September 1883

Over five years passed by after Tessa’s birth. Lexi and Cooper had not conceived a baby together. Her children adored their father, but she perceived their love was not enough for him. After his duties of harvesting the crops was completed and the brisk fall weather set in, he spent more and more of his spare time in town at Talbot’s Tavern.

He returned home a little later each night for nearly a week before his first occasion of stumbling through his front door completely inebriated. His words were abusive and cut Lexi to her core. He bluntly referred to her as a tramp and accused her of being no better than the prostitutes at the brothel.

Lexi was so distraught she left their bed for the spare room. Cooper entered through the door in the middle of nig...

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