by Lydia Rose
As they walked toward the lake, Kayla asked. “Are you sure you don’t want to come in the boat with us?”
“I’d rather fish from the shore.”
Kayla took the rifle off her shoulder as Josh got the boat ready. “Here is the safety. Keep it on unless you are ready to pull the trigger. If a bear comes around, don’t just shoot it. Most of the time, they can’t be bothered with us humans. If you catch a fish and the bear wants it, let him have it.” She took Ann by the shoulder. “Am I clear?”
Ann did a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am.”
Kayla finished explaining the rifle and then walked over to the boat. “Have fun,” she said before getting in.
“You too.”
Ann was so engrossed thinking about Kayla that she didn’t see the bear that was about twenty feet away from her. As she set her cast, she saw Josh and Kayla waving at her. She looked up and they pointed to her left. As Ann turned she saw the brown bear. She brought her line in and stepped near the rifle. The bear obviously could smell the fish she had laid in the grass. Not wanting to lose all of the fish, she threw one to the bear. Thankfully, the bear picked up the fish and went back into the woods. As she walked back to her pole, she saw Josh and Kayla approaching.
“What the hell were you doing?” Kayla was yelling before she got out of the boat.
“Getting the bear to leave so I could keep my fish.” Ann turned her back to her.
“You didn’t even have the rifle with you. Suppose he wanted all the fish? What were you going to do, shoo him away?” Her voice kept a strong tone.
Ann couldn’t believe that Kayla had raised her voice to her. She picked up her pole and tackle box. She took the gun and shoved it into Kayla’s arms. “I want no part of shooting.” She turned and walked back to the cabin.
When Kayla turned around, Josh was sitting in the boat laughing. “You’re in trouble now,” he said pointing his finger.
“That bear could have attacked her.”
Josh shrugged and said. “I think she would have told that bear off if he tried to take anymore of her fish.”
Kayla couldn’t hold it in anymore and laughed with Josh. She looked at Ann’s catch. “She got seven nice salmon.”
“We’ve got twelve. So I guess that’s enough for now. Let’s go back so you can apologize.”
“Why should I apologize for trying to protect her?” Kayla looked at him stunned.
“Look Kayla, it’s none of my business.” Josh stood at Kayla’s side after he brought the boat on shore. “But if you like that gal, you’d better apologize.”
Kayla nodded knowing Josh was right. She would hate for Ann to say she wanted to go home and leave her all alone this winter. “So even though I didn’t do anything wrong, I still have to apologize.” Kayla wasn’t talking to Josh, but to herself.
“That’s the way it works, Kayla,” Josh said with a laugh.
*
Ann stormed into the house mumbling under her breath. She took off her boots and jacket and hung it on the hook. Her pole and tackle box went into the corner before she walked toward the kitchen.
“Are you okay, Ann?” Karen asked raising her eyebrow.
“That woman can be so infuriating.”
Karen laughed. “What did she do?” She was enjoying watching Ann blow off steam.
“She yelled at me.”
Karen poured Ann a cup of coffee and asked. “What did you do?”
Ann looked at Karen. “What did I do? It’s what she did. She got pissed off because a bear came a little to close and I threw it a fish so it would go away.”
Karen’s eyes opened wide. “I think you scared her. I know I would have been scared for your safety.”
“I was fine. He took the fish and left.”
“The bear could have come back for more.”
“He didn’t.” Ann paused. “Well, I don’t think he did.”
“You ran off?” Karen asked trying to keep from laughing.
“Yeah, after Kayla yelled at me.” Ann now grinned. “I shoved the gun at her and told her I wanted no part of shooting.” Ann couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer as Karen began to laugh.
“I guess I should apologize,” Ann said as she lowered her eyes.
“It might be nice,” Karen said turning away.
Ann sat down at the snack bar.
*
Josh and Kayla stood at the fish station cleaning the fish. “So you like her?” Josh asked.
“Yeah, she’s becoming a good friend.”
“She likes you,” Josh said with a glance in Kayla’s direction.
“She’s writing a book about me. Ann better like me.”
“No. I mean more than a friend.”
“She’s straight, Josh.”
“She watches you a lot for a straight girl. That’s why she never saw the bear. Ann was watching you as she was fishing and not paying attention to her surroundings.”
“I think that’s the writer in her. She has to observe me so she can write.”
“Say whatever you want, but I think she likes you.” Josh insisted.
They finished cleaning the fish and Kayla brought in the fish that they would freeze. Josh went to the smoker with the rest of the catch. As Kayla took off her boots, she looked around for Ann. “Where’s Ann?” Kayla asked as she walked into the kitchen.
“Upstairs,” Karen said with a nod.
Kayla handed Karen the fish. “Is she mad at me?”
“Ann realized that she frightened you,” Karen said with a smile.
“Yeah, but I yelled at her.” Kayla looked at her feet embarrassed.
“Wash your hands and go talk to her,” Karen said pushing Kayla out of the kitchen.
Kayla went into the bathroom to wash up. Looking into the mirror, she sighed and said. “No more avoiding. Go talk to her,” she said to her image.
Kayla walked up the stairs and saw Ann sitting on the bed in a pair of sweats. Her laptop sat on her lap. “Hi,” she said quietly.
“Hey.” Ann responded as Kayla moved closer. “I’m sorry that I scared you, Kayla.”
Kayla smiled. “I’m sorry that I yelled at you.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “I was out on the water with no gun and I was afraid you were going to be hurt.”
They stared at each other and then laughed.
“We both were wrong,” Ann said. “I felt perfectly safe, but I realize that I wasn’t being careful.”
Kayla sat on the bed. “Don’t scare me like that again. Okay?”
Ann nodded shyly. “Okay.”
“Do you want to come back and fish with Josh and I after lunch?”
“Yes, but I’ll sit in the boat so you don’t have to worry about me.”
“Thank you and again I’m sorry for yelling.” Kayla wanted so much to take Ann into her arms, to tell her how much she meant to her.
“I’m sorry for storming off like I did.” Ann grinned. “We both were wrong. Friends again?”
“Yes.” I love you.
CHAPTER TEN
Josh was packing the truck with their supplies while Ann and Kayla made breakfast for everyone. Kayla and Ann had talked in bed the night before saying how much they were going to miss Karen and Josh.
“I wish they could stay the rest of the winter,” Ann said into the darkness. “They are amazing people.”
“They are and I will miss them too, but we’ll go see them at Christmas. We’ll take the snowmobile and spend the night.”
“Do they have room for us?” Ann asked.
“I usually sleep in Simon’s bed and they put him on the couch. I’m sure they’ll bring Stella out to the living room so you can sleep in her bed.”
“That’s three months away.”
“That’s if the weather isn’t too bad. We won’t be able to go if the snow is too bad.”
“Well, I’ll pray for good weather.” Ann reached for Kayla’s hand and squeezed it. “Good night, Kayla.”
“Good night, Ann.�
�
*
After breakfast, Kayla helped Josh carry out the food from the freezer. Karen walked over to Ann and hugged her tightly. “Take good care of each other.”
“We will,” Ann said returning the hug. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you too, but we’ll see you both at Christmas.”
“Kayla said as long as the weather holds up,” Ann said softly.
“If it’s not at Christmas, we will see when you can get to us.” Karen rubbed Ann’s arm and looked into her eyes. “If you’re feeling something for Kayla, don’t shy away from it.”
Ann opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come out.
“If you feel you can just walk away at the end of the winter, then I was wrong about the two of you.” Karen shrugged. “Come on, kids. It’s time to go.” Karen gave Ann one more hug. “Good bye, Ann.”
“Good bye, Karen. Thanks for everything.” Ann bent down and kissed the kids. “I’m going to miss you two.” She squeezed them both.
Outside Kayla hugged the kids and Karen. “Thanks for the visit.”
“Thank you, Kayla. For everything.”
Josh walked over to Ann and hugged her too. “Take good care of my friend.” He whispered in Ann’s ear.
“I will,” Ann said with a smile.
Ann and Kayla watched until the truck was out of site.
As they walked into the house, Ann said. “I guess I should put fresh sheets on the bed in the spare room.”
“Karen already did that. She washed the sheets this morning.”
“Then I guess I should get my clothes from upstairs.” Ann walked toward the stairs. “You can have your room back tonight, but I will miss your furnace of a body.” She giggled. “You kept me nice and warm.
Kayla moved closer. “Well, if you’re ever cold, you’re welcomed to share my bed anytime,” she said with a wiggle of her eyebrow. She was going to miss sleeping with Ann. It had been too long since Kayla shared her bed.
“It’s forty degrees outside and you’re still sleeping in shorts and a t-shirt,” Ann said shaking her head. “Do you sleep like that when you sleep alone?”
Kayla nodded. “Yeah. I don’t switch to sweats until the weather turns colder.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
By the end of October there was two feet of snow on the ground. As they cleaned up the breakfast dishes, Kayla suggested. “Let’s go skiing.”
“I don’t know how to ski,” Ann said with a wave of her hand.
“I’ll teach you. You can use my grandmother’s skis and boots.” Kayla watched as Ann shook her head and waved her hand again. “It’s just like walking. I’ve seen you walk.” Kayla chuckled. “Come on, Ann, give it a try.”
Ann mumbled under her breath. “I’m not very athletic.”
“Go put some long underwear on along with heavy pants and top.” Kayla instructed as she went up the stairs to change.
Ann came out of the bedroom and found Kayla removing the skis, gloves and hat for their excursion. “Here you go,” Kayla said handing her the equipment.
Outside Kayla showed Ann how to get into the skis and handed her the poles. Kayla got into her skis and said. “You lean forward and just walk.” Kayla demonstrated the technique and walked back to Ann. “Now you try.”
As soon as Ann moved her left leg, she fell over.
“Use the poles to help you get up.” Kayla tried not to laugh as Ann failed to get herself off the ground. Kayla shook her head and held out her hand. “Let me help you up.”
“I told you I couldn’t do this,” Ann said brushing the snow off her butt.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Let’s try again.”
This time Ann managed to move a few feet. “Maybe I can learn,” she said with a giggle.
They worked their way down the path, but Ann caught some ice and skidded toward a small tree. One leg went to the left and the other to the right. Kayla quickly made her way over to Ann.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m not sure. My left leg hurts.”
Kayla removed her skis and knelt down in the snow by Ann’s leg. She lifted the leg onto her thigh and felt for any breaks. “It doesn’t feel like anything is broken.” Kayla continued to examine Ann’s leg.
“It stopped hurting,” Ann said as her eyes opened wide. “Help me up.”
Kayla lifted Ann off the ground and said. “Do you want to go back to the cabin?”
“No. I want to keep trying.” Ann didn’t know what came over her, but she wanted to impress Kayla.
They continued down the slope and then turned around and came up the hill. Ann was doing well despite falling several times in the process, but at least she was able to get back up on her own.
By the time they got back to the cabin, they were both exhausted.
“I think I am soaked to the bone and you’re dry,” Ann said looking at Kayla.
“At least you aren’t falling as much,” Kayla said with a laugh. “How does your leg feel?”
“It feels great. My left knee usually bothers me in the winter because I twisted it when I was young, but despite the workout I feel great.”
Kayla just smiled. “Go take a shower and warm up your body.”
Ann didn’t wait to be convinced, she ran for the bathroom. Once she was under the hot water she remembered she didn’t bring in any clothes. When she came out of the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around her, Kayla was nowhere in sight.
As Ann ran for the bedroom, Kayla watched her from the top of the loft. “Wow,” she said softly.
*
Each day Ann got better and better with her skiing. She was always ready before Kayla and anxious to go outside. Today, they were going to hike to the lake. The path was worn down from their skis which made the trek easier. On the way back to the cabin, Ann’s boot caught some ice and she landed on her back as her feet went out from under her.
“How come it’s always me falling?” Ann asked as she laid there unmoving.
“Are you okay?” Kayla asked looking down into Ann’s face giggling.
“I’m fine. Just my pride is hurt.”
Kayla held out her hand for Ann, but instead of Ann getting up, she pulled Kayla to the ground. She landed with a thud on Ann’s body.
“Hey, why did you do that?” Kayla asked lifting up on her arms.
“I thought you might want to see what the view from down here was like since I see it all the time,” Ann said grinning.
Kayla looked into Ann’s eyes feeling how wonderful their bodies fit together. Her eyes now went to Ann’s lips and back to her eyes. Before her brain could register what she was doing, she brushed her lips over Ann’s mouth.
Kayla’s brain finally kicked in and she rolled off Ann. “I’m sorry, Ann. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” She stood up and turned her back on Ann.
Ann’s hand went to her lips before she stood up. She now rested her hand on Kayla’s shoulder. “Look at me.”
Kayla turned around and Ann could see her tears.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” Ann lifted Kayla’s chin. “Okay?”
Kayla nodded. “It won’t happen again, Ann. I promise you.”
Ann’s answer was to grin at Kayla. “Let’s go back to the cabin and have a cup of coffee.”
*
As Thanksgiving approached, Kayla dug down to the bottom of the freezer to remove the small turkey.
Thanksgiving morning the turkey was in the oven and the side dishes were being prepared. By early afternoon, the cabin was smelling unbelievable.
“It’s getting very cold out there,” Kayla said carrying in additional wood. “I think it’s time to turn the furnace on.” She went to the corner of the room and turned on the high efficiency furnace. “It will warm up in no time in here,” Kayla said looking at Ann who was covered in a blanket on the sofa.
“I hope so,” Ann said moving the blanket up to her neck. “How about sitting
with me until that furnace does its job?” She patted the space beside her.
Kayla smiled and sat close to Ann on the couch. After a few minutes she asked. “Better?”
“Much better. You are better than any furnace.” Ann now had her head tucked into Kayla’ shoulder.
“Well, I’m glad I could help,” Kayla said taking Ann’s hand, but pulled away quickly. Ann pulled it back and cradled Kayla’s hand in her lap.
Each day that the two women spent together, Karen’s words echoed in Ann’s head. Did she have feeling for Kayla other than friendship? Other than getting to know this woman so she could write a book about her? All Ann knew was that she enjoyed being near Kayla and the kiss they shared made Ann’s felt like butterflies in her stomach. She wanted so much to ask Kayla if she had feeling for her, but she was afraid. Am I afraid she’ll say no or am I afraid she’ll say yes?
By the time dinner was ready the cabin was nice and toasty.
“I think we won’t have to cook for a few days,” Ann said looking at all the leftovers on the table. “I wish I knew before I came up here that we were going to spend Christmas with Karen and Josh. I would have brought gifts for the kids.”
“Don’t worry. I have something for everyone. I don’t go crazy because I know Karen and Josh aren’t in a position to spend any money. They usually make me something.”
“That’s so much better than a store bought gift anyway.”
By early evening, the two women were ready to turn in.
“Do you think you’ll be warm enough in the bedroom tonight?” Kayla asked hoping against hope.
“I think so,” Ann said wrapping her arms around herself.
Kayla stared at her feet. “If you want, you can sleep with me.”
Ann walked into the bedroom and came out a few minutes later. “It’s not freezing in there, but I think I’ll take you up on your offer,” she said wearing a wide smile.
“Get changed and come upstairs.”
As Ann crawled into Kayla’s bed, she said. “Thank you for a lovely Thanksgiving.”
“Thank you for being here. It’s the best Thanksgiving I’ve had since my grandmother died.”
“I’m glad we could spend it together,” Ann said squeezing Kayla’s hand.
