Summer Heat 2 [Anthology]

Summer Heat 2

MIDNIGHT SHOWCASE Erotic-ahh Digest Vol. 06-17

Summer Heat 2

MIDNIGHT SHOWCASE www.midnightshowcase.com

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Summer Heat 2 Published by Midnight Showcase PO Box 134 Orr’s Island, ME 04066 www.midnightshowcase.com Her Father’s Daughter, Copyright © 2006 Jennifer Mueller Whispers, Copyright © 2006 HH Self The Triangle, Copyright © 2006 Jinx Williams Entrapped, Copyright © 2006 by Mae Powers

Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISSN 1555-5496 Vol. 06-17

Credits Cover Artist: Jinger Heaston Editor: Anna Fallon Copy Editors: Jane Carver & Mae Powers Printed in the United States of America

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Summer Heat 2 Erotic-aah Digest Even in history, summer heats up with steamy passions. From the days of the Norman Conquest to the Wild West, or whether love is sought through time travel or in an alternate dimension reached through mystical means or scientific endeavors, romance finds a way to burn fires into our hearts and bodies. Her Father's Daughter, Jennifer Mueller With the Saxons still trying to keep the Normans out of England a wounded Norman finds his way to Gwenhyfer's door only to find that not all Saxons are enemies. Whispers, HH Self A cowboy discovers he may lose more than just his job to the mysterious Indian maiden some call a Horse Whisperer. The Triangle, Jinx Williams Strangers from different eras get pulled back in time through the Bermuda Triangle. Two discoveries are made: an orb that travels through time and love. Entrapped, Mae Powers Doctor Kyleen Anderson creates a computerized machine, which creates fantasies. However, it goes haywire, and so does her libido when she's entrapped within its circuits.

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Her Father's Daughter By Jennifer Mueller With the Saxons still trying to keep the Normans out of England a wounded Norman finds his way to Gwenhyfer's door only to find that not all Saxons are enemies. www.jennifermuellerbooks.com

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Her Father's Daughter By Jennifer Mueller PART 1 “Calm down, Aelric,” the woman at the center of the group announced at the boy’s yelling. “I know the Norman taxes are high, but we will pay them. The shearing starts in a few days, and, when we have wool, we will have enough to pay for all of us.” Aelric stared at the lady of the manor. All the men there did. Beautiful like none the town of Wulfgren ever saw before. Deep blue eyes, long brown hair, not to mention a figure that the leather tunic only emphasized. But not one dared broach the subject of marriage with Gwenhyfer of Moerhab. Her father might have been dead, but his reach was still felt. Well more than the knife that he gave her, his only living child. “You will have enough. They are your sheep, your land that they live on. Hell, Lady, you own us,” Aelric accused. Her blue eyes narrowed, and all the men took an unconscious step back. “My father gave you your land and your freedom. You are not my serfs. Get that through your thick skull, boy. Do you want me to rescind the order and make you such again? I need men to work the sheep and land. What I have left isn’t fit for farming. Now do you want me to leave you to pay the taxes yourself on the little you don’t need to feed yourself, or are you going to work with me?” “We are the same age, remember.” Aelric got a hard hand to the back of the head as his father, Aethelred, made his will known. “Ignore the boy, Lady. He forgets the days of his young life when we were left to such things alone. If my son has finished his posturing, let’s get to work.” 6

Summer Heat 2 Gwenhyfer walked to the gate in the ten-foot high wall as everyone rushed around behind her. The stone manor house with heavy oak doors and shutters seemed all that stood for protection. Beyond it, untamed land, only the village of Wulfgren, for days. The taxes did not bother her. If not enough money came from the wool, she would dig into her own monies and make up the difference. Not that she would ever tell them that. The Saxons holing up in the area caused her the worry. The peddler that came through the week before told of the Normans closing in to route them out. The village could not afford to not pay the taxes after that. All would be suspected of being in league with the Saxons. **** With a great pile of fleece in her arms, Gwenhyfer could hear, but not see, a commotion. Finally letting it drop, she spit out a mouthful and looked around. The yard stood empty, but the voices grew louder, so she followed the sound. Aelric, of course, stood at the center. “You saw the fighting with your own eyes?” the boy asked. “Should have seen it. Blood everywhere. One great Norman fellow took a head off with a single blow.” “Where are they hiding now? I have to join the Saxons.” Aelric crowed. Gwenhyfer grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. “You will get back to work.” “You are not my master.” Gwenhyfer shook her head slowly. “No, boy. I’m trying to keep your father from having to bury you if there’s that much left of you to find. It has been a year since Hastings; the Normans rule. These men hide in the forest. For God’s sake, use the brain in your head. Perhaps if they were some Saxon eoarl with a manor, and men enough to fight, it might be worth it, but these idiots… Every person with a hungry belly is turning them in. Do you know how long you would last?” Aelric straightened his back. “You mean, if your father still lived, there would be a chance?” Her father, the knight. The giant Viking. The thought only made the loneliness return. “I do not even know if he would have survived Hastings, Aelric; even giants can be overcome when the enemy has long bows. I can only say now that you will die if you go to them. You have no skill at arms, and they are on the run. They will not be able to teach you. I doubt they even have enough swords to provide 7

Summer Heat 2 you with the arms to protect yourself.” “You could,” the boy whispered. Gwenhyfer felt like cursing. “I will not put a sword in your hand and get you killed when your father is getting too old to keep his farm together. Go find a girl and wed her. Raise babies so your father can rest.” “Yes, Milady.” Aelric and the others wandered off. Loneliness filled her. The same age as most of them and yet, not one looked at her as if she might be alone. Oh, they looked often enough. She caught them staring when they thought her back turned. Never once would they consider courting her. She never felt so much like a matron. She ran a manor house alone, a wealthy beautiful ‘alone’. Scared of her father before, now scared of her. **** Nearing dusk, the villagers trudged back to Wulfgren, to safety, before nightfall. Aelric hung close to a pretty girl, not more than fifteen. His retelling of the skirmish he’d heard about earlier that day rang in Gwenhyfer's ears. A smile teased her lips. If only Aelric knew how much he resembled the young soldiers that whispered such things in her ear, all dead now. That very thought ran through her head when she’d grabbed him by the neck earlier, forbidding him to leave. Most every man she knew had died fighting the Normans. How many times did her father take her to the army's camp, and every soldier fought for her attention? Aelric could, at least, touch his latest crush. Gwenhyfer’s Viking father made sure, even at the age of twenty, she’d never even shared a kiss with a man. A hard enough task in an army camp, but they learned quick enough when he put a sword in her hand and forced them to fight her. They’d never looked at her the same since nor did any man in Wulfgren, not a soldier among them. Apparently she’d proved even more fearsome to behold in her own home. Sword fighting required a partner to practice with. She hadn't picked one up in three years. She tried not to smile. Aelric would blush to his toes if he knew what she could teach him about bedding a woman. How many times had she seen the act of sex in those camps? The men did not care about being in full view of a child. Her father protected her well enough, but she had always wondered if he cared what she saw. Gwenhyfer found the bow her father also made her learn. Leaving the security of her compound, she stole into the forest and waited. Twenty minutes passed before a faint rustling signaled a deer 8

Summer Heat 2 nearing. Carefully aiming, she let the arrow fly just as something spooked it. Her arrow found its mark, but she could still hear an intruder after the deer let out its last breath. Quickly gutting the animal, she dragged the carcass easily. Three years of feeding herself, she hardly strained at the chore. **** Night came, and the heavy door swung open of its own accord. Gwenhyfer spun around at the intrusion, her hand slipping to the knife she kept hidden in her dress. Hell, she had forgotten to bar the door after she returned with the deer. There, leaning heavily on the doorframe, stood a lone man wearing chain mail, a rich man's armor. His surcoat embroidered with Norman heraldry. A wellborn man then, no common soldier. A damned Norman count stood at her door. His hair dripped water on the floor as his head hung down, seeming too heavy for him to hold up any longer. Just what she needed. He would lead them right to her. Damn Saxons and Normans could not keep their fight among themselves and leave her alone. Wulfgren stood too unprotected for her liking. "Good wife, I promise I will not hurt you." Gwenhyfer relaxed her stance, giving a smile. No, he was no threat, not in his state. “I promise you shall not either. You look tired enough to fall over. Maybe after two or three weeks’ rest, I might have to worry.” “Might I get some lodging for the night? I can pay you well.” Pay? He offered to pay her? Hell, he must be in trouble to offer payment to guarantee her keeping her tongue. “Sire, it would not be good if you are found, I take it?” His head snapped up despite his fatigue, but his eyes studied her, unsure if he could trust her. She kept from smiling. If only he knew. “No, it would not be good. I would most likely be killed.” She could guarantee they followed him. The question was, how closely. “Come inside. There’s food on the table. I did not expect anyone, so I hope it is enough for your appetite. Eat while I put your horse away and lock up for the night.” Only one option, keep the man happy until she could get rid of him. He slowly made his way to the table where he sat down heavily. Taking the wooden charger, he spooned what remained for himself. Before Gwenhyfer went about her business, she felt his eyes on her, but, this time, not on her body. After so many looks, she knew the difference. Turning to him, she said, “Yes, Sire, it is venison. Shall you punish me now or later for 9

Summer Heat 2 eating your King’s deer?” He stared for a long time. They all looked at her like that. “What shall I tell your husband when he returns?” He finally asked, ignoring her breach of the King’s laws. “I am not married.” She pulled on her cloak, prepared to venture into the wet night air. “Your father then?” “Dead these last three years.” She left him without another glance. The Norman looked around the manor house, for he’d found no farmers’ cottage. The room ran nearly sixty feet long and half that wide, with a high vaulted ceiling. Several long tables filled the bare space and, on the far end, stood a massive stone fireplace large enough for a man to stand in comfortably. There, mounted above the fireplace, hung a large leather shield covered with a coat of arms unfamiliar to him, a huge wolf rampant. Underneath it a sword— some six feet long—that he could not imagine a mortal man carrying into battle. On one of the side walls hung a tapestry, embroidered around the outer edge with Celtic, Welsh, and Viking designs. The center depicted the ivy-covered house he sat in now. He ate his fill. No matter how much he wished to look at the woman again, he could not keep his head up any longer, and let it rest on the table. **** When Gwenhyfer returned, the Norman sat slumped over the table. “A tired one you must be,” she said quietly as she laid a blanket over him. He looked so peaceful she could almost forget the trouble she knew stalked him. She had lived in this house for three years without anything more than a very infrequent guest to fill the nights. The monks at the abbey did not welcome a single female within their cloistered walls, even though many nights she rode at Vespers to the wall that surrounded the place only to hear them sing. Men had enough trouble gaining access for little more than a bed for the night. After adding more wood to the fire to keep the Norman warm, she went about securing the shutters. Gwenhyfer sat and watched him sleep. She could almost imagine her father alive and the house filled with people. Not now, not anymore. Her hand hovered just above his face before she carefully moved his hair. Without warning, the knight fell to the floor. Surely not from her touch. Then she saw it, a deep gash in his side, hidden by the surcoat. “Now that is not part of the plan.” She struggled to get him into a 10

Summer Heat 2 position where she could drag him up the stairs and into her bed. That room, the only place those who came to the house would never go. She removed the surcoat and chain mail. Gwenhyfer carefully removed the padded gambeson, the slit from waist to shoulder, soaked completely with blood. She cleaned the wound that ran from his bottom rib to his shoulder before she bound it tightly. Gwenhyfer came down the stairs when a great pounding on the gate quickly shook her from her thoughts. “Hell,” she muttered, staring down at the blood that covered her tunic. Outside the mist turned to rain while she stood behind the locked gate. “What do you need?” Gwenhyfer called, already guessing. “Shelter, lady, and food.” Gwenhyfer pushed the bar out of place and opened the gate a crack. Ah yes, Saxons, who else? Suddenly she wondered if the man in her bed was the great man that had taken the Saxon man’s head in a single blow. “What brings you out on a night like this?” “Searching for a Norman that escaped the skirmish.” With a deep breath, Gwenhyfer opened the gate wide. Use your brain, her father always said. “You’re just in time for fresh meat then. A tenant brought me a deer. Forgive me looking such a mess. I’ve just been taking care of it.” One man smiled after catching a glimpse of her in the darkness. “For hot food and a fire, we promise not to notice.” As they took off their outer clothes, Gwenhyfer, out of sight in the kitchen, looked up at the ceiling where the very man they hunted lay in her bed. “If you value your life, keep your mouth shut,” she whispered to no one. She knew what trouble he could cause, and none of it good. **** A cool gray mist hung between the trees in the dense forest around the rock-lined pool. Vapors rose from the surface before the splash of a bucket broke its calm. The water looked black from the lack of light and tasted of tannin yet was cool and clean to drink. No color clung to the forest that day, only shades of gray, making it a dreary sight. Just before she reached the manor, rain began falling. Gwenhyfer ran for the house. Cries echoed through the walls, and she rushed up the stairs, two at a time. She had to get to him before anyone heard. With the shearing going on, the grounds were full of people, including the Saxons, who still roamed about, giving a hand in return for the hospitality she offered them. 11

Summer Heat 2 Tangled in the blankets, he tossed and turned, spouting the Norman tongue that would surely get him killed if anyone heard. Gwenhyfer put a hand to his forehead. He burned with fever. She reached for the cold cloth to wipe away the sweat, but he almost knocked her off the bed as he fought an invisible demon. Then his hand landed on her breast. The feel was enough of a shock for his eyes to open faintly, revealing glassy orbs beneath, lost in a world of his own making. “Ma ange,” he murmured. “Sleep. You are safe,” Gwenhyfer whispered. He stared at her for a moment longer before his eyes rolled and closed. Lost to his fever again, he pulled her closer, his hand never leaving her chest, but it never ventured any further. Gwenhyfer could not help but smile as she watched this very large Norman in her bed, too weak to even stand, grow an erection. It took no great guess to tell where his fevered mind took him now. Gwenhyfer wanted to make sure his dreams passed, so she just sat there. His erection grew, each moment larger, until he took on extraordinary proportions. “Aye, Norman, you just might pull through. Good thing. I was not sure what to do with your corpse if you died on me,” she whispered, even though she knew he could not hear her. She concentrated on that thought, instead of the flush of heat at the thought of what lay so close. Her father would have killed him. For eight days, the Norman slept in the room, undiscovered by anyone, as Gwenhyfer kept watch. Even the villagers that came to work knew nothing of him. She forced thin broth and water down him, even though he never woke. **** When his eyes opened, he found the woman asleep in a chair next to the bed, looking wholly uncomfortable. He was lying in a huge bed with thick wool curtains of dark blue that kept out drafts coming from the stone walls. God, a fine looking woman, he thought as she slept, worthy of being a queen. With her being the last thing he remembered seeing, no wonder those dreams filled his head like they did. Then again, maybe he died, and she was his angel. No woman could be this beautiful. “Ma ange,” he said quietly. She roused at his voice. “Sorry to inform you, but I am not an angel. You are still among the living.” “You speak Norman? 12

Summer Heat 2 “You spoke Saxon. Did I question it?” He smiled faintly, noticing he no longer wore clothes, and his wounds were bound. “Might I know your name since it seems you are quite well acquainted with me already?” he asked. “Gwenhyfer of Moerhab.” “Moerhab?” She spread her arms wide. “The forest here, it’s the name the Saxons call it. The lands lie in the midst of it. You are near the border of Wales.” “You should have left me where I slept. You could be in great trouble for aiding me.” He heard her snort of annoyance. “So I should have left you where you fell so you could have bled to death on my floor? It is far easier to deny you being here with no proof to give you away. Those men you worried about came through the same night.” He lay silent for a moment. “How long have I been here?” “Eight days. With the wound you have, I am surprised you are waking at all. Your fever only left yesterday.” “If that is the case, Gwenhyfer, I thank you very much. You will be well paid.” She rose quickly as she said, “I do not need money, but you’ll need something to eat. You need to get your strength back if you even hope to rise from bed once more. You are not out of danger yet.” He nodded vaguely, settling his head back on the pillows as she left. She puzzled the Norman, for very few could ignore the possibility of money in this time of high Norman taxes. Instead, she seemed more worried after his welfare. Many, if nothing else, would have used the chance to get into good graces with one of the conquerors. After several minutes, Gwenhyfer came back with a thick stew and dark rich bread. “I am Robert,” he offered the woman who looked nothing like she should be serving him. Despite the leather tunic, she was no peasant. Gwenhyfer smiled vaguely. Robert narrowed his eyes, unsure of the reason until she opened her mouth. “Your coat of arms is on your surcoat, but, as for your given name, welcome to my home, Robert.” Robert narrowed his eyes. “You know my coat of arms? What kind of Saxon manor house is this?” “As my father told me, knowing whom you deal with is always a smart thing, especially when amongst your enemies. Do you not 13

Summer Heat 2 agree, Count d’Urbanville?” Suddenly Robert felt he might not have landed in such a secure place after all. His hand went for the sword at his waist only to find bare flesh. Gwenhyfer batted his hand away from his waist so she could set the tray on his lap. “Fine thanks I get. I let you feel my breasts without complaint to keep you quiet, and you go for your sword. You must have been delirious.” “You mean that was not a dream from the fever?” Gwenhyfer laughed as she sank into the chair at his side. “Nor the result either. It has been a long time for you, and any woman would do, or you really like the looks of me. Your lady should be jealous that you are thinking such things either way.” “Trust me, you are a woman to give any man dreams, fever or not. If I had a lady, she should be jealous.” “So I have seen. Now eat your meal.” She held secrets in that grin of hers. Robert knew that much. She took the compliment, off-hand or not, too easily. Robert could only take several bites of the stew without his curiosity getting the better of him. “Is there a title that goes with that shield I saw downstairs?” he asked cautiously. He hoped if he could at least find out a name, he could decipher her actions. A Saxon who knew Norman heraldry was not a common find, even less so in the middle of nowhere. “My father’s shield and sword He was the Eoarl of Moerhab,” she said in passing with little emphasis that she held a title of Lady. “And you know who I am and my rank?” Gwenhyfer folded her hands in front of her face and promptly hid a smile behind them. “If you mean that you are the cousin to King William and the head of his armies, yes. I knew that as soon as I saw your crest when you stood dripping on my clean floor.” “Then you are holding me for your Saxons to come and take me for ransom.” Gwenhyfer started laughing, but did not explain her fit of hilarity. “They would have you already if I intended such. I told you they came through the same night you did.” She got up and walked over to a chest where she pulled out some clothes. “I will get these shortened so you can have something to wear when you are up to leaving bed. You will not attract so much attention in them. I think that it may be a good while before you are up to traveling home.” She left, and Robert heard the murmur of voices from the other room. He resolved to keep 14

Summer Heat 2 his voice lowered in the future, if there were indeed others around. On a chest near the bed, he could see all his weapons and belongings cleaned and waiting for him, perhaps even sharpened as they shone brightly. They should be long gone, but even his pouch of coins sat there, apparently as full as when he collapsed. Gwenhyfer soon returned. “Then I am not to be held for ransom?” he asked immediately. She chuckled once more. “You do not know with whom you deal, but that does not surprise me.” “You expect to be rewarded for your care of me then?” Her eyes flitted to him for a moment, anger flashed in them as if the thought offended her. “My father left me a sizable estate, some five thousand acres on top of my own monies. I have little need of more unless your visit here is to levy higher taxes on my lands.” “I am only lost and wounded, nothing more. Do you wish to be introduced at court? A beauty such as yours, you could be the center of every noble man’s attention, find a fine match.” “I am a Saxon Lady.” As if it explained everything, she said nothing more. Perhaps it did. It was a Norman court. Robert could only shake his head. “Since the thought of money or notice seem not to interest you, is there anything I can do to repay you for this? And, indeed, not turning me over for ransom.” Gwenhyfer looked at him, thoughtful for a moment. “If it is within your power to see that I keep what is already mine then that is all I ask. I am a woman running this manor alone. It would be easy enough for your William to take it from me when he wishes to grant one of his lords or knights properties in the land he has just conquered. Even with me being as far away from everything as I am, this is a manor the King visited.” He crooked an eyebrow. “King Edward visited here?” “Yes, of course. The hunting is quite good.” Robert remembered his meal before he collapsed. A manor, not to mention a title, the right to kill the deer had been hers long before William set foot on the island. In truth, they were her animals to do with as she pleased. But then again when a conqueror comes to power, everyone assumes the worst, truth or not. “I believe that is something I have the ability to see to.” “I ask for nothing more than to keep my home.” She opened the window to let in sunlight to sew by. It also let in a blast of warm air that swept away the stale smell of sickness. 15

Summer Heat 2 “Would you be offended if I told you something personal?” She did not look up from her work. “You have the right to say as you wish, my Lord.” “I remember you saying you had no husband. I cannot think of any reason that you have not married. Any man would have to be crazy if he thought not to marry you. My dreams do not lie.” Gwenhyfer smiled prettily. It had been far too long since he had seen such a smile. “You are not from this area. Now I have a question for you. How did you come to be here? There is only the monastery and the village within a few miles then nothing for over two days’ journey, not even a main road.” Robert eagerly took the mug of ale she handed him from the side table. “I found that out. I rode for close to two days after I separated from the skirmish. I hoped to spend the night and then ride on before I caused you any trouble. You may be in some danger keeping me here.” Gwenhyfer started to grin. “What is so funny in my misfortune?” “I live in danger every day. Do you think it is safe for a woman to live alone so far from anyone? I would make as good a captive as anyone else. Women are an especially favored commodity. That I am not plain only makes it worse. My father left a house that can keep most out. You will be safe enough until you are able to protect yourself again, at least if you can keep from yelling out Norman in your sleep.” Robert tried to speak, but grabbed his side in pain from the strain of just being awake. “You are not well enough for this. Perhaps it would be better for me to work elsewhere.” “No, please stay. It is rare that I have the chance to talk to a woman, let alone a beautiful one. Fighting leaves little time for it.” Gwenhyfer sat back down, shaking her head at him. She said nothing for a good while, though, letting him rest and eat. **** Almost two weeks passed. Being a Sunday, no one came visiting the house. For once, the yard outside stood quiet. As Robert walked slowly, venturing further, he saw all that Gwenhyfer did and that she did not benefit from her request alone. There had to be very few farms on her property, the land not good for it. The taxes that William levied might very well ruin them all. The route grew thick with trees that blocked the light except for dappled ripples of sun that broke through and checkered the ground 16

Summer Heat 2 below. There, hidden in the depths of a pool, Gwenhyfer swam, its brownish hue disguising her bare form. The glimpses he caught were more than enough to make him rise again. “So you do know how to rise before midday after all, but you should be back at the house. You are not strong enough to be out alone,” she said to him. Could she see his state? No, she spoke Saxon words, not Norman. She asked if he woke before midday. He looked at his reflection in the water. Brown hair awry, he badly needed a shave. A tall man with broad shoulders and dark coloring, being in his midtwenties made him several years older than Gwenhyfer. His high post he credited to being cousin to William. The King wanted those he trusted beside him. “Why do you come here to bathe instead of doing so at the house?” Gwenhyfer swam lazily across the pool. Only a splendid back remained in sight. Then she kicked off, and he caught sight of her full length. Lord, what a view. He had known she was tall, but to see legs of such length still surprised him. Not to mention her backside. Only a deep breath kept his thoughts from showing. “When my parents died, I wanted to see someone. Even if it is only my reflection in the water. That is why I have gone out of my way to have the villagers help with the sheep and the weaving. I am lonely. Besides, I do bathe once a week. My stench I keep to myself.” Robert sniffed and, despite his insensitive nose, smelled himself. The week of fever only made him worse. “Point taken, once you have gone, I will clean as well as I can with such a wound. But you could have gone to court, been the King’s ward, if you wished to have others around?” Her color rose from that comment, yet not from being found nude in a pond by a strange man. “I do not fancy marrying whomsoever the King chooses to suit his agenda, to make some peace, or fill someone’s coffers. Besides, I will not be settled with some man treating me as his property, only to breed his heirs and look pretty at his side while he cares nothing for me.” “Gwenhyfer, you are a rare woman. Now what is your plan for me? I am not a complete invalid. I have to start earning my keep somehow.” “Sire, your only duty to me is to get back to the house and rest. I can go with you if you wish to take some short walks, but it is not good for you to tire yourself too much. Otherwise you may not be able to make your way back. The Saxons have not left the area 17

Summer Heat 2 completely, even though your attack sent most of them away. It may be they are the ones that find you, or someone in need of the reward they have offered. This is a poor area. The people may be proud, but they need food more. You are a stranger to them, even if I told them you turned up for a few days’ work and fell ill. It is not the first time someone has wandered across my door for such. If the Saxons tell them who they are looking for, and have any description to give, they may think you are taking advantage of my hospitality. Turn your back while I get out. I will wait here until you are finished.” “Yes, Milady.” Robert could not help but peek out of the corner of his eye as she raised herself out of the water. No gentleman should think the thoughts going through his head about a lady. Never did he see a woman at court like her, long dark hair to her knees, full breasts, not to mention the face of an angel. Robert repaid his care and board only by talking with his angel of mercy once the others left for the day. He could make her accept no more. Gwenhyfer would not even accept his doing small chores around the manor that he saw needed to be done, or ought to be done. When he mentioned them, she refused his help, but within a day of his asking, he would find it done either by her or one of men from the village who made extra money doing chores. **** Gwenhyfer loved working in the garden, a space filled with vegetables, fruits, nuts and berries enough to feed many. Beehives dotted the enclosed area, providing not only honey, but wax for candles. The whinny of a horse alerted her as someone approached, and her head jerked up. Several men rode up toward the house, Saxon soldiers again. Not the same ones as before. Gwenhyfer purposefully got up and walked into the kitchen where Robert sat eating his meal. The last of the sheep were shorn, leaving him free to wander as he pleased within the walls. Only the shepherd remained, and he had wandered far from there with the flock. Gwenhyfer slipped the girdle from her waist and removed her jewelry. They did not fit the part she meant to play. “Do not open your mouth, even if they find out you are here. Your speech will give you away,” she whispered before she went back out with a digging stick and began working once again as they came closer. Her actions looked natural. “Woman, have you seen a Norman come this way in the last few weeks?” 18

Summer Heat 2 “No one comes this way much. Only a traveler now and then looking for work. The Lord and his Lady when they come once or twice a year and want their money, and the Lord wants in my bed.” She kept working as if they were any other person come to visit. “Oh, would you look at that. The gophers have been at my carrots again.” She threw down the damaged carrot with a frown. Then a noise came from the kitchen. “Who else is here? Perhaps they have seen someone.” “Only a man that came looking for work a few days ago. All he talks about are those damn sheep. Except when he tries to plead his way into my bed. He is good enough looking, but I ask you, would you want someone that smells like sheep’s dung in bed with you?” She stood with an armful of vegetables. “Would you care for something to eat? I just fed the workers, and there is still some left. I can fill your bellies before you are on your way again.” “Thank you kindly. We have not had a hot meal in many days.” “Come and sit then. You’ll find there is plenty of room to rest yourself in the great hall. I will be out shortly with the food.” She disappeared into the kitchen as they headed around to the great hall. Gwenhyfer stirred the pot at the fire when Robert silently walked up behind her. She could feel the heat of him close to her, but he didn’t touch her. “Ma ange, you have to be the smartest woman I ever met,” he whispered. His breath rustled the hair where it came loose from the braid. Before her parents died, men praised her for being beautiful all the time, but somehow getting a compliment on her mind meant more. No man ever dared to touch her with her father around, but Robert’s war callused finger traced the edge of her tunic, and she savored the feel of another person. Was it her imagination, or did his mouth caress her ear faintly? “Have you any water?” a call came from the other room. “I can get it if you just tell me where.” Robert did not move his finger away from her though. Gwenhyfer whispered, “That does not say much for the women you have met then. My father always taught me that the best weapon a person has is his mind. A sword should be the last resort.” “A very wise man,” he replied. It wasn’t her imagination; she felt him pulling the edge of her tunic aside. “I may not smell like sheep dung, but I’ll gladly plead my way in your bed to help your story.” The bite to the skin he uncovered came as a complete surprise, and she yelped. His lips burned hot against her skin as they soothed the 19

Summer Heat 2 hurt he made. Her breath came short when he kept going up her neck. She should stop him, but could not bring herself to do it. “A wise woman would stop me.” She turned with the pot in her grasp. He wanted her, but she wondered would he still if he knew the truth? Would she scare him as well? “Opinionated, headstrong maybe, I have never claimed wise as a virtue.” His hands framed her face, brushing the hair away, and Gwenhyfer closed her eyes. Then his lips touched hers. So that was what it felt like to kiss a man. For a warrior, he fought no battle, gentle in every movement, but the touch of his tongue made her open her mouth. The invasion took her breath away. The scrape of a bench from the other room brought him up short. Gwenhyfer opened her eyes slowly. “There is something you do not know.” She forced herself to whisper. “That you’ve never kissed a man; that part is obvious.” Between the kiss and fear, her heart beat hard. “No, the reason no man has married me, let alone kissed me.” “Do you need help, my lady? I am sorry, but I am hungry enough to eat a horse.” The voice sounded close, making Gwenhyfer jump. “How dare you talk to me that way! Get out of here, you lazy oaf. That fence will not fix itself.” She feigned loud enough, hoping the soldiers would hear. Laughter rewarded her from the other room. “Yes, Milady.” Robert whispered, with a grin, before slipping out. **** The act that afternoon saved Robert. However one of the men that worked with the sheep was drunk in the village when the Saxons arrived. He contemplated the source of the fine sorrel horse in the barn when the Mistress never traveled anywhere to buy such a horse, a horse finer than he ever saw. Gwenhyfer returned from a trip to the kitchen to find Robert gone. “Mother of God, you will get yourself killed!” she muttered as she ran outside through the open door. The same three Saxons kept Robert backed against the wall. One beat directly on his wound while the other two held him. “I would thank you kindly to leave my guest be. My word will mean nothing should he come to harm,” Gwenhyfer called out of the gloom. 20

Summer Heat 2 “The ransom we receive off this one is fine profit to pay for your word. The word of a traitor means nothing.” One of the men holding him let go to find her, but the darkness kept her hidden. “It is me you want. Leave her out of this! She knows nothing of me.” Robert yelled, his reward another blow. “No, I think you will both die this night, the invader and the traitor.” The Saxon took a few more steps toward her voice, but before he could do anything, he lay dead on the ground, an arrow between the eyes. Only then could Robert see the glint of her eyes in the faint moonlight, peeking from behind a heavy cloud. It did little to illuminate the darkened forest. She moved, and he had no idea where she’d vanished. “Go find her and that bastard archer she has helping her,” the Saxon hitting Robert ordered. The other let go, and Robert fell to the ground, feeling his wound reopened, blood dripping. The searching Saxon took several steps, and he too joined his friend with an arrow in the neck. The last man kept his sword at Robert’s neck and, at the second slaying, brought the sword closer. “Make one more move, and I will kill him. No Norman is worth dying for.” Gwenhyfer appeared out of the darkness as if a ghost. “Call off your archer,” the Saxon called. If he meant to negotiate, his actions did not show it as the sword began its descent towards Robert’s neck. Gwenhyfer raised her arm and, for the first time, Robert saw the long bow she held and, a moment too late, so did the Saxon. No archer, only Gwenhyfer. Robert watched in disbelief as someone as unlikely as a woman, and a Lady at that, put an arrow straight through the Saxon’s heart. Before he could even hit the ground, a second arrow slammed into his chest for good measure. He fell in slow motion as the life drained out of him. Gwenhyfer bent down beside Robert, shaking her head. “Stupid infernal man! What did you think you would do to them? If you remember, you could barely lift that sword of yours this afternoon.” “I wanted to keep you out of this. You have put yourself in enough danger already.” Gwenhyfer growled as she slipped under his arm and slowly started them toward the door. “Do you know why no man has married me?” He never expected her to ask such a question. “What?” “Do you know why no man has married me?” 21

Summer Heat 2 “No,” he finally answered, in visible pain. “It is because they watched my father train me as he would my brothers who didn’t live. He stood almost seven foot tall and had the strength to wield that sword above the mantle like nothing more than a cane. In the end, sickness took him. It was a sorry death for a soldier and a sorry death for the King’s knight and advisor for over twenty years. They are all scared that if they wed me, I will slit their throats over a minor argument as they sleep. That is why no man will marry me, despite the house, the land, and the money. They know my bow has never been beaten, and I have taken on many of the former King’s archers at my father’s insistence. My sword arm could take most men; though you, I would imagine, could take my head off. They know, unlike you, that I carry a dagger in my tunic and can wield it with best of them. You could not have just stayed in the house like I told you?” she ranted as they climbed the stairs Robert looked over at her, annoyed at her attitude. “What would you have done instead?” “Finished my supper while it was still hot and then picked them off from the upper windows. It wouldn’t be the first time.” She helped him on to the bed once more. “I could not guarantee you would be thought blameless. Keeping me was not a smart thing to do.” Anything else he was going to add stopped when she pulled away the bandage stuck to the wound. He sucked in air quickly from the pain. At that, her treatment gentled, her voice a mere whisper. “I have little protection against an army. Thieves or a few men I can deal with.” Robert lay there, silent, with his teeth clenched as she cleaned the wound once more and bound it tightly. “Gwenhyfer, I still don’t see why you would kill them to save the life of a Norman? They were your own people, and, as they rightly said, I am an invader. I should be your enemy, and yet twice you have bound my wounds to save my life and done even more than that. Tonight, you killed for me.” Robert lay there resting peacefully before she settled in the chair next to the bed. Silence filled the house, and he knew what it was like to live as she did. She was truly alone. Then her voice broke the silence, only a whisper. “I come from a long line of warriors, and they all put warrior’s blood in my veins. That I hold the same blood is what my father chose to see after the other children my mother bore him died young. He 22

Summer Heat 2 taught me to fight. I am not some peasant, poor and ignorant. He saw to it that I knew well of politics and war if I was to live at court. I grew up in the Kings’ castle, though I was born here and given a Welsh name. For almost a year, the Normans have ruled Engla-lond, but, for many more, those within the country have wished to take over as well, Harold chief among them. As the King’s advisor, my father gave his pledge to honor and protect his King, and that included his family. I kept that pledge. While I grew up in the castle, I was two people, my father’s son, and my mother’s daughter. He taught me politics and fighting. She taught me the art of beauty and being a wife. With that training, I ignored most conventions concerning men and women. I went everywhere in the castle. I overheard most everything that went on, and that included plots against the King. The fortune that no man has found enticing enough to brave my reputation is what I received from the King for denouncing the plots I discovered against his life and title. Those not caught sought to get me out of the way. They tried to see my death came accidentally.” Gwenhyfer started smiling. “They went about it as if I was another helpless woman, which I think you have seen I am not. The attacks stopped when Harold shipwrecked and found his way into the hands of your cousin. Harold’s followers know where I am. I came to Moerhab before Edward died. If not for William attacking, I would have died, even though I no longer posed them any threat. While my father lived, I was safe enough, and only bungling attacks came at me, but tonight I killed them for my sake as well as yours. If they went back reporting I caused trouble again, it would have been the end of me. And with a Norman, no less. The Saxons that still resist William are the same ones that supported Harold. You see, Robert, I have no reason to want the Saxons ruling any longer as much as you do. Edward was my King and a good man. I know he declared William his successor, and Harold tried to steal that from him.” “My God, a Saxon loyal to a Norman King. Who would have thought it could happen?” She replaced her smile with a sneer. “I never said I was loyal to your cousin. His actions will decide that for me. I just don’t want the conquered back. Now get some sleep. You need your rest after your stab at bravery. I have to go dispose of some damn Saxon bodies.” Robert opened his mouth to speak, but Gwenhyfer did not let him get 23

Summer Heat 2 a word in. “Do not argue. I know you are a knight, never backing down, always in charge, never letting anyone close. Just this once, can you do as you are told?” She blew out the candle and closed the door behind her. In the dark, Robert’s eyes did not close. “You are wrong, ma ange. I am letting you close,” he whispered. **** The sound of rustling in the room woke Robert from a sound sleep. His eyes opened catching sight of Gwenhyfer undressing. He did not want her to know he was awake. He told no lie that fighting left little time for anything. Dawn tinged the open window, and the rising sun turned her skin golden copper. She pulled the tunic over her head and stood bare. Ladies at court were idle. Their thin bodies came from diet, but not Gwenhyfer. She worked hard to keep her life and that of her people from falling apart. Long smooth muscles ran along her back, slender waist, thighs, and arms, obviously strong and yet not bulky. She turned around and the glow of the sun caught her breasts and the curls between her legs. Hard work did nothing to trim her breasts. The hinted forms beneath her clothes were magnificent. Even though no sound betrayed his state, she was no fool. She caught his eyes open almost immediately. Wounded or not, he held strength enough to pull her close before she could protest, and his mouth descended on hers. “Has it truly been so long?” Gwenhyfer asked. “Aye, but time has nothing to do with this want.” “I am covered in blood. It must have been long if you cannot wait until I have washed it away.” Only now that he held her close could he see the smears from the blood. While he lay sleeping, she disposed of three bodies. He was a cad. There was no other name for him. Then he noticed her hands shaking and stilled them with his own. “Have you ever killed a man before?” Her deep blue eyes glowed in the dawn. “I’ve killed enough that it should not matter, but it still bothers me when I have to.” Robert could not keep his hands off her any longer, not with her nakedness so near. Running his hand up her thigh, he watched her shiver and not from killing either. “I will help you forget.” Gwenhyfer lowered her head so it rested on his chest. “No man has ever shared my bed. None has ever kissed me. My father would have taken their heads if they ever tried, and, since coming to 24

Summer Heat 2 Moerhab, the few single men left are scared of me.” Robert lifted her chin so she looked at him. “I will risk you slitting my throat over an argument but not for taking what you do not offer. But if you do allow me, I will die a happy man when we have fought.” Gwenhyfer bit her lip, and then the sound of her laughter filled the room. “Lucky you, the knife is all the way across the room.” Her smile faded. “You need not fear death at my hands. You have my offer for as long a time as we have.” “Few enough men risk their lives for mine. To find a woman that will, I should make you mine for good.” Robert pulled her back to him, and his tongue slipped between her open lips. She was a fast learner; he gave her that. Pulling Gwenhyfer to him placed her right on the wound. Unwilling to let her go now that she lay in his arms, Robert rolled, taking the pressure off the gash and new bruises. Gwenhyfer pulled back, trying to catch her breath. Letting her recover, Robert’s gaze found the way to her well-formed breasts. His mouth could not help but follow the same path. The moan from Gwenhyfer as he suckled softly made him pull away just to smile. Biting her nipple to let her know he was there, her eyes flew open. “You know, for a woman that talks of men’s way so easily, I find it hard to believe you never, even once.” “Learning the bow, taking on the soldiers, I saw plenty. Do you think my swords play and shooting practice took place in the King’s Hall? I have listened to enough men talk about me coarsely. It would make a London whore blush. When my father lived, no one dared consider such a thing without marriage, and there was no doubt I would marry a highly titled man, not some ratty soldier.” Gwenhyfer kept her eyes on him as the sunrise filled the room with golden light. Robert grinned as he touched his mouth back to her nipple. He kissed it gently this time and watched her shudder. “The thoughts in my head are probably little better than those of the men you say you know so well.” Her eyes grew a little wider as his hand ran down her stomach, coming to rest on the curls between her legs. His fingers barely teased the folds beneath, as his hand remained unmoving. “I am little better than a ratty soldier, a Norman one at that, with thoughts in my head of having you laid out like this. I am having a very hard time not blindly taking you now. Why me, when you’ve turned down so many?” Her eyes closed slowly. Forcing her into anything? Not by a long 25

Summer Heat 2 shot. She was as ready for him as she would ever be. The slickness gathered there made an easy entry for a finger. A sigh escaped her lips as he dragged it back out. As slowly as possible, he moved in and out of her, and then his thumb found her nub. Gwenhyfer let out a gasp. “Tell me.” “Are you going to torture me until I do?” She whispered as his fingers continued teasing her both inside and out. “Never heard anyone call this torture. Even if you broke years ago with all this unladylike learning of weapons, it would be more pleasant for you if you were prepared first.” When he applied his lips back to her nipple and sucked in deep, he used the distraction to slip in another finger. Gwenhyfer pulled his head up, unable to disguise the need in her eyes. “No man has sat and talked to me until all hours and genuinely seemed interested. You may have made your thoughts known, but it mixed in with dozens of other topics. The men I learned to fend off could not look me in the eyes for more than a moment. Even before my show at arms, you saw deep inside the person I am when no one else even tried.” Her smile grew before his eyes closed at her admission. “Besides, you are a fair man to look upon, and you do not smell like sheep.” At that, Robert pulled her on top so she straddled him. Her hands did not shake anymore when his cock rubbed against her. Robert kissed her nose as her hard nipples teased his chest, at least what he could feel around the bandage. “Your father seems to have raised a woman that does not have a problem taking charge. Not recovered from a battle wound before the beating, I may have to concede defeat.” “Defeat? I have not even been to sleep yet. I never knew a man to be a tease,” Gwenhyfer protested. He teased her mound even as she lay on top of him. Robert’s hands traveled up her back, making her shiver, before he pressed his mouth close to her ear. “Concede defeat at being on top only. You are not getting off this bed, not for a good long time.” It took only a minor adjustment in her position for his cock to be at her opening, but he did not enter her. “You trust me?” Gwenhyfer chuckled in his ear. “Running off and getting yourself in trouble when you think I am in danger; not at all.” She pulled back so he could see her grin, her knee-length hair falling around her, making it seem a small cocoon in which they were the only two 26

Summer Heat 2 people in the world. “It will be uncomfortable, but a woman that can fight like you, I don’t think it will actually hurt.” The grin left her quickly when he entered only a little. “A little bit at a time until you have me all the way inside. When you are ready, I will show you the rest.” Robert closed his eyes as she slowly moved over him. It had been far too long for him. He forced himself to think of other things, not to demand more than she gave him. “I saw the men at the soldier camp taking a woman more than once. Never anything slow about it,” Gwenhyfer whispered in his ear. Robert opened his eyes with a smile. “Like fighting. With practice, it comes easier, and then the fun begins.” The peace on her face vanished, and a pained look replaced it. “Slowly.” Ah hell, in his state she could probably push him over with a finger. His thumb took possession of her folds already stretched wide around his shaft. Robert could feel when he found the best spot as Gwenhyfer’s want loosened her to take more of him. He could not help but moan as she slowly accepted more of him with each gentle thrust. Robert pulled her down, wound be damned, and took control of her mouth. Slow would kill him as the want grew, but she could kill him like that all day. Her hips began moving slowly, until they were fully joined, and then she stopped as she grew used to the feeling. Pushing off his chest to breathe once more, Gwenhyfer’s breasts still remained within easy reach for his mouth, and he clamped down on the one he neglected earlier. A quite loud moan erupted from her lips, but nothing could stop him as he swirled his tongue around each perfect nipple. “Sit, but do not pull off.” “Why?” “So I can show you why I have been dreaming of this since the first time I saw you. I would be selfish if I took what I wanted without seeing to you. There should not be any more tightness by the time I am done. Then we will see to me.” She eyed him uncertainly, but she soon rested on her knees. Robert cupped her breasts before he skimmed his hands down her stomach. The uncertain look fell from her face as his finger teased her nub. Enough of being slow. He worked fast. Gwenhyfer’s dark blue eyes grew heavy as the want grew in her belly. Yes, she definitely spent too long in a soldier’s camp without a man to see to her own 27

Summer Heat 2 needs as she watched those around her taking their pleasure. Robert felt her tighten around him and sped up his attack. Her head fell back, and her cry echoed in the stone walls. Wanting to pull his hand away to be able to start thrusting, her hand clasped onto his, trapping it in place. As her contractions clamped around his cock, he felt his own finish coming. God, it had been too long. He erupted into her, unable to stop himself. **** “Lady, are you well? You are usually up by now,” there came a call through the door. Gwenhyfer’s eyes flew open in surprise. She brushed the hair from Robert’s face with a smile. “I did not sleep well, Aelric. I think it will be afternoon before I rise. You might as well tell the others not to come until tomorrow. I am calling a holiday. We could all use the rest.” “Yes, Milady,” the voice sounded happy. “You are getting no holiday,” Robert growled at her neck. The sleep did him good, and he had her flat on her back in an instant. Gwenhyfer laughed. “Been a long time, has it? Never saw a man not even have to work at it before he finished.” “Your father should have kept a better eye on you. You saw far too much for a child.” Grabbing her hips, he pulled her under him, and her eyes opened wider as he entered her without delay. “If it hurts, I will stop.” “No more soreness than when my father pushed me hard the day before. He always said working the limbs again would make the stiffness fade faster than not using them.” “That is good to hear.” When Gwenhyfer pulled his head down to wipe that grin off his face, he couldn’t keep the pain from showing. “Sit up,” she whispered. He sat on the edge of the bed, breathing deeply, trying to force the pain away. Gwenhyfer straddled him and slid back on to his waiting cock. “Better?” She asked, wrapping her legs around his waist pulling him in even further. “Suddenly I do not think I can find fault with a lady being in a soldier’s camp.” “Why do you think I didn’t want to marry some man I never met? I have seen the pleasure taken in joining. You think I would get it with some boy or old man who only wanted my lands? Some man that would take his relief and leave me to raise some heirs he cares nothing for?” Gwenhyfer started moving her hips, but it did not take 28

Summer Heat 2 much before he matched her strokes. The pain was soon forgotten as his pace quickened, and Gwenhyfer panted. When her breathing grew rapid, he thrust even harder. At her first cry, Robert went over with her but kept thrusting strongly. Her orgasm kept going long after he’d finished. “Now that is what I can do when I have not just been beaten. Do not go spreading stories about that first time,” Robert whispered in her ear as she collapsed on him. “Get some sleep. You had a long night, my archer.” **** Every night, Gwenhyfer shared the bed with Robert, but little sleeping went on. Then Sunday came, and the house stood empty, but for two, as the village attended church. Gwenhyfer took Robert’s hand, and he soon recognized the way to the pond where he saw her bathing before “Is this a hint I stink?” he asked when they arrived. “Very clever of you to notice,” she replied as she pulled off her tunic at the water’s edge and dove in. Watching her, he could hardly get his clothes off fast enough. His injured body could not deal with diving. He slipped in and let out a gasp at the frigid water. The wound had not yet healed enough to let him soak in his earlier swim. “Damn, woman. If I knew it was going to be this cold, I would have heated a bath for you myself.” Her voice appeared in his ear out of nowhere, her nipples hard from the cold rubbing against his back as she did so. “But there is not room for two in the tub.” “You are not going to get much out of me at this temperature even if we have more room.” Despite the brownish hue to the water disguising him, her eyes raked down every angle of his form. “I can have a good view. I am tired of nothing but my own reflection.” Gwenhyfer turned him toward her, and, from the warmth in her eyes alone, he almost overcame the frigid water. Almost but not quite. Reaching into the hidden folds of the tunic, she pulled a cloth out and proceeded to remove his bandages. She checked the wound carefully. Being a tease would not distract her from his welfare. With a wicked grin, she scrubbed his back slowly, down to his buttocks. “Now the front. There is still blood I never got off the first time. A wash basin is just not doing the job.” He turned for her and closed his eyes as she gently worked 29

Summer Heat 2 around the gash across his chest. She cleaned him thoroughly, and then her cloth moved lower. As much as the will was there, the temperature was too cold. Robert picked her up bodily and sat her on the bank. She stared at him, eyes wide that he had lifted her so easily. “There’s more than one way to see to you, if you’re going to tease,” he growled as he pulled himself closer and spread her legs wide. At the first touch of his tongue, he chuckled when she fell against the ground and lay there moaning. Tease he did, sucking until she just about came and then backing away. Each time she groaned in frustration, he made it last even longer. “Robert?” She spoke between moans as he brought her close yet again. “Hmm?” he murmured without breaking his stride. “Teasing? I planned to warm you up properly in a little while. It is just that you smelled. . .” With only a few flicks of his tongue, she came hard, and, knowing the forest held many ears, she shoved her dress in her mouth to muffle the sound. Robert watched her lying there, recovering, his hands still feeling the silky skin she bared for him alone. Then he heard a faint sound and pulled her off the bank into the water. “What . . .” all she could utter before his hand clamped over her mouth. She must have heard the horses too. Her eyes questioned his. His head showed direction before he even spoke. “Ma ange, go hide behind the fallen tree on the other side until we know who it is.” He did not take his eyes from the direction of the sound, even as he pulled his sword from the clothes discarded on the bank. He slid it in the water as Gwenhyfer disappeared beneath the surface. Hearing only a few drops falling betrayed that she surfaced again out of sight. Then he could only wait. It seemed like forever before the horses appeared. “There you are, Robert. We found your horse at the house and knew you had not left yet, or at least your body was not far otherwise.” Robert let out a sigh of relief as he saw some of his own men through the trees, but, behind them, he caught a far better sight. Gwenhyfer ran through the underbrush as naked as a jay. “I should think I have not left yet,” he said pulling himself out of the pond as a distraction, just in case anyone thought of looking around. The barely fused wound stood out red against his skin. “Good God, man. Why are you not dead?” 30

Summer Heat 2 “The lady of the house tended the wound and hid me when the Saxons we fought came looking for me.” He could not smile, even a hint of one, or they would know exactly what happened in the woman’s bed. “Well, thank God and her skill. William ordered us to find out what happened to you. We were not to have a warm bed until he knew.” “There is room enough in the house for warmth, if not exactly beds, and she is a fine cook. Said I stank, though. Perhaps you could do some washing of your own before you head back. I will find her, and let her know she will have company.” Gwenhyfer sat in the kitchen braiding her hair looking as proper as could be. If Robert had not seen it himself, he would have never guessed she had been running through the woods buck-naked only five minutes before. “I will have to go,” Robert whispered. “I know.” “I do not want to.” At that, Gwenhyfer turned and faced him. “But, like my father, you always will go when you are called. It matters not what you wish, another makes the decisions. That is the final reason I would never marry the men offered to me. I make my own decisions.” “Then you regret us?” “I offered for what time I had. No, I do not regret it, only that now the loneliness will return, and I will have go to the pond to see my reflection once again. I will miss our nights talking.” She walked out the door as she tied the braid into place. He watched her walk to the garden and start pulling vegetables for the pot. Robert cursed his cousin William. **** The fires burned low when Robert knocked faintly on the door. “Come.” Gwenhyfer called, and he slid the door open to her room. She lay in bed, but in no way asleep, her dark blue eyes glowing in the firelight. Without a word, Robert took off his clothes and lay next to her, pulling her into his arms. “Talk to me. We have all night. If I fall asleep on the journey tomorrow, I will claim it is from the wound.” Gwenhyfer rolled to face him when the tears started to fall, and he pulled her close. “Hush, ma ange. You do not want to waste our last night crying. Talk to me, or take my heart, but do not cry.” He 31

Summer Heat 2 kissed the tears from her cheeks. He held his breath when she slid onto him. Her nose rested against his. “Do not move. When I am alone, I will be able to remember the feel of you. When dawn is here, you have permission to move. You can leave with your men freshly spent.” Gwenhyfer settled back down, lying against him. Several breaths later, Robert forced back the urge she gave him in that one moment. “Will you have enough food for the winter? How is the harvest going?” The first thing he could think of that did not involve descriptions of the woman killing him slowly. “You know all of that. Tell me of your growing up, of Normandy.” “I suppose you never went there.” “My father did several times, but he never took me or my mother. What is it like?” **** Every man in the yard turned when the door opened, and Gwenhyfer emerged. She carried a bundle of food for the journey, no sign of tears. Her mouth crooked into a wry smile. “Robert, you may be a Norman, but I am glad you came to my house to keep me company for a while.” “Company? One day I am going to come back and make a married woman of you, so do not go and accept another’s offer,” he whispered as he took the bundle from her. Her eyes closed at his words. A movement she hoped none of the others could see. Her words spoke far differently than her face. “A Norman as important as you with an idea like that in your head. William is likely to die laughing.” “Promise me you will take care of yourself, ma ange, and I will see your lands are safe,” he said seriously. It broke his heart to do such a thing, knowing she would be left alone, but he could not stop the words from coming out. “You think I joke, but I am a man of my word. One day when I am free of my duties, I will return.” He whispered in her ear as he placed a ring in her hand. “If there is a child, send for me, but I would prefer to be done with my work rather than subject you to a soldier’s camp again. I have no house of my own. When we wed, you are not leaving my side. This is your home. Someday, God and King willing, I hope you will let me make it mine as well. You offered me a great gift for the time I had. I am saying 32

Summer Heat 2 that our time is not up.” He traced her cheek lightly, but when the tear slid down, he could not stop himself. He kissed her in front of the men. It lasted much longer then he intended. Gwenhyfer did not try to stop him as he rode off. She knew what duty meant. Several weeks after Robert left, a messenger arrived at the house. He presented Gwenhyfer with a charter to the land and properties already hers under King Edward. In fact, he enlarged it by another one thousand acres. William himself had signed the charter. She was safe once again, but still alone.

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PART 2 In the year of our Lord 1069, the Normans remained almost undisputed in their rule. William found only pockets of resistance to contend with. For two years, Gwenhyfer never saw Robert once, though messages arrived telling of the latest with him. She sent back replies. Gwenhyfer called out when she heard the knock on the door. She stopped speechless when she saw the messenger and soldiers come in. She imagined the worst at their presence. The messenger she knew. It was Godwin, the same man that brought her the charter to her lands. “Godwin, what brings you here?” “Your presence is requested at court. The King himself ordered me to come and fetch you.” “The Count d’Urbanville, he is safe though?” “Oh, yes, Milady, Robert is as fine as he can be. He sends his regards that he is well and waits to see you again. He will be there to greet you. You must have made quite an impression two years ago, judging by the look on his face at the thought of meeting you again.” “I saved his life, Godwin. That usually makes an impression on a person. Do you know why I am to present myself to the King?” she snapped, a bit annoyed at what Godwin must think went on all that time ago. Then she bit the inside of her cheek as she realized she could not refute the gossip. “I am sorry, Milady, but I am not privy to such information. No one knows why you are to come, save the King himself. Count d’Urbanville is wondering the reason the same as you.” “When do I have to be there?” “We are to escort you back personally, at the Count d’Urbanville’s orders, as soon as you have readied yourself. He has received reports that there are thieves working along much of the way we take,” the head of the soldiers announced. “There is food over the fire, and you can show the others where the blankets are, Godwin. I have much to do before we leave in the 34

Summer Heat 2 morning.” She headed upstairs to pack. Two damn years. Like Hell she wanted to go, but it was not even Robert’s bidding. The King ordered it. She could not defy the command. **** The soldiers seemed surprised that Gwenhyfer possessed no carriage to take her the long way. They looked even more surprised when she rode a horse the same as them, a war horse no less. The trip to London took little time since the weather stayed surprisingly decent for that late in the year. On the way through the city, Gwenhyfer stopped at the cathedral. The men might have assumed there was no church in Wulfgren as the reason why, but, if they had walked in with her, they would have seen her visit her parents’ graves and light candles in their memory before moving on their way again. Soon reaching the castle, just as they prepared to cross the drawbridge, Gwenhyfer stopped. “An impressive sight the first time, is it not?” Godwin asked with a smile as he gazed on the sight himself. “It has the same foul stench it did when I lived here.” Gwenhyfer continued riding after her escorts looked at her oddly. In all their conversation on the trip, the fact that she may have even visited the castle never arose, let alone lived there. **** The soldiers trained in the courtyard, practicing their craft of war, with Robert at their head. All turned when she appeared. “You made good time,” Robert called with a wide smile as he walked over to them. “The weather held, considering it is fall.” She answered as he helped her from her horse and did not let her go until he gave her a long hug, attracting stares from all assembled. “Robert, this is the Saxon wench that saved your life? All of us should be so lucky.” One man called, and the rest smiled in agreement. “That she is.” Robert announced proudly. “As beautiful as she is, though, I find her so-called talents at archery a crock of shit,” another added. “Perfection comes in many forms. Choose your words wisely,” Gwenhyfer replied, meeting the man’s gaze without looking away. He finally pulled his stare from her. Robert tried to hide his grin but could not hold it in. 35

Summer Heat 2 “You think she is funny, Robert? I think your tale is crap.” Crap? Gwenhyfer held out her hand to one of her escorts, an archer. He looked at Robert for guidance. She would not be moved unless physically picked up, and she knew he would not do that. Robert nodded, and the man handed over his bow and quiver of arrows. “It is hard for women to do. You do not have to embarrass yourself just because you have seen your father practice. Give it up, wench,” her antagonist called as she pulled back the string. Without a word, warning or lengthy aim, she turned and fired. Between two of his fingers, the arrow struck the handle of the pike her heckler held. In rapid succession, several more shafts hit up and down the pike. Not a scratch or drop of blood showed that she hit him. “In the future, I ask that you address me as is my due. I am the Lady Gwenhyfer of Moerhab, and I am here at your King’s invitation. ‘Wench’ is not acceptable, even for Norman manners. And remember one thing, if you wish to doubt any of the stories you may have heard, do so. I do not care, but my father did see I knew how to deal with the likes of your sorry ass, if nothing else.” He withered under her glaring eyes as she handed back the bow. She turned her glare to Robert, “Do you know why I am here?” “The King has not told me that, but, come, I will show you to your room. William left orders that you were to be presented to him at the banquet tonight. You will want to bathe and change before you see him. I did not know if you still owned suitable clothes for court so the seamstress made a few dresses until you can have some more made.” Robert summoned a page to carry her bags and sent a message to have her bath drawn. As they walked off, the knights in the courtyard began to applaud the skill they had just seen. She curtsied as prettily as any damsel inside before she took to the stairs. The page deposited her bags in a room and left them alone. Robert went to the fireplace and built up the small fire. When he turned back, Gwenhyfer stood in the doorway as still as a statue. “What is wrong, ma ange?” “Why was I put here, of all places?” “What is wrong?” he asked. She gave him an odd look, and his smile died. He seriously worried about her then. “This room is second only to the King’s. It used to belong to one of Edward’s advisors. He moved its tenant just for your visit.” Robert looked over at her as the words came out of his mouth, realizing what he said. He pulled her 36

Summer Heat 2 inside and closed the door. “Yes, this is. . . was the room I lived in. The one I lived in with my parents before being given my own. I saw my parents die here. The things at the house used to decorate this room. I lived seventeen years of my life in this castle except when we were at Moerhab once or twice a year. I know this room as if I know myself. I miss them enough as it is. Why, Robert?” Robert turned her head with his fingers, forcing her to look at him. “I only know that the King has asked about you. Perhaps he thought it would make you feel more comfortable. This is where he ordered me to bring you, that is all I know.” He bent his head and kissed her lightly. She remained as if a statue, and he pulled away to look at her. “You have accepted another?” “No, there is no one. I remain alone.” “Then what is wrong?” The look her heckler endured returned to her eyes, and this time Robert was on the wrong end of it. “Two years I wondered if you joked. The notes you sent spoke nothing of returning, only that you are well, you are busy. The King has done this. You returned to Normandy for a time. They arranged a marriage for you, but you turned it down. This fight happened; you were wounded once again. They were the notes one would send if you never spoke such words before you left. Now I am to rush into your arms because you are here, ready to pick up where you started? Will it be for a day or a month this time? When do you leave again?” “In a week,” he whispered, not wanting to admit it. “Gwenhyfer, I tried to come back and visit for the last two years, but William always came to me with another assignment. My father died, and I returned home. I turned down the woman they wanted me to marry so I could come back to you. I wanted time and time again to leave my duty behind. But my cousin depends on me, and I can’t run from that.” “You could have said that in your messages. You could have sent some clue that you meant what you said. I felt the same as you did the day you left. But two years with no mention of it at all, even when I wrote that the village very nearly starved to death over the winter after most of the food and money was confiscated by the King’s own men. I expected no help, but your next message only said that you were well. I tried to put it behind me, figuring that you meant nothing of your declaration.” 37

Summer Heat 2 “Please, I have never forgotten. I did not get your letter until after I sent mine. I . . .” The knock on the door interrupted his words, and her bath was brought in. He left her, but there was no smile on his face. Weapons were not the only things she could wield with deadly accuracy. Her words cut just as deep. **** Robert returned several hours later when he was told that she was ready to see the King. Clean himself, he wore a deep royal blue cotehardie, his family crest embroidered in gold. There was to be a banquet that evening; the reason for it, no one knew. She greeted him, a sight like none he had ever seen before. Gwenhyfer stood dressed in the finest of cloth and none of it the clothes he provided. She obviously did not need his help as far as clothing for court went. The gown of the finest wool and dyed deep red pooled at her feet and fanned out in a train when she walked. A sleeveless tunic of off-white hung, bound at the waist by a gleaming girdle of gold, fashioned to look like long vines of ivy. Her hair was tied with golden thread to match the gold circlet. Bracelets and rings of gold, pearls and rubies matched her dress. He never thought she could be more beautiful. “You are indeed an angel,” he finally whispered, though the words were redundant by then. Gwenhyfer held out her hand for him to take. “Come, the King waits.” As they walked down the hall, even if discreetly, everyone stared. The castle had filled with talk of her since the King’s order. The Great Hall stood full as the banquet prepared to start. All the talking stopped without a word from anyone when she appeared. They all seemed too curious. “Please come forward,” the King ordered. Gwenhyfer let go of Robert's arm and continued alone. She curtsied gracefully and raised her head slowly until she looked at him directly. Nothing intimidated her. She still held enough secrets in her head to make many uncomfortable, even with a change of kings. “I suppose I shall have to forgive you for making us wait. As my wife, Matilda, always tells me, beauty such as this does not just happen.” The gathered crowd chuckled, and the King grinned at his wife next to him. “Now I assume that you would like to know why you have been summoned here and by the King, no less. It has come to my attention that Moerhab or, more precisely the village that lies 38

Summer Heat 2 on its edge, has no governance. What was its name again, Robert?” “Wulfgren, your Highness.” “Quite right, that is the name. The area is quite large, as I am sure you know. Through Robert’s accidental arrival in your part of the country and your letters since, I have come to the impression that it is in sore need for the protection I should be offering to all my holdings, whether city or, in your case, barely a village. It is only fair that you receive some benefit from what you are paying into my coffers.” Gwenhyfer was not to be placated by such pretty words. “Your cousin did inform you that you taxed so heavily as to almost starve us through the winter. If I did not empty my own pockets in order to buy food, you would have no village to tax at all. I see no reason for anyone's assistance to fleece us like sheep even more. A King does not need my presence to make appointments in his kingdom. Exactly why have you summoned me here?” Several in the room gasped at such words said to the King before a man standing nearby shouted in interruption. “Your Highness, you are not going to let a woman, and a commoner, talk to you like that?” Gwenhyfer wondered what he was playing at. Even Edward would have brought her to task for such words. He may have valued her words, but he demanded respect even still. The King ignored the man’s protest. “Despite your feelings, I think it would cause considerable problems if you were taken out of the situation and your lands. Due to what I have heard of your holdings from Robert, you are the closest thing to a ruler, Lord, or whatever you want to call it, that these people have. Whether it is out of loyalty to your father, or because of agreements that I know nothing about, I do not know. I feel that a union between you and the new Count of Moerhab would be the best choice, a blending of the old and new, as it were. It will cut out any chance for resentment and, as my choice has no lands, you will not end up as chatelaine of some Norman castle away from your home.” Gwenhyfer felt Robert stiffen behind her. Did he still care that much? Hell, she fought all attempts to marry her off the first time she was at court. Her own hand clenched. “It is not your right to play God, cousin.” Robert hissed after a moment’s silence. Gasps filled the room. “Your Highness, it is ridiculous that you would force one of your faithful noblemen to marry this outspoken Saxon wench. One who, they say, has little morals as far as men are 39

Summer Heat 2 concerned,” a man from the side called out. Robert’s hand flew from his side and struck the man offending her honor. He pulled it back to strike again, but Gwenhyfer took one long stride to reach him. She took hold of his hand and intertwined her fingers in his so he could not let go. It stopped him dead in his tracks, and he turned back to her, as surprised as everyone else. Robert had one of the strongest sword arms in the kingdom. Either she held superhuman strength, or she held a power over him stronger than his anger. “Why did you never mention how you still felt, that you wanted to come back?” She asked for his ears alone. That the entire room stared meant nothing. Before she fought the King of all people, she had to know. He started grinning. “It made the want worse, and I did not think you would appreciate me taking one of the camp followers you observed so often in your stead. All hope is not lost for me then? Trust me; it killed me not to come back. If I had known it would take so long, I would have subjected you to the soldiers’ camp.” Her eyes closed slowly as Robert traced her cheek, like the day he had left her. “Can you be happy with the faults of a woman who has lived alone for too long and tries to hide her heart from the hurt of being alone forever?” she whispered. The man Robert hit came forward, wishing to pay back the insult. “Stay where you are, or I shall let go. An old man is no challenge for him,” Gwenhyfer hissed, without opening her eyes. It held even more impact that she did not yell. The man froze, watching them carefully. “Philip, this matter has nothing to do with you. You shall not be marrying her. Keep your tongue, or I shall have it cut out,” the King bellowed. Gwenhyfer let him get no further and held up her hand for his silence. The little sound in the room stopped as if the King himself ordered it. They were all too shocked to see her interrupting him. “I do not know who this man is that slanders me, but may I have permission to correct some of the false ideas he has about me?” “There are those in my court that were here when Edward was ruler, when you lived here, few though they are. They have said that you were the most beautiful at court, and, now that I have seen you, I have to believe them. They also said you were the most outspoken. I too have heard strange stories of your practicing with the soldiers and 40

Summer Heat 2 archers and holding your own among them. I found the tales hard to believe until your demonstration to the knights in the courtyard today.” The knights clamored in agreement. “Your father must have been a remarkable man to train a daughter such as you. I give you permission to correct him and perhaps me as well since I feel that you will correct him without my permission.” Gwenhyfer bowed her head politely at the compliment despite it being veiled. “Since the King has been asking about me, I am sure he knows much of this already so I shall address you, Philip. My father held post as advisor to King Edward for twenty years and his knight before that. My father was Eoarl and I his only surviving heir. I lived in this castle for seventeen years. I watched my parents die here. I have met kings before and, no offense to his Highness, but ones that have been so longer than the one before me now and with more noble bloodlines. I watched Edward become an old man before my eyes.” Philip opened his mouth, but one look at Robert, still being help back by Gwenhyfer, stopped his words. “I have sent men to their deaths for plotting against their King, and I made an enemy of the one that wished to steal the throne from the King before me now. Much of what the King knew of what happened in his castle, he knew because of me. No spy, I sought none of these plots out. Foolish men with more ambition than brains would come to me telling of their plans to become king, and they would make me their queen. The foolish men I would merely watch until they showed signs of actually going through with their plans, and then I would warn the King. I believe Harold is a name you are familiar with. For a long time, he could never figure out how Edward knew of his plans, but eventually they found the man with the wandering eye and the loose tongue. My father was too powerful for them to just kill me, but they thought that if I were immoral, I could be a liar as well. My father would have taken their heads for daring to touch me without marriage and mine for having let them after being trained to do more than scream to scare off some unwanted advances. As you can see, I am not dead from the attempts on my life or from my father's hand,”Gwenhyfer concluded. “Well said. Now Philip, and indeed you, Robert, do you think that I can finish uninterrupted?” the King requested. Philip nodded weakly as a guard took position next to him. The King did nothing toward Robert but continued talking, “Robert, I am not playing God. I am giving her the opportunity to marry the man that fell in love with 41

Summer Heat 2 her. I hope you did not think that I would do such a thing to you when you told me how you felt. Indeed your family came to me, trying to have me force the match that you turned down. I told them in good conscience that I could not force you into such a match, knowing you held another in your heart. For those of you who say I am sentimental or softhearted, I will admit the match you found for yourself would do my ruling this country far more good than your parents’ match would do them. And as for you, Gwenhyfer, I am not as unfeeling or cruel as you seem to think.” William smiled. “Not this time, anyway, as we all know I have not led a blameless life, but I think I am glad Harold usurped the throne. I am not sure I would have liked you, Gwenhyfer, or your father, as an adversary.” The laughter became uproarious and difficult to control, but finally the room grew silent. “But I ask you not to marry a stranger to suit my purpose. If I had not been interrupted so often, you would have already heard that I ask you to marry the man that two years ago told me of you, your kindness, the promise he left with you, and, most of all, your bravery on his behalf. I felt that he very well might kill me when he has protected me from so many when I told him I could not allow it. I did not die laughing as you predicted. It hurt me a great deal to forbid it, for the reason that I still did not control this land fully. Fighting still needed to be done. I could not spare him at such a time. He held his temper and continued his work, but I know that he was not with me as before. His heart belonged with you, even if he still gave me his allegiance. I did not allow him to visit even for a time, fearing, that if he saw you, he would never return to me. If word did not arrived that Wulfgren recovered after the ‘raid’, for I will call it that, he was going to your aid in a few days despite my command. Under my orders, he tracked down those that taxed you unfairly, and they are all either in the dungeon or dead. My taxes may be high I fear, but if I am to continue to rule then they have to be fair as well. There are some that are taking advantage, and many areas have no governance except from afar as of yet, a fact I soon hope to have remedied. I am in control of my domain now, and I have found those to replace my cousin in his duties that he has fulfilled so long and so faithfully. His only duty now will be to rule the part of my kingdom near your lands. You will not have to share them with a man you do not know nor leave the house covered in ivy that Robert fell in love with as much as he has with you. There is little that I would not do to repay him for all he has done and the wounds that he has 42

Summer Heat 2 received in my stead. I did not tell him of my plan to see you together until it came time. It would have distracted him from the task at hand, a task that, I am sorry for your sake, has taken so long.” “William, are you sure?” Robert asked in shock. “Do you wish to argue with me over such a matter? I do believe you have picked a good woman for your wife, Robert, to live with among the ivy. All I ask is that I will be your first child’s godfather.” Her arms folded around his neck despite everyone watching. All forgiven. The whispers began until the knights began to cheer. Soon the cheers became too loud for the whispers to be heard. **** Several minutes later, Robert and Gwenhyfer married in the King’s own chapel. The banquet everyone prepared for unknowingly became a nuptial celebration. . When spring came, they left for Normandy to collect Robert’s things and introduce his wife to his family. Then they returned, for good, to the stone house covered in ivy, a true home once again. END

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Whispers By HH Self A cowboy discovers he may lose more than just his job to the mysterious Indian maiden some call a Horse Whisperer. http://www.hhself.net

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Summer Heat 2

Whispers By HH Self Hank picked his six-foot-two frame up off the ground, knocking the dust from his faded trousers with a tattered, sweat stained cowboy hat. The dark stallion, which only a moment before slammed him to the ground, still pawed at the hard earth, eyes ablaze with unwavering defiance. Running his fingers through dark hair then shoving his hat back in place, Hank looked at the gate as it opened enough to let the Indian enter. Whisperer, my ass, he thought. He looked at Jake who motioned him toward the opening. Let her have her try then I can get back to work, Hank told himself. As the two passed, Hank could see the Whisperer’s dark eyes were as cold and defiant as those of the stallion. “Mumbo jumbo bull,” he whispered loud enough for her to hear. Her reply came in Paiute, but her tone made her meaning clear. Hank pulled the gate closed and stood by Jake. “This is bull—” “Give it a chance, Hank,” Jake said and then spat on the ground. “Ain’t no shame; you broke more horses here than anyone. This one is just different so we’re gonna try a different way.” Hank placed one foot on the weatherworn bottom rail of the fence and looked back toward the Indian and horse. She inched her way closer to the stallion. As she did, her whole demeanor changed. The cold dark brown eyes he saw before now sparkled. The way she carried her body became open, warm and calm. Her arms hung by her sides, palms facing forward. “Going to get her fool self killed,” Hank 45

Summer Heat 2 snapped, never looking at Jake. “Maybe,” Jake replied. “But the Colonel over at Fort Steele says she has a way with horses. So what do we have to lose?” “Time. I could be getting a saddle on that horse, for one thing.” Hank pushed the brim of his hat up and wiped his forehead with his handkerchief. “How did Roberts wind up with a Horse Whisperer?” “The army captured her along with the rest of the people in her village several months back. Everyone, but her, got shipped north. Colonel Roberts said he kept her back because of the way she handled horses.” “Her being a beautiful young woman, think that might have been the real reason, Jake?” “Beautiful, hm?” Hank gave Jake a narrow-eyed sideways glance then turned his attention back to the corral. “Like you didn’t notice.” Jake chuckled. The woman and the stallion stood fifteen feet apart, looking each other over. Her dark eyes locked to the stallion’s, and, for a time, neither seemed to breathe. Then the stallion stomped the ground and bolted toward her. A cloud of dust swirled around the thundering hooves. Hank started over the fence, knowing she stood little chance against the large horse. However, before he could clear the top rail, the horse passed her, coming so close the fringe on her dress fluttered though she did not move until he passed. She looked at Hank straddling the top rail and, for a moment, her warm expression held. Hank looked down at the grin on Jake’s face. As he started off the fence, Hank’s eyebrow rose. “Don’t you say a damn thing, old man.” Hank turned and headed up the worn path, mumbling under his breath. He stepped around the corner of the main house where he could watch the Whisperer and the stallion without being seen by Jake. She had guts. He would give her that. Something else there too, but Hank pulled himself away, to the south pasture and a fence that needed mending. **** That evening as Jake, Hank and a few of the other hands sat around the dinner table, Hank pushed back from the table. “Ain’t right, Jake.” “It was her choice to settle in the barn. She said she wanted to stay close to the stallion. What would you have me do?” Jake 46

Summer Heat 2 shrugged. “What about the chains?” Hank felt his expression harden. “That were the army and not me, Hank, and you know it as well as I do.” Jake’s wife, Molly, headed for the door with a plate she had dished up for the Whisperer. Hank stood up and took it. “Let me.” He smiled the smile that made the women around those parts wonder just why he remained running free. As Hank reached the doorway, his large muscular form dominating it, he looked back at Jake. “You know it ain’t right.” Jake raised an eyebrow, but this time, no smile accompanied it. “You best remember how things are before you find yourself between a rock and the Colonel.” Hank didn’t much care for the way Jake put that. Jake knew darn well Hank and Colonel Roberts didn’t like each other. It seemed to Hank the Colonel’s horse had more sense than the man. Only reason he could see for Roberts having that kind of authority lay in the fact the Colonel’s brother had been elected to Congress. Jake was right about one thing. Crossing the Colonel usually ended in trouble for someone. But then trouble had its good points, Hank thought, as he stepped out onto the porch. A full moon lit the path to the barn, its light filtering into the old building, laying a soft glow on the Whisperer. Her head tilted to one side, she looked lost in watching the stallion shifting around in the corral, the relaxed posture stood in stark contrast to the shackle around the young woman’s ankle and its chain fastened to the support post by the stall. Hank cleared his throat. “I already knew you were there,” she said, her eyes staying on the stallion. “What is it you want?” A bit startled at her near-perfect English, Hank hesitated for a second before extending his hand that held the plate. “I brought you something to eat.” She turned and looked at him, her eyes losing their warmth. “I could smell that much. You still have not told me what it is you want.” He closed the distance between them and handed her the plate. “Nothing I want from you, Horse Whisperer.” With a shrug, he started back to the door but only got about halfway. When he turned back to speak to her, she sat waiting for him. “You really think you can break that horse by talking to it?” 47

Summer Heat 2 “I am not trying to break him, just explain his situation to him and what he must do to survive. He would die before he let anyone break his spirit.” Her eyes narrowed as she waited for Hank’s next question. “Why help us and the Army with the horses? Being chained and all, I mean.” “The Colonel promised that would be all that he would require of me, if I did this willingly.” “Guess I can understand that, though I would not put much faith in the Colonel’s word, Horse Whisperer.” “Luyu. My name is Luyu.” A smile crossed her lips as she turned back to the stallion and started eating. Dismissed, Hank left the barn, carrying an uneasy feeling that haunted him the remainder of that night. **** The next day, Hank and Jake watched Luyu move closer to the stallion. That day, she caressed his nose before he bolted away. “You could be right, Hank. This may be a lot of bull,” Jake said. “Give it time, Jake. Like you said, we got nothing to lose.” Jake rubbed the back of his neck, head moving from side to side. With long strides, he headed back to the main house. “Ain’t no figuring that cowboy out,” Hank heard him mumble on the way. For the next hour, Hank watched as Luyu and the stallion moved in slow circles around the corral. The stallion’s nostrils flared, his front hooves pulling a dust cloud into the air, yet the Whisperer never seemed to see the danger Hank saw. At times, their movements reminded him of a dance. The next second, it would seem the prelude to battle. In a single moment, the unheard music of their encounter must have stopped as both turned and walked away from the other. Luyu stepped out of the corral, closing the gate behind her, then locked her gaze to Hank’s. “I believe the Colonel said someone needed to escort me to and from the barn.” Hank looked around, realizing Luyu and he were the only two there. “Yeah, I think Jake mentioned it.” He motioned toward the barn with a nod. The distance between them seemed almost measured as they walked the worn path to the barn, the only sound passing between them the whisper of a summer breeze. Once there, Hank picked up the shackle. He shifted the cold steel from hand to hand, a grimace on his face. “If you give me your word you will not try and run away, I’ll leave this off.” 48

Summer Heat 2 “Why would I run away, Hank?” She called him by his name, for the first time, and it sent a twinge through him, one as disconcerting as it was pleasant. “I have been ripped from my family; soon the Colonel will forget his promise and force me to his bed. Why would I run away?” The coldness in her tone and eyes sent a chill through Hank. She took the manacle from his hand, letting her fingers move over his palm, dropping the indifferent steel to the floor. “I promise not to run until my job here is finished.” She sat down, her attention shifting to the stallion. Hank let his gaze move over her. Raven hair and eyes graced a face of tempting beauty. Even concealed in a deerskin dress, her body captivated a man’s thoughts. He envied the stallion for the way he could light up her eyes with joy. “You could take it.” She said as she continued to watch the horse. “Take what?” His eyes widened. She looked at him, “You have the strength to take what you want, and none could stop you, though I would try. Would it not be sweet revenge to have the woman who has taken your place with the stallion?” Her eyes focused on the pressing bulge in his trousers. “No one would believe me over you. You could fill me with that part of you screaming for release. You could pour your seed into me and then act as if nothing had happened.” “Suppose I could,” he said as he walked to the door. Reaching it, he looked back. “Being able and doing ain’t the same.” “Maybe,” she said, turning back to the stallion. **** That evening, Hank let Molly take Luyu her supper. When Molly handed the plate to Luyu, she noticed the shackle lay beside the post. “Hank do that?” She tapped the cold steel with her foot. “Yes. It would seem he has a kinder heart than most.” “Yep, a lot of the women around these parts have tried to put their brand on that heart.” Molly said, with a twinkle in her eye. “He always seems to slip right out of their grip. Not sure that one will ever get tied down.” “Maybe tying him down was the reason he slipped away.” Molly frowned then tapped the shackle once more with her foot. “You know if you run off, Hank will have hell to pay when Colonel Roberts finds out.” Luyu gave a half smile before returning her attention to the stallion, “I understand.” 49

Summer Heat 2 Molly hoped Luyu did understand just how much Colonel Roberts would enjoy seeing Hank in shackles. Those two had been butting heads over the Indians and wild horses ever since the Colonel arrived in the territory. Hank made no bones about the fact he thought both had a right to a home there. Roberts, on the other hand, saw both as a commodity. Hank also took too much pleasure in exposing the Colonel’s under-the-table dealings with the local Indian Agent. It wouldn’t take much for Roberts to find a reason, legal or otherwise, to have Hank tossed in the brig. Or worse. **** The next day, Jake and Hank watched as Luyu caressed the neck of the stallion and, for the first time, seemed to whisper to the horse. That day, the horse did not bolt or run away. With cautious steps, he moved close to her, and then long strides took him to the fence. His gaze moved from the buckskin beauty to the open pasture. “Molly says you left the shackles off the Whisperer. Think that’s smart, Hank?” Jake cocked his head to one side. “Luyu. Her name is Luyu. She gave me her word she would not run off.” Hank left off the part about the promise only lasting until she finished her work with this horse. Not that Jake would ever tell Roberts she had intentions of running, but no use putting the burden of a secret on Jake. “Besides, even if it ain’t smart, it’s the right thing to do.” “Suppose so, but doing the right thing has got a lot of people shot.” Hank laughed. “Hell, we both know Roberts can’t shoot worth a darn.” Jake shook his head, “He can’t, but the soldiers always with him can. Just be careful you don’t wind up shooting yourself in the foot.” “I think Luyu is making some progress.” Hank ignored the last of Jake’s warning. “I reckon. See to it she gets back to the barn.” Jake stepped away from the corral. “Sure, Jake. No problem.” “Now why ain’t that a surprise,” Jake said under his breath as he walked off. As Hank and Luyu started back to the barn, she touched his arm. “How about we take the long way back today.” She pointed to the upper corral holding the working stock. “Why not,” Hank said. He wanted to be near her, although her 50

Summer Heat 2 ability to see more than he cared to reveal caused a level of uneasiness. When they got to the upper corral, Luyu stretched out her hand. A pale gray mare came over to her. “She likes you.” Luyu smiled at Hank. “What?” Hank asked. “The mare. She is your horse. Right?” “How did you know?” “She thinks you are a good friend, a good man.” Luyu looked at Hank, “I think she could be right.” Hank reached out and let his fingers caress the horse. When they met Luyu’s fingers, she pulled back, giving him a smile as warm as the sun that hung in the cloudless azure sky. Once more, her eyes seemed to see more than he cared to reveal. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned toward the barn, her steps bordering on a youthful skip. Reaching the door, Hank turned to leave. Luyu reached out, capturing his hand in hers. With a soft tug, she led him to the deep shadows of the stall, a place, that for the moment, she called home. “I will not fully give myself to any man as long as I am captive, but perhaps there is something we can still share.” Her eyes sparkled as he leaned closer and found her soft lips with his, her taste sweet and haunting. For a moment, she returned the kiss then she pressed one hand against his chest, pushing him back. “You must promise not to take more than I choose to give.” Hank’s blood ran hot with passion, his heart pounding with desire. “I promise,” he whispered as he tried to close the distance between them. Her hand stayed on his chest. When reassured he would not move, she began unlacing the shoulders of her dress. The soft deerskin fell from her smooth dark skin to reveal full breasts tipped with hard nipples as dark as blueberries. She pulled one of his hands to her breast. “This much you can have.” Hank stood at arm’s distance for a while, letting his hands and gaze move over the beauty exposed to him. His palms felt the burning touch of pebble-hard nipples beneath them as his fingers stroked the yielding firmness of her breasts. Leaning down, Hank pressed his mouth to hers. His tongue teased her lips until they parted, releasing a moan, her following inhalation an invitation he accepted. His tongue slipped into the heat of her mouth as her tongue twisted over his and 51

Summer Heat 2 then pressed into his mouth. Like twin columns of smoke rising in a whirlwind, their exploration deepened until lips parted with a gasp. Hank whispered, “Luyu…?” Her finger to his lips answered his question. He kissed her fingertip, and then his lips moved down her slender neck and into the valley between her breasts. Tongue and lips scaled her mounds while his hands caressed the naked flesh of her back and shoulders. Her head leaning back, her fingers weaving through his hair, pulling him tighter to her, a sigh of pleasure crossed her strawberry lips. Hank savored the texture of her breast as his tongue swirled around and over the dark peak. He took her nipple into his mouth, letting teeth graze the hardness as his lips drew it deeper. He wanted more, and her whimpers told him she did as well. Too soon, she pulled away, lifting the deerskin back over her body. She looked at him with eyes flickering with dark fire, asking if he meant to keep his promise. He did. **** The next day, the stallion came to her, his nose pushing at her shoulder. One would have thought it his turn to speak. The two stood in the middle of the corral for hours. Luyu’s hands moved through his mane and over his strong neck with the gentleness of a spring breeze. From where Hank watched, it seemed Luyu and the stallion took turns telling each other stories of a place far from the hard dry earth beneath them. At the end of the last story, Luyu reached into the small pouch she wore and took out an apple. With an open hand, she offered it to the horse. The stallion took the apple gingerly from her, with a touch of his lips to her palm. Hank and Luyu walked, gazes lingering on each other. Approaching the barn door, their fingers interlaced. When they reached the stall, Luyu placed her fingers to his lips. “Remember your promise.” She lay back on the straw and inched her dress up slender legs, the fringed edge slowly rising to reveal the dark curls that covered her pussy. Peering from the curls like dark-edged petals, her labia opened with a hint of pink. Hank reached down to undo his belt, but her head moved from side to side. “Not with your cock.” Hank knelt at her feet. He raised one of her legs, kissing her ankle. When he did, her folds parted further showing the soft pink center, glistening with a sheen of moisture. The desire she stirred within him the day before had been churning when they entered the 52

Summer Heat 2 barn. Now it pounded in his trousers, eager for release. A promise was a promise. He raised her other leg, kissing her ankle. Then, resting both legs on his shoulders, he stroked her outer legs. With his lips and tongue traveling over her inner calves, Hank moved patiently toward her moist center. But, by the time he reached her lush thighs, need weighed heavily on patience. Her bottom rose high off the straw, reaching for the forthcoming mouth. His hands moved forward until they caressed her hips. Her legs slid from his shoulders, spreading wide and showing the engorged folds of her pussy. Jeweled beads of wetness hung from her cleft as the sweet musk of her need filled his nostrils. Strong hands cupped her small bottom, keeping it suspended. His lips brushed the soft heated flesh of her sex. The muted whimpers that followed the kisses up her legs now turned to wanton moans of need. As his tongue extended and traced the edges of her outer folds, then explored her inner depth, she softly murmured in her native tongue. Hank may not have understood Paiute, but he knew ‘stop’ was not one of the words she used. His hands softly kneaded the round swells of her bottom as his tongue explored the texture and taste of her pussy. Each sweep of his tongue brought ever-hastening words to her lips. Words more breathed than spoken. Words held together with moans. His lips gently pressed back the fleshy hood, and his tongue flickered at the hidden pebble. Her muted cries swallowing up the last of her words, fingers tugged at his hair, pulling his mouth tightly to her. His hands moved up under her dress, hands that found the two nipples, nipples that echoed the hardness his tongue laved. Lips surrounded the hard bud her clit had become, and his mouth softly sucked, giving his tongue full access to every nerve. His thumb and fingers tugged and pinched the diamond-hard nipples. Her pelvis rose, pressing hard to his mouth, as her breasts pushed closer to their captor. Her body trembled, and her moans were lost to the out rush of hot breath that passed her lips. Each time, his tongue lapped the nectar from her moist depths. He felt her body shiver until she could take no more and pushed his head from between her thighs. She lowered her dress. Hank pulled her into his arms. A slow kiss mingled the flavor of her sex with her mouth. In the shadows, the two sat, her watching the stallion, Hank watching her. 53

Summer Heat 2 **** The next day, Luyu took a blanket into the corral with her. First letting the stallion smell it and then rubbing him with it. She let it glide over his coat and finally let it rest on his back. All the time, she spoke to him, repeating this until the horse did not flinch at the blanket’s touch. Jake smiled and nudged Hank. “Won’t be long now.” Jake had no idea how his words burned in Hank’s ear or the way they twisted at his guts. As soon as the horse was ready for a saddle, it meant returning Luyu back to the fort, back to the Colonel. “Yeah, maybe, Jake. But it’s one thing to put a blanket on that horse, damn sure another to get up on his back and stay.” “You ain’t still pissed over her working this horse, are you?” Jake’s wrinkled grin scarcely hidden. “Why should I be? Nobody has ever been on his back but me, even if it wasn’t for all that long.” Jake chuckled as he turned and walked away. Soon Hank found himself stepping through the barn door with Luyu. He did so with mixed emotions. He wanted to be close to her, but the aching between his thighs made it difficult to keep his promise of taking no more than she offered. “I think I should get going today, Luyu.” She smiled and stretched on her toes to kiss his cheek, the kiss stealing all his strength to leave. She walked to the stable stall and lowered to her knees. One finger curled, beckoning him to her. As he approached, her shimmering stare never left his. She released her hair from its captive thongs of leather and let it flow down, over her shoulders. By the time he reached her, the top of her dress lay undone, exposing her breasts. “You are so beautiful, Luyu.” He moved to kneel, but her eyes told him no. Her hands started to undo his trousers, a release aided by the pressing of his cock, straining for escape. As she pulled the trousers down, his shaft jutted out from his body hard and strong, reaching for Luyu’s first touch. Her lips were so close that her breath washed over the tip of his cock like scalding liquid. Delicate willowy dark fingers wrapped around the pale erection as best his size would allow. Her warm pink tongue slipped out from between moist lips to let its tip trace the edge of his swollen crown. His hands reached for her, but, with a soft touch and a sinful smile, she guided them behind his back. Keeping them from the feel of her skin proved to be a chore for Hank. He had never seen anything 54

Summer Heat 2 more erotic than the vision of Luyu. Her black hair flowed over her body like a deep dark river that parted to expose her shoulders and full rising breasts. Her gaze moved back and forth from the hardness she held in her hand to his face, the light in her eyes dancing more with each journey. Both hands now held his firm flesh, fingers laced together as she let her palms stroke his length. Each time her fingers reached the ridge of the crown, they tightened and pulled him forward so that her lips brushed the smooth crimson flesh that burned for her touch. When his breathing hastened, her fingers untwined, and palms pressed to either side of his sex. She raised the rigid column to expose the sensitive underside to her now fully extended tongue, a tongue that explored his length from tip to balls. Then, not neglecting his balls, she let his cock lay against her face as she gently sucked each in turn into her mouth and bathed it with her tongue. As she pulled back, his hot swollen length glided over her face until her lips caught the tip, lips that parted and took in the head of his cock, lips that slipped down his length, engulfing him in the consuming heat of her mouth. Her hands grasped his ass cheeks, and her mouth took every inch of cock that reached from his body, the crown resting in her throat as her lower lip pressed to the sack that held his balls. He felt her tongue twisting and caressing his shaft as the muscles of her throat quivered around its tip. After two days of getting to this point, he knew he couldn’t last long. His fingers interlaced behind his back to stop from touching her, squeezing so tight the knuckles ached. Her head moved back until her lips held his tip then plunged to take him all again. A rhythm started slow but built with a fevered need. Wet lips squeezed tight as they slipped over the soft flesh that covered his steel-hard cock. Blue veins laced through his rod. Veins that pulsed, filled to capacity, as her tongue traced the pulsing paths. His eyes blurred with passion until Luyu seemed held in a fog before him. Muscles shuddered, contracted and released as he exploded into her throat. Her head rocked back, with open mouth, and he watched the jets of thick cum shoot past her lips and flow over her tongue. With the last pulse of liquid, her head tilted forward, and her lips claimed the head of his cock, suckling the final drop from flesh now so sensitive her breath caused shivers to surge through his body. She stood on her toes once more as she kissed him. Letting him taste himself blended with her mouth as one hand caressed his waning 55

Summer Heat 2 erection. He wanted more of her, but he knew it would not be offered as she pulled his trousers up, giving his half-rigid member a kiss before tucking it away. **** The next morning, Luyu stopped at the gate where Jake and Hank stood waiting to see what she would do. “Today I need to take the stallion from the corral.” She pointed to the meadow down by the small stream. “I must show the stallion it is his choice to stay.” Jake protested, but Hank had total faith in Luyu. He won Jake over with the stipulation that he would go with her and be responsible for both her and the stallion. Jake watched, shaking his head in disbelief, as Luyu led the stallion away toward the meadow. Hank followed her, leading his saddled mare. When they reached the meadow, she took the lead rope off the stallion and whispered into his ear. He pulled back and ran across the field of swaying grass. Hank started to mount his horse, but Luyu gripped his arm. “It is alright, Hank. He is only stretching and playing. He will not leave me here.” Hank watched as the stallion did indeed turn at the meadow’s edge, kicking his heels in the air and running along the creek bank. Hank hitched his horse to an old cottonwood and started following Luyu along the creek’s edge until they came to a large clover patch. Luyu stood in the center and undid her dress, letting it pool at her feet before stepping from it. Her hair again free from the leather thongs, it shifted in the warm summer breeze. Hank felt unsure of his ability to keep his promise. He wanted to take all of her. His concern vanished when she motioned him closer and whispered into his ear: “I want to feel you deep within me.” She helped him disrobe, tossing his clothes to one side. Luyu lay down on her back in the clover. Her knees bent, her feet rested flat on the ground with her legs spread wide. Her breasts rose and fell with a heavy breath. A smile invited his lips to hers. The rise of her hips invited his shaft to fill her sheath. He knelt before her parted legs and placed his first kiss on inner thigh. The kisses moved up, to her sex, where a flickering tongue lingered until her pussy offered the first drops of nectar. The kisses then trailed up her firm flat belly, and his tongue teased a ticklish bellybutton as she squirmed beneath his touch. Upward his kisses rose, to find her breasts as fingers skillfully continued pulling heat from her passion-moistened depths. The kisses trailed up her neck and, as his mouth found her lips, the head of his 56

Summer Heat 2 cock nudged past her slick folds until it pressed at the opening of her silken passage. He pulled back from the kiss until he could look into her eyes. “Are you sure, Luyu?” “Make love to me, Hank. Fill me as no man has before.” Hank’s mouth claimed hers. His cock pressed entry. As his tongue explored the texture of her mouth, the head of his column caressed the velvet ripples of her tight passage, pressing ever deeper into her trembling body. A sigh rushed over her quivering lips as he reached the hilt of his length. The kiss broken, he raised up as he pulled half his length from her. He watched his cock sliding out, covered with her glistening juice, the rest still hidden inside the darkskinned beauty. Her dark pubic hair floated around a white-hot steel rod, pulsing, demanding, as Hank plunged into her once more. The strokes started slow and gentle, accompanied by kisses to her face and neck. Their desire pressed the tempo and the force of each thrust. Their bodies came together with the fire of lightning and the power of thunder. “Fuck me,” she cried, stirring the birds from the trees. “Fill me with your seed.” Her coltish legs wrapped around his waist, and her ankles locked together. Each of his thrusts wildly met by her bucking, each withdrawal carried moans for more. Her body froze then shuddered as her pussy clamped tight around his shaft. Ripples of muscle spasms from deep within her washed over his rod as his release gushed into her. In a moment of perfect bliss, the clover patch became the entire universe, Luyu and Hank the only two within it. Within entwined arms and passionate kisses, all that held them to the earth was lost. For as long as possible, they held on to a moment that felt like it should last an eternity. Luyu kissed his lips softly as she rose to her feet. Hank lay back in the clover, his heart filled with her beauty and his love for her. He watched as she picked up her dress and motioned to the stallion that came without hesitation. She draped her dress over his back and swung up on him. Her gaze locked to Hank’s for a second, and, within it, he saw something more than shown by the weak smile she gave him. Hank rose to his elbow, in amazement, as the stallion raced across the meadow, his dark mane streaming in the wind, dancing with Luyu’s long hair. The image of the two flowing into one motion seemed perfect. This time, the stallion did not stop at the creek but cleared it with one mighty bound. Hank jerked to his feet. His heart felt as if it had 57

Summer Heat 2 been crushed beneath the hooves of the stallion when it landed on the far bank. He had been played. The perfect joy Luyu gave him, moments before, had been ripped from him and carried off as he watched her ride naked up the far hill and vanish over the ridge. He kicked at the clover and shook his head in disappointment, heartache. He could have sworn he felt more in her kiss than a way of escape. Her sighs held more than…He was a fool. He kept his promise of taking no more than she offered; he would not change that now. He wished she could have kept the promise spoken in her touch. Luyu did not lie about leaving. True to her word, the stallion was ready to be ridden. As he picked up his clothes, he noticed a movement along the ridge, Luyu and the stallion. They crested the mound and stopped at its peak. The stallion rose on its hind legs, his front legs pawing at the air. When the stallion settled, Luyu rose as high as she could on the horse’s back. Carried on the wind, Hank heard her whisper. “Follow me.” END

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The Triangle By Jinx Williams Strangers from different eras get pulled back in time through the Bermuda Triangle. Two discoveries are made: an orb that travels through time and love. www.deegarcia.net/NicoleWilliams

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Summer Heat 2

The Triangle By Jinx Williams New York, June 2006 Lani Hope finished packing her suitcase. She tried closing it, to no avail. With a burst of laughter, she hopped on top of the bulging case, using her weight to help. With a slight click, she locked it. "I'm surprised your fat ass didn't dent it," her year-younger brother of twenty-five teased her. Scott looked similar to Lani; both had light blue eyes, freckles and dark red hair. But unlike her, Scott kept his hair short. Hers hung a little below her waist. His build, tall and muscular, contrasted with her average height and very slightly overweight build. "Be nice to me or else," she glared at him. Letting her look soften, she gestured to her suitcase and batted her eyelashes at him, asking sweetly, "Scotty? Bestest brother in the world, take that to the hall, please?" He picked up the case and lugged it down the stairs to the door. "Or else what?" he called back. "Or else I won't let you stay here while I'm gone. You'll have to go to Mom's." Lani grinned, knowing already what his reaction might be as she headed toward her front door where her brother looked at her with a pathetic expression. Their parents had divorced, and Mom had remarried. Lani liked her stepfather, but her mother tended to be overbearing. While Scott’s apartment received a new coat of paint and a new rug, he asked if he could stay here while Lani went on vacation. "God no, Lani! Don't. Mom might make me take out my earrings or scowl at my new tattoo." Scott got on his knees and grabbed the end of her shirt. "Please. I told you I would watch Cujo and Killer for 60

Summer Heat 2 you. I will even do Killer's litter pan." "Oh, get up, you drama queen," she laughed at her brother. "Hey now. I’m no queen." Her brother stood up. "Mom's on a rampage again. 'You all are going astray. You, Scott, should go back to college. And that sister of yours needs to find a good man and have hundreds of babies,'" he mimicked their mother. Lani closed her eyes and shook her head, "Not the babies speech again. I was wondering why she called me yesterday." "Yeah. She even said that Shelly was a nice young woman. She wants to see us married off." Shelly and Scott had just broken up. Lani knew he did not want to settle down, but Mom, along with Shelly, thought he should. Lani had heard him try to explain to Shelly many times that he was not ready, so it came down to breaking up with her. Lani’s Rottweiler came prancing over, giving Scott a loud growl. Her brother knelt down and growled back at the dog. The Rot took an attack position and readied to pounce. "Cujo, no!" Lani scolded the dog just before he pounced on her brother, but, of course, neither listened. Scott played roughly with the dog. Lani laughed at the sounds her brother made. At one point, Scott pretended to be hurt and made a bunch of whining noises. The dog immediately stopped playing and inspected him to see where he was hurt, all the while wagging his stub of a tail. Scott laughed and flipped the dog on his back so he could rub his belly. One of Cujo's rear legs kicked the air. "Found the itchy spot," he grinned. Lani bent down and picked up Killer, her multi-colored tabby. Being a spoiled cat, she acted like she was the queen of the apartment. She regally looked down on Scott and the dog, twitching her tail, as if disgusted. Lani decided to name her Killer because she was anything but. One time, a mouse ran around the apartment for weeks, and Killer watched it with no interest whatsoever. "Males of any species are so weird," she told the cat as she scratched her ear, rewarded by a loud purr. "And don't you forget it," Scott jumped up and grabbed Lani's jacket for her. Holding it out, he made a hurry-up gesture with his hand. "I have to say goodbye to my babies," she stuck her tongue out at her brother. Lani put Killer down and sat on her knees to look Cujo in the eyes. "You are the man of the house while I’m away." Her brother 61

Summer Heat 2 snorted, but she continued. Hugging the dog, she said, "Watch him carefully. He's housebroken, but you never know. Keep a close eye on him." "I will," replied Scott seriously. "I was talking to the dog," Lani remarked. She scratched Cujo’s ear, and he gave a little whine. "I will miss you, too." She gave Cujo a kiss then hopped up to pull her brother into a tight hug. "Be careful, Lani Painy." Scott used his free hand to ruffle her hair. "I may be younger, but I'm a big burly six-foot three. I think I can handle my own, so don’t worry." She craned her neck to see him looking down at her with concern. She stood about a foot shorter, and he liked to tease her about her height by resting his arm on her head. "I will be careful, too, and don’t you worry. Take care of them and yourself. And if Mom calls, tell her I'll call her after I land." Picking up her luggage at the sound of the taxi's horn, she gave her brother a swift kiss and a one-armed hug. He handed over her jacket and shooed her out the door. "Everything will be here when you come back…well, except the food." Scott smiled and rubbed his flat stomach. "Yeah, and I got you deep dish pepperoni too, Bottomless-Pit." Bottomless-Pit. With the amount of food he ate, he should weigh at least five hundred pounds, not a little over two hundred pounds as he did. Lani always had to watch her weight. She exercised regularly but remained curvy, not that she minded too much. "I'll make sure to clean out the fridge as well as your cereal closet." He grinned when she rolled her eyes. "Love you, Pain. Call me when you get there. I'll take good care of the wild beasts." Lani carried the heavy suitcase to the waiting taxi. The driver quickly got out, took the burden, tossing it into the trunk. Waving at Cujo who looked out the window, a devastating feeling washed over her. What if I never see any of them again? Stories of strange happenings in the Bermuda Triangle haunted her mind momentarily. The feeling left as quickly as it came. Lani shook the thoughts away. In twenty-four hours, she would be lying on the sandy beaches of Bermuda, and not in the early summer of New York. What could she possibly have to worry about? **** Lani walked into LaGuardia Airport and headed to her gate. Having bought her ticket in advance and printed it from her computer at home, she did not have to wait on the long line. She looked around, 62

Summer Heat 2 searching for her two friends. Sulking, she saw no sign of them. Sitting down, she opened the latest book, titled Spell of the Highlande,r by one of her favorite authors, Karen Marie Moning,. The suspense was building as the main character entered a dark room and thought she saw movement. Totally absorbed in the story, Lani bit her bottom lip in anticipation when a loud and sudden 'BOO' came from behind her. She jumped out of her seat, turning to see her best friends, Rene and Tiffany, and realized that Rene was the one who yelled. Cousins, Rene and Tiffany Brown, acted more like sisters than anything else. They had grown up together, still lived within a few miles of each other and looked a lot alike. Both women boasted tall and slender bodies, with a few freckles and light brown, almost blond, hair. But that was where the similarities ended. Rene, a prankster, contradicted Tiffany’s more serious nature. Lani met them in high school, and they’d been firm friends ever since. "Hey, girl," Tiffany said as she plopped her long frame down next to Lani. Rene still chuckled as she sat down on the other side of her cousin. "Hey, Tiff," Lani hugged Tiffany then glared at Rene. "Mule," Lani affectionately called her friend. Getting up, she hopped onto Rene’s lap. "Nag,” Rene said back, and they hugged each other tightly then Lani sat back in her seat. "You guys excited?" Both cousins nodded fervently. "Oh my God, yes!" Rene stated and pulled out a piece of gum. "You guys want?" "No, thanks." Tiffany shook her head, smiling at Lani, as Rene shoved a stick of Trident into her mouth. "Girl, we're going to have a great time! Paul is a tad jealous. He thinks I'm going to leave him for some guy I meet on the beach." She rolled her eyes at her husband's assumption. "Yeah, Mark was grumpy this morning too," Rene gave a small smile and looked at her engagement ring. "I can't believe I'll be Mrs. Mark Kings in nine months." Lani smiled with happiness for her friends. "I'm glad you guys are so happy. I only hope when I find ‘The One’, I'll be as happy as you." "Aww, Lani, you’ll find the perfect man. I know you will." Tiffany hugged her friend again and jumped up, hearing the announcement for their flight. "That's us." 63

Summer Heat 2 The women grabbed their carry-on luggage and headed for their plane. **** After checking into their hotel, the three quickly changed into bathing suits and sat by the pool, enjoying mixed drinks. Feeling good and buzzed, they went back to their suite and drank some more. “I had the biggest crush on yer brother,” Tiffany, usually quiet and reserved, almost yelled at Lani in her drunkenness. “I so thought you did!” Lani clapped and laughed so hard she snorted. “I bed you had dirty dreams about Scok,” Rene said laughing, teasing Tiffany. “Oh, my God, did I say Scok?” The women laughed harder. “You said, ‘I bed you had’,” Lani said, trying to catch her breath, which set them all laughing again. “What about that time you had a crush on Tommy Delong, and when you finally got the courage to talk to him, you got nervous, and, when you laughed, you snorted,” Tiffany said to her cousin and smirked at her. “I did not!” Rene stuck her tongue out at her. “Okay, okay, girls, it’s bedtime. It’s almost three a.m. I want to go snorkeling later.” Lani began picking up the mess on the table. “We’re renting WaveRunners, right?” Tiffany asked as she put the cups in the sink. “Yeah, I figure we'll rent them for the day and ride around the island to snorkel and stuff.” Lani nodded. “Sounds good.” Rene headed to the bathroom, “I’m ganna wear my li’l yellow polka-dotted bikini.” She grinned then slammed the bathroom door. Lani looked at Tiffany, and they both let their eyes roll up. Tiffany said, “Well, I wouldn't do that. Don’t wanna scare the people with my pale skin. I’m wearing a regular bathing suit.” “Yeah, me too.” Lani found bathing suits intimidating. She was not as skinny as her friends and sometimes felt a bit self-conscious. Her friends told her she had a perfect body, curvy in all the right places, but she still felt uncomfortable in revealing clothes. She flipped off the kitchen light then the living room light. It was so nice, being able to afford a two-bedroom suite for a whole week. She had just received a bonus in her paycheck and was spending most 64

Summer Heat 2 of it on this much-needed vacation. Rene and Tiffany decided to share one bedroom, leaving Lani with the other. “Well, night Ladies,” Tiffany headed to her bedroom. “Night, Girl. Hurry up in there, Reeree. I want to brush my teeth before I fall unconscious.” Lani headed to her bedroom. She decided to change into a pair of boxers and a loose t-shirt while she waited. A light knock sounded on her door, and she heard Rene’s muffled voice, “I’m done. Night, Sweetie.” She called out a goodnight, grabbed her toothbrush and toothpaste and headed to the bathroom. **** The sun shone brightly. Almost noon, the temperature was a nice eighty-three degrees. The three women rode the surf of the Atlantic on their WaveRunners. Lani noticed Rene waving so she turned around to pull up along side of her. Tiffany did likewise. “I’m starving. Do you think they'll deliver to us on the water?” Rene joked. “Yeah, I’m getting pretty hungry myself,” Tiffany agreed then suggested one of the small restaurants that populated the area. "We can go to that Phish place after we change." "I'll just be a minute. There is a weird-colored coral over there I wanna get a picture of.” Lani pointed behind her to a section of the coral reef, deeper into the ocean. Lani loved being in the ocean. Why waste time on land? Speeding out to the location, she saw that her friends followed. She pulled on her mask and put the snorkel’s mouthpiece in place. She plunged into the brisk water then surfaced. She blew a big puff of air through the breathing-tube to get the water out. Taking out the mouthpiece, she asked, “You guys coming down for a look?” “Nah. I don't think I can wait. I've seen enough crustaceans, corals and fish for a while. The next piece of sea life I want to see is on a plate, cooked,” Rene answered and splashed water on Lani with her foot. “Yeah, I’m done swimming for a bit, and I’m starting to burn.” Tiffany looked at one of her reddening shoulders. “I need to put on more sun-block and find some shade soon.” “All right, Losers. How about this? I'm not that hungry and wanna look around some more. I'll meet up with you guys later on tonight back at the hotel? Can you manage to get my WaveRunner 65

Summer Heat 2 back between you, save me having to worry about it?" "Yeah, we'll be all right. You sure you'll be okay?" Tiffany always worried. “I'll be just fine. I had a big breakfast, and we aren't that far from shore…Look, even kids are out snorkeling on their own,” Lani indicated a lone boy not far from them. Tiffany smiled back, “Of course, sorry to worry. You know me.” Lani watched as Tiffany and Rene arrived on shore, her WaveRunner between them. Both turned and waved to her as she bobbed along with the waves. Lani waved back. Now to get into some serious snorkeling. Grabbing her underwater disposable Kodak camera, Lani took a few shallow breaths then one deep one before diving down under the cool blue waters. Aquatic life bustled all around her. Brightly colored fish darted to and fro. The serenity of it all almost made her forget she was not a fish. She snapped a few pictures before she had to surface again for air. After another deep breath, she headed deeper, toward some unusual coral. Strange blue-green coral with small dark blue-colored stripes running through it. Lani took a picture of the strange-colored coral then surfaced, slightly annoyed at the interruption to breath. Next year I’m learning to scuba dive…She put her mouthpiece in, held a deep breath then resubmerged. While at the coral on the previous dive, a glint of metal had caught her eye. Looking now, Lani saw a large coin and picked it up. Wow! Nice…wonder if it’s off an old sailing ship or something. Noticing that all the fish had disappeared, she thought a shark might be close. It was time for her to leave. Island guides said sharks never bothered the local waters, but Lani did not want to take any chances. Something had spooked the fish. Suddenly she felt a cold charge rush though her body, as if she had swam into frigid water, but then it passed. Now a sense of déjà vu lingered. That eerie feeling about never seeing her family again returned. Lani shook the thought from her head and looked around her. No shark. I’m just being a drama queen. Maybe I’d better go eat. In need of air, she swam to the surface. Studying the coin, she was slightly disappointed because it was simply an old Bermudian coin from the early 1900s. Guess I won’t be making my fortune finding treasure. Suddenly, she sensed the quiet; no sounds came from the shore. She looked all around the horizon of the land. Nothing. No houses, no 66

Summer Heat 2 people, nothing. Wrapping the handle of her camera around her wrist, Lani placed the coin between her breasts for safe keeping and began the swim to shore, careful of the jutting rocks that stood high out of the ocean by the shoreline. Her stomach began to fill with dread. Panic rose within her. Fear left a coppery taste in the back of her mouth. Familiar landmarks surrounded her so the location seemed the same. But where has everyone and everything gone? She slowly walked up the beach, almost in a daze, to where the rental place for the WaveRunners should have been. Looking around again, Lani balked when she saw a large sailing ship, instead of the typical cruise ships, anchored off the coast. Completely confused, she felt as if she had walked onto a movie set, like Pirates of the Caribbean or Master and Commander. She racked her brain for a possible explanation. Lani looked around, feeling slightly sick to her stomach. "What the hell happened?" she asked out loud. Noticing a small wooden rowboat dragged up to the edge of the trees, she hurried to it with a slight sense of relief. “Hello?” she called. Dripping wet, she shivered from another unexpected chill. “Is anyone here?” she called out. “Yes, and now I would like to ask ya a question. Who ye be?” A cold hardness pressed into Lani’s back. Her eyes sprang wide. A gun! She slowly turned, swallowing the fear that rose in her throat. A man, tall as her brother, shoulder length jet-black hair, piercing green eyes and an accent, confronted her. From his accent, Lani thought he could be from Scotland or Wales. “It’s rude to point guns at people,” she made a small gesture with her head at said object, trying to control her shaking body. He was holding an antique-looking weapon, aimed straight at her heart. For an instant, she saw his gaze flicker to her full breasts, her nipples hard from the cool breeze and her drying bathing suit, then back to her face. Though her heart thudded wildly, Lani tried to disguise her fear as she snapped, “And it’s very rude to stare.” The man snorted then presented her with a half smile, “And tiz very rude to walk around in one's skivvies and no be grabbin attention.” “Can you not point that thing at me? As you can see, I'm unarmed,” she tried to reason with him. It was bad enough having him staring at her, but having the business end of a pistol pointed at her as well felt very unnerving. The fear of being alone now replaced the one of being murdered. 67

Summer Heat 2 “Aye, I can.” He obliged by pointing the gun barrel at the ground. He glanced around the island and said quietly, “This be all wrong.” “You’re telling me. Where are all the houses and vacationers? Why are you dressed like that, and why did you hold me at gunpoint?” She could feel panic start to kick in again. She began chewing her bottom lip, a bad habit of hers when scared or nervous. “Don'na ken, cuz these be me clothes. At least I be wearing some, and cuz I din'na ken who ye be," he answered all her questions with a smirk. "Yer accent be strange. Where are ya from?” the man asked, studying her again. “The U.S.” “Where?” “The United States of America?” She looked at him like he had ten heads, thinking duh! “Och! America.” He nodded. “I've traded there many o times.” “You look like you’re from the past.” She laughed nervously. When scared, she typically turned everything into a joke to help calm her nerves. “Nay, no from the past, but from now.” He looked confused, "I think." “Oh, so you’re from 2006? Then why are you dressed like that?” She pointed to his attire. It was his turn to laugh. “2006? Are ye quite mad, lass? Nay, I be from 1778. Born in 1748.” “W-what did you say?” She did not want to believe him. The smile faded from her face. “1778.” “I think I’m going to puke.” A wave of nausea gripped her. This has to be a joke. Her friends must be trying to set her up or something. They arranged to have an actor dress up and pretend he was from the past. But if that is the case, they should be around somewhere. Nothing but a deserted beach; all the people were gone. No houses either, for that matter. She tried to make sense of it all again. “Are ya ill? Why would the date…” his voice trailed off. “Ye said 2006?” His expression became very serious. “Tell me, what were ya doing before this.” “I was snorkeling with my friends. I dived under to take some pictures,” she held up her disposable camera. He jumped back from it. “I came to the surface to find everyone gone; all the houses and 68

Summer Heat 2 everyone on the beach vanished.” He nodded, still eyeing the camera as if it would bite him. “I did notice that as well. Did ye experience any weird feelin?” “Actually, yes. I got really cold then experienced déjà vu. You know, when you feel you have been somewhere or had an exact same conversation before.” “I was asleep in me cabin when I was awoken by a blast of cold,” he paused a moment, “I have heard many a tale about the time travels in the Devil’s Triangle, but never believed them to be true.” Lani could not be sure if he spoke to her or to himself. “You mean the Bermuda Triangle?” she interrupted his mumblings. “Aye. One in the same.” “So let me get this straight,” she gestured with her hands, “you’re telling me that I got sucked into the Triangle and am now in another dimension…or time?” Lani tried to control the hysteria as she said the words. “I don’na ken about this dimension yer saying, but we have…traveled to somewhere else,” he seemed to be forcing himself to be logical. “How can you be so calm when all you know is gone!” she practically screeched. He grabbed her shoulders roughly and shook her once. “Don’na get me wrong, lass, I be very unhappy with me present situation." His gaze raked over her body then back to her face. "And to make matters worse, I be stuck on an island with a wailing, almost naked banshee.” She thought that she saw a slight twinkle in his savage green eyes as if he appreciated her 'almost naked' state. “You’re right. Calm down, Lani.” Speaking to herself, she did not care if he thought her crazy. Pushing him away, she took a deep breath to calm herself, body still shaking from both the chill of the air and nerves. The sun began to set, and a cool breeze softly blew. He must have finally noticed her shivering, because he took off his jacket and draped it across her shoulders. Lani felt somewhat comforted. “Yer name be Lani?” he asked. She nodded, feeling as if he was trying to distract her to help ease some tension. “Well, it’s Lani Hope.” “Captain Charles Ellis.” “Where are you from?” She had to stay focused. Not only because she had traveled away from the era she knew, but also because she could not keep her eyes off of the attractive man in front 69

Summer Heat 2 of her. “Born in Scotland, but have been traveling most of me life.” “Scotland. I thought so. When you get annoyed, your accent deepens.” Lani gave him a small smile, her nerves finally beginning to settle. Charles glanced around into the trees, making Lani nervous again. Following his lead, she looked around. It did not seem to be a dense forest but maybe dense enough to hide in. “Call me Charlie. Come. Let us hurry to the ship before nightfall.” She noticed he kept looking around, “Is something wrong?” She got the impression that they were being watched. “No yet, but let us stay on the safe side, I saw some signs of wild animals.” He ushered her to the dinghy, a small rowboat he used to come ashore, and quickly rowed out to the ocean. “Were you in Bermuda for a reason?” Lani broke the uncomfortable silence that had settled. Almost to the ship, she could read Rhiannon written on the hull. “Aye, Bermuda be one o the greatest ship building locations. I ken I was to be in the area on a trade so I decided I would order The Morrigan, but then I awoke to this.” “The Morrigan?” “The name fer me next ship.” Charlie looked at her as if looking at a confused child. “Oh. I see a goddess theme: Rhiannon, Morrigan. And you don’t have to talk to me like I’m stupid,” she huffed. “In my time, we don’t have many ships like that anymore. But we have planes, and cars, and…” her voice trailed off. "In my time,” she repeated quietly. "What year is it exactly?" She did not think she really wanted to know. “I am no sure." He watched her closely as she pulled his jacket tighter around her body. "Yer no going to faint, are ya?” “No. I'm not that pathetic,” she snapped, narrowing her eyes at him. **** Charlie and Lani boarded the large vessel. They both worked hard to get the dinghy back onto the ship. She scowled at her blistered palms but was glad for the work because it kept her mind occupied. Looking around, she studied the main deck. Not much to see except piles of rope, a few barrels and some shredded sail. She had 70

Summer Heat 2 been on boats before, but modern-age vessels with engines, not fullblown wooden sailing ships. "Ya ever been aboard a ship before?" Charlie asked her as he finished locking the rowboat in place. Lani shook her head, "Not like this. Not a boat this old." "Tiz a ship," he almost snarled. "Old? This ship be only five score." He walked toward the cabin door, mumbling under his breath, "Old boat, bah!" "Ew! I didn't mean to insult you. Get a grip." Lani followed him. "Ship. There, okay? Hey, where are you going?" He turned on his heel so quickly that she walked right into him. She had never felt so short until that moment. She looked directly at his chest then glared up at him. He looked down, towering a foot over her. She did not back up. Instead of being intimated, she became annoyed. Charlie’s broad shoulders looked strong. Must be all the rowing, she decided, heartbeat quickening from being so close to him. "Lass, I be going below deck fer some food. Ye be welcome to join me." "You have food? It didn't disappear?" Her stomach growled loudly, and she smiled, slightly embarrassed. "It was only around noon when I was swimming, yet the sun is setting. What time is it?" "I be thinkin, around seven or eight in the eve. Me time piece stopped." "But how can that be?" She thought on the matter. "I haven't been here for what, more than an hour? Two at the most." She tilted her head slightly as she assessed the situation. Being with Charlie calmed her, not that she wanted to admit it. He headed down the narrow steps. "Well, I have been here the whole day." "Yeah? Anyone on the island?" She almost tripped going down the stairs, shocked by the narrowness of the hall. When he chuckled, her defenses shot up. "It's not funny. I'm not used to such enclosed areas." Claustrophobia began to set in, and she was only on the stairwell. She took a few deep-calming breaths. Charlie's shoulders almost touched both walls in the limited space. "What about camping on the island?" She tried keeping her voice under control as she followed him down the hall. Her throat contracted in the cramped space. "Nay, I went to the island verra early this morn, before the sun rose, and it is no somewhere I want to be stranded in the dark. Ya 71

Summer Heat 2 have to remember, tiz no the Bermuda we be familiar with." "You can say that again." "Tiz no the Bermuda we be familiar with," he repeated. "I know, you just said that." She thought him strange. "But ye said to say it again." She shook her head. "It's just an expression, never mind." Lani saw that he looked a little baffled. They arrived at a door. Charlie stepped to the side to allow Lani to enter, his back flat against the wall gave her just enough room to pass. Her body reacted to his closeness. In the galley, the ship’s kitchen, pots and pans hung from the walls and ceiling, swaying slightly from the rock of the sea swell. A heavy wooden table had been screwed into the floorboards. A few pieces of fruit in a small bowl sat on it. The room smelled of fresh bread and meat. "I started this stew before I went to the island to look fer fresh fruit. That be when I found ya. It should be ready by now." He walked over to a large black pot filled with simmering liquid, cooking on a large wood stove. Well, it sure is cozy. Lani closed her eyes and breathed in the scent, causing her stomach to growl loudly. She laughed and rubbed it. "I think, at this point, I would eat anything if it were the right color." "Are all people from yer time as strange as ye?" He stirred the thick stew then ladled some into two bowls. Presenting her with a bowl, she took a hunk of crusty bread and bit eagerly into it. "Hey, my motto is, 'Everyone else is crazy. I'm the normal one.'" She gave a curt nod to punctuate her opinion as she blew on her spoonful of steaming meat and potato. He laughed, "Good motto." "So, Charles, tell me about yourself." She chewed on a mouthful and looked at him intently. Since she had never met anyone from his time era, he intrigued her. "Tiz Charlie. Well, as ya ken, I was born in Scotland then moved with me mother to England. I grew up around boats and acquired me sea legs at an early age," he shrugged, not going into much detail of his past. "I was on me way here to place an order fer another ship; me trading being prosperous was helping financially. I went to sleep. Woke up, and here I be." She was silent for a moment, wanting to know more. "And here you be," she mimicked him. "Yes, you told me that. I mean, okay, just 72

Summer Heat 2 hear me out." He nodded. "None of your crew is here? They all disappeared? Yet, all the fruits and foods, and from the look of it, everything else on the ship, are still here, but no other people?" "Aye. Tiz strange, I ken, but I searched the ship from the main deck down to the hold, from bow to stern, and no one." He let out an aggravated breath, "Lass, though I have no ventured far into the island, I don'na think there will be others. Well, other humans." Her hand stopped halfway to her mouth. She was shocked by his confession. "What do you mean?" "Well, as o yet, I have no seen another human aside yerself. I have seen animals though." A worried look crossed his face. She blinked at his tone, the way he said animals. "What kind of…animals?" **** "Wild. The kind ya don'na want to be alone with in the dark," he smiled, thinking on how he wanted to be alone in the dark with her. Since meeting on the beach, he was unable to stop watching her. She was breathtakingly beautiful. He shook his head and averted his eyes. If she did not get some clothes on soon, he was going to turn into a wild animal himself and would have his way with her in the dark. He cleared his throat. Every time she leaned forward to take a bite of stew, her full breasts pushed up against the table, causing them to bulge out of the top of her swimsuit. "So, wild animals?" She narrowed her eyes and nibbled her bottom lip, thinking. Charlie watched her lips and licked his own, imagining what kind of wild animal he could turn her into. He mentally yelled at himself. Get a hold o yerself man! He shifted in his chair, his pants suddenly, uncomfortably tight. "More?" he stood, pointing to her bowl. She shook her head. "No, thanks, I'm stuffed. Well, what kind of wild animals?" She leaned back in her chair while he got himself another bowl of stew, careful not to let Lani see how his body reacted to her. "The one I saw looked to be a boar o sorts, yet larger. Its tusks were almost as large as its head. Later, I heard a low growl in the underbrush. Needless to say, I din'na stick around to see what it was. I had no weapons but me knife at the time, I came back fer me gun." He sat back down, struggling to keep his gaze from those bulging breasts. 73

Summer Heat 2 "I've seen so many movies where people get lost in the Triangle and turn up back in the Stone Age." Lani grimaced. "I don'na ken what era we be in, or what these movies be, nor do I care, lass, but if we got here, there must be a way to leave." His voice sounded chipped as he spoke. Witchcraft spouted from her lips, maybe trying to possess him. Nay, look at her. She be as trapped as I be; a feeling he did not like. "Are you suggesting that we sail around the Atlantic Ocean until we're teleported back to our own ages?" Her face contorted. He snorted, "Nay. Lani. First, me ship be grounded. The only way to get free is to make the ocean rise, and second, we could be sailing fer days in circles, wasting our foodstuffs." Why did she keep questioning everything he said? Did she not know her place as a female? "Yes, but shouldn't we try? We can't just sit here and do nothing." "No offence, lass, but tonight, I will no be doing a thing. The morrow be another day. I want to explore the island, see what else is there, but no in the dark. We might actually meet someone. Now that I have some company…" he looked at her closely, "Do ya ken how to use a gun?" "Actually, I do know a bit about guns. I used to go shooting with my dad." She looked down at the table and began playing with her spoon. Impressed, Charlie nodded, not many females he knew would touch a gun. "Good, I will get me other pistol, and ye can use it on the morrow." When she tried to protest, he held up his hand to halt her, annoyed again, "Nay. We shall no discuss it. Let us sleep. Ya have had a trying day, I be sure. Come, I shall show ya where ye will sleep." He got up and waited for her to follow. He would offer his quarters. He would love to offer her more but that would be crude. **** Once again, they entered the cramped hallway, following it further into the ship and around a corner to another set of stairs. Descending, they arrived in another hall with several small closed doors, apparently the sleeping quarters. "Most o the crew stayed on deck or in the holding areas," he enlightened her, "but there are many rooms to sleep in." He opened one of the doors, letting her step into the room first. "Wow, I thought it would be smaller." She looked around, admiring the fine wood furniture. Each piece had elegant Celtic knot74

Summer Heat 2 work carved in it. She walked over to the dresser and lightly traced one of the knots, "Beautiful." "Thank ye. They've been in me family fer a long time.” His voice held pride. “Each hand carved. This be the Captain's quarters, the biggest cabin on the ship. Ye may stay here. I will take the one across the hall." Smiling, he gave a slight bow before turning back to the door. "Wait!" She took a step toward him, and he looked back. "I can take the other room. I don't want to take yours away from you." "I insist. Tiz a wee bit smaller than this one; you be better in mine" He brought her across the hall to show her. The room appeared only slightly smaller, but it did not have the same lavish furniture of the Captain's quarters. She shook her head. "No, I insist. I'll take this room. It's fine." "Lass, don'na argue with me. Take me room," he commanded firmly as he ushered her back to the hallway, again opening the door to the other room to push her in. "Stop arguing with me! Be a good woman, and do what yer told.” He was clearly annoyed. “There be clothes in the armoire there and water in the pitcher to wash up. Good night." "Stop bossing me around, you male chauvinist." She glared at him. "Be a good woman, huh! If I was a good woman, I'd kick your ass and put you in your place." Hating the way he flung orders around, her hands balled into fists. He chuckled. He actually had the gall to laugh. Lani lifted her chin in a stubborn gesture. How dare he treat her with ridicule. Charlie shook his head, still smiling at her, "Och, yer a spitfire, lass. Do any Scots woman proud. Ye must have some Scot in ya?" "Actually, I do. I'm part Irish, part Scottish and part Italian." "Well, I be full-blooded Scots." He was proud of his heritage, and it showed. "But would be easier if ya just did what yer told." He smirked, seeming to enjoy goading her. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him. She knew he was just trying to get a rise out her. Normally pretty easy-going, for some reason, Lani became short-tempered with him. Probably from the rough day she had. "Say that again, and I will be forced to hurt you." "Be a good wee lassie," he stepped closer to her, "and do what yer told." Another step closer. "That's it!" She threw up her hands and charged him. With the shock of arriving in another era, having a gun pointed at her, and 75

Summer Heat 2 putting up with his cockiness, she lost it. She actually surprised herself when her body hit him, knocking them both over. Having grown up with a brother, she could handle herself, or so she thought. Charlie looked shocked, but a sly grin appeared. After landing on the floor on top of him, Lani quickly found her body maneuvered under his, pinning her to the floor. Lani breathed hard from the exertion, although the touch of his hard body against hers did not help "Get off me," she ordered him. "No until ya calm down," he almost growled. Confused by his feelings, Charlie leaned down and pressed his lips softly against hers. Lani felt his tense body relax when her lips moved slightly, with his coaxing. He deepened the kiss. She did not know how it happened. One second, she was glaring up at him, the next she had her hands buried in his thick black hair, kissing him as if her life depended on it. She had just met him, yet the need consumed her. His body pressed her to the floor but not uncomfortably so. She felt his hand slowly glide up her outer thigh to her waist then slide up her belly. She had to get control. She pulled her mouth away and looked up at him. "Bòidheach," he whispered and traced the pad of his finger over her tingling bottom lip. "Huh?" her voice sounded distant in her own ears. "I said yer beautiful. Manx Gaelic be the language of me ancestors." His husky growl another delicious invitation for another kiss. She pulled his mouth to hers again. Breaking out of the kiss once again, the intensity of how he looked at her held her in place. For a moment, she did not try to struggle free, feeling almost lightheaded from the kisses. She felt his large arousal pressing against her inner thigh. She could not move his bulk if she tried. Memories flooded back suddenly, and panic surfaced. If he wanted to, he could take advantage of her. Not again. She swallowed her fears, teeth clenched to keep the tears at bay. “Let me up," she demanded with a calm tone, one in opposition to her feelings. Charlie nodded and stood, helping her up. "I be sorry, lass. Shall no happen again." He gave her a quick nod then left. When the door closed, she released her breath. One day, she hoped to overcome the feelings of her past. But for now, she would keep her past a secret from Charlie. 76

Summer Heat 2 "Wow. That man can kiss." She shook her head, "Oh Lani. Be careful. He's not like other guys you know; he’s an old-fashioned man. He's gorgeous and knows it." She shivered. She was used to the typical men of her time. Many of the guys she dated only wanted to get her in bed. No longer a virgin, she had been with only one man, but, because of him, she had a hard time trusting men who showed interest. When she did date, some of the men proved less than interesting, too predictable. One of the reasons Lani loved her work was because it kept her busy. As a business consultant for a major technology corporation, she traveled to different locations around the world, finding business contacts with similar companies. On one of her many business trips, she had met a contact in Bermuda. Unfortunately, when she arrived, she only had a few hours to enjoy the beauty of the island, which was why she and her friends decided to vacation there. Lani had loved Bermuda, and the mysterious stories intrigued her. She wanted to learn more, but she could never have imagined a first-hand experience like this. Lani licked her lips nervously and looked at the queen-sized bed, afraid Charlie would come back, afraid she would not refuse his attentions. An overwhelming sensation of exhaustion flooded her body. She let out a loud yawn and walked to the armoire. After opening the doors, she rummaged though the clothing, finally settling on a long-sleeved shirt that almost reached her knees. She would feel comfortable in it, and the fact that Charlie’s scent lingered on it did not hurt. Since she only had her bathing suit and no undergarments, she wore only the shirt. She would look for pants the following day, but at that moment, she just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep. **** Lani squinted against the bright sunshine filling the room. She heard someone rummaging around and pulled the blankets over her head, "Go away, Scott. It's too early for you to bother me." "Who be Scott?" a deep Scottish brogue questioned her. Her eyes shot open, and she jumped out of bed. "Where…oh shit." Reality crashed down on her. At first, she thought it was a dream, but then she realized the truth. Sadness threatened her emotions. "Scott's my younger brother." "Ah. I had a younger brother, but he died when I was but three and ten." Charlie turned back to going through one of the trunks in the room. "Sorry to have woken ye, but I need to find a journal I had." 77

Summer Heat 2 Lani stared at his bent figure. She could not help but appreciate the tight form of his butt. "If ya like me arse while I be clothed, ye'll like it even more in the flesh," he looked at her from under his arm. He gave her a rakish grin. Lani blushed slightly and looked away. "I wasn't looking at your butt. I watched to see what you were doing." So what, she told a fib. She really did like his arse. She crossed her arms. "You wouldn't happen to have, um, any female clothes on this bo...er ship?" "Aye, actually I do. Many o the lads would have female companions, or their wives visit them on the ship while in port. Ye be free to search the rooms. I will be topside studying maps." He found what he was searching for, a large leather-bound book. Straightening up, he looked at her, and, without a word, he hurried out of the room. Not wanting to don her bathing suit again because of how uncomfortable the elastic was, Lani searched the rooms in the shirt she slept in, hoping she found something before the captain came looking for her. She could not understand why Charlie left as quickly as he did when he saw her earlier. Typical male. More worried about his boat. The first room she looked in, she had no luck at all. It was almost empty, not only of clothes, but furniture as well. In the second and third rooms she searched, she found a few female undergarments, but they were too small around her hips and bust. She wadded them up and threw them down in aggravation. With a sigh, she picked them up and refolded them, thinking that it was not the clothes' fault she was in this predicament. The next room she looked in, she hit the mother lode. Gowns, petticoats, stockings, shoes, a brush, and even some makeup were spread throughout the room. A few times in the past, Lani went to the local Renaissance Festival. She loved dressing up in medieval clothing, but these were genuine, and that made it different. "Jackpot!" She pulled out a gown, running her hand over the cotton material. The plain, light blue fabric felt like it would breathe in the hot air. After donning the lightweight petticoat, she put on the gown. Very feminine. She pulled on a pair of stockings and held them in place with garters. Very sexy. Then she tried the underwear. Not being able to control her laughter, Lani felt foolish in the oldfashioned underpants. Unlike the boy-style short panties and thongs she was used to, these garments covered more skin than her shorts did. All the shoes were slightly small, but she grabbed the most 78

Summer Heat 2 comfortable-looking pair. She looked at herself in the mirror after pulling on the dress and nodded approvingly, hoping Charlie would approve as well. Where did that come from? Shrugging, she pulled her long hair up into a loose braid, allowing it to trail down her back. “Captain Jack Sparrow, here I come.” She joked, thinking of Johnny Depp as the infamous captain of the Black Pearl, in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. She continued to search through the rooms, gathering some of her findings to take back to the Captain's quarters. The other rooms did not have much in them, basic furniture, beds, dresser/armoire, pan under the bed. Glad Charlie had given up his room, she thought him maybe not the rogue he acted after all. She called her search to a halt after an hour of exploring. Finding food was more important. Hungry, she went to the upper deck in search of the captain of the ship and found him gazing over the ocean, his face devoid of expression. He did not hear her approach, which gave her some time to study him. His facial features strong, ruggedly handsome, he had an air about him, like royalty. His green eyes, when viewed up close, held small yellow spots, making them look almost catlike. His shoulder-length, raven-colored hair blew slightly in the breeze. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips as she recalled the kiss they shared the night before. As if sensing that slight movement or her watching him, he turned toward her. "Breathtaking." He smiled lazily. Swallowing hard, she looked out over the waves and nodded. "Yes, it is beautiful." "I was talkin about ye." He reached out and intimately tucked a strand of stray hair behind her ear. "Oh." She nibbled her bottom lip nervously. She would not deny she felt attracted to him. "Um, when are we going ashore? I wanted to eat first. I'm hungry." "As am I. Hungry to taste yer lips again, if it’s alright…" his voice was low and husky. He lowered his head to hers. Lani had ample time to move if she wanted. She did not. Instead she leaned up to meet him halfway, longing for his kiss. With a predatory growl, he wrapped his strong arms around her, pulling her roughly against him. She moaned as his tongue slipped past her lips and touched hers. Last night, he assured her that he would not touch her again, yet here he was, touching every inch of her he could, and she wanted him to. The 79

Summer Heat 2 contradiction confused her. Breaking the kiss, she stepped back, breathing hard. "I, um. Wow. Um, I need air." She tried to catch her breath. "I need a bloody dunk in freezin water," his accent thicker with his lust. "I be sorry, lass. I din'na mean to…" "No. I wanted it, too." Shocked she’d admitted the truth out loud, Lani struggled with her emotions, "But I can't go further." How could she tell him she had once been raped? Lani could barely understand the feelings it left her with, let alone try to explain it to him. All she knew was that it could not keep ruling her life. In the current situation, she had no choice but to trust him, and surely, if he had been that way inclined, he would not have left her alone last night. "I don't know what, but I ken somethin has scared ya. I only want what ye give willinly. I may crave it, but I will never take without yer say. Come, let us break our fast." **** They pulled the dinghy ashore, securing it to a large rock by a thick rough rope. After eating some slightly stale bread and a piece of the fruit, Lani had changed from her dress, a little reluctantly, loving the effect it had on Charlie. But it was not practical for the wilderness. Wearing a pair of pants she found in one of the cabins, she felt a little like a pirate. Charlie said they probably belonged to the young boy who was the ship-hand. They hung a bit long, so Charlie used a knife to shorten them. Lani also found a pair of men's shoes that fit perfectly. They headed for the trees, but first had to walk up the beach and fight through some thick undergrowth until they could move more freely. Strange, Lani thought. She could not hear many birds, and the ones she did hear seemed to be far off in the distance. They walked for a few hours, discussing what to do and the differences in their home worlds, without finding another living creature. Droppings and tracks showed animals used the area. Lani heard things moving around and unusual noises, but the beasts themselves did not appear. "Be careful where ya step, lass." Charlie turned around to make sure she was paying attention. She nodded, careful to avoid the thickening bushes. "I should have grabbed a large stick to…" He was cut off as he disappeared into the ground. "Charlie!" Lani rushed over, realizing a pit had opened up under him, and looked down. It was about seven feet deep, about three feet in diameter. "Are you okay?" The thought of being left there 80

Summer Heat 2 completely alone spooked her. Getting to know him on the walk, she decided if he were going to kill her or something, she would have known by now. Anyway, she had missed the company and flirting of a man, something she had avoided since her attack. When she reported it, the police almost made her feel as if it was her fault. So Lani tried to avoid situations of flirting. Still, it would be silly to hold it against Charlie. After all, he was another world away when it happened. He laughed, "Aye, tiz but a sinkhole. Water must be close. I was so busy lookin out fer yer safety that I ignored me own." He stood up, brushed off some leaves and effortlessly climbed out of the hole. "Do you hear that?" "Aye." They quickly followed the sound. Pushing through a giant bush, they came to a large open space. A most breathtaking sight greeted her, a large pond with a waterfall cascading down about ten feet. It looked like a romantic setting straight from a movie. Charlie gave her a wicked look and took off his shirt. "What are you doing?" she asked, yet she already knew. She eyed his muscular body like a hungry child would eye a piece of candy. Maybe it is time... "Swimmin. Tiz fresh water, lass." He started to pull off his pants but stopped. He shrugged and leaped into the clear pool of water with his pants on. He surfaced, laughing with pleasure. "Come on, lassie! Tiz verra refreshing." His decision to keep his trousers on disappointed Lani. "Oh hell," she shrugged and pulled off her pants and shoes. Thankfully, she had found a few pairs of what she thought to be long underwear and cut them into shorts, a type of short-shorts. "Oh, that's so invigorating," she swam over to him, her long red hair seeming to set fire to the water. "Aye.” He seemed abrupt. They both dove under the water, swimming after one another. Charlie tickled her, causing her to suck in some water. She came to the surface choking, yet laughing. "You ass!" She splashed him. "I be sorry, lass. Are ya okay?" He was sincerely concerned for her well-being. She smiled boldly. "I might need mouth-to-mouth." "Whatever this mouth-to-mouth be ye speak of, I think I like the sound o it," he pulled her against him, so tightly she could feel his 81

Summer Heat 2 need. "Show me?" "Okay," she said shyly. She leaned up, kissing him gently. He would have none of it. Pressing his mouth to hers, he deepened the kiss. Lani seemed to welcome his touch, letting his hands scorch the skin under her shirt. A groan reverberated deep in his throat. He swam her up to the rocks where the waterfall flowed and carried her to one of the ledges. Seating her on the rock ledge, he knelt between her legs then looked down at her. Blushing slightly, she knew he could see through her soaked shirt. But she sensed that it was not enough; he wanted to see her flesh. He lifted up her shirt and slowly slid his hand over her belly button. Charlie leaned down and kissed where his hand had been, causing her to gasp. He let his hands glide up her body, stopping just below her breasts. "Charlie, please don't. Stop." Her breath was ragged. His finger gently caressed the flesh of the bottom of her breast, causing a hot shiver to go down her body, ending at the juncture between her thighs. Lani had never felt this way with a man, and the horror of her past seemed to fade away under his touch. "Ya want me to stop?" he kissed her wrist. "No. I mean yes. I mean, I don't know. Please, don't." Heart pounding, she did not know what to do. "Please don't what?" He undid all the buttons on her shirt, but did not remove it. Instead he nibbled her neck, swirling his tongue over her heated skin. He whispered, "Please don't what?" "Please, don't. Stop." She closed her eyes as he slowly peeled the wet fabric from one side of her. He leaned down and nipped the tender flesh on her ribs. She arched her back to get closer to him. "Please. Don't. Stop." He moved the other side of her shirt, fully exposing her upper body to his searing gaze. "Please. Don’t stop. If you stop now, I will go mad." Lani transferred her passion into her voice. He gave her a satisfied smile as he leaned over her. A tiny drop of water fell on her full breast. He watched it race over the mound and down to her rib cage. He followed it in reverse with his tongue, stopping at her aching hard nipple. She moaned, arching her back more as he roughly pulled her nipple into his hot mouth. The sensation of his teeth gently scraping the tender flesh made her dig her nails into his back. As if that was a sign of approval, he quickly 82

Summer Heat 2 switched breasts, taking care to give them equal attention. Lani was drowning in a sea of sensation, her whole body felt more alive than ever; each nerve ending a tingling mass of pleasure. She held on to Charlie, using him as an anchor. Soon, he returned to her mouth, ravaging her lips with his own. He pulled her up to a standing position. Lani writhed as he removed her soaked shirt and balled it up, kissing her belly as he slowly pushed down her makeshift shorts. When she was fully naked, he stood upright and stepped back. Hunger burned in his gaze. Lani had never felt so sexy or wanted. "My gods, ye're perfection," he rasped. She was breathing hard and fast. Having his heated gaze on her should have made her feel exposed and shy, but it only made her hotter. He unbuttoned his breeches, let them fall to his feet and pushed them off to the side. She tried not to show her shock at the size of him, but her eyes widened, causing him to chuckle. He walked to her and cupped her chin. "I will no hurt ya, lass." He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. She swallowed, "I'm not a virgin. I was, ah…" she was going to continue, but he placed his finger on her mouth to quiet her. "Ssshhhh. Let me give ya pleasure. Save the talk fer later." He leaned down and licked the sensitive spot between her neck and collarbone. When she confessed that she was not a virgin, she thought she saw something flicker in his eyes. Gently, he laid her down, using the discarded clothes as a pillow for her head and for protection from the cold stone. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She felt a little nervous since she did not have much experience, but when he began kissing her again, she let her body take over. He nudged her legs apart with his, resting his knees on the hard stone. Lani shivered at the caress of his hand on her outer thigh, working his way toward her center, all the while his tongue explored her mouth. He placed his finger on her most sensitive spot between her legs and rubbed gently. Her hips rocked up. She was more than ready for him; she knew that now. Lani's breathing quickened, the pleasure almost overwhelming. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, exposing her neck more fully to Charlie's kisses and nips. She felt him position himself to enter her and panicked a little. 83

Summer Heat 2 "Wait," she pushed at his shoulders. His intense gaze looked down on her, but it held a compassion that told her he would not go against her wishes. He did not move, but held himself poised at her entrance. She looked up at him, knowing her fear must show on her face. He leaned down and gently kissed her. At first, she did not respond, but then her lips began to move with his. Still, he did not move. When he felt her legs loosen around him, he pulled his mouth slightly away and locked his gaze with her. "I will stop, lass. I will no harm ye," his voice, loving and deep. "Will ye let me make love to ya?" Feeling comforted by his words, she moved her hips, taking him slightly inside. By surrendering to him, she felt that the pain of her past would be replaced by wonderful memories. Without breaking eye contact, he slowly glided deep within her, inch by exquisite inch. They both loudly moaned with pleasure. "Yer so blissfully tight," he breathed heavily in her ear as he began to move in a slow rhythm. All she could do was whimper in pleasure and bite his shoulder gently, urging him on. He quickened his pace slightly, her moans encouraging him. Lani felt her body tighten. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper inside. Her movements became desperate, searching for the release she had never known but now needed so much. As if sensing she needed release, Charlie repositioned his hips without breaking rhythm. Waves of pleasure raked though her trembling body. She gripped his strong shoulders, her body taking on a pulse of its own. He gave one last thrust then shuddered from his own climax. He smiled as both tried to catch their breath. He rested his weight on one side so he would not crush her and kissed her lazily. Then he laid his head on her chest, as if listening to her racing heartbeat as it slowed. Shifting slightly so she could loop her finger around a strand of his hair, a sleepy smile crept across her face. Feeling blissfully filled and tired, his arms held her to him. Lani knew she must have nodded because, the next thing she knew, she opened her eyes and saw Charlie lying next to her, felt him stroking her skin gently. "Did I hurt ya?" he asked. "Well, for a moment, but then it was, um…" she blushed. She stayed in his arms, quiet for a bit, enjoying the peaceful sound of the waterfall. 84

Summer Heat 2 Charlie broke the silence, “A man would be lost without ye…" His voice was so quiet, she was not sure she heard him correctly. He must have been asking if she had a man at home. Surely Charlie did not mean he would be lost without her. She studied him. "Only my brother and father to miss me really. Mom wouldn’t care if I disappeared. I don't have a boyfriend. I haven’t for a long time, haven’t really trusted men since…." She swallowed and turned away from him, not knowing if she could continue. The pain and rage of the past threatened to surface, but she held her emotions in check, determined not to let the past ruin what she had just shared with Charlie. With a deep breath she decided to tell him. "When I was nineteen, I was dating this guy. He kept pressuring me to have sex with him, and, well, I kept telling him no. One night, he broke into my apartment and raped me." Her voice cracked with emotion. It had been almost eight years since it happened. "He was the only one I've been with. I find it hard to get comfortable with men now." His expression darkened as he spoke, "Bloody bastard. No man should ever force himself onto a woman. I hope I did no…" his voice trailed off. "No. I wanted to," she blurted out then laughed nervously at her admission. She was so surprised at how comfortable she felt around him. “I feel safe with you. I’m not sure how all this will end up, but what we just shared replaced those horrible memories with wonderful ones.” He smiled, "Wonderful indeed. Come, we must get up before ye catch a chill." He helped her up and, with a cheeky grin, picked her up. "Hold yer breath." Without further warning, he jumped into the water. When they surfaced, she spit a mouthful of water into his face. They both laughed. He pulled her against his body with a growl. She felt him, stiff against her leg. "Again?" she grinned. As her answer, he pulled her legs around him and swiftly entered her. **** Thoroughly satisfied, Lani sat behind him on the ledge rubbing his massive sun-bronzed shoulders. He felt so relaxed around her. He truly felt grateful to have found her. Funny how his affections quickly grew for Lani, a stranger from the future, yet he felt he had known her a lifetime. "Charlie, look," she tapped his shoulder. He looked up to where 85

Summer Heat 2 she pointed. The breeze had dropped, and the lack of mist from the waterfall revealed a previously hidden alcove. Imbedded into a large crack in the stone was an orb. "What the bloody hell?" With no effort, he hopped up onto the ledge and eased his way behind the strong flow of streaming water. Lani followed him. "Slippery," she said when she was behind the rushing water. The rocks were slick with water and a growth of algae. Concerned that she would fall, he held out his hand to help her make her way across the stone. Still holding his hand, she followed him over to the orb, metallic black in color, and about the size of a cannon ball. He could not help but grin. Bloody hell. The old fool was right... "Careful," he used both hands to steady her as she lost her balance slightly. Putting his fingertips on the orb, Charlie shivered. "Feels strange. Verra icy, yet like liquid." "What does that say?" Lani pointed to an inscription on the globe. "I can'na make it out. We have to free it." He looked around the floor of the cave, searching for some form of tool to help loosen the orb. Finding a fist-sized stone, he started chipping away at the surrounding rock. Soon after, they looked at several different inscriptions on the large ball. Lani moved closer to read it, pressing her body against Charlie’s. He closed his eyes for a second to breathe her in. If they ever went home, what would he do without her? He pictured his home in his mind; she could never be happy there. "I can’t make out…" Suddenly some of the lettering began to glow and transform. Charlie listened as she read, but his mind remained fixed on his home. "'Time never stops for those who know the equation.' What the hell does that mean?" Lani asked. The ball made a light tinkling sound as the glow spread from the letters to engulf the whole orb. "Keck!" Charlie cursed in Gaelic. He grabbed Lani's hand just as their surroundings disappeared. The same cold wave rushed though him, followed by a feeling of déjà vu. He pulled her against him protectively with his free arm, feeling her shiver against him. Whatever had just happened, she was still with him, and he was thankful. They still stood behind the waterfall, but the flow of water was not as strong. The distinct noise of civilization sounded beyond it. **** 86

Summer Heat 2 Peeking around the wall of water, Lani gasped. From where she stood, she could see people bustling along a dirt road in the distance. Some leading horses, others carrying goods. Hiding their naked forms again, Charlie said, "We have moved through time or space. This ball must be a form o power. Interesting," he thought, rubbing his chin. "Well, we're screwed, unless we can use its power to give us clothes." Charlie grinned. "I like ya without clothes. And we just 'screwed', as ye put it. Are ya ready fer more?" How could he joke at a time like this? She made a face at him, "Behave. We need to figure out what's going on. To do that, mister, we need clothes. "Aye. Tiz a wee problem." He looked down at the now-red sphere. It was light and smooth, but still the energy emanating from it was powerful. "And this. Look. The writing be gone, and tiz red, no black. We must try and work this out." They waited until nightfall. After Charlie made sure no others were around, showing that he trusted her fully, he did not hesitate to leave the orb with Lani at the falls while he went out to look for clothes. They agreed they did not want the powerful ball to leave their sight. Fifteen minutes went by before he reappeared, fully clothed, his arms loaded with items. "Where did you get all this?" she gasped. There was a gown, a petticoat, shoes, and stockings. "From a house down the road a way. And tiz good news, it looks like my era out there, I was thinking on it when ya read from the orb" He watched as she donned the petticoat. "Tiz a shame." She pulled on one of the stockings as she asked, "What is a shame? Least you could be home." "Watchin ya put on clothes instead o taking 'em off." He gave her his rakish grin. "Hush." She was flattered and would have preferred to be naked with him again but finished dressing instead. Surprisingly, the clothes fit. He has a good eye for sizes, but then his hands have spanned every inch of me. They exited the falls with the red ball wrapped securely in the sack he brought. Lani looked around as they walked down the darkening road. It felt good to see houses, some lit with what looked like candlelight. Not many people about, but everyone passing 87

Summer Heat 2 seemed friendly, waving at the pair as they walked down the street. “Aye, I been here before, fancy that beautiful oasis we just found being turned into this…” he gestured around them. “You think this is bad? You should see it in my time!” Lani recalled the resort she stayed in, the waterfall reduced to nothing more than a heavy flow down the rocks. She could hardly believe the impact civilization had made. "Tell me, what day be today?" Charlie stopped and asked an aging man. "Are ya drunk, lad? Today be October 19 in the year 1778. Now stop talking to me and get that comely wife inside before the storm." The old man gestured to the large inn they stood in front of. "Yes sir, thank ya." Charlie ushered them inside. After the door closed behind them, Lani put her hand on his arm to stop him. He turned. "He said 1778." Now she worried: Would she be caught in his world forever? "Aye, a few months after I vanished." "That also means that if we got here, I can get back to my time as well." She tried not to get excited. "Aye. Come, let us see if we can get a room. I have stayed here before and should have an account." Disappointment and a little bit of jealousy threatened to wash over Lani at the mention of Charlie staying at the inn before. She wondered how many women he brought there. He led her to the counter where a round, short man stood at full attention. "May I help you sir?" he asked politely. "Aye, me lady and I would like a room fer the night. If I’m no mistaken, I should have a standing account?" "Your name?" "Captain Ellis," he gave the attendant a smile. The man looked through a large book that was stationed to his side then gave a curt nod. "Aye, Captain, you are in good standing. I shall order a clean room for you and Mrs. Ellis. If you please, wait a moment while I get some assistance for your luggage." At that, the man leaned over the counter and scrunched his bushy eyebrows. "No luggage, sir?" "Nay. We had a mishap at sea and lost everythin." To Charlie's remark, the man at the counter nodded. 88

Summer Heat 2 Charlie debited his account so that he would have some money on hand. A young man came up behind them and ushered them to a large room, containing a giant bed, a few small dressers, and a small table with two chairs. They ordered some food from the kitchen and were assured it would arrive soon. "Charlie, if that thing brought us to your time," Lani looked at the bag that held the bowling ball-like object, "maybe it can get me back to mine?" He did not say anything for a moment. She thought that he did not hear her so she repeated herself, "It can probably get me…" He cut her off, "I heard. Aye, tiz possible. If ya don’t mind, I need to talk to someone over it, then we'll try for ya." His voice sounded strange. "Honestly? I would love to stay here for a while, you know, to explore." The actual reason she wanted to stay was to be with him longer. She sighed, "But I can't. I have a dog and cat waiting for me. I also have my family. Even though it only seemed a day long for us, the man said it's a few months later than it should be. What if they all think I’m dead or something?" "Aye, yer correct. I have no one no more, so it would not have mattered much for me." He ran his fingers through his hair. A knock came on the door. Charlie opened it and took the large tray of food, giving a thank you and a coin for the tip. They ate in silence, tension building within her with every bite. Lani wondered what life at home would be like now she had met Charlie. Even lonelier, she suspected. "I ken someone who might be able to tell us about the orb. I thought the old cod be out o his mind, but now I ken he's no." Charlie leaned back in his chair and studied Lani's face. "Let me send a message to him." If he sent a message to the man, it might take a day or two to hear back. Lani thought a few more days might be another month. Her family and friends would think her dead. "I don't know." "If he comes, he might be able to tell us the proper way it works and get ya back to the correct time, and no a month late." What Charlie said made sense. Lani could not understand why he seemed angry when talking about her going back to her time. Maybe he did not want her to go. "He be no more than the other side o the island. He can be here in a matter o hours." "Okay," Lani nodded, "send him a message. Maybe he can help. Who is he, anyway?" 89

Summer Heat 2 "The man who was to build me ship," he smiled. "Over the years o me tradin here, this man would always greet me at the docks before we sailed again, always askin me crew if they had seen a large ball. The crew liked to go around the island, looking for treasure. He called the ball somethin else, though I can'na remember. Over the years, he grew on me. Reminded me o me grandfather. We share a drink or two sometimes. He studies the mystery of the Triangle, all sorts o strange ramblings he had. But he be a good man." "Do you trust him?" Lani was uncertain. "With me life." **** Three hours later, after employing a messenger on horseback to search out Charlie's friend, there came a loud pounding on the door. Lani had drifted to sleep after dinner. She had been so tired, she fell asleep fully clothed, shoes and all. At the noisy intrusion, she bolted upright. Charlie smiled at her and opened the door. He was greeted by a loud, "Charlie, me boy!" "Good eve, Joshua. How be Linda?" Charlie laughed at the large hug the old man gave him. Joshua gave Charlie a six-toothed grin. "She be well." The old man bowed slightly in greeting to Lani. "This be Lani Hope. Lani, this be Joshua." Charlie introduced. "Pleasure." She smiled as Joshua kissed the back of her hand. "The pleasure is all mine, me lady. If I were not married to me Lin, bah! Pay no attention to an old man." He smiled back then rubbed his hands together. "Now, what is that contraption you be tellin me about in yer letter?" He looked eager to see the orb. Lani brought the bag over to Charlie. "We found it buried in rock." Charlie got an excited look from Joshua when he pulled it out of the sack. Joshua demanded the entire story while he slowly turned the red ball around in his hands. When Charlie finished, Joshua was silent for a few moments. Finally he asked, "What did the writing look like?" "The ball was originally black, and, at first, the writing glowed sort of gold. It was in a different language," Lani informed him. "Aye, then it changed, and it said, ‘time’ something then something about an equation," Charlie added. "After I read it aloud, we were sent back here, a month later than it should have been." She looked down at the globe. "Hhhhmmmm, I have heard of this. I couldn't be sure it were true. But here it is, true enough." Joshua sat on a chair, his gaze steady on 90

Summer Heat 2 the orb. "I found scrolls on this. If me knowledge be correct, tiz called the Devil's Wing." Just then, he pulled out a few old pieces of parchment and flattened them out on the table. On one paper, there was a drawing with translations of the different wordings on the globe. "See this? This is what you saw. Correct?" Lani nodded, "Yes, but what does this say?" She pointed to one of the sentences on the paper. "Tiz French," Charlie stared at the paper. "It says, ‘One forward, one return’." "What does that mean?" Lani looked at the men in confusion. "After examining all the information on these sheets, I am to assume that anyone who uses this must find someone to replace him in the time he traveled from." Joshua sounded like a scholar. "If one is to stay, there must be another to take his place." "So you mean, if I were to travel using the orb, I would have to have someone to take my place in my original era?" Lani questioned. He nodded, so she continued, "Say…I go back to the sixteenth century and want to stay. I would have to send someone back here to replace me?" He nodded again. “But that doesn't explain how Charlie and I went back in time to meet each other. Neither of us had the orb.” “I can’t explain that, 'cept for maybe fate. I need more time with this.” Joshua caressed the orb. "Have you studied it long?" Lani was curious as to how educated he was on the subject. He seemed very knowledgeable. "Actually, aye. Tiz a family curse, ye might say," Joshua smiled his almost toothless grin. "Me family have sailed all over this world, digging up artifacts and the like. Me grandparents moved here when they were wee babes. Me father and mother were great historians on the Devil's Triangle." Lani was impressed. "So, do you know how, or if, I can get back to my time?" "From what I have read, you just say what ye did before and think of your time." Joshua shrugged his shoulders. "If I had more time to study it, I might find out the proper workings, but as it looks, yer eager to return home." "I shall go with her to her time. All going well, I'll return here, if ye can wait. Then we will study it." Charlie nodded, his mind made up. "But what if you can't come back?" Lani looked concerned. "I will worry bout that if it happens. I have no one here to worry 91

Summer Heat 2 bout me. Right now, let us return ye to yer dog and cat." Charlie smiled. Grateful, she smiled back. He took the orb from Joshua. "Now, all we have to do is think o her time and we shall appear there?" Joshua nodded. "Ready?" he asked Lani. She got up and put one hand on the red ball. "Okay, so June 19, 2006 in New York," she informed Charlie. Joshua looked stunned. "What's it like?" He almost jumped out of his chair. "What? 2006?" Lani smiled as he nodded quickly. "Well, way different sorts of transportation. Lots more people, great food. I'll send some pictures and things back…with Charlie." She smiled again, thinking of the Olive Garden, her favorite restaurant. But a pang of sorrow passed as she thought of Charlie not being there. Joshua looked at Charlie, "Tell me everything when ye return, aye?" "Aye," Charlie answered. He was looking at the orb, which began to glow. "Tiz time." Both recited the words 'Time never stops for those who know the equation', and Lani thought hard of June 19, 2006 in New York, as Charlie said the date and place out loud. The orb flashed blindingly. She squeezed her eyes shut. The last thing that Lani heard before everything disappeared was Joshua saying, "Bloody brilliant!" **** "Hey, this looks like my room," Lani said as she looked around the bedroom. She picked up a magazine. Her stomach flipped with the hope of being home. "It is my room! We're in New York! Look, I bought this the other day! Er, well, a few days before I went to Bermuda." She smiled and sighed. She was back in her own time, watching Charlie with an amused smile as he gaped at the modern technology. She had a television and entertainment system in her room, which seemed to be the center of his attention. "What the bloody hell be that?" he pointed to the big screen. "That is a television. With a DVD player over there," Lani pointed to the Sony DVD player, along with the other equipment that made up her entertainment system. "That is a VCR, that's my stereo, and those are the speakers for my surround sound. You think this stuff's nifty, just wait 'til you see my living room." She grinned. Charlie shook his head. "Joshua would be in heaven." He laughed. "Can ya show me how they work?" 92

Summer Heat 2 "Of course. Well, if we have time before you leave. You seem very calm about all this." She smiled and picked up the universal remote control, demonstrating what each piece of equipment did. He was enthralled. She could see the excitement on his face when she turned on the SciFi Channel. A space movie flickered across the screen. "We visited the stars?" He was so excited. "Not that far; at least humans haven’t. This is called science fiction. It's make-believe, for the most part." She heard a growl and looked at her door. Killer and Cujo stood in the frame. Cujo's fur around his neck stood on end, his teeth were bared, and his eyes stared menacingly at Charlie. Charlie froze and glared at the dog. Killer sauntered over to him and began rubbing against his shin in hopes of a good scratching. Charlie held out his hand. She sniffed it, and, as if showing her royal approval, rubbed her cheek against his palm. "Cujo, it's okay." Lani walked over to the Rottweiler. He looked confused. He wagged his stubby tail then started growling at Charlie again. "He be a bloody hell hound," Charlie almost growled back at the dog. "Both of you, stop it." Lani glared at Charlie. "He's only protecting me." By that time, Killer had jumped onto Charlie's lap and made herself right at home, stretching out one of her legs to begin her bath. Lani knelt down in front of her dog. "Be nice." He looked at her then back at Charlie, with a whine. "It's okay." She scratched his ears and gave him a big hug. He seemed to relax so she got up and sat next to Charlie on the bed. She patted her leg to encourage the dog to come closer. Cujo tilted his head, as if assessing the situation. Slowly he padded over and sniffed the stranger. Lani laughed when Killer swatted at the large black dog for interrupting her bath. Charlie snorted. "Seems yer cat has made claim to me; just got to win over yer wild beastie." He held out his hand to let the Rot smell him. With a few more encouraging words, Cujo licked Charlie's hand. Next thing, Scott came running into the room, wielding her heavy frying pan and screaming out a warning. "Scott!" Lani hopped off the bed and threw herself into her 93

Summer Heat 2 brother's arms with a sigh of relief. "Where did you come from, and what’s with the outfits? It’s not Halloween. Lani, you left for Bermuda yesterday..." Dropping the pan, he hugged her back then looked over her head at Charlie who stood up and held out his hand. "Captain Charles Ellis." They firmly shook hands. "Scott Hope." "And these are Cujo and Killer." Lani introduced the animals. Killer was glaring at Charlie for having moved, further interrupting her bathing routine, and Cujo was seated at Charlie's feet, lightly panting. "Well, the beasts approve of you, so I guess you're not a bad guy." Scott studied the other man closely then turned to his sister. "What happened over there? Have you even been to Bermuda?" "You won't believe me, but I'll tell you." They moved to the kitchen area and sat at the table while Lani explained everything to her brother. He was one of the few people who might believe her story about traveling through time. When she was finished, her brother was silent. Soon a huge grin spread over his face, "Seriously?" "One hundred percent true," she nodded "Aye. Everything she said be correct." Charlie was quiet for most of the conversation, only saying a word or two if Lani forgot to mention something. He was too busy studying everything. "This is impossible!" Scott stated. “What be impossible is me staying. I have to go back soon. Joshua be waiting fer me.” Charlie looked at them both. "Well, I think this is great." Scott stood up and began pacing around the kitchen with excitement. "What's it like? Your time, I mean." "Tiz boring, if ya be askin me. This age seems to have many more interestin things." Scott and Charlie started comparing stories of their own times. Lani excused herself to the bathroom, upset that soon the only man to touch her heart would be gone. Her brother and Charlie seemed to be so interested in each other's tales, they would hardly realize she had stepped away. After she used the bathroom and washed her hands and face, she looked at her reflection in the fulllength mirror. Turning from side to side, she nodded. The fashions from the late 1700s were okay in her opinion, but she preferred her 94

Summer Heat 2 favorite pair of worn jeans. Exiting the bathroom, she grabbed her jeans, along with a light sweater and placed them on the bed. She called Tiffany's cell phone and left a message that she had to return to the States because of an emergency. She would think of something to tell them later. After she grabbed a towel, she went into the kitchen to tell the guys she was going to take a shower and to find out how much longer Charlie was staying. She did not want him to leave, but could not make him stay. That would be selfish. She hardly knew him, but she knew she was falling in love. She chewed her bottom lip as she entered the kitchen. "Aye, tiz agreed then," she heard Charlie say with enthusiasm. "What is?" Lani looked at the grinning men. "Now, Painy, don't get mad, but…" he looked at Charlie. "Can I have a moment alone with the lass?" he asked. Scott nodded and went into the living room. Charlie stood, taking Lani's hand. She could feel her bottom lip begin to tremble and her eyes burn with unshed tears. Charlie was about to tell her goodbye. "So, just like that, huh?" She almost yelled at him, her emotions raw. "Typical man. Sleep with me then leave after you get what you want. Ugh! Why did I let myself care about you?" "Lass, what are ya goin on about?" Charlie scrunched his eyebrows as he looked down at her. He slowly wiped away a tear that slid down her cheek. "Are these tears for me?" "No! They're because I stubbed my toe." She sniffed loudly. "Well, goodbye then. I'm sure you’re in a rush to leave." Charlie's shoulders shook as he quietly chuckled, "I care greatly fer ya, lass. Are ya that eager to be rid o me? I was going to tell ya that yer brother and I decided I should stay." She blinked in shock. "What?" "I was going to ask if I could stay here," he ran the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip. "With me?" Her voice was low. "Nay, I wanted to stay for the dog," he teased. "O course, with ye." She narrowed her eyes, "My brother and you decided this, huh?" Charlie nodded and called to her brother. "Did you tell her?" Scott was almost jumping with excitement. "I told her I was going to stay, aye." Charlie held her hand. "But 95

Summer Heat 2 ya ken, that means someone has to go back to me time." Lani let this new information sink in. "Scott?" Scott nodded to Charlie who stepped back. He took his sister's hands in his own. "Lani, this is what I want to do. You know how I always tell you I don't fit in here." "Yes, but, it's the eighteenth century! It's not like you're going to another state or something!" Lani was torn. She wanted Charlie to stay, but she did not want her brother to leave. "I'll be fine. It's not like this will be goodbye forever. Charlie told me about Joshua. I know, together, he and I can figure out this orb thing. I'll come back to visit. "But…" her voice cracked. "No buts. This is something I need to do." Lani swallowed hard, but nodded, knowing that once her brother got an idea in his head, he went for it. "What should I tell Mom?" "Tell her I'm on vacation." They both laughed. Lani pulled her brother into a hard hug. "I'll miss you," she sniffed. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looked behind her, up at Charlie. She slowly let her brother go. Scott gave Charlie a brisk handshake and a nod. "We don'na ken what the orb will do if no one goes back. We don'na ken how long 'til it has a reaction. Might be hours, or days." He noticed that the orb was starting to brighten. "Take care of my sister, or I'll come back and kill you," Scott warned Charlie. "I shall do nothing less than worship her." Charlie smiled down at her, with all the love he felt. "Well, I'm off." With a deep breath, and the orb in his hand, Scott recited the words that seemed to make the device work, also speaking the date and name of the inn out loud. In a flash, he was gone. "I'll miss him," Lani sniffed and wiped away a few tears. "Are you sure you want to stay?" She faced Charlie. "More than anythin." He leaned down and kissed her, his passion for her undiminished by time. She seductively glided her hands under his shirt, "I was about to take a shower before you guys dropped that bomb on me." She felt her eyes twinkle. "Would you care to join me?" He growled, "Aye. Then after a long night of wild sex and no sleep, will ye show me yer world?" “I'll even take you to see Bermuda tomorrow if we can get 96

Summer Heat 2 tickets.” She laughed as she led him to the bathroom, ready to show her man her world. End

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Entrapped By Mae Powers Doctor Kyleen Anderson creates a computerized machine, which creates fantasies. However, it goes haywire, and so does her libido when she's entrapped within its circuits. http://www.maepowers.com

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Summer Heat 2

Entrapped By Mae Powers “How are we doing today, Dr. Anderson? I see you’re alone.” Kyleen Anderson smiled as she entered her lab, but didn’t shut the lab door behind her completely. The lab’s central cooling system had been on and off ‘the fritz’. With the temperature being nearly freezing in the hallway, she thought the coolness would seep into the lab. Hopefully S.I.D.’s testing wouldn’t go wrong today due to faulty air-conditioning. Looking over at the complex machinery taking up most of the space, “we,” she chuckled, “are doing fine, S.I.D. Do not worry, Groove-Dog and Britches didn’t follow me to work. How are your circuits today? Are you up to scan-reading?” The three-leveled machine’s upper lights blinked on then off. “Conceivably so, Dr. Anderson. I think…I think I need some minor adjustments on the imaging input though. And a tad bit of redirection on the situation transit.” She put on a white lab-jacket, and then stood on the machine’s first three steps. “I’ll run a few diags then before we begin.” She took a few more steps up to get on the control platform. Her hands worked rapidly over the control console of the Situation Imaging Device, better known around the Hollywood-Houston Research Foundation as S.I.D. Multi-colored sensors flickered all over the diag panels as she performed her routine checks. “Sorry, S.I.D., but nothing apparent yet. I’ll try some internals.” The machine’s main panel blinked on then off again, and so did its facial screen. “Really, Doctor Anderson, I don’t think there’s any need for you to get so…intimate.” Kyleen shook her head, grinning. S.I.D. seemed just too human in nature at times. Perhaps she never should have programmed him 99

Summer Heat 2 with human-like equations, er function-thoughts. “Come now, S.I.D., I’ve been with you even before your infancy. I probably know what makes you tick better than you do. But if you’re going to object to my tinkering around, I can always get Dr. Henry to look you over.” The lights flickered excitedly. “No! No, that’s okay, Kyleen. I’d much rather have you than that bumbling excuse for a scientist any day.” She laughed, dabbing at her eyes with the sleeve of her lab coat. “Just don’t call him that when he’s around, S.I.D. He is head of the Foundation and can cut off my funds and your circuits quite easily.” This time S.I.D.’s panel shone bright red, as if in dire indignation. “That mealy old fart is just jealous because the Board of Directors put you in charge of me and not him.” Kyleen shook her head again. “Just quit worrying about him, my friend.” Kyleen pulled a book out of her jacket pocket. It was a thick paperback picturing a man and woman held in an intimate embrace, surrounded by a circle of stars. “Let’s wait a few minutes about doing the internals. Are you up to looking at my sister’s latest romance book?” His lights flickered rapidly. “Thank you, oh yes! I do get stimulation from reading Maeve’s novels. How is she?” “She’s doing quite well, S.I.D., and sends her regards to you. She’s going to write about you as soon as news can be released.” The machine seemed to purr. “I’m quite flattered, Doctor. Do send her my afflictions.” Kyleen paused in her insertion of the book into his input holder to look at his face screen. “Don’t you mean your affections, S.I.D.?” It blinked as if in confusion. “Oh, yes. Silly me. Do send her my warmest regards. What’s this book about?” “I’m not sure,” she said as she finished inserting the book into him. “Haven’t had time to read this one yet. But I’ll bet we’ll both be sent into dimensions of entertainment over it.” “A strange choice of words, Kyleen.” She chuckled. “I often get those when I think about Maeve’s books. No one writes futuristic adventure-romance like my sister, even if I am biased. Now while you’re converting the book into visual mode, I’m going to check your remote control. It needed some adjustments last time I was here.” She picked up a small, square object from a shelf on the machine, becoming quiet as S.I.D. whirred into his conversion mode. 100

Summer Heat 2 “Oh dear!” S.I.D. suddenly said, his lights blinking wildly. Kyleen looked up at his face-screen in concern. “What’s wrong, S.I.D.? Are there knots in your circuits again? Is the book not visually described enough for you? What…?” Small images appearing on his face-screen gave her even more concern. She peered closer at S.I.D.’s visualization screen as the images started getting larger. His security cameras were zooming in on outside the lab. “Oh dear, that’s Britches and Groove-dog? Damn, Doctor Henry is going to have my toosh for this. How the hell did they get here? Maeve was suppose to take them to the vet.” She looked closer and saw a woman and some security guards running behind her. The woman was her sister. Just then, the door of the lab flew open, and two furry animals bounced in. Britches a fairly large cat of several colors, closely followed by a fully grown Saint Bernard. The cat continued hiss-screaming while Groove-Dog barked, chasing her. Britches scurried rapidly up S.I.D.’s steps jumping suddenly in Kyleen’s arms. It startled Kyleen a little, but did not catch her too off guard. “I’m sorry, Kyleen. They jumped out the open window when I drove up to the guard booth.” Her sister hollered loudly as Maeve and the guards came into the room. “No don’t, Groove-dog!” “Groove-dog, don’t!” Kyleen screamed at her dog as he too launched himself into the air, jumping towards her. S.I.D.’s voice began ordering the dog away, “You canine culverts. Desist immeee….” Too late, to stop the consequences, Groove-dog’s big paws stretched outwards, and his body flew into Kyleen’s and the cat’s. All three fell into S.I.D.’s control panel. The huge machine whirred alarmingly! Sparks flew everywhere, and S.I.D. lit up like a fireworks display. Seconds later, an explosive light display filled the room, and Kyleen alarmingly found herself and her pets’ starting to diminish. The last thing she saw was the guards holding her sister back before everything disappeared around her and her pets... **** Dr. Kyleen Anderson looked around herself with some hazy trepidation. She still felt somewhat startled and bewildered about what had happened to her just a few minutes ago. At least she thought it was a few minutes ago. Let’s see now, she was working on S.I.D. and…and Britches and Groove-dog came running into the labs…then that fantastic light explosion came from S.I.D and the next thing she 101

Summer Heat 2 knew, her body seemed to dissolve. Now she stood here, not even knowing where here was. Trying to think rationally, she looked over the area again, but this time with clearer vision. She made out the landscape, drawing in her breath at its loveliness. Light, yellow-green foliage grew on the bushes and blue-green trees stood around her. This forest looked like something out of one of those science fiction/fantasy films Hollywood made so well. Momentarily she sat down on the large yellow moss covered, rock to try and quell her shaking limbs. She put her head in her hands, hoping to shut out the daymare. What has happened? She didn’t program S.I.D. for inter-dimensional travel—that couldn’t be done. He was built for an experimental purpose, to turn books into instant visualizations…Had it been the malfunctions he’d complained of, or the mixture of bungling cat, dog and human paws causing the electrical short circuit of his control panels? Something had thrown everything out of whack. For a few seconds, all was quiet. Then, there came a sing songhowling sound cutting into the quiet transition of Kyleen trying to piece together her confused thoughts. She looked frantically about her. Again, she heard the song-like whining. That was definitely Groove-dog’s howl. He sounded in trouble; she knew the noise all too well. Jumping up, she ran in the direction of Groove-Dog’s yowling, stumbling as she did so. In a slight, vine entangled clearing, she found him. He was struggling with, and entwined in, a few dark green limbs, looking alive the way they writhed and curled in an opposite manner to his struggles. His tail wiggled and he whined happily to see her. The vines tightened around him as he wriggled. Kyleen quickly ran over to her stricken pet, giving no thought to her own safety, Groove-Dog had to be rescued. She was just starting to pull vines away from his body, when she felt something slithering up her pant leg. Kyleen screeched, and roughly jerked the slimy vine off of her leg. This definitely is not Earth, she thought. Screaming as more vines started dancing threateningly around her, Kyleen panicked. She soon found herself in Groove-dog’s position as the live vines wrapped around her, imprisoning her there. She struggled against them, but they only tightened about her, cutting off more of her circulation. Her struggles ended as her analytical mind told her 102

Summer Heat 2 fighting against there things proved useless. Fleetingly she looked over at her Saint Bernard. His soulful brown eyes reflected his helplessness as his high-pitched voice whined their predicament. “Calm down Boy, it’s fine” Kyleen worried the vines could inflict serious damage if he struggled anymore. His whining soon mixed in the air with another kind of sound. A more melodious sound. The sound came closer. The closer it got, the more it sounded like a group of people humming. Figures dressed in dark shades of purple and pink soon followed the humming. Her eyes traveled upwards to the largest one. With soft blonde hair, he had delicate features, but he was by no means a delicate man, though he stood over six feet tall. Lithe and muscular like a baseball player, he wore a gold trimmed tunic of dark purple that tapered over his slightly bulging biceps. His muscular thighs accentuated by the clinging material of his trousers. He wore dark brown shoes adorned in a similar gold tone. Others in his groups wore various medieval style garments like cloaks, loose robes stockings, in different shades of brown and purple and dark blue. Their hair colors varied as did their sizes. She felt almost out of place dressed in her lab coat, pullover shirt, slacks and loafers. Though covered by the vines, her pale skin stood out next to their varying shades of brown and dark beige. They all stared at her as if she were the most unusual looking beast they had ever come across. She felt the same way as she glanced them over. Other than their clothing being from another era, and their surreal, rustic mannerisms, they looked as human as she did. Perhaps they thought her alien because of the clothing or her animals. She didn’t care. She just wanted this nightmare, or whatever it was, to end. Then Kyleen heard a familiar meow-cry and Britches exploded from behind the aliens, jumping on Kyleen’s vine-tied body. Her cat must have been hiding while she and Groove-dog struggled. Just like her cat. One of the smaller, human-like creatures reached for the calico cat. Britches bared her claws, striking out at the being, defensively. It made a sort of a musical-crying sound, then scurried quite a few feet away from Kyleen. The taller of the creatures must have given a musical inclined command, because the others parted letting him pass between them. He firstly went to Groove-dog, and gently reached out to stroke the frightened animal’s soft coat. 103

Summer Heat 2 “Don’t you dare hurt him!” Kyleen cried out as she tried to struggle against the vines. Finding her efforts useless, she gave up, but continued to verbally attack the alien. Seeing that he only meant to pull Groove-dog free, Kyleen felt satisfied her words stopped him from hurting her dog. Little dancing spots of light circled around Groove-dog as the being touched the vines. As if magically commanded, the vines slid away from the Saint Bernard. She let out a sigh of relief and satisfaction at seeing her furry buddy freed. Groove-dog immediately got to his feet, and licked the kneeling stranger square on the face. Bounding over to Kyleen and Britches, he licked her face thoroughly. Kyleen giggled powerless to stop him, Groove-Dog looked back over to the alien man and barked. The alien male narrowed his amethyst eyes in Kyleen’s direction. Begrudgingly, it seemed to Kyleen, he knelt before her. Britches hissed at him, ready to strike him, until Groove-dog came over and whacked Britches with a large paw. The cat tumbled off Kyleen. Looking almost sympathetic Groove-Dog wagged his tail at the stranger as if to say it was okay to go ahead now and release his owner. “Traitor.” Kyleen muttered as she looked from her dog to the strange man. Her blue-green eyes narrowed back at him whilst he critically surveyed her, his thick lips lightly tilted into an ironic smile. Kyleen became impatient and spoke more harshly than she meant to. Damn him for being that arousingly good-looking. “Well do your trick and let me up! You’re just as bizarre-looking to me as I am to you.” He frowned at her, said something in his musical tone and the others behind him seemed to laugh. At that precise moment, Britches hopped back over to Kyleen and clawed him at his face. The man jerked backwards and the other aliens made as if to attack Kyleen and the cat. Finally, Groove-dog seemed to remember where his priorities lay, and he immediately got into an attack position, ready to protect Kyleen and Britches. Kyleen laughed inwardly because she knew, no one picked on Britches but him! “Heel!” Kyleen said immediately, feeling that it was best to stay on the better side of the aliens. No sooner had she spoken, then both her pets sat back on their hind legs. She grinned at them both. Britches knew more human-to-dog commands than Groove-dog did.

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Summer Heat 2 “Coosanasei.” The tall male song-said, then knelt beside Kyleen once more after his entourage backed off. He touched the vines in the same manner that he had for Groove-dog. The vines swept back off her. Kyleen sat up, stretching and rubbing her sore limbs. A few seconds later, the alien’s large hands came about her and he swept her up in his arms. Astonished, Kyleen just stared at him. His bright purple eyes looked her over, his features softened, as if suddenly enchanted with her face. The impish gurgles from his crew made his face turned into a scowl. He said something to them that immediately made them sober up again. “Kavai theinick.” He said to Kyleen, but nodded to her awaiting animals. Kyleen remained bewildered for the moment. Finally, she figured out that she was to tell them to follow this strange entourage. The nods and motions he did, made sense to her. She viewed her pets. “Come on, you two. Looks like we’re in for some more shocks. There’s no telling what were up against, but we’re going to have to hang in there till we find out where we are and what’s going on.” Her pets stared thoughtfully at her, then at each other, and barked and meowed at her as if in understanding. The alien man seemed satisfied, for he turned and headed deeper into the colored forest, carrying Kyleen in his strong arms. Without ado, the whole entourage followed him, including Kyleen’s pets. **** Though she felt tired and still somewhat confused, Kyleen managed to maintain rational behavior as she was taken into a village. The fairy-like setting greeted her, with jewel-like buildings all over a clearing. Others dressed in similar clothing as the entourage immediately trailed along behind the others. They all followed the man who carried her inside a large building. It looked like it functioned as their community hall, by the way many of the people gathered there. Inside of which was a large pool of water framed by bright gold rimming. The other beings all stood at different heights but had similar olive-skinned colorings. Their leader stood out amongst them, his eyes being much brighter than their own, with dancing lights of gold in them. The bustle about her served only to confuse her and her pets, who looked with confused glances around them, as Kyleen waited for the villagers’ musical gibberish to quiet down. 105

Summer Heat 2 “Doctor Kyleen…S.I.D…here…well part of me is. I think…Kyleen…?” S.I.D’s voice sounded with a crackle. There came a sudden cry of alarm amongst the beings. The man released Kyleen onto her feet, but he did not draw back from her as the others did, seemingly in fright. Kyleen looked around herself, wondering if she heard right. “Kyleen…can’t…reach you…” Kyleen looked down at her pets. In Britches’ mouth was the remote control for S.I.D. It must have fallen out of her pocket some moments ago when she tried to wiggle out of the man’s arms. Her cat retrieved better than her dog did. She knelt down, picked up the cat, and took the remote. “S.I.D.?” She pushed in a few buttons on the remote, hearing only static at first. “S.I.D. what has happened? Come on S.I.D…. tell me this is only a dream and that you didn’t visualize me into Maeve’s book.” “Do you…want me to lie…Kyleen?” Came a static, mechanical voice from the remote. “No, S.I.D. I don’t…S.I.D?” She shook the remote again as the voice started dying out. “Kashtoo!” The alien demanded, trying to take the remote from Kyleen, until Groove-dog growled and Britches bared her claws again. He frowned at them, but didn’t back down. “Wait!” Kyleen said, but he grabbed the remote just as it started whirring again. He spoke his musical gibberish again looking over the machine as it blared with S.I.D.’s voice. “What did…you…? Wait, will try to communicate with alien…Kyleen he is asking… ‘What is this device? What kind of magic do you use against us? Did Megando send you to further…. torment us?’ Kyleen, can you hear me?…Can’t talk much longer, Doctor Henry is coming back to…check my wiring…I think you are in Maeve’s story…Get the leader...I think…to touch you…can learn his…language through a….what?…A kiss?…I mean a spell….Kyleen…?” Kyleen had let go of her cat. She tried to snatch the device back even as the leader still fussed at her. “Kiestech eta doosai?” His deep voice asked. When Kyleen only made to kick out and cursed at him, he made a movement with his hands to stop her. Immediately Groovedog pounced on him. The man fell against Kyleen, and the two fell into the golden-framed pool of rainbow colored water. The remote 106

Summer Heat 2 flew through the air at the same time and Groove-dog jumped up to catch the familiar device. Kyleen struggled against the heavy water, and the sexy man. Chaos started up around her, as the other villagers were more concerned with chasing after Groove-dog and Britches who now ran amok. The alien man reached out for her, trying to stop her from getting loose. Kyleen struck out at him, tripping them both in the process. She went deeper into the pool, water immediately filling her lungs as she fought to stay afloat. Kyleen knew she should have learned how to swim long ago, but had always been afraid of water. That fear now realized as she felt the water overcome her, and seconds later, she felt things darken around her momentarily. Light soon came back as she felt the stranger grasp hold of her quickly and pulled her out of the pool. He immediately tilted her head back, placing his mouth over hers, forcing air into her lungs, and giving her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Kyleen began coughing up the water after his lips left hers. She struggled to sit up. Once gaining her composure, she looked up the stranger who made her body run amok with wanton thoughts. “You are not going to die on me yet, witch, until I know why Megando sent you here.” Her eyes widened in surprise. She understood what he was saying to her. Wait, S.I.D. had said something about a kiss and a spell. The man had given her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. That was why she could understand his speech. Something that had to do with Maeve’s book…Damn, why hadn’t she read it? She was just going to have to scramble through this story on her own. “I don’t know who Megando is.” She screeched back at him, pushing him away from her. She stood up on wobbly legs, glancing at him and the others angrily. “Who the hell are you?” At her words, there came immediate quiet and everyone stared with astonishment at her. Groove-dog and Britches, seeing that she was no longer being bothered, went to heel at her side. She bent down to pet them both, before taking the remote from Groove-dog’s mouth. “Good sweeties. Now sit and stay while I try to make some sense as to what is going on.” She wiped at some water dripping down her face, before turning to face the handsome alien. “Look, I really don’t know who this Megando is. I’m a stranger to your world. All I want to do is go home. I can’t do that if you keep attacking me and…” 107

Summer Heat 2 “I attack you, witch?” The stranger said drawing slowly near her. “You lie…” Groove-dog snarled a low growl. Kyleen held her dog back as he started for the stranger. “Look you fool, I’m not a witch. I am Doctor Kyleen Anderson. These are my pet companions, Groove-dog and Britches. We are just as confused and frightened as all of you are. Can we not talk this over sensibly? Please, I mean no harm to any one.” The little female who had first felt Britches’ claws slowly approached Kyleen. She looked speculatively at Kyleen for a moment, her purple eyes glowing faintly, and then she looked at her leader. “I think she tells the truth, Chaikon. It must have be the Pool of reasoning enabling her to speak our language. She has no evil radiance around her. Her minions seek only to protect her. Let me be responsible for her.” He smiled warmly at the female, looked amongst his people, whom nodded in agreement with the alien female’s findings, before he once more looked upon Kyleen. However, he did not smile at her. “My sister, Tagonda, is a sensitive. We rely on her heavily to know when evil drifts our way. Yet, until you can prove further to me you are not evil, I will be watchful of you. You will obey her commands or have me to deal with personally.” He turned from Kyleen to Tagonda once more. “I leave her in your care, Tagonda. Be wary of her still. Though it is possible she is not under Megando’s influence, we still do not understand these magics of hers.” Then to his people, he said a few more words. “Let us retire to our homes. We will convene later to decide our strategies against our enemy then.” The community room dissipated with all but Tagonda, Kyleen and her pets. Tagonda smiled warily at Kyleen. “I am skeptical of you, Kyleen of Anderson, but I detect no evil in you. Tell me how you came to be here.” Kyleen let out a long sigh, explaining as best she could to the shorter woman. “…I am still not sure what went wrong with S.I.D. I can only assume it was the fall that triggered his internal malfunctions to cause me to wind up here. Whatever the reason, I’ve got to find some way back home, Tagonda.” “I sympathize with you.” Tagonda said more lightly. “We too were driven from our former homes by an evil wizard named Megando. Chaikon’s magic is not as great as his, but it has kept us from being found by Megando. Is your device so powerful that it can 108

Summer Heat 2 indeed talk to creatures from other worlds, as you say, and transport them too?” Kyleen let out a helpless sigh. “It would seem so. Every since I built S.I.D., I thought there was much more to him. He thinks for himself.” “He is an entity then?” Tagonda tilted her head from side to side. “Perhaps he could help us thwart Megando.” Kyleen ran a hand through her wet hair. “I am not sure, Tagonda. However, if there is any way I can help you, I will. I pay back my depts. Thank you very much for setting everyone straight concerning me.” Tagonda shifted in her stance, as if troubled. “Everyone but Chaikon, I’m afraid. He trusts no strangers. But if you could indeed help us to fight and win over Megando, my brother would be proved differently.” She added hopefully. Kyleen smiled warmly down at the female. What was she getting herself into now? How could she let that innocent face down? She sighed again, and then looked at her pets. “Well guys, what do you think? Have we any choice but to help them somehow?” As if in answer, Groove-dog barked affirmatively, and Britches amiably went over to purr against Tagonda, who looked delightfully surprised. “It...your pets like me! Will this one let me hold it?” “I think Britches will let you hold her now.” Kyleen said, bending down to get her cat, then putting her in Tagonda’s arms. “She likes being scratched behind the ears.” Tagonda chuckled as Bitches purred against her. “I think she likes me now.” Then, remembering her manners, “Dear, you are shivering. Come with me to my abode. I will find you some dry clothes, then you can tell me all about your home and I can tell you of mine.” Tagonda’s friendliness reminded Kyleen of her sister Maeve’s, making her wistful for home. Yet, she and Groove-dog quietly followed Tagonda out of the community hall. **** Days of wonderment followed Kyleen’s coming to the lovely Shagoran village. Tagonda showed her around, letting the other villagers get used to Kyleen. It took a while but most of the natural, friendly people did, once they saw that she was not going to use her device against them. They soon came to like Groove-dog and Britches who often danced for them, when they gathered in the community hall 109

Summer Heat 2 together in the evenings and played music. Groove-dog and Britches loved music, and eventually Kyleen found the Shagoran music soothing and refreshing compared to some of the hard rock she’d lived around. S.I.D.’s comical reports coming in over the remote no longer frightened the villagers for they were getting used to Kyleen speaking to her unknown friend, knowing all and understanding what was said between Kyleen and S.I.D. Though Kyleen felt more comfortable being around the Shagorans, she still felt ill-at-ease with one of them, Chaikon. He warily stayed away from her as much as possible. However, whenever they did come into contact, the tension assured future fireworks between them. . No man affected Kyleen the way Chaikon did. She couldn’t understand it, no more than he did. Always putting her career above being around a man, she never even gave men a second glance on a personal level. Yet, she always noticed Chaikon’s handsome, strong form whenever he was in the vicinity. Tagonda told her that the others thought he was attracted to her, but could not be certain herself as to her brother’s attentions or thoughts towards Kyleen. Kyleen ridiculed the suggestion of his attraction toward her, making sure she stayed away from Chaikon as much as possible. However, a few times she simply could not avoid him. Like when the villagers met at the community hall and Chaikon’s followers gave him daily reports on Megando’s doings and whereabouts. Kyleen had learned a lot about the enemy, Megando. Once, some years back, the Shagorans lived in a large, beautiful city much more wondrous than this village or the forest surrounding. That is, until Megando, who came from a far-a-way land invaded, bent on conquering all the lands, people and allies of the Shagorans. The few remaining Shagorans and allies to escape Megando’s tyranny gathered here in the village. Chaikon had been their General of Spells. Though never having to fight before with magic, Chaikon protected them as best he could with his depleted spell-caster army. Megando and his magical followers had been too strong for Chaikon and his guards. Megando forced the Shagorans to retreat into this enchanted forest, which they all kept spell-detected from Megando’s magic by combining the group’s magical means. Yet, they wondered how much longer the spell of protection would last. Shagoran magic had to be regenerated every several years 110

Summer Heat 2 by a certain kind of magical crystal; even the faintest of fragments were in Megando’s clutches. It was close to that regeneration time. Kyleen had been thinking hard over her days trapped there, of what she could do to help them. Yet, she doubted her abilities against such powerful magic, as Megando’s seemed to be. At present, even as she walked by herself through the forest, she still tried to think how she and S.I.D. might assist. Tagonda warned her against walking through the forest alone. Kyleen felt she could at least walk a ways from the village without being harmed by the protective, living trees and vines. Bird-like music filled the air as she explored the jungle-like woods. She felt as if the bristling winds flowing through the trees and vines, and all the fauna of the forest watched her every movement. She stopped to sit, gazing over a small brook. Though still frightened of being deep in water, she liked putting her feet in it. She took off the thongs one of the village women had given to her, and stuck her feet into the water. It felt cool and soothing, like the weather at the moment. While trying to relax, she heard S.I.D.’s familiar voice. She brought the remote out of her gown pocket, and listened. “Kyleen…Doctor Henry is gone. I can speak again. Still can’t find all of Maeve’s story…yet…” “That’s okay, S.I.D. I know you’re trying. Have any of your circuits been repaired?” “No, Doctor Henry won’t let any others touch me. Said I am not worth fixing. Some speculate where you are…I think though, I can adjust some of my inner sensors myself. Doctor Henry thinks I’m turned off. It is good that you put a self-generator in me. They have locked up your labs. I will try hard to get you back. It is dull here without you…Oh, just found part of Maeve’s story. Megando is after the alien sorceress now…I think. Maybe that is from one of her other stories. I must shut down for a while…can’t overload my circuits with too much thinking. Will come back soon…Doctor…” the voice ended. At least she had some contact with home even if she couldn’t’t get back. Wait a minute. Did S.I.D. say that Megando was fixing to get the alien sorceress? However, there was no alien sorceress around here, unless she was considered a sorceress. Warily, she glanced all around her. She relaxed when nothing happened. She was just getting antsy, what with being homesick and all. Lately, all she had to do was 111

Summer Heat 2 just watch the Shagorans go about their business. They did everything with slight magics or by hand. These people did not have knowledge of machinery. She did, and that was how she used her mind and hands. She supposed that her remote was a different kind of magic to them. “Blast you, I told you not to wander off alone.” Kyleen let out a startle exclamation, turning quickly to see Chaikon striding up to her. He reached out and grabbed her shoulders, jerking her to her feet. Kyleen slapped at him as he shook her furiously. He had little trouble, however, stopping her efforts, being stronger than her. She squirmed within his grip, trying to thrust his hold off her. “Don’t you realize you put us all in danger being out here, even a few yards from the village? When we are grouped, Megando cannot find us, but alone, he can get to anyone. Let’s return…Ouch.” Kyleen kicked him hard enough to loosen his grip on her. “You are an impudent ass. Every minute since I arrived you’ve done nothing but make me feel as if your troubles are my fault.” She backed away from his nearing form. “Just keep your hands to yourself…” He ignored her warnings, grasping hold of her once more. Chaikon pulled her down on the mossy ground, stilling her quivering form. “I don’t know why, but you deliberately seem to get pleasure from ignoring my commands. I should never have revived you, you ungrateful wretch.” Kyleen flung her long auburn hair out of her face, looking up at him furiously. “I’m not the one that chooses to taunt you. You deliberately malign me every chance you get. Haven’t I shown you already I am no harm to you, or your people? I’ve done all you asked. I didn’t think a few moment of privacy would be against your wishes.” “You’re being alone here causes more problems than you know. Especially, since it is I who found you.” She studied him in surprise. “I don’t see what…” “Well you should. This is what I’m talking about.” He said heatedly, and then pulled her tighter against him, kissing her fervently. Kyleen felt startled at first. She dropped the remote from her hand, then her arms went up around his back, drawing him as close to her body as possible. Chaikon let out a groan, rolling completely over 112

Summer Heat 2 her outstretched body. She responded sensually to his boldly caressing hands. His kisses deepened and then…then they felt something furry rubbing up against their faces, which made Chaikon sneeze. Kyleen turned her head in time to avoid his sneeze. When she did, she laughed as Britches nuzzled against her face, which made him sneeze again. Kyleen laughed as Britches hissed at him, then scurried away. She immediately pushed away from Chaikon noting Britches made off with the remote. “You furry rag-muffin. Come back with that.” Chaikon reached out to pull her back to him. “She will no doubt return to the village. Let us resume our…” Kyleen once more pushed him away. “You don’t understand Chaikon. Every time Britches gets hold of something of mine, Groove-dog chases her. That dog loves her like crazy, but when she pulls her kleptomania act, it drives him nuts. There’s no telling what will happen to the remote if those two get to fussing again. Then I may never find a way home.” He halted her movement away. “Would it be so bad to be here with me now that…” She pulled away form his soft touch. “It was just the heat of the moment, Chaikon. I want to eventually go home.” She winced inwardly and outwardly when she saw the sudden hurt on his face. “I’m sorry, Chaikon, but I miss home. It would be impossible for us to have a future.” She started to touch him until he pulled back. His handsome face frowned at her. “There is no need for explanations. I was a fool to believe that you even vaguely cared for me. Let’s return to the village and retrieve your precious device.” Kyleen felt remorse for rejecting him, but did not know what else to say. Instead, she rushed away from him. “Kyleen, wait, don’t go that direction. The protective vines are worse that way.” Kyleen ignored his warning. She hadn’t advanced but a few feet when she tripped near a large tree. Chaikon had been right. No sooner had she tried to get up, that the vines, once lying quietly on the flooring near and around the tree itself, began to snake out after her. The living vines entrapped her within their vise, tying her against the tree trunk. Chaikon found her bound there, with her clothes half torn. He had her at his mercy and smiled knowingly. “Will you never listen to me, Dear One?” “Stop that and untie me. This is no time for that.” 113

Summer Heat 2 He grinned wickedly down at her. “Even in your distressed state I really think you want me right now.” “You’re full of yourself right now, Chaikon.” “Prove you don’t want me and I’ll make them release you.” She tried whimpering a denial but knew she couldn’t. Kyleen shivered as he knelt down before her, took hold of her chin, and look deeply into her eyes, before pressing his mouth over hers. After exploring the deep recesses of her mouth, his warm lips trailed down to the throbbing spot her on her neck. Her skin pulsated with flickering prickles of desire as he suckled on her exposed flesh. When Chaikon’s hands caressed her over and around the vines, she felt as if the flames of her needs would engulf her entire being. One of his hands moved up under her skirt and between her thighs. Kyleen pressed her hips upwards as his fiery touch inflamed the warmth between her thighs even more. He quickly slid a couple of fingers in and out of her; and she felt the liquid heat of her needs pour slowly out over his fingers. With his free hand, she felt him open her shirtfront open. The vines did not cover her breasts completely. He pulled out each breast, in turn, from captivity. Then he lowered his head to suckle loudly on one plump orb, and kneaded the other with his left hand. He suckled, kissed, and fondled her breasts in perfect rhythm with his fingers that slid in and out of her. Kyleen shuddered violently against his passionate onslaught as orgasm after orgasm wracked her body. Then as if on his command, the vines holding her now slid partly away. The vines gently pried her legs open further. He caressed the rest of her body as he knelt before her still partially entrapped body. His fingers slid out of her hot channel and he leaned over to tease her clit with the tip of his tongue. Her hips bucked against his tongue as he licked her wet folds even deeper. His mouthed suckled her as his tongue did, doing dangerously delicious things to her whole being. Her body reacted and she felt her heat pour over his tongue. Quickly his hands caressed her labia and his thick tongue darted as deeply down into her wet channel. Though caught up in his wild pleasures, she didn’t miss his hand gesture towards the vines. He moved slightly away from her then, and as if by magic, the vines lowered her to the ground, flipping her onto her front. Her buttocks raised high up in the air and he caressed them with one hand while removing his pants with the other. Kneeling between her open legs, he 114

Summer Heat 2 pulled her up by her hips closer to him. He fondled her wet opening and then in one powerful thrust, buried himself within her. She cried out with heated pleasure as his shaft thrust deeply as possible into her slick folds. Still she bucked up against him as best she could. His hand snaked around and began teasing her clit and play with her tender flesh. He pumped her harder and faster. He groaned as he grinded against her. The vines toyed around their bodies, the sweet seductive aroma driving Kyleen almost insane with rising desires. She writhed against him, driving him into a further, heated frenzy. This time, both climaxed together. He pulled her tightly up against him as orgasms wracked their sweating bodies. For long moments, he held her close. Kyleen savored the incredible feeling of completeness he brought to her. Then as if suddenly remembering they lie in the middle of the forest, he pulled her up along with him to their feet. He found her torn shirt and used it to help clean them up as best as possible. Then he tossed her his shirt. She slowly put the article of clothing on as he put his pants back on. Grinning sheepishly at her, he asked, “Ready to go home now?” It was then she remembered why she had run from him. Britches had the remote. “Hell yes, I want to get home. We have to get the remote back from her.” His face fell. “I was hoping that you’d want to make this your home now, Kyleen.” “Chaikon, what we shared was fantastic, but I miss my world still.” “As you wish.” His voice became bereft of emotions, then he turned and walked away from her, leaving her standing there. She wanted to say something to him, but instead she just quietly followed him back to the village. Once there, she and he both parted for a short while. Kyleen went into Tagonda’s abode to clean herself up quickly. Wearing a loose shift teamed with her lab jacket, to get some aspect of home and her own clothing about her. She exited the simple hut, and noticed Chaikon was just coming out of his own place. She started to walk towards him, when excited voices and drew their attention elsewhere. Kyleen ran, following Chaikon, to the center of the village, near the community hall. There, they found the slight bustle of mayhem within the village. From the excited faces surrounding them, Kyleen guessed that Britches and Groove-dog had been having another round of mischief. It was Tagonda that 115

Summer Heat 2 approached them, looking the most excited. In her hands sat the remote, broken in two. Kyleen groaned. “Damn those two. There goes any chance of …” Not only did Chaikon’s paling face stop her further words, but also Tagonda's words interceded Kyleen’s. “Do not be angry at your pets, my friend. They have given me the chance to see into your device. Chaikon, look in it. There is a Shagoran crystal large enough to perhaps regenerate some our powers if we can only tap into it.” Chaikon took the halved remote from his sister, then turned furiously on Kyleen. “You had a rejuvenation crystal all this time and did not bother to help us? You are in league with Megando.” “No.” Kyleen tried to tell him. “We call that a diamond. How could I know a diamond is a Shagoran rejuvenation crystal? This is what generates the remote. Believe me, I …” He stared harshly at her. “I will believe no lies from…” “Chaikon!” Tagonda came to a flustered Kyleen’s defense. “Sense about you. She tells the truth. To her it is a means to energize her device. People of her homeland probably use this crystal differently. Is that not so, Kyleen?” Kyleen nodded, pleading with her eyes for Chaikon to believe her. Their home had somehow became her own, in a sense, and she’d come to care for all the people here, especially Chaikon. “I didn’t know, Chaikon. But if it would help you to defeat Megando and regain your home-city, then please use it.” He looked at her with new aspect. “You would give me your only means to return home, to help my people?” She nodded, starting to say something else, but his face brightened, and he pulled her quickly to him, kissing her ruthlessly in front of all his people. Then he whispered in her ear. “I care for you very much, Kyleen. I hope I’m not mistaken that your heart feels the same as mine. “You’re not wrong.” She said, just before she kissed him back. “Now go help your people.” He nodded, and after releasing her, spoke to all there. “Let us all convene in the Hall. We will try to use the crystal.” He left Kyleen with his sister, walking swiftly toward the community center. Kyleen stood there momentarily. Britches and Groove-dog, coming out of hiding, quietly came to stand beside her dejected form. “Are you not happy for us, Kyleen?” 116

Summer Heat 2 Kyleen smiled a wan smile. “Of course I am, Tagonda. It is but a momentary feeling of homesickness. Come, let us go in to see if you all can indeed use the diamond.” They entered the community hall, the pets tagging along. Kyleen saw the group of the most powerful of the Shagorans, including Chaikon, standing around in a circle. On the floor in the midst of the circle sat the small diamond. They were all humming some chant, their hands pointing towards the circle. Nothing happened. Again, they chanted. Again, nothing happened. Chaikon looked at each of his comrades in turn, then at her. She saw the disappointment in his eyes. Slowly he picked up the diamond and the remote, bringing it to Kyleen. “It is not enough. I thank you anyway, Kyleen.” Chaikon, followed by his people, dejectedly started leaving the community hall. Tagonda looked at Kyleen, her cherub face showing what Kyleen knew the rest of Tagonda’s people must be feeling. It was as if Tagonda pleaded for her help. Kyleen knew she had to help them, but how? She thought hard. An idea came to her within a few moments. “Chaikon, everyone, wait.” He turned back to her, his face still reflecting his troubles. “Yes?” She felt all eyes upon her. “I think I know a way to help your people. However, I must put this back together. Will you trust me to help you?” Chaikon glanced from her to his sister, then his people. They all nodded motioning her to continue. He glanced back at her. “Your device and the S.I.D. inside it can help?” She nodded. “I think there may be a chance.” Kyleen rummaged in the pockets of her lab jacket quickly; glad she had not taken her mini equipment from them. She pulled out a miniature tool kit. Sitting down on the floor, whilst all the others gathered around her, she studied the workings of the fractured remote. Working with the fragments she had, she restored the remote to partial working order. Flicking with the buttons, she tried to contact S.I.D. Nothing happened at first. She let out a frustrated sigh. Groovedog nuzzled against her, as if comforting her. She petted his head, geeting the encouragement to continue and make a few more adjustments to the remote. She again tapped the control buttons in a particular sequence. 117

Summer Heat 2 Then they heard S.I.D.’s deep, mechanical voice. So similar, at times, she thought to Chaikon’s. However, that was silly thinking on her part. “Kyleen, are you there? I found some of Maeve’s story. Confused though…” “Never mind Maeve’s story, S.I.D., I need your help. Is there any way you can visualize more diamonds to where I am?” “More diamonds…” it statically repeated her words. “Why? Maeve’s story doesn’t’t say to do that.” “Just listen, S.I.D.” she fussed at the remote, while all the others stood around her expectantly, quietly listening to her conversation with the device. “Mix up Maeve’s stories. Visualize the place as I described it to you a few days ago. Try to send some diamond’s here. Lots of them, and big ones. You can do it, S.I.D.” “Trying…” S.I.D. whirred back to her. “Miss you…but trying…Diamonds…are a girl’s best friend…”it sang to her the last two lines. “Are you sure you don’t want …rubies? Those are …in one of Maeve’s stories…I think…” “S.I.D., please. Just try to simulate and visualize me receiving the diamonds. You have enough information in your memory banks to rearrange Maeve’s stories. Come on, S.I.D. you can do it.” “Will try…may cease more irreparable damage…may not get exactly home…Kyleen?” Kyleen blinked her eyes, sensing intuitively, that something was wrong. “Yes, S.I.D.?” “Maeve was here. I told her what went wrong. She’ll write another story…we’ll try to get you back…I hope we can…She wants to get me out of here, take me home with her. Miss you, Kyleen, but don’t know how Maeve can help me. Doctor Henry taking me away…soon…” “Tell Maeve how to transfer your data banks, memory chip and, personality chip into the first prototype of you I built. It’s back home in my basement-labs. You can help Maeve to transfer your simulations into the old unit. It will still run on the self-generating method. Do you understand what I’m saying, S.I.D.?” It was deathly quiet about them for a moment, and even the pets seemed to be anticipating answers. “I’m here…I think. Must go, Doctor Henry coming…wait, he’s not here yet…can transfer diamonds, I think. Maeve’s coming back…Oh, yeah, the diamonds…will simulate transfer…” 118

Summer Heat 2 The whirring sound ceased. Kyleen stood up, looking at the others. She waited, as did they. Nothing happened. She sighed regretfully, looking at Chaikon and Tagonda with regret. “I’m sorry, Chaikon, Tagonda, everyone. I …” “Look!” Tagonda screamed, then she and all moved back as a sudden light emanated from nowhere. Then, as if by magic, a large pile of diamonds about the size of her dog, appeared in the midst of the circle of people. “S.I.D., you’re wonderful.” Kyleen said excitedly. “I know,” answered the remote before it went dead again. “That S.I.D. friend of yours is indeed powerful, Kyleen.” Tagonda remarked still looking as in shock as the rest of her people, at the diamonds. “Yes, he is the greatest thing I’ve ever invented.” She chuckled absently. Chaikon’s face went pale again. “You never told me you created S.I.D., Kyleen.” “I’m sorry, Chaikon, I thought I did. Anyway, the diamonds are here. Are those enough to regenerate all of yours and your peoples’ powers?” “Yes.” He said quietly. “I think you had better wait outside, Kyleen. “What we have to do now is Shagoran business only.” There was something about his manner that told her he was brushing her off. Or perhaps being deliberately cold towards her. She looked briefly at Tagonda whose eyes pleaded for understanding of her brother. “Come on, you two.” Kyleen said to her pets. Kyleen pocketed the remote, walking out of the community hall. Britches and Groove-dog followed her without question, sensing their mistress’ touch of sadness. Kyleen looked back at the community hall once she was some distance away from it. Her eyes widened as she saw a brilliant glow encompass the whole of the building. A thundering shook the edifice and the ground surrounding her and the dwelling. Then the ground quaked around her fiercely, shaking with almost earthquake like movements, which knocked Kyleen and her pets down. Then, in a near-blinding flash of eerie light the community hall with all the Shagorans in it, disappeared without a trace. **** 119

Summer Heat 2 Kyleen stayed alone, except for Britches and Groove-dog, during the next few days. It had shocked her that the power of the Shagorans could be so ominous with just rejuvenation from something like a diamond. She had waited for their return eagerly, realizing that she missed them. Especially Chaikon. Most difficult of all, it was his warm body that she missed the most. During those few days, she gradually realized that she had fallen in love with the man. She should have made the most of her time with him, but she had been confused over her feelings and attraction for him, despite their one heated time together. Even her pets whined more lately. They too missed the Shagorans. She could see this because the critters were often listlessly laying around the hut that once belonged to Tagonda. Britches had been fond mostly of Tagonda, it seemed, for the cat lay upon Tagonda’s bed, rarely eating. Kyleen would often find Groove-dog in Chaikon’s home. A week after the Shagorans’ disappearance, Kyleen went with both her pets into Chaikon’s old home. She had not even heard from them in any way, nor had she heard from S.I.D. She missed them all. She knew she wanted to stay with them, and would if S.I.D. could not find a way home for her. With no qualms Kyleen knew her pets loved it here as much as she did. And, she had no doubts that Chaikon wanted to be with her, no matter what, just like she wanted to be with him. A slight whirring stirred Kyleen out of her reveries. Groove-dog started barking loudly. Britches just lay sullenly there. The cat evidently used to that familiar sound, feigned a slight interest by hissing at Groove-dog to keep his barking down. Kyleen immediately answered her remote. “S.I.D.? Please tell me that’s you.” “You weren’t’t expecting Mr. Ed were you?” His voice came through less statically and faintly this time. “I’m home. Maeve and I did it. She moved me to the basement, Kyleen. She sends her love to you. She’s still working on getting me back in shape. Smart girl, your sister, she followed your notes about me to the T. That’s when she manages to decipher your handwriting and understand the jargon. But she’s getting there… even I’m not sure how I work sometimes…”He started to fade out. “Don’t go, S.I.D.” A cackle came over the little device. “I am here, I think…well, yeah, guess I am…” 120

Summer Heat 2 Happily, Kyleen spun around the room. “S.I.D., can you get me back? Please tell me you can… S.I.D.?” “I’m working on it…still got some loose circuits, and this ittybitty old model is not…very comfortable. Kyleen you’ve got to do something about making me a walking unit…if you return.” “What do you mean if I return? S.I.D., what are you holding back from me?” She became irritable and concerned. “Uh, the heroine, according to Maeve, stays with the hero and doesn’t’t return home. Don’t know if I should…” “S.I.D., don’t you get any wild hairs in your circuits. Can you get me home or not?” The animals were listening intensively to her conversation with S.I.D., for both were nuzzling close against her on Chaikon’s bed. S.I.D. was quiet for a while. Too quiet for Kyleen’s sanity. “S.I.D., dammit, answer me truthfully. Can you get me home?” “Yes…and no…I sort of mixed up the stories…too much…” “What do you mean too much, S.I.D.?” Kyleen was starting to become frantic. “Can I go home or…” “Do you really wish to, Kyleen?” Chaikon’s voice sounded. Kyleen looked up to the doorway of the bedroom, letting out a startled oath. Nearly engulfing the doorway stood Chaikon’s sensually handsome form. “You’re back!” “Yes. We’ve defeated Megando, thanks to the diamonds S.I.D. gave us.” He chuckled at her surprised face and at her pets as they started dancing on the bed. “Hey you two, Tagonda is outside with the others, waiting to see you again.” At the mention of his sister, her pets jumped off the bed. “Traitors,” she called after them as they ran, first to nuzzle against him, and out through the door Chaikon held open for them. He closed the door behind them with a resounding slam. With a determined look on his face, he approached Kyleen. She backed away, keeping her remote tight against her. He grinned down at her mischievously. “I really don’t think you will need that anymore Kyleen. You’re not going anywhere.” Kyleen narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean I am not…Just who do you think you are telling me what I…” “Hush, Kyleen.” He commanded softly, kneeling on the bed. He laughed loudly as she shrieked and tried to get away for him. “This time my heart, we’re going to make love in a more comfortable place, and no interruptions.” 121

Summer Heat 2 She gasped as he firmly pried the remote form her, then threw it to one end of his large bed. “You are the most infuriating man alive.” Grinning he asked, “But you love me anyway.” His arms closed around her securely. “I won’t believe you if you deny it. I left you alone for a week, but you’re still here. You waited for me, didn’t you, Kyleen? Tears threatened to spill out of her eyes. “I had little choice.” His warm hands sliding down her backside persuaded the truth from her. “Gawd I missed you, Chaikon. I never knew agony and real loneliness, until you left. Don’t ever do that to me again,” Kyleen wrapped her arms around his neck, shifting her weight against his. His lips grew into a wide happy smile. “Does that mean you love me, Kyleen and intend to stay with me always?” “It damn sure does. I’ll stay with you whether it’s in my world or yours, wherever we happen to be.” Then she lovingly brought his face down to hers, kissing him feverishly. As their mutual love ignited, a whirring, cackling sound emitted from beside them on the bed. They chose to ignore it. “Kyleen? Uh, Kyleen. I think I can get you home. I’ve sort of got a lock on yours and Britches and Groove-dog’s forms…Kyleen, can you hear me…?” Kyleen could hear S.I.D.’s voice as she and Chaikon became more intimate and really meant to answer him but she became too engulfed in Chaikon’s love. “Kyleen, Maeve fed me new input, but she says I have to wait…until she gets back from shopping for new circuitry for me…but I’ll be fine. Uh, I think I can do it now…Going to transfer your images home, Kyleen. Make sure you are alone…don’t know if I can bring you precisely home if someone beside the critters are with you…Well, here goes…Get ready…Kyleen…I’m transferring you all home…I think…” It suddenly dawned on her love-fogged brain, that her living invention blared static words around her. However, Kyleen registered S.I.D.’S words too late as she pulled away from Chaikon. Oh heavens, she thought, I hope he does get us all home. Seconds later, the room and everything around her began to slowly diminish. End

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