia invited me to move in, Hill?" Janette is giving me kind of a flirty look, if I'm not mistaken. I look back to Maia, who's all of a sudden looking timid. I think she's blushing a little. Back to Janette, who I notice for the first time has really nice-looking lips. I shrug."We've been talking a lot lately about your sex life." ... You said what now? "And here's the thing: Maia. I smiled back. "Yes, well." And couldn't think of anything else to say. Despite my feeble protests, she could wake me up like that anytime, and I wouldn't mind.***ArdenWe spent the morning overseeing the breaking down of camp and reassigning squads to cover scouting duties. Rebuilding would be set aside until this threat was dealt with. A messenger was dispatched to update the king, and request more troops.By the time the sun was high in the sky, most of the camp had disbursed to carry out.