Finding Home Read online

  The sun had started to rise when Nat asked, “do you have to work today?”

  “Yes, but only until lunch and then I am off tomorrow,” Marissa said as her fingers played in Nat’s hair.

  “I will do some work around the house then and when you return we will go hunting if you wish,” Nat said.

  “I have never been hunting before,” Marissa said. “You will have to teach me,” she said.

  “I can do that,” Nat said as she climbed from the bed to retrieve the fresh clothes from the kitchen table. She grinned to herself as she felt a stiffness in muscles that weren’t used to the exertion they received last night and again this morning. It was a pleasant feeling and one she would enjoy working out with a repeat performance with Marissa. She was still smiling when she returned to the room to get dressed.

  “That is a beautiful smile you are wearing,” Marissa said.

  “You make me feel beautiful,” Nat said as she slipped on her dungarees and then bent down to pull on her socks.

  Marissa reached up and pulled Nat back onto the bed. “In case you haven’t noticed, you are beautiful,” she said and then kissed her softly on the lips.

  Nat was still naked from the waist up and Marissa needed tremendous restraint to keep from covering one of her breasts with her mouth to resume their lovemaking. Instead she kissed her again and then climbed from the comfort of the bed and began to dress for work. She poured a basin of water to freshen up and then pulled on a soft cotton dress as Nat watched her closely from the bed.

  “Dress warmly today, there is snow in the air,” Nat said as she sat up and pulled an undershirt over her head then placed her arms through the sleeves of her work shirt.

  “I am sorry I don’t have time to cook you some breakfast,” Marissa said with a light blush.

  “The breakfast you gave me was plenty to hold me until lunch,” Nat said with a wicked grin.

  “Would you mind if Gyp and I walk you into town?” Nat asked.

  “I would love that,” Marissa said. “If you would like, I can cook you breakfast after all,” she said.

  Nat was starved from all the activity and she did want to spend more time with Marissa. “Are you hungry Gyp?” she asked the dog and Gyp let out a short bark. “Well I guess we are going to breakfast then,” Nat said as she chuckled and walked to the door. “Stop by the house when you are ready then,” Nat said as she kissed Marissa softly. “I will grab a coat and be ready when you get there,” she said.

  “I will be ready in just a few minutes,” Marissa said, as Nat opened the door to a brisk wind.

  Nat and Gyp walked the short distance to their home and were glad to get inside away from the chilling wind. She stirred the embers in the fireplace and tossed a few logs on them to keep the interior of the cabin warm. She then walked into the bedroom and pulled her range coat over her shoulders and picked up a small coin purse and tucked it away in her pocket. She looked over at the chair where the bear pelt sat and her thoughts went to her father. Today she would buy the lye soap to boil the pelt in to rid its fur of the wild smell and prepare it to provide warmth for her bed for the coming winter months.

  She and Gyp walked out to the front yard where she laid a small fire that she would build to boil the pelt and she was kneeling down when Marissa walked into the yard. When Nat looked up at the sound of her approach, Marissa was mesmerized by the dark eyes that locked onto her from beneath the brim of Nat’s hat. Nat scowled when she saw the shawl that was draped around Marissa’s shoulders, knowing the garment was not heavy enough to keep the small woman warm in the bitter wind. She would have to take care of that when she made it into town she thought to herself.

  “Are you two ready to go?” Marissa asked.

  “Yes ma’am just waiting on you,” Nat said and Gyp sprung to her feet as they headed into town.

  Gyp trotted ahead of them and dashed off the road following the scent of some animal that had passed through earlier. Nat smiled at the young dog, nearly full grown and had proved to be a dear companion to her since her father’s death. They walked together in silence and Gyp joined them just as they entered town. “I have a few things to buy at the general store, but we will stop by in just a few minutes,” Nat said as they went in separate directions.

  Marissa gave her a brilliant smile her cheeks flushed by the chill wind and said, “I will have some hot coffee waiting for you.”

  Nat returned her smile and watched as Marissa walked toward the hotel. “Let’s go Gyp,” she said once she saw her disappear inside and they walked down the street to the general store.

  Inside, Nat found a box of lye soap flakes and then went to the clothing section. She found a pair of dungarees and a wool sweater that should fit Marissa and then found a buckskin coat with a lamb’s wool lining that would work well to keep her warm when they went hunting and as she walked to and from work. The merchant wrapped her purchases for her and Nat was on her way.

  Gyp had waited for her at the door and rose to her feet when Nat emerged from the store. They walked to the hotel and found a seat in the dining room. Marissa’s smile lit the room when she walked from the kitchen to see them sitting in the dining room. She carried a mug of coffee over to her table and asked, “What may I fix you two for breakfast this morning?”

  “Have you got biscuits in the oven yet?” Nat asked.

  “Yes I do,” Marissa said with a grin.

  “Well we worked up quite an appetite yesterday, so how about eggs, bacon and some fried potatoes for starters and then when the biscuits are done some biscuits and gravy,” Nat suggested.

  “I do love your appetites,” Marissa said with a slight blush and she turned to walk back into the kitchen.

  Nat watched her and was amazed at how much she craved Marissa. Nat had never had someone affect her so profoundly and felt a warm rush throughout her body whenever she looked at Marissa. She sipped her coffee and pondered her thoughts while she waited for Marissa to return with steaming platters of food.

  She and Gyp were the only patrons so far, so when Marissa brought out their food she sat with them for a few minutes. The impending weather must have the normal breakfast crowd tucked away inside the warmth of their homes, Nat thought, and she enjoyed the quiet time spent with Marissa.

  Nat and Gyp finished their meals and Gyp had placed her head in Marissa’s lap as she and Nat talked. Nat watched Marissa’s hand as it stroked Gyp’s head and she remembered her soft touch as she caressed her body earlier that morning and she felt the butterflies take flight in her stomach.

  Nat paid for their meal and with a short good-bye she and Gyp walked back to the cabin. Nat placed the package on the small kitchen table and stoked the fire before returning outside, the box of soap flakes in her hand. She fastened a large metal pot above the fire pit and lit the kindling to start the fire. She made several trips to the well for buckets of water and when she was satisfied she poured the chips into the water and waited for it to boil. She walked into the bedroom and picked up the pelt. She carried it out to the fire and placed it in the pot of boiling water. Gyp sat next to her on the front porch, her head in her lap as they watched the snowflakes begin to slowly fall.

  Nat’s fingers were buried in Gyp’s fur as she relaxed and allowed her thoughts to drift back to the day of her father’s death. Her heart still felt the ache of his loss, but she knew that her father was watching over her and she took comfort in the love they had shared. Once she felt the pelt had been boiled enough to remove the wild smell, Nat took a thick branch and lifted the pelt from the water. She carried it over and hung it over the railing of the porch to dry. She dumped the wash pot over the flames in the pit and listened to the sizzle as the water extinguished the flames and sent plumes of smoke into the chilled air.

  Nat and Gyp returned to the cabin and added wood to the fireplace in the main cabin and in the bedroom. Nat felt weary and decided to lie down on the bed for a short nap while she waited for Marissa. She stretched and lay down on the bed
and Gyp jumped up to lie at her feet. Within minutes, Nat’s body had drifted off to sleep and she rested peacefully with Gyp warming her feet.

  PART SIX

  Nat slipped into a deep sleep and drifted down into the world of dreams. Nat dreamt of the previous night with Marissa and the pleasure they had shared. In her mind, the sounds and tastes of their lovemaking remained vivid and she moaned softly in her sleep.

  Gyp moved up beside her master and Nat’s hand moved down to softly stroke the young dog’s fur. Nat and Gyp were still asleep on the bed when Marissa returned just after lunch. She noticed the freshly washed bear hide stretched across the porch railing to dry and she winced at the pain Nat had felt over the death of her father. She walked to the door and knocked softly.

  Marissa listened carefully for an answer and when none came, she pushed the door open and stepped into the warmth of Nat’s cabin. She walked further inside and found Nat and Gyp asleep on the bed, Nat’s fingers wrapped deeply in Gyp’s soft fur. She stepped on a loose floorboard and the sound of the creak made Gyp raise her head to investigate the sound.

  Gyp recognized Marissa and jumped from the bed to greet her, licking her hand with a soft warm tongue.

  “Hello, Gyp,” Marissa said as she knelt down to pet the young dog.

  “Welcome home,” a rich voice called from the bedroom and Marissa looked up to find Nat smiling at her.

  “Thank you,” Marissa said as she stood and walked into the bedroom.

  Nat’s eyes sparkled with desire still fresh from her dreams as she watched the soft sway of Marissa’s hips as she approached. She remembered the way those hips felt grinding into her body and Nat felt a hot rush flow through her veins. She stood and welcomed Marissa with an embrace.

  Their lips met as Nat’s hands moved down Marissa’s back to cup her buttocks. Nat pulled her tightly into her body as Marissa softly moaned in her mouth as their bodies melted together.

  Nat’s hunger for Marissa was uncontrollable and her hands removed the thin shawl from her shoulders. She ended the kiss and watched Marissa’s eyes widen as her fingers slowly started to unfasten the small buttons down the front of her dress. As the fabric fell open across Marissa’s breasts, Nat’s heart raced in her chest. She lowered the dress from Marissa’s shoulders, leaving her standing in her thin undergarments as her fingers slowly traced down Marissa neck.

  Her fingers trembled with excitement as they rested on the fastener of Marissa’s bra and her heart raced with delight when the bra spread open revealing Marissa’s full breasts. Nat cupped them in her large hands as her thumbs stroked Marissa’s nipples, feeling them grow erect under her touch.

  Marissa watched the look of wonder on Nat’s face as she continued to caress her breasts. Nat’s hands, strong and used for hard work, felt like velvet as they caressed her skin and Marissa felt the fire of wetness spreading between her thighs.

  Nat knelt down in front of Marissa and her tongue licked across the nipple she held cupped in her left hand. Marissa’s eyes closed and her head tilted back as she surrendered her body to Nat. She did not care what Nat did as long as the euphoric feelings she was having continued to flow through her body.

  Nat filled her mouth with the soft flesh of Marissa’s breast as her hands caressed down her lover’s hips, slowly lowering the cotton bloomers down her body. Naked and completely exposed to Nat’s control, Marissa stepped out of the bloomers and softly kicked them aside. Nat’s hands encircled her body and cupped Marissa’s buttocks kneading them as she gently suckled her breast. Flashes of light raced across Marissa’s closed eyelids as desire flowed through her body and a soft whimper escaped her lips.

  Nat’s hands stroked down the back of Marissa’s thighs and down past her knees before circling around to the front of her body. She caressed her way up the insides of Marissa’s thighs until she could feel the heat radiating from her body. Her fingers glanced across damp curls, causing Marissa’s body to tremble with excitement. Her mouth moved to Marissa’s other breast as her fingers lightly teased soaked lips, her thumb stroking across her clit making Marissa shiver with pleasure.

  Nat stood and took Marissa in her arms as she covered her mouth with a heated kiss, her tongue swirling wildly in Marissa’s mouth. She reached behind Marissa and lifted her body, placing her legs around her waist as she carefully walked to the bed. She lowered their bodies onto the bed, her full weight pressing into Marissa’s body as she slowly began to roll her hips. The rough seam of Nat’s dungarees ground into Marissa’s center and her body exploded with pleasure with each stroke of Nat’s body.

  She broke the kiss, gasping for air and cried out, “Oh yes, Nat, please don’t stop now.”

  Nat had no intention of stopping and she thrust her hips furiously into Marissa’s body as the bed rocked wildly against the wall. She looked into Marissa’s eyes as she lowered her right hand between their bodies and pressed three fingers deep inside her body, thrusting them in and out with each movement of her hips.

  Marissa’s cries of passion swelled into echoes in the room and Nat’s voice joined hers as they climaxed together and collapsed in a pile on the tangled sheets. Nat lay gasping for air as Marissa rolled onto her side and laid her head on Nat’s shoulder.

  “That was incredible” she whispered into Nat’s ear. “Thank you my love,” she said.

  Nat raised her head and turned to look at Marissa. “I have never felt like this with anyone before,” she said.

  “Neither have I,” Marissa said, surprising Nat.

  She wanted to ask about her husband, but Nat did not want to ruin the perfection of the moment by dredging up the past, so she lay her head back on the pillow and remained silent.

  After several minutes of silence, Marissa climbed on top of Nat and straddled her waist.

  “I rushed home thinking we were going hunting,” she said, “but this was much more enjoyable.”

  “We are still going hunting,” Nat said. “I bought you some warmer clothes and I thought I would help you change,” she added with a mischievous smile.

  “What happened, did you get a little distracted?” Marissa asked.

  “The sight of your bare skin gets me so excited, I just couldn’t contain myself,” Nat said as she reached up and softly caressed Marissa’s left breast.

  “I do like your excitement,” Marissa said, as she felt her nipples growing hard again.

  “I can see that,” Nat said.

  “We still have plenty of daylight left to hunt,” Marissa said, as her hips rocked against Nat.

  “Yes we do,” Nat said as she reached up and covered Marissa’s other breast with her hand, gently squeezing the soft flesh.

  “Oh yes, Nat,” Marissa crooned with joy as Nat’s fingers slowly twisted her aching nipples.

  “You like that don’t you?” Nat asked.

  “Oh yes, please don’t stop what you’re doing Nat,” she begged.

  “Only for a minute,” Nat said as she pulled Marissa’s body up to straddle her head. “Hold onto the headboard,” Nat instructed.

  Marissa reached for the rounded post across the headboard and held on tight as Nat’s finger’s parted her soaked lips and her tongue slipped inside her body. Nat’s hands returned to Marissa’s nipples and resumed teasing them as her tongue swirled inside Marissa’s wetness.

  “Oh my God,” Marissa cried as Nat’s tongue dove deep inside her body, licking her walls as she twisted and stretched her throbbing nipples. She instinctively spread her thighs open wider giving Nat’s tongue complete access to her body.

  Nat ground her face into Marissa’s wetness, her teeth roughly rubbing across her swollen bud as she drove her tongue in and out of Marissa’s shuddering body.

  “Yes, yes, yes,” Marissa chanted as she coated Nat’s face with her juices.

  Nat removed her tongue and took Marissa’s clit in her mouth as she entered her with two fingers, sinking deep past her knuckles as she reached the spot that melted Marissa’s final reserve and she
screamed out her pleasure over and over as Nat sucked her clit wildly.