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Chapter Thirty Nine
 
 
 

The group briskly walked to the pickup, then stopped to stare at the spot where nothing was left but a few strands of rope.  The woman had vanished.  Redhawk walked around the truck muttering to himself.  Bobie and Sky looked at each other in disbelief then began to survey the area once more.

 Bobie walked to the edge of the road, hunched down then called back, "Looks like she went off this way and on foot.  This is a wild area, no other houses between here and the Trenton home."

Sky was in a conversation with Redhawk, the two were surveying the damage to his pickup. Upon hearing Bobie, they walked to where she was now standing.  "Which way do you think she went?"  Red asked.  At the same time he hunkered down to examine the dirt and the tale tell signs of Mary Trenton's fast exit.

Bobie shrugged.  "Away from here as fast as her feet could carry her.  She didn't head for home but I have a feeling wherever she went, the woman will have a way to contact her son."

Red stood, glanced back at the truck then added,  "Not much we can do till some sort of help arrives."

Sky's emerald greens gazed at Red Williams then settled on Bobie before she reasoned,  "We cannot just sit out here being targets for anyone with a good rifle.  I propose we at least find some sort of shelter."

"There are several caves not far from here,"  Bobie offered, taking Sky  into her eyes, before adding,  "I am open for suggestions."

"I have never been a fan of caves, to me they are more for bats and creepy crawlers,"  Red remarked while shivering to make sure they  got the full effect of his words.

Sky smiled and winked at Bobie before she approached the man.  "Are you trying to tell us that a man in the business you are in, is fearful of a little old cave?"

The look between the two had not gone unnoticed by the man,  "Don't get me wrong, I have been in worse spots but with the Trenton gang out here, strange things happening, a cave is really not a safe place.  I suggest one of us go and investigate, check out the area then come back to get the others."

Sky and Bobie exchanged glances before Sky spoke,  "Mr. Williams, if you want to go traipsing around out there, not really knowing what may be in the area, then we vote to stay behind and wait till you return."

He looked at Bobie who nodded in agreement before replying,  "Then I will take some water, and be back before assistance arrives."
 
 

They watched him walk away  holding a canteen of water.  And even though he assured them he would return quickly, both felt they may have seen the last of Redhawk.  As the man disappeared from view, Bobie turned to Sky.  "I know you sense it too.  Red leaving us like this."

Sky nodded before she turned to walk to the pickup.  "I do.  We are not going to wait here like sitting ducks.  Let's look around, get anything from the pickup we might use and head to Hole in the Rock."

"Do you think we should follow him?"

"Nope, he knows this area like the back of his hand.  We would never know where he was.  Look how the man followed us and we had no idea.  Best leave Redhawk to his own journey while we take our own."

"Right, I'll see what I can rustle up from under the hood."

Sky smiled.  "Smart woman.  I've tried my cell but no signal.  I think that I can get one at Hole in the Rock.  If not, we will be a far piece from the pickup that seems to be waiting for disaster to come along."

"Who are you going to call?"  Bobie asked.

Turning to answer the woman, all Sky could see were legs and boots for Bobie Parker was under the hood, and from the noise she was making, taking something apart.  "We can't carry the motor, so leave it Parker,"  she teased.

"What?!  I thought the mighty Skylar Richmond could do most anything."  Bobie laughed at the same time a clunk could be heard as Bobie spouted several censored words.

"Need any help under there?"

Bumping her head on the hood as she stepped away from the truck Bobie muttered,  "Ouch.  Anyone ever tell you Richmond, how easily you can sidetrack them."

Sky shook her head, smiled and replied,  "No, can't say they have.  You know me well Bobie.  I agree the two of us under the hood, working would turn to other things.  Even in a situation like this, it would happen.  I was just trying to keep this light."

"Don't try.  We are in a bad situation, and we both know it.  I have removed several parts and this pickup will not run without them.  We need a head start.  Have you found anything inside we can use?"

Sky held up a canvas bag and said,  "A few things we might need.  If you are through, I suggest closing the hood, and getting on our way.  I think jumping from rock to rock at least until we get away from here would be a good idea."

"I agree, enough rocks, we should be able to do that.  How is your head?  The drug and all."

Sky reached up to place a hand on her neck before replying,  "Much better.  Once we get out of view, I will cut some brush and begin to remove any sign of our foot prints.  We can take turns in brushing away our tracks as we go.  If that is all right with you."

"Agreed."   Bobie's eyes lit up as she gazed at the woman.

"What?  Did I get something on me?"  Sky gazed at the woman, a very quizzical look crossing her face.

"Nope.  You amaze me and I have to stop and pinch myself to realize this is not all a dream."

Sky set the bag on the ground then approached the woman, reached out and hugged her.  "It's not a dream.  We will get through this and when this is all behind us, I want to take you on a trip."

Bobie pressed her body against Sky relishing the touch, the closeness they shared.  "A trip?  I am content just to be with you."

Gently placing a kiss on the woman's forehead, Sky whispered,  "This is a boat trip, a holiday of sorts.  A chance to be us, no outside interference.  I want to show you my favorite island, give you happiness and pleasure you have never known."

Bobie stepped back, stood on her toes, lips gliding, brushing finding Sky's lips before the kiss became deep.  Sky sighed, her body responding and at that moment it took all she had to slowly  pull away.  "Can't--do this now."

Bobie's eyes twinkled for she knew the kiss had affected the woman.  "And why not?  It was just a kiss."

Reaching out to place a finger under the woman's chin and tilting her head back,  Sky replied,  "When you touch me like that it is not `just.'  We both know this.  Let me get you to Hole in the Rock, make my call, then we can sit back and wait.  Guess you know I will be walking funny now.  My thoughts will be on taking you to bed rather than getting out of here."

"Me too, with you.  Never knew such wondrous sensations could really happen.  I apologize for the kiss, just couldn't resist your sweet lips."

Sky walked to the canvas bag, picked it up and tossed it to the woman.  "Here catch!   Maybe if you get your mind on something else, we can at least make it to our destination before I give in and take you right here under a juniper tree."

Catching the bag, Bobie grinned.  "Aye, aye my captain.  You lead the way and I will follow.  Promise I will be good."

 "Oh no.  You lead the way and I will follow, at the same time making sure our tracks are brushed away when needed."

"All right, sounds like a plan to me, just don't tarry."

"Won't.  I will follow after you have made it to several rocks.  By the way Parker anyone ever tell you, you are ornery?"

"Yup, you just did."  Bobie turned winked at the woman adding,  "Don't get lost now Richmond."

Sky stood, hands on her hips watching the woman walk away.  She had a sensual swagger in her walk and for some reason Sky felt the movements were meant to tantalize her.  She would not let Bobie know that it didn't take that to get her juices flowing, nope just being in the same area, hearing her speak, a brief touch, any of these would start a fire within.  She sighed heavily, trying to get back to the moment to steady herself for the first jump.
 
 

Once the two were out of sight and could not see the pickup any longer Bobie slowed to wait for Sky.  "Want to rest a spell, before we tackle the sandy terrain?"

Sky stretched several times before answering,  "A rest would be good, drink some water, neither one of us need to get dehydrated."

Bobie sat, then looked up at Sky quickly looking away before she placed the bag on the ground.  "What did you find to put in here?"  Before Sky could answer she had opened it and was gazing inside.

Plopping beside the woman, Sky grinned.  "You are just like a child at Christmas, eyes wide, a look of wonder on your face.  Red was well prepared, as you can see there is jerky, dry fruit, even a few health bars.  Plus, heavy string, a snakebite kit . . ."

"Brrrrr . . . don't mention the word snake."

Sky reached into the bag and removed the kit, held the picture of the rattle snake on the container toward Bobie.  "It is
just a . . ."

"Yeah, I know one of God's creatures.  One I don't want to meet."

"No, I was going to say, it's just a picture.  I never knew you had such an affliction to them.  They live in the area you go to a lot."

"I know.  It is just when I was younger, this neighborhood boy, Cal Whiting would always tease me with any snake he might find.  I never knew when he would pop up with an  obnoxious grin plastered on his face.  Always knew he had done something with a snake but he would never tell me."

"He sounds like a brat.  No one should tease a person like that.  Didn't you tell your family?  Surely they did something to stop it."

"Never told anyone.  It was a code among the kids, a person tattles on another they will never get any rest."

"I'm sorry for what you must have gone through."

"The worst was crawling into bed at night and settling in to sleep as this wet, slimy thing seeking heat began to make its presence known."

Quickly putting the snakebite kit into the bag, Sky wrapped an arm around Bobie and pulled her close.  "I'm so sorry for ribbing you like that, I didn't know.  Forgive me?"

Seeking the comfort of Sky's embrace, Bobie pressed her cheek to the woman's chest.  "Nothing to forgive.  You didn't know and what does that make me, to even shy away from a picture."

"It makes you a person that was traumatized as a child.  There are a lot of snakes in this world, some crawl while some walk on two legs.  They all have stings that will cause pain.  Tell me, did he ever get caught?"

Sighing, Bobie tried to snuggle closer.  "If I could, I would stay here with you forever.  Being with you is the only time I really have felt safe.  Yes, it was my father that actually caught him.  But it was much later.  There was this barn raising, lots of people, dancing and having fun.  Cal and a few of his friends had been staking out the room.  His mistake was watching me and thinking that I was serving the punch."

"He didn't?"  Sky asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yup, he put a rattlesnake in the punch bowl.  Only it was the Reverend's wife that went to serve the punch. The second she went to dip, the snake struck out.   It didn't get her, just made a mess.  It was my father that stepped in and took care of the situation.  The boys were caught trying to leave the room, a look of panic on their faces.  Didn't take Sherlock Holmes to deduce they were the culprits.  Never heard from Cal again.  Hopefully he has gone on to better things for everyone."

"He sounds like a terrible boy, like you I hope he has gone on to be a better adult.  I am concerned for you Bobie.  I mean, we are out here, alone, and we both know that this snake territory.  Let me take the lead, if there are any, I will flush them out.  I don't want you to have to deal with any."

Bobie pulled away, she looked into Sky's eyes and said, "It is kind of you to want to do this but I can handle myself.  I think that they are more afraid of me than I am of them."

Sky shook her head.  "An old wife's tale, snakes do not like to be disturbed.  And once disturbed their first instinct is to coil, rattle and strike.  So, no, you brush, I'll lead.  We are getting close to our destination.  I don't think we will run into any snakes it is getting cooler, they will be going under rocks or into something to seek shelter, warmth."

"Listen to you Richmond, one might think you were a snake wrangler."

Taking a drink from the canteen, Sky handed it to Bobie.  "Drink.  One day I will tell you a story about an involvement with a certain anaconda.  Now, that is a snake."

Sipping the water, Bobie gazed at the woman, it was obvious she was trying to figure out if Sky was trying to pacify her.  Handing the canteen back to the woman, she finally spoke,  "You have been so many places, done so many things, I would imagine somewhere along the way you did run into one of them.  Didn't see Tarzan anywhere did you?"

"Nope, just little old me."

"One day I would like to hear all about that run in with the anaconda and all your adventures.  I admire you so much Skylar, still can't imagine what a woman like you is doing with a small town deputy like me."

Standing, Sky grasped Bobie's right hand and replied,  "I love you, plain and simple.  I too wonder how I have been so lucky to have you in my life.  To know you love me gives me happiness and the reason I wake each day."

"You surely know how to lift me off my feet and take me to paradise."  Bobie lightly squeezed the woman's hand.

Sky leaned forward, placed a soft kiss on her forehead then leaned down and whispered in her ear,  "Paradise is a land of beauty, a place dreams are fulfilled.  Wondrous, fantastic, magical, ecstasy abounds with more happiness than one could ever imagine."

"Wow!   I gaze into your eyes and I am there.  One day perhaps I will dive into your pools of green, relish every moment.  In case you don't know, with you I am in Paradise Skylar Richmond."

"I-I am at a loss for words."

"There is nothing you need to say.  I know how you feel.  Just wanted you to know how I feel.  We are stranded out here, snakes, the crawling kind and the walking kind around, a large hairy thing that comes out at certain times, Wolf Spider not that far away, I wanted you to know before something happens."

Pressing her lips to the back of Bobie's hand, Sky assured,  "Nothing is going to happen, we will call for help, find out what Belle has discovered, and take it from there.  A war of sorts is about to take place.  I just want to make sure it is us that make the time and place not them.  We had best be going, get settled in before it gets too late."

"What do you think Red will do if he comes back and we are gone?"

"I think the man will not be too happy with us but the pickup wasn't going anywhere anyway and he had other agendas on his plate.  I left him a note on the pickup seat, just mentioned we would find our own way back.  Thanked him for his help."

 "Did you mention we took a few things?"

 That too.  He will probably think someone else messed with the parts under the hood.  Just what were you doing under there anyway?

 "Checking.  I'm ready, let's go."

Sky shook her head in amazement as Bobie hopped from rock to rock, heading for the slope.  In the near distance was Hole in the Rock.  Sky felt they would get there in quick time.  She would make the phone call, then both of them would get the chance to lie back and rest while snacking on the treats in the bag she took from Redhawk's pickup.

Continued . . .