Our Dominant Secrets

Chapter 1~The lonely woman

Ciara walked down past the Salinas river, just a few miles south of Soledad, the cautious sun shone through the trees. The birds chirped loudly and glided through the air, almost as if they were watching Ciara's every move.

"Oh move dammed birds!" She sighed stamping her foot on the dry and dusty ground. "Oh I'll never get outta here!" She sniffled wiping her moist forehead.

Her sausage curls were unraveling as she traveled along the hot pavement, further up the road about a mile she spotted a lake. Ciara smiled to herself and began making her way to the cold and clear water.

Ciara cupped her hands and put the water over her face, she exhaled a sigh of relief, grateful she was being cooled down, when all of a sudden a dog came running towards her.

"Oh my goodness!" She exclaimed falling into the lake.

"Oh I'm sorry madam!" A silky smooth voice cried.

"Control your dammed dog! I outta died if I didn't fall in this lake!" She sighed, face turning red from embarrassment.

"I really am sorry beautiful." The tall man said gently as he held a soft hand out to her; Ciara accepted and let him pull her out.

"Now I'm all wet because of you!" She sniffled shaking her arms, Ciaras dress was sopping wet, so wet that it made a little puddle around her feet.

"Would you like me to give you a ride home on my mule?" He asked, desperate for a yes as he felt genuinely terrible.

"I don't have a home anymore!" She sighed wiping her eyes and ringing out the wetness from her dress.

"Oh little darlin' my apologies, where on Earth were you plannin' to go?" He asked softly as he came closer to her.

"Well I don't know, left my mama and papa's, they was no good for me." She said crossing her arms and looking away.

"Well little darlin'" The man smiled "I have a place you can go?" He suggested.

"No because I'll probably get raped by some hill Billy's!" She argued.

"Hey hey!" The man said softly as he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder "I would never let that happen to you darlin'"

"Mhm yeah I sure as well believe you!" She said pushing him away, it was weak but he backed away. "I don't even know your name!"

"Slim, my names Slim darlin'." He smiled, his teeth were sparkling white, he was a really charming man.

"Well hello to you Slim, now if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way." She said as she started walking away.

"To where?!" He called as he walked after her.

"Wherever my feet take me!" She called.

"Little darlin' please let me take you to the ranch!" Slim begged and she stopped walking.

"Will I get food?" She asked and Slim laughed a little "Yes darlin'."

Ciara agreed and they made their way to the ranch.