\u201cI know I said I\u2019m in no rush to get back, but it\u2019s nice to be closer to home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michelle smiled at her girlfriend, put her arm around her waist to pull her closer. Glancing over her shoulder at the way they had come, she asked, \u201cHow far do you think we\u2019ve gone, so far?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Samantha said, shrugging, \u201cmaybe fifteen miles. We\u2019ve been walking for about four hours.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think fifteen miles is enough for one day?\u201d Michelle asked, her hand slipping off Samantha\u2019s hip and onto her buttock.<\/p>\n
Laughing, Samantha said, \u201cThere\u2019s nowhere to camp on this stretch of river. We\u2019ll stop at the first camp-able site we find.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSounds good,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at her. She slipped her hand into Samantha\u2019s back pocket, kept it there as they walked. Samantha didn\u2019t seem to mind.<\/p>\n
Blue chuffed her agreement, walking at Michelle\u2019s side. Michelle looked at the wolf and had to shake her head. The crazy wolf had been walking with them all day, seemed content to go wherever they were headed.<\/p>\n
Laughing, Samantha said, \u201cBlue is looking for some scraps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Right on cue, the wolf licked her chops. Smiling, Michelle thought the wolf understood more than she should. Blue had a lot more going on behind her beautiful blue eyes than the average wild animal.<\/p>\n
To the wolf, Michelle said, \u201cWe caught dinner last time. Maybe it\u2019s your turn, this time. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blue grinned at her, her tongue lolling out. Michelle wasn\u2019t sure wolves could look amused, but Blue sure did.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think that\u2019s funny, huh?\u201d Michelle said, smiling at the wolf.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, she does,\u201d Samantha said, laughing.<\/p>\n
They came to a bend in the river. Rounding it, Michelle saw the bank widened some, giving them room to set up their tent. Looking around, she spotted a bit of ground not littered with jagged rock, started to call Samantha\u2019s attention to it, when she saw something out of the corner of her eye. Turning fully toward, she blinked in surprise.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that…\u201d Michelle said, letting go of Samantha. She moved closer, squinting her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you see?\u201d Samantha asked, looking after her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there is a building there,\u201d Michelle said, still walking.<\/p>\n
As she got closer, she was sure of it. Nestled between a bunch of pine trees, surrounded by overgrown brush, it was hard to see. If not for the hard right angles of the walls breaking up the flow of the flora around it, the cabin would have been impossible to spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a cabin,\u201d Michelle said, turning back to Samantha.<\/p>\n
\u201cWay out here?\u201d Samantha asked, moving to her side.<\/p>\n
\u201cCould be a hunter\u2019s cabin,\u201d Michelle said, looking back at the building, \u201cit looks abandoned, though.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think it is safe?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d have to get closer to be sure, but it looks okay,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s check it out,\u201d Samantha said, starting toward the cabin, \u201ccome on, Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michelle followed her girlfriend and the wolf, picking her way through the tall grass. It wasn\u2019t until she was right on top of the cabin that she realized it had a porch. Mother Nature had grown up around the simple log rail, completely obscuring it.<\/p>\n
The boards creaked as she stepped onto the porch, but seemed solid. When she tried the door, it protested like it hadn\u2019t been opened in years, which supported her theory that the cabin had been abandoned.<\/p>\n
Inside, she looked around. It was a single room, the floor plan wide open. In one corner there was a wood-burning stove that appeared to pull double duty as a heating source and a cooking stove. A folding table and a couple of metal chairs were set up next to it. The wall next to the stove was what appeared to be a pantry stocked with canned goods in old mason jars. There was a closet at the end of the pantry, the only closed off space in the whole cabin.<\/p>\n
Along another wall was a couple of twin size beds. They were dusty, but Michelle thought they could be usable with a little bit of elbow grease. If nothing else, she and Samantha could spread the sleeping bag over one of them.<\/p>\n
The one feature of the room that caught Samantha\u2019s eyes was a large tub, with what looked like an old hand-operated water pump attached. Walking over to it, ran her hand over the formed metal basin. She was grinning when she looked back at Michelle, her thoughts clear in that playful uptick of the corners of her mouth.<\/p>\n
There was a rack in one corner with a bunch of traps of varying sizes hanging from it. Moving closer, Michelle inspected them. They were rusted and in bad repair, but they gave her an idea about what this place was.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this is an old trapper shack,\u201d Michelle said, getting Samantha\u2019s attention, \u201csee.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d be careful with those,\u201d Samantha said, crinkling up her nose, \u201cI think you need a tetanus shot just standing there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laughing, Michelle said, \u201cYou might be right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Samantha looked around the cabin, then back at Michelle, asked, \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could drag the mattresses outside, beat the dust off them,\u201d Michelle said, looking around, \u201cmaybe clean up a bit\u2026 It\u2019d probably be better than the tent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think so, too,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, if we are sleeping here tonight,\u201d Michelle said, pulling Samantha into her arms, \u201cwe\u2019ve got some work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Samantha kissed her, said, \u201cWe better get to it, then.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pulling the mattresses off one of the beds, they dragged it outside and propped it up against the railing. Michelle found a stick near one of the trees, used it to beat the dust off the mattress. Blue watched from the porch steps, her ears twitching each time the stick hit the mattress. The wolf sneezed once, twice, then shook her head and sauntered to the other end of the porch. Yawning, she stretched out on her side to watch Michelle work.<\/p>\n
She had intended to do the other mattress, but just getting this one clean was becoming a workout. Smiling, she thought, Samantha and I\u2019ll just have to share this one. It\u2019ll be cozy.<\/em><\/p>\n From inside the house, Samantha called, \u201cI found some blankets!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow clean are they?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were in the cabinet. I think if we shake them out, we can use them,\u201d Samantha said, appearing in the doorway. Seeing Michelle, she laughed, \u201cI think I could say the same thing about you.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking down at herself, Michelle shook her head. Half the dust from the mattress was now on her. She smiled at Samantha said, \u201cLet\u2019s get this place livable, then we can figure out how to do some laundry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI found a broom,\u201d Samantha said, looking back into the cabin, \u201cI\u2019m going to try to do something about the dust.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds good,\u201d Michelle said, picking her up her beater stick, again, \u201cI\u2019m going to finish beating the crap out of this one, then I\u2019m going to look for some firewood. Gather water to boil.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think the tub will hold water?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pretty rough,\u201d Michelle said, shrugging, \u201cwe\u2019ll have to see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI could use another bath,\u201d Samantha said, with a playful smile.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, me, too,\u201d Michelle said, going to her for a kiss.<\/p>\n Samantha headed back inside, and Michelle was smiling as she started whacking the mattress, again. She spent another five minutes on it, then set the stick aside, figuring it was as good as it was going to get. Leaving it leaning against the railing to air out, Michelle picked up her bow and her small quiver of arrows and stepped off the porch.<\/p>\n She checked the trees near the house, found plenty of firewood for the night. She carried a couple of armfuls into the cabin, stacking them near the stove. Samantha had been busy with the broom, and the place was already looking a lot better.<\/p>\n One the stove were a couple of pots of various sizes, ranging from a saucepan to a big twelve-quart stock pot. Picking up the larger pot, she looked inside. It was caked in dust and grime, but she couldn\u2019t see any rust inside. If it cleaned up okay, it would be perfect for boiling water.<\/p>\n Michelle snagged her backpack and walked the pot to the river to clean it out. Using some of her body wash, she scrubbed it the best she could. Crossing her fingers, she rinsed the soap out of it. She smiled when it came out looking brand new. She shrugged into her backpack, then dipped the pot in the river. Full, it was kind of heavy, but she managed to muscle it back to the cabin.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a new pot,\u201d Michelle said, setting the pot on the stove.<\/p>\n \u201cVery nice,\u201d Samantha said, coming over. She put her arm around Michelle, looking into the pot, \u201cOh wow. That cleaned up nicely.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt holds a couple of gallons, I think,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are taking it with us when we leave,\u201d Samantha said, kissing Michelle.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Michelle agreed, then changed her mind, “maybe one of the smaller ones.”<\/p>\n \u201cOh hey,\u201d Samantha said, letting go of Michelle, \u201cI cleaned out the tub. There\u2019s a little rust around the drain, but I think it\u2019s usable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo holes?\u201d Michelle asked, going to it. She could see for herself that it was intact. It must have looked worse than it really was. Grinning at Samantha said, \u201cWe are so taking a bath tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe best part is,\u201d Samantha said, working the handle on the pump, \u201cno walking back and forth to the river.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle groaned as water poured out of the spout, and she said, \u201cNow you tell me. I lugged all that water in the pot back here for nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt does look heavy,\u201d Samantha said, laughing when Michelle gave her a dirty look.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are hilarious,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cHow about we get the fire going, then take a bath,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe should probably eat first,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can eat while the water heats up,\u201d Samantha said, moving against Michelle, \u201cI don\u2019t want to wait to get you naked any longer than I have to.\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling, Michelle kissed her deeply. The kiss almost got away from them, and Michelle had to push Samantha away gently. Laughing, she husked, \u201cFire first, then we can fool around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d Samantha said, a little flustered.<\/p>\n Michelle knew how she felt. It took all her willpower not to pull the girl back into her arms and let the fire wait. She glanced at the door, saw that the light was starting to fail. It would be dark soon, and they\u2019d need the fire burning before the sun departed this part of the world for the night.<\/p>\n Sighing, she went to the fire materials she had gathered. In the stove\u2019s belly, she built a quick tinder bundle, stacking little sticks over it. With the battery and wire from her backpack, she lit the dried grass and pine bark. The bark was full of sap and it took off in a hurry. She let the fire catch before adding more, larger sticks.<\/p>\n Turning, she saw Samantha was pulling out some of the dehydrated fish. She made a face, not looking forward to a meal of dry fish. Her eyes went to the pantry, to the rows of dust covered jars. She got her feet under her, going over to the shelves of food. Pulling one of the jars off the shelf, she brushed the dust off the lid.<\/p>\n Samantha appeared at her side, taking a jar of her own from the shelf. Looking at the lid, she said, \u201cIt\u2019s still sealed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow can you tell?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n \u201cGrandma said if the lid is popped up, the seal is no good,\u201d Samantha said, then went on when Samantha gave her a curious look, \u201cshe used to can vegetable out of her garden\u2026 and make gooseberry preserves, of course. She taught me how to seal the jars and how to tell if one is bad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think any of this is edible?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the seal isn\u2019t broken\u2026 maybe,\u201d Samantha said, looking at the jar in her hand, \u201cit\u2019s hard to say how long these have been here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think it\u2019s worth opening any of these?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n Grinning, Samantha said, \u201cYou aren\u2019t looking forward to dried fish, either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis label says deer meat,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n Right on cue, Samantha\u2019s stomach grumbled.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could open it,\u201d Samantha said, looking at the jar, \u201cgive it the smell test. If it\u2019s gone bad, you\u2019ll know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf we decide to eat anything, we\u2019ll cook the hell out of it,\u201d Michelle said, turning the lid. There was a very audible pop as the seal gave way. Glancing at Samantha, she said, \u201cThat sounds like a good seal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Samantha said, then crinkled up her nose, \u201cI\u2019ll let you do the honors of smelling it.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle pulled the top up and didn\u2019t even have to bring it all the way to her nose to smell the meat had gone south. Gagging, she put the lid back on and took the jar outside. Blue came over and sniffed it, and even the wolf shook her head and sneezed at the offensive smell.<\/p>\n Samantha was laughing when Michelle came back into the cabin. She held out another jar, laughing harder when Michelle gave her a dirty look.<\/p>\n \u201cDried fish it is,\u201d Samantha said, putting the jar back on the shelf.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe tomorrow I\u2019ll try to do a little hunting,\u201d Michelle said, glancing at her bow next to the door, \u201cI\u2019ve been itching to try out my bow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s an old fishing pole in the cabinet where I found the broom. If it works, I\u2019ll try to catch us some fish,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis place is turning into a gold mine,\u201d Michelle said, looking around, \u201cthere are so many resources we can use here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s lucky you spotted it,\u201d Samantha said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me about it,\u201d Michelle said, shaking her head, \u201cwe could have easily walked right by it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, let\u2019s make the most of it,\u201d Samantha said, kissing Michelle, \u201clet\u2019s eat, then try out the tub.\u201d<\/p>\n ——————————————————<\/p>\n Michelle rose early, reluctant to leave Samantha\u2019s side. It was just barely light outside as she wriggled into her jeans and slipped into the rest of her clothes. Slinging the bow across her shoulder, she picked up her little quiver of arrows. As she stepped outside, Blue lifted her head, her ears pricking up.<\/p>\n \u201cWant to go hunting?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n The wolf chuffed and got to her feet. She fell in at Michelle\u2019s side as Michelle stepped off the porch into the dewy grass. Blue kept her nose close to the ground, sniffing as they walked. About fifty yards from the cabin, she suddenly stiffened and came to a stop. She looked up at Michelle, then back at the ground.<\/p>\n Stooping down, Michelle saw hoof prints in the soft earth. She didn\u2019t know what kind of animal had made them, but most animals with hoofs were edible and quite tasty. More than that, most predatory animals didn\u2019t have hoofs. She couldn\u2019t think of any that did.<\/p>\n The grass in the hoof print was still matted, which Michelle took to mean it was reasonably fresh. Looking around, she spotted more tracks, heading north away from the cabin. She smiled at the wolf, said, \u201cGood girl, Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n Far from an expert tracker, Michelle moved slowly so she wouldn\u2019t lose the animal\u2019s trail. She was walking about half an hour when she heard rustling in the brush ahead and to the right of her. Pulling the bow from her shoulder, she nocked an arrow. The wind was blowing in her face, so she knew the creature in the brush couldn\u2019t smell her. She took the tension up on the bowstring, standing very still. She held her breath as she waited to see if the animal would come into the open.<\/p>\n Her arm started to quiver under the strain of keeping the bow drawn, and she was about to give up when a wild pig poked its head out the brush. Seeing the tusks, Michelle\u2019s heart started beating faster. Wild boars could be deadly, especially when wounded or cornered. This was a relatively small one, but still dangerous.<\/p>\n Glancing at Blue, she saw the wolf\u2019s ears laid back and her hackles raised. The wolf was silent, her intense blue eyes locked on their prey. Michelle felt better for having her at her side.<\/p>\n She let the boar move a little more into the open, then took a breath. As she let it out, she let her arrow fly. She heard the pig squeal as the arrow bit into its flank, just behind its front legs. It had flown true, and the animal barely took three steps before it fell. It died almost instantly.<\/p>\n Blue threw back her head and howled, whether to celebrate the kill or as a show of respect for the passing of the boar, Michelle didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n \u201cHoly shit,\u201d Michelle said, her heart racing. Moving closer, she poked the fallen animal with her bow to make sure it was really dead. She had heard stories about hunters getting injured by a presumed dead animal, whether kicked by a deer or mauled by a bear. She didn\u2019t want to be another statistic.<\/p>\n Pretty sure it was dead, Michelle looked back the way she had come. She needed to figure out how to get a hundred pound pig back to camp. She figured she had covered a little over a mile and she groaned. It would be backbreaking to have to drag her kill that far.<\/p>\n To Blue, she said, \u201cNext time, we need to kill dinner closer to home.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue grinned at her, her tongue lolling out.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, laugh,\u201d Michelle said, giving the wolf a sour look, \u201cyou aren\u2019t the one who has to drag it.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle put her bow over her shoulder, then grabbed the boar\u2019s back legs. She started walking, dragging the animal behind her. The pig weighed almost as much as she did and it took a lot out of her. It didn\u2019t take long for her legs and shoulders to start burning. Still, she kept her legs moving. She wanted to get back to camp with her kill as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n Her pace had been slow while tracking the boar and wasn\u2019t any faster while dragging it. It took her almost an hour to get back to the cabin, having stopped four or five times to rest her shoulders. She sighed in relief when she saw the cabin.<\/p>\n Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement down by the river. Smiling, she spotted Samantha with her fishing pole. Michelle stopped, watched her girlfriend for a few minutes. Samantha seemed comfortable with the rod in her hand.<\/p>\n Michelle pointed at Samantha, said to Blue, \u201cKeep her safe for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue looked at Michelle, her ears pricked, then padded over to where Samantha stood on the bank. As Blue took up her guard post, Michelle looked at the wolf with a sense of wonder. Blue\u2019s repeated displays of intelligence never ceased to amaze Michelle.<\/p>\n Seeing the wolf, Samantha glanced over her shoulder. She smiled at Michelle, waved. Michelle waved back, moved so Samantha could see the pig. Samantha\u2019s eyes widened, then her smile. She started to come over, but Michelle waved her off.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep fishing,\u201d Michelle called.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n Michelle drug the boar up to the porch, then sat on the single step to catch her breath. Looking at her kill, Michelle sighed. She still had to dress it, skin it and process it. There was still a lot of work to do. Pushing to her feet, she went inside to get the knife out of her bag.<\/p>\n ——————————————-<\/p>\n \u201cOh my God!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Michelle said, around a bite of boar, \u201cit is so good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo good,\u201d Samantha said, sighing happily.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019m going to throw the fish out in the morning,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cGo for it,\u201d Samantha said, getting up. She returned with a jar of white crystals, \u201cSalt. If we salt the boar down, let it dry out\u2026 It\u2019ll keep, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, yeah\u2026 I think so,\u201d Michelle said, then met Samantha\u2019s eyes, \u201cwe\u2019ll have to stay here another day, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould that be so bad?\u201d Samantha asked, playfully.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have to make a smoker,\u201d Michelle said, her mind already turning over what she\u2019d need.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you won\u2019t,\u201d Samantha said, her smile widening, \u201cthis place has a little smoke shack out back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Really?\u201d Michelle asked, surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere do you think I found the salt?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen did you\u2026 Never mind,\u201d Michelle said, taking a bite of her food.<\/p>\n \u201cI had some free time,\u201d Samantha said, shrugging, \u201cdid some looking around before I started fishing. There are tanning racks, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, they trapped and processed their kills here,\u201d Michelle said, looking around, \u201cmaybe sold the furs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was what I was thinking,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder how old this shack really is?\u201d Michelle asked, looking around.<\/p>\n \u201cOld,\u201d Samantha said, around some pork. Swallowing, she said, \u201cThere some dates carved in the door frame. May fifth, Eighteen-ninety-five. I think it was a trapper cabin like you said back then, but probably a fishing or hunting cabin more recently.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe canned food definitely isn\u2019t that<\/em> old,\u201d Michelle said, her nose crinkling up at the memory of the scent of rancid meat.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe we\u2019ll get lucky, and the owner will come back to do a little hunting,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cWouldn\u2019t count on it. This place has to be abandoned. If it were still being used, everything would have been covered up,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cA girl can hope, can\u2019t she?\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n Michelle put her arm around Samantha\u2019s shoulders, said, \u201cWe\u2019ll get out of here, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling at her, Samantha said, \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you show me the smoke shack. We\u2019ll get the meat started smoking, then I\u2019ll let you wash my back, again,\u201d Michelle said, popping the last bite of her food into her mouth.<\/p>\n Laughing, Samantha kissed her, said, \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha led Michelle around the side of the cabin. Michelle blinked in surprise at the smoker. She had expected a ramshackle wooden structure, but it wasn\u2019t. Instead, there was a well-built adobe brick structure, with a side fireplace. Impressed, Michelle moved closer, opened the metal door in front of the main smoker. She saw rusted hooks inside.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t use these,\u201d Michelle said, poking one of the hooks and setting it to swinging back and forth.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could skewer the meat on some sticks, hang them across the hooks,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat would work,\u201d Michelle said nodding, \u201cwe can gather some skewer sticks while we look for some firewood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere a sticks all over the place,\u201d Samantha said, looking around.<\/p>\n \u201cJust pine limbs,\u201d Michelle said, looking around, \u201cwe need a hardwood tree if we are going to smoke us some pig.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cPine is no good for smoking my dad says,\u201d Michelle said, shrugging, \u201csomething about the way it burns isn\u2019t healthy for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Samantha said, then perked up, \u201cthere is a huge hickory tree by the river.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure it is a hickory tree?\u201d Michelle asked, then held up her hands when Samantha gave her a look, \u201chickory will be perfect. Do you want to gather the wood or start slicing the boar meat into thin strips?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll cut, you gather,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n They walked around the house, separating at the front porch with a kiss. Samantha headed inside, and Michelle went in search of the tree Samantha had mentioned. It wasn\u2019t hard to find because was indeed massive. She could tell by the way the bark peeled away from the main trunk that it was a shagbark hickory. As she walked closer, she wondered if it was the right time of year for the tree\u2019s nuts to be falling. She hoped so because the meat of the nuts was not just edible but tasty.<\/p>\n She spotted plenty of fallen sticks at the base of the tree to smoke the boar she had killed. As she started gathering some, she was on the lookout for some fallen nuts. She saw a bunch with brown, desiccated husks from last year, but only a couple where the shell was still a healthy green color. Glancing up, she saw the limbs heavy with nuts and groaned. It was still a little early in summer for them to fall.<\/p>\n Gathering the fallen limbs, she made a couple of trips to the smoker with armfuls. She gathered more than she thought they would need, figuring any extra would go in the stove in the cabin. From her pile, she found a couple long, narrow sticks and took them inside. Samantha was using the survival knife to cut up the boar, so she used the multi-tool to strip the bark off the sticks. When Samantha was finished cutting up all the meat Michelle had harvested off her kill, Michelle helped her start skewering the strips. When they were finished with putting the meat on the sticks, they rubbed them down with salt to help the drying process.<\/p>\n Before taking the meat out to smoke, they filled all the pots on the stove with water, stoking the fire back to life. Michelle hoped the first round of boiling water for their bath would be ready by the time they had the smoker going. She was looking forward to a long soak in some hot water after dragging the boar through the woods and dressing it when she got back.<\/p>\n While Samantha started hanging the meat, Michelle assembled the fire in the smaller chamber. Seeing the vents on one wall of the fire chamber and the hole on the other that fed into the main chamber, Michelle had to give whoever made this credit. The flow of air would take the smoke right past the hanging meat, making for much more efficient smoking than her improvised rig in the cave.<\/p>\n Using her battery and wire trick, Michelle lit the little tinder bundle she had created. Thinking about bacon, the scent of hickory smoke made her mouth water. Even though they had just eaten, she couldn\u2019t help but think, What I wouldn\u2019t do for some eggs and bacon<\/em>.<\/p>\n Satisfied with the fire, they sealed everything up and left the smoker to do its thing. Hand in hand, they went back inside. The hot water went into the bottom of the tub and Samantha pumped more water into the big stock pot. It went back on the stove as Samantha started pumping water into the tub. They learned last night it would take one more turn of water from the stock pot to get the water just right.<\/p>\n Michelle kicked off her shoes, bending over to remove her stock. As she straightened up, Samantha moved against her. There was an eagerness behind the kiss as their lips met and Michelle didn\u2019t think the water would heat fast enough. Pulling back, Samantha lifted Michelle\u2019s shirt up, and Michelle put her arms up so the girl could remove it. Michelle popped the catches on her bra, and Samantha removed that, too. Samantha moved against Michelle again, kissing her deeply. Michelle felt Samantha fumbled the button of her jeans free, her fingers running the zipper down. Without breaking the kiss, Samantha worked the jeans off Michelle\u2019s hips, pushing them down around her thighs. Samantha broke the kiss to smile at Michelle, then sank to her knees in front of her. The girl finished what she started, removing the last of Michelle\u2019s clothing.<\/p>\n Samantha didn\u2019t get up from her knees, running her hands up the insides of Michelle\u2019s thighs. Her brilliant blue eyes locked on Michelle\u2019s as she lowered her mouth to Michelle\u2019s girlhood. The caress of her tongue drew a moan from Michelle. As her hips started moving on their own, pushing against Samantha\u2019s mouth eagerly, Michelle couldn\u2019t look away.<\/p>\n When Michelle was ready, Samantha eased her fingers into her hot, slick core. Michelle waited for the pain, but there was none. Only pleasure and lots of if as Samantha\u2019s fingers found that magic spot deep inside. Michelle couldn\u2019t hold in her little cries of enjoyment with that lovely pressure on her g-spot. They only grew louder when Samantha\u2019s mouth returned to her bud.<\/p>\n Michelle put her hand on the back of Samantha\u2019s head, her fingers tightening in her hair. Her other hand was on the lip of the bathtub for support. The lovely things Samantha was doing was making her legs feel weak, tremble.<\/p>\n Samantha didn\u2019t let up, kept Michelle rocketing toward a breath-taking, toe-curling, mind-blowing orgasm. The hot caress of her tongue and fingers had Michelle\u2019s body going crazy. It all felt too good to last. Michelle\u2019s eyes widened as she felt her body start to gather tension like a watch spring being wound, tighter and tighter, until she reached her limit. For a half a heartbeat everything stopped, then her body exploded with pleasure. Her legs wanted to give out as her orgasm left her a shaky mess and she leaned against the tub for support.<\/p>\n \u201cJesus,\u201d Michelle gasped, looking wide-eyed at her girlfriend.<\/p>\n Laughing, Samantha got to her feet and leaned in for a kiss, said, \u201cI told you I couldn\u2019t wait to get you naked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was last night,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI can never wait to get you naked,\u201d Samantha said, kissing her, again.<\/p>\n Michelle put her hand on the back of Samantha\u2019s neck, not letting her get away from the kiss. Her hand free hand slid between Samantha\u2019s legs to massage her girlhood through her jeans. When the girl moaned into the kiss, Michelle popped the button on her jeans so she could slip her hand into Samantha\u2019s panties. The caress of her fingers had the girl\u2019s hips pushing against her hand eagerly. Michelle\u2019s hand moved from Samantha\u2019s neck, down to cup one of her breasts through her shirt. She felt Samantha\u2019s nipple tighten and she teased it until the girl groaned into her mouth.<\/p>\n Removing her hand from the girl\u2019s panties, Michelle pulled her shirt up and off, tossing it aside. While Samantha undid her bra, Michelle worked her jeans and panties off her hips. She pushed them down around Samantha\u2019s ankles. Bending down, she removed Samantha\u2019s shoes, then helped the girl out of her jeans.<\/p>\n From her knees, Michelle looked up at her girlfriend. Samantha smiled and urged Michelle to her feet. Wrapping her arms around Michelle\u2019s neck, Samantha kissed her and said, \u201cI want to wait until we are in the tub.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll grab the water,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n Samantha released her, going to the towels they had hung up to dry last night as Michelle got the water from the stove. They were in the cabinet were Samantha had found the blankets.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are dry,\u201d Samantha said, setting them next to the tub.<\/p>\n Michelle smiled at her, said, \u201cGood. We are going to need them.\u201d<\/p>\n The boiling water went in the tub and they used the pump to bring the water down to the perfect temperature. Michelle got in first, sighing as the hot water welcomed her tired body. Samantha came next, sitting in the hollow of her legs and leaning back into her. Michelle wrapped an arm around her and kissed her neck, her shoulder. Samantha sighed, running her hands over Michelle\u2019s thighs.<\/p>\n Michelle\u2019s free hand came up to cup Samantha\u2019s breast, kneading it until the nipple stiffened. Samantha moaned thickly as Michelle teased the nipple with her thumb. As her back arched Michelle moved to her other breast, didn\u2019t let up until she thought Samantha couldn\u2019t take much more. Her hand slipped from Samantha\u2019s breast, moved down her taut stomach. Michelle smiled when she heard Samantha\u2019s breathing get a little funny the lower her hand went. She knew Samantha knew where the hand was headed, but she was going to make the girl wait for it. Michelle could feel the girl\u2019s frustration when her caress continued onto her hip and not somewhere else. Teasing Samantha, Michelle let her hand slide up her thigh to her knee, then slowly back down. Samantha was more than ready for it when Michelle\u2019s fingers found her bud.<\/p>\n \u201cOh God,\u201d Samantha said, around a moan, \u201cthat feels so good.\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling, Michelle kissed her behind the ear, then whispered, \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm\u2026 I love you, too,\u201d Samantha said, the smile clear in her voice, \u201cand right now I really love your fingers.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle laughed, moved her hand lower. Samantha moaned thickly as Michelle\u2019s fingers eased into her ready core. Each time she pushed them in deep, a little sound of enjoyment escaped the girl. As the thrust of her fingers came faster and faster, Samantha\u2019s hips began to move with a mind of their own, pushing against Michelle\u2019s hand greedily. Samantha had her hands on Michelle\u2019s knees, her fingers digging in as she held on for dear life.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you turn around?\u201d Michelle whispered in Samantha\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n Sloshing a little water out of the tub, Samantha stood up and turned around. Michelle scooted a little bit forward, and Samantha sat on her lap, facing her. Wrapping her arms around Michelle\u2019s neck, Samantha kissed her deeply. With her hand palm side up, Michelle eased her fingers back into Samantha. Michelle\u2019s found the magic spot, teasing it with these little come-hither motions that forced Samantha to give up on the kiss. She buried her face in Michelle\u2019s neck instead.<\/p>\n Rolling her hips, Samantha ground against the palm of Michelle\u2019s hand. Samantha\u2019s arms tightened around Michelle\u2019s neck as she moved faster and faster. The water was lapping closer and closer to the edge of the tub, disturbed by the rocking of Samantha\u2019s body. Amused, Michelle heard Samantha let out her loudest moan just as the water spilled over the side.<\/p>\n \u201cOh God,\u201d Samantha said, in a breathy moan, \u201cI\u2019m going to come!\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle thought the girl was right. She could feel the tension building in her girlfriend\u2019s body. It reminded her of how the air always felt heavy right before a storm. There was a storm brewing in Samantha, and the girl had a death grip on Michelle like she was afraid it would blow her away. When Samantha\u2019s hips started to falter, Michelle kept her fingers moving. A few more thrusts and that storm overtook Samantha, shaking her apart. It had its way with her, then moved on, leaving Samantha destroyed in its wake. Trembling and gasping for air, the girl clung to Michelle.<\/p>\n Smiling, Michelle hugged her back until Samantha had recovered some.<\/p>\n \u201cShit,\u201d Samantha said, brushing her hair out of her eyes. She favored Michelle with a slightly dazed smile and a tender kiss, said, \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe or my fingers?\u201d Michelle teased.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth,\u201d Samantha laughed, kissing her again, \u201cwe need to remember that one and do it, again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWorked, huh?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n ————————————————<\/p>\n \u201cGod, this thing is obnoxious.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Michelle kissed Samantha, said, \u201cThe springs are just old.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s hard to focus with them squealing every time we move,\u201d Samantha said, running her hands down Michelle\u2019s back.<\/p>\n Michelle pushed her hips forward, grinding against Samantha. She laughed as the springs protested the shifting of their weight. Two more thrusts of her hips and she was laughing so hard she had to stop.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not funny,\u201d Samantha said, laughing, anyway.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it is,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at her, \u201cwant to move the mattress to the floor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Samantha said, unlocking her ankles so Michelle could get off of her.<\/p>\n They pulled the mattress off the bed, putting it on the floor. Their momentum lost, they just started over. Stretching out on their sides facing each other, they started with a kiss. One became many as their desire welled up.<\/p>\n In their passion, their positions ended up reversed, with Michelle on her back and Samantha lying between her legs. Samantha pushed her hips forward, grinding against Michelle. Michelle laughed when Samantha started grinning.<\/p>\n Wrapping her legs around her girlfriend\u2019s, Michelle asked, \u201cBetter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMuch,\u201d Samantha said, kissing her deeply.<\/p>\n Michelle had to smile, amazed that their worst discomfort at the moment was a squeaky bed. Well, that and a lack of toilet, but both were very manageable considering their circumstances. They had gone from sleeping naked in a life raft their first night to having a roof over their head, a fire to keep them warm, water at their fingertips, and a bag full of delicious dried meat to eat. Hell, they had so much food, they had exercised their option of discarding the dried fish before turning in for the night. Even Blue had been picky after receiving her share of the wild boar. She had passed on the fish, too.<\/p>\n Michelle could argue they weren\u2019t just surviving anymore but living. The best part of living was her naked girlfriend smiling down at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you thinking about?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat we have it pretty good right now,\u201d Michelle said, propping up on her elbows to kiss Samantha.<\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking that earlier,\u201d Samantha said, her smile widening, \u201chow far we\u2019ve come if a squeaky bed is our greatest discomfort.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat and no bathroom,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we have toilet paper now,\u201d Samantha said, making Michelle laugh. The cabinet with the towels and blankets had also had a four pack of toilet paper still in the wrapper.<\/p>\n Michelle met her girlfriend\u2019s eyes, smiling as she said, \u201cWe aren\u2019t going anywhere tomorrow, are we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Samantha said, then kissed her.<\/p>\n They found their rhythm, the flex of their young bodies in perfect harmony that suggested they had been at this for years, not weeks. They just seemed to know what the other wanted, needed without a word being said. In the flickering orange light of the fire, they pushed each other to greater heights of ecstasy. The world receded until it was just the two of them lost in their desire for one another. When the pleasure got too much for them, they came in each other\u2019s arms. Even as they lay trembling and wrecked from their orgasms, they didn\u2019t let go of each other.<\/p>\n In the hush after their lovemaking, Michelle wondered about the thing in her pants pocket. Was this the time? Smiling, she thought it was. She kissed Samantha, said, \u201cHand me my jeans.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha turned those beautiful eyes of hers on Michelle, asked, \u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNowhere,\u201d Michelle said, kissing her.<\/p>\n Snagging the leg of Michelle\u2019s jeans, Samantha handed the pants to Michelle. Her eyes were curious as she watched Michelle fishing in her pockets.<\/p>\n \u201cClose your eyes,\u201d Michelle said, as she found what she was looking for.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a gift for you,\u201d Michelle said, her heart beating a little faster. She had put a lot of work into creating it, and she really hoped Samantha liked it. More than that, Michelle needed her to like it.<\/p>\n \u201cA gift?\u201d Samantha parroted, her eyes widening. With a curious smile tugging at her lips, she asked, \u201cWhat kind of gift?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust close your eyes,\u201d Michelle said, kissing her.<\/p>\n Samantha closed her eyes and Michelle fished her gift out of her pant\u2019s pocket. Taking Samantha\u2019s hand, Michelle placed it in her palm, then curled the girl’s fingers around it.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I open them now?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Michelle said, holding her breath.<\/p>\n Opening her eyes, Samantha opened her hand and gasped. Michelle had un-braided some of the climbing rope and used it to braid her own necklace. Secured in the loop of the necklace was the shiny object she had found in the river a few days ago. She was pretty sure it was a garnet, about the size of soda cap and perfectly shaped like a heart. Seeing the heart-shaped stone, she had known she wanted to make something for Samantha.<\/p>\n Meeting Michelle\u2019s eyes, she asked, \u201cThis is\u2026 for me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026 beautiful,\u201d Samantha said, hugging her.<\/p>\n \u201cI found the stone in the river a couple of days ago,\u201d Michelle said, hugging Samantha back.<\/p>\n \u201cYou found\u2026 Wait, you made<\/em> this necklace?\u201d Samantha asked, her eyes wide.<\/p>\n Smiling, Michelle said, \u201cYeah. I saw the stone, how it was shaped like a heart, and I\u2026 I wanted to make something to give you.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha looked down at the heart-shaped stone, and she started to smile, said, \u201cYou wanted to give me your heart?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to give you a necklace,\u201d Michelle said, smiling warmly at the girl, \u201cyou already have my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMichelle,\u201d Samantha said, hugging her, again, \u201cyou are too much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI love you,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n Pulling back, Samantha had tears in her eyes as she said, \u201cGod, you are going to make me cry. I- I love the necklace, and I love you more.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan I help you put it on?\u201d Michelle asked, her own voice a little thick with emotion.<\/p>\n Samantha turned so Michelle could secure it around her neck. Turning around, Samantha looked down at the sparkling red gem. There was so much love in her eyes when she looked at Michelle. With a kiss, she said, \u201cI\u2019m never taking it off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know I said I\u2019m in no rush to get back, but it\u2019s nice to be closer to home.\u201d Michelle smiled at her girlfriend, put her arm around her waist to pull her closer. Glancing over her shoulder at the … Continue reading