Hello Athena……just a thought here but I couldn’t help but notice that 75 percent of your question is dedicated to the presumed demise of the hypothetical relationship. Perhaps if 75 percent was reserved for the success of this hypothetical romance then there may be no question to ask.
Just an observation.

Hello Athena……just a thought here but I couldn’t help but notice that 75 percent of your question is dedicated to the presumed demise of the hypothetical relationship. Perhaps if 75 percent was reserved for the success of this hypothetical romance then there may be no question to ask.
Just an observation.

Like a magicians slight of hand there well be oohs and aaws but when the performance is all said and done was it not nothing more then just an illusion passing time. A distraction of misdirection so that the void we seek fill becomes but a distantmemory. No Athena , in my jumble opinion it never has nor never well be a complete answer to the equation of the void. Great anything can be earned, learned and accomplished if one truely wishes it.
Post script.....
On behalf of the male species (not that its my place lol) in regards to a narrow minded reply I apologize and conclude it just proves my point.

I like things simple, uncomplicated and therefore I always try to break things down to a singularity.

You are in a relationship therefore you are in love otherwise it is a partnership on whatever level.

You are in love and because of this devoted to them.

You are devoted to them and henceforth you wish happiness and only happiness upon them through your actions.

You bring happiness into their life by learning of them through communication and by paying attention to what they cannot say.

Love to me is a gift that is given without reciprocation for it is mine and mine alone to give. If it is unwanted then it is mine to hold within. If it is returned then it is something to be cultivated by each person.

Love is also a gift that I give to myself and since it is my gift then it is I who chooses whether or not to betray this gift by forgiving or not forgiving an unfaithful partner.

The possible situations and outcomes here are infinite and so are the responses.

In short my response is that I shall take each situation as it comes and be true to myself before all others regardless of the outcome.

I will not live in a prison be it financial, emotional or otherwise.
I am a free being thanks to the sacrifices of so many and in being so I shall honour this gift so they may know their efforts were not in vain.
We are all created equal and in being so must be treated equal as well. The world is indeed what we make and so are our relationships whether one strays and one is faithful it is still what we made it.

The rest is chalked up as education.

After placing a blanket over Rex, settling him for the night Nick went inside to start a fire to sooth his restless soul. He then picked up his guitar, resuming the self taught lessons from a few days ago. Open the pages of Silent Lucidity he read allowed the words while humming the tune in his mind “Hush now don’t you cry; Wipe away the teardrop from your eye. You’re lying safe in bed; it was all a bad dream spinning in your head. Your mind tricked you to feel the pain of someone close to you leaving the game of life.” He continued to read aloud as he peered through the window up at the grandfather constellation. “So here it is another chance, wide awake you face the day, your dream is over or has it just begun.” Nick could see the reflections from the fire glowing against the dark forest coming from Sarah’s cabin. “There’s a place I like to hide. A doorway that I run through in the night. Relax child you were there but only didn’t realize when you were scared. It’s a place where you will learn to face your fears, retrace the years and ride the whims of your mind. Commanding in another world. Suddenly you hear and see this magic new dimension. I will be watching over you, am going to help you see it through. I well protect you in the night, am smiling next to you, in silent lucidity. If you open up your mind for me, you won’t rely on open eye’s to see. The walls you built within come tumbling down and a new world will begin. Living twice at once you learn, you’re safe from pain in the dream domain, a soul set free to fly, around trip journey in your head. Master of illusion can you realize your dreams alive, you can be the guide but I will be watching over you. I’m going to help you see it through, well protect you in the night, I’m smiling next to you”.

Turning his gaze back towards the heavenly stars he asked but one thing “allow me to be your vessel here on earth” and in that instant both grandfather stars twinkled as though they signaled an approving nod.

Nick said good night to Sarah through the window in hopes she might hear his words and then retired to bed. When he awoke the next morning he stepped outside to greet the day but the day itself had other plans for him. He found himself faced with a missing horse and in its place a letter pinned to the porch. His heart sank as he looked down at Jessie and asked her why she had not alerted him knowing full well the answer to his own question. He removed the note and headed back inside to read it.

As he read her letter to him he hands began to shake with mixed emotions of disgust and rage. Sarah had suffered far worse than he had imagined, her demons ran as deep as his and tormented in the same way his did. She not unlike him had found away to place the demons in a drawer, a Pandora’s Box if you will that when opened consumed them with the same intensity as the day they were shelved. They each knew their perspective demons would forever haunt them, relentless in their pursuit to consume their very souls, but each had a defense, an iron shield masked in laughter. As the demons fought battle after battle we found ourselves fighting back becoming stronger, faster and wiser even to the point of becoming aware of our own little universe on different plains.

We have forsaken friendships of those who challenge our feelings, for they know not how deeply the wound has been forged, they know not how it continues to bleed like lava flowing from a dormant volcano, they know not the destructive forces we are capable of yet have managed to somehow within the chaos temper through creativity. One can only write about what one has felt.

At the bottom of the letter stood a solemn email address with the words “Thanks for the opportunity to share. If you think I am a completely cracked nut... I will understand, and probably agree with you... and if you choose to not write to me anymore, I will understand that as well, (although I hope you don't). If anything, writing this gave me an opportunity to completely express these things that haunt me and cause such a mistrust of men. For whatever reason, I felt like I should share this with you. Was I wrong?

With that Nick carefully folded the letter and placed it in his left pocket over his heart, looked skyward and announced to the heavens above “forgiveness is your job buddy not mine, but somehow you seemed to have snuck one past me, not sure why but I’m going to find out”, with that he tapped the letter in his pocket and opened his laptop to write.

Dear Sarah. We have only just begun to write this chapter in our lives………

The old style phone upon the wall rang with a shrill sound that startled him from his nap on the couch. Awaking in a cold sweat he stood and looked around him, puzzled and confused while phone rang out a second time he frantically searched his pocket for proof of her existence. The phone rang a third time and he reluctantly convinced himself to answer the call, abandoning hope of her presence.

He went to get Rex before she could answer and then let Jessie out of Foxtails yard so she could accompany them for a night ride. Helping her up onto the saddle he them hopped up and turned Rex in the direction of the road out of the village. It was so quiet and peaceful as they headed out into the night. He put his arms around her waist and held one of her hands as he managed the reins with the other. The swaying motion from the horse gently rocked the two on board as though it was a slow dance cuddle on a large lounge chair.

He could feel her heart rate settle down through the pulses in her hand, he shifted his weight to the side as he pressed down in the stirrup to balance himself and turned to see her smiling face. He smiled back and winked at her. Her slightly parted lips beckoned for a kiss, he paused and waited to see if she wanted one. Kiss her you fool he thought to himself and without further delay he leaned forward and gently kissed her mouth. They looked into each other’s eyes glistening in the moon light and smiled again.

When he turned forward she laid her head back against his shoulder and he then tightened his grip on her, hugging her from behind. He squeezed her hand and gave Rex a short snap on the reins to induce a canter. Rex replied by hopping to the command without hesitation. With the speed of the horse pick up a notch the cool air could now be felt on the faces of the passengers. “Where are we going” she asked? “Not really sure, just that away I guess” he chuckled. “Have you never gone for a country drive just for the heck of it” he asked? “Yeah” she laughed “but in a car”. “Just think of this as a convertible” he replied. “Breath in the air and let it fill your lungs, let the view fill your soul” he continued.

“Just look at the stars, so many and so clear and bright”. “Look there” as he pointed towards the heavens revealing Cassiopeia.” “Over there is Delphinus, the sign of the dolphin, and there is Cancer, my sign and up there is Pegasus, the winged horse”. She smiled and asked if he knew where Aquarius was. “That one is in the southern hemisphere”. He replied. “What about the Grandfather constellation” she asked?
“That’s a new one to me” he said. Giggling she pointed towards the moon “up there”.
“The moon” he said puzzled. “No the two stars beside the moon”.

Pausing for a moment he said “I was looking at them while you were inside”. “So what did they tell you” she sheepishly asked? Again pausing he smiled and simply said “They tell me I am lucky”. “They look out for me” she said. “That I believe” he answered back.

As the horse tired slightly from the pace Nick pulled back and let Rex return back to an easy walk. What a scene of solitude they thought, the snow covered pines, crisp air, the stars shining through like pin holes in the curtain of night. A Kodak moment for sure and not a camera in sight. As they rounded the bend in the road they came to a clearing and Nick turned Rex to climb the bank and leap into the field. Gentle rolling drifts sparkling under the night sky. Nick stopped Rex and hopped down. He turned to Sarah, holding out his hand to help her down. “What are you up to now” she asked? “I want to show you something, the night sky” he said. “I can see the stars from here…..” she started to speak when he pulled her backwards down into the snow drift on top of him.” I mean from down here” he laughed.

As they fell the Aurora returned in all of its majestic beauty.
“O.K. I didn’t plan that but then again who am I to argue with the stars” he said.
The two lay there engrossed in wonderment at the show unfolding before them, silence emanating from the woods around them as if all life forms stopped their individual routines to bask in what can only be described as the most amazing show on earth.

The green haze flowed around them encompassing their very souls, touching each one in their own unique way. Mesmerized by the grace of the ballet before them, neither spoke a word, they just held each other tightly as the panoramic view filled the sky. Breathless and speechless, time had halted for them, visual paradise once again graced with its very presence. Sarah broke the silence when she proclaimed “This is so beautiful” as her mind searched for reasons to guard her from enjoying the moment, pretending it is not real so that she would not need to face heartache when she awoke from what must surely be a dream.

Nick sensed that she was backing away from him again and held her tighter, not wanting to let go and knowing full well he could not tell her how he was beginning to feel and just how desperately he needed her. The light showed continued for a few more minutes letting the two close friends carry on with their moment in time.

After the show was over Sarah stood up and offered a hand to Nick. He smiled and then proceeded to carve a snow angle where they lay. “What are you doing” she inquired?
“What do you think I’m doing” he smirked. “Why”? “So the people will know we were here” he laughed. With that Sarah fell back into the snow and created her own version of a horizontal Inukshuk.

Nick finished his and stood up gazing down at Sarah surrounded by the white outline of the angel she was working on. How truly gorgeous she is he thought to himself. An angel indeed and all dressed in white just to confirm his image of her. Her dark hair glistened with the flakes of snow that had found them interwoven in her beauty. She smiled and her eyes lit up as she looked up at him. He let her complete her master piece and then offered his hand to her. When they stepped back from the canvass they each saw the form of the other nestled deep in the fluffy medium and smiled. A hug followed and then the sad reality that it was time for them to return. Nick had already arranged for the use of the guest cabin back at the village and knew they would not be disturbed.

When they got back to the cabin Nick set Sarah up in the only bedroom and he headed for the blankets on the couch. Each comfy cozy in their respective beds they called out a goodnight to each other.

“Nick” Sarah queried? “Yes” replied Nick. “Hold me.” With that Nick smiled and lay down next to Sarah until mornings light.

Sarah awoke before Nick the next morning, gingerly climbing out of bed so as not to disturb him she stepped out of the bedroom and was greeted by Jessie. She smiled and they both went outside where the bladder filled dog darted about from tree to tree and then alongside the house where she began to dig at the snow bank just under the window to the bedroom. Sarah walked over and peered through the frosty glass at Nick asleep under the covers they shared. She stared at him, contemplating his thoughts while he slumbered, was she in them? When should she tell him she was going home tomorrow? When should she tell him she had to be home for the kids and even for her husband that she no longer had any deep feelings for? She knew she would stay with him for the sake of the kids but how she longed to be held, to feel wanted for herself, for the woman she is becoming, to be listened to, to be smiled at just for being who she is. This was certainly too much to ask of her man at home but would this be too much to ask of Nick?

A tear filled her eye as she watched him sleeping. She couldn’t ask that of Nick, no she would do as she has always done and keep it to herself. Wiping away the tear of both joy and sorrow, taking a deep breath and regaining her composer she went back into the cabin but not before collecting a loosely packed snow ball. Grinning from ear to ear she quietly opened the door and hurdled the ball of snow at him laughing and asking him if was going to sleep the day away.

Stunned, confused, wet and cold Nick sat up and once again he saw her standing in the doorway. Her face was lit up like a child’s at Christmas, her eyes, those soft, deep eyes of hers stabbed at his soul just as they have done before. “Come back to bed” he asked?
Holding open the wet sheets for her he again asked “let me hold you for awhile, the day can wait for us”.

Sarah a bit stunned herself, half expecting a snowball fight to begin paused and stared back into his eyes, gentle and soothing, would she trust him and re-enter the bed or would she put up a front and hold him at bay? Last day she thought to herself, when he broke her train of thought and held out his hand “Sarah….I need you”. She let out a deep and emotional sigh as she lay down next to him. Wrapping his arms around her as though he would never let her go, he kissed her shoulder from the spooning position they were in.

“You ran from me last night and I know it was me that caused you to flee” Nick said.
“I do not want you to feel the need to back away from me, I so sorry for letting my feelings out so soon after meeting you. I want you to understand that it has been a long time since passion has coursed through my veins and I have you to thank for returning to me the sense of being alive. You are a remarkable woman and I know that there is so much more within you, I want so desperately to be a part of your emergence when you spread your wings and take flight”.

“For a few years now I have been thinking about and even talking about having a passionate affair. One filled with romance, I will not use the term love but I think that there would need to be at least a little involved on some level. I am not interested in one night stands or casual encounters, I yearn for one woman who can be not only a friend but a great friend, lovers possibly but definitely friends first” spoke Nick softly.

“Along came you after so many pointless attempts to meet this imaginary woman I have thought about. The one who breathes when I breathe, laughs when I laugh, holds me as tight as I hold her and knows what I feel when I know what she feels” he continued.

“I know that I will not leave my wife any time soon, perhaps there is still hope for us but for now the lonely nights call out to me to search for this mysterious woman who watches me in her dreams”. “I do not know if you can understand this but I think it’s you”. “I hope you do not feel pressured in any way for you have my friendship and my respect, please just be you and talk to me”. “Tell me what you want to say and not just what you think you are allowed to say” he added.

“I do not know the woman you were before getting here but I do know the woman you are going to become and I want to be with her as she journey’s forth. Tell me everything, don’t hold back, we have not drawn any lines that could be crossed over nor have we put up any borders that are impassable. We have let ourselves evolve and bond with each other, no expectations, and no demands just a sense of belonging with and for each other”.

“Talk to me Sarah, let me share in your life as I hold you” he pleaded. “Talk to me”.

Sarah paused for a moment contemplating her story and whether or not she wanted to let Nick that far into her life. She looked him in the eyes and decided to trust him. “Why do you want to know so much about me” she asked? With a gentle chuckle he smiled and said “So I will understand what has hurt you in the past and never make those mistakes, so that I will learn what has pleased you and try to better that, so that I will know where the lines are between your privacy and what you want to share. I ask this of you because I care for you and only wish to be a positive influence on your life”.

Sarah held Nick’s arms as she spoke “When I was growing up my parents fought quite a bit. At first not around me but as time went on their fights became more important to them then I was. They divorced of course by the time I was eight and I went to live with my mom. After a little while her new boyfriend moved into her room....and then mine”. Sarah paused for a moment and pulled on Nick’s arms as tight as she could. “Nick I wasn’t even ten at the time and it went on for four years before I finally had the courage to tell someone. I thought that by opening up to my mom and telling her what was happening to me that my mother could put a stop to the abuse”. Nick held her tighter and placed his head next to hers while a sickening feeling grew in the pit of his stomach.

“Nick” she paused “My mom did not believe me and then abandoned me giving me up to my dad like a piece of discarded furniture. She said I was lying and told me that I was making up everything just to get back at her because of the divorce. She said her boyfriend wouldn’t do those things, so she sent me to live with my dad because she did not want anything to do with me anymore”.

“The abuse stopped or at least I thought it would when I moved in with my dad but a new type of abandon began. My father was controlling, he had to make every decision for me; it was like a prison” she continued. “I felt so alone, I couldn’t have friends from school or participate in normal events or outings like the other kids. No one to turn to for my mom convinced me I was a liar and my dad showed me that I had no feelings or ideas of my own”. “Grown ups my *** was all I could think. Who were these people to have a child? Sometimes I wished I was never born”. Sarah started to cry, her emotions spilling forth in front of him. “Nick” she sobbed softly “How is it that I can talk to you when I never expose this side of myself to others”? Nick kissed the top of her shoulder and with a caring voice said “Sarah, sweetheart no one should ever have to endure any form of abuse especially a child” this he could relate to flashing back to his memories of how his son was tormented at the hands of his ex.

Sarah continued to purge her soul “When I was fifteen my dad gave me up to the court system and I was sent to a foster home to live with strangers”. “I used to dream about a day when my prince would come into my life and rescue me from the emptiness that filled my heart”. “Then on one day he did. The same prince I now run from. The father of my children, the man who opposes my quest for knowledge, say’s I’m wasting my time and tells me what I should think. Don’t misinterpret my words for I love my kids with all my heart and want to be an everyday part of their life. I want them to know that they will never be abandoned, that they will never have to feel alone. At the same time though I also feel this need to better myself and maybe help others. I’m attending college, enrolled in the assaulted women’s and children’s advocacy and psychology program”.

“You must think me a horrible woman. Why can’t I be happy with what I have”?

Nick kissed her neck this time and pulled her as close as he could when she started to sob again. “No sweet heart you are definitely not a horrible person.” His words were soothing to her ears as she closed her eyes and listened to his voice. “Everyone needs to be loved, wanted even desired from the very young to the very old. Each day we all wish to belong to something greater then ourselves, to have a sense of self purpose and self worth”. ”Being lonely is a natural thing for as a species we are inherently social creatures and therefore require others and when we cannot find that within our circle of loved ones then we are faced with the questions of social conscience….”he continued. “Sarah, are you asleep”? With no reply he smiled and kissed her as softly as he could and whispered the words “dream away sweet heart, live out your dreams and fantasies and just maybe one day they will come true”. Not wanting to interrupt her he continued talking with her while she slumbered in his arms hoping against hope that his words would continue to comfort her on a subconscious level until he to felt the warmth of her soothing him when he to drifted off to the land of peace.

While in their dream state each soul called out to the wolf, beckoning answers, requesting solutions to their individual plights and humbling asking “is this a dream”?
Flashbacks entered their minds, the song playing while in front of the window, the pilot, the stars, and the aurora, the snow falling gently around them, the walk and the otters. Wake me not each thought if this is just a dream for I never want to leave paradise.

Pulling each other closer as though aligning the magnetic poles of their souls their hearts beat as one. Dreaming as one they again shared visions of the wolf, the keeper of social conscience, and the guardian of freedom and in its purest form the wolf smiled upon them blessing them with eyes of blue, forgiving them with an all knowing glance. Turning from them the wolf returned to the shadows, leaving the lovers to reflect upon themselves their own journey’s course.

Waking up to the loving gentle touch of Nick’s hand on her shoulder she smiled and pulled his hand down to her lips, kissing it softly and slowly. Pulling her close, restraining his emotions and even holding back the tear of joy he felt for her he said “The day has waited long enough. Let’s see what adventure is in store for us next”. She smiled, “It doesn’t matter what adventure has in store for us but rather what we have in store for adventure”.

Out on the porch Nick soaked up the crisp afternoon air in a deep breath, slowly exhaling he turned his site to the village occupants and smiled. “Nick”, came Sarah’s call from the doorway “You know I’m leaving tomorrow don’t you”? She have informed and asked.
“I know” he said half heartbroken but ever so glad to have had even this brief moment of time with the woman of his dreams. Walking up behind him she hugged him “I don’t want to go” she started but he interrupted her by pulling her hands up to his lips, kissing each. “Shall we get Rex and go find the truck”? He asked. “Yes I guess I’ll need a ride tomorrow, won’t I”? With that a devilish grin grew upon Nick’s face “Hmmmm” he thought to himself “I can’t remember where we left it” he laughed.

“There are a few people in the village I want to thank before we leave” she said. They walked over to Fox Tail’s home and while Nick spoke with him Sarah spoke with his wife.” I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for me. I should go and change back into my own clothes” Sarah began to say when she was stopped by the handing of a bag of dirty clothes. “Sarah the clothes do not make the woman, the woman makes the clothes and you my dear are the perfect accessory to that ensemble. Keep them as a token of our friendship”. Sarah cried as she hugged her new friend.

Foxtail and Nick said their goodbyes as they saddled Rex for the journey ahead.
Sarah hugged Foxtail and headed for Shoshanna’s home.
Puzzled Nick looked over at Fox Tail for answer’s but was met with a slow head shake depicting the answer no “She walks that path alone my friend. Let her be, she must decide for herself”. Nick accepted his friend’s words without question as he watched her climb the steps of the wise woman’s porch, returning his attention back to the tack only after she entered the home. “Come here Jessie” Nick called out.

“Shoshanna I just wanted to…” “Shhh my child. You do not need to thank me for you are now your own guide; you control your own destination. Spread your wings into the wind and let them dry before you attempt flight. Take the time to observe your surroundings and rejoice in the beauty that you see and in the moments that you feel for you are alive. You have such a vast untapped strength; you will accomplish many great things. Those who will try to put you down only do so because they already fear you and know that your confidence will only get stronger”. “You are the Dove in Dawn”. “Go now, he waits for you”. “That is all I have to say”. Amazed with her wisdom she just smiled and mouthed the words “thank you” anyway.

Watching her face as she approached he read her like the subtle changes of subject status on a text messaging server. Smiling he asked “Shall we”? Smiling back at him she tossed one foot in the stirrup and climbed aboard Rex “I want to drive this time”. “Keep it in first gear” he replied laughing at the situation unfolding before him. “Okay where does the key go”? She asked and as Nick was about to reply she snapped the reins and kicked at Rex’s sides. Rex leapt forward almost tossing him out of the back seat. “Funny girl” Nick said regaining his balance. “Head down that way out of the village” he pointed.
Jessie step to and followed the trio along the trail.

Rex settled into a canter as they rode along the plowed roadway, winding through the terrain strewn with trees as tall as buildings and the sun shining down on them from just past midday’s perch. It was late afternoon when they arrived at the snow bank that lost the contest with the truck. Guiding Rex through the gap they could see the field this time in an orange hew as the shadows and wisps of light danced across the undulating drifts like flames flickering in a camp fire. Jessie bound up ahead and rendezvoused with the 4X4.

Nick opened the door and inserted the key. Turning the engine over repeatedly he tried to start heart of the beast. “Snow must have blown into the intake” he said. “We will need to build a fire and try to dry it out”. They picked some wood from the forests edge and built a fire in front of the truck. Darkness had descended upon them and the stars shown with an impeccable brilliance. They tried the truck again but to no avail, it just wouldn’t catch.

After making a shelter and refueling the fire they sat and ate what previsions were left, talking and listening to one another’s stories. Nick once again tried the truck and this time it fired up, a touch of despair entered his heart as he knew time was drawing nearer to her departure. “Looks like we are not stuck after all” he said. Looking into his eyes she knew to that he did not want let her go. “Spend the night here with me under the stars”? He asked.

“Nick I want to so badly but I’m also confused and don’t know which way is up. Part of me wants to jump through hoops with you while the other part needs to protect me from myself”. “I know this doesn’t make sense but I’m afraid of falling for you if I haven’t already”. “Please I need time to sort things out” she explained.
“Of course, let’s pack up and get you back the cabin”. He replied.

The drive back to the cabin was bitter sweet as they held hands barely speaking a word, each wondering what the other thought yet not expressing themselves to each other. Keeping a slow pace for Rex to maintain they followed the fire route down the mountain.
When they reached the cabin Nick helped Sarah with the luggage as he did on the first night with the acceptation that this time he bid her a good night with a kiss to her cheek calling for Jessie to stay with her. He then retreated back to his cabin with and Rex.

The curtains of the night sky opened up before them revealing the entourage of mystical light dancers floating on the currents of the solar wind. Like angels hair the wisps of light gently swayed back and forth pulling at the fabric of space, distorting the chaos of reality and presenting the order of fantasy. As each gazed up in complete wonder, the vision of the shared moment on the window ledge returned to their minds creating a mutual smile and warm sensation in their hearts.

The rays swirled round like a cyclone until it appeared; the face of the wolf they had both seen before. It tuned its head downward towards each of them, eyes of peace and tranquility shown forth piercing one another’s soul once again.


Sarah lost her footing for but a brief second while Rex also misplaced his step and yet again like a newly formed tradition the vision was lost to both. The aurora continued its show of brilliance, illuminating the night sky for all to see but the image of the wolf was only for the two lovers.

The music was already playing when she went through the door of the auditorium that held the winter dance. The room was decorated in many spiritual tapestries, banners and there was a large screen television affixed to one wall playing the videos of the songs emanating from the sound system. She found her way to the bar and ordered a glass of wine to settle her down. The music playing took her back to her teenage years when life was care free and unencumbered with the pressures she now must deal with.

She looked down at her foot tapping the floor and wondered when that started as she smirked at herself. A young man from across the bar walked over to her and said that it’s better to tap one’s feet out on the dance floor instead of at the bar. He held out his hand for her to accompany him out on to the proverbial rug yet to be cut. “Oh no I can’t” she tried to convince the young man but he would not take no for an answer and gently removed her glass from her hand and guided her out on to the floor.

Surprised to find herself out there amongst complete strangers she could not help but let her hair down a little and besides that the young man was a pretty good dancing partner and kind of cute to she thought to herself. A few songs went by and then a slow song started and that was her queue to excuse herself from the company of the polite gentlemanly youth. Back at the bar she hid herself behind the glass of wine sipping slowly as though making the one glass last the entire night.

Where was Nick she thought? Would he show up or was she abandoned again?
She walked the room looking at the wall coverings as though judging them for some imaginary contest the whole time wondering about Nick. With empty glass in hand she returned to the bar as another nostalgic quick dance song lit up the big screen. She glanced over to the young man and he caught her looking. He smiled and said “shall we”? With nothing better to do then to circle the room again she agreed. They danced to two more songs when the DJ announced that it was now time to play some traditional songs. A sigh could be heard coming from the younger crowd; she chuckled a little bit as she thought of her kids. The music started to play and before she turn to leave the dance floor she felt Nicks arms encompass her. She took in the smell of his cologne and leaned back against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his as the music caused them to sway back and forth while turning ever so slowly to the beat of the drums. He kissed the back portion of the top of her head.

They pulled closer and closer as the song carried forth until the song slowed and almost came to a stop. Nick turned Sarah around and the music picked up its pace again slowly at first then stronger until it was back at full strength. He stared into her eyes more deeply then he should have perhaps for during these seconds he had come to realize that he was falling for her. Gently brushing her hair back exposing the feather arrangements he started to speak “Sarah, I think I’m” She stopped him abruptly and the turned her head in shame. “What’ wrong” once again he tried to speak but she just held her hand up as though to signal stop and with that she ran out of the auditorium. Nick puzzled and confused heard a voice from behind him say “Way to go Romeo” more puzzled then before he ignored the comment and went out after her. He pushed open the door and hurried through the opening. His eyes searched the parking area for any sign of her but none were visible. “Sarah” he called out. “Sarah, talk to me” he pleaded. No replies to his call could be heard. He plotted a search pattern in his mind thinking she could not have gone far. As he passed a shed he heard faint sobs coming from the back of it.

He paused, waiting for a second or two before shuffling his feet to alert her he was coming around the corner giving her time to compose herself. “Please leave me alone” she said. “No; not like this. Tell me what is wrong” he asked before coming into view.

“Everything” she whispered. He sat down at her side placing his arm around her shoulders pulling her closer to him. “Tell me everything my friend”. “Sure it’s easy for you. You will go home to your wife like nothing has happened and I will go home to a man that doesn’t even know I exist until something goes wrong and then he will make sure I know about it.” “I’m expected to hold true to family tradition and love the man I can’t stand to be near. I’m expected to endure his verbal abuse and suffer in silence as my children hold up their arms for a hug from mommy”. “I am reassured time and time again by friends and loved ones that it will pass and all will be forgiven. Well yammit I cannot forgive anymore. Not him for pushing me to this point and most certainly not myself for allowing this to happen. You have no idea how I must keep up appearances for the sake of my family, always reminding myself that it is my fault that this went wrong and that it is my fault that that went wrong. I finally have a chance to do something not only for myself but to better my family, to lead by example and show my children that an education is worth the effort and worth the time to pursue but no, the man who vowed to love, honor and cherish me stands in my way rather than behind me.”

“That is what I get to go home to”. “Don’t misunderstand me. I love my children with all my heart and soul for that is the only way I know how to love someone including him. For that I get kicked in the teeth repeatedly.”

With the words still ringing in his mind he pulled her closer and again he gave her a kiss on the top of her head. Sarah sobbed for a while, purging her pent up frustration just a little.

Nick started to speak not knowing where to begin but beginning none the less” I have some idea of what you are telling me. I got married the first time at age nineteen to a woman who was six months pregnant. She used to live with her parents, avid church goers and there was no way she could have a child out of wedlock. A son was born to us and I was granted the privilege to raise him from three months old to fifteen months of age when I went back to work. If you care to swap diaper stories he chuckled I’ve got a hamper full of them, talk about your rainbow coloured wall paper. If you want to discuss sleeping or the lack there of habits the coffee pot is on. If you want reminisce about the feeding patterns, household chores, lonely days with no adult to talk to, errands and the ever popular honey when’s dinner ready while doing the laundry I’m your man. If you wish to spin tales of the first time your child smiles, stands up in their crib or play pen, walks a few steps on their own, speaks your name and laughs at your jokes that make no sense to the child but they laugh anyway well then, here I am”.

“I look back at those days, those precious few years and thank my lucky stars for having that opportunity.”

“If you want to talk about sacrifice for the sake of the family or more over for the sake of your child I’ve got one for that to.”

“I’ve have placed my heart on my sleeve many a time and have seen it stomped on but I refuse to shelter it like a caged entity. If it cannot beat free it is no longer beating but merely pumping fluid.”

“I’ve never had a friend that could understand these emotions. Just how deep they cut or how they do not heal but rather just remain dormant until pulled upon when they again bleed’.

“I will go home to a wife who last year gave me my birthday present five days early because she could not remember the day. I thanked her and when she asked why I was not opening the present. I told her I would on my birthday. Now I understand that this day only happens once a year and is easily misplaced, I mean after all it’s not garbage day that happens every week and a mental note is all that is required for that. So this year for my birthday I’m going out to Vancouver to spend some time with family and to spend some time for myself.”

“I see now why you left the dance floor. I should have listened to your eyes and not to my heart so much”. “Can you forgive me”? He asked.

She placed her arm up around his neck and answered him with a hug.

“So what do we do know” She asked?
“What any good friends would do, we help each other figure this out”. He said

“Stand up. We need a walk”. He said.
“Potty first” she said laughing slightly. “My face is a mess”.

As she headed for the restroom he could not help himself. He watched her beautiful form glowing in the light of the full moon reflecting off the snow. He now saw her as the warrior woman she displayed the night before, courageous in all her glory and he could not help but fall even harder for her but he would keep that to himself.

While she was inside freshening up Nick heard the call of a lone wolf coming from the far distance. Far too far away to glimpse the creature but it did draw his attention to the moon, the full face staring down at him and reminding him of a troubled life. He also spied two nearby stars, one on either side of the moon and he stared intently at these seemingly wise stars as though they held a clue for him. What? He thought to himself, review he thought, two stars looking down at him and the full face of the moon. Think dummy he thought harder. Two…why two….I get the full face of the moon…..face my troubles….but why two stars….The two of us he thought…..could that be it…..the two of us facing our own problems alone and yet together he thought. Was she brought into his life for some reason and was he brought into hers for another. Unsure of the answers but feeling as though he was getting closer to the answer he turned his attention back to the auditorium and found Sarah standing inside talking with Foxtails wife.

He watched her intently as she spoke, hers eyes heavy from life’s wear and tear on her. Eyes battered and sore but carrying with them a real woman charm, not fake or pretentious but pure. They had this take me as I am look and anyone who could find that in her eyes was a lucky person indeed. He became entranced in her beauty, so down to earth and true to herself, how he had longed for such a woman, a real woman and now that he was at the door step of a special friendship with her, one that would allow them to speak freely on any subject knowing that the other was listening and even understanding not out of duty but out of desire to know more, to become absorbed into the others life.

He sighed as he watched her through the window. She was out of his league, who was he kidding? We can and will be good friends, even special or best friends but that is what he would need to accept. He smiled at her as she glanced his way and then she said goodnight to her friend inside.

When she came out he gave her a hug and not actually one for her but for himself instead. ”What was that for”? She inquired. “I needed that” he said breaking a chuckle.
“Would you rather go for a ride then a walk”? He asked.
“I’ve never drove a snowmobile” she said. “No sweet heart, a horse ride. Snow mobiles are too noisy and the helmet prevents us from talking.” He replied.

It was almost four in the afternoon when they arrived.
Nick opened the door for the officer and they went inside where Nick reminded Dan of his earlier request. Dan told him that the two snowmobiles just left to go back to crash site and attempt the recovery or at least set up for a morning extraction. The weather had begun to clear and they had a good window of opportunity.

Nick then looked at Dan and at that moment Dan said “No, you’re not taking the government issued truck either. You can take Rex if you want though”. “You have to be kidding me” he replied. “Nope” commented Dan.

Nick went to the water cooler and replenished his empty bottles and bid farewell to all and then shook the hand of the officer he had just met that morning.

Walking across the parking lot towards the barn he could barely recall the last time he had ridden Rex. Did he remember me he thought to himself as he pulled back the sliding door of the barn? He walked over to the stall and greeted Rex with a pat on the neck and a stroke on his forehead between the eyes. “So old boy we meet again.” He kept talking to the horse as he gathered the tack and readied the horse for the ride into the night.

When Sarah awoke she wandered out into the living room, her hair all a strewn and her clothes all wrinkled and matted to her body. “Good morning” giggled Foxtails wife as she pointed towards the bathroom for her to shower and freshen up. “You can use the house coat and I’ll put fresh clothes on the bed for you” she added. Sarah thought to herself I keep wearing everyone else’s clothes on this trip but at least this time they will be women’s clothes she smirked.

The shower felt good against her skin as she washed away the grime that had accumulated over the past day. She took especially good care of her long hair as it needed to be washed twice just to remove the excess oils. She found a new razor hanging up in the basket and cleaned up some stubble that was barely visible on her legs and under her arms. Toweling off she thought to herself now I feel like a woman again and smiled in the mirror revealing her sweater coated teeth, so she grabbed the tooth paste and with her finger scrubbed the little devils as best as she could.

When she opened the bedroom door she found carefully laid out on the blanket a pair of knee high animal skin leggings with the foot wear sewn in place. They were a slightly off white colour adorned with tassels that ran down the outer seems of each boot. Above that was a matching knee length skirt complete with leather and caribou boned belt. The geometric design in the skirt was simple perfection. The cape fashioned into a loosely fitting top flattered the entire ensemble. A pair of three dove feathered accents lay to the side along with matching leather and caribou boned necklace. She caressed the fabric and discovered it to be more delicate then her silk wedding dress. She looked down at her hand gliding over the breath taking outfit and spotted her ring, her wedding ring.

She sat down and began to cry, emotions encroaching at first and then filling her waking moment. She heard a knock at the door and paused before opening it. “Are you alright” asked Foxtails wife? “Not really”. “Pass me the hair brush and tell me what’s bothering you”. “I’m not a nice person” she started to explain. “I cheated on my husband and am beginning to dislike my kids”. As she brushed Sarah’s hair she began to tell the tale of how cubs grow up. At first it was strange but as she continued she understood more clearly that the kids are just stretching their wings and exploring their territory. As for you, you are still trying to keep them safe from harm and this creates a conflict. It is as old as time itself. Your husband must not be a lover or you would not have strayed and I’ll guess that he is not really a good friend either or else you would have resolved your differences.

“Have you figured out how to wear the clothes” she asked? Sarah smiled and told her they were beautiful and she had it all sorted out except for the feathers. With that Foxtail’s wife who had finished brushing Sarah’s hair carefully pinned a set in her hair on each side of her face. “There” she said smiling again “Get dressed and come on out so that we can look at you”.

Sarah finished dressing and stopped in front of the full length mirror. She gasped at the site of the woman looking back at her. Who was this elegant lady? How could clothes change her so much? Then she realized it was not the clothes at all but deep in the cavern of her heart she knew it was herself that was evolving and growing in leaps and bounds.

Upon reaching the cabin first Nick tied the horse to the porch railing and went to inside to find some vegetables for the horse and get some water also. He too was in desperate need of a shower and a shave not to mention fresh clothes. After feeding both himself and Rex he proceeded to clean himself up. Once that was completed he headed out to the Reserve in hopes of finding Sarah and Jessie. It was dark now but at least the sky was clear, the stars twinkled and the full moon shone brightly illuminating his way. In the distance a few faint sounds of wolves baying at the moon could be heard along with the crunching sound that the snow made under his steeds hooves. It would take a couple hours for him to reach his destination so he just took pleasure in the scenery before him.

He followed the shadows across the stream and up the bank on the other side using the river as a guide. He trusted in his companion’s sure footedness as his mind drifted back to a life that was no longer his. Images that were once lost vividly returned to his world amidst the wild terrain bringing with them bitter sweet emotions that absorbed his soul.
Unable to suppress the onslaught he gazed up at the moon in search of the answers to the questions that have plagued him all these years. The face in the moon staring down at him was the subtle sign he needed as he thought to himself of course “face” them head on and finally put these self created demons to rest, it is time to move forward again.

Like the death of the pilot there was nothing more he could do and he would have to carry with him the gifts he received, both the precious and sorrowful emotions that feed his very being.

The birth of his son on that glorious morning had brought to him a joy and sense of purpose unlike anything he could have ever imagined in his wildest of dreams. From the exact moment he made eye contact with his child he had already planned out all of the adventures, triumphs and failures they would encounter. When he held him in his arms he could not have known how wrong he was, totally oblivious to the fate that awaited him in the years to come. Euphoria had surrounded him and that was all he could see, wanted to see and was so proud to be a part of.

Three months into the newborns life tragedy had almost reclaimed him back to the heavens where he had come from. SIDS was the diagnosis and there was hope, new technology permitted a life at home and not in the hospital under constant supervision. A portable respiratory monitor was available and they made full use of it. The child’s mother found herself stressed out from caring for her son after four days at home and no longer wished the parenting privileges that so many cannot have. Taking a one year leave of absence from work I was granted the honor of primary care giver and so stood by my son as we fought the breathing lapses.

The morning’s smiles without fail as each, father and son greeted the dawn. The daily cleaning rituals, feedings, play time, lessons from reading, and exercises from play along with exploration walks. There was nothing going to stop our bonding. Father and Son forever I thought. Like my father before me I would cast forth a positive cycle that he in turn could cast forth on his children one day.

The days were an endless source of pleasure, something new, something learned something understood. It was a magical time indeed for both of them to cherish to the ends of existence.

His thoughts deepened as he rode into the night swaying gentle to and fro with the motions of his driver for he was no longer paying attention to the path that Rex new far too well.

Sarah opened the door and entered the living room. A hush fell upon the group gathered there, Foxtails mouth dropped open slightly as his wife playfully elbowed him in the ribs. “You look beautiful” she said. “Are you hungry”? She continued. “Yes I’m starving for some reason” Sarah smiled back at her and thanked her again for the clothes. “What can I do to help”? “You can set the table for us if you like”. With that Sarah began the placement of dishes and utensils, ornamental candles and baskets. The group once again sat together as a family and told more stories and this time Sarah felt less of an outsider but more of a member, how she wished she could have this life of simple times, caring, sharing and encouragement to one another.

After dinner Foxtail asked her to accompany him for a walk there was someone he wanted her to meet. They walked out across the town towards the home of one of the elder woman to fulfill his promise made earlier. “I’m taking you to meet Shoshanna, she is one of the wisest people I know” he said.

Upon reaching the door Foxtail stopped and turned to her “Your journey begins here” he said and walked away. Confused she paused a moment and then knocked on the door. An eternity seemed to pass as she waited for an answer. Then the door opened slowly and Shoshanna appeared. Sarah started to introduce herself when the woman held a finger up to her lips and spoke softly “I know who you are and I know why you are here”.

“Come and sit down”. Puzzled Sarah went inside and sat down with the old woman.
“My dear child” she started. “You are searching for answers that defy logic. You look to the moon for warmth and the stars for tenderness, you search your soul for peace but find a wolf, and you need to be needed for who you are but only find demands from others until recently”. “How do….” “ Shhh my child”. “You have the capacity to love with all of your heart yet you deny yourself for self purpose of self-preservation”. “You have come here with questions to which you already know the answers to; you must stop barricading your heart”. “Let it grow and let it bloom like a flower, let it unfold like the wings of a dove as takes flight for the first time. You are at the dawning stage of your journey. You have entered this house as Sarah and shall leave as Dawn of a Dove.” “That is all I have to say”. “But how….”. “ Shhh…. Go to the dance now my child and let your heart sing, break the chains that bind you”.

Sarah stood outside on the porch trying desperately to understand what just happened. How can she free her heart? Why should she expose the vulnerable soft underbelly of her soul? Why risk pain again? The questions flooded her mind as she stepped down off the porch when looking up at the face in the moon realizing that she must face her fears head on.

After creating ties made of stone with his only child and the only child he would ever have how could he have walked away? There was no choice it was his eternal damnation for the child’s very existence, sanity and preservation. How could he ever allow himself to love again?

The group huddled under the blanket roof that was held up by the rafter like ropes secured to adjacent rocks and sides weighted down by packed snow. It was primitive but served its purpose quite well. Just outside the front opening Moose started a small fire that offered some heat and a serine orange glow. Sarah snuggled close to Nick who held her in his arms and kissed her forehead. When the third search party arrived, Fox Tail, Sarah and Nick moved outside to give the new comers a place in the shelter to warm up and regain their strength.

Nick went up the rocks to the edge of the crevasse to check on the pilot and Jessie. He peered over the edge and started some small talk with the pilot to relieve the solace feeling. Fox Tail went over to Sarah and asked about her friend.
“Why is this wolf appearing to me” Sarah said? “Why is it following me”? “How can I know it and it know me so well” she asked not expecting an answer.
“The wolf is within you and you within it. You crave its freedom and it craves your options in life”. “You did not choose the wolf, it choose you”. “Within you lies a dormant woman who cries to you every day, begging you to be more than you are; pleading with you to step forward and be, not to just exist”. “Within the wolf lies the freedom, what you think is a life care free of the troubles you live with day in and day out. Embrace the wolf from within and let it guide you, free the wolf and yourself in turn” said Fox Tail.

Fox Tail turned away, leaving her to her thoughts. He went up to exchange places with Nick. “Your friend needs you” was all he said. Nick told Jessie and the pilot he would be back in a little while to check on them and went to Sarah. He held her tight in his arms as though he would never let go and she held him tight in return never wanting to be let go. The snow swirled around the two encompassing them in a gentle whirlwind of dancing crystals across their souls as though they were suspended in the air up near the heavens.

Dan interrupted them as he passed by with the now rested third party.” We’re returning to the station to arrange a helicopter at first light weather permitting” he said. “How did the last report look” asked Nick. “Not good” was all that Dan said as they continued past and they faded from sight.

“Let’s get back in the shelter Nick” said Sarah. With the others gone there was now enough room for the remaining rescuers to comfortably fit under the make shift roof. They passed by the fire at the front and nestled themselves in the back. Nick held again close to him not wanting to let go. They each drifted off to sleep for a couple of hours when Nick awoke to the softly spoken words of Moose “your turn to check on the pilot and then tend the fire”. Nick carefully released himself from the comfort of Sarah and covered her with the remaining portion of the blanket he was using.

When he got outside the shelter he was rudely reminded of the bitter cold and blinding snow that had yet to let up. He grabbed a now granola-cicle from the pack and went to the edge of the crevasse. He got himself comfortable in the dugout area used by the others before him and looked over the edge. “You awake down there” Nick asked.
“Yeah it’s hard to get any shut eye with all these visitors dropping by” laughed the pilot.
“We just want to make sure you don’t fall asleep permanently” replied Nick.
“Why did you leave so late when you knew a storm was headed this way” asked Nick trying to engage a conversation to pass time. “That’s a long story” said the pilot. “Well, we’ve got the time for it” said Nick.

“I was visiting my five year old daughter at my estranged wife’s house as my last trip for the day”. “I don’t get to see her often and I needed to be with her, you know maybe read a bed time story or something”. “I got that chance and even chased away a monster or two from under the bed” he continued. “Could the story have not waited for another day, with the weather report and all” Nick asked? “Where are the others” asked the pilot. “Their huddled up in a make shift shelter, don’t worry about us we are just fine”. “Dan and the other search party left awhile ago to get back to the station and arrange for a chopper to get you in the morning when the weather clears” Nick explained. “Don’t you think that maybe you should have left sooner” asked Nick? “No not really” answered the pilot. “Well surely you could have spent the night there” Nick suggested. “No, that would not be possible. The ex and I do not see eye to eye and it’s all I can do just to get a precious few moments with my daughter” replied the pilot. “Can you do me a favor” asked the pilot? “Of course, what do you need” asked Nick. “Pull your dog back up while I can still manage to get her in the blanket securely; please” requested the pilot. “Don’t worry about Jessie she can handle it, besides she can help keep you warm” Nick added. “You don’t understand” the pilot paused for a moment and then continued “I’m not doing well down here and I fear for your dog. We both know that the storms not going to let up in the morning or anytime soon after that. I’m not going to make it until first light so would you please pull your dog back up” the pilot once more pleaded.

“What about your daughter, do you think she would want you to give up” Nick argued. A silence fell over them for a moment while the pilot placed Jessie on the frozen blanket and tied the ropes. “Six months ago” the pilot started “six months ago I was diagnosed with cancer, inoperable. That’s why I stayed longer with her. These moments are the only ones available to me. I will never see her grow up or finish school, get married or even see her children for that time is not granted to me. Don’t ever let her know. I made the choice and I alone carry the burden of the consequences for my actions. Please pull Jessie up” the pilot begged.

Nick felt a tug at the rope from the pilot and reluctantly raised Jessie out of the crevasse. When she reached the top he unbundled her and they sat there together keeping the pilot company. They talked for as long as the pilot could stay awake and when he finally fell asleep for the last time Nick said with a choked up voice “Have a safe journey my friend”.

When the two entered the tent they were greeted by the puzzled yet knowing faces of the occupants. Nick had no words; he just shook his head as if to say he’s gone. Sarah held open the blanket for him to return back to and not a word was spoken until morning light.

Each remaining member reflected in their own way on the events that happened until they at last drifted off to sleep. When morning arrived, the storm although not as intense was still far too dangerous to chance an air rescue. They agreed to pack up camp and head for home when Nick spoke up and explained that he needed to head for the rangers station and contact the pilot’s ex-wife and daughter. “Can you take Sarah back with you” asked Nick of Fox Tail. “If she wants she can join us in the village” replied Fox Tail. “What do you say Sarah” asked Nick?

Reluctantly she agreed as she searched for the answers to why she was all of a sudden being shut out of his life. She surmised that he would tell her when he was ready.

They hugged and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. Silently he turned and headed down the mountain towards the station his mind flooding with thoughts he had kept suppressed for so many years.

“He will return for you” Foxtail smiled as he reassured her that she was not abandoned.
With that they turned and headed off to the village. As they traveled along the snow laden path yet established Foxtail spoke of what she could expect in the village, the people and their proud heritage, their way of life, family structure and social oneness with nature. He then struck a chord with her that startled her back into the conversation when he asked her “What the wolf meant to her”. She was dumb founded as she still had no answers to this creature’s existence. “When we get to the village I will introduce you to one of our elders and you can speak to her” Foxtail continued. Sarah just smiled and said thank you.

He turned the conversation to their surroundings and pointed out the meanings in literally everything they could see, hear, touch and smell. The wind, the clouds, the sun that started to break, the trees and birds, even the rocks and snow beneath their feet. She had some idea of Native culture but did not expect to be immersed in it so freely and welcomed the chance to learn more.

Nick continued his hike fighting the emotions that had been surfacing becoming more and more frustrated with the injustice that had been served upon him. He knew full well that he would have to live with the decisions he made those seventeen years ago but none the less they still tore through his heart with the same ferocious ferocity the moment he made them.

Distracting himself with snow balls he vented some anger by hurling them into the sky as though to say “Hey what did I ever do to you, you call this a plan”.

His nerves had calmed by the time he reached the ranger station and entered the bustling environment of the command centre.

Dan looked over at Nick and asked the question to which no reply was necessary “Do we still have a rescue to perform or are we now downgraded to a recovery”?

Nick just sighed and announced that the pilot passed away peacefully in his sleep before the internal injuries bled him dry, he further added that he had cancer and was not expected to live much longer and then a lump the size of the mountain he was just on filled his throat as he told the officers on site that he had a message to give the pilots daughter.

The officer in charge pulled Nick aside and explained that they could not release the death of the pilot to the family until the man’s body was recovered and an autopsy performed verifying death. Nick paused for a split second and then stepped forward into the officer’s face and spoke very quietly “Either you give me a ride up to her house or put one in the back of my head as I leave”. “I understand your protocol; do you think I want to tell a child her father’s dead”?” I made that man a promise and dammit I aim to keep it”!

The officer stepped back away from Nick’s steadfast posture and sized up the situation finally yielding to his request. “You better tell me everything, and I mean everything that happened up there while we are on the way to tell the child and if I don’t like what I hear you will get one” stated the officer reasserting his position of authority. “Fair enough Nick” agreed.

“Hey Nick” called out Dan “where is Sarah”?
“She went with Fox Tail to stay at the reserve until I do what I must do. Which reminds me can you help me get back to my truck when I return”? He asked.
“Sure” Dan replied.
As Sarah and her party got closer to the village they came across the road and welcomed the easier trail to navigate. She could see the wooden homes and smoke billowing from the chimneys. She breathed in deeply to take in the aroma from the burning logs and searched the entire town with her eyes drinking up every nuance of the life she wanted so desperately. A single family community and not a community of single families was the impression she got.

The kids playing outdoors in the snow, the dogs barking and playing amongst themselves, the couples holding hands while walking together, the peaceful feeling that hung heavy in the air.

When they reached the door of Fox Tail’s home he asked her to wait outside for a second so he could inform his wife they had company. When the door opened there stood a woman with eyes as soft and trouble free as the freshly driven snow, she smiled and spoke “come in, sorry my husband has no manners leaving you out here in the cold like this, men what can you do” she laughed which broke the ice between the two women.

They entered the house and Sarah again drank up every detail, the art work, carvings, dream catchers, the rugs and the even lighting. “What a spectacular home you have” she complimented.

They sat down at the dining room table while tea was prepared by the eldest son. “So Sarah, tell us where you are from”. “I’m from Texas” she started to explain when she was interrupted by the woman “Sorry but we don’t allow cowboys or cowgirls in the village” she chuckled then added “just kidding, go on”. They all laughed and Sarah continued “Back home I have a family, two boys age fourteen and sixteen and a husband”. Fox Tail sensing girl talk emanating from the conversation excused himself from the table taking his tea to the living room as a means of shelter.

The eldest son asked if anyone was hungry and proceeded to take breakfast orders from the famished group. “What’s your secret” asked Sarah as she pointed towards the kitchen “I can’t get any of my three boys to help out around the house at all”.
“It’s no secret, just a way of life” was the response she got. The girls continued talking until breakfast was served when they all sat down together and enjoyed the meal as a unit. Her mind slipped back and forth from her life at home and this way of life she could only imagine before. After breakfast she helped clean up and sat down in the living room with her new friends. They told her stories of how they met and their plights in life and even told her about the day they met Nick.

“It was spring time when he drove into their village totally lost. Foxtail had gone over to greet him and see if he needed assistance. Back then Nick was but half the man he is today, shy, uncertain, confused and he had no idea of who he was. He may have read a map and new the direction he was traveling in the truck but his soul was lost, adrift and unattached from his mind. But now Whispering Wind is a welcomed member of our community. If he gets back here before tonight we are having a dance and both of you must attend” the woman with cotton eyes said.
“You must be tired dear” why don’t you go lie down for a while.
With that Sarah graciously accepted the offer and found herself dreaming in no time.

The road twisted and turned as the two made their way to Nick’s call of honor. By the time they reached the house of the fallen pilot his story had been laid out before the officer of not only the closing hours of the chopper master but Nick’s tale of woes.

They stopped in front of the home and gave each other a good luck look.
Each step towards the home filled the pit of their stomachs with anguish.
Reality kicked in with the rapping on the door by the officer and subsequent answer to the call.

The pilots’ wife opened the door and they both caught site of a child playing on the floor with a toy helicopter when the officer asked the woman if they could talk to her in private. She grabbed a coat and her boots and came out onto the porch.
“Miss my name is Nicholas and last night your ex-husbands chopper went down on the mountain in the storm.” He paused for a moment to allow her to grasp the seriousness of what he had to say.” It fell into a deep crevasse and he went down with it. When we arrived at the crash site he was conscious but bleeding internally and unreachable do to the instability of the walls. I’m so sorry to tell you that he passed away in the middle of the night.” The officer broke in and explained how they were working on recovering his body and that no official report will be issued until that time. Emotionless the woman waited for the two to finish. “Your ex asked me to give a message to your daughter and I would like your permission to fill his last wish” pleaded Nick.

She opened the door and called over to the child “Destiny, this man has something to tell you”. “Thank you” Nick replied as he removed his boots and went inside. Destiny looked up at Nick and her eyes nearly broke his heart as tear formed for her loss. “Destiny, my name is Nick and I met your father last night. His helicopter got caught in the storm and he crashed on the mountain. I spoke with him and he told me to tell you that he loves you with all his heart and that he had to go to heaven and would not be able to visit you anymore. I’m so sorry Destiny for your loss but your daddy did tell me to tell you that he will always watch over you from heaven and he is so proud of you. He told me that the most precious gift he ever received was you.” he continued.

Outside the officer and new widow carried forth their conversation involving her inquiries as to whether or not her child support would continue or was she expected to live on his life insurance policy premium.

Destiny started to cry as she became aware of the fact that her dad would no longer visit her and Nick quickly gave her a hug not only to console the child but to hide the tears he felt as his own ghosts appeared in his mind tormenting him.

“Let’s go get your mom” Nick suggested. They opened the door and the officer with her mom entered the house. The officer gave the widow his card and asked if she was going to be alright. With the reassurance that they were no longer needed they both left in silence.

The trip back to the ranger station was a solemn one with neither man knowing what the other had said or heard.

Writers notes.
I am in need of a poof reader and a gammatical guru. lol
I am sorry folks for I have posted and reposted so many times that my copy and paste machine is out of ink and glue.

These posts are either in cyber limbo or someone keeps 5tealing my l3tt3r5.

slaps typist....stares at glass of milk and heads straight for the liquor cabinet.

hmmmm......is Lucy pulling the football away from me?

He turned for the phone when she stopped him as if to say what could be so important when he spoke “That phone only rings when something is not right”. On the fourth ring he snapped the receiver from the cradle and placed it against his ear. “Hello” he spoke. After a pause he simply said “I see; I’ll cover sector seven on the North Ridge”.

“What’s wrong”? Sarah asked with a hint of worry in her voice. “The bush pilot went down about a half hour ago and I’ve been asked to help search” Nick answered. “There’s a storm raging out there for god’s sake” Sarah rebutted. “Exactly” was all she heard back as he started to pack his knapsack with survival food and gear. “I want to help” Sarah said. “Good, grab the rope and blanket out of the closet for me while I go start the truck” Nick ordered.

Nick opened the front door and was blasted with a gust of frigid snow filled air as he worked his way to the truck knapsack in hand. He fired up the beast and hit the switches to every flood lamp adorning the roll bar. The lights came to life illuminating next to nothing as the snow reflected back the light waves into his face. “So it’s going to be like this” he thought to himself. He went back inside to gather the rest of the supplies when he saw Sarah fully dressed for the weather holding the rope and blankets. “Oh no” he said almost scornfully “Your not going”.

“Look, I know I’m not from around here and in Texas we don’t get much snow but even I know the bears are asleep” she said in a soft voice. “The bears are asleep, but the cougars and wolves are not” he replied. With a look that pierced his heart she whispered the words “Do you trust me, I mean really trust me”? Dumbfounded he nodded his head as she continued “I don’t know why I must go with you but I know I must”. He searched her eyes for a reason but could only believe in her intuition to guide him. Against all logic he said “Let’s go”. He called to Jessie and opened the door one more time to the elements.

They battled the storm up the fire roads that cut through the mountain, skidding and sliding from time to time. The truck forced its way as far as the road could take them when they came to a stop at the edge of a plateau. The clearing was fairly level but the snow was deep and the wind hurled the white crystals horizontally across the plain. “Is this where we get out and walk”? Sarah asked. “Not yet” as he popped the door open and reduced the tire pressure to about 5 lbs each. When he re-entered the truck he instructed her to pull her seatbelt as tight as she could get it as he adjusted his. He dropped the truck in reverse and angled back as though making a three point turn. With determination he cranked the wheel and dropped the hammer only hard enough to punch through the snow bank at the edge of the road, as the truck broke through he backed off on the throttle and they began the trek across the plain blinded by the storm.

“How far can we go like this” she asked? With a chuckle he simply said “Until the truck gets stuck, rolls over or we hit something and then we’re on foot”.

They followed the rolling snow drifts until they saw a dark shadow appear behind the curtain of white. He stopped the truck and shut it down this time. They exited the vehicle and suited up the gear. Jessie jumped down and sniffed the air for any signs of wild life, listening to anything that might be heard over the wind.

The three of them headed for trees that blocked the path up the mountain, adjusting their clothing for maximum warmth and protection, as they entered the wooded area the wind and driving snow subsided a bit from the shelter of the trees. Jessie let out a couple of barks and listened for a response. Both would be rescuers watched Jessie for signs of engagement. “At you are tuning into Jessie’s instincts” Nick said. “We are going to need to keep a vigilant watch for every possible clue to not only where the pilot might be but also to where any predators are” Nick continued. “Look at the trees for vertical scratch lines anywhere from four to six feet off the ground that would indicate the presence of a cougar marking its territory. Listen for sounds similar to a crying baby and for the sound of gun shots” he added. “Wolves well howl and Jessie should be able to pick them out long before we can, but the cougar is a silent lone stalker and can attack from above” he informed her. “What about gun shots” she asked?

“As you have already seen this morning that sound indicates direction and an approximate distance when you called for Jessie to alert me. The other search parties like us have a gun or rifle for protection but more to help us keep a fairly good search pattern covering the grid that we think the pilot went down in” he explained.

They walked through the wooded area heading up the slopes of the mountain listening and watching for signs of life when a lone gunshot could be heard from the east and below them. Then a second single gunshot followed from the west and above them. With that Nick pulled from his backpack a semi automatic pistol and chambered a round while releasing the safety, pointed it straight up and pulled the trigger. The shock wave from the sound dislodged the snow in the limbs of the trees above them causing a miniature avalanche. “See what I mean” Nick asked?

“With all these trees around the pilot could be just a few hundred feet from us and if he is unconscious we would never even know he is there” Sarah stated. “If he is alive and within the shelter of the trees he has a good chance of surviving until the morning when a helicopter search can begin if the weather clears” Nick assured her. “But out past the tree line in the open he doesn’t stand much of a chance without shelter and that’s where we are headed”.

As they continued to forge forward they paused every now and then when Jessie would stop and sniff the air for a mental picture of her surroundings. They passed two different trees with markings at different heights indicating the overlapping territories of two different cougars. The snow was relatively easy to navigate for the canopy above shielding the floor from heavy accumulation. As the wind began to pick up and the driving snow returned they understood that they were reaching the edge of the woods that protected them from the storm.

“Sector seven” Nick said. “Try not to speak to help conserve body heat and reduce ice forming around your mouth” he added and then pulled the pistol out again and fired a single shot in the air. It echoed a lot further this time she noticed as did the corresponding signals from the other rescue parties which she surmised must also be in open terrain. Her thoughts turned to visually searching for signs of a plane crash when she noticed Jessie turning back to listen to sounds from the forest that she could not hear. She tapped Nick on the shoulder and he surveyed the direction of Jessie’s ears to the source of the silent sound emanating from the woods. He turned to face 180 degrees away from the sound and found his face head long into the wind. “Let’s continue up this direction” he said as he pointed towards a subtle pathway up the mountain.

Jessie led the way as they continued the hike. She paused every so often again listening for signs of life and then forged on. They fought the cold, snow and wind for about a half an hour when another shot was heard breaking the silence that consumed them. Nick acknowledged the shot by firing one single shot in the air. They both noticed that the sounds this time were both adjacent left and right therefore each party was at the same elevation.

When they reached the rocky terrain of the mountain they rested for a short period allowing them to warm up slightly on the leeward side of a large jagged boulder. They consumed a small amount of water to re-hydrate and peanuts for protein. Jessie curled in ball and waited until the search got underway again. “From here on up we need to be very careful of our footing. As we get higher up, one slip could end up in disaster on these rocks here below” Nick pointed out. Sarah did not need to be reminded of gravity as she glanced across the area they had just traversed. The woods were no longer visible and the tracks they just made had all but faded.

When they felt enough time had been spent on them recuperating, they stood up to face the climb ahead of them when three shots rang out from east of their location.
Nick chuckled and said in a relieved voice “Well that’s good news. That will save us the climb. It looks like your being here is paying off with luck, not only for the pilot but also for us”. “I assume that the three shots means somebody has found the pilot” she said. Nick pulled out the pistol again and fired one shot in the air signaling the message was heard and understood.

With the knowledge that the pilot was at least found they felt some of the weight of the search lighten their load as they headed east to see if they could assist further with the rescue. As they walked along the lower edge of the rocky terrain Sarah could not shake the thought that surely she was here for more than just luck but dismissed the idea and concentrated on her footing. The wind was at their back and it made the journey much easier than the one they had just completed.

As they neared the site of the crash a bark from ahead in the distance could be heard and Jessie this time called back. She quickened her pace and was soon out of site. The two travelers followed the tracks she left behind right to the crash site that showed no signs of impact, fire or even debris. They met Dan and his two Native Indian companions Moose who was just that, a human chain hoist and his brother Fox Tail who was an intelligent and insightful man. “Where is the plane” Nick asked?
“Follow us” spoke Fox Tail as he led them up some rocks to the crest. When they reached the peak and peered over they saw the broken plane resting seventy feet below, stuck in a crevasse with shear walls of ice preventing any type of climb down there. “Is he alive” inquired Nick? “Yes, he’s alive but thinks his arm and leg are broken. He says he’s cold but O.K.” spoke Moose. “The only crevasse in a hundred miles and this guy hits it like a bull’s eye” added Fox Tail. “The shelter from the crevasse has probably kept him alive to this point” he continued.

Nick thought for a moment. It was too risky to lower a person down over the edge for fear of a collapse and then suggested they take a couple of blankets and wrap Jessie in them with a few supplies and lower her down with the ropes they had brought. They group agreed even though Jessie was not fond of the idea but did comply trusting in her pack leaders decision.

The group packed up the make shift sling and lowered its contents to the floor of the crevasse where the pilot collected the food and water while Jessie collected the face of the pilot and licked at his wounds. He stopped her and asked “What’s your name”?
“Jessie” called down Nick from above. “Jessie guard” was his next command. Jessie curled up with the pilot as he covered them with the blankets and drank some water and ate a granola bar, it was a little frozen but he knew he would need to keep his strength up for no rescue would happen tonight. The warmth from Jessie was a welcome relief to the shivering pilot as he settled in for the long haul.

Fox Tail raised his hunting rifle and fired three consecutive shots in the air and the group listened for a response from the third party. A few seconds later a single shot rang back.
“We’re going to be here for the night” he said. Dan added “When the other party gets here we’ll head back to the station and arrange for an air rescue for when the weather clears enough”. “If we are staying here we might as well get comfortable. Fox Tail and I will head back down to the forest and get some wood to burn for heat” Nick continued the conversation.

Nick left his pack for the others to use to create a shelter for the night.
He turned to Fox Tail and asked if was ready to go when Sarah spoke the words” We’re ready”. Nick had almost forgotten his deal with her but quickly agreed to her wishes.

The wind picked up and brought with it another curtain of snow as the three headed down the slopes to the woods below. They walked in single file with Sarah in the middle and Nick bringing up the rear until they reached the tree line.
When they reached the edge of the woods an eerie feeling fell over the forest invaders as each began to collect broken branches. “Keep alert for any sounds” Fox Tail said and then added “stay within visual range of each other”.

With a large fan shaped branch laid down on the snow like a sled the three loaded the improvised vessel with their collectables. As Nick lashed the piles together he heard Sarah proclaim she could hear a hissing sound. “Which direction” Fox Tail started to ask when from a perch above dropped down a magnificent cat. A Mountain Lion with ears pinned back and ready to strike. Nick stood in an instant, gun at arm’s length, poised for a battle he would rather avoid. The cat paused motionless as it sized up the competition. Sarah slowly backed away from the feline as Fox Tail step forth to draw the attention of the cat away from her. From behind the group came the growls of not one but six wolves. A pack that must have been curious as to the noises they created gathering wood for survival.

As each creature, mankind included evaluated their chances of self preservation the human group slowly moved closer together so as not to create a singled out member of the herd scenario, while the wolves spread out to better their chances and the cougar dug in for the ambush strike.

“This is not going to be pretty” said Fox Tail, when two wolves ran around them and over to one side of the cougar while two others flanked it on the opposite side. The cat must not have liked these new odds and turned tail running off to fight another day. In just a few seconds the battle field changed, the flanking maneuver of the wolves over the cat had just triangulated the gatherers in middle of three paired wolves in but one chess move. “Smart animals” said Fox Tail. He knew and respected the intelligence of the wolf.

From deeper in the woods, out of sight came the howl of a lone wolf. It was a solo cry that called the others back into the forest from which they appeared. The pack left without incident much to the relief of the collectors. With a sigh from each member they just looked at each other, puzzled but not interested in an explanation, just glad to have avoided the worst that could have ensued. They grabbed the branch sled, turned to leave the forest when they found themselves face to face with what must have been the pack leader, a lone wolf, a mysterious creature that entered the lives of two of the three that held the branch. Panting slightly while staring again through the soul of Sarah, the Alpha female tore through her emotions like a bolt of lightning. A tear swelled in her eye as she thanked it for saving their lives. She wiped her eyes and when she looked back to wolf it had gone just as before, silent and mysterious. “You have found your spirit” said Fox Tail. No answer was necessary.

Each member reflected on what they had all shared as they headed back up the mountain. Not a single word was spoken until they reached base camp when Moose came towards them to help bring the wood into camp. “Everything O.K.” he asked puzzled by the looks on their faces? Nick just looked at Fox Tail when Sarah spoke “everything is fine, we just ran into an old friend of mine”.

Sarah went into the room and closed the door behind her. Nick finished making the hot chocolate as before with the added topping. He pulled out a couple of large beach towels and placed them on the couch. He lit another fire and went to the window. The snow was just starting to fall, every soft oversized flake floated down from the sky like leaves from a tree in autumn. The wind from the storm had not yet caught up to them and the heavy snow was still an hour or so away. As he waited for Sarah to finish dressing he took delight in watching Jessie biting at the flakes of snow as they drifted through the air.

Sarah quickly put the clothes on that Nick had put out for her as thoughts raced through her head about the bed in front of her. How she wanted so badly to lie down and take in the scent of this dear man who was so kind. Sarah quickly recovered from her vision and headed back to where Nick was eagerly waiting. She felt a little sheepish as she walked back into the living room wearing men’s clothing. That feeling soon subsided as Nick gave an approving glance. He asked Sarah if she was ready to get in the hot tub. Sarah was ready but went to the kitchen to grab the hot chocolate Nick had just made for them. She knew she would be cold outside as she was not from these parts.

Sarah brought both cups into the living room and grabbed the two towels he had placed on the couch. After changing he opened the door for Sarah and they both started out into the brisk air encompassed with the soft orange glow of the sun set.

Sarah was delighted to see the delicate flakes of snow drifting down from the Heavens. She set the cups down on the side of the hot tub, and Nick held out a hand to help her into the tub. Oh how the water felt so good! Sarah was closely watching every move Nick made as he entered the water. She wondered how often he had the pleasure of this magnificent setting. Perhaps as often as he wished, Sarah thought.

Sarah internalized yet another memory that would surely keep in her heart forever as she looked up to the Heavens and watched the flakes dancing about. The swirling warm water, dancing flakes, vanilla aroma, flickering candles, and the comfort and closeness of a gentleman. What more could a girl ask for? This wonderful moment in time made Sarah so joyful that a tear came to her eyes.

Nick could sense the feelings that Sarah was experiencing, and moved closer to her and wrapped an arm around her and with a gentle squeeze said. “It doesn’t get much better than this Sarah!” Sarah looked at Nick, her eyes filling with tears; Nick knew what to do. He gently kissed Sarah once, twice, and then a third time to assure her that he feels the moment too. The two of them sat silently for a few minutes just basking in the glory of God’s country. Nick broke the silence as he reached in front of Sarah to grab the hot chocolate. He told Sarah to taste it and asked if she had ever had Sheridan’s before. Sarah said she had never heard of it. Nick was delighted to have the opportunity to share this fine liqueur with Sarah. He explained that the bottle was purposefully divided with a unique lid to keep the two contents separated. He told her when you pour it, the two coffee flavored liqueurs stay separated. He told her that this was not easy to find in her home state, that this is widely available in Milan.

Sarah took a sip of the liqueur laden hot chocolate and was instantly hooked. What a smooth exotic flavor of chocolate and coffee to warm the soul! Sarah felt the warmth all the way down to her stomach as she sipped the delectable treat. Or was it coffee flavored chocolate Sarah wondered as she felt a little blushed at the thought of the trivial question she imposed upon herself. Nick took a sip of his and Sarah watched him intently as he savored the immense flavor. Nick turned to Sarah and patted her knee under the water. He asked her what she had purchased from the liquor store earlier that day. Sarah flashed Nick her devilish grin and told him he would have to wait and see! This stirred Nick’s emotions as he loved to be toiled with. He put his arm around Sarah again and pulled her close to him so they could both lay back and enjoy the gentle snowfall and sip the warm delicacies.

Nick reached over to the control panel and pushed a couple of buttons. The internal soft blue lights of the hot tub came on giving the illusion of a shallow blue coast line from some exotic destination. Then a soft melody could be heard coming from the speakers, a gentle Spanish classical guitar filled their ears as he looked at her and said “do you trust me”? She nodded and he took the hot chocolate from her hand and asked her to sit in front of him facing the same direction as he was. When she moved into that position he placed his hands on her hips and delicately lifted her up off of the seat. She was puzzled but did not resist. He again asked “do you trust me”? Nervously she nodded yes again.
“Stretch out your legs and float on your back, don’t worry I won’t let you slip”. He said.

As she did this she felt his arms supporting her and stabilizing her in the bubbling blue paradise she was immersed in. She looked up at his face and saw him smiling but had noticed something odd. The snowflakes were not landing on her or in the water. They melted just above them. She came to the conclusion that the heat from the tub had cocooned them in a dome of tranquility. She watched in amazement of how each flake of snow drifted downward until extinguishing itself against the invisible shield like stars twinkling in the night sky. She stayed like that for what seemed an eternity lost in her thoughts of the voyage she has been on since arriving at the Ranger Station.

She closed her eyes only for a moment and allowed herself to embrace the warmth of the water, the subtleness of the music, the massaging feeling provided by the jets and the touch of this man. She breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly. He watched her as she lowered her defenses and submitted to the evening. When he felt her start to stir, he slowly sat her up floating in the currents while turning her to face him. She did not offer any resistance as he brought her to him. Their eyes met and for the first time they were looking into each other. Every sense had stopped functioning except for sight, no sounds, no touch, just sight. They stayed that way, her resting on his lap, arms around his neck while he held her against his body. He glanced down at her now slightly parted lips and kissed her ever so slowly and gently. She offered no kiss back the first time but on his second kiss she followed his lead. The fullness of their lips met, and compress against their teeth. He pulled her closer to him against his chest, while she repositioned hers arms for a tighter hold on him. Their hearts beating against one another’s as they pull back for a third kiss. Licking his lips and placing his hands on her face and he drawers her to him never breaking eye contact until the moment their lips meet again.

The sounds and sensations of their environment return as the two lovers explore the passion raging inside. Their tongues dancing to the rhythm of music, their gasping breaths give way to deeper and even more sensual kisses. They are so hypnotized by the over powering lust that they fail to notice that the pump has shut off and the bubbles cease to exist. Their frenzied kissing escalates further and further with no sign of letting up, neither one wants this to stop, neither one will allow this to stop; they have reached a point of no return.

Nick pulls back and asks her to make love with him. Let this night be our night, a night to cherish forever. Give yourself to me as I will give myself to you.


Sarah responded with barely a whisper. “Yes Nick, I will give myself to you.” Nick pulled Sarah close to him again and they both embraced in an even more passionate kiss to seal the commitment both had just made. In the heat of the moment, all sound was lost yet again as the two remained embraced just enjoying the moment when all of a sudden, both were brought back to the reality outside of their passion when there was a splash upon them. They both looked in awe and burst out laughing when Jessie paddled over to them and gave them both a tail wagging kiss.

Nick said he must go in and get Jessie dried off so she didn’t catch cold. Sarah agreed that they all should go in. Nick gently carried Jessie out of the hot tub. He then turned his attention and caught Sarah just as she was about to slide off the side of the tub. He told Sarah that she should just lie back and let him carry her into the house. As Nick carried her over the threshold, he paused just inside the door. He kicked it shut after Jessie came in and planted a very long sensuous kiss on Sarah before letting her down from his masculine hold.

Nick trotted off to gather a towel for Jessie. He came back into the living room to find Sarah sitting by the fire giving a reassuring stroke to the top of Jessie’s head. Nick showed Jessie the towel and she came bouncing across the floor, coming to a halted skid. Nick gently towel dried the pup and to our delight, she took to her bed in the corner of the room. Nick made us another cup of hot chocolate with Sheridan’s and brought Sarah her cup. He asked her to taste it to see if it needed more Sheridan’s. Sarah sipped the flavorful delight and closed her eyes and murmured a sweet gentle sound. Nick did not need further clarification; he could tell by her body language, that Sarah was enjoying the flavor immensely.

Nick grabbed his cup and joined Sarah on the couch. He was hoping the moment outside could be recaptured in the comfort of the cabin in front of the warm dancing fire Nick had started before they went outside. Nick opened a draw in the end table and produced a remote control, with a smile he asked Sarah what kind of music she liked as he scrolled through his collection. Sarah was open to anything soft and romantic, so she told Nick to pick his favorite. Nick took a second to find just the right music for this romantic interlude. He activated a disk and the music gently came through the surround sound speakers that Sarah had not even noticed before. The melody was so sweet, it made Sarah sit back on the sofa and close her eyes as she started to go into her fantasy place…a place no one has been able to follow her to.

Nick went to the bedroom to change from his wet clothes to something more comfortable were he laid out a long plush blue robe, a pair of wool socks and a spare track suit he had brought. He returned wearing his favorite pair of Green Bay Packers track pants and matching sweat shirt. He walked around behind the couch where Sarah was still lost in her dream world and placed his hands gently on her shoulders. She did not open her eyes as he began to massage her. He placed a soft kiss on her neck and told her she should change out of her now partially dried clothes. He watched her walk away, her form silhouetted against the fire light and he thought to himself, if she turns back to look then she would be the woman for him. Each step she took closer and closer to the bedroom door filled his eyes with lust and his heart with desire. She opened the door and stepped into the room where her eyes were captivated by the scene in the window of the swirling white snowflakes against the treed back drop. She paused there in the doorway for a moment before turning to him and casting the most beautiful smile he had ever witnessed. He watched her close the door and breathed a sigh of relief as he turned to Jessie and said “I like her to old girl”.

In the kitchen Nick prepared some trays of appetizers, a vegetable platter, a shrimp platter and a cheese platter. He set them down on the coffee table in front of the couch when the bedroom door opened and she once again appeared silhouetted, only this time with the window as her back drop. He smiled and asked if she was hungry as he motioned her to sit with him. They sat there on the couch discussing their childhood, music and an array of topics while they sampled the assortment of party favors Nick had placed before them. Jessie wanted in on the festivities also as she had come over from the corner and put on her best begging game face. Tilting her head from side to side and flashing her blue eyes at Sarah as if to say “I thought we were friends”. Sarah giggled and fed her some of the assortment they were sharing. When Sarah had felt the dog consumed enough of the people food she halted the gift giving and told Jessie that was all she was going to get. Nick and Sarah returned to their conversation sharing old stories and laughs when Jessie had dropped a large bone made of rope in front of Sarah.

Nick chuckled at the site. “What’s so funny”? Sarah asked. “I think someone wants to play” Nick replied. “You don’t have a choice Sarah” Nick said. “You see Jessie has just thrown down the gauntlet and is challenging you for the role of Alpha Female” he continued.

Sarah not being one to back away from a challenge laughed and spoke in an aristocratic voice” I accept your challenge and may the best woman win” with that Sarah grabbed one end of the rope bone while Jessie tugged at the other end. The two played tug of war while Nick looked on in amazement as Sarah strategically out witted Jessie time and time again. It was clear to him who would be sleeping on the floor tonight but the question he most wanted answered was would the victor take her place in the bed beside him?

While the two played on the floor in front of the fire Nick asked Sarah if she wanted a drink from something she had bought. . Sarah replied immediately, “Oh yes Nick, I bought stuff for margaritas. I hope you like Patron!” Nick went to the kitchen and mixed the drinks that Sarah had requested.

He returned to the living room just as Jessie had conceded the match to Sarah and handed her the drink. Holding his glass up high Nick toasted the winner “Cheers to the victor, a warrior woman of un-surpassing beauty and courage”. They both laughed and Nick continued “May I kiss the hand of the noble Warrior Princess”? He asked. With an out stretched hand Sarah fell into the part and replied “You may kiss thy Royal hand my young woodsman”. As Nick knelt on one knee also falling into the role he thought to himself “young woodsman”, I’ll show you young woodsman my Princess.

He held her hand gently and placed a soft but lingering kiss on the back of her hand, then slowly rotated her hand over exposing her soft white wrist. He place as second kiss on the upper palm of her hand and a third on her wrist slowly and methodically breathing his warm breath on the sensitive flesh before his mouth. He watched not her but rather the tiny hairs on her arm straighten out in appreciation of his attention. His light kisses continued up her arm while keeping time with the music in the back ground. He reached the top of her shoulder and peeled back the collar of the loosely fitting jersey granting him access to her creamy white neck. He teased and toiled with her emotions as he gingerly stayed in rhythm tasting every inch of her skin. She moved in closer to him and placed her arms around his body pulling at him to press against her. She turned her head and closed her eyes as she gave in to his desires.

Nick and Sarah were as one in this passionate moment their moves were as choreographed as the finest ballet’s. Each submitting to the other’s subtlest of gestures. Each kiss given and each kiss received brought their souls closer and closer. The burning desire that grew in the pit of their hearts brought down protective walls that each had erected as defensive shields against the cruel world known as everyday life. When the drum like pounding of their hearts and the deeper breathes that each had to take to maintain the lust and physical demands that surely awaited them reached a climax Nick pulled back from Sarah and repeated his words from earlier. “Make love with me, give yourself to me as I would give myself to you” he said in the softest and most sincere voice Sarah had ever heard before in her life.

‘Take me my Prince” Sarah pleaded. With that Nicked lead Sarah from behind into the bedroom were the dancing flickering light of the fireplace in the living room echoed on the walls. Without her knowledge and without a spoken word Nick pushed a button on the remote he plundered from the living room setting in motion a completely new rhythm to further enhance what was indeed the most romantic night of his life.

He led her past the bed towards the curtain less window with his arms around her waist and her hands holding his arms in place. At the exact moment they reached the window the air filled with the sound of the music that had come to life.

They parked in front of the Antique shop that Mrs. Ferny and her husband have been running since the late 1950’s. They were a sweet couple both retired with nothing much to do except open the store in the morning just in case somebody needed something.

Nick took Sarah inside and introduced her to Mr. Ferny and his wife. Sarah walked around the shop with Mr. Ferny as he gave her the grand tour. Nick went to the counter and picked up some of the supplies he was looking for when Mrs. Ferny warned him about the storm heading this way. “We will stop by the Ranger’s Station and get an updated weather report from Dan,” Nick replied. They said their goodbyes and headed out of the rustic building and over to the liquor store.

As they went through the doors they looked at each other and smiled a mischievous grin that they both understood. Sarah went down one isle and Nick down the other. At the checkout they each concealed the contents of their purchases that would be revealed later on that night. “So what did you pick up?” Nick asked. “Never mind,” Sarah laughed, and then turned away hiding her bag from his sight.

They went back to the truck and stowed the bottles in the back to prevent them from being broken while traveling over the bumpy roads. “Over there at the postal service office is a pay phone if you want to call anybody,” Nick informed Sarah, knowing she would not be inclined to use the amenity but none the less, he wanted her to know it was there in case she changed her mind.

They left the quite little town and preceded North West to Turner’s Lake. It was a shallow lake with interconnecting channels that eventually led to the Waterways and out to the Great lakes. It was frozen over and they could see the fresh deer tracks from the early morning crossings. Out on the far side of the small lake, Sarah spotted an Elk poised as though waiting for a picture to be taken of it looking back at her.

When they got to the other side of the lake they made a turn to head up to the Station. Nick pointed out a falcon that was circling above an open field when it suddenly rolled over and raced towards the earth catching its meal for the day. How evolution has perfected the cycle of life they each thought during this moment of silence.

At the Ranger’s Station, Dan was busy with the radio talking to a bush pilot about the landing conditions on one of the hundreds of lakes in the area. “The wind is coming out of the North West at 15 kph,” he said. “How long are you going to be in the area?” Dan inquired. “Only for an hour,” came the crackly response over the speaker. “Roger that,” Dan said adding, “there is a large storm cell headed this way that the Doppler Radar is predicting to hit us around 6 or 7 tonight.” “Roger” was the only word heard from the mystery voice on the old speaker.

“Hey guy’s, how are we today?” Dan asked. “We are great!” replied Nick. We just wanted to stop in and let you know how things are, and that we drove by the Johnson’s place and all is well there. We also picked up a few supplies in preparation for the storm. One can never be too warmed by the spirits in a time like this! Nick shot a wink at Dan, who immediately knew what Nick was talking about.

Sarah pretended not to take notice of the male bonding ritual as her cheeks formed a rosy glow to them when Nick glanced her way to see if she overheard his comment to Dan.

Feeling a little giddy at the thought of the night to come, Nick asked Sarah if she was ready to get back to the cabin. Sarah responded with a quick nod and said it would be best to get back before the storm comes in. Nick and Sarah bid farewell to Dan as Dan stopped her for a moment and repeated his last night’s shoulder shrugging gesture with a smile growing on his face to which she just laughed and winked back blowing him a farewell kiss.

Nick and Sarah headed for the 4x4. The sky was beginning to develop thick clouds. Their drive back to the cabin was so serene and peaceful; the look on Sarah’s face was utter enjoyment. What a sight to behold! A magical winter wonderland! Just like the pictures she had seen in books back in Texas. A soft strumming guitar melody was playing on the radio and Sarah laid her head against the back of the seat and closed her eyes for a brief second. This was a moment in time that she wanted to savior forever. Somehow it seemed that if she shut her eyes for a moment, she could engrain this memory eternally.

Nick sensed the contentment on Sarah’s face and in her body language as he kept sneaking glances at her. He had the idea that he wanted to show Sarah a place where he goes when he needs down time. Nick knew the solace of this place made him feel so much better and he thought it would surely do the same for her. Nick made a right hand turn down a narrow little road. The sudden movement alerted Sarah, and she opened her eyes. Nick patted her hand and told her it was ok, he just wanted to share a place with her.

This intrigued Sarah so she sat patiently as she took in the breath taking beauty that was surrounding her. After a few more turns, they approached a little clearing in the trees. Nick got out and walked around the truck to open the door for Sarah. He took her by the hand and gently led her down a little trail. After a minute or two, Sarah and Nick came to a little creek nestled among the thick backdrop of spruce and fir;” This is the spot I come to when I need to unwind,” said Nick. “It is such a beautiful place Nick,” Sarah replied. The two sat at the bank of the little creek and watched the gentle water flowing by. Sarah felt completely at peace. She was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the special place that she could feel a lump in her throat. How could this mere stranger know so much about what she would like, what would put her at ease? Perhaps, she thought that maybe they both were connected somehow. Had she met him before when she came for that brief visit many years ago? No she thought it is something different; something she can’t quite put her finger on. This feeling was one she really enjoyed, as it gives her intuition a calming break from the harsh, mundane day to day routines.

Nick did not want this moment to end, but the report given to the pilot back at the station echoed in his mind and knew all too well how quickly a winter storm can roll in. He did not want to alarm Sarah, so he casually mentioned that perhaps they should start thinking about going back to the cabin. Sarah came out of her euphoric fantasy, and looked up at the sky. Although the tree canopy was thick, she could still see the dark clouds rolling in. That startled Sarah and she jumped to her feet with an alarming look on her face. Nick could tell immediately that Sarah was getting scared. He took her gently in his arms and gave her a little reassuring hug. He told her that they still had time to get to the cabin and get settled before the storm would thunder in. They both followed the trail back to the 4x4 and quickly entered the vehicle where Nick again patted Sarah’s hand in a reassuring way. Sarah felt so at ease with Nick.

She was fascinated by how she felt like she has known him her whole life. She completely trusted his every word! But why, how could she? Back home, she would not allow even her closest of friends to see the parts of her that she so willingly shared with a total stranger. As they neared the cabin, Nick said he had something to show Sarah.

He pulled up alongside the cabin, and Sarah quizzically looked at him. He laughed that sweet laugh and the twinkle in his eyes assured Sarah all is well! Nick hurried over to open Sarah’s door and led her over to the tarp covered box behind the cabin. He asked her to grab one corner and help him remove the vinyl sheet that protected yet another leather type of top. It was hinged on one side and Nick lifted it revealing an eight person hot tub. He activated the controls and the pumps kicked to life. The bubbles seemed to come from everywhere. The smell of chemicals that Nick added the night before filled the air.

Nick asked Sarah if she could get the bag from the antique store while he rechecked the PH level in the water. She returned with the bag and handed it to him. He pulled from it several vanilla candles incased in decorative glass that he had purchased. As he lit each candle one by one the aroma from the wax quickly refreshed the air.

They went inside the cabin and let Jessie out. She was good around the cabin and did not venture too far while always returning. They went into the kitchen and placed their treats in the fridge. “What’s the hot tub for?” Sarah asked innocently. “Jessie enjoys the relaxing massage it gives after she has had a hard day at the office,” Nick grinned.

Nick turned to the stove and began to heat a pot of milk for a hot chocolate. “I’m making some hot chocolate only this time with some Sheridan’s in it”. “Would you care to join me?” He asked. She nodded and gave him smile. “In the bedroom you will find two pairs of boxer style swim shorts and a hockey jersey that you can use if you wish to join me in the hot tub,” Nick informed her. “Unless of course, you brought a bathing suit up here in the middle of winter,” he commented.

Before she went to change she turned to him and said, “How did you know you would meet someone up here during your visit?” “I didn’t, but I did know that I would be using the hot tub and let’s face it when you hang a wet bathing suit up outside in these temperatures they don’t really dry, they just freeze up solid,” he grinned. “After meeting you last night I guessed that you might want to join me and that is why there are two sets of shorts laid out on the bed.”

From within the cabin he heard the old style wall mount phone ringing, turning his attention away from the stars, he headed in to answer it. On the other end of the line was Dan, his old trusted friend down at the Rangers station. “Nick, I’ve got a situation down here with a woman who is trying to get the Wilson cabin out by the one you are renting and I was wondering if you could drive down here and give her a lift out to the lodging” asked the ranger?
“Where is your assistant Carl? Can he not give her, a ride to the Wilson’s”? I asked.
“No Carl’s got a touch of the flu and is not in tonight. The woman is not equipped with chains on her tires so I cannot let her pass” said Ranger Dan.

The snow continued to fall gently as Nick headed down the mountain to the Ranger station.
When he got there he went inside and began stomping the snow off of his boots. The woman just looked at him and said” I’m glad this is not my house you’re doing that in”.
Nick laughed as he looked up at the woman and said “You must be the lady looking for the Wilson’s cabin”? “Where are your things, so I can load them in the 4X4”?
“Out in the car” she said as she handed him the keys to the trunk of her car.
Nick turned to Dan and asked him for a weather update for the rest of the weekend while he gathered her things.

When Nick re-entered the Station he then again stomped his boots as though defying her first statement and politely introduced himself. “Hi, I’m Nick and I am staying at the cabin just a few hundred yards from the Wilson’s. Do you know the Wilson’s,” he asked?
“Yes, Mrs. Wilson is my neighbor and she has let me use the cabin for a while. By the way, my name is Sarah,” she continued.

“Hey Nick”, interrupted Dan, “it looks like as though a snow storm may be on its way. I think you guys should head out now before it gets here. “You are good man Dan and your right we should get a move on” Nick responded. He then turned to Sarah and asked “are you ready”? She simply nodded her head and said “let’s go then”. She then turned to Dan and thanked him for his help and quietly asked if it was safe to ride with the boot stomping cowboy to which Dan just laughed and shrugged his shoulders as though projecting the answer of probably not. “Great” Sarah thought to herself as she headed out the door.

They made their way up the dark and snow covered road. The sanders or plows had not been out and Sarah realized why Dan would not allow her to travel these roads in her car.
As they pulled up in front of the Wilson Cabin the wind began to pick up and the snow was now falling harder than before. “Looks like we got here just in time” said Nick.
“Let me get your things for you while you open the door” he instructed.
As she opened the door, the sweet smell of natural wood tickled her senses. She smiled, it was just the way her friend Diane had described it. Turning on the lights, she headed for the kitchen to put a few things away. Nick came up to the door with her belongings and stomped his feet outside on the porch this time. She laughed and told him to come in.
He took off his boots and left the luggage near the door. “Are you going to be O.K. here? I mean do you have everything you need. The phones do not work up here with any certainty and the storm may get worse” he said.

"Oh sure, I am going to be ok,” she said. “Please won't you stay a while and warm yourself?” The mere thought intrigued Nick as he silently wondered if she was just being kind or if she perhaps felt a spark as he did deep in the pit of his stomach.
They had a nice visit sitting by the fire warming up. Nick did not want to press his luck by seeming too forward, so he arose to depart from the beautiful glowing figure in front of him. He did not want to leave, but in his despair, he did not want to jeopardize future chance meetings. He then turned and put his hat atop his head, tilted it, and bid her farewell.

As she bid him goodnight, she felt a little despair herself. Had she just let this beautiful man escape without so much a hint that she was interested in him? How could she??? How could she not say anything; was she going to let him disappear into the cool night with the fading memory of how handsome he looked with his cowboy hat on?
As he reached the door he turned to her and said, "I make a pretty good breakfast...say around 8 am?"

Quickly she agreed, hoping she did not appear too desperate. As she watched Nick disappear into the night, Sarah could not help but wonder if he had the exciting anticipation for the next morning as she did.
As she closed the door, Sarah leaned against it as if to embrace the thought of the beautiful man one last time before she began the task of unpacking some things to prepare for bed.

A warm smile crept across her face as she closed her eyes and dreamed of their meeting in the morning. Morning could not come fast enough for her. As she slipped off to sleep, Sarah, for the first time in a very long time, had a smile upon her face as she slipped off into dreamland.

When she awoke in the morning she opened the front door to greet the new day. To her surprise she found a note pinned to the porch. She removed the paper and went inside to read it. “Good morning Sarah I hope you slept well? When you are ready just go out on the porch and call out “Jessie”. That’s the name of my dog and she will hear you and signal me that you are awake and dressed” read the note.

When she got dressed she called out from the porch “Jessie” and could hear a faint echo of a bark in the distance. She smiled and thought how odd was the phone system up here in the woods, a pager without batteries.

A few minutes later from behind the trees she could hear the footsteps of Nick and his dog. He was carrying a thermos and a small back pack. She smiled when she greeted him and his face lit up at the site of her.
“Good morning” he said with a smile. “Would you like some coffee”? He asked

With a grin she said “Yes please. It is actually not that cold this morning. It seems like a nice morning for a walk” she hinted.
As he poured her a coffee he told her of his walk with Jessie earlier and insisted that she join him down the trail as he wanted to show her around.

They headed down the trail through the woods and across a shallow stream partially covered in ice. As they approached a hill he asked her to be very quiet and then told her to get down on the ground and crawl forward towards the crest of the snow covered hill just as he was.

As they crested the hill she saw “Rats, you brought me out here to see rats” she laughed
“Those are Otters” he replied in his own defense. Again she laughed as she knew she got him with that one. She gazed on in amazement as the creatures frolicked on the snow, body surfing and then disappearing under the white blanket only to reemerge in a different location. “They are so cute” she said. “Are you trying to tell me that we all need to take time out for ourselves and play a little”?

The look on his face was all the confirmation she needed. She told him that was exactly why she was here. Sarah had a tough time of it with small town life, the mundane day to day routines. She felt as if the world was passing her by. She decided to go against all odds and take the time for herself. It is already proving to be a blessing in disguise she thought as she was losing herself in the moment as she watched the playful animals. She wondered what it would be like to live as carefree as the little critters.

Deep in her thought, she was brought back to reality with the gentle clearing of his throat. Sarah looked at Nick a little embarrassed as she realized Nick had been closely watching her as she slipped into the dark recesses of her mind. What did he notice about her? Did he look into her eyes she wondered? Did he see through the window that she keeps closely guarded for self protection and preservation? How could she be so careless she wondered…it was not like her to let herself deepen in the eyes of a stranger?

But then again, Nick felt like no stranger to Sarah, she felt something different, something she could not quite put her finger on. Perhaps it was the kind gentle way he let her slip into her own world for whatever reason she needed to. Perhaps it is the kind twinkle in his eyes when he looks at her. Whatever it is, Sarah feels so at ease with Nick. She feels that she can completely trust him…a total stranger, but yet so familiar. Now this pondering has Sarah yet again slipping into her being as she analyzes and questions her own feelings.

From his back pack Nick produced a small bag of peanuts. He opened the bag and placed a few at arm’s length in front of them. The Otters took notice and tentatively approached the two strangers lying down in the snow. One of the braver ones scurried up to them and snatched the nuts only to run back with the others. This got the attention of Jessie who tore off after them. The otters disappeared under the snow in a flash displaying their unparallel athleticism as they reemerged from the glistening blanket behind Jessie as though they were taunting and teasing the canine. Nick turned to Sarah and said “This is going to be funny. There is no way she is even going to come close to catching one. Natures answer to television”. He laughed.

They both looked back at the show unfolding before them like some real life Walt Disney cartoon. “Peanut”? Nick asked Sarah. Sarah laughed and replied “If this is your way of getting out of the breakfast you promised me then you are sadly mistaken”. They both smiled and got up from their vantage point where Jessie was still trying to outwit the creatures. “Come on you” Nick called out to the now tired dog. “I do not know which is worse; a cat is trying to chase a squirrel; or you trying to catch these little guys”? He said as he rubbed her head and ears.

As they headed back to Nick’s cabin they needed to traverse the stream one more time. Nick held out his hand for Sarah to take so that she could stable herself as she stepped over the creek. They did not let go of each other’s hands as they continued back. A peaceful silence had fallen upon them as they watched Jessie cross back and forth in front of them smelling every tree and every rock along the way. The sounds of the hustle and bustle of the wintering birds filled the ears of the two strolling souls lost in their own thoughts.

When they reached the cabin, Nick gathered a few pieces of cord wood to bring inside. Sarah opened the unlocked door for Nick as they went in. Nick placed the timber in a rack near the fire place and picked out some dry pieces to light a fire. She watched him bring the flames to life as she removed her boots and coat. “Is there anything I can do to help”? She asked.

He removed his wet boots and coat and said “What would you like for breakfast”? “A warm hot chocolate is a given” he added. He walked over to prepare the cocoa as she considered her options. She sat down on the bar style stool at the counter that divided the living room from the kitchen. He prepared the hot beverage with whipped cream and just a little sprinkle of the powder on top of that to which he used the spoon to swirl a pine tree like design into the topping.

“The pantry is full and anything can be done here,” He assured her.
“So, have you decided what you would like for breakfast”? He inquired once again.

"You" she paused for a moment then continued "have any fruit"? She inquired sheepishly.

He turned to the fridge and brought out a small basket of strawberries. He washed them in cold water and picked off the stems. He then turned to her and dipped one into her hot chocolate disfiguring the whipped cream and fed the piece to her of which she only bit off half. He then popped the remaining portion into his mouth and smiled.

At that moment, time stood still for Sarah even if for only a few seconds as she took in the sight of him plunging the half eaten strawberry into his mouth. Sarah’s lips couldn’t help but twist up with a quirky smile. She tried to imagine what it would be like to have Nick grab her and kiss her softly, but ever so passionately…she quickly blushed at the thought and came back to reality with the sudden bark from Jessie.

Sarah looked down at her and asked, “What do you want girl?” Sarah quickly got another bark that confirmed her suspicion. “Of course”, she said. “You want a bite too!” Jessie danced happily at the thought of so quickly persuading the total stranger to divulge in the delight of pampering the sweet, lovable pooch, Sarah said as she stroked the warm, furry head that was so eager to receive attention. Sarah was enjoying the attention from the dog. She is after all a huge animal lover. Nick just did not know the delight Sarah would receive from his thoughtful idea to show her the otters. It was a real wonderful sight to see!
One Sarah would not soon forget. After a few more strawberries and the last bit of hot chocolate warming her tummy, Sarah brazenly asked Nick, “What is on the agenda for today?” She jumped up from her seat and announced that she was eager to see the sights before the expected storm rolls in.

Nick refreshed the water in the bowl for Jessie before turning to Sarah who was now getting suited up for the outdoors. He watched her dress as though it were a slow motion reverse strip tease. He took in her form and grace as she playfully tossed her scarf around her neck more for decoration then for warmth. He smiled “We first need to go into town and get some supplies and I’ll show you around. I also want to fill the gas tank of the 4X4 in case we need to use it if things get bad,” he said as he put on his coat and hat. With boots in hand he called out to Jessie to watch the fort while they were gone.

Out at the truck, Nick began to clear the snow from the previous night that had accumulated and Sarah took the opportunity to bask in the scenery she could not see the night before. How different things looked in the daylight she thought. She drifted back in time to when she was here only once before visiting her with her neighbor’s family during the summer months. Her friend does not use the cabin much anymore and she thought she should talk to her about it. Sarah never expected to be here in the winter, figuring it to be too cold to enjoy, but she had to admit there was a certain appealing factor to this winter landscape.

“You ready?” Nick inquired. She hopped in the truck and they started up the trail. “Aren’t we going the wrong way?” she asked. “We are just taking a little detour past the Johnson’s place. You see up here we raise a flag to let people know we are in and we have an orange safety flag we raise if we are in trouble. These flags can be seen from the Ranger station,” he explained. “Everybody out here wants privacy but no one wants to end up stranded,” he chuckled, “So we are just driving by.”

When they rounded the turn Sarah noticed the flag pole jutting out just above the tree line and said, “I guess nobody is home with there being no flag flying”. With that out of the way the two made their way down the snow covered road and into town.

Have Valentines Day to all........hmmmm.....are we not the envyed ones by all those who feel trapped in a relationship they cannot leave? Just a thought.

The rest of the story is about how the two strangers meet and in a short period of time learn that they each need one another. After the scene posted their storyline continues until each realizes that they must go home to their own lives. A void is left behind in their hearts and as time passes they long once again for one another.

Thank you for your kind words......sorry about your lunch. :-)

Thank you for your kind words Athena Rose II.

Now all I have to do is figure out what to do with the other 60 odd pages that tell the tale of just how this scene came to be and where it leads.

I tried posting the entire story so that sections would not be taken out of context but this site hiccupped at my attempt.

Nick interlocked Sarah’s fingers in his and raised her hands up above her head to the empty curtain rod gesturing her to hold the brass tube as though restrained. She knew exactly what he wanted and complied without question. With her arms outstretched he took his hands and traced the contours of her form from finger tip to waist, slowly and lovingly he became absorbed in her beauty, his movements hypnotized her as his hands flowed with the music that was now pounding in her heart. He took hold of the waist line of her jersey and lifted it patiently over her head and then dropped the garment to the floor. He retraced his steps of gliding his hands from the tips of her fingers to her waist line only this time he added soft kisses to her now naked flesh. Sarah could feel his hot breath from each kiss on her neck, back, shoulders and arms while the entire time feel the radiating cold from the window that stood before her. Her breasts hung out in full view of the window for the world to see as her nipples grew erect from the cold that surrounded them. Her skin began to crawl with goose pimples as she felt toasted on one side and chilled on the other.

She looked out the window at the storm raging just two feet beyond her and could not help but compare it to the storm developing within, when she felt the touch of his hands encompass her waist as he now explored her abs, his hands remained on red alert to her every bodily queue she involuntarily gave. With kisses to her neck he pressed firmly against her causing her to push back away from the cold emitting from the glass. His hands worked their way between her breasts relieving the sensation of goose flesh but commanding her passion to increase beyond any place she had been before. With one hand reaching up to her throat he massaged the soft tissue while with the other hand he massaged her abdomen the entire time placing delicate kisses on her shoulders, his warm breath never leaving her skin. She tilted her head back towards him granting him the pleasure of her face and cheeks to which he complied with her request and kissed her on the mouth.

Soft kisses at first, but as the intensity of their lust grew the kisses evolved into deeper, longer and more passionate ones. He spoke in a quiet but confident voice “I want you like no other” he said. She shuddered as his hand cupped her breast and squeezed gently, twisting the nipple between his finger and thumb with just the right amount of pressure that once again her body had instructed him. She turned to him, repositioning her hands on the overhead rod that beckoned her to remain held hostage.

As she slowly turned, Nick again took advantage of the light from the winter storm that illuminated this exquisite woman and presented her in an angel like form sent from the heavens. His hunger for her doubled as he reached for the bottom cuff of his own sweat shirt in a cross armed fashion and removed it. He paused only for a second to allow the music to catch up to the pace he was setting and peeled the shirt over his head. Sarah looked down at his hairless chest and drank in the site of the defined muscular tone of his torso and arms. He was not ripped like a body builder but was also not entering his metamorphic stage of middle age spread. With the light from behind her she could see the glistening sweat that reflected off his faded tan from the summer that just past. The sounds vibrating from the music being played reset and once again almost without pause re-entered her soul.

Nick placed his hands on Sarah’s hips and lowered himself to his knees before her. As he moved in to her and commenced another kissing ritual on her stomach, he tugged at the draw string to her track pants and slid them down to her feet. He left them there as if to immobilize her in place. The first kiss startled Sarah for a micro second as her knees trembled from his touch. Sarah was confused between thoughts of removing her hands from the rail above her head to grabbing the back of his neck and holding him there. She convinced herself to submit and left her hands where he had earlier placed them.

His kisses flooded her passion as he explored her thighs and hips. His hands never leaving her skin glided over her body in time with the pulses of her soul. As each pounding of her heart expanded and contracted the veins coursing throughout her body they were met with a kiss or touch from the woodsman in control of her imminent destiny.

The hint of a salty taste filled Nick’s mouth while the fragrance of vanilla from the candles earlier urged him to submit to her every whim as she swayed from side to side in beat with the music that thrust itself into their lives. Nick kissed his way up her body to a standing position in front of her when he looked at her face and saw a tear trail down one cheek and another tear swelling in her eye. He made no attempt to intervene in the course of Sarah’s expression but rather kissed her neck and whispered the words “I want you” into her ear. “You are the woman I have been dreaming of”. He added.

Sarah overcome with emotion turned back to the window hiding the tears that pooled in her eyes. She stared out at the dancing snow swirling around the trees in search of the response to his admission of desire. As she feverishly explored her own emotions she caught the stare of a lone wolf in the woods looking deep into her eyes. The eyes of the wolf were at peace and this further lowered Sarah’s defenses as she closed her eyes for second, cleansing the blurred vision that had accumulated. When she opened her eyes the wolf was gone from sight, had this been a spiritual vision she wondered? Was this her soul telling her what to do? Was she finally at peace with herself? She closed her eyes again and drifted back to the touches of Nick as he caressed her body. The music pounded harder and harder as she let go of the last of her inhibitions.

She was stuck in a moment of time she had always dreamed of. Sarah is wondering if she is really experiencing this or must she awake from a slumber to find that it’s all in her desirous imagination. The music, this wonderful, gorgeous man, the cabin, the pure ecstasy, the storm raging outside as well as in her soul…was it just a dream? The answer came abruptly to her as she again felt the warm, soft, gentle strokes from the hands of the man who just confessed his need for her. Sarah came back to reality as her knees started giving way to the pleasure bestowed on her. Nick gently held her up while she removed her hands from the rod that held her ever so gently in bondage to this evening. Sarah placed her arms around Nick’s neck, and laid her head gently on his shoulder. Her tears really started to flow now as she has always dreamed of this. It could not be real, but it in fact was. Sarah embraced Nick even tighter and he stroked her hair and whispered to her to let go and surrender to the moment. Nick told Sarah that he is here for her every desire.
The two became entranced with the music and as one they moved rhythmically to the music that took over their souls. Time seemed to stand still for both of them. Sarah kept seeing the wolf appear in her mind. She knew what she saw. Were the spirits telling her something? She knew she was here to find inner peace from the grueling day to day life. Had she already found it? She was so willing to give herself to this man, for instantly; they became one as they shared the afternoon and now the evening. Nick whispered something into Sarah’s ear. She looked startled as she pulled back a little. How could he? Sarah’s mind was racing…could he really have seen the wolf? Was that what he was talking about when he whispered, “I saw it too Sarah” Nick pulled Sarah back to him for an even deeper embrace. The two locked so tightly together, they began swaying to the music once again. Nick took control of the movements by gently swaying them both across the room and then back to the window. Sarah was in a trance as she willingly followed Nick’s lead wherever he took her.

The snow flurries were becoming increasingly furious with the approaching storm. They both just stopped for a moment to watch the magnificent sight in the window to the world. Sarah moved a little closer to the window so she could feel the cool air radiating into the room. She was so warm with passion and she wanted to have the coolness erect her nipples to get Nick’s attention once more. Sarah’s intention worked, as Nick pulled back slightly from their embrace and watched in amazement as her nipples quickly erected in the cool draft. Nick ever so softly took her breasts in his hands and just admired them for a moment before lowering his head to flick his tongue across the budding nipples before him. He began first on one side, then on the other side. Nick knew both “girls” would want equal attention, so he obliged them both. Sarah really became almost too weak to stand, but caught herself on the window ledge as Nick pleasured her bosoms. Sarah embraced Nick’s head as if to say, “Never stop!” She did not want him to stop. Her breasts swelled with desire and she could feel the fire burning deep inside of her. Her whole body began to tremble at the thought of what was to come. Sarah knew she was past the point of no return. This night was real, and she was in fact going to make beautiful love with this man who seemed to know her deepest desires as he was pleasing every one of them.

Nick suckled on her breasts as though they gave him nourishment, licking the underside of each breast, the softest of tissue, and the tiny beads of perspiration that emerged from each tiny pour. His hands massaged and caressed her breasts as though he had just found a pair of undiscovered treasures that the world had never before seen. A discovery of revolutionary proportion unveiled before him for his eyes and pleasure. Listening to Sarah’s involuntary requests Nick kissed her neck and throat soaking in the dew that formed on her flesh and replenished his desire for the angel he was now in the presence of. His trance like kisses found their way to her pouting soft lips when he turned her around and took her hands and placed their palms on the cold glass window panes as the music in the background once again repeated.

“Can you feel the storm through the glass”? He asked. “I think so,” She said. Nick kissed the back of her neck and massaged the outer parts of her shoulders. The windows vibrated slightly as her hands grew accustomed to the cold and then she felt Nicks touch no more. She closed her eyes for a moment wondering what he was going to do next when she heard his voice in her ear “Do you trust me, I mean really trust me?” He said.
Sarah nodded her head up and down to say yes. “Close your eyes my princess” he said in a gentle and assuring voice. Sarah did as instructed and then felt a silk cloth being placed over her eyes and pulled around the back of her head. As it was being tied she realized it was a blindfold “give me your vision and we shall see as one” he urged her.

The glass began to rattle or at least it seemed to as she drew on her other senses to compensate for the loss of vision. “Can you feel the storm now”? Nick again asked.
Sarah focused harder on her sense of touch and could now feel the storm blowing in gusts as she adjusted the amount of pressure she was placing on the glass. The glass danced beneath her hands with the rhythm of the wind and the pounding of the music which returned back to her heart.

Nick wrapped his arms around Sarah and held her naked in front of the window while with one leg he gently pushed her leg forward urging her to kneel on the large window ledge. She knelt on the sill that was wide enough for her to be comfortable but narrow enough for her to need to be closer to the window than ever before. The cold pocket of air that encased the glass could now be felt on her entire body; she could now almost sense the pulsations of the storm through the glass on her chest as it spoke to her.

Nick’s gentle roaming hands kept her warm as she tuned into the dark environment she was immersed in giving her greater awareness of his touch. Sarah settled into her new surroundings and lowered her defenses to a point she thought not possible as the music played one rhythm, the storm played another and Nick played yet a third. Nick’s kisses on her neck and the firm but gentle caressing of his hands gave Sarah quivers as she fell deeper into submission.

Nick wanted so much to touch Sarah but resisted until he knew she was ready. He continued his quest for answers to his question as he explored more and more of her body. His hands felt her heart beating within her chest, his lips felt the pulse of each beat of her heart under the skin of her neck, he could feel the storm beating through her movements and he could hear the music as it pounded in his ears. He knew his answer was coming soon as each rhythm grew closer and closer to synchronizing with one another to become one.
Just as the pulses aligned Nick whispered in Sarah’s ear “Can you see the wolf”? He asked. Before she could reply he passionately moved one hand between her legs and kept the other around her holding her tight so she would not fall.

With pure pleasure Sarah shuddered at his touch, at the sounds in her ears and at the site of the eyes of the wolf looking right into the core of her soul. Nick pleasured her as she responded with pelvic motions that made love to his hand and fingers. She had never felt as helpless as she succumbed to each and every nerve pulse in her body. She would not last even though this moment she wanted to be time suspended in for ever had finally come. “Give yourself to me,” he whispered and with that she surrendered unconditionally to his command. The blood raging in her swelled every corpuscle and heightened every nerve she was losing the battle to suspend time and with one failing last ditch effort she gave way like a collapsing damn.

Her body contracted almost breaking Nicks fingers as she grabbed his hand immobilizing it between her thighs. With heavy breathes and flooding emotions Sarah soared over the top and free fell like a parachutist in the sky. The first sensation of release from the plane followed by the sheer terror of being out of control until the free fall subsided when the chute opened up and all was drained. The constant pressure in her groin from the supporting straps that held the parachutist aloft giving her time to reflect on the view below her as her heart beat at a feverish pace. She drifted back down to earth at a slow and more controllable pace as she regained her senses and removed the mask that had given her site.

Legs trembling she could not stand and found herself struggling to sit on the ledge. Nick helped her down and saw the tears about to flow as she held her hands up to her eyes. With a smile he picked her up and brought her to the bed. He laid her down gently and kissed her forehead as he covered her with the blanket. She turned away from him as though ashamed while he rubbed her back and reassured her that, that was the most beautiful thing he had have ever witnessed.

Nick left her to her thoughts as he left the room. Jessie gave Nick a look that she wanted outside and he thought that fresh air would be a good idea. He opened the door and Jessie darted out to her favorite trees while the cold wind and blowing snow pounded against his half naked body. At first it was soothing, the cooling of his raging passion as he went through these just created memories. He stretched his fingers and then clinched them thinking to himself “nope not broken” he chuckled.

Thoughts of home life tried to enter his mind when he quickly turned them off and embraced the cold that now began to chill his bones. With a sharp but relatively quiet whistle he called for Jessie to return.

She bounded out from beside the cabin leaping through the deep snow like a child on a pogo stick, no particular pattern, just bouncing in an erratic sway until she reached the porch where she performed a little back leg skid and entered the cabin. Nick followed her in and closed the door behind him.

He proceeded over to the fire and added a few more pieces of hardwood to the dying embers. He fanned the fire with bellows and basked in the warmth emanating from the fireplace as he closed the screen.


Sarah lay in a tranquil state of sub consciousness as she relives each and every moment at the window. The moment of final submission cries out at Sarah as she remembers how the storm raged outside as well as within. The harmonious rhythm of two souls joined as one…wait… Sarah sat up abruptly as she remembered something. The wolf, he had come back…why is this wolf appearing again? The wolf seems to call to Sarah’s spirit. Sarah can not quite figure out what the wolf is saying to her.

She only knows that a calm serene feeling envelopes her each time she looks into the wolf’s eyes. This is a feeling unmatched by any other and undeniably mistaken. What is for her eyes only seems to be shared by Nick…could he be her secret soul mate? Could this be the proverbial mate that each longs for? Is there really such a thing? Sarah’s head is filled with swirling emotions and ideas, each raging its own storm within her being. All these questions, all these feelings…could it be possible that she is in the turmoil of her own identity? She thought she knew who she was, but her entire being seems to be in question now.

Who is this creature crying within her? Who is this wolf? Who is the spirit that seems to know her true identity? These are all questions Sarah ponders as she is suddenly reminded of the moment of sheer ecstasy as her breasts tingle from the cool breeze that swept through the room.

Her senses were starting to return and she could hear that the music that once filled her ears was different than before. Sarah started to get up to see where that beautiful sound was coming from when Nick suddenly appeared in the doorway. He asked her if she was alright, Sarah turned her head to hide her blushing. She giggled and said, “Yes Nick, I am ok. The question is…are you ok?” She asked sheepishly. Nick showed his outstretched hand and closed it and said, “Yep, I think I am going to live”. Nick chuckled as he came close to Sarah. She noticed he was bringing a drink to replenish her after that glorious escape they both had shared. Sarah quickly took the glass and raised it to her mouth in an attempt to shield her blushing. She sipped it gingerly while trying to hide her emotions. For the truth is that Sarah wanted to grab Nick and hold on to him forever. She was afraid to hold too tightly to smother, but yet afraid to let go for fear of being transposed to who she was before this night.

Nick let her finish her drink as he walked to the window and held out his hands and arms as though feeling for some echo of the past events. His hands swept back and forth like a farmers checking the height of his wheat field. He placed his hands gently against the glass to feel the storm. He stared into the storm as though defying it to compete with him on this night. He pulled back and turned to Sarah. She had finished her drink and sat on the bed covered from the waist down.

Nick sat beside her his hands on her shoulders, massaging in a deep yet gentle manner. Sarah once again felt herself begin to become weak at his touch. Nick climbed on the bed and knelt behind her placing more pressure from the palms of his hands on her lower neck and down the center of her spine. Sarah swayed her head back and forth at the delight she felt as he released tension that had found its way into Sarah’s muscles.

He guided her through his hand movement to lie down on the bed on her back. She complied with a smile on her face that let Nick know he was heading down the right path.

He moved off the bed and around the ornamental rails of the foot board. From the dresser he pulled some long cloth objects that resembled dress ties made of silk. He took one of the silk ties and made a loop on one end and reached through the rails of the bed and he placed it over one of her legs and pulled it down to her ankle where he then tied it loosely to the bed post.

With his hand at her foot he began to massage the sole and the pads that must have seen many miles of walking. With thumb and all four fingers he kneaded the tension away until the flesh had collapsed in his hand like soft clay. He reached one hand under her leg and massaged her calf while the other held the top of her foot down. The weight of her leg finally fell down on the bed as she relaxed her tense posture. He moved over to her other leg and repeated the procedure of first tying it in place and then rewarding her for her submission.

When he felt she was at ease enough he moved back around the side of the bed and sat down, her arm laid at her side as he picked up her hand and massaged away the tension in her palms and fingers. With one hand holding hers he tenderly massaged her arm from the pit under the shoulder down to the wrist. He again felt her body give in to his touch as her arm dropped into his cradle hold of it.

He fashioned another loop in the third silk tie and placed it over her hand without resistance from her. He lifted her arm out to the side and over her head reaching for the headboard where he slowly tied it in place.

He kissed her on the forehead and proceeded to the other side of the bed where placed her free arm in the same restraining fashion that she had now become accustomed to.

Lying down on the bed beside her he took in her beauty while turning his hand over and gently dragging his nails on her skin. Exploring her flesh and watching for signs of pleasure so that he may repeat them over and over. As he watched his hand delicately caress her body she watched his eyes and wondered how he could take such pleasure in pleasing her. She jumped slightly as he found a ticklish spot and gasped gently as he found sweet spots. With the map of her body etched in his mind he traced the route that brought her the most pleasure. Up along the side of her stomach just grazing the edge of her breast and over the top of her chest like an early pioneer he continued down between the mountains and across the plains to the top of her hips where he circled for awhile perhaps waiting out bad weather. When he felt it was safe to continue he headed south across the top of her thigh all the way to the end of her coastline where he turned around across the top of her foot and followed his path back towards the great divide that separated the East and West banks of the island of Sarah. He searched south down the West bank but found it was a mirror image to the East bank and returned back to the camp site at the hip.

He traced paths across the plains that separated the mountains from the grass lands below as though trying to determine the best route to follow. His hand danced with the music as it glided over her flesh. Sarah tried to move a little and the restraints became taught alarming her and telling her that she was really tied down could not resist even if she wanted. At his mercy again she felt tense and Nick sensed this in her reactions and knew what he must do to regain total control of her.

He leaned forward and placed his head down on her stomach while continuing the circular patterns established before. He listened to her heart beat and felt each tiny contraction of pleasure as the pressure from the side of his face helped to settle her down.

He turned further over and started placing soft warm kisses on her in random fashion as if he was playing a slow invisible game of bingo. She closed her eyes and tilted up slightly to meet his mouth as his kisses grew stronger. With no music playing in the back ground Sarah slipped back to the window in her mind and began to hear the beat of the drums and the chants of the warriors as she searched for the wolf she knew would appear.

Nick placed his hands on Sarah’s sides now that he had straddled her just at the top of her thighs. Leaning down he played another slow game of bingo kissing every imagined number that was called. Kisses to her stomach, kisses to her inner arms and neck, some kisses found their way to her breasts and throat. Sarah was slipping faster into submission this time as she felt safe in his care. He kissed Sarah slowly on the mouth while he held the side of her head and gently stroked her hair back behind her ears.

Sarah looked into his eyes and saw the reflection of the wolf looking back at her. She closed her eyes to refocus on the site she had just seen but as before the wolf was gone.

Nick placed kisses on her neck and in a slow crossing pattern he continued down past the mountains, across the plains, past the grass land and over each of the two banks that led to the shoreline at the end of Sarah Island. When he reached the coast he sampled the ten shells he found in a row at the water’s edge. As he suckled them she felt uneasy at first but then an erotic feeling swelled inside of her. Nick returned back up from the shore line bouncing back and forth for the inner east bank to the inner west bank until he was upon the grassland where the divide met.

With gentle brushes of his face he toyed with the blades of grass, pulling some gently in his teeth and then releasing them again. His hot breath on her divide penetrated her skin warming her from the inside out. He pressed his mouth down on the camp site and held her hips in place. Ever so slowly his mouth moved closer and closer to the place where each bank collided with the other constantly kissing his way there. Leaving a saliva trail behind he worked his way across the new found hot spring that was hidden from the banks and from the grasslands above. His tongue examined the entrance way to the hot spring that was nestled just beyond his reach. He mapped out the frontal landscape with his tongue as though searching for the key that surely opened the passageway to Shangri-La.

Nick waited patiently there until Sarah raised her hips to the explorer and begged him to enter the hot spring he so wan tingly needed. As his mouth met the gateway to Shangri-La her thighs turned inwards pinning him in place. He reached up to the mountain range first grabbing hold so as not fall then firmly he pulled his hands down her sides and under her hips lifting her further in the air as he pushed his tongue through the doorway to pleasure.

It did not take long for Sarah to now make love to his mouth as she just gave in to her body’s demands for pleasure. Nick read her motions and contractions as he had done earlier at the window when the flood gates opened up from within Shangri-La and poured down Nicks chin and on to his chest. Convulsion after convulsion Sarah pinned her lover with all her might as she repeated this gyrating dance of love with Nick’s mouth.
With what was surely the third and final explosion Sarah felt herself free fall back down to the bed while releasing her prey from the death grip she had exerted on him.

Nick’s ears rung from the pressure they had endured as he kissed both camp sites and headed up to the north end of the island of Sarah. He rose from the bed and released the restraints he had placed on her. With her freedom Sarah once again returned to the fetal position pulling the blanket over her in a hap hazard way. Nick kissed Sarah on the top of her head and smiled.

Nick went to the bathroom to assess the damage. He stood in front of the mirror with chin and chest glistening from the bath they had received and smiled to himself in an almost proud fashion. He cleaned up and rinsed his mouth the whole time his ears continued to ring from the ordeal they had encountered. Nick cupped his ears as though a change in air pressure could possibly pop them back to their normal condition. When they did not pop back he grinned and thanked them for taking one for the team.

He turned on the water and cleansed his faced one more time letting the cool liquid dribble down his chest. As he wiped his face he caught a glimpse of Sarah approaching from behind, he smiled as she hugged him from her position behind him.
She kissed his shoulder and then rested her head there for a moment when this tender moment was interrupted by the ringing of that old style phone on the wall.

Holds up mobile device to inspect for said buttons.

M - M + MRC /
7 8 9 +
4 5 6 x
1 2 3 -
ON/C 0 . =

I don't get it?........call me.

Hmmm…..I have been married twice. Once at 19 to the woman who became pregnant, the second time to a childhood crush. A marriage of friendship and passion that simply dwindled to nothing more than convenient embers. No one was at fault and the bellows we tried to rekindle the flames were not effective. I think I personally would attribute multiple tries at blessed wedlock as transitions in life of self growth and awareness. A marriage is a team effort and to judge only one player seems a bit unfair to me. I see no red flags but an interesting question none the less.
Tips hat and heads towards the setting sun (sorry….I couldn’t resist that part)
Best wishes to all.