Chapter 4 Out on the trail Warm hands kneaded his sore muscles the sound of the waves rushing in his ears the warmth of the sun on his face he sighed the weight on his back reassuring as expert hands moved over his skin tracing his muscles. A dull ache threatened to impinge on his thoughts and he shook it off like dry sand on his sun tanned skin, focusing on the movements and the shifting weight he heard a feint melodious humming he relaxed savoring the sweet song that tickled his imagination the aroma of last nights beach barbeque drifted on the breeze making his mouth water. She leaned over him kissing his ear nibbling, slurping he groaned mmm the nuzzling became more exuberant and the throb in his head more pronounced the sun brighter burned though his eyelids he groaned as he realized Sam was now frantically trying to clean his face uggg he buried his head under the pillow as Sam began to try and rescue him digging frantically to free him he chuckled to himself oh memories flooded back as reality seeped in to his numb brain. Shit he started sitting up and squinting at the overly indistinct watch oh he groaned 5:30am he should have every thing ready to go o the trail by now. Swinging his head out of bed he walked to the shower after cleansing himself he walked out of the bed room towards the kitchen after a couple of steps on his way to get Sam some breakfast he heard the sound of ham sizzling on the grill and smelled the distinctive smoked aroma. Realizing his condition, which was completely naked he back stepped back into his room to make himself a little more presentable chuckling, His natural routine had been disrupted by the presence of one who had such an effect on him, he felt as if she had always been there so much so that he had on one level felt so at ease he would have walked naked in to the kitchen and embraced her kissing her ear and. He stopped his train to thought as the notion was having a substantial affect on him hurrying to the bathroom he hurriedly shaved and dressed. Now respectably dressed he joined her in the kitchen stopping in the open doorway watching her move around humming to herself the sun catching in her hair setting the unruly cascade afire her focus on the preparation of breakfast which smelled dammed enticing almost as much as the Unmistakably feminine woman now dominating his thoughts. “Smells good” he said for lack of adequate words to describe his emotional turmoil. “Morning Jack how you feeling?” she beamed at him with that infectious smile that set his pulse racing. “ I should ask you that “ he grinned, “you passed out on me…” “Yeah but I’m the one up and making breakfast Jack,”. “I thought you cowboy were up with the dawn?” she quipped. He chuckled; she had a point his head did feel like there were whole baseball teams practicing in there. He grumbled and headed for the drawer by the sink where he kept the Advil. The drawer was empty and he cussed. “They’re on the counter there Jack I had mine already she laughed. “ What did you do to me Jack” she said, “Haven’t passed out in a while… you did behave?” she batted her eyelashes. “I hate to think I missed something.” she smiled. He laughed “yep I put you to bed is all. I would hate to think you wouldn’t remember.” he winked. “Oh well may be next time.’ she smiled. “Eat up you’ll be needing your strength.” She replied. “You’ll need your strength city girl. It will be a hard ride today” He said. Raising an eyebrow she replied “Oh I do hope so I have high expectations that the ride will be vigorous…” she smiled. The implication stirred a reaction in him and he hurriedly sat to conceal his eagerness. Putting down the breakfast she poured some fresh brewed coffee and they sat and chatted about the plan for the day and the camp that would be set at dusk. After breakfast Jack went to get the horses he planned to use Shannon an even tempered grey mare of 6 years, experiences on the trail and a good match for Raven the black gelding he planned to ride, he was spirited, but he liked that and he needed more trail time. He considered Leopold as the pack an old piebald veteran 12 years old and 17 hands strong and steady. While Bell readied herself back at the house he called them in filling the trough with oats as a reward and to fill their bellies for the trail. Leading Leo out he saddled him and arranged the tent and blankets, he considered the grain but the pasture was rich up the canyon and there would be plenty for them at the camp. Instead he packed some extra blankets some water proof riding capes, rope, spare harness and the food supplies he’d looked out the previous day, He packed a medical kit just incase. He had only had one injury so far a broken leg when one of the younger more immature of his clients had decided the trip was too dull and attempted a gallop on a rocky flat Siena had balked at a jack rabbet that had been startled and lost her footing throwing the idiot to the ground resulting in the fracture. It had cost him dear as the mother had tried to sue for damages but he had managed to settle for a nominal fee out of court. last he packed the Cooking utensils and a bottle of tequila he sneaked down from the house he wasn’t quite sure if it would be appropriate to be thinking about that fine ass but he couldn’t seem to get it out of his head and found himself lost in thought as she sneaked up on him. “hi Jack.. so what can I do to help?” she asked him a smile gracing her sweet features. “You can help me saddle Shannon there the grey she will be your ride today” He watched her move with practiced ease, moving in to the tack room and coming out with one of the Western basket saddles which was one of his favorites hand tooled with oak leaves and a padded seat he remembered picking it up at an action in town it was near new and had cost him $800. He had meant to take it for himself but he chuckled to himself. “You do have good taste, good choice. “ he called after her as she headed to the fence she grinned at him. “ I always go for the best unless you want to deprive a lady of a good ride..?” she beamed at him. He smiled back catching the innuendo. “ Oh I promise you a challenging ride ok.” lol he laughed. Once the horses were saddled he. Checked the tightness of the girth straps and adjusting syrup length an inch shorter for Bell then boosting her on to Shannon’s back. Once in the saddle he rechecked the fit and balance judging it just right. After adjusting his pack he mounted Raven and took the lead. Heading down the fence line to the south. Looking behind him the noticed Bell taking in the scenery the baseball hat putting her face in to half shade. She moved well in the saddle he observed no sign of tension, relaxed he slowed moving to one side to allowing them to come abreast. She smiled that warm smile “ It feels so good to be free.” She said. “ I envy you Jack, all this right in your back yard. “ She gestured around her. At that moment Roman came thundering down the fence line making Shannon skittish and ground to a halt. Jack laughed “Easy girl.” He said, “Romans just feeling left out, I usually ride him but he needs reshod and I couldn’t get the smith out in time before you came.” Roman followed them to the end of the fence line and they headed at an angle up a short slope and on to a narrow trail that gradually climbed out of the valley and away from the dwindling farmhouse…….