Finding Home Page 8

  Nat walked into the kitchen and hugged Marissa from behind.

  “Good morning,” she said, as her hands slid down Marissa’s arms and turned her body.

  “I hope you are hungry. I felt like cooking a full breakfast this morning,” Marissa said. “Gyp has kept me company in your absence and I think she has worked up an appetite walking between the kitchen and bedroom to check on you.”

  Nat leaned down and stroked the dog’s head. “She is a very faithful companion. I don’t know what I would have done without her these last few months,” Nat said.

  “Have a seat at the table and I will bring you some coffee,” Marissa said.

  “Thanks,” Nat said, as Marissa placed a cup of the steaming liquid in front of her.

  “You are welcome,” Marissa said as she walked to the fireplace and pulled out a tray of fresh biscuits.

  “Those look fabulous,” Nat said, as she watched Marissa cut several open then placed a pat of butter between the steaming halves.

  “How would you like your eggs cooked?” Marissa asked.

  “I think fried would be very nice this morning.”

  “Fried it is then,” Marissa said, as Nat watched her take four eggs from the basket.

  Marissa cracked the eggs and dropped their contents inside the skillet she had used to bake the biscuits. They began to sizzle even before she reached the fireplace. Marissa sat the skillet on a small rack and returned to set the table as they eggs fried.

  Gyp sat at Nat’s feet, licking her lips as the smell of Marissa’s cooking filled the air.

  Marissa finished the eggs and doled out two onto Nat’s plate and one to her own, placing the last of the fried eggs in a bowl she was preparing for Gyp. She mashed up the egg and broke up a biscuit and a few slices of bacon and cubes of fried potatoes into her bowl and mixed it together. Gyp waited patiently for Marissa to finish and when Marissa bent down to place her bowl on the floor, Gyp licked her face in appreciation.

  “I do believe you are spoiling my dog,” Nat said with a grin.

  “Gyp deserves spoiling just as much as you do,” Marissa said as she served the bacon and potatoes.

  “This looks and smells great,” Nat said.

  “Get to eating then, before it gets cold,” Marissa said.

  Nat picked up her fork and began devouring the food. The yokes of the eggs broke and spread out across her plate and she used the fresh biscuits to sop up each drop of the precious liquid.

  “That was really good,” Nat said.

  Gyp let out a soft woof, adding to her praise.

  “I am very glad you two enjoy my cooking,” Marissa said.

  “What plans do you have for your day off?” Nat asked.

  “I have some laundry to do and I thought I might bake a pie if I could talk you into going to town and buying some apples,” Marissa said.

  “For your apple pie, I would walk a hundred miles,” Nat said. “Are there any other supplies we need?”

  “We have some meat left over from dinner last night, so we can heat that,” Marissa said. “I will also bring down some beans I canned this summer,” Marissa said, “so I guess we are good for now.”

  “I will help you get the fire and wash pot ready before Gyp and I walk into town,” Nat said.

  Marissa stood and was about to start clearing the table, when Nat took her arm and pulled her into her lap. She encircled Marissa with her arms and leaned down to softly kiss her lips.

  “Thank you for such a wonderful meal,” Nat said.

  “You are most welcome,” Marissa said, as her cheeks flushed with color. “For a kiss like that, I will cook for you every day.”

  “You don’t have to cook to get a kiss from me,” Nat said as she kissed Marissa again, her tongue parting her lips to tenderly probe her mouth.

  Nat’s hand slid up Marissa’s leg beneath her skirt. Nat could feel the quivering of Marissa’s body as she softly stroked her thigh. Marissa placed her hand on top of Nat’s.

  “If you keep that up, I won’t get my wash done and you won’t get a pie tonight,” she said.

  Nat looked into Marissa eyes and she saw the desire sparkling in her eyes.

  “I won’t perish without pie and I am sure we can find another clean outfit for you to wear,” Nat said as she lifted Marissa and carried her back to bed. “Besides, it is still early in the day.”

  Nat carefully undressed Marissa, placing her dress on the chair next to the bed and she pulled her shirt over her head and stepped out of her dungarees. She climbed onto the bed and pressed Marissa’s body onto the soft mattress.

  Nat covered Marissa’s mouth with her own as her hand softly cupped a breast, gently squeezing and kneading the warm flesh. Marissa’s back arched as her moans vibrated in Nat’s mouth. Marissa boldly reached down between Nat’s thighs and found her soft curls damp with excitement. Her fingers stroked the length of Nat’s lips, teasing her, as Nat’s fingers slowly rolled Marissa’s nipples between her thumb and fingers.

  Nat’s tongue left Marissa’s mouth, burning a hot trail down from her neck to her left breast where she flicked the tip of her tongue across Marissa’s erect nipple. Marissa smiled at Nat as her fingertips parted her lips and located her swollen bud, lightly brushing it as Nat’s tongue teased her nipple.

  Nat closed her eyes as she struggled to hold back her passion as Marissa ignited her body and covered her breast, sucking her nipple deep into her mouth. Marissa moaned loudly as Nat suckled her and slipped her fingers into Nat’s wetness, penetrating her deeply. She curled her fingers inside Nat, stroking her inner walls as Nat’s tongue swirled around her breast. Nat’s hand caressed down Marissa’s side and came to rest between her trembling thighs. Her teeth nibbled Marissa’s nipple as her fingers gently spread her soaked lips and Nat’s fingers slid deep inside Marissa.

  Marissa began sliding her fingers in and out of Nat’s body as she thrust her hips against Nat’s fingers. Nat could feel the quivering of Marissa’s inner muscles as she inserted a third finger, filling her body completely as she stroked in and out of her body. Marissa’s breathing changed to panting as her desire grew and her free hand pressed Nat’s mouth firmly against her breast. Nat suckled her roughly and Marissa’s wetness erupted to fill Nat’s hand, causing Nat’s pleasure to overwhelm her as her body shook violently on top of Marissa.

  Nat rolled over onto her back, gasping for air as Marissa turned on her side to smile at her.

  She watched as a small droplet of sweat rolled down Nat’s side and moved to capture the salty offering with her tongue.

  “I think we are both due for a bath tonight,” she teased as her tongue licked up Nat’s body.

  “That sounds like a wonderful idea to me,” Nat said as she buried her hand in Marissa’s hair and pulled her up for a deep kiss.

  “Do you still want to wash today?” Nat asked.

  “Want to no, need to yes,” Marissa said.

  “I will carry the water if you will get the fire started beneath your wash pot,” Nat said.

  “Fair enough,” Marissa said. “When you get back from town, I want these clothes you are wearing so I can wash them too.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Nat said as she moved from the bed to get dressed.

  They walked outside to find that most of last night’s snow had melted and they held hands as they walked to Marissa’s house. Nat stepped inside the smokehouse to find the wood nearly depleted and she placed more wood on the smoldering embers. The wash pot was already hung over the fire pit, so Nat picked up the bucket and moved over to the well to begin pumping water as she watched Marissa lay a small fire. Marissa placed a small bundle of dried grass under the center of the wood and disappeared inside her home. She returned a few moments later with a small shovel filled with embers from her fire place which she dumped onto the dried grass. They watched as the grass burst into flames and ignited the dried wood.

  Nat carried four more bucket of water to fill the pot halfway and then returned the bucket
to the porch.

  “I will be back soon,” she said then she kissed Marissa softly.

  “Hurry back,” Marissa said as she walked toward the house to get her clothing.

  “Let’s go Gyp,” Nat said as they walked to the road to town.

  Gyp ran ahead of her with her nose near the ground searching for the scent of any wild life in the area. Nat watched her trail a scent twenty yards ahead of her and smiled at the small dog. She continued to walk as Gyp disappeared from the road into the dense woods. She emerged again five minutes later and trotted back to Nat.

  “Did you have a nice run?” Nat said as Gyp took up pace beside her master.

  A few minutes later, they reached town and Nat walked directly to Smithy’s shop.

  “Hello, Nat,” the large man said. “How are you today?”

  “I am well, Smithy and you?” Nat answered.

  “Very well, thank you. Is there something I can do for you today?” he asked.

  “I took a very large buck yesterday, with an impressive rack and I wondered if you were interested in purchasing it?” Nat asked.

  “These greenhorns pounce all over buck heads to mount in the smoking rooms,” Smithy said, “so bring it in and I will take it off your hands.” He smiled at Nat. “What about the pelt?”

  “I need to have some new breeches made from that,” Nat said with a smile.

  “There is an Indian woman right on the outskirts of town, that makes wonderful deerskin breeches,” Smithy said.

  “I will have to look her up then,” Nat said. “I will bring the buck head in tomorrow,” she said as she left his store.

  “See you tomorrow then,” Smithy said, as she left the building and walked to the general store.

  Nat picked out a dozen apples and bought a pound of cane sugar as well. She browsed around the store and selected a lavender scented candle and some fragrant shampoo. With her small package tucked beneath her arm, she and Gyp left the store. Instead of turning right to go home, Nat took a left and walked to the edge of town to find a small shack. Sitting on the porch, tanning a length of buckskin was a beautiful Indian woman.

  “Good morning,” Nat said, as the woman looked up.

  She returned Nat’s warm smile. “Good morning, my sister,” she said.

  “Smithy said you make the best buckskin breeches,” Nat said. “I have a pelt and a need for a new pair,” she said.

  “Bring the pelt to me tomorrow and I will measure you then,” the woman said.

  “How much do you charge for the breeches?” Nat asked.

  “The remainder of your pelt and a bag of those apples,” the woman said with a smile.

  “I will see you tomorrow then,” Nat said and with a smile she was gone.

  The woman had very little in the way of possessions. Nat had snuck a peek inside the small building and there was very little stored in the woman’s food pantry. A bag of apples was very cheap price for a pair of breeches so Nat planned to bring a few extras to exchange for the pants. She and Marissa had plenty venison, so Nat would bring her a slab of the smoked meat and maybe a small bag of flour.

  Gyp raced ahead to Marissa’s and was sitting on the porch with her when Nat walked into the yard.

  “Well now aren’t you two the perfect pair?” Nat asked.

  “We were wondering if you were going to finally show up,” Marissa said. “Gyp has been here at least five minutes.”

  “Four legs are twice as fast as two,” Nat reminded her.

  “Very funny,” Marissa said with a grin.

  “I was thinking as I walked.”

  “Thinking of what?” Marissa asked.

  “I have always wanted to see the ocean,” Nat said. “Nathan and I were supposed to go this year,” she said sharing a sad memory.

  “You are so very close to it now,” Marissa said. “A good day’s ride and you would be there.”

  “Would you mind looking after things for a few days while I am gone?” Nat asked.

  “Like what?”

  “Keeping the fire going in the smokehouse and feeding the animals, except Hardy and Gyp who I assume will be going with me,” Nat teased as she reached down to stroke Gyp’s fur.

  “I think I can handle that for a few days,” Marissa said. “When are you planning to leave?”

  “You go back to work the day after tomorrow correct?”

  “Yes,” Marissa said.

  “I will leave then,” Nat said, “If that is fine with you.”

  “I will hate to see you go, but I know that you will be coming back soon,” Marissa said.

  “I would think no more than four days,” Nat said, as she took out her knife and started peeling the apples. “I assume you want these peeled?”

  “Yes, please,” Marissa said. “Let me get a bowl and you can core and slice them too.”

  “That’s the least I can do for fresh apple pie,” Nat said. “Here, I brought you something too,” Nat said as she handed Marissa the package.

  Marissa opened it to find the scented candle and the fragranced soap. “We can use these later tonight,” she said.

  “I wasn’t sure if you needed sugar for the pie so I bought some just in case.”

  “I think I still have some, but it never hurts to have more,” Marissa said. “I will be right back,” she said and disappeared into the house.

  She returned with a bowl and sat beside Nat as she peeled and sliced the fruit. When Nat had finished, Marissa picked up the peelings and headed for the yard.

  “Where are you going with those?”

  “I was going to toss them into the fire,” Marissa said.

  “Good idea, but make it the one inside, it will make the house smell so sweetly.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that,” Marissa said.

  “I think I will go tend to the animals while you put the apples on to cook,” Nat said.

  “Stop by your house and pick up some clean clothes and something else to put on now so I can get those washed.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Nat said as she walked to her barn, with Gyp close on her heels.

  The afternoon sun still burned brightly down on her shoulders warming her as she toiled with her chores. She fed the animals and checked her tack to insure it was in good shape for her trip. Her buckskins and warm shirts were clean and would serve her well on her trip. She would camp out under the stars or if the nights turned too cool she would seek shelter. Nat was excited to know that very soon she would make another of her dreams come true.

  Nat walked into her house and went into her bedroom to pack her bedroll. She would travel light, but have adequate gear to keep her body warm during the cold nights. Her years in the woods with her father had taught her so much and Nat followed her instincts so naturally due to her training.

  Nat walked outside to draw a bucket of water and poured it into a large bowl. She stripped out of her clothing and used the water to wash her body. After she was as clean as possible, Nat slipped into a flannel nightshirt and some buckskin slippers. She chose a clean pair of dungarees and work shirt to change into after her bath and with Gyp following her closely she returned to Marissa’s.