FanLit

The heart wants what it wants and their ain’t much that can be done about it. Loving someone is never shameful, even if they never know or don’t return your feelings, so it saddened me that Boone felt shame mooning over Coy (even though Coy was showing him the moon-had to inject some humor, even if it was corny) While Boone took that dunk in the river, it seems like Coy was the one baptized anew, he is more adventurous as he comes across as a new person or as Boone referenced, the person he was before his brother held him down and back. Grouse? Sounds more appetizing than rabbit, though there are feathers. Randoms: I love trees and vegetation so enjoyed the boy’s trek through the woods....Hoping Boone’s nightmares lessen if they don’t disappear now that they’ve revisited the “scene of the crime”.... Will the boy’s grouse dinner “taste like chicken”? What other idyll await in this Garden of Eden? What is that “something behind the man’s eyes he couldn’t get a fix on”? *Tune in next week to find out in the latest, exciting installment of....Sidewinder* 🐍

These type of details flesh out stories and characterize the environment, showing how they can serve as protagonist or antagonist to the main characters.

The skinning of the rabbits, though obviously necessary, grosses me out. There are chickens who’s necks need to be wrung and feathers plucked, the dismantling of a whole cow, pig or deer for hides and meat....I think if I lived during frontier times I may have become a vegetarian, lol.

Blue has to get credit for his part in the rescue....one could also say (as Coy pointed out) that Blue also should get the blame for the accident so maybe it’s a wash? 🤷‍♀️ 😄 I like to think under the great canopy of stars these two explorers sleep under every night, there is a twined or conjoined set....one that gives off more blue light, one that gives off more green, that together shine brighter than they ever could apart; That will guide them to a place of promise for the future.♥️♥️ That was my fanciful way of saying I’m very happy Coy and Boone are back together, lol. I know the stars change with the seasons but I wish for that dual star to be their guide and guard on their journey because like your bible quote and my romanticizing, these two are simply better together and I dare to say that Coy may be made more like Boone than either of them know, even if he’s only made that way for Boone. Even if he isn’t, friendship like theirs is more like kinship and is a rare blessing, even today. 🍻 Larkspur ahead!! What direction (geographical and otherwise) will our intrepid travelers take? Will the rest of their journey be drama free? Will Blue and Boone kiss and make up? *Tune in next week to find out on the latest, exciting installment of....Sidewinder* 🐍

I loved reading of Jihan bonding with the worthy members of the Miran family as well as the loyalty his own family and network show him, yet dread stayed in my stomach anticipating what the evil trio has planned. It seems the next chapter will tell what treachery awaits. I can only hope for unknown reinforcements to thwart and fully expose all who need to be so that they can be punished accordingly.

True love wins over miscommunication, meddling families, bigger penises and clueless exes. ♥️♥️ Nash wasn’t the only one tied up in Knotts with this story; Beautifully done. Thank you for sharing Mrsgnomie, your characters are compelling.

I agree.

Hi Gary: Sorry it took me a couple of days to pen a comment. You titled this chapter “Faith and Angels” and it fits-Coy and Boone are angels of faith to each other, the surest, steadiest bond either have ever had; It was that faith in their bond that had Coy follow Boone to work out their relationship (and inadvertently save Boone’s life) 🙏 Boone’s lack of family ties made obvious how important his connection was to Coy; He might even have believed he loved Coy more in every way, since Coy had roots and isn’t “made like him”. Though the equality of their affection can be debated, I don’t think Boone can doubt now how important he is to Coy and it’s not because he’s all he has left. I give props to Sheriff Willard and his matchmaking skills, for that is clearly what he was doing (clear to me, anyway, lol) The journey ahead will be better because they’re together and interesting because there is discovery and exploration ahead (and I ain’t just talking about the landscape). Nice job, 🍻 Does Coy have romantic feelings for Boone? If he does, will he talk about or act on them? What other challenges await our intrepid duo? *Tune in next week to find out in the latest, exciting installment of....Sidewinder* 🐍

It was a great pleasure to read the progression of Nash and Penn’s relationship. I’ve always believed in the power of words....It took me a long time to recognize how actions speak louder than words, yet I still retain the belief in the impact a written or spoken word can hold. Though Nash showed it, Penn needed to hear Nash say that he’s in love with him and even though he knew it, hearing Penn admit he loved Nash was important, too. Nash’s encounter with Lee showed that if there is a chance for friendship, it is slim and way down the road....now that Penn and Jason had their conversation, will they still be able to be friends? It will be nice to see Nash and Penn under the same roof and whatever glimpse you give us of where their future will take them. ❤️❤️

They’d both make great dads....

This chapter proved that Penn’s fake marriage to Cam made him innocent not only in the ways of sex but also in the ways of relationships-romantic relationships, anyway. He knows how to be a loyal friend, as evidenced by his relationship with both Cam and Nash but his years spent pining gave him low self esteem and made him unaware of his attractiveness to others. When I read Penn’s description of his and Jason’s relationship, my thought was that maybe I misread Jason’s intentions....It was Jason’s phone call with Penn after he and Nash got together that made me realize it was Penn who misread Jason’s intent....though to be fair, Jason unintentionally friend zoned himself with the inconsistent nature of his and Penn’s intimacy. Nash correctly told Penn he does need to have a clarifying conversation with Jason to salvage any degree of friendship they may have in the future. I’m thrilled that Nash and Penn are together and that communication between them is so open, it’s the only way for a relationship to remain healthy and successful. The hunt for “supplies” made much of the humor in this chapter and I get why they’d initially need it; I would think with the serial monogamists both Nash and Penn are, as well as their emotional devotion to each other that unprotected sex would soon be the norm for them.

I think it did.

You referenced my favorite prayer. 🙏 YIPPEE❣️❣️ They’re together again!! YAY for Blue and Daisy, too....the cantankerous, stubborn nature of that mule proved good for somethin’, lol. Boone undoubtedly suffered a concussion among his other injuries but in a time before X-rays and modern medicine, all he could do is what he’s doing now, move as gingerly as possible. “Like an angel, Coy appeared right above him, his black hair floating in the water around his face, his blues eyes shimmering as he moved closer and kissed him. His friend was crying. Yep, Boone was dead and they would never see each other again, and he’d come to say goodbye.“ I wonder when Boone’ll realize that weren’t no hallucination (sticking my chest out and pulling on my suspenders) Coy and Boone do better together than apart. I’m very pleased they are reunited and it looks like Coy ain’t goin’ to be leavin’ Boone by his lonesome anytime soon.... I wonder if’n Boone’s near death experience made things clearer for Coy or if he came to clarity before (that is, if he’s come to clarity at all). Was Coy the one watching or will there eventually be another traveling partner? *Tune in next week to find out on the latest, exciting installment of....Sidewinder* 🐍

And bummer about the leather coat (new!!) They have waterproofing methods now for some leather but I’d imagine your coat was cured, even without the salt.

I absolutely concur.

My guide could have been a cyclops with bad breath and I would’ve tongued him down if he asked me to for getting me to safety, LOL!! I have since learned that rivers swell and experience stronger currents in the spring and autumn.

I made the mistake of doing my first (and only) rafting trip in the spring. I’m not a nature girl (I favor “glamping” over camping) but one of my best friends is and she convinced a bunch of us city slickers to give it a shot. She was in my raft with me and the others....until a rough current knocked her over; She was the only experienced rafter in our group and it was one of those planned excursions so she didn’t get a chance to come back to us. For a bunch of novices, we did okay, even though we were last coming in and overturned twice (knocking me out of the raft the last time....thank God for life jackets and tour guides!!) I laughed when I read how you wrapped your arms around your horse when he decided to travel across the river to go back, it put me in mind of the death grip I had on the guide who rescued me, as he had to drag me in the swollen, current heavy river to a part of the river where I could securely get in his raft. (I had never been in such physical fear of my life, before or since) Never say never but my non swimming, city bred ass has not made that attempt again and that was about 17 years ago, lol.

I was also deeply affected by the line you wrote in a previous comment: “With feelings mixed and brain churning, he reined Daisy to the right and set out for Larkspur. Eventually, he stopped craning his neck to look backwards." I want to say it’s human nature to always hold out hope of some type but I’m amending it to say it’s more apt to humans of a specific nature. I didn’t say it before but I am also a member of the storm description fan club-there was a lot going on and you successfully detailed the escalation of the storm and the danger faced by man and beast against Mother Nature; It was frightening in the reading and as much as storms fascinate me, it is only in reading that I would want to directly experience a storm like this....or maybe in a extremely sturdy shelter behind strong storm proofed windows, lol. It was an amazing job, Gary but I expect no less from you. 😘

I’m glad you survived, how did your horse fare?

That line resonated with me too.

Gary. Gary!! Lol!! Reading this before I got to the end, (and that cliffhanger!!) I was struck by the fact that though this particular story is fictional, it dramatizes journeys actually taken. Everyone in existence today are descended from the hearty, hardy souls who endured trials and error that killed others on the same path. I think it worth holding onto in these treacherous times of a different nature that the blood of the strongest survivors-pioneers, slaves and trailblazers of all kinds-flow through our veins. “As excited as he was for what lay ahead, he sorely missed what lay behind.” *Sigh*. So Boone really left. 😏 Boone’s sentiment at the start of the journey reminds us it’s okay to be sad, to be afraid to leave what you know to go toward the unknown....you do it anyway, sad and afraid. His “gaydar” and gut instinct for reading people should stand him in good stead with the future interactions he has with the two legged animals he comes across in the future. If someone was indeed keeping watch on Boone, I hope they can help him survive that fall....I don’t hold out much hope for Blue but would love to be proven wrong. It’s a good cliffie but sad that it happened to nice guy Boone. I await their fate next Monday. 🍻

No but that’s just my opinion. It doesn’t have to be back and forth between them both for the rest of the story (however many chapters you have left) but hearing Penn’s point of view on certain events of importance (like this! lol) would be cool.

Penn’s view on this would be awesome.

Go Penn, good for you!! He wasn’t faultless but he was voiceless and that isn’t the case anymore. I’m glad he cleared the air with his brothers and with Nash and I rejoice in their second chance, everyone’s off their pedestal and open lines of communication have been established. They will crawl before they walk but what they have is worth it, these are two inherently good men who deserve each other. Nash’s short refraction time is impressive, lol and I thought the corny jokes very cute. I read it, reread it and I’ll probably read it again. This chapter was well worth the wait. Thank you.

Ramble away, lol. I love your stories and while the greedy reader I am would love a posting more than once a week, I understand each author’s creative process is different....in no way, shape or form would I want you doing anything that makes you produce content you are less than satisfied with. (Thanks to Tim and all editors) It is appreciated that you post completed stories (with the exception of one, 😄 😬) and the weekly postings add a dramatic, serial flavor that enhances the reading experience, IMO. Also, for clarity-any frustration expressed with the characters and choices they make is due to my investment in the story and never at the author. 😊