Real Love

by Jeanne Mccann

Alicia felt warmth spreading through her body as she stared at her lover. Who would have known how sexy sheep shearing could be? She couldn’t wait to get her hands on Rhea’s body. The crowd began to chant as Rhea came closer to finishing the shearing.

  “One minute!”

  Rhea grunted and finished the sheep, throwing her hands in the air. “One minute and fifteen seconds! Close, but the record still stands.” Raoul grinned as Rhea released the sheep to a waiting man.

  “Damn, I’m out of practice.”

  “You did well for someone who’s gotten soft,” Raoul commented as he stepped up to the rack. “Watch a master at work.”

  Raoul had the sheep sheared in one minute flat accompanied by cheers from the watching crowd. He grinned as another sheep was placed in the rack. “I need to work. Go on and get out of here.”

  Rhea waved her hand at him and tugged Alicia out of the barn, tossing the apron to one of the other workers. “What did you think of your first glimpse of sheep shearing?”

  Rhea climbed into the jeep and waited for Alicia to respond. Alicia’s glittering eyes locked on to Rhea’s, and there was no mistaking the look. “How long before you can get us back home?” Ten minutes.

  “Good, hurry,” Alicia’s voice was low, her response almost a growl.

  Neither woman said a word on the short drive home nor did they touch until they made it to the sanctuary of their bedroom. The door had barely shut before Alicia launched herself at Rhea. “Honey, I need to wash my hands before I touch you.”

  “God, Rhea, you looked so sexy sitting there.” Alicia kissed her as she walked her backwards into the bathroom. “How fast can you get out of your clothes?”

  Alicia turned the shower on and dropped her dress to the floor. Rhea watched as she slowly removed her bra and panties and stepped into the shower. Rhea’s clothes rapidly hit the floor as she stepped in behind her girlfriend and slipped her hands around her.

  “What took you so long?” Alicia asked turning around to face Rhea as their bodies glided against each another.

  Their lovemaking in the shower was rapid and consuming. It continued into the bedroom where the two women loved each other thoroughly before falling asleep in each other’s arms. Rhea was the last to close her eyes as she watched Alicia sleeping next to her. It was moments like this when Rhea found herself thanking God for bringing Alicia into her life. Alicia’s fingers were wrapped around Rhea’s wrist, something she did only when she was sound asleep. It was one of Alicia’s most endearing traits. Rhea fell asleep watching her lover, her heart full, and her life just about perfect.

  CHAPTER 8

  The following week Alicia spent most of her time setting up and arranging her studio. Rhea and Ted made a tour of the ranch, reacquainting her with everything that was going on. She spent long hours traveling by jeep or by horse arriving back home well after dinnertime. She would get cleaned up and spend the rest of the evening sharing with Alicia what she had seen that day. Alicia had brought many books about Australia and she read them from cover to cover. She would pepper Rhea with questions about everything she read. Then they would crawl into bed and make love before drifting into sleep, safely locked in each other’s arms.

  One week grew into two, and two grew into four as Rhea settled into working with Ted. Her hours weren’t quite so long except for an occasional overnight trip to the bush. She finally convinced Alicia to accompany her and Ted on an overnight excursion to the far side of the ranch. They left early one Thursday morning before the sun came up and, for the first time in Alicia’s life, she rode a horse further than a short distance. He was a gentle old plodder that made it easy for Alicia to lose her fear. She’d been practicing riding in the corral for weeks with Sophia’s help in order to be able to make the trip.

  “We’re going to head out to the north just past Tambo. We have around thirty thousand sheep in that area that we need to check on. We’re also going to test some of the wells on the way up.”

  “Why don’t you drive or fly?”

  “There are no real roads out there, and we couldn’t land the plane close enough. Now, do you remember all the rules we went over?”

  “I’m not supposed to go up to any animal I see. I’m to pay attention to the ground around me and watch for snakes, and I’m not to wander off by myself,” Alicia recited as she gazed up at her lover.

  “Excellent,” Rhea responded with a smile, “but you forgot the most important rule.”

  “What?”

  “To have fun!”

  Alicia grimaced at her as she bounced along on top of her saddle. She was going to enjoy herself, but the thought of running into a snake still scared the willies out of her. She followed Rhea and Ted, while two other men followed behind her. She felt pretty safe, since everyone but she was armed. Alicia had promised Rhea she would learn to handle a gun and had spent one afternoon shooting at tin cans to no avail. She had missed every damn one of them. She didn’t seem to have any skill when it came to firing a gun.

  By late afternoon, Alicia was losing feeling in her rear end, and she was bruised from hours of riding a horse. She didn’t want to complain, but if they didn’t stop soon she was going to cry.

  “I think we can stop here for the night. The sheep are just over the rise. We can set up camp and then head over to check on things. I don’t want to be too close to them or the water hole,” Ted explained as he swung off his horse and began to unload his pack. Alicia was so thrilled she almost fell off her horse.

  “I’ll get the fire started for dinner,” Rhea volunteered.

  “What can I do?” Alicia asked as she painfully slid from her saddle.

  Rhea grinned at her as she watched. “Are you okay?”

  “I will be now that I’m off that horse!” Alicia massaged her aching muscles. “What can I do?”

  “You can take everything out of our packs. We have bedrolls to put out and food to cook before it gets dark.”

  By nightfall, the group had shared a meal of canned beans and muffins that one of the men had cooked over the campfire. Alicia was so hungry she would have eaten anything. Most of the day she had munched on trail mix and jerky, drinking water as often as possible. It was amazing how quickly the sun had set and the ninety-degree heat of the day turned to cold. Rhea had warned her that it could get close to freezing when the sun went down. She slipped her heavy duster back on for warmth as they all began to roll their bedrolls out. They had checked four wells and tested the water at each one. They had the sheep to check in the morning and two more wells to test before heading back.

  “Honey, I’ve got some warm water here for us to wash with.”

  Alicia rinsed her face and hands removing as much dust and grime as she could. Her body ached so badly from the abuse it had laken from hours in the saddle that she really didn’t care how dirty she was. She and Rhea had placed their bedrolls next to each other, and Alicia was sure they weren’t going to get much closer than the couple of inches between the bedrolls. She watched as Rhea washed up and felt the familiar warmth spread through her body. Every day she learned something new about Rhea. She was so competent on the ranch, working just as hard as anyone else. She had lost weight after a month of work, her body stronger and slimmer than when she arrived. Alicia fell in love with her over and over again as she watched her relax and settle into her life on the ranch.

  Alicia was blossoming in her new home as well. She had tapped into a creative flow that had her working in the studio for long hours. August would come up once a week to poke his head in and see what she was working on. He’d already asked to purchase one of her newer illustrations. She was working on a collection of colorful works that portrayed life on a ranch, and she had captured sheep shearing, horse birthing, chicken feeding, and a great deal more that comprised the everyday business of an Australian sheep ranch. She’d also connected with the spirit of the aborigine people. She had completed an illustration of Mommo that depicted her as regally as a queen while she shelled peas on
the stifling back veranda. It was that picture that had locked Alicia inside Mommo’s heart.

  They spent every morning in the kitchen after Rhea and August left, drinking tea and visiting. Mommo shared with Alicia the life and culture of her people, and Alicia showed her enormous respect by recording it in her artwork. They had an immediate and emotional connection. Momma had adopted Alicia as one of her own, and Alicia had returned that love.

  Two days a week Alicia would spend most of the day with Sophia and her Arabians. Alicia wasn’t afraid of the foals, and they loved to play with her as she talked to them and plied them with apples. Sophia had plans for Alicia and one of the foals and, as she watched Alicia’s rapport with the young horses grow, she knew she was right. She was going to turn one of the new foals over to Alicia and show her how to train it. Alicia had an affinity with the young horses that Sophia recognized and valued.

  Alicia sighed as she waited for Rhea to finish washing. She loved her new home and her life with Rhea. Everything seemed to fit like the pieces of a well-constructed jigsaw puzzle, and she felt like she was a part of the large and loving Cameron family.

  “Honey, are you okay?” Rhea whispered as she sat down on her bedroll.

  “I’m line.”

  “Why the serious face?”

  “I was just thinking how perfect my life has become,” Alicia shared with a gentle smile for her girlfriend. “I love living at the ranch with you and your family. I love you, Rhea.”

  Rhea looked over at her girlfriend, smiling back at her. “I’m so glad you like it here. I love you and if you hadn’t been happy living here I told Ted we wouldn’t stay.”

  “I want to stay, honey. I want to spend the rest of our life together here.”

  “So, will you marry me?”

  “Marry you?” Alicia’s heart was in her throat.

  “Yes, I want a commitment ceremony with my family and their friends. I want to stand up in front of all of them and tell them how much I love and respect you.” Rhea’s eyes were shiny with emotion as she enfolded Alicia’s hand in her own.

  “Yes, Rhea, I will marry you.” Alicia’s eyes filled with tears as she stared at her girlfriend, emotion overflowing her heart.

  “I know my timing isn’t very good since we’re sharing a campfire with three others, but I love you, sweetie.”

  “Do you think we can sneak a kiss without anyone knowing?”

  “I can do better than that,” Rhea promised with a grin.

  And Rhea made good on her promise as she snuggled up to Alicia in the dark and teased her into a quiet orgasm that made Alicia melt. She drifted off to sleep still holding tightly to Rhea’s wrist, and even the howls of the dingoes didn’t scare her. As long as Rhea was there she felt safe and loved.

  CHAPTER 9

  The five returned from their overnight trip in the bush, and work around the ranch continued. Alicia was very pleased with her artwork and she spent hours working in her studio. One morning Mommo entered the studio and stood watching Alicia work.

  “Hi, Mommo, would you like a chair?”

  “Alicia, you do beautiful pictures up here.” Mommo’s piercing eyes missed nothing.

  “Thank you, I love the ranch. It has so many wonderful and interesting things that I love to draw.”

  “You were meant to be here with Rhea.”

  “I think so.”

  “Would you like to go with me to a ceremony with other women of my tribe? We would leave this afternoon and we will be back tomorrow afternoon.”

  “I’d love to. What do I need to wear and what should I bring?” Alicia didn’t think twice about going. She trusted Mommo completely. She was family.

  “Dress for the bush. We’ll leave in an hour.”

  Alicia watched as Mommo left her studio before she cleaned up her desk. She needed to let Rhea know where she was going. Rhea was up in the plane with August doing a flyover of the ranch. She would have to call her on the radio.

  “Rhea, this is Alicia, over.”

  “Alicia, is everything okay? Over.”

  “Yes, I’m going with Mommo out into the bush for a night. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon. Over.”

  “Okay honey, have fun. Love you. Over.”

  “Love you. Over.”

  Rhea began to laugh as she signed off the radio. Her father sat in the seat next to her and turned to her with a puzzled look on his face. “What’s so funny?”

  “Alicia is going out in the bush with Mommo.”

  August face exploded with a big smile. “That is quite an honor for Alicia. Mommo doesn’t take just anyone out into the bush.”

  “I know. It took me years to convince her to take me.”

  “Your mother wasn’t invited until she’d been living here for over four years.”

  “Mommo likes Alicia.”

  “Mommo loves Alicia. Besides, what’s not to love? She’s a sweetheart.”

  “I’m glad you like her. Dad, I want to have a commitment ceremony with Alicia here at the ranch. I know you don’t accept my relationship, but it would be important to the two of us that you and Mom let us get married here.”

  “Rhea, I admit I don’t understand your lifestyle that well, but I love you and I love Alicia. If getting married here on the ranch is what the two of you want, your mother and I will do everything we can to make it happen.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I love you.”

  “I love you, little girl. You and Ted are doing a great job with the ranch, and your mom and I are looking forward to taking a vacation after the holidays.”

  Rhea’s eyes filled with tears as she reacted to her father’s words. They had become very close since her return to the ranch. Not only was he more affectionate with both his children, but hugging and kissing were becoming as natural as breathing to August.

  Alicia and Mommo left an hour later with Abo driving them in a beat up old pickup. Alicia wasn’t sure what direction they were headed, but she trusted Mommo and sat back to enjoy the adventure. Five hours later, Alicia was no longer wearing jeans and a shirt. She had been presented with a traditional dress, her hair braided and decorated with beads and feathers. She ate whatever was handed to her, including what looked like large worms, and drank something that tasted like bad beer. It had taken every bit of courage Alicia could muster, but it was important that she honor the aboriginal ways. After dancing with the other women she was escorted to where Mommo was seated with several of the elder women.

  “Alicia, we would like to record your addition to our family by placing a tattoo on your body. You can choose the location, and the elder women will do the work.”

  Alicia smiled at the revered woman and nodded her head. “I would be honored.

  Alicia was painfully tattooed for almost an hour and then she danced until the early morning before falling asleep in one of the huts. Mommo woke her early the next day, and Abo was waiting to return them to the ranch. Hours later, Alicia, still wearing her dress, her hair braided and decorated, walked into the quiet house and headed upstairs. Sophia came out of her room on the second floor and met her on the stairs.

  “Alicia, how did you like the ceremony?”

  “It was incredible,” Alicia’s eyes were full of emotion.

  “Were you honored with a tattoo?”

  “Yes, I was. It’s amazing how beautiful and spiritual it all was. Celebrating womanhood is so special.”

  “It is indeed. You must be tired after your night.”

  “I’m not, I’m energized. Did you go through the ceremony?”

  “I did, years ago.”

  “Where did you get your tattoo?”

  Sophia grinned and tapped her right breast. “August thinks it’s sexy.”

  “Mine’s on my right hip.”

  “Why don’t you go take a nap and then I have a project I want to talk to you about.”

  “I’ll go change and be right down. I don’t need a nap, really.”

  “Then meet me in the barn when you have change
d. Rhea and August will be back around seven. They’re picking up some supplies for a barbeque next weekend. August wants to have a party.”

  “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  CHAPTER 10

  “Sophia, where are you?” Alicia called out in the barn.

  “I’m out in the corral.”

  Alicia entered the corral to find Sophia with a rope around the neck of one of the young foals. He was cantering around the space playing with the rope. Alicia leaned on the fence and watched as the playful colt ran around Sophia. She was amazed at how slender the legs were on the young horses. They were so elegantly beautiful.

  “Alicia, come over here, please.”

  “Sure.” Alicia approached Sophia in the center of the paddock.

  “I want you to take this rope and lead the colt around the corral. If he changes direction, force him to go in the direction you want.”

  “Okay.” Alicia took the rope and moved with the colt as he scampered around the yard.

  “Keep him moving in the same direction. Talk to him.”

  Alicia began speaking to the horse in a soft, gentle voice, calling him honey as he started to fight the rope. She kept tugging on it and made the pony continue his circles, her quiet voice commanding the young horse’s attention.

  “Now, I want you to stop and say, ‘Whoa.’ Every time he stops I want you to praise him and rub his nose or his back. He needs to learn how to follow your voice commands.”

  “I’ll try.” Alicia worked for forty minutes with the colt and was completely amazed that the colt was stopping at her command. He was listening to her and following her direction.

  “1 think that’s enough for today. Why don’t you take him back to his stall with his mother? And you might want to run a brush over his coat. He likes to be curried.”

  “Okay. Come on, gorgeous, let’s go find your mamma. You were a good boy today.” Alicia nuzzled the colt as she led him into the barn and spent twenty minutes brushing him before putting him back in his stall. She hugged him tightly before closing the stall door and Sophia smiled to herself as she watched Alicia. She had good instincts when it came to horses and people. Alicia was a natural when it came to the colt. Sophia made up her mind quickly.