Roni gritted her teeth and knew she had to ask. “And how was Kim?”
“Oh, Kim missed that flight. She got tied up on some other mission, so they had to substitute. You’ll never guess with whom.”
Roni raised her eyebrows in question and tried not to show her relief.
“Anna Cooper.”
“The Anna Cooper? Since when does she do field work?”
Selena laughed. “You’ve been holed up in the mountains too long, sweetie. Last year there was a big to-do about Cooper giving higher grades for one-on-one time with her. She was demoted from SAR certification training and had the option to resign or go into the field.”
Roni felt the blood drain from her face and stared into her lap.
“Roni, what’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
She sighed and looked out toward the horses. “She finally got caught, huh?”
“Did you . . . ? Oh, honey.” Selena pulled her into her arms and kissed the top of her head. “She didn’t hurt you did she?”
“No. Nothing like that.”
“There’d been rumors that something like that was going on, but nobody would say anything and the women involved never fessed up. I guess Cooper put the fear of God into them.”
“Yeah, she did. I’m pretty sure she purposely lowered my grades so I’d feel compelled to do whatever it took to pass. More than once, she told me not to compare test scores with anybody else. It took me awhile, but I finally figured out her game. When I confronted her about it, she brainwashed me into believing she’d get me kicked out of the program. I feel like such an idiot. I always thought I was the only one. I should’ve reported her. It could’ve saved a bunch of other women a lot of anguish.”
“If it’ll make you feel any better, the board has been reviewing all her records from the time they hired her until they demoted her out of the certification program. You may eventually hear from them about your testing scores.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It certainly does matter. Your self-esteem had to have suffered at her hands. No pun intended. You don’t give yourself enough credit when it comes to what’s in that brain of yours.”
Roni leaned into Selena. “You always have a way of making me feel better. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
She sighed contentedly. She loved the way Selena could bring her out of a gloomy mood. “No, trust me, the pleasure was all mine. That reminds me, we need to get moving.”
“Roni Oatman, I can tell you have something up your sleeve.” Selena looked out at the trio of horses tied to the hitching post. “You don’t often travel with more horses than you need.”
Roni got up first and held her hand out to help Selena get to her feet. “I guess you’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?”
Selena gripped her hand and pulled her into a tight embrace. Their lips met and held. Roni inhaled the scent that had become so familiar to her. “Can I tell you something?”
“Of course you can.” Selena leaned back and brushed Roni’s cheek with her thumb. “Is there something wrong?”
“No, on the contrary. I was just thinking about how much you fulfill my life. During the past few weeks, I’ve discovered I was just plodding my way through the workings of every day. All of a sudden, right out of nowhere, there you are, bringing light into my heart and soul.”
“Wow. Where did that come from?”
“I just want you to know how much you mean to me.” Roni took a deep breath. “And that I’m falling in love with you.”
She waited with a little trepidation for Selena’s reaction. Telling Selena she was falling for her wasn’t what she’d had in mind when she’d started talking. Her brain never seemed to engage the filter when it came to talking to Selena.
“Is it too soon? I don’t want you to think you’re a rebound or anything. I’ve done a lot of thinking and soul-searching while you were gone. I’m in a much better place now.”
Selena’s face softened, and her smile reached all the way to her eyes. “I was hoping you’d feel the same way I do.” She leaned in and kissed Roni. “I’m falling for you too,” she said against her lips. “And no, I don’t think you’re rushing things. You feel what you feel. I could worry that you’re a rebound girlfriend too, but I won’t. You and Kim are worlds apart as far as personality goes. I like yours better.”
They stood holding each other for a few moments, relishing the closeness. The sound of a diesel truck hauling a horse trailer into the parking area invaded the mood.
“Come on, let’s get out of here. I know of a much more private area where we can be alone.” Roni held Selena’s hand as they walked to the horses.
“You brought Sparky, huh?”
“Wait till you see how good he is. I owe you a lot for helping me get into his head.”
They mounted and started back. She turned off the trail as it crossed the river, and Selena didn’t utter a word. She wondered if Selena had guessed where they were going. She got her answer a few minutes later as she turned again at the elk scar poplar.
“Okay, you’ve managed to get me turned around. Where the hell are we going?”
Roni turned in the saddle and gave Selena an impish grin. “What’s the one place you told me you wanted to go back to sometime?”
Selena’s excited expression mirrored her own, she was sure of it. “Well, all right then. Let’s get a move on!”
They pushed on, and it wasn’t long before they rode into the meadow. They stopped their mounts to gaze at the sight before them. The wildflowers that had colored the area just a short time ago had already seeded and died back. A new palette had replaced them, which gave the meadow an entirely different appearance. The red, vase-shaped prairie smoke dotted the landscape among the cream-colored flowers of ground-covering cactus. Closer to the springs, several patches of pink spirea had sprung up to take advantage of the constant moisture.
A couple of male blue grouse clucked and uttered deep hoots in their efforts to attract a mate. Sky-blue mountain bluebirds flew haphazardly above the grasses as they caught bugs on the wing. A few yellow-headed blackbirds sat astride the sturdier grasses, and the bubbling song of a meadowlark completed the scene.
“I love this place. I never get tired of it.” Roni kicked her right foot free from the stirrup and dismounted.
“I can see why. If it weren’t for the hot springs, I almost wouldn’t recognize it. It’s changed so much since we were here last.” Selena also dismounted.
They made camp among the ferns and white birch trees on the far side of the meadow. Roni tied the three-sided shelter to a couple of trees just inside the perimeter. She ran a picket-line between two tall birches for the horses. The impending moonlight would allow her to keep watch on them.
Selena made a rock fire-ring and set about collecting wood. A small fire to the side of their camp would be enough to keep the big cat away, but not so bright it would impede their night vision.
It was nearly dusk by the time they finished putting the camp together. A nice fire crackled in the pit, and Roni put the finishing touches on the camp that would be home for the duration of their stay. She kept the rifle propped within easy reach wherever she went, as well as an eye on Puller who wandered around the edge of the meadow looking for wild strawberries. After removing the tack and pack baskets, she had let the horses loose to graze while she and Selena worked. With the diminishing light, she brought them in and tied them to the picket. Sparky seemed a little nervous at first, but when she repositioned him between the other two horses, he settled and soon looked like he’d been used to being on a picket line for years.
After a delicious dinner of chicken stew and corn, they sat contentedly with Selena propped between Roni’s legs. Roni leaned against their saddles, wrapped her arms around Selena’s waist, and relaxed. She looked at Puller who’d made himself comfortable on one of the saddle pads. He was alert and she wondered if he sensed he was in charge of guard du
ty.
“Thank you for bringing me here.”
“Just wait until tomorrow when we can soak in the springs.”
“Mmm, can’t wait. Although where I’m sitting is pretty damned good.” Selena snuggled deeper into Roni, who let out a soft groan in response to the pressure. “Am I squishing you?”
“Hardly. You are, however, pushing on some very sensitive areas.”
“Is that a fact? Do they need medical attention?”
“They definitely need attention, but as of yet no bandages are required.” Roni nuzzled her face in Selena’s hair and nibbled her earlobe before kissing her way down her neck.
Selena turned her head upwards and pressed her lips to Roni’s. As their kiss deepened, Selena twisted around and lay on top of her. “What do you say we take this inside so I can make a more thorough examination?” She rolled to the side, got up, and offered her hand to Roni.
Selena led her to the sleeping bags spread beneath the shelter. She wondered if Selena could hear the pounding of her heart. The throbbing pulse in Selena’s neck captivated her for an instant before Selena pulled her shirt over her head. Their eyes held while Roni did the same. She fumbled with the buttons of her trousers and then waited patiently as Selena undid them for her and let them drop to her ankles.
When they stood naked facing each other, she caressed Selena with her eyes. “God, you’re beautiful.”
Selena pulled her forward until their bodies pressed together. Roni’s heart tripped over itself. Every inch of her skin was hypersensitive, tingling wherever it met Selena’s. A small gasp escaped her lips when Selena slid her hands up from Roni’s hips and gently thumbed her nipples.
She lowered her head to Selena’s neck and traced a path with her lips, down to her collarbone and then up to her earlobe. Her hands, seemingly of their own accord, trailed up Selena’s back and around to the swell of breasts at her side.
“Come lay with me, Roni.” Selena took her hand and knelt on the sleeping bags.
Selena tried to lie on top of her, and Roni flipped her onto her back and straddled her. “Uh-uh, you’ve already had your way with me once, and I wasn’t permitted to reciprocate.”
A teasing grin crossed Selena’s face. “True. But I have to admit, I had a major problem afterward.”
“I bet you did, and it serves you right.” Selena’s smirk disappeared. “Touch me. Please.”
Roni watched as gooseflesh rose on Selena’s body. She groaned and lowered herself onto Selena. Their lips met in a deep kiss, which served to fuel the passion between them. Roni caressed her nipples and her fingers fluttered over Selena’s taut stomach. She looked into Selena’s heavy-lidded eyes as she found the silky wetness between her legs. “Oh my God, you are so, so beautiful.” She stroked her gently and listened as Selena’s breathing grew ragged and quick.
“Roni.”
Selena raised her hips and asked for more. She ran her hands through Roni’s hair and held her close as Roni suckled on her nipple. Roni slipped a finger inside and then another. She continued circling Selena’s swollen clitoris with her thumb. Flickering light from the fire threw a golden cast upon their skin and made it seem that much more surreal to Roni. She slid up, straddled a thigh, and captured Selena’s lips. She probed with her tongue as her fingers caressed between Selena’s legs.
Roni became increasingly aroused as evidenced by the trail of wetness she left on Selena’s leg. With each thrust her engorged clitoris rubbed against Selena’s thigh. As she brought Selena closer and closer to climax, she gave in to her own release. Just as Selena’s grip intensified, signaling her climax, Roni’s orgasm rose and engulfed her. They swallowed each other’s moans and finally parted breathless. She rested her head on Selena’s chest and listened to her heart gradually resume its normal pace. Selena took a deep breath and relaxed. Her hands fell to her sides.
“Nice?” Roni gently removed herself from Selena and propped herself onto her elbows.
“I have but one regret.”
Roni’s stomach did a flip-flop. No one had ever criticized her skills in bed. “Um, I think I’m afraid to ask.”
“I wish I had let you have your way with me the other day in the woods.” Selena caressed Roni’s face. “That was wonderful. But did you—?”
The scream of the mountain lion echoed from across the meadow. Roni jumped up, grabbed the rifle, and ran out from under the shelter. The hair on the back of her neck stood up, and a shiver coursed through her. While keeping her eyes averted from the flames, she threw some more wood on the fire.
Selena came out, fully dressed. “You might want to put some clothes on, my mighty hunter.” She took the rifle from Roni and handed her a shirt, underwear, and jeans. Their boots remained where they’d left them by the fire.
“Where’s Puller?” Roni looked around and breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted him standing near the horses. She finished dressing and took the rifle back. Selena stood by her side and listened to the darkness.
“I’m surprised he didn’t bark or something.”
Roni checked the direction of the wind with her face. “He probably couldn’t smell the cat yet. The wind is blowing away from us.” She leaned into Selena as she felt an arm go around her waist. Roni turned her head and kissed her forehead. “Sorry. This isn’t exactly romantic.”
“Baby, just being out here with you is very romantic.” Selena rubbed her hand up and down her back. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Roni snorted. “It certainly would’ve been nicer if our resident kitty hadn’t shown up.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll have the rest of the summer to make up for it.”
Roni stared at her and couldn’t help but feel a little disheartened. “I guess I should’ve asked. What are your plans after your assignment up here is over?”
“My plans? Well, to be honest, I’d like to stay in close proximity to you, if you don’t mind.”
“Mind?” Roni beamed. “Of course not! I was afraid you were going to ask the Forest Service for another assignment.”
“Those were my intentions at first. Then I met the most intriguing woman ever.” Selena gave her a bright smile. “Seriously, you didn’t really think this was just going to be a summer fling did you?”
“God, I hoped not. When you flew off with . . . well, let’s just say, I realized then how much I missed you.”
“Trust me. I missed you too.” Selena looked off into the dark meadow and sighed. “I guess we’ll have to stand guard all night.”
“Why don’t you go in and get some sleep. You’ve had a hard couple of days.”
“Not on your life. I’ll sit out here with you and Puller.”
They sat next to the fire and fed it a few more pieces of wood. Selena tucked herself in between Roni’s legs and pulled a saddle blanket over her. Pretty soon Roni could tell she’d fallen asleep. Puller had returned and was back on the saddle pad as before. He, however, remained very alert.
The rest of the night passed without further incident. Roni woke with a start at the smell of coffee brewing. She couldn’t believe she’d fallen asleep. Some night watch she was. Of course she’d never had to remain awake after having wonderful sex with a beautiful woman. The sun had barely crested the tree line, and a fine mist hovered over the ground. Birds chirped and sang above them, going about the business of tending to their nestlings. One of the horses snorted contentedly.
Selena was busy fixing breakfast, and Puller was cleaning up the last of the kibble she’d given him. Roni looked at the horses and was pleased to see they were fine and didn’t show any signs of nervousness. The wind swirled about, but they remained calm. If anything, she thought, they’d probably like to graze for a while. She rubbed her face and smelled the faint musky scent of Selena on her fingers. She felt more content than she had in years.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Selena said as she caught Roni watching her. “You have a few minutes before breakfast is ready. Why don’t you go ahead and wash u
p while I start.”
“And get rid of this delectable smell on my fingers?”
“Hmm, don’t worry, there’s more where that came from. Now go.” Selena threw a towel in her direction.
“Promise?”
“With all my heart.”
“I guess I can’t ask for anything better than that.” Before returning to the fire, she untied the horses and let them loose to graze. She watched them move off and scanned the meadow briefly.
“Hurry up before it gets cold!”
Roni trotted over. The smell of coffee and campfire biscuits made her stomach growl. “I’m starved.”
“Me too.” Selena flashed a devilish grin. “Must have been all that exercise last night.”
After they ate, cleaned up the utensils, and drank their third cups of coffee, they led the horses through the grasses to the hot springs. Roni carried the rifle and Selena carried Puller.
“You’re going to spoil him, carrying him like that.” She glowered as Selena hugged Puller between her breasts. The dog had the nerve to ride with his eyes closed. She thought she might even detect a hint of a smile on the little shit’s face.
“You’re just jealous.”
“You’re right. I think you should pick me up and carry me like that.” Roni diverted her path to avoid stepping on a patch of cactus.
“Sorry, Puller is too little to carry the gun. Plus, we need our big, bad mountain woman to protect us.”
“Uh-huh.” Roni released the horses when they got to the springs. Selena kissed Puller on the top of his head before she put him down. Roni rolled her eyes and sighed.
Selena laughed and swatted her playfully. “Oh stop. I’ve seen you do the same thing.”
“You’re imagining it.”
“Remember when Jeff was gone and I stayed in his room?”
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