Part 12 (2/2)
Still, after I'd finished in his study, I thought it might be a good idea to check the pockets of his coats in the foyer closet, and his suit pockets upstairs. But after another half-hour, the only items I turned up besides the usual folded tissue and small change, were two ticket stubs, maybe from a movie, or a concert, or even a raffle. And though the stubs might mean nothing, might even be from some event I'd attended with Trevor myself, I sat on the bed and studied them, my thoughts fixated on Trevor and his mysterious secret lover....
Lascivious pictures of the two of them rolled like an x-rated film through my head. Trevor, standing naked facing her, one hand threading his fingers through her thick l.u.s.trous hair, the other hand pressing firmly against her smooth round a.s.s-lifting her, sliding himself into her wetness. She'd groan from the force and fullness of him, and they'd move together in hot s.e.xual rhythm, his mouth pressing against hers, their tongues probing. His muscular body would pump ceaselessly, slowly at first, then faster and faster, incensed by her cries of l.u.s.ty pleasure. Finally, they'd fall to the bed and wind their bodies into the sheets, continue the tortuous build-up of tension and heat, his touch on her shoulders, his kiss on her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, lips teasing, traveling down the soft flesh to her belly, then slowly, slowly, going lower, finding the soft throbbing nest....
Somehow, I eventually managed to get back to sleep. I woke groggily the next morning, opening my eyes to see sun s.h.i.+ning through the blinds. Rising to my knees on the bed, I peeked out the window at the sparkling beauty of the newly fallen snow, thick on the evergreens.
The sight of it instantly lifted my spirits, and I knew what I was going to do. Today was not a day to be spent worrying and wondering. Today was a day to spend outside, enjoying nature's gift. Today I would go cross-country skiing. Better yet, I'd call Caroline and we could enjoy it together. I grabbed the phone.
”Rise and s.h.i.+ne, my dear,” I chirped. ”Up, up, and away.”
”Huh? What time is it?” she asked, her voice heavy with sleep.
”After ten. Why, did you have a late night?”
”Sort of. What makes you so cheery this morning?”
”Look outside. There's got to be two feet of new snow.”
”Oh. Really?”
”Let's go cross-country skiing. I need to get out. Can you do it?”
Caroline yawned loudly. ”I suppose. I don't have to be in today until late. But please, can you let me sleep for a couple more hours first?”
”No, I don't want to wait. Are you that tired?”
”Yeah, but you don't want the truth. Okay, I'll drink a couple pots of coffee-as soon as I can get my eyes open. Call me back in a half-hour.”
”All right. Don't fall back to sleep.”
I scampered around the bedroom, yanking drawers open and throwing underwear and ski tights, socks and hats, on the bed. I wasn't going to let Caroline wiggle out of this. If necessary, I'd go over to her apartment and physically drag her out of bed. We'd drive up to the cross-country ski center located at the base of Sunlight Mountain Resort, ski the groomed trails like we often did in winter, and it would leave us both feeling young and alive and full of energy. Then I'd buy Caroline lunch in town, to thank her for climbing out of bed and making her best friend happy.
I showered and dressed, then sat down to a bowl of oatmeal and an English m.u.f.fin topped with strawberry preserves. I found my skis, poles, and boots in the storage locker in the bas.e.m.e.nt, then carried them out to the garage and put them in the Jeep. I located my f.a.n.n.y pack and washed two plastic bottles to carry water in, one of them for Caroline, since she'd be sleepy and might forget.
Exactly a half-hour later, I called back.
She answered on the second ring. ”Okay, I'm up. Tell me what I've forgotten.” She proceeded to name off all her equipment and clothes.
”Do you have goggles or sungla.s.ses?” I asked.
”Nope, forgot that.”
”Sunscreen?”
”Not going to bother. I want to tan.”
”Bad idea, you know you'll burn.”
”I don't care, and I don't have any sunscreen.”
”You can use mine.”
”Whatever.”
”What about gloves?”
”Forgot those too. Wow, you are good.”
”And bring your f.a.n.n.y pack, or else I'll give you one of mine. I already washed two bottles and filled one for each of us.”
Caroline chuckled. ”Thanks, Gwyn. Bring the extra pack. I don't have a clue where I put mine. Are you ready to go? I still have to get something to eat.”
”Well, looks like I'll have to clear the snow in front of the garage or I'll never get out. My snowplow guy didn't show up yet. Probably swamped.”
”Meet here in a half-hour then?”
”Sure.” I smiled and hung up the phone.
As we pulled up to the cross-country ski center, Caroline was still cradling her coffee cup and in no hurry to move from the warm Jeep. I jumped out and started unloading our equipment. The snow grooming machine had already been by this morning, the path for the trail well marked. I could see three skiers farther on ahead, sliding gracefully along. Anxious to begin, I stepped into my skis to do a quick warm up. Using traditional cla.s.sic skis, the type I preferred, I skied over to the trail, slipped my skis into the pre-made slots grooved into the snow, and took off. I swung one arm forward with my long pole, briefly touching the snow with the sharp tip, while the other arm dropped back. My legs slid forward in sequence too, and it was like accelerated walking, though much more athletic the way I liked to do it-fast and free-charging on the uphills, descending fast on the downhills. But this portion of the trail was mostly flat, so I skied up a few yards, then back, continuing to watch for Caroline to make her move from the Jeep.
”Hurry up, woman,” I called out happily as Caroline finally emerged and stepped into her skis. I slid over to her.
”Do we really have to do this?” she asked, but was already moving toward the trail.
”You'll be awake in a few minutes, and I'm going to treat you to a great lunch when we're all done.”
”You are?”
”Anywhere you want.”
”Good. I'm always starving after this, and you owe me big time. I'm seeing spots I'm so tired.” Caroline swayed, pretending to be on the verge of fainting. ”I think I only slept five hours, and that was off and on.”
”How come?”
”Overtired. I was up late. The place was packed last night, new country western band. But I made some serious money in tips.”
I never let Caroline pay for anything when we were together, considering the discrepancies in our incomes, though sometimes she insisted. I'd also made a point to include her in the living trust I'd arranged through an attorney, leaving her a considerable amount of money, though I hadn't told her about it. She wouldn't want to hear it, would laugh it off, say I'd outlive her anyway. Caroline didn't seem to care about any of that. As long as she could live in the mountains and do as she pleased, she was happy. I did wonder sometimes if she ever felt lonely.
We moved side by side into the deeper reaches of the forest, the sun s.h.i.+ning high above the mountains, the trail before us glittering with snow.
”This was a good idea,” Caroline said as we skied a little faster up a gradual hill. ”I'm awake now.”
”Told you.”
”So when's Trevor coming home?”
”I guess tonight, but probably late. I don't know and I don't care.”
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