Cherry Hill 17 - Have a Little Faith Dixie

Lynn Dwyer
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Cherry Hill 17: Have a Little Faith

Faith has pretty much given up on true love and even Cherry Hill.
She is about to head back home when she meets and falls in love
with Louis, Voight, Worin, and Hunt.
Four, older soldiers with PTSD, and attitudes. They realize that she is
pretty special and no other woman gets to them as Faith does. Faith
wonders if they're worth the risk and if they're ready to commit,
despite their bad attitudes and commanding ways. A few kisses and
some wild make-out sessions convince them all to take a chance.

Her friend is looking for love in all the wrong places and winds up
putting Faith in danger. Faith is smart enough to get away and heads
right to her men's arms.

The only problem now is she's gained the interest of some men who
want to do her harm and failed at the first attempt. They don't
intend to fail now, but even battered bruised and ready to pass out,
Faith fights for her life and gives her men the time they need to
rescue her before it's too late.

Genres: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Romantic Suspense

Length: 40,530

CHERRY HILL 17:

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH

Dixie Lynn Dwyer

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com
A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

Cherry Hill 17: Have a Little Faith

Copyright © 2019 by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

ISBN: 978-1-64243-908-3

First Publication: July 2019

Cover design by Les Byerley

All art and logo copyright © 2019 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be

reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without
express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance
to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this

copyrighted work is illegal.

Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without

monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to
5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

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PUBLISHER

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

For all titles by Dixie Lynn Dwyer, please visit

www.bookstrand.com/dixie-lynn-dwyer

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHERRY HILL 17:

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Epilogue

CHERRY HILL 17:

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH

DIXIE LYNN DWYER

Copyright © 2019

Prologue
Worin gripped the back of the truck, bowed his head and growled
low. “God damn it, no!” he mumbled under his breath. The
flashbacks hit him out of nowhere. He clenched his eyes closed and
willed them away. It had been a few weeks since he had an episode.
Why now in the middle of town?

Why from the sound of a truck backfiring did he react like this? He
didn’t look around him. Wouldn’t dare look to see who saw him, who
might find his actions peculiar. He just hoped that Hunt got back to
the truck soon. He was trying to get rid of the sensations. The fear,
the adrenaline rush that was urging its way to the surface. What
would he do? How would he react? He could hurt someone. He was
shaking but gripped the metal tightly in hopes of making the
sensations subside. He could hardly catch his breath. It was going to
be a bad one. Fuck me.

“Are you okay?”

He heard the voice, turned and grabbed out. It was instinctive until
he felt the light, feminine body, inhaled the scent, familiar, enticing,
and his eyes locked on to hazel green eyes the size of saucers.
Faith? Oh God, no. No, don’t let her see me like this.

“Worin? Are you okay?” she whispered and instead of pulling back,
she stepped closer, placed her hands on his chest. She caressed him.
He felt it but was in shock. He still held her close. Had her pinned
against the truck, eyes closed, trying to catch his breath to will
reality into his brain so he wouldn’t hurt her.

“Nice, slow, easy breaths. You’re fine. You’re home in Cherry Hill.
We’re hanging out, just enjoying the beautiful, sunny day. Nice and
easy, Worin,” she said to him. He was breathing through his nostrils,
gripping her upper arms tight, but she still caressed him, her head
barely reaching his chest, he was so much bigger than her.

God, she’s so beautiful, so sweet and young. His lips parted. He

focused on the sound of her sweet, calming voice. He inhaled her
scent, comforting, likable.

“That’s it. You’re doing just fine,” she said to him and she smiled.
Her pretty white teeth became his focus along with those soft, wet
lips. Kissable, light pink, so perfect. He moved to her eyes, taking in
the hazel and green color so unique and beautiful like Faith. Young,
though. God, she was so young.

So unaware of life, of danger and tragedy.

He released her arms abruptly, as if she had some sort of disease or

something. Meanwhile she helped him. Just fucking helped him
through an episode. He couldn’t look at her, or the hurt expression
that flashed in her eyes. He did that. He hurt her, insulted her. He
didn’t want anyone close. He wanted to be left alone. Why did he
come here? Why?

She pulled back and rubbed her arms where he had held her. He
saw the red finger marks.

“Fuck.” She tightened up, took a retreating step back. Had he said
that too loud? Too abruptly? He was scaring her. She feared him?
Good. Keep away. I could have hurt you. Fuck. He exhaled then
went to reach out and then pulled back and shook his head.

“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”

“No, no, I’m fine. Are you better?”

He stared at her, felt embarrassed then insulted. “I’m fine.”

“Okay. Do you need anything?” she asked, and then Hunt

approached, eyes narrowed, then he looked at Faith.

“Hey,” Hunt said and Faith stepped back, looked at him then at Hunt.
Hunt gave her the once over, eyes squinted, giving daggers, and just
staring down at her.
Her face went flush and she took several retreating steps back.
“Take care. Hope you feel better,” she said and turned, then
practically ran down the sidewalk.

Worin watched her and felt like a freak. He lost his shit in front of
her. She would think he was a nut job that could hurt or even kill
her. “Jesus,” he said and turned to get into the truck. Hunt followed
and got behind the wheel, tossing the bag from the hardware store
onto the seat between them.

“What the fuck was that all about?” Hunt asked as he started the
ignition on the diesel truck and then began to pull out of the parking
spot.

Nothing.”

“Fuck that, nothing. I came out and saw you staring at her as she
was rubbing her arms. She looked so petite in front of you. What
gives?”

“Nothing, man, so fucking drop it,” he snapped at Hunt.

“No, I’m not going to drop it. You’re acting fucking funny so what
the fuck?” Hunt pushed for answers. He was just as on edge as
Worin was. They were fighting their PTSD, hoping to get a grip on it
and control the episodes. Certain things set them off. It didn’t take
much. They were always jumping down one another’s throats, hiding
their experiences, their fears and what they were going through now
that they were free. If they could maybe talk about it? He shook his
head and stared out the window.

He swung his head toward Hunt. “I lost my shit. I fucking heard the
sound of a truck backfiring and the next thing I know I’m gripping
the back of the truck and holding on, just trying to hold on to my
fucking sanity. The flashbacks hit me hard. I saw shit, the
explosions, and the gunfire hitting right next to us. Fuck.”
“Shit, man, I’m sorry I wasn’t there. It must not have been that bad.
You just looked serious but not out of control.”

Worin thought about that a moment and then looked out the
window.

“Faith,” he whispered.

“What does Faith have to do with that?”

“I didn’t know where I was. I was fighting it best I could and then
next thing I know I hear a soft voice. I grabbed her, and scared the
hell out of her.”

“Oh shit. Did she scream? No one was around or came over?” Hunt
asked, now squinting and looking from the road to Worin, back and
forth with a concerned expression.

“No, she didn’t run, she started caressing my chest, talked to me

softly and fucking calmed me down.”

“What?” Hunt asked, raising his voice.

“I know. I fucking know,” he said to Hunt.

“Well, you didn’t hurt her. I guess I scared her by the way I
approached, but I was worried about you when I saw the look in
your eyes and she was rubbing her arms. I didn’t know what to
think.”

“I fucking hurt her. I had to have hurt her. She is going to think I’m a
monster. This is why we don’t belong out here. In public and around
people, around women. I could have hurt her.”

Hunt remained quiet a couple of minutes and Worin had a thousand

thoughts going through his head. Then came the thoughts about
how Faith looked, how she smelled and what he felt as her soft,
delicate hands caressed his chest. How her angelic, sweet voice
calmed him down. He really could have lost his shit. Then what?

“You didn’t hurt her. She won’t think the worse about you. It sounds
like she knew you were having an episode.”

“Wonderful. So she’ll lump me into a category of washed up soldiers

who can’t keep their fucked up heads in line with normal thoughts.
She’ll be afraid of me.”

“From what you’re describing went down, she didn’t sound afraid. It
sounds like she knew exactly what you were going through.”

“Of course she did. She lives in this town. Soldiers suffer from PTSD
all the time. Now she knows I have it. Assume we all do, and she’ll
act differently.”

“Why are you so worried? We don’t go out to Harper’s or hang out

there or anywhere to socialize. You won’t have to see her.”

“She goes by to see Genesis.”

“Well, avoid her then. But it seems it wasn’t as big of a deal as you
think.”

“Easy for you to say, Hunt. Your episodes are few and far between
and mostly at night. I feel like since we got out of that shit hole and
I’ve gotten more comfortable and out of training, that I’m getting
weaker in mind as well as body.”

“I hear you on that. I think it’s normal though. You know, part of the
process of transitioning back to civilian life. I know it sucks. I have
my bad days, too, but it’s still better than the death row we faced as
prisoners. We got a chance at life, thanks to Louis and Voight, their
connections and their continued need to make certain we weren’t
dead. If they wrote us off, we wouldn’t be here right now.”
Worin looked away. “Not sure this is the better option right now.”

“You’re just feeling that way because you feel vulnerable and
exposed. I feel like that too after an episode. We can go shooting at
the range or something. That will bring back that prepared emotion.

You’ll see.”

“Yeah, maybe,” Worin said but he really felt out of place and once
again, on edge, and he didn’t know how to handle it at all. There
were too many thoughts in his head and once they arrived back at
the ranch, he made his way inside and to ultimately be alone for the
rest of the day.

****

Faith Keller was getting ready for work at Harper’s. She still had that
funny sensation in her gut from earlier today. She didn’t know why
she approached that guy, Worin, when she barely knew him.

She met him, Hunt and Voight at the hospital when Genesis was
there. Louis had introduced them to her and it was crazy how she
felt instantly attracted to them. Four very large, very seasoned
looking men, who were definitely out of her league and then some.
They were distant, cold, not sociable at all, and they could care less
what anyone thought.

They were super attractive, too. Other women noticed them—hell,

half the nursing staff hit on them and flirted. They didn’t respond.
Their expressions were hardcore, unapproachable and cold.

She knew those expressions. Especially on Hunt and Worin. Their

eyes, sunken in slightly. Their demeanors on the defensive, giving
dirty looks, untrusting stares instead of calm, personable responses.
She knew a lot about soldiers, and especially ones who saw bad
things while serving.
Some who felt like they didn’t deserve to be here, alive and well
when their friends died, and others who just couldn’t transition into
regular routines under noncombative lifestyles. It was like they just
couldn’t stop expecting the unexpected.

She sighed as she thought about her family, her friends, and those
who had passed. Being soldiers wasn’t an easy life. Being a family
member of one was pretty tough, too.

She didn’t know why she kept thinking about each of them and
especially Hunt and Worin. Those dark brown eyes, scruff along their
cheeks, the looks in their sunken eyes, were effective. Add in all that
muscle along their bodies and she got palpitations. They were in
exquisite physical condition.

Hell, as she pressed her palms against Worin’s chest she felt
intimidated and fearful. He felt rock solid, and gave off an air of
danger, resourcefulness she hadn’t expected to affect her in such a
way.

They were seasoned, she could tell by the fine line by their eyes, the
deep, tanned skin, the color one gets from being in the desert for
long periods of time. Henderson, one of her cousin’s friends, had
been in Iraq for three years. His skin was almost leathery looking.
She went over the scene several times and all she could conclude
was that the two men, specifically, reminded her of her brother Toby
and her cousin Randal. Both still alive, living an hour from Cherry Hill
with a few friends on a lot of open land. They lived off that land, had
their own livestock and fishing stream and lake. In fact, she was
supposed to ask Harper if she could take off Friday. She would leave
Tuesday and head to the private ranch for four days and catch up
with her brother, cousin, and their friends. She missed them, and
with all the chaos and danger that had been going on around Cherry
Hill the past year, they were concerned for her safety and pushing
for her to live out on the ranch. Supposedly they were building a lot
of small cottages. It was some kind of therapeutic living
arrangements for soldiers returning from service and transitioning
into civilian life after retirement. Her brother, cousin, and friends
made connections in the nearby town of Warriorville. Which was a
pretty cool name for a town slowly filling up with soldiers and
families. She might consider moving there since nothing really was
keeping her here in Cherry Hill but her friends and even they were
starting their own lives with men they met and fell in love with.

Her heart was heavy as she thought about how lonely she felt
sometimes. But then she thought about the men she knew who
served their country and saw terrible things and couldn’t handle
living a normal life. Her cousins committed suicide because they
couldn’t cope and that was another reason why Toby and Randal
were helping out friends and establishing a safe place for them to
heal and transition. Maybe she should be a bigger part of that, and
feel like she was worth something instead of nothing at all?

She grabbed her things and headed out to work, wondering if it was
time to move on, and just leave Cherry Hill and start over elsewhere.
If she missed it she would only be an hour away. That was nothing,
so maybe this trip in a week would truly give her the answers she
was searching for.

Chapter 1

“What’s going on, Sheriff?” Louis asked Kane McCabe as they sat on
the back porch at their place. Athena, Culter, Chase, and Fox were
talking to Worin, Voight and Hunt by the grill. The Sheriff put away
his cell phone and he looked a bit displeased by the call he just took.

“There’s been a series of robberies. Well, we think robberies, yet

there’s been no evidence of break-ins. More than likely because the
houses or cottages robbed, the owners didn’t lock their door or
window. Easy for criminals to get in, ya know?”

“Shit, that’s pretty typical around here. People not locking their doors
and windows,” Louis said.
“Yeah well, now some assholes are taking advantage of that fact,
and corrupting the sense of security and safety we all try to keep
here in Cherry Hill and Central Valley.”

“Is Sheriff Mullen concerned about these robberies, too? I mean

they’re happening in Central Valley, as well?” Louis asked and took
another slug from his bottle of beer.

“Yeah, Titus is concerned, too. I think we’re going to spread word

about the robberies and just remind people to lock up, and
especially at night.”

“That’s a good idea, and maybe let those who live on the outskirts a
little more isolated from their neighbors know to lock up and take
precautions, too,” Louis suggested.

“I will, but crazy thing is, the robberies were close by. This last one
only a couple of blocks from the Davies farm. There are several
cottages and small houses along that strip of land, with a good
amount of acreage between them. Several single women living on
their own,” the Sheriff said and rubbed his jaw then pulled his phone
out again.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m thinking about three in particular who live alone and are far
from neighbors. Let me just give Harper a call.”

“Harper?” Louis asked.

“It’s women who work for her. Leeann, Candice, and Faith. Faith’s
place is a ways off the roadway leading into Pete Irving’s farm. I
know she has a gun though, and usually takes precautions, but she
should still be made aware,” he said and then called Harper.

Louis thought about Faith. So she had a gun, that was interesting.
She was so shy, quiet and sweet. Apparently she knew a bit about
soldiers with PTSD, from what Hunt told him took place in town with
Worin. He felt concerned about Worin and the episodes he was
having. Maybe they should consider doing that retreat Charlie,
Kane’s sister, told them about. It was a four-day retreat in
Warriorville on a large ranch run by retired soldiers like them. They
ran some counseling sessions by fireside, did some fishing,
swimming and relaxing.

“Well, Harper said she’ll call the women and give them the heads
up,” Kane said and then sat back down and reached for his bottle of
beer. “So how are things going with you and the team? Don’t see
any of you in town much, and you haven’t attended any events
either,” Kane asked.

“We’re easing our way back into things. Hunt and Worin still need
some time,” Louis said and drank from his beer bottle.

“They doing all right?” he asked.

“Ahh, you know how it is.”

“I know, it’s a process but it doesn’t have to be handled alone. I

know they’ve spoken to Charlie, and she’s offered a lot of alternative
ideas instead of one on one counseling for them.”

“She’s been great. She mentioned that retreat in another week. I’m
thinking I may push for all of us to do it. You know if we go in
together and participate it could be helpful.”

“That’s a great idea, Louis. To have the team work through things as
one unit could definitely be beneficial.”

“Yeah, well, I need to convince Worin and Hunt. They aren’t exactly
enthusiastic about any type of counseling or socializing.”

“That’s understandable. It isn’t easy going from warrior to regular

guy at the speed of a hundred to fifteen miles per hour, ya know. It
will take time but they seem to be doing well. They know Faith, too,
right?” he asked and Louis squinted his eyes at him.

“Yeah, why?”

The Sheriff looked away and toward Hunt and Worin. “Saw them in
town real quick a few days ago. Seen Faith with Worin.”

Louis swallowed hard.

“What exactly did you see?” he asked cautiously.

Kane held his gaze. “Everything.”

“Hmm, Worin was a bit affected. Didn’t come out of his bedroom for
the rest of the day and night.”

“She was receptive to his situation. Maybe that shocked him?” Kane
asked.

“Don’t think for a minute that he’s interested in her. He is in no

position, none of us are, to even consider a relationship with a
woman, never mind one as young as Faith.”

“I didn’t say anything about a relationship,” Kane said with a smirk.

Louis chuckled and leaned back against the chair. “God damn, Kane,
seriously?”

He laughed.

“What? Something you’re feeling? Maybe considering?”

“No. Didn’t you just hear what I said? Worin and Hunt are hurting
and still trying to get to normal.”

“What exactly is normal anyway? There’s this whole concept and

belief being pushed down people’s throats about being normal?
Normal is not reality. You’ve all been through hell, some of you more
than others, but you all felt the same isolated, fearful experiences.
Now the danger isn’t so prevalent. There’s no need to grip the gun,
maintain the fists, the mental toughness you’ve all conditioned
yourselves to maintain. It’s time to ease up. Screw normal, and just
start living free.

That’s what you all need to learn to do. A day at a time. Hell, a
minute or hour at a time if necessary until you’re feeling back on
solid ground, and without that fear in your hearts keeping you on
the defensive. Plus, those piss-poor attitudes and snappy tones
aren’t any way to win a woman’s heart.

Especially one as petite and feminine as Faith,” the Sheriff said and
winked.

“Jesus,” Louis said and sat forward, shaking his head and trying to
ignore what the Sheriff seemed to be pushing. It had been pretty
obvious that Louis and Voight were attracted to Faith. Hell, he
couldn’t take his eyes off of her or stop thinking about her. Plus
when he heard what she did with Worin, and how she came to his
aid, he couldn’t help but to wonder if she could be the woman for
him and his team. Not now though. God knew they were still all
unstable and not ready. The Sheriff might think so, but not them. It
just wasn’t going to happen any time soon.

Chapter 2

“So I was out the other day in Benter and met this guy, Lance. As
soon as he heard I was from Cherry Hill, he started asking about
how it is living here, if there are a lot of places to rent or buy. He
was flirting a bit.”

“Nice, so are you going to meet up with him again, Candice?” Faith
asked.
“Well, I wasn’t sure, because he seemed to hold back a bit. He was
more interested in the town, the types of people living here, so I
thought forget about it.”

“Well, don’t worry. Maybe you’ll see him again.”

“I don’t know. I think if he was interested he would have asked for

my number or maybe to meet here in Cherry Hill, something. It was
just so odd. I’m seriously thinking about checking out some other
towns. I’ve been here a few years now, and I haven’t met one nice
guy or guys, only assholes and they’re usually from out of town.”

“I hear ya. My brother and cousin live in Warriorville, about an hour

or so from here. I’ve been considering living closer to them and
helping them with their ranch and stuff.”

“I’m glad I’m not the only one to—”

Candice stopped talking and her jaw dropped. Faith turned to look
and saw two tall, older looking guys come into Harper’s. They both
had tattoos on their arms and looked a bit rough. They had scruff
along their cheeks, shoulder length hair, wore biker jackets and
leather sheaths on their hips that contained pretty big knives for just
walking around with. Not exactly legal, and she wasn’t the only one
who noticed.

Candice squeezed her arm. “The tall guy with the brown hair is
Lance. I don’t know who the blond is,” she whispered excitedly, and
then gave a wave and pulled Faith along with her. Both men ate
Faith up with their eyes and she got a bad feeling in her gut. If the
brunet liked Candice, he should be focusing on her.

“Lance, what are you doing here?” Candice asked and leaned toward
him as if to kiss him hello or she expected him to kiss her or hug her.
He did but his eyes went to Faith and he winked. Definitely a player.
She squinted.
“This is my friend, Faith.”

“Faith, huh? Sweet,” he said and reached his hand out for her to
shake. She did and he gave her a squeeze, licked his lower lip as
Candice looked at the blond who seemed ready to bypass Candice
and shake Faith’s hand.

“Nice to meet you. This is my friend Benny,” he introduced his buddy

who shook Faith’s hand.

Candice hugged Lance’s arm and he smirked. “We came by to check

out the town and to see you,” he said to Candice, who blushed.

“That’s so nice. My section is over here,” she said and pointed.

“And your section?” the blond asked Faith.

“She’s right next to mine. Come on over and I’ll buy you a round,”
Candice said and she started to lead them toward her section but
Faith went to the bar.

“Who are those guys?” Ade asked her suspiciously.

Faith rolled her eyes. “New friends of Candice’s.”

“Hmm, they were both eating you up with their eyes and staring at
your chest,” Ade said and he kept his eyes on the guys.

She chuckled.

“Definitely players. Hopefully Candice picks up on it. I’d hate for her
to get her heart broken.

She really seemed to like the guy with the brown hair.”

“She better be careful,” Ade said in a protective tone.

“I hear ya,” she replied and thought about Candice and how she so
desperately wanted a boyfriend or men to take care of her. It was a
constant thing with her and even Leeann since their other friends
started ménage relationships. Faith wanted those things, too, but
she was shy and she expected a certain type of man or men to snag
her heart. Being a virgin and twenty-four didn’t help matters. She
continued to work, dealt with the two men flirting and even Candice
suggesting a double date or something. Faith could tell the guys
weren’t the dating kind at all. As she stopped when they asked her a
question, the guy, Benny, placed his hand on her hip and then
rubbed her back. It gave her the creeps and she stepped to the side,
and bumped into someone. As she turned to look way up, she
locked gazes with Louis. Her jaw dropped, her face felt flush. She
felt like she got caught flirting or something, meanwhile she wasn’t.

“Faith,” he said and then gave the guys dirty looks before he
continued walking toward the men’s room.

“Excuse me,” she said and walked toward the bar. She was getting
annoyed at the way the guy Benny thought he could just touch her,
rub her back or flirt. Candice, however, was apparently liking how
Lance kept touching her, whispering to her and even made her blush
several times. She headed to the bar and to where Louis and Voight
were having beers with some friends of theirs.

“Those guys are awfully handsy,” Ade said to her and loud enough
for Louis and Voight to hear.

“Tell me about it. I think the one guy is part octopus,” she said with
an attitude and then lifted her arms to fix her ponytail that was
coming undone.

“Don’t be so friendly,” Voight snapped at her.

She turned to look at him. He used his eyes to gaze over her breasts
in the tank top she wore.
She squinted. “I’m not.”

“Looks like you’re allowing it,” Louis said with the same attitude and
both men looked down at her. They were standing by the bar, not
sitting on the stools in front of them. Both stared at her body and
Jesus, it reacted. She exhaled in annoyance and looked back toward
Ade, who seemed smug. She took the tray of drinks and walked
away, feeling embarrassed and guilty for some strange reason. She
wasn’t flirting or allowing anything. As she set down the drinks for
some cowboys, one of them asked her about ordering some wings
and as she turned that guy Benny was standing there. He stared
down at her and placed his hand on her hip. “Lance and I are taking
Candice out for some drinks tomorrow night. You come along, too.
We’ll have a real good time, the four of us,” he said and stroked her
cheek.

She pushed his hand away, immediately picking up on the whole

“four of us” thing. What a slimeball. “I’m busy,” she said and when
she went to walk away, he snagged her wrist hard and yanked her
back. She gasped and dropped the tray. He scared the hell out of
her as he pulled her close.

“I said you’ll meet us. You’re hot and I want to get to know you
better, and this body, too.”

She shoved at his chest. “Not going to happen.”

He didn’t release her wrist until the sound of a deep, hard voice had
the man stepping back. “I think it’s time you leave,” Voight said to
him and Louis was there as well as several other local guys.

Benny looked at Lance, who was smirking. “Seems we aren’t

welcome here,” Benny said to Lance.

“I guess they don’t like outsiders. We’ll go. I’ll call you, Candice. You
make sure your sexy little friend comes along tomorrow night,” he
said and stroked Candice’s cheek. Candice looked shocked and didn’t
really respond.

As they walked away, Benny eyed over her body and licked his lower
lip. “Can’t wait to see you again.”

“Not going to happen, buddy,” she said and felt the arm slide around
her waist and then a hard chest against her back.

“Don’t say another word,” Louis whispered to her.

She was completely aroused, turned on by his hold. Then Voight

turned around after they all watched the two men walk out. “Are you
okay?” Voight asked her as he took her wrist into his hand.

The man was so tall, like six feet four, filled with muscles, blond hair,
a beard well-trimmed and crew cut hair.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“It doesn’t look fine,” he said as he held her wrist and stared at the
red finger marks.

When Louis kissed her bare shoulder and whispered to her she felt
faint. “You should have listened to me about not flirting back.”

She turned to look up at him, shocked by his words.

“I wasn’t flirting at all.”

“Seemed like you were,” Voight said and squinted his eyes at her in
an accusatory manner.

She instantly got fired up. These men got under her skin like no
others. “Whatever. I’m fine.

Thanks for the help,” she said and walked away from them, picking
up the tray along the way.
As she got to the bar, Ade was smiling. “Louis and Voight? Wow.
Impressive,” he said to her and she glared at him.

“What?”

“Nothing, sweetheart. Just gotta love how things just fall into place,
that’s all,” Ade said, shaking his head as he wiped some clean
glasses and then smiled.

“Are you okay?” Candice asked her, totally moving in front of her and
blocking Ade.

“I’m fine,” she said and waited to walk to her tables to check on
them.

“I can’t believe Louis and Voight. How rude,” Candice said.

Faith squinted at her. “Louis and Voight? What are you talking
about? That guy Benny was a total jerk.”

“No he wasn’t. He was into you. You’re going to meet them with me
tomorrow right?”

“Absolutely not, and you aren’t going either.”

Candice widened her eyes. “Seriously? You’re turning down hanging

out with them, why?”

“Well let’s see, because they are players out for some action. He
totally was like the four of us will have a good time. Jerk, like he’s
going to get some action.”

“Oh God, Faith, don’t be such a prude,” Candice said, raising her
voice and drawing attention to them.

“I’m not interested.”

“They’re older men, and experienced, It would be good for you.
You’ll never get to go out with any real men if you hold on to it
forever.”

“Excuse me? Why are you being so rude? Those guys want one
thing. Candice, do yourself a favor and forget about them. They’re
no good,” Faith said.

Candice looked like she had tears in her eyes. “You need to go out
with me and them.”

“No, Candice.”

She went to walk away and Candice grabbed her arm. “You have to.
I promised that you would.

They like you and it will be fun.”

“I’m not interested and it won’t be fun,” she said more loudly. She
couldn’t understand why Candice was being this way.

Candice eyed her over. “You can’t stay a virgin forever,” she snapped
at her.

Faith’s face heated up so fast. One look at Ade, who looked shocked
and then pissed off as Candice stormed off and then Faith turned
toward the bar. Louis and Voight stared at her, eyed her over and
she felt the tears hit her eyes. She growled low and walked toward
her tables, feeling completely embarrassed. Wonderful, Candice was
pissed off and her nastiness now let Louis and Voight know and Ade
too that she was a virgin. God damn. I need to leave this town, and
fast.

****

“Holy shit,” Voight whispered to Louis. Louis was in a dead stare at

Faith. It was as if he saw her differently now, knowing she was a
virgin. Was that true? Holy Christ, why was he completely turned on
and attracted to her even more so? He shouldn’t be. He was thirty-
eight years old, a man who fucked around too many times to
remember. Christ, he lived life by the seat of his pants just like
Voight, Worin, and Hunt. He couldn’t believe the things he was
feeling. Hell, he was protective of her before, and the second that
guy stood up and grabbed her, he and Voight were out of their seats
and ready to kick ass. But now, now knowing just how innocent and
sweet she was, he felt possessive.

“Calm down. You look about ready to freak out,” Voight said to him.

He locked gazes with Voight. “Like you aren’t? Like you don’t feel as
possessive and even more protective now?”

“We’re both recovering from the little situation with those dicks. It’s
normal.”

“Fuck that, Voight, it isn’t normal. She’s young, a damn virgin,” he

whispered to him.

“Thank God just you, me and Ade heard that. She is completely
embarrassed. She won’t even look this way,” Voight said and glanced
back toward her.

“Would you? She’s incredible. I can’t help but to think about what
happened in town with Worin.

Her helping him through the episode, Worin’s obvious attraction to

her. We feel it, too. I bet Hunt does, as well,” Louis said.

“We don’t deserve a woman as young, beautiful and inexperienced,

both with sex and with soldiers.”

“She must have some experience with soldiers with PTSD for her to
have handled Worin. Plus, I might be a dick for saying this, but fuck,
I’m turned on as all hell that she’s never had sex before. Is it fucked
up to want that gift? To have something like that shared between all
of us? I mean think about this a minute, Voight. She could belong to
us. Be our woman the way our friends have their women to love and
care for.”

“I don’t know. I just fucking don’t know what to think.”

“You like her though.”

“What’s not to like. Her eyes are incredible, sweet, responsive, and
all telling. Her body, a ten plus. She’s petite though, definitely
feminine and maybe not too tough. We’re big men, capable men.”

“Her body was made for us. Just look at it,” he said and when Voight
turned to look Louis saw Faith look up, lock gazes with them and
tears filled her eyes as her face went flush. She hurried up and
walked the other way.

“Something tells me that she isn’t too pleased we know her secret,”
Voight said and took a slug from his bottle of Heineken.

“She’ll get over it. We came here because of her, didn’t we?”

“Not really,” Voight said.

“Bullshit, not really. We talked about her, about the attraction and
about Worin’s response to her and Hunt’s avoidance of her name.
Something is here. Let’s see what happens. We got time. No need to
rush anything.”

“Well, she said no to going out with those men so that’s a good
thing.”

“For now, but we can’t wait too long.”

“Let’s see how that retreat goes,” Voight said and Louis agreed.

****
Faith refused to talk to Candice. She was so upset with her she
wasn’t sure she could forgive her. She couldn’t understand why
Candice did what she did. It had embarrassed Faith so much that
she took the next weekend off and headed to Warriorville to be with
her brother, cousin, and friends and help out. As she headed into the
small town, the large welcoming sign appeared with the two big
soldier statues and the fifty foot American flagpole. It was stunning,
and such a grand entrance to the town. It even had a sitting area
attached on the backside of the area and a crosswalk. The main part
of the town was quaint. Two sides of the street with storefronts, old
fashioned in design and very welcoming. The streets were done up
in pavers, not blacktop, and were lined with cobblestone along the
fancy paved walkways. There were benches to sit at and rest,
shaded trees each surrounded by small black metal fencing to
protect the trunks and lots of welcoming signs. Parking was in the
back of the buildings in parking lots that bordered part of the large
park area and man-made lakefront with waterfalls and fish ponds. It
was breathtaking. She felt a sense of comfort and relief being here
and truly couldn’t wait to see her brother, Toby, and cousin Randal.

As she made her way through town and then past some housing
complexes, new construction and even a sports center with fields
and gaming stadium, she traveled along the farmland and finally to
the large ranch and retreat center. Her brother, cousin, and friends
called it Warriors Way, and the name was done up in soldered out
metal with the words in the center of a soldered out American flag.

Before she even got to the barn where they parked the trucks and
where her car would remain for the week, she caught sight of the
men living on the ranch and getting things set up for the week-long
retreat, as well as Toby and Randal as they headed out of the large
house.

She turned off the engine after she parked, and got out. “My God,
look at you,” Randal said and he looked her over, smiled then lifted
her up into his big strong arms. She felt like crying. Like she was
home, and safe and sound and nothing even mattered. She
squeezed him tight and then he let her go and her brother smiled
wide, picked her up and hugged her next. Then the others came out
of the woodwork. Jester, Frank, Corey, and Jim. They all greeted her
hello, flirted like crazy and got her brother and cousin mad.

“No hitting on Faith. She’s family and off limits. Let’s get back to
work. We have twenty men coming this week, and that means a lot
to get ready for,” he said and they ranked on him, calling him a pain
in the ass with his orders and rules as they walked away. Randal and
Toby laughed.

“I hope you’re ready to cook all week. That’s thirty-plus men, big
appetites, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and baking, too,” he said to her.

“You’ll be helping some and I’m sure Aunt Gracy and Aunt May will
be helping out a bunch.

After all, they will be in the kitchen with me.”

“Yes, they will be, but you’re head chef when you come help out.
You know everyone loves your cooking.”

“You are just buttering me up. Thirty plus men to feed? Hmmm, I
think you’re going to owe me some nice aged bourbon.”

“You got it, honey. Starting tonight,” Randal said and hugged her
again. “You look incredible.”

Faith smiled and hugged him right back. Instantly she felt better.
This week she would put Cherry Hill and that whole situation with
Candice and those men behind her as well as the revelation of her
secret exposed to two men she had the hots for. Never going to
happen now. Now Louis and Voight like other men would be after
popping her cherry, not winning her heart.

****
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
le ayudaron a ello por ser un
officio de que tenian gran
esperiencia. E despues auer
gastado algun tiempo en esto,
Sireno le dixo: hermosa Seluagia,
grandissimo es tu mal, pero por
muy mayor tengo tu discrecion.
Toma exemplo en males agenos,
si quieres sobrelleuar los tuyos; y
porque ya se haze tarde, nos
uamos a la aldea, y mañana se
passe la fiesta junto a esta clara
fuente donde todos nos
juntarémos. Sea assi como lo
dizes (dixo Seluagia) mas porque
aya de aqui al lugar algun
entretenimiento, cada uno cante
una cancion, segun el estado en
que le tienen sus amores. Los
pastores respondieron que diera
ella principio con la suya: lo qual
Seluagia començo a hazer,
yendose todos su passo a passo
hazia la aldea.

Zagal, quien podra passar

uida tan triste y amarga,
que para biuir es larga,
y corta para llorar?
Gasto sospiros en uano,
perdida la confiança:
siento que está mi esperança
con la candela en la mano.
¡Que tiempo para esperar
que esperança tan amarga,
donde la uida es tan larga,
quan corta para llorar!
 Este mal en que me ueo,
yo le merezco ¡ay perdida!
pues uengo a poner la uida
en las manos del desseo.
Jamas cesse el
lamentar[1234];
que aunque la uida se alarga,
no es para biuir tan larga
quan corta para llorar.

Con un ardiente sospiro, que del

alma le salia, acabó Seluagia su
cancion, diziendo: Desuenturada
de la que se uee sepultada entre
celos y desconfianças, que en fin
le pornan la uida a tal recaudo,
como dellos se espera. Luego el
oluidado Sireno començo a cantar
al son de su rabel esta cancion:

Ojos tristes, no lloreys,

y si llorades pensad,
que no os dixeron verdad,
y quiça descansareys.
Pues que la imaginacion
haze causa en todo estado,
pensá que aun soys bien
amado,
y teneys menos passion:
Si algun descanso quereys,
mis ojos, imaginad,
que no os dixeron uerdad,
y quiça descansareys.
Pensad que soys tan
querido,
como algun tiempo lo fuystes.
 Mas no es remedio de tristes
imaginar lo que ha sido.
Pues ¿qué remedio terneys,
ojos? alguno pensad,
si no lo pensays, llorad:
o acabá, y descansareys.

Despues que con muchas

lagrimas el triste pastor Sireno
acabó su cancion, el desamado
Syluano desta manera dio
principio a la suya.

Perderse por ti la uida,

zagala, será forçado,
mas no que pierda el cuydado
despues de auerla perdida.
Mal que con muerte se cura
muy cerca tiene el remedio,
mas no aquel que tiene el
medio
en manos de la uentura.
E si este mal con la uida
no puede ser acabado
qué aprouecha a un
desdichado
uerla ganada, o perdida?
Todo es uno para mi
esperança, o no tenella:
que si oy me muero por uella
mañana porque la ui.
Regalara yo la uida,
para dar fin al cuydado,
si a mi me fuera otorgado,
perdella en siendo perdida.
Desta manera se fueron los dos
pastores en compañia de
Seluagia, dexando concertado de
uerse el dia siguiente en el mismo
lugar; y aqui haze fin el primer
libro de la hermosa Diana.

Fin del primer libro de la Diana.

 NOTAS:
[1210] En la edición de Milán, «debaxo de nombres pastorales».
[1211] Le en la edición de Venecia, 1585, y en otras. La en la
rarísima de Milán.
[1212] Y qué cabellos, añade, á modo de paréntesis, la de Milán.
[1213] Así en la edición de Milán. Ignorancia en la de Venecia.
[1214] M., causaron.
[1215] M., desta manera.
[1216] M., imaginasse.
[1217] M., que yo pudiesse.
[1218] M., de favores.
[1219] Todo esto falta en la edición de Venecia, y se ha tomado
de la de Milán.
[1220] M., rendido.
[1221] M., cayo.
[1222] M., acabando.
[1223] M., prompta está.
[1224] Así en M. La de Venecia y otras dicen en mirar mi pastor,
lo cual no hace sentido.
[1225] M., así. V., sintiéndola,
[1226] M., fuesse.
[1227] Les en la edición de Milán.
[1228] M., turasse.
[1229] M., hablelle.
[1230] M., hazían.
[1231] V., quedara.
[1232] Falta el vano en la edición de Venecia y otras. Está en la
de Milán.
[1233] M., veis.
[1234] M., Mas no cese el lamentar.
 LIBRO SEGUNDO
DE LA DIANA DE
GEORGE DE
MONTEMAYOR

Los pastores ya, que por los

campos del caudaloso Ezla
apascentauan sus ganados, se
començauan a mostrar cada uno
con su rebaño por la orilla de sus
cristallinas aguas tomando el
pastor, antes que el sol saliesse, y
aduirtiendo el mejor lugar, para
despues passar la calurosa fiesta,
quando la hermosa pastora
Seluagia por la cuesta que de la
aldea baxaua al espesso bosque,
uenia trayendo delante de si sus
mansas ouejuelas, y despues de
auellas metido entre los arboles
baxos y espessos, de que alli auia
mucha abundancia, y uerlas
ocupadas en alcançar las más
baxuelas ramas, satisfaziendo el
hambre que trayan, la pastora se
fue derecha a la fuente de los
alisos, donde el dia antes, con los
dos pastores auia passado la
siesta. E como uio el lugar tan
aparejado para tristes
imaginaciones, se quiso
aprouechar del tiempo,
sentandose cabe la fuente, cuya
agua con la de sus ojos
acrescentaua. Y despues de auer
gran rato imaginado, començo a
dezir: ¿Por uentura, Alanio, eres
tú aquel, cuyos ojos nunca ante
los mios ui enxutos de lagrimas?
¿Eres tú el que tantas uezes a
mis pies ui tendido, pidiendome
con razones amorosas, la
clemencia que yo por mi mal usé
contigo? ¿Dime pastor (y el mas
falso que se puede imaginar en la
uida) es uerdad que me querias,
para cansarte tan presto de
quererme? Deuias imaginar, que
no estaua en más oluidarte yo,
que en saber que era de ti
oluidada: que officio es de
hombres, que no tratan los
amores, como deuen tratarse,
pensar que lo mismo podran
acabar sus damas consigo, que
ellos an acabado. Aunque otros
uienen a tomallo por remedio,
para que en ellas se acresciente
el amor. Y otros porque los celos,
que las mas uezes fingen, uengan
a subjectar a sus damas: de
manera que no sepan, ni puedan
poner los ojos en otra parte, y los
más uienen poco a poco a
manifestar todo lo que de antes
fingian, por donde muy más
claramente descubren su
deslealtad. E uienen todos estos
estremos a resultar en daño de
las tristes, que sin mirar los fines
de las cosas, nos uenimos a
afficionar, para jamas dexar de
quereros, ni uosotros de
pagarnoslo tan mal, como tú me
pagas lo que te quise y quiero.
Assi que qual destos ayas sido,
no puedo entendello. E no te
espantes, que en los casos de
desamor entienda poco, quien en
los de amor está tan exercitada.
Siempre me mostraste gran
honestidad en tus palabras, por
donde nunca menos esperé de
tus obras. Pense que un amor, en
el qual me dauas a entender que
tu desseo no se estendia a querer
de mí más que quererme, jamas
tuuiera fin; porque si a otra parte
encaminaras tus desseos no
sospechara firmeza en tus
amores. ¡Ay triste de mí! que por
temprano que uine a entenderte,
ha sido para mí tarde. Venid nos
acá, mi çampoña, y passare con
uos el tiempo, que si yo con sola
uos lo uuiera pasado, fuera de
mayor contento para mí; y
tomando su çampoña, començo a
cantar la siguiente cancion:
 Aguas que de lo alto desta
sierra,
baxays con tal ruydo al hondo
ualle
porqué no imaginays la que
del alma
destilan siempre mis cansados
ojos,
y que es la causa, el infelice
tiempo,
en que fortuna me robo mi
gloria?
Amor me dió esperança de
tal gloria,
que no ay pastora alguna en
esta sierra,
que assi pensasse de alabar
el tiempo
pero despues me puso en este
ualle
de lagrimas, a do lloran mis
ojos
no uer lo que estan viendo los
del alma.
¿En tanta soledad, qué
haze un alma
que en fin llegó a saber que
cosa es gloria?
¿o a donde boluere mis tristes
ojos,
si el prado, el bosque, el
monte, el soto y sierra
el arboleda y fuentes deste
ualle
no hazen oluidar tan dulce
tiempo?
¿Quien nunca imaginó que
fuera el tiempo
verdugo tan cruel para mi
alma?
¿o qué fortuna me apartó de
un ualle,
que toda cosa en el me daua
gloria?
hasta el hambriento lobo, que
a la sierra
subia, era agradable ante mis
ojos.
¿Mas qué podran, fortuna,
uer los ojos,
que ueian su pastor en algun
tiempo
baxar con sus corderos, de
una sierra,
cuya memoria siempre está en
mi alma?
¡o fortuna enemiga de mi
gloria!
¡cómo me cansa este
enfadoso ualle!
¿Mas cuando tan ameno y
fresco valle,
no es agradable a mis
cansados ojos,
ni en él puedo hallar contento,
gloria,
ni espero ya tenelle en algun
tiempo?
ued en qué estremo deue
estar mi alma:
¡o quien boluiese á aquella
dulce sierra!
¡O alta sierra, ameno y
fresco ualle
 do descansó mi alma, y estos
ojos!
dezid: uerme he algun tiempo,
en tanta gloria.

A este tiempo Syluano estaua con

su ganado entre unos myrthos
que cerca de la fuente auia,
metido en sus tristes
imaginaciones; y quando la boz
de Seluagia oyó, despierta como
de un sueño, y muy atento estuuo
a los uersos que cantaua. Pues
como este pastor fuesse tan mal
tratado de amor, y tan
desfauorecido de Diana, mil
uezes la passion le hazia salir de
seso, de manera, que oy se daua
en dezir mal de amor, mañana en
alaballe, un dia en estar ledo, y
otro en estar más triste que todos
los tristes; oy en dezir mal de
mugeres, mañana en
encarecellas sobre todas las
cosas. Y ansi biuia el triste una
uida, que seria gran trabajo dalla
a entender; y más a personas
libres. Pues auiendo oydo el dulce
canto de Seluagia, y salido de sus
tristes imaginaciones, tomó su
rabel, y començo a cantar lo
siguiente:

Cansado esta de oyrme el

claro rio,
el ualle y soto tengo
importunados:
y estan de oir mis quexas ¡o
amor mio!
alisos, hayas, olmos ya
cansados:
inuierno, primauera, otoño,
estio,
con lagrimas regando estos
collados,
estoy a causa tuya, o cruda
fiera,
¿no auria en esta boca vn nó,
si quiera?
De libre me heziste ser
catiuo,
de hombre de razon, quien no
la siente,
quesiste me hazer de muerto,
biuo,
y alli de biuo muerto
encontinente:
De afable me heziste ser
esquiuo:
de conuersable, aborrescer la
gente:
solia tener ojos, y estoy ciego,
hombre de carne fuy, ya soy
de fuego.
¿Qué es esto coraçon, no
estays cansado?
¿aun ay más que llorar?
¿dezi, ojos mios?
mi alma, ¿no bastaua el mal
passado?
lagrimas, ¿aun hazeys crecer
los ríos?
entendimiento, ¿vos no estays
turbado?
sentido, ¿no os turbaron sus
desuios?
¿pues cómo entiendo, lloro,
veo y siento,
si todo lo ha gastado ya el
tormento?
¿Quién hizo a mi pastora
¡ay, perdido!
aquel cabello de oro, y no
dorado,
el rostro de cristal tan
escogido,
la boca de un rubi muy
estremado,
el cuello de alabastro, y el
sentido
muy más que otra ninguna
leuantado?
¿por qué su coraçon no hizo
ante
de cera, que de marmol y
diamante?
Vn dia estoy conforme a mi
fortuna,
y al mal que me ha causado
mi Diana,
el otro el mal me afflige y
importuna,
cruel la llamo fiera, y
inhumana,
y assi no hay en mi mal orden
alguna,
lo que oy affirmo, niegolo
mañana:
todo es assi, y passo assi una
uida,
 que presto uean mis ojos
consumida.

Cuando la hermosa Seluagia en

la boz conoscio al pastor Syluano,
se fue luego a él, y recebiendose
los dos con palabras de grande
amistad, se assentaron a la
sombra de un espesso myrtho,
que en medio dexaba vn pequeño
pradezuelo[1235] más agradable
por las hermosas y doradas flores
de que él estaua matizado, de lo
que sus tristes pensamientos
pudieran dessear. Y Syluano
començó a hablar desta manera:
No sin grandissima compassion
se deue considerar, hermosa
Seluagia, la diuersidad de tantos
y tan desusados infortunios, como
succeden a los tristes que
queremos bien. Mas entre todos
ellos ninguno me paresce que
tanto se deue temer, como aquel
que succede despues de auerse
uisto la persona en un[1236] buen
estado. Y esto como tú ayer me
dezias, nunca llegué a sabello por
experiencia. Mas como la uida
que passo es tan agena de
descanso, y tan entregada a
tristezas, infinitas uezes estoy
buscando inuenciones para
engañar el gusto. Para lo qual me
uengo a imaginar muy querido de
mi señora, y sin abrir mano desta
imaginacion me estoy todo lo que
puedo, pero despues que llego a
la uerdad de mi estado, quedo tan
confuso que no sé decillo; porque
sin yo querello, me uiene a faltar
la paciencia. Y pues la
imaginacion no es cosa que se
pueda suffrir, ued qué haria la
uerdad? Seluagia le respondió:
Quisiera yo, Syluano, estar libre
desta passion, para saber hablar
en ella, como en tal materia seria
menester. Que no quieras mayor
señal de ser el amor mucho, o
poco, la passion pequeña o
grande, que oilla dezir al que la
siente. Porque nunca passion
bien sentida, pudo ser bien
manifestada con la lengua del que
la padesce. Ansi que estando yo
tan subjecta a mi desuentura, y
tan quexosa de la sin razon que
Alanio me haze, no podré dezir lo
mucho que dello siento. A tu
discrecion lo dexo, como a cosa
de que me puedo muy bien fiar.
Syluano dixo sospirando. Aora yo,
Seluagia, no sé qué diga, ni qué
remedio podria auer en nuestro
mal. ¿Tú por dicha sabes alguno?
Seluagia respondió, ¿y como aora
lo sé? Sabes qué remedio,
pastor? Dexar de querer. ¿Y esso
podrias tú acabarlo[1237] contigo?
(dixo Syluano). Como la fortuna, o
el tiempo lo ordenasse (respondio
Seluagia). Aora te digo (dixo
Syluano muy admirado) que no te
haria agrauio en no auer manzilla
de tu mal, porque amor que está
subjecto al tiempo, y a la fortuna,
no puede ser tanto que dé trabajo
a quien lo padece. Seluagia le
respondió. ¿Y podrias tú, pastor,
negarme, que sería possible auer
fin en tus amores, o por muerte, o
por ausencia, o por ser
fauorescido en otra parte, y tenido
en más tus seruicios? No me
quiero (dixo Syluano) hazer tan
hypocrita en amor, que no
entienda lo que me dizes ser
possible, mas no en mí. Y mal
aya el amador que aunque a otros
uea succederles, y la manera que
me dizes, tuuiere tan poca
constancia en los amores, que
piense poderle a él succeder cosa
tan contraria a su fe. Yo muger
soy (dixo Seluagia) y en mí uerás,
si quiero, todo lo que se puede
querer. Pero no me estorua esto
imaginar, que en todas las cosas
podria auer fin, por más firmes
que sean porque officio es del
tiempo, y de la fortuna andar en
estos mouimientos tan ligeros,
como ellos lo han sido siempre; y
no pienses, pastor, que me haze
dezir esto el pensamiento de
oluidar aquel que tan sin causa
me tiene oluidada, sino lo que
desta passion tengo
esperimentado. A este tiempo
oyeron un pastor, que por el
prado adelante uenia cantando, y
luego fue conocido[1238] ser el
oluidado Sireno, el qual uenia al
son de su rabel cantando estos
uersos:

Andad mis pensamientos do

algun dia
os yuades de vos muy
confiados,
vereys horas y tiempos ya
mudados,
vereys que uuestro bien
passó: solia.
Vereys que en el espejo a
do me uia
y en el lugar do fuystes
estimados,
se mira por mi suerte y tristes
hados
aquel que ni aun pensallo
merescia.
Vereys tambien cómo
entregué la uida
a quien sin causa alguna la
desecha,
y aunque es ya sin remedio el
graue daño
dezilde (si podeis) á la
partida
que allá prophetizaua mi
sospecha,
lo que ha cumplido acá su
desengaño.
Despues que Sireno puso fin a su
canto, uido como hazia el uenia la
hermosa Seluagia, y el pastor
Syluano, de que no recibio
pequeño contentamiento, y
despues de auerse recebido,
determinaron yrse a la fuente de
los alisos, donde el dia antes
auian estado. Y primero que allá
llegassen (dixo Syluano).
Escucha, Seluagia, ¿no oyes
cantar? Sí oigo (dixo Seluagia) y
aun paresce mas de una boz.
¿Adonde será? (dixo Sireno).
Paresceme (respondió Seluagia)
que es en el prado de los laureles
por donde passa el arroyo que
corre desta clara fuente. Bien
será que nos lleguemos allá, y de
manera que no nos sientan los
que cantan, porque no
interrumpamos la musica. Vamos
(dixo Seluagia) y assi su passo a
passo se fueron hazia aquella
parte donde las bozes se oyan: y
escondiendose entre unos
arboles, que estauan junto al
arroyo: uieron sobre las doradas
flores assentadas tres nimphas,
tan hermosas, que parescia auer
en ellas dado la naturaleza clara
muestra de lo que puede. Venian
uestidas de unas ropas blancas
labradas por encima de follajes de
oro: sus cabellos, que los rayos
del sol oscurescian, rebueltos a la
cabeça, y tomados con sendos
hilos de orientales perlas, con que
encima de la crystallina frente se
hazia una lazada, y en medio
della estaua una aguila de oro,
que entre las vñas tenia un muy
hermoso diamante. Todas tres de
concierto tañian sus instrumentos
tan suauemente, que junto con
las diuinas bozes no parescieron
sino musica celestial, y la primera
cosa que cantaron, fue este
villancico:

Contentamientos de amor
que tan cansados llegays,
si uenis ¿para que os uays?
Aun no acabays de uenir
despues de muy desseados,
cuando estays determinados
de madrugar y partyr,
si tan presto os aueys d'yr,
y tan triste me dexays,
placeres, no me ueays.
Los contentos huyo dellos,
pues no me uienen a uer
más que por darme a entender
lo que se pierde en perdellos,
y pues ya no quiero uellos,
descontentos, no os partays,
pues bolueys despues que os
uays.

Despues que uuieron cantado,

dixo la una, que Dorida se
llamaua: Cinthia[1239], ¿es esta la
ribera adonde un pastor llamado