Chapter 20
Barbara and Belle did not take much time to cover the distance to the Sheriff's office only to find out she was nowhere to be found. Realizing there was no way to locate the woman, they tried to find out about Deputy Sparks. No one in the office wanted to talk to them unless it had to do with making a police report.
Leaving the office both women were looking disgusted. Belle pointed to the Tavern and said, "Want to sit and rest a bit? Get something to eat or drink. Been a long haul to Tupac now back here."
Barbara gazed around the area and was deep in thought. Finally, she replied, "It is the time, if we don't keep moving, Sky will be so far away we may never find her."
Belle nodded and said, "I agree, but the woman is like a
spirit, she is here, she is there. You know her better than anyone, yet she has escaped you too."
"That she has. The woman is well trained, she can move among people and they really have no idea, unless she wants this to happen. But a '
spirit', come on Belle, really. She is no ghost, she is no phantom, you have seen her, and what you see is a real living person."
"I know, it is just me. But you have to admit, Sky has been ahead of us every step."
"Uh huh and she will continue until we find Burgess or Sparks."
"Tell me, where do you think Burgess is?"
Chewing at her lower lip she replied, "Trying to cover up her tracks. Woman is like C-4 waiting for the right trigger to set her off."
"Then we need to find her. Since no one seems to know where she is or just doesn't want us to know. Maybe a trip to Deputy Sparks will help."
"From all we have heard and know, the woman seems to set at Burgess's right arm so let's do it."
"How about finding a phone book, maybe her address is there, if not guess we can go knock on a few doors until someone tells us where the woman lives."
"Better than that, I have a phone book in the Tavern." Belle had already started up the street toward the tavern.
Barbara cocked her head to the side and smiled. One thing about Belle Gardner, she gets a notion and that is it. Running to catch up to the woman she said, "Phone book and your Tavern a good combination uh?"
Turning to stare up at Barbara's mischievous face, Belle replied, "Can't hurt to eat something or drink something while looking, can it?" Once more, she began her trek to the Tavern and once more Barbara Johnson hurried after her.
Once inside Belle headed for the back room and soon appeared carrying the phone book and two cold beers, Barbara was sitting on a bar stool as Belle approached the counter and said. "Thought you might like a drink, won't take long to find her if she is in there."
"Thanks." Barbara took the beer bottle from the woman, removed the cap and was soon sipping away.
Belle leaned back against the bar counter and watched the woman. Course she too was enjoying a cold one. Been so long she had not realized just how parched she was. "Find it?"
Barbara had been going down the pages, the index finger on her right hand moving carefully along the names. "Eureka! Found it."
Belle moved closer and peeked over the woman's shoulder. "Hmm, Hidden Gorge, I know where that is."
Turning to gaze into the woman's face, Barbara asked, "Where is it?"
"Up near
Turkey Point."
"Cute Belle Gardner and I suppose it is near
Chicken Hollow."
"No seriously that is the name of the place. I wouldn't kid you."
Taking the last drop of liquid from the bottle she held, Barbara smiled and said, "Oh but you would. However, I have seen some of the names of places around here, heard a few also, so maybe
Turkey Point and
Hidden Gorge are real. Whatever you say, you know where this is, are you ready to meet up with Deputy Sparks?"
"When you are." Belle finished her beer, set the empty bottle on the counter and said, "Let's go time passes so fast around these parts."
Once they were on the road again, Belle leaned back against the seat and said, "What do you plan on doing with Deputy Sparks when we get there?"
"What do I plan on doing? What about you?"
Shrugging she replied, "Well I feel like beating the crap out of her but will settle for Sky's next move."
"No sense in hitting the woman, she will just puff up like a blow fish and not say a word, make charges against us and then it will be you and I on the run."
Chuckling Belle turned to gaze toward Barbara and said, "Kinda like
Bonnie and Clyde, might be fun."
"Well maybe a bit like B and C but no guns."
Motioning to the glove compartment, Belle said, "Always carry my trusty .22 never know when a person might need it."
Barbara raised her eyebrows and studied the woman before saying, "You're serious, aren't you?" She reached out and opened the compartment. Sure enough a shiny .22 set staring back at her. "Guess out here, it might pay to be prepared."
Missing a pothole on the road, Belle turned to glance at Barbara and said, "Out here? Seems to me where you are from, a gun would be just as useful, carjacking and all that stuff."
"Yes, you are right a lot of that stuff does go on. I have been fortunate not to encounter any but when I travel with Sky, invariably there is a need for firearms or some sort of defense mechanism."
"Never a dull moment I am sure. If you had to chose, which would you rather do, run the office or be in the field where all the action is?"
"Hadn't thought of that, would take some consideration. Both are crucial to the job. Thank goodness, Sky and Bobie have their hands full now."
Belle cleared her throat before saying, "Sky will have her hands full. Case you forget, Bobie is no longer with us."
Gazing at the shrubbery as they zipped past, Barbara muttered, "Maybe this is all a dream and we will wake soon to see both back at work."
Belle stopped the pickup, turned in the seat to gaze fully into Barbara's eyes and said, "You are dreaming just thinking about that. I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach and it is not good. I don't think anything will ever be like it was."
Realizing the woman was serious, Barbara reached out and lightly touched Belle's right hand. "Think positive. We talk to Sparks, she puts us on the trail of Sky and we help her in whatever she is doing."
"Sure and I believe in Santa too."
"My, you are cynical today."
"Just the way life is. Sure can't depend on things staying as they are."
"Well I can give it a go. How much further to this Turkey place?"
Pointing toward a dirt road leading off to the left, Belle replied, "It's about a skip and a holler that way."
Shaking her head in disbelief, Barbara said, "Must be something in the air, because I swear you sounded just like some mountain folks I have read about."
"Sorry, just the way people talk out here. Actually it is more like a half mile up the road then once we get to TP maybe a mile to Belle's place."
"Good. Can't wait to talk to her. Much better that way, no jail, and no deputies to get in the way and if we are really lucky, Sky still might be there."
"Then let's go." With those words, Belle turned her pickup onto the dirt road and gave it gas leaving a cloud of dust behind.
As they entered Turkey Point, Barbara was gazing out the window saying, "This is really quaint. I love it."
"What? You love this place?"
"Yes, look, wooden sidewalks, cobble stone streets, buildings that look like they landed here from the eighteen hundreds. Would be a fun enjoyable place to spend some quiet time."
"Then I take it, you wouldn't mind the way people talk?"
"Oh no, I can see it. Do they dress like the eighteen hundreds too?"
Grinning, Belle, stopped the pickup and said, "This is two thousand and eight, not the eighteen hundreds. People are laid back, dress casual, and many still pack firearms. Contest every Turkey season that brings all sorts of people up here. Games, good food, dancing shooting contests, heck
Pigeon Hollow has nothing on this place."
"Do you attend?" Barbara was still in awe and continued to stare.
"Sometimes, I do attend the shooting matches. But being alone, things like this are not all that much fun."
Turning to gaze into Belle's crystal blue eyes Barbara said, "You and Jeanne, have the two of you been to one of these?"
Shaking her head, Belle replied, "No, Jeanne is usually too busy. When she is with me, she likes to take it easy. Do a few things but nothing like attend a place that is full of tourists and all the commotion that goes along with it."
"You know I'll bet if you were to mention you might like to attend one of these with her, she would jump at the chance."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because, Belle Gardner who wouldn't want to be with you, go with you, take you to something like this. Nothing like entertainment of this sort to bring out loving vibes as well as great fun."
"Glad I got the chance to meet you Barbara Johnson, see the real woman behind the name and voice. You are incredible. But not all women are like that. Anyway, we need to get moving if we are going to reach Spark's and get back before night."
"All right, I'm ready. But will you promise me something?"
"Sure what?" Belle started the pickup and was once again turning it onto the road.
"This year when Turkey season comes and they begin all the things you talk about, let me know. And if you are free at that time, Jeanne is off on one of her secretive duties, I would love it if you went with me."
"Sure." Belle glanced toward Barbara then back to the road ahead. "You don't need to do that you know. I really can do this by myself and do."
"I know. However, I would much rather have you with me than to go alone. So it's a date then."
Smiling, Belle nodded. Then reached for the radio knob and turned on some country music.
The trip so far had been long, dusty but would all be worthwhile once they talked to Deputy Sparks. However, the second the home came into view so did two State Police cars as well as a jeep setting in front of the place. Belle hit the brakes and said, "Looks like the police beat us here."
Barbara opened the pickup door and stepped out followed by Belle who asked, "What now?"
She gazed at the thicket of trees that surrounded the area and said, "Have to say woman picked a great spot to live. Out of the way and not far from that quaint place called Turkey Point."
Nothing like the feel of the woods, peaceful, beautiful with so much to see and do but even in a place like this that seems to have it all to some, the danger of forest fires are real. Some people get careless, or Mother Nature with the rain, wind, lightning and thunder storms do damage to forests too."
"Still, if I were to retire, a place like this would be wonderful."
Belle reached out and playfully poked Barbara in the side and said, "Come now, you are from the big city, a life like this would be boring soon."
"Ah, never know Belle I just might fall in love with this country."
"Me thinks it is the thought but once you got into it, more than likely you would take the first bus, plane or train back to LA."
"Oh ye of little faith. Perhaps you will see, sooner than later. About your question of, 'what now', well, I suggest we go on to the place, see if the police will tell us anything, who knows maybe Sky is there. I know Bern must be."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because that is the jeep we were in and he took it to do his thing leaving me to do mine."
"Well from the looks of the sky, might get a downpour so the sooner we find out what is going on the better."
As Belle parked the pickup near a clumping of shade trees, the two women hopped down and proceeded toward the cabin. They were nearing the front door when it came open as Deputy Sparks in handcuffs was led out and taken to one of the police cars. Both women stood with their mouths open until Bernie Herbella said, "Better close your mouths before some flying thing actually flies in."
They turned to gaze at the bronzed face of Bernie Herbella and said, "How did you get here?"
He motioned toward the police cars and said, "When the State Police got the call, I came too. "
"Is Sky inside?"
His right eyebrow went up then back down as he said, "Wow! The two of you were in unison. Twins couldn't have done it better."
"Bern, tell us what happened?"
He motioned to the jeep and said, "Come get in, I'll tell you."
When he had finished repeating the phone conversation he asked, "And the two of you, what are you doing here? This is out of the way, not many would even know this place existed."
"Oh we do. We came to talk to Sparks about Sky. Too late, it seems. Is Sky inside?"
Shaking his head he replied, "No, been here though but like the day vanishes to night, so does she it seems."
Belle gazed toward Barbara and said, "Tell him."
"Tell me what ladies?"
Barbara looked at Belle then back toward Bernie and said, "We have been busy too. You got the message about the Trenton place right?"
He nodded then said, "Did, but when I told the State Police about it, they seemed to think nothing about the opening, said, they had been out there already and from what they could see the explosion took care of most everything. There once was an escape tunnel used for smuggling purposes but Skylar took care of that so this may have been what you two found. Good thing you didn't try to go any further than to just look."
"Still would have been nice if someone had taken us seriously and at least checked it out."
"Police are pretty busy, setting up road blocks, going house to house looking for any sight of the women."
"Maybe the police will pay attention to this tidbit. When we went to Doc Taylor's clinic to look for Sky, we found out she had been there. The Sheriff and one of her deputies brought Sky there from the jail as a prisoner."
"What? That is certainly news. From what Burgess told the State Police and the FBI the women had escaped. If she was still a prisoner then odds are so is Tara. At least we will now know Burgess lied and there is already enough to get the State Police to issue a warrant for Sheriff Burgess's arrest. This will just be icing on top of that."
"First we need to talk to the Police Chief; I would guess he is still inside the cabin."
"Yes, he is finishing up inside. Come on, I am sure he will be interested in hearing from you. By the way, he has people watching Dete Fletcher too, says the man gives off the feeling of being near oil. Dete is so slick, water slides right off his back."
"Sure seems things are turning around. But if I know Sky, she will not rest until she finds Tara."
Bern quickly looked away but both women caught the expression on his face. However, it was Barbara that reached out and grabbed him by his left arm saying, "Give Bern. What is going on?"
"Nothing. Just have a lot on my mind."
"Don't give us that lame excuse we both saw the expression on your face, so might as well tell us, we won't stop until you do."
When Bernie finished telling about the arrest of Deputy Sparks and how the woman kept saying she didn't do it. The Police Chief made a deal with the woman and she rolled over on Burgess. Neither woman was prepared to hear his account of what happened to Tara Coltrane while a prisoner. When Bern finished he swallowed as if trying to clear his throat.
Belle reached out, grasped Barbara's hand, and muttered, "This is awful."
Barbara gave the woman's hand an affectionate squeeze then said, "I would like a few minutes alone with the woman."
He scowled toward the car and said, "Me too. But she is in their hands now; the legal system will take over."
Barbara harrumphed, "Over, like let the woman go free, new life and all that stuff. While Tara must be totally sickened."
"Sad thing is no one knows what the Sheriff has done with Tara Coltrane."
Belle wiped several tears from her eyes and said, "If anyone can find her, it will be Sky. Just wish we had gotten here sooner. She is alone out there. Would be nice to have some backup."
After a short visit with the Police Chief, they parted ways. Bern wanted to stay near the State Police and the two women promised him they were going to Belle's to rest up. The second the cars were out of sight, Belle looked at Barbara and said, "Feel like a little breaking and entering?"
"I'm with you. First, let's get your pickup out of sight. Then double back on foot, find a way inside and do our own looking."
Grasping Barbara's right hand, Belle looked solemn as she said, "If we get caught, things will be bad for you."
"Sweet Belle, don't even give it a thought. If all my years with Sky have not taught me to get in and out without being caught, I will take all the blame."
"No, we do this together, no blame."
"Smiling toward Belle, the woman patted her hand and replied, "No blame. Let's get busy, never know when someone else will venture this way."
Didn't take long to find a window that was easily opened and before long the two women were inside the cabin. Belle threw up her hands and said, "Doesn't look all that big from out there but inside it seems to be much bigger."
"It is all in the way things are set up. You take the downstairs, I will take the up. Maybe we can find something that will lead us to Burgess."
"Sounds like a plan but we really do not have a lot of time, any second someone from the State Police could meander up here."
"Then let's get busy. Look for anything out of the ordinary."
Belle glanced around the room then said, "Looks pretty ordinary in here. You may hit the jackpot upstairs though."
"Doubtful but I will leave nothing unturned. I think maybe ten minutes is tops. We sure do not need to be caught breaking in." Barbara headed up the wooden stairs to the loft leaving Belle to search downstairs.
After looking under, behind everything they could the two met back downstairs in ten minutes. Belle's face was red; perspiration was dancing down her face when she looked up to see Barbara hopping down the stairs with a big grin on her face. "Looks like someone found something, me all I found was dust a few cobwebs and my back hurts from lifting, and moving things. What has put that
Cheshire cat grin on your face?"
Once Barbara was in the living room, she turned to Belle and said, "This."
Belle's eyes widened as she looked at the folded map in the woman's hand. "A map. Is it important?"
"Sure is, I think we have here, the exact location of--"
"Of what?"
"Not sure."
Belle reached out to grasp the map but Barbara kept a good hold on it and said, "First, let's get out of here. Once we are back to the pickup, I'll show you."
It was easier going out then it was trying to get into Deputy Sparks cabin. Once they cleared the area and were back inside the pickup, Belle looked like a racehorse chomping at the bit. "Show me; don't know what it shows but I feel goose bumps so it has to be important."
Barbara opened the map and laid it across her lap. "Here is Springfield, some of the terrain in the area but I am more interested in the circle that is near or at the Trenton place."
Belle gazed at the spot; Barbara's finger was pointing to and said, "Isn't that--"
"Precisely. If we are right this is the manhole we discovered by my clumsiness."
"But the State Police shrugged it off. Where did you find the map? Surely they looked around a bit."
I had just about given up and was walking toward the closet when a board squeaked as I walked over it. Being the curious cat that I am, I moved the throw rug and found a loose board it didn't take long to pry it open and
presto, the map."
"That was luck. All I got was a stiff back. There are a few other places on this map that have red on them, do you think they might be worth looking into?"
"Maybe or someone thought if they did that, no one would really know what it meant or where to go. Me, I think we should go back to that cover, remove it, and take a trip down until we find something concrete."
Staring toward the horizon, Belle replied, "Getting on in the day. By the time we get back, put things together for this it will be getting dusk. You want to go down that thing in the dark?"
Still tapping the map with her fingers, Barbara sighed and said, "It will be dark down there, so makes no difference. We will take headlamps, flashlights, whatever we need to make it a safe trip. I feel that urgency is necessary."
"Shouldn't we call the State Police or Bernie?"
"The police think we are just women, no logic in some areas. They have already shoved this under the table. As far as the police are concerned, our discovery is the same one Sky found and blew up. However, we know it is not. This one goes someplace else."
"Question is, just where and what will we be walking into?"
"If you are not up for it Belle, I can go myself."
"Oh, it is not that. Just a little concerned. We both know that Burgess is deadly, and God knows who else she is working with. Last thing we need is to walk into her waiting hands."
"Shouldn't be a problem. I am sure by now they have written off anyone else finding the place or even venturing in."
Belle grinned and said, "Didn't count on two very curious women. I'm ready. We could go into Turkey Point and see if we can find some of the items."
Shaking her head Barbara said, "Rather go there when my mind is clear of all this stuff. Besides it is a long drive back and there are some things I need that are just not in Turkey Point. If you get tired of driving, let me know, I'll drive, give you a chance to rest."
"Not sure I could rest, just seem to feel unsettled."
"Hope you are not coming down with anything."
"Nothing like that, just a bundle of nerves and sometimes I feel as if I am going to explode. So much bottled up. I hope this will give us the chance to even the score with ex-Sheriff Burgess."
"Me too. Just have to be careful. We know the cover is there, and so do the people that put it there."
The ride back to Springfield seemed longer than before. Both women were running on empty, neither would admit it, but their bodies were talking big time. When Springfield finally came into sight, Belle sighed and Barbara muttered, "Thank heavens. Now we can prepare."
Belle looked at the woman as the pickup approached the town and said, "Where to or I should say, we are going to the cabin right?"
"Right, Sky has quite a cache there. And we need a lot of this for what we are going to do. Belle if this is too much for you and it probably is I am prepared to go alone."
Belle stopped the pickup, turned and stared toward the woman. "I do not give up. Even if it were strangers, I would still be in the hunt. Just the cat in me Barb."
The woman grinned, reached out and placed a hand on Belle's shoulder saying, "Two cats are better than one when it comes to sleuthing. Let's get this show on the road."
Once at the cabin, Belle parked in the back and they covered the pickup with a canvas tarp. As they approached the front of the cabin, Belle looked up at the sky and said, "Will be getting dusk soon. Are you sure, you want to go out there now? Anyone can see us walking around with the lights."
Heaving a sigh, Barbara replied, "I know it will be hard to do. All that rubble but someone needs to know where it leads and if it leads to Burgess, all the better."
"As long as she doesn't get the jump on us. I am no coward, but sometimes a person needs to think before doing."
"All right, I get where you are coming from. I agree with all you have said. And before you say anything let me say, I'm tired, you're tired, we need to rest before going up against the beast, so to speak. I do have feelings even if my mind does not want to turn off; the body speaks loud enough to be heard."
"Thank goodness. I was afraid I was going to have to crack you over the head to get you to slow down." Belle chuckled, it was obvious she was funning Barbara but still there was a connotation in the words that hit home.
Barbara walked toward the bedroom and said, "Sky has a safe in here, also in the closet there is a hidden panel. We can get guns, ammo, grenades, lights, just about anything we might need. I think if we pack then start off first thing in the morning, it would be good, what do you think?"
Belle was still mulling over the woman's words,
guns, ammo, grenades before she spoke, "Do you think we will need all of that?"
"Never know, someone starts shooting, need something to shoot back with."
"Wow! Appears to me, a whole lot of Skylar Richmond has rubbed off on you. Not sure, which one of you is most ready for combat. Seems could be a tie."
"Belle, in this business a person has to be ready. I do not plan on using anything like guns, or grenades, just is better to be prepared than not."
"I'll stick to my .22 leave the heavy stuff to you.
When they had put all the supplies they needed into backpacks, the two women sit on the edge of the bed sighing at the same time. Barbara fell back on the bed, clasped her hands over her abdomen and said, "A shower would be nice but a bath would be much better, just soak and enjoy the water."
Belle stood, reached down and said, "Take my hand."
"Why? What is going on?"
Grinning, Belle replied, "Haven't you ever done anything on just faith? Faith that the person asking is not up to no good."
"Well, yes. But--"
"No 'buts', come with me. I want to show you something. I need to take a couple of towels, make a quick stop at the frig, get a couple of six packs, and we are set."
Holding back like a mule that does not want to move, Barbara muttered, "Tired and soak, which word do you not understand woman? 'Towels', 'six packs', my mind is about to explode."
Placing a finger over Barbara's lips, Belle whispered, "Shush, do something you may not be used to, leave the driving to me."
Shrugging, Barbara could not help but smile at Belle's antics. She felt like she was back in grade school being lead around the playground by another mischievous child.
"Am I going to regret this?" Barbara asked as Belle handed a six-pack to her to carry.
"Sure hope not. Come on, going to be dark soon."
With a Flashlight in hand, a six-pack, and two towels Belle led the way, never letting go of Barbara's hand. It was obvious they were heading for Willow Lake. "Really Belle, I don't fancy getting in the lake. Besides, it might not be warm."
"Ah come on a little cold won't hurt you. But it is not Willow Lake where we are going."
"Now you really have my curiosity perked, just where are we going and why? How about just sitting gazing at the lake and drinking a beer or two?"
"We will, just not here. Now come on." Belle tugged and Barbara followed.
So far, the evening was not starting as she had hoped. No bathtub, no shower, heaven only knew what Belle Gardner had up her sleeve. However, Barbara decided to follow, listen and hope for the best. They had walked a crooked path through the shrubbery, down a bend, up a path then back down. In front of them lay a huge out cropping of rock formations. A very unusual sight since mostly forest adorned the area. "What do you think? Belle asked, all the while her eyes twinkling up at Barbara.
"Think? I think those are rocks. Interesting formation but nothing else."
"Oh, you are tired. These are called
The Outcroppings. But they hide something a lot better."
"What?
Baby Outcroppings?"
Giving Barbara a look of disgust, Belle replied, "Guess the truth is in the pudding or I should say cave."
"Cave? Now you are leading me into a cave. Come on Belle, I know you're tired, so am I but I don't really feel up to doing any spelunking tonight."
Barbara, do I look like someone that would lead you wrong? Course not. So come on, promise there will be no spelunking."
"All right, but did you catch the word,
tired."
"I did. Not sure you will be 'tired' too much longer."
"Unless you have a nice comfy bed, soft music in this cave, I chose to go back."
Belle was nearing a large bush and turned to gaze at the woman. Tilting her head to the side she said, "You look like the woman that has been with me for awhile. But I think I am seeing a definite rebel Barbara Johnson."
Finding Belle's words funny, Barbara said, "All right, lead on
Mc Duff or err Belle. I am just as adventurous as you are. Have my second wind now so if it is cave exploring, fine. After a few more beers, I am apt to swing from a stalactite."
"I'll do my best to stop you from doing that. But I think once you see where we are going, you will be happy. At least I hope so."
Before long, the shrubbery was removed and the entrance to the cave was noticeable. Once more, Belle grasped Barbara's hand and said, "Come on, can't wait to show you this."
Before long, Barbara said, "I sense a change, almost like after a rain. But it surely is not raining in here."
Both had been walking a small path that curved in and around rock formations. It was as they neared the point where the path trailed off into two directions, Belle said, "We keep going right, it is just around that large formation of stalagmites."
"Are we panning for gold? Have to say you really have me curious, plus my beer is getting hot and I prefer it cold."
"Gee are you always such a griper?"
"Not griping, just curious, after all I was lying on the bed, feeling my body start to relax and suddenly I am in a cave. Give me some credit."
At that time, what Belle had been hiding, wanting her to see came into view. Barbara stood with her mouth agape, eyes wide and an expression of total surprise on her face. It was Belle who finally said, "Well do you like it or not?"
Sitting on the ground, the woman popped the top of a beer and took a long drink, finally saying, "Wasn't prepared for this."
Sitting beside Barbara, Belle mumbled, "Should have known better, thought you would like but guess not. We can go back when you feel up to it."
"Like. Belle it is lovely. From the steam coming off the water, I would say this has to be fed by some sort of hot spring."
"Well it is fed my hot springs, but there are two pools of water edged with calcite, one smaller than the other. You said you wanted to soak, here you can. Stretch out, enjoy the water, caressing your body and relax. As you can see, a rock formation jaunts out from that edge that separates the two pools. You can soak in one and I will soak in the other."
"It's quiet, almost eerily quiet. However, have to say the steam that is coming off the pools certainly has my body aching to relax and enjoy. However, Belle, why do you think we need to soak in separate pools?"
"Just wanted to give you privacy. For awhile now we have almost been joined at the hip."
After taking another long drink from the can of beer, she held, Barbara said, "If I needed privacy I would say. Maybe it is you that does not want to be near me in that way."
"At this time, Belle opened another can and began to drink the liquid as if it was going to vanish. When the last drop was gone, she turned to the woman and said, "I do not want to be away from you. If anything, I want to be closer. I also know it is wrong. So the best way to handle this is to be in separate places."
Barbara leaned back against the rock wall and said, "I promise no fooling around. Tell me how did you know about this place?"
"Sky and Bobie told me one time. In addition, before you ask, I have never been here. Thought it might be a good thing for us, since we are both so tired."
"Where did this come from? Is there a story there?"
"They say a long time ago, the ancient tribes used this as some sort of healing place. But there is a fable, kinda."
"Fable?"
"Well maybe not a fable, but there is a saying that when people come to the hot springs, they toss their inhibitions aside. And if someone has a deep request, wish, this just might come true."
Barbara was into her fourth beer and she laughed so hard, she almost spilt it. "Really Belle that is quite a stretch. To think this is some sort of
wishing well. How many people know of this place?"
"Not sure. But it is on Bobie's land, so there is no trespassing. We are alone, if we are going to be on the road tomorrow, then we need to get in the water, relax and let the medicinal magic ease our aches."
Standing and taking the last drop from the can of beer, Barbara gazed around then said, "I'm going in, if you want to join me, come on. I promise not to look if it bothers you."
Feeling a shade of red, Belle replied, "Not much to look at this way, but if I looked like you, maybe I would feel better about losing my clothes. Anyway, I am going over to the other pool. When you are ready to go back, give me a holler."
"Will do." Barbara playfully saluted then set the can down and began to remove her clothes as quickly as she could.
The water felt wonderful, every fiber of Barbara Johnson's body was feeling blissful. She lay back as if floating and allowed the warmth to caress and energize. Did not take long to lay her head onto a rock formation that served as a pillow. The water was not deep, but deep enough to relax, and enjoy and that was just what she was doing.
"How do you like the water now?"
Barbara opened one eye then the other and said, "Belle, this is a surprise. I thought you would stay hidden until we left."
"I could go back."
"Oh no, you are here now and here is where I hope you stay. Did I ever tell you I'm not crazy about the dark? And you have to admit regardless of the stalagmites or stalactites, this place is not the most lit up."
Moving closer, Belle reached out and said, "Too much has been going on; don't recall you mentioning the dark and how it affects you. Who needs a lot of light; I can see you just fine as you can see me. Been thinking and finally decided, maybe it was time to take the leap."
Feeling quite warm and not from the water, Barbara swallowed and asked, "What leap?"
"We have been sending one another mixed signals for awhile. In here, there is just you and me. If you can stand to look at my body, or have it near yours, then I want to be with you."
Barbara reached out and touched Belle's right arm. "Belle you are beautiful. I would feel blessed to look at you twenty four hours, seven days a week as long as you allowed. But are you saying what I think you are saying?"
The woman moved in the water like a fish, she didn't need a deep pool, only enough water to be able to maneuver. "I want to be with you. You told me you had not been with a man or woman. So this may be harder for you than me. Do you feel anything at all for me at this moment?"
"'Feel anything'? heaven above, my body is filled with so much ache at this moment I am not sure I can even move."
"Ache is a good start but maybe you mean filled with feelings you cannot understand. If so, me too." Belle moved closer, at this time her body was touching Barbara, the warmth of the water the way it moved with her was almost like watching a slow dance. Belle placed one arm over Barbara's abdomen and gently held her before she glided up to place a slow rhythmic kiss on lips she had been thinking about more than she should have.
The warmth of the touch, the sensation that spoke to her in melodic tones, had Barbara Johnson at loss for words. All she wanted was to feel Belle Gardner's kisses, the touch of her hand. She closed her eyes and thought,
I am in paradise.
Belle smiled with happiness, Barbara was giving her
Carte Blanche and the way she was feeling at that moment she definitely did want to stop. Swallowing and feeling it catch in her throat, she murmured, "Barbara, if you want me to stop, I will."
Barbara reached out and caressed Belle's face. "I want you." She was in a pleasant daze from all the mingled effects of the beer and the excitement. She felt giddy disoriented outrageously happy for she was with the woman she had been dreaming about.
Belle's upper body was brushing hers as the woman eagerly searched out Barbara's lips once more, this time with passion. The soft moans coming from Barbara Johnson were tell tale signs she was definitely feeling wondrous sensations.
Barbara glorified in the feeling of her body throbbing as the woman's hands caressed her breasts, at Belle's touch her nipples blossomed, Belle's hands stroked and touched gently and lasciviously. Pressing upon her upper chest then strolling down over her breasts this time as if painting a picture as she moved over her abdomen, then further down. Belle placed a hand between Barbara's legs and gently said, "Spread them."
Her legs were weak and unsteady it was not the water, it was the sensations that were sending her into a realm she was not accustomed to, one that took all her emotions and bundled them in one place. Moreover, at that moment, Belle found the place. Closing her legs tighter, Barbara moaned, "Too much, can't take anymore."
Belle caressed each leg, and then began to kiss, nibble, and move her tongue in so many different patterns Barbara was on the edge, there was no cliff, only the feeling of falling, her body was filled with so many rapturous sensations each taking her on a magic carpet ride of ecstasy. Definitely not idle her tongue was now traveling upward toward the two bountiful breasts that were peeking out of the water. Barbara whispered, "Woman, you have my body on pins and needles."
Glancing toward Barbara's face, Belle replied, "Good, 'pins and needles' are a good start. Lie back, and enjoy." Before Barbara could say anything, the woman softly placed her lips over one sleeping nipple, gently sucking, as her tongue swirled over and around bringing it to peak and at the same time, one hand was on the other breast, moving in magical ways.
Barbara reached down and ran her fingers through Belle's flaxen hair. It was all she could do. Sensations were overtaking her body in so many ways, she felt she just might shoot up out of the water at any moment. Belle took her time making sure each breast was pleasured before she moved up to stare into Barbara's eyes. "You are beautiful. I hope that I am easing your aches, in some way."
Finding her voice, Barbara murmured, "And so much more. I am new to this, but let me love you."
Shaking her head, Belle replied, "Not this time. Tonight is all for you." She tilted her face to hers and placed kiss after kiss on her lips, her nose, her forehead, her cheeks her ears, then back to her lips where she lingered. Barbara was feeling weak, her legs were trembling, as she said, "Not sure I can take much more."
"Barbara, you have yet to feel an orgasm."
"How do you know. I could have."
"Ah but you have not. I would know. I do however feel you are ready for me down there."
"No, I couldn't, you wouldn't."
Belle caressed he woman's face softly stroking as she said, "If you want me to stop I will. We may never get another chance, if you let me, I will be gentle."
"I want you, you know I want you, I want to remember this night always."
Belle kissed her once more than without hesitation was soon touching her legs and gently pressing them outward. "Close your eyes, think beautiful things, go with me. Or if you prefer, watch. We are in water so there are some things I will not do. Heat and all that makes it a little difficult but I will caress, touch, and hopefully bring you to pleasure."
Barbara watched, she felt herself shake and knew it was because of Belle's touch. She had a way of pressing, stroking, moving her fingers in circular patterns that brought about astronomical sensations. After traveling the abdomen, running her hands along the woman's bottom, she brought them up and onto inner lips, lips that were swollen and even in water, it was obvious, the woman was ready. She caressed allowing two fingers to explore and pleasure. She could feel Barbara's body tremble not from fear but from sensations she had never experienced. Moving gently she came to the opening of her vagina, after several teasing caresses, she retraced each movement until she found her throbbing jewel.
The moment she touched this area, Barbara went into spasms. Placing one hand on her bottom, she held the woman at the same time she felt herself climax. Barbara moaned in rapture as Belle moved two fingers downward in such a way they soon were seeking to bring the two women a wonderland of astronomical pleasure.
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Continued