Chapter 1- BOOK ONE

Hayden Landon felt great, and he had every reason to. This September, he would begin his final year of college, and he already had a full-time job in his area. There weren't many jobs available in his specialty (American History, Museum Studies), but he found one with respectable beginning pay and opportunities for promotion. His baseball season was going well. Even though he wasn't going anywhere professionally, he enjoyed doing well in the summer league. Aside from after college, it's most likely the beer and pretzel softball league. Hayden smiled as he drove along the interstate. Yes, everything was going fine.

One other thing: Hayden was in love. Not that brief moment of intense feeling or that line used by every guy who wanted to get laid. No, this was the real thing. On this hot July 4th weekend, he was going to make his feelings known.

Hayden had met Abigail during their sophomore year. They were taking the same US history course. As an education major, she had to, and he did because it was his major. He wasn't sure what it was about her—whatever it was, they hit it off—her auburn hair, her green eyes, her smile, or what. Whatever it was, they hit it off right away. They had a lot in common. He played baseball; honor student, she, who did too. Abigail was an honour student, and he was a student. At first, they never had an "official" date but met for meals, study groups, or just to talk. They enjoyed each other's company. Hayden dated several girls, but they never seemed right. Even the ones he had sex with left him with something missing. Abigail also dated but had no steady guy. She claimed they all wanted to get into her pants, and she wasn't going to give in to just anyone. Her first time would be with the man she loved.

By the end of their junior year, it was just the two of them. No one else. Though things got hot and heavy between them, Abigail was true to her word. Oh sure, there was some pretty serious petting, and a couple times Hayden thought this night was the night, but Abigail wouldn't let go. Hayden left some nights with some pretty blue balls.

As he turned up the long driveway to her house, he had already decided he was going to tell her this weekend.

Hayden had been invited to Abigail's family's traditional July 4th picnic. It was a big deal. Abigail's father, Jayson, was a big wheel in the state's leading political party, and this was his chance to mix business with family. A lot of big wigs would be there. Hayden had met Abigail's folks when they came to visit her at school. Hayden and Jayson didn't hit it off too well. Afterwards, her dad told Abigail that she was too good for Hayden, and besides, he was going nowhere with that career choice of his.

Abigail's mom, Emelyn, was a pure delight. She and Hayden hit it right off, and he could tell she approved of him. He knew where Abigail got her auburn hair and smile from. They say to look at the mother to find out what the daughter will look like in ten years. What Hayden saw pleased him. Emelyn was full figured. Not fat but curvy with just the right amount of weight. Abigail complained that her boobs were too small and her butt was too big, but her mom told her to wait; things would change as she was a late bloomer herself. Abigail's family owned a vast farm, and as Hayden drove near the house, he noticed that there were already a number of people there. He had a moment of doubt about why he was even here, but he reminded himself that he had faced harsher conditions on the field. So he parked the truck, turned off the key, and closed the door. After meeting Abigail, he realized why he came.

As Abigail reached Hayden, she put her arms around him and gave him a deep, long kiss. She broke it long enough to say, "I missed you so!" and then kissed him again. This time, after grinding her pelvis into him so hard, Hayden staggered back into the side of his truck.

"Wow! Where did that come from? I could feel that all the way down to my toes!" Hayden laughed.

Abigail stepped back and gave him a sly grin. Taking his hand, she said, "Come on, you need to meet the rest of my family." With that, they headed off towards the crowd.

Hayden was impressed with the number of people attending a "family" picnic, but then he remembered that Abigail's dad was a politician, so it wasn't all family. As Abigail pulled him through the mass, Hayden could definitely tell who was with which group.

The first family member Abigail introduced Hayden to was her older sister, Jessica. Jessica was 3 years older than Abigail and was married to a contractor. She had a two-year-old daughter and was trying to corral her as Hayden was introduced. Jessica had blonde hair, blue eyes, and a figure like her mom with full breasts and hips. What struck Hayden was her smile. Abigail, her mom, and now Jessica had that same smile and a sparkle in their eyes.

"I am pleased to meet you. I have heard a lot of good things about you," Jessica said. "I hope to see more of you around here." With that, she went off after her daughter.

"Only one more to go, my brother, Joey. You too should hit it off well. He plays baseball for our high school. Pretty good. He's over there."

Joey was standing off casually, sipping on a beer, and watching the goings-on. He flashed that same winning smile as Abigail introduced him. After the usual small talk, Abigail said that she had to help her mom and needed to go. She gave Hayden a kiss and did something unusual for her. As she kissed him, she slid her hand under his shirt and rubbed his stomach. Hayden was totally surprised. As she walked away, she gave him a wink.