by Linda Bridey
“But I can’t swim in this,” Peanut indicated the simple, faded blue cotton dress she wore.
Skip’s eyes widened. “You wanna go skinny dipping?”
“Yeah,” she said, giggling. “Don’t you wanna go skinny dipping with me?”
“Well, sure I do, but we shouldn’t,” Skip said. “We’re not married yet.”
Peanut said, “Skip, I would never make you do anything you don’t wanna do, but I’m hot and fat and I’m getting in that water. You can either come in with me or sit here until I’m done. It’s your choice.”
Skip promptly sat down with his back to the stream-fed pond, thereby giving her his answer. “You’re not fat, Peanut.”
She undid the buttons on her dress and pulled it over her head. “Oh, yes, I am. I’ve probably gained ten pounds already. This was a dress I had from when I was pregnant with Annie. That’s why I wore it today. Some of my others are too tight now.”
He heard the dress drop to the ground and glanced at it. He caught a glimpse of Peanut’s pretty feet and calves before looking away again. “You don’t look fat to me. You’re beautiful.”
A soft whisper of more clothing being laid on top of her dress reached his ears and he had difficulty not looking.
She ruffled his hair and said, “I’m glad you think so.”
He smiled as she padded away from him and walked into the water.
Peanut wasted no time ducking under the cool water. Coming back up, she breathed a sigh of relief. “That feels so much better. I’m glad that it’ll be cooler weather by the time I get to be eight months along. I was so hot all the time with Annie and I can tell it’s gonna be the same way with this one. I won’t sleep with any covers on most of the time, so I might kick them off of you sometimes.”
Skip tried not to think about lying in bed holding Peanut, but it was hard not to. “I won’t mind. Once I’m asleep, I don’t notice much.”
“I know,” Peanut said, chuckling.
He smiled. “I hear Annie when she cries, though.”
Peanut said, “You’re so cute when you wake up and ask me if she’s all right. You’re already a good father to her, Skip. I can’t believe you want to take all three of us on. I’ll find a job to work until the baby comes. You’re not gonna do this all on your own.”
“No, you’re not. You have enough to do what with Annie and all. You’ll get too tired out,” Skip said.
Peanut’s eyebrows drew down. “It’s not right you doing it all. We won’t be married for a little while yet, so—”
Skip said, “It won’t be long until we are, though.”
“Is this because I’m a woman?” Peanut asked, floating on her back.
“No. My mother’s always worked, so I’m not sexist. I’m just saying that Annie is still breastfeeding and it’s gonna be hard to find a job where you can take her along with you. That’s all,” Skip said.
Peanut let out a frustrated sigh. “You’re right. Well, I’ll take care of your folk’s place so that they don’t have a lot of housework to do.”
Skip laughed. “I don’t think you’ll get much of an argument from them except for scrubbing the floors.”
“What do you mean?”
“Pa won’t let anyone else besides him do them. He always says that he doesn’t want Ma and Renee to get callouses on their pretty knees from scrubbing them. He also says that he has more elbow grease, so he can do them easier. You really can eat off of them by the time he’s done. He’s a little fanatical about it.”
Peanut laughed. “I can’t wait to see that. Skippy, will you please come in here and make love with me before I get any fatter? You don’t know when you’re getting back and then we have to plan our wedding. It’s already the beginning of August and this baby will come by January, I think.”
Skip had been doing well at controlling himself up until that moment. She has a point, not about being fat, because she’s not, but it’s gonna be a while before we’re married and she probably won’t feel like it. Will she? I don’t know how that works with pregnant women. I mean ones who are farther along. But we’re not married. But we’re going to be.
He put his head in his hands as he argued with himself.
“Skip?”
“I don’t know how!” Skip said.
Peanut bit her lip to keep from laughing. His shyness was adorable, but she didn’t want him to think she was making fun of him like he had the first time they’d kissed.
“Well, you didn’t know how to kiss, either, but you do now. And if you learn lovemaking as good as you did kissing, I’m gonna be a very satisfied woman.”
“Really? Um, did you like it with … him?” He didn’t even want to say Claude’s name.
“It was nice. So was kissing Claude, but nothing like it is with you. Claude never made my toes curl,” Peanut said.
“He didn’t?”
“No.”
Skip felt proud that he had that effect on her. “That’s kissing, though. I don’t know about the other.” I can’t even say it, let alone do it!
“Get in here!” Peanut said forcefully. “Just try being naked with me and we’ll go from there!”
It always struck Skip as funny when Peanut became irritable. He laughed and stood up. “Ok, ok. Just don’t look until I get in.”
Again Peanut had to bite her lip. He really had no idea how good-looking he was and it endeared him to her more. “Ok. I’m not looking.”
Skip took his clothes off and hurried into the pond. “Ok.”
Peanut turned around and smiled at him. “There you are.”
She swam over to him and put her arms around his neck, kissing him immediately. Skip closed his arms around her, kissing her back. Peanut loved the way he felt, but she didn’t want to move too fast or pressure him.
Ending the kiss, she asked, “Is that all right? Are you ok?”
Skip nodded. “Mmm hmm. Are you all right?”
Her moonlit smile mesmerized him. “I sure am and I think we’re both about to get even better.”
He let out a self-conscious laugh. “I’ll do my best.”
Peanut held him closer. “Skip, I really do want to make love with you before I get farther along, but that’s not the biggest reason. I love you and I want to show you. I’m not gonna see you for a couple of weeks, maybe three, and I want to—”
Skip needed no further convincing. He wrapped his arms around her again, pulled her hard against him, and kissed her for all he was worth. One way or another, he was going to make Peanut’s toes curl. And he did.
*****
A while later, they bobbed side-by-side in the water near the far bank together. They hadn’t spoken afterwards yet, both of them in shock.
Skip finally said, “I had no idea it would be so intense. Was it like that for you? It seemed like it. I mean, you sounded—and me, too. Did your toes curl? I think mine did. I don’t really know. I was too busy.”
Peanut laughed and looped her arms around his neck, meeting his gaze. “I think my everything curled. I never felt like that before.” She kissed him briefly.
“I don’t know what I was so afraid of,” Skip said, holding her close. After a couple of minutes, he said, “I don’t want to, but we better get back. It’s starting to get late and we all have to leave early in the morning.”
Peanut nodded and let him go. “Annie will be hungry by now, too.”
They waded ashore and Skip watched while Peanut started dressing. Since they’d been in the water, he hadn’t been able to fully see her and he found her incredibly exciting. Stepping over to her, he put a hand on her bare stomach.
“You’re not fat, Peanut. You’re gorgeous,” he said.
She put her hand over his and smiled. “I’m so glad you think so.”
“I do.” He kissed her quickly and stepped away before he dragged her back into the water again.
They walked along the path for a little while until Peanut’s hair had mostly dried out. Then Skip finger-combed it
until the silky strands were completely dry. As they strolled back to camp, they kissed and talked, trying to steal as much time together as possible.
Dash met them as they neared the tipis, nudging them to be petted. After scratching his ears a little, they joined everyone at the campfire.
Skip said, “Everyone, can we have your attention?”
The various conversations stopped and everyone looked at him expectantly.
He put an arm around Peanut and said, “Peanut and I have good news. She has graciously agreed to become my wife.”
Jaylyn gasped. “Peanut!”
Joey grinned and jumped up from where he sat by the fire. “That’s fantastic! Congratulations!”
He clapped his best friend on the shoulder and the others joined in, offering their congratulations to the young couple. Raven watched Jaylyn’s face as she hugged her sister and he knew that she had misgivings about the match. He hoped that she wouldn’t say anything to upset Peanut and Skip. This was their special night and they wouldn’t see each other for a little while. He didn’t want the moment to be tainted. Catching Eric’s eye, he smiled at him a little and winked. Eric scowled and turned away, making Raven chuckle.
Chapter Sixteen
As dawn came, spreading pink and orange light across the sky, a lone rider approached the farm. Squirrel and Striking Snake were already up and had put coffee on.
Huge smiles lit their faces as they recognized the rider, who had just dismounted.
“What are you doing here?” Squirrel said, rising from the large log on which she’d been sitting. “How did you find us?”
Marcus hugged his sister, laughing. “You didn’t think I was gonna let you guys have all of the fun, did you? I took the train into Rapid City and then bought a horse. I asked about the Parkers’ farm at the one store and they gave me the directions here.”
Striking Snake grasped arms with him. “It is good to see you, brother.”
“Same here,” Marcus said, looking at their tipis. “That’s creative.”
Striking Snake chuckled. “There was no time to hunt and tan hides.”
Marcus’ gray eyes danced with devilment. “Are you guys the only ones up?”
Squirrel nodded. Before they could stop him, he hurried over to one of the tipi flaps and let out a huge bobcat scream. Pandemonium erupted as people cried out in fright and jumped from their blankets. A baby also screamed.
“Oh, God!” Marcus said, moving away from the tipi. “I didn’t know there was a baby! Why didn’t you warn me?”
Striking Snake laughed at his irritable expression. “You moved too fast. You have always been too impulsive.”
People poured forth from the tipis, coming to stand in a group in front of the structures.
Marcus gave them a sheepish little wave. “Hi, everyone. Sorry. I didn’t know you had a baby with you.”
Reckless said, “Were you trying to give me another heart attack?”
Marcus’ eyes rounded. “I thought you were still in the hospital! I didn’t know you were out here with these guys. Are you all right?” Immediately he began examining Reckless.
Reckless brushed his hands away while laughing. “I am fine. It was a good joke, though.”
Marcus smiled. “Boy, I really know how to make an entrance. Sorry, again.”
Black Fox shook his head. “You have been trouble from the first day I met you, and you will never change.”
Laughter followed his statement.
Marcus asked, “So who are these pretty ladies?”
Annie held out her arms to Skip, who took her and rubbed her back comfortingly.
Raven said, “This is Jaylyn Lennox and her sister, Peanut. Annie is Peanut’s daughter. This is my Uncle Marcus.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Marcus said, shaking their hands.
Skip said, “Peanut and I just became engaged last night.”
Marcus laughed and shook a finger at him. “Nice try, Skip. You almost had me.”
Peanut smiled and held out her left hand. “He’s not playing a joke.”
Marcus glanced at the ring and then looked at Skip, who grinned.
“Son of a gun,” Marcus said. “How’d you get engaged? You can’t even talk around girls.”
The group laughed as Marcus congratulated the young couple.
“Do your folks know?” he asked.
Skip shook his head. “Nope. But they will. Peanut and Annie are going back to Dawson with Joe and everyone.”
Joe said, “That’s right.”
Peanut said, “It’s better for us than being out on the trail.”
Marcus nodded. “It can be hard if you’re not used to it.”
Annie whimpered and reached for Peanut.
“She’s hungry,” Peanut said, kissing her. “I’ll be back.”
Skip watched her duck into the tipi in which they’d been sleeping and wished that they weren’t going to be separated. Marcus gave Black Fox a questioning look.
Shielding his hands from most people’s view with his body, Black Fox signed, “There is much to tell you once the others have left.”
Marcus gave him an understanding smile and began visiting with everyone as breakfast was prepared.
Skip asked, “How’s Renee doing? How did it go with her trial?”
Marcus said, “Your sister is one of the strongest people I know, Skippy. She put the screws to those fellas good. The jury gave them twenty years each.”
Skip’s eyes filled with anger. “Jail is too good for them, but I’m glad the sentence was so high.”
“I agree,” Marcus said. “Renee is doing fine, especially with Timmy by her side.”
“He’s a great husband,” Skip said.
Marcus leaned towards him. “Speaking of that, I noticed that you’re real comfortable with Annie.”
Skip beamed. “I love her. She’s the sweetest baby and, I know this’ll shock you, but Peanut’s expecting again.”
Skip laughed at Marcus’ stunned expression and told him the Lennox sisters’ story. By the time he was done, Marcus’ eyes held anger.
Skip noticed. “If I ever run across the guy, he’ll be lucky to live.”
Marcus squeezed his shoulder. “Well, I’m glad that you were there for her and I’m really happy for you.”
“Thanks. So we’re trading one Dr. Samuels for another, huh?” Skip commented.
“That’s right,” Marcus said. “I missed Wa-shun Wakan, but I want to see the other places.”
Reckless said, “Uncle, I have something for you. Come with me.”
Marcus helped him up and they walked a little ways from the tipis.
“The others will tell you more about our vision, but Grandfather Brown Stag wanted you to have these,” Reckless said.
Marcus held out his hand and Reckless put the wolf-tooth-and-feather earrings in his palm. “He said that he hopes that these make up for not being there for the vision.”
Marcus’ eyes misted over as he gazed at the beautiful jewelry. He remembered admiring them the first time he’d ever met Brown Stag. “He gave them to you in the vision and you brought them back?”
“Yes.”
Marcus didn’t doubt it since Reckless had done this quite a few times over the years. The things he brought back from the spirit world always held special meaning for their intended recipient. Fighting back his emotions, Marcus put them on and swore that his earlobes warmed as though he was being told that Brown Stag approved.
“Thank you, Reckless,” Marcus said. “I would have loved to have been along, but I’m glad in a way I wasn’t since it would have just been one more person to lug with you into that vision.”
Reckless said, “I do not think it would have made a difference. I do not regret doing it and will do so again if called upon.”
Marcus hugged him. “Just not until you’re strong again, ok?”
Reckless heard him sniff. “Yes, Uncle.”
Trying to lighten the mood, Marcus released
him and motioned at Reckless’ hair, “I think we’re gonna have to change your name to Skunk now.”
Reckless narrowed his eyes at him. “Not if you wish to live. I have two big sons who will do my bidding.”
Marcus chuckled. “I surrender. C’mon. Let’s get you some breakfast.”
*****
Skip watched Joe’s three-car group drive off, a big piece of his heart going with them. While he was still looking forward to the rest of the trip, he would count the minutes until he was reunited with his ladies. Saying goodbye had been painful, especially because Annie kept crying for him.
Joey said, “I know how you feel, buddy. I’ve never been away from Snow Song this long.”
Skip walked over to Dash and double checked his saddle and paniers just to have something else to focus on. Joey followed him.
Skip said, “Thanks again for loaning me the money to buy that ring. I couldn’t let her go without proposing. Now I understand how much you love Snow Song.”
“No problem, Skip. You know you can always count on me,” Joey said.
“I’ll give you the money back when we get home. I just didn’t have enough with me to buy it,” Skip said.
Joey’s hazel eyes gleamed. “I ain’t worried about the money, buddy. I’m glad I could help you out. I know all about needing to propose suddenly.” He sobered then. “I guess this means you won’t be going to college this fall with me and Snow Song, huh?”
Skip said, “I hadn’t quite made up my mind about going anyhow, but I’m not gonna have any regrets about not going.”
“I can’t believe you’re getting married. And look at all those muscles. You’ve gotten bigger,” Joey said. “No wonder Peanut couldn’t resist you. What’s her right name?”
Skip grinned. “Pollyanna Pearl. She absolutely detests her name, so don’t ever call her it. Her pa used to call her Peanut when she was little and it stuck.”
“Hmm. Sounds like someone else I know,” Joey teased him.
Raven called out, “We’re ready to leave!”
Joey said, “I better get in the saddle or else I’ll be in hot water if I hold us up.”
Skip said, “I don’t think it matters as much now since we found Runner.”
“I suppose not,” Joey said, mounting Reckless’ pony. He’d been honored that the brave had let him ride it.
