Part 1 (2/2)

'I'm sorry.' Lauren busied her hands over her sister's clothes. She realized she was trembling, and had to make a conscious effort to stop. Jennifer watched her closely, her clear blue eyes alert.

'You called someone, Lauren,' she said. 'Whose name did you call?'

Lauren hugged her thirteen-year-old sister again, tighter this time, and buried her face in Jennifer's brilliant hair. The chair she had dozed off in rocked forward on the forest floor. 'Was I talking in my sleep?' she asked. 'I had the strangest dream.'

Jennifer undid Lauren's hands and took a step back. Behind her, the orange light of the evening sun shone on the tops of the surrounding pine trees. Wash Lake, a hundred yards off to their left, was a deep blue, calm and clear in the quiet of the forest. The fragrance of wild dandelions and blooming sunflowers was in the air. Yet in that moment it seemed to Lauren that Jennifer was not standing in the beautiful mountains of Wyoming, but in another place, a place where there was little beauty, and no sweet smells. Jennifer's gaze was far away and troubled.

'Whose name did you call?' Jennifer repeated.

Lauren forced a laugh and squeezed Jennifer's shoulders. 'You just startled me, is all. That's why I jumped. My dream - why, I can't even remember it. It was nothing. It was only a nightmare.'

Jennifer looked doubtful. She gestured to a stump near Terry's cabin. 'I was reading a book. Then you called me.'

Lauren wanted to change the subject. 'What book are you reading?' She started to run her fingers through Jennifer's long blond hair, but Jennifer shook her head and stepped away.

'Just a story,' she said. 'It's nothing.' Turning, she walked over to the stump and picked up her book. She sat down and began to read, without looking back up.

Lauren frowned. Jennifer was a paradox, she thought, full of joy one moment, troubled and serious the next. Sometimes she wondered if Jennifer spent too much time with her nose in books. It was not unusual for Jennifer to go through five novels a week, all kinds of novels: science fiction, fantasy, adventure books, and westerns. Lauren never censored them. She didn't understand why Jennifer hadn't answered her question.

But that reminded Lauren. She still had to read Terry's article. Terry Hayes was her fiance, a newspaper reporter for the Houston Herald. Lauren picked up the paper from where it had fallen when she jumped up out of her nightmare. The front page was dominated by a color picture that Terry had taken of the crew members of America's first expedition to Mars. Lauren was in the middle, down in front.

It was odd - she had been looking at the picture when she had fallen asleep. She knew her nightmare had had something to do with Mars. She called over to Jennifer. 'Terry wanted me to critique the second part of his article, but I've only got the first part. Didn't you tell me that boyfriend of yours could get me a copy of the Herald.

Jennifer glanced up and blushed. 'He's not my boyfriend.'

'Then why were you holding his hand?'

'I didn't hold his hand. I didn't.'

'I understand. He was holding your hand.'

Jennifer had forgotten her book. 'Were you spying on us?'

'I wouldn't dream of it.'

'Right.' Jennifer said sarcastically.

Lauren was thoughtful. 'But I do seem to remember seeing him kiss you. Accidentally seeing you, that is. It was on the cheek.'

'He never!' Jennifer said indignantly.

'On the cheek but not far from your lips. A very long kiss, if my memory serves me correctly.'

Jennifer seemed about to make another sharp retort when she burst out laughing. 'You're just jealous because he thinks I'm prettier than you.'

Lauren blinked, surprised. 'He said that?'

Jennifer nodded, smug. Of course, Lauren had to agree with the young man. Jennifer was an exceptional beauty, one of those children who could turn a dozen heads in a crowded mall. Her features showed an interesting play of contradictory genes. They were clearly defined, yet also delicate, waiflike. She spent many hours outdoors, and as a result always had a decent tan, which went well with her blue eyes. The latter possessed a cerulean clarity that was seldom found except in newborn babies. But it was her hair that was her crowning glory: long and curly, naturally blond to the point of looking bleached. On sunny days it swirled around her sleek shoulders like a protective aura. To look at Jennifer was to see something beautiful; it was as simple as that.

'You told me his name,' Lauren said. 'What is it? Dave?'

'Daniel.'

'I see, Daniel. Not Dan or Danny, but Daniel.'

'I thought calling him by his proper name would make him feel more important,' Jennifer explained.

'Did you read that in a book?'

Jennifer shook her head.

'Are you sure?' Lauren asked.

'No. Yes! I like that name, Daniel.'

Lauren eyed her sister's discarded book. 'What are you reading, anyway?'

Jennifer bowed her head and touched the book's dull red cover. 'Just something I found at the library.'

'And it's a secret?'

Jennifer hesitated. 'It's a love story.'

Lauren laughed. 'I bet Danny - Daniel told you to read it. I'm going to make sure Terry watches you closely the next two years.' Instantly, Lauren regretted mentioning her leaving, although it was something they had talked about enough. She knew Jennifer preferred not to discuss the expedition to Mars while they were in Wyoming. It was strange - her sister had no trouble with the subject when they were in Houston. Lauren added, 'Will Daniel be here soon?'

Jennifer brightened. 'He said yesterday that he'd be here at six. He's going to show me one of his weapons.'

'Sounds like a date to me.' Lauren checked the position of the sun. 'He should be here any minute. Do you want me to take a walk?'

'You don't have to,' Jennifer said, although she quickly stood, like maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea. Lauren took the hint and got up, tucking Terry's newspaper in her white shorts. The air was warm and dry, and the feel of the sun on her bare legs was delicious.

'I need the exercise,' Lauren said. 'What did you mean, he's going to show you one of his weapons? Is he in the service?'

Jennifer giggled. 'No. He's only fourteen. He collects weapons. He's part Indian.'

Lauren nodded. 'That explains it. Is he going to show you how to shoot a bow and arrow?'

'No. He's bringing an elephant rifle.'

'Great. My little sister's chasing an Indian who hunts elephants in a pine forest.' Jennifer thought that was funny. Lauren continued, 'I bought some c.o.kes in town yesterday, if you want to give your friend a drink. And Jenny, if Terry comes, have Daniel give a blast on his gun.'

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