Part 13 (1/2)
Kristine ignored her brother's raised eyebrows the next morning as she shut her bedroom door and slipped into the bathroom.
”I already caught up your stock,” he said when she emerged.
”You didn't have to do that,” Kristine poured herself some coffee and popped some bread in the toaster.
”Might as well cook for the two of you.”
She whipped around.
”You pee a lot during the night, but not twice in a row.”
She couldn't help the smile that crept to her lips.
”Better wipe that look off your face. Sol and Brian have some huge spot leaving out of here. I'm aiming to get out of here before they can rope me into helping.”
”Thanks for the heads-up.”
Kristine popped in two more pieces of toast and poured a second cup of coffee, carrying it back to the bedroom. Shutting the door behind her, she set the mug down on the old rope spool that served as her bedside table and buried her face above Gloria's shoulder to kiss the naked skin. Gloria s.h.i.+fted in the covers and the smell of their combined s.e.x wafted out. Kristine felt a surge of wet between her legs and fought the urge to crawl back in next to Gloria.
”I have coffee here and toast coming up. You want it back here or by the table? Gabe's already up.”
Gloria shot to a seated position, her hair adorably mussed from s.e.x and sleep. ”I forgot about your brother. I'd hide out here, but I already have to pee so bad.”
”Forget about trying to hide. He's already read my rubber legs and deduced what we've been up to.” Kristine leaned over to kiss her. ”Good morning, by the way.”
”Good morning.” Gloria smiled into the kiss.
”What?” Kristine asked.
”You smell like me.”
Kristine moaned into the extended kiss Gloria delivered. ”Don't tempt me. If I don't haul a.s.s, I'm going to be stuck in the yard forever.”
”So the quicker I let you go, the shorter your day is?”
”Exactly.”
Gloria frowned with disappointment. ”Then you'll have to make it up to me.”
”That's an easy promise to make,” Kristine said. She handed Gloria a pair of sweats to throw on and left before she lost her resolve.
Gabe didn't comment when Gloria emerged, disappeared into the bathroom and then joined them, her face washed and hair pulled back. Kristine pointed to a plate of toast and eggs on the breakfast table in front of an empty chair.
”Thanks for the offer,” she said, setting her coffee cup on the counter. ”But I'd better get out of your hair. Sounds like you have a busy morning.”
”Sit,” Gabe said. ”Everyone's having breakfast over at the Lodge. You've got time to eat and then sneak off.”
Gloria looked guilty.
”C'mon. Eat. I'm sure you worked up just as much of an appet.i.te as Kristine.”
He ducked away from Kristine's crus.h.i.+ng look. ”Sorry,” she said, waving a half-eaten piece of toast. ”I was famished. Sit. He's right. You have time for breakfast before the truck gets here.”
They ate in silence, stealing glances and smiling after Gabe ducked out. Kristine finished quickly, dropped her plate in the sink and splashed water over her face.
”You don't have to sneak off. Stay for a shower if you want. I'm sorry I've got to get my stock ready.”
Gloria stood and slipped into Kristine's arms. ”Meet you back here?”
”Not soon enough.” Kristine kissed her with the promise of another wonderful night and then reluctantly slipped into a thick flannel overs.h.i.+rt and nestled her hat onto her head, joining her brother in the yard to get ready for their day. The sky brightened clear of any clouds, the sun quickly taking the edge off the brisk morning air. She aimed for nonchalant when Gloria discreetly slipped out of the house and headed down the road.
”So you finally smartened up?” Gabe asked, grabbing his saddle from the shed.
Busy saddling her own mount, Kristine jabbed a finger in his direction to silence him. ”Not a word.”
He settled the saddle onto his horse and held up his hands in defense. Kristine tried to concentrate on her own task without giving in to the smile that threatened to take over her face. The crew from the Lodge was soon with them, as were their guests, piling load after load of boxes from their SUV to the pack dock.
”See why I suggested we get out of here?” Gabe asked, fetching his mount.
”I've never seen such a ridiculous amount of gear on a dock before.”
”Don't I know it.” He swung aboard and held his mount for a moment, pulling on his bottom lip like he had something to say. ”My advice is to get out of here before they spoil that grin you've been trying to hide all morning.”
With that, he spurred his horse up the trail, his stock falling in line behind him. For his being the younger of the two, his protectiveness touched her deeply. She took his advice, wanting to hold onto the first equilibrium she'd felt in a long time.
Chapter Twenty.
Back in her camper, Gloria attempted to work, but her mind kept slipping back to the breathtaking night she'd spent with Kristine. She wished she could have pulled her back into the warmth of the bed to continue her research of Kristine's body and what her touch did to her. The two-way radio Scott had given her when she'd checked in with the local Forest Service at the beginning of the summer crackled to life, interrupting her review of all the night's lovely details.
”Gloria, you within range?”
”I'm here, Scott. What's up?”
”Just got a call from Leo. Seems there's been an incident down at Fish Creek with a horse of his. He was calling to let us know he's got a carca.s.s he's got to haul out of camp.”
Gloria hesitated, wondering how the horse involved her. ”Okay...?” she said, prompting him to continue.
”Normally, I'd just let Leo deal with moving the animal as far away from the camp as possible, but he said something about a bear attacking the animal, so I thought you'd better have a look before they quarter the carca.s.s and drag it off. Leo's sending someone down from the Lodge this morning to clean up the camp. I've notified Juanita since this is her area, and she is on her way to a.s.sess the scene.”
”I haven't seen anything in Juanita's reports about him being a problem. I'd like a chance to check the scene, too.”