Right Out of Nowhere

by Laurie Salzler

“Okay, Kate, let’s get you warmed up.” Roni helped Kate up and into the makeshift tent.

  Once in, Roni folded the tarp behind them and propped her saddle against it, effectively sealing them inside. Kate was visibly shaking, and her teeth still chattered.

  “Take your clothes off and get into the sleeping bag.” Roni pulled her own coat off and unbuttoned her shirt.

  Kate stood wide-eyed, watching Roni undress. “Uh, seriously? You want me to get naked with you?” She clenched her jaws to stop the clacking of her teeth. “What do you do on your second date?” Roni didn’t answer, and Kate hastily shoved her boots off and undid her jeans.

  “You’re in the early stages of hypothermia,” Roni said. “If you don’t start getting warm, it could get worse before you know it.”

  She hid her eyes to give Kate some privacy as she let her shirt fall to the ground, only looking again after Kate had crawled inside the bag. She could hear Kate’s teeth chattering above the patter of rain hitting the shelter. Before she finished undressing, she handed Kate a protein bar and radioed Jeff.

  “Roni to Base One, Roni to Base One. Over.” Roni had to speak loudly over the roaring of the wind and rain.

  “Base One. Roni, did you find her? Over.”

  “Affirmative. Kate is in early stage hypothermia but otherwise in good shape. We’re safely hunkered down in the shelter. Over.”

  “Sounds like you may be there until at least tomorrow. The National Weather Service issued a storm warning for that area. Expect up to six inches of snow. Over.”

  “Roger that, we’ll be fine. I’ll be in touch when we’re on our way back to civilization. Over.”

  “Stay warm, Roni. Over and out.”

  Roni turned the radio off, undressed, and got into the sleeping bag. Naked but for her underwear, she pulled Kate against her in a bear hug to share her body heat. With one arm she scooped Puller in and pressed him against Kate’s back.

  An hour later, with Kate finally warm and fast asleep, Roni wiggled her way out of the bag. The temperature inside the makeshift tent had risen to where their breath was no longer visible. She peeked outside and was surprised to see a snow-covered landscape. She estimated that two inches had already fallen.

  “That explains why it feels so warm in here.”

  “Why’s that?”

  Roni turned around and looked at Kate. Her face had regained some color, no longer pale, and her teeth had stopped chattering. “Hey, I’m sorry if I woke you. How’re you feeling?”

  “Much better, thanks. I can finally feel my fingers and toes. As a matter of fact, this four-legged furnace of yours is making me sweat.” Kate self-consciously held the bag up over her chest.

  Roni laughed. “Good. Why don’t you put your shirt back on and then we can work on your hydration and carb levels.” She rummaged through her bags and pulled out a Sterno stove, tin cup, and tea bags. While Kate finished buttoning her shirt, Roni reached outside with one hand and swiped some snow into the cup. She glanced at Kate and chuckled at her wide eyes.

  “Holy shit. It must be snowing pretty hard out there. Are the horses okay?”

  “They’re fine. They’re under the thickest part of the pines.” Roni fired up the miniature stove and placed the cup on top.

  “I’m almost afraid to ask. Is Rome okay?”

  “Rome? Oh, your horse. Other than some minor cuts and scrapes, yeah, he’s fine.”

  “I was so scared I’d never find him, the way he went galloping off after he dumped me.”

  “Is that what happened?”

  “I was so stupid. I saw this other trail and decided to explore a little. When we got up on the ridge, he lost his footing and went down in front. I went over his head, and then he was gone. I must have scared him pretty bad when I hit the ground. I followed him until he crossed the stream, but I ended up going in circles I think.”

  Roni smiled at her. “He wasn’t far from you at all. I think if you’d come through the alders, he’d have been right there.” She focused on the contents of her bags to find something to eat.

  “Damned horse.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself or the horse. These things happen. At least he didn’t do it on purpose. I’m currently working with a horse that puts me on the ground before I even know what’s happening.” Roni decided on a package of carb-rich macaroni and cheese and pulled it out of the saddlebag.

  “Thanks for being so kind. I’m pretty embarrassed about the whole thing.” Kate paused for a moment. “But I’d do it all over if I could be assured of you rescuing me again.”

  Roni’s hands stilled. I’ll be damned. This woman is coming on to me. She turned and saw a flirtatious grin on Kate’s face. “You should be more careful out there. It wouldn’t be worth it to take chances.” Kate averted her eyes. “But thanks. I’m flattered.”

  The water boiled, and Roni made the tea and handed it to Kate, who watched the progression of dinner over the rim of her steaming cup. Puller finally came out of the bag and stood at the end flap. He looked at her expectantly and wagged his tail.

  “You may be sorry, little man. The snow is almost higher than you are.” Roni let him out through a slit. The snow was thick, and she could just make out the dark forms of the horses. Puller was back in a few short minutes, shivering, with snow plastered to his back. Roni swiped the snow off him and threw it outside.

  “Come on back in here. I’ll get you warm.” Kate lifted an edge of the bag to give him access. “I can’t believe it’s so quiet. You’d never know there’s a storm raging out there.”

  Roni spooned mac and cheese onto a plate and handed it to Kate. “That’s because we’re down in the trees, and the snow is muffling it. You’d know it if you were up on that ridge where you parted ways with your horse.”

  “Oh. My. God,” Kate said, pointing at the plate with her fork. “This is so good.”

  Roni took her portion and they ate in silence. Since it was starting to get dark, she put everything back into her saddlebags so she’d know where it was. “If you need to take care of business, I suggest you do it right away. Once I pull the tarp ends tight, that’ll be it until morning.” She put the rest of her clothes on, yanked her boots on, and shoved her arms into her coat.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “Suit yourself. I’m not surprised, given you were probably dehydrated. I have to check on the horses. I’ll be right back.” Roni put a small wad of toilet paper in her pocket, settled her hat on her head, and trudged out into four inches of newly fallen snow. Heavy thick flakes silently floated all around her. Chenoa nickered a greeting as she walked up. Neither horse looked any the worse for wear. Roni approached Rome and untied Kate’s coat from the saddle. She loosened the girth enough to take the pressure off, opting to leave the saddle on to keep the horse warm. While Chenoa was used to being out on the cold range, she didn’t think Rome was. His black coat was short as was typical of thoroughbreds. But for a horse coming off winter, Roni expected his hair to be thicker. More than likely this horse lived in a comfortable stable.

  A few minutes later, after taking care of her own needs, Roni was back in the tent. She shook as much snow off her hat and coat as she could and secured the tarp against the weather. “I brought your coat in. I don’t know how cold it’s supposed to get tonight, so you may end up wearing it.”

  “Thanks. Are the horses okay?”

  “They’re fine. I think yours is wondering where his warm stall is though.”

  Kate laughed and it sounded like music to Roni’s ears. “I’m sure he is, but he could be a lot worse off.” Kate’s face grew serious. “I never did say thank you. I’m not sure I would’ve lived through tonight and this storm if you hadn’t found me.”

  “No thanks needed,” Roni said. “This is what I do. I’m just glad I located you before the snow started to fall.”

  Roni undressed to her underwear again and slipped into the bag with Kate. Puller lay inside at her feet. “Warm enough?”

  �
��I’m fine. Quit worrying. You found me, warmed me up, fed me, and at this point I’m ready for some more shut-eye.” With that Kate snuggled down, turned on her side, and was quiet. Her steady breathing indicated she was fast asleep.

  Roni lay awake for a while, thinking about her strategy for getting Kate out if the storm hadn’t let up by morning. Kate would be more susceptible to hypothermia now. If the ride was slow, she could be in danger of a relapse. As a last resort she’d have to radio Jeff, have the ranger station send a snowmobile out for Kate, and Roni could pony her horse back to the rec sites. Content with her decision, she closed her eyes and was dead to the world within minutes. The last thing she heard was the deep even breathing of Kate’s sleep keeping time with Puller’s snoring from the depths of the bedroll.

  Chapter Six

  GROGGY WITH SLEEP, Roni believed she was dreaming. She was vaguely conscious of the heat from the woman lying next to her. Her focus lay on the caressing movement of fingers over her skin and sensuous lips on her neck. Her stomach muscles clenched in response as her lover’s feather-light touch stroked lower.

  Abruptly she was wide-awake. This was no dream. Roni grabbed Kate’s hand and stilled it. “What are you doing?” She stared at Kate, wide-eyed and disbelieving.

  “Um, I thought I was the one with the frozen brain,” Kate said. Her lips were dangerously close to Roni’s neck, which was a very sensitive and erotic spot to her.

  “Kate, stop.”

  “Why?” Kate attempted to pull her hand out of Roni’s grasp, but Roni held tight. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

  “It doesn’t matter if I have a girlfriend or not. We can’t do this. It’s not ethical.”

  “Aren’t you attracted to me?”

  “Of course I . . . damn it! We can’t do this.” She turned her head to Kate to show her she was serious. She didn’t realize how close they were until their lips brushed. Suddenly her common sense warred with lust. Her body betrayed her. She was already aroused, and the fact that Kate was playing with her nipple didn’t help at all. She fell into Kate’s embrace and returned her kiss.

  Kate retracted her probing tongue from Roni’s mouth and said against her lips, “Don’t worry. No strings. Just enjoy it.”

  Roni nodded drunkenly. Beyond thinking rationally, she sat up, and in one motion pulled her shirt off before claiming Kate’s lips again. With one hand, she unbuttoned Kate’s shirt and it fell open to reveal her breasts. A soft moan of appreciation escaped Roni’s lips.

  “Okay, your turn.” Kate literally bounced on Roni’s belly, which made her breasts slap wildly up and down.

  On the verge of laughing, Roni feigned exhaustion and replied, “Um, you know, you wore me out, and it’s been a long day. I think I’m just going to turn in. You need to rest up for the ride out tomorrow.”

  “You sure?”

  Roni nodded, and Kate slid off onto her side. From the sound of her breathing, she’d fallen asleep almost instantly.

  Well, that was a wild ride. Roni covered her mouth to stifle a chuckle. She shook her head and closed her eyes. She wouldn’t forget this one anytime soon.

  PULLER CRAWLED UP onto her chest and licked her face, and Roni knew it was time to get up. She listened without opening her eyes. A raven called from a nearby tree, and one of the horses snorted. She turned her head to look at Kate, and the events of last night came rushing back.

  Oh shit. I can’t believe I was so stupid. She rubbed the bridge of her nose. As quietly as possible, she eased out of the bag and got dressed. Today had to be all about the business of getting Kate back to civilization and out of her life. She hoped Kate’s promise of no strings was true.

  Kate stirred but didn’t wake up as Roni opened the end of the tarp. Although a few flakes still floated in the air, the bulk of the storm had moved on. The sky was gray, but in places the clouds were beginning to break up from the sun’s insistence. She estimated about seven inches of snow covered the ground and outlined the pines in white. Puller followed her by hopping into her footprints as she shuffled toward the horses. But first, she squatted underneath some branches heavily laden with snow and emptied her bladder. Baring her butt in freezing temperature and seven inches of snow wasn’t pleasant.

  “Freakin’ men have it so much easier,” she mumbled.

  Chenoa and Rome greeted her with low nickers as she approached.

  “Hey, guys, you aren’t too worse for wear are you?” Roni brushed the snow from Chenoa’s back and Kate’s saddle.

  She untied both of them and led them to the stream for a drink. Although the grasses were well covered, both horses pawed through the light snow for something to eat. Roni let Chenoa loose and held onto Kate’s horse for a few minutes so he could eat his fair share. Puller wandered over, and she lifted him into her vest to keep him warm.

  When she got back to camp, she’d radio Jeff and let him know her plans. It looked as though she’d be able to successfully escort Kate out to the rec sites. She checked the tiny thermometer she kept clipped to her zipper. Twenty-nine. If the sun came out, it would warm up fast and their ride back should be safe enough for Kate.

  She let the horses graze for a few more minutes and then led them back. After retying them to the picket line, she opened the tarp to find Kate awake and, much to her relief, fully dressed.

  “Good morning. Has the snow stopped?” Kate sat down on the makeshift bed.

  “It has, and it looks like we’ll have an uneventful ride out of here too.” Roni pulled the radio from the saddlebag. “There are some protein bars in my bag. You should have one or two before we head out. I have to radio in. I’ll be right back.”

  “Thanks.” Kate didn’t hesitate to paw around and look for something to eat.

  Roni went outside and was pleased to see the clouds breaking up more and more to reveal sun and blue sky. She moved out of the trees and turned the radio on. “Roni to Base One, Roni to Base One. Over.”

  “Base One. Good morning. How’d you make out down there? Over”

  The sound of Jeff’s voice brought a grin to Roni’s face. “We’re sitting in about seven inches down here, but it’s the light stuff. I’m hoping to depart here in about an hour. Over.” She looked at her watch. It was six o’clock. If they stuck to her plan of leaving in an hour, that would put them at their destination in about six hours. “Advise Fenn we should arrive at the rec sites at about one o’clock, give or take. Over.”

  “Roger that. Check in at your halfway point. Over.”

  “Roger, Base One. Over and out.” Roni turned the radio off and went back inside the shelter.

  Kate was sitting on the sleeping bag munching a protein bar. The wrappers of three others lay at her feet.

  Roni cocked her head. “A little hungry?” Puller wiggled to get out so she crouched down until he’d exited the vest. He ran over to investigate the discarded wrappers.

  Kate looked a little guilty. “Sorry,” she said around a mouthful. “I’m always starved after sex.”

  “Hmm, I bet.” Roni thought it best to let it drop. She hoped the subject didn’t come up again. She had no desire to think about the weirdness of last night, let alone discuss it. “Eat up. I want to break camp and head out of here in”—she checked her watch—“about forty-five minutes.” She grabbed her saddle and walked out of the shelter.

  As she saddled Chenoa, Roni pondered why she felt so impatient with Kate. While she thought the woman was nice to look at, her personality didn’t match the feelings her beauty elicited. It crossed her mind that her edginess stemmed from the fact that Kate had merely used her last night. At any rate, in a few hours they’d part ways and it wouldn’t even justify a look back. She vowed to herself that she’d never make the dimwitted mistake again of sleeping with someone she’d rescued.

  “Stupid, stupid, stupid,” she muttered to herself.

  “What’s stupid?”

  “Huh?” The damned snow had muffled Kate’s arrival. “Oh, nothing. I was just mumbling about t
he weather.” Roni offered Kate a reassuring smile. “If you’re up to it, I’ll let you get your horse ready while I pack up camp.” She didn’t wait for Kate’s answer and left her with the horses.

  Roni focused on breaking camp as fast as she could. She checked her watch once more after tying the last bundle onto her saddle and was pleased to see that it’d taken less time than she had planned. With Puller tucked inside her vest, she and Kate mounted their horses and headed out.

  The going was slow for the first hour or so. Branches coated in ice and snow crisscrossed over the snow-muted trail. Roni followed the browse line made by the elk and watched for the landmarks she’d memorized on the way in. By the time they reached the end of the miners’ path, snow covered both them and the horses. Nevertheless, Roni was relieved they’d gotten through without mishap. She glanced at Kate’s horse, which seemed quite relaxed for having spent a couple of nights out in the woods. “He’ll be happy to be back in a nice warm stall tonight.”

  Kate patted Rome’s neck. “I’m sure he will. I’ll be happy to be in my own bed too, although last night wasn’t so unbearable.”

  Roni didn’t reply. To be honest, she didn’t know how. She pointed Chenoa west toward the rec sites. The women she’d shared sex with in college weren’t strangers to her. They were more acquaintances than friends but definitely not strangers. She knew it happened, but until last night couldn’t see the need to bed someone she didn’t know. Her interlude, if you could call it that, with Kate just solidified her resolution not to do it again.

  “I’m such an idiot,” Roni muttered under her breath. She pulled her Stetson farther down over her forehead.

  Other than stopping for a few minutes to eat a few more protein bars and drink water, Roni pushed them to ride steadily the final few hours. She made sure she kept just far enough ahead of Kate to make conversation nearly impossible. She thought about Beth and wondered how she was doing. It’d be so nice if Beth could join her parents on the radio some night. Just hearing Beth’s voice would do her heart good.