Chapter 27
Several days passed. Bart got stronger each day. Molly was still cooking and chopping wood but Bart was on his feet, eating and doing chores. They’d fallen into a nice rhythm, and the negotiation was proceeding.
On Molly’s fourth morning, they sent the dogs to Silas with a long, handwritten note.
Dear Silas and Evelyn,
Bart was nonresponsive in his bed when I arrived. I put the IV in with an antibiotic, and eighteen hours later, he woke up. He’s gaining strength daily, and I’m confident he’s going to be okay.
Please convey my deepest appreciation to Reed and everyone for preparing me for this. I’ll tell you the full story when I get back. It’s been an adventure, to say the least, and I couldn’t have done it without the team.
Our best guess of the cause of his illness is a tick bite on his neck. He had a bite and a rash consistent with the photos in the manual. So my diagnosis is Lyme disease. Whatever the cause, his body has beat the fever, and he’s getting stronger by the day.
I’m going to stay five weeks until the end of October. Bart will return with me, and we’ll spend November at Summer’s End.
You might tell Betsy we could use a few more of those things she packed for us.
And maybe ask Becky to ride Ginger while I’m gone.
Betsy has complete authority to get what she can for the final two pups. Sorry to leave that to her. Inquiries are coming to my Summer’s End email. My password is MollyJoShadow!. Silas, could you ask Becky to periodically check my email?
Evelyn, I’m hoping you’ll be in charge while I’m gone. Thank you.
I still have big plans for the winter.
Maybe the two of you could pull together a winter planning team that includes both of you, Red, Willie, Becky and Betsy.
The team could start assessing locations for an outdoor skating rink, expanded ski and snowshoe trails, and a sledding hill.
We can talk when I get back, but it’d be great to have some recommendations.
And maybe Becky could have some conversations with the dog sled groups in the region to assess interest in an event this winter. I’m thinking about a race around Summer Lake. The First Annual Summer Lake Dogsled Race, maybe in January or February.
More later when I return at the end of October.
Again, thanks for everything.
Best,
Molly
On Molly’s fifth morning at Dark Hollow, they’d finished breakfast and were drinking coffee in front of the stove.
“Have you ever fantasized about making love to a woman up here?”
They’d been making love gently in the night, but Molly was still aroused. Dark Hollow was drenchingly romantic, and Bart was making the commitment she’d been hoping for.
“Yes.”
A long pause while they both took a sip of coffee.
“You’re going to make me ask, aren’t you?”
“If you’d like, I’ll show you today.”
Late in the afternoon, Bart suggested happy hour at his solar station. Molly hadn’t been there and wanted to see it. They packed drinks and snacks in a pack that she carried and set off from the cabin, walking slowly hand in hand through the forest toward the meadow.
“How far?”
“Twenty minute walk, but it gets steep. I’ll take it slowly. Thanks for carrying the pack.”
They walked in silence to the meadow, turned around the bend, and started up a fairly steep switchback trail. Bart stopped every few minutes to catch his breath.
“You going to be okay?”
“Yeah, it isn’t far. I’m just still weak.”
After a few minutes, they arrived at a viewpoint, a small landing tucked into the mountain, with trees overhead providing shade, and two Adirondack chairs, one weathered, one new. Off to the side, facing the south, was Bart’s solar panel hooked up to his charging station.
“You made me a chair.”
“Yeah, I got this one done. It wasn’t easy getting it up here. Beryl carried it to the meadow and I strapped it to my back up the hill.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a kiss and settled into the newer of the two chairs.
“Oh my God.” The view was as beautiful as she’d ever seen. She was looking out over the top of the Pasayten Wilderness deep into the Canadian Rockies, several hundred miles in the distance.
“Do you write here?”
“Yes, and I come here for coffee sometimes in the morning, or to watch the sunset at night. It’s my happy place. Do you see that ridge with the cloud above?”
“Yes.”
“Summer Lake is just over that ridge. You can see the lake from the top of this mountain.”
“Is this where you fantasized about making love to a woman?”
“Yes.”
“Was I the woman?”
“No, I was thinking about a girl I dated in high school.”
She reached over and slugged him. “I guess I walked into that, didn’t I?”
“It’s possible.”
“Maybe I can make you forget about her.”
“Maybe you already have.”
They drank too much Jack Daniels as they watched the sun fall over the Canadian Rockies and the Pasayten.
It was as beautiful a set of moments as Molly had ever spent.
When the whiskey was done, she fell on her knees, putting her head in Bart’s lap.
It didn’t take much persuasion. He was as ready as she was.
They both stripped. She rolled the condom on and he sat in his chair. She sat down on him backwards, her back against his chest, her head against his shoulder. She gently rubbed his joy stick against her opening before raising up, and easing down on it with a deep moan.
She whispered, “That was a rush.”
When it was fully seated, she leaned back, and let him touch her while they sat still for as long as they could.
His hands softly caressed her torso and chest. The high from the Jack Daniels had her light headed and giddy.
The warmth she’d felt the night had returned, a deep radiating heat that she’d never felt before.
Was that her soul sending a message? A mystical feeling of contentment deep inside?
He was affecting her in ways she’d never experienced before.
She closed her eyes and drifted into her dream world.
The physical sensations brought her back.
When she opened her eyes, the view was astonishing.
A warm summer breeze blew across their naked bodies.
He was inside as far as her body would allow.
The pressure was perfect. His left hand was working her torso while his right hand was making small, tight circles on her place.
She was completely impaled and couldn’t have been happier about it.
“I understand your fantasy. This is amazing.”
No words from Bart.
She whispered, “I can’t sit still too much longer, but I love this. We’re so connected, and it’s so beautiful.”
It was quiet except for a light, warm breeze moving through the trees.
Molly closed her eyes and let the dream take her away again. She was floating in that warm other world. His hands on her body, her back snugged warmly against his chest, her body completely full, the arousal pulsing through her groin.
She whispered, “I have to move now.”
She leaned forward, her hands on his knees, and started long deep strokes in reverse cowgirl.
Bart was deep in the chair and couldn’t move, so it was entirely up to her.
She established a steady rhythm that brought them both to the end.
When the first spasm hit, she whimpered as the contractions caused his finish and their bodies worked together.
She fell back into his lap, the connection still secure. She laid her head against his shoulder, closed her eyes, and felt herself drifting back to that warm satisfying place that felt so good. She could feel his heart beating and the blood pulsing.
It was a beautiful dream. One that she never wanted to end.
They were in the shop the next morning finishing the double bed.
The frame was built and the cross boards were cut but not yet attached.
She liked that the bed was overbuilt. The legs were thick, short log rounds, three on each side, and three down the middle.
The cross planks were two-inch fir. Molly couldn’t break that bed if she tried.
Because the bed was so heavy, they moved the frame into position and carried the planks in separately. Using a battery-operated drill, he predrilled the planks and screwed them in place with long three-inch screws.
“How about you?” Bart asked. “Have you developed any fantasies about having sex with a man in Dark Hollow?”
“Yes, in fact, I have.”
“I see. Would you care to share your idea?”
“I’d be happy to show you later.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
The new bed in place, Bart took the cot to the woodshed where he removed the planks for future use and dismantled the frame.
Molly regarded it as a symbolic gesture.
There was a permanence to it that she liked.
The single bed no longer existed. He now slept in a double bed with the woman he wanted to spend forever with.
They made up the new bed with pads Bart had for the purpose. He even had sheets, blankets, and a quilt to spread over the top.
“Fancy,” Molly said admiringly when the bed was all made up. “I’m looking forward to trying it out.”
They both sat on the bed. It was firm and rock solid.
“We’ll give it a shake down tonight.”
Early that afternoon, they heard the barking of approaching dogs and went out on the porch. Bear and Shadow were racing up the trail toward them, each carrying a small backpack. They’d made the trip out, overnighted at Summer’s End, and were back early afternoon.
Molly and Bart went out to greet them in an exciting reunion. Both dogs were hot, dirty, and happy. Molly opened the message pouch on Shadow and read the note from Silas.
Hey Molly,
Thanks for sending a message. We’ve been worried to death about you and Bart.
Good news that Bart is recovering. Tick bites are very dangerous. Good job on the IV and antibiotic. We’ve given your thanks to Reed.
Okay, we won’t expect you until the end of October. We’ll be fine. As you know, things are quieting down around here. We’ll carry on with Evelyn in charge.