Something Blue

[COMPLETE] Katherine Williamson Peters wasn't born a beaten coward. When she was a girl she was wild and free and brave. She was Blue Angel, fierce protector of the imaginary innocent and robber of make-believe trains. She climbed trees and disobeyed her father and she cavorted with demons. At least that's what the church folk said-- Gabriel Townsend's momma was a concubine for Satan himself, and her son was the devil's seed. Not that it mattered much to Katherine, back when she was young and reckless. Gabe was just her partner in crime, her best friend in the whole world. She was Blue Angel and he was Devil Dog, slayer of bad guys and wielder of six-shooter finger guns.

But life had other plans for Katherine than the rebellion and joy she favored as a girl. She couldn't say exactly how it happened that she lost her courage, but she woke up one day and found herself conquered. Battered and alone, crushed beneath the heel of her husband, her obligations, and the weight of the town's judgment. A brave woman would have fought. She'd have protected herself and brought goodness and strength back to the name of God-- a name her husband's preachings had tarnished.

Katherine wasn't brave. She was a coward, and like a coward she turned her back on God and she fled...

...right into the arms of the devil.