Found in the Woods

by LoRee Peery

  “I’d still like to get my hands on Littlefield.” He worked his fingers as though they were cramped, then renewed his grip on his tent bundle.

  She patted his bicep, the movement jarring the duffle strap on her shoulder. “I can’t blame you there. I wanted to pound something myself when I realized Grace was talking about him. That man’s need for power made him domineering towards a little girl whom I’ve put in harm’s way. I believe Grace gets enough threats from her father.”

  “I plan to stay close. If I have any say, Littlefield will have to go through me.”

  What a conversation to be having while loaded down with camp gear.

  Beth nudged Aiden’s side, careful not to get clonked by the tent slung over his shoulder. She didn’t know what to say. But she basked in his nearness.

  An undercurrent of passion was evident. The man was in protector mode, all business, judging by his stern expression. No tender looks or touches. There was avoidance. No direct words were spoken. Yet tension, her awareness of Aiden’s masculinity, was ever present. But physical attraction was temporary. And it had gotten her in trouble over and over in the past. No way would she lose herself again in a subordinate position because of physical attraction.

  To any man.

  How soon would either one, or which one, acknowledge their smoldering attraction? Beth simmered under the surface. Old habits died hard.

  Was it more than physical? She felt as though her soul reached out to his. Could they possibly be soul mates? She’d always wondered what that term meant. Such a connection couldn’t be meant for her. Oh, Lord, show me the way.

  The rest of the day passed quickly. They talked of trivialities while re-pitching Aiden’s tent. They’d dined on roast beef sandwiches and potato salad, eaten late at the picnic table.

  Aiden leaned his elbows against the table edge. He lowered one hand to jingle the change in his pocket. “Did you know Lakota means friend in the Sioux language?”

  “Actually, yes. Grace told me.”

  “Like I said earlier, you were really good with her. You understand where she’s coming from.”

  “I want to help, show her good things in life.” Beth didn’t move to clear the table. The sky darkened, and time slowed. She wanted to stay out with Aiden, but shadows darkened, and the cool of night drew near.

  “I can’t get over the way my attitude towards wolves has changed because of your wolf.”

  He must not be eager to say good-night, either. “Changed in what way?”

  “For years, I considered wolves to be nothing more than killers. Out-of-control marauders. Dangerous, wild, and even rabid.” He reached for her hand and gave her a squeeze. “Then I tried looking at them through your eyes. I have to agree with all the beauty you see in the animals. But that doesn’t mean we can keep Lakota safe while on the loose around here.”

  “I can’t help but think a wolf wants to be a friend, to belong with others. God created magnificence when he made wolves. And I admit to being kind of lonely until Lakota started hanging around. When it was just the two of us, I thought a lot about the way Jesus is such a friend to sinners.”

  “Lady, I don’t know how you turn so many of our talks into religion.”

  “Not to sound preachy, but I believe knowing Jesus is a relationship, not a religion.” She swiveled on the bench seat to look him square in the face. “All right, I’ve been thinking. Is there any way Lakota could end up at Wildlife Safari? Or would it be possible one of those young females could be chosen for his mate so they could establish their own pack in some other sanctuary?”

  “I’ve been thinking along the same lines. But I’m sure the wolves have to choose their own mates,” he said with a humorous glint in his eye. “That’s why I wanted to go today. The alpha male of that established pack may or may not allow Lakota to integrate. So there are other options.”

  After a stretch of silence filled with individual thoughts, she eventually stood to clear the table. “Just give me a holler if you need anything during the night. You can use the bathroom first. I’ll go in when you are finished.”

  She began her time alone picturing Aiden in the small bathroom. Not liking where her mind was going, she turned her thoughts into prayer. When she heard him on the other side of the door, she picked up the tray of glasses and flatware.

  They met on the porch. He’d changed his shirt and slung a duffle over his shoulder. He held shaving gear in his other hand.

  Time meant nothing. She smelled his spicy soap, soaked in his physique, noted the muscular strength under the line of his clothing, until drifting up to meet his warm gaze, which was so intent, she quivered inside.

  And she wanted to close the gap so nothing, not even air, came between them.

  He must have been on the same wavelength. “Good thing my hands aren’t empty, or I’d fill them with you. I have the urge to kiss you senseless.”

  Like the night of the blizzard.

  “However, if I pressure you, push too hard, remind you of—”

  That woke her up. She dropped the serving tray onto the porch bench. She straightened and placed a finger over his mouth. His cheek was smooth under her fingertips. “No. Don’t say his name. I no longer have a past.”

  And, she no longer had an excuse to remain outdoors. The temptation he presented might prove too much for her to resist. She picked up the tray and went inside. She whispered a good-night as she closed the door.

  Her thoughts stayed on Aiden while she prepared for bed. This challenge of keeping him at bay, was it preparation for fighting off Barton?

  Barton used to have power over her with his manipulative control. He lost that power when her strength became entwined with her love of God.

  She screamed in silence for the Lord to protect Aiden when his path crossed Barton’s.

  She never doubted their paths would meet.

  Right now, Aiden’s power was enveloped in his sense of justice.

  He had yet to learn real strength came from the Lord.

  ****

  Aiden’s sleep proved restless, his thoughts wrapped up in events of the day. He kept thinking about Beth’s reference to no longer having a past. But he did have a past.

  The things he had done repeatedly came back to haunt him.

  He could understand little Grace’s position. He’d been old enough to know better. With his dad far away in Alaska, and no one but an aunt to talk to, he’d been weak enough to give in to his older cousin’s seduction.

  His own failures kept his mind tumbling through the night. All the while, his ears were on the alert for a stalking madman. Those negative thoughts, along with the goodness of a sprite with the spirit of a giant, had him tossing and turning.

  Aiden recalled looking deep into Beth’s eyes, lost in the gray-blue orbs, the windows to her soul. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel he was somehow found, as well.

  How could he leave her, once the wolf was relocated? When the pack howled at Wildlife Safari, something loosened in his gut. He felt lighter, as though discovery had nudged away resentment in his mind.

  Eager to meet the new day, he folded back and tied open the tent flap before the sky lightened. Outside, he circled the cabin, took a short walk down the lane. He heard Beth step onto the porch. As he approached, he watched her stretch, and wanted to touch her. But first, he wanted to freeze-frame the picture she presented.

  Then he mentally clocked himself alongside the head. No way would he turn into that animal Littlefield, creeping around watching her. He waved.

  He felt her gaze like a brand, the second it locked on him. When he drew close enough, he was struck by her wholesome glow, almost as though he was seeing her for the first time.

  She beamed. “Good morning. I feel renewed every morning at the sight and sound of God in the details of these serene woods. Just listen to what surrounds us.”

  He opened his awareness of the birds; identified wren, oriole, cardinal, and mourning dove. All the while he listened to the
birdsong he flourished on the inside, captivated by her exuberance.

  “Coffee should be done. I’m going back in for a jacket.”

  A nod was all he managed.

  He scanned the sky above the tree canopy, looking for blue. Yesterday’s gloomy gun-metal sky would no doubt shoot rain. At the thought, a huge splat dripped from the sky right into his eye. He swiped it aside and felt a chill. He went to the Jeep for his hooded jacket. The charged atmosphere felt more like late fall than early spring.

  When Beth reappeared, an umbrella was hooked over her wrist, and a jacket dangled off her shoulder. She balanced coffee mugs and a carafe on the edged tray.

  He leaped onto the porch to hold the door open, and noticed a burgundy leather-bound Bible also nestled on the tray.

  “You’ll join me for my Bible reading?” She didn’t wait for an answer before leading the way to the picnic table, where she handed him the umbrella.

  Once seated, she poured fragrant brew to the brims of the mugs and bowed her head. “Thank You, Lord, for a much needed peaceful sleep. I finally made such friends with the night that I didn’t even dream.”

  She opened her eyes and caught him peeking at her. She winked. “And thank You most of all for how comfortable I slept knowing Aiden was right outside all night long. Thank You for the morning.”

  How do you respond to being in someone else’s prayer?

  “Great coffee,” he managed.

  “Thanks. I get thirsty for a good drink sometimes, and I remember the woman at the well.” She looked at him with expectation.

  He hadn’t a clue what she was referring to.

  “John 4:14 says, ‘But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” She held his wrist, rubbed the back of his hand, then released him to wrap both hands around her mug. “I want you to satisfy your thirst through God’s Word.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it. And about what the woman on the radio said.”

  She beamed her broad smile. “I’m going through the New Testament, Colossians two today.” Beth set the Book between them so he could look on. She opened the Bible and caressed the thin pages with her fine fingers.

  He longed for her to touch him with such feather-light reverence.

  He shook his head. The author of the Bible may take offense at such earthly thoughts. Aiden propped the umbrella so it protected the Bible, and watched Beth instead of reading along. He tuned out her voice after she quoted, “‘In Him you have been made complete.’”

  With the powerful words, clouds cleared from Aiden’s mind.

  Jesus is far stronger than my insecurity or remnants of the past. I no longer need to believe my father abandoned me.

  When Beth glanced up, he saw a question in her eyes.

  “I’m beginning to see. Christ has no doubt made a difference in your life. Jesus Christ must truly be God.”

  “Oh, Aiden.” Tears pooled in her big eyes.

  “Because of my height, I look down at most people. But in your case, you make me see stature can’t compare to what is inside a person. Your faith is what’s inside you, and it makes you bigger than life.”

  “You make me feel beautiful. Thank you. But true beauty is of the Lord.”

  The sky had quit spitting moisture. He had to touch her. He pulled her off the bench and into his arms, never feeling more right in the moment. She eventually slackened her hold. He leaned in.

  Their short kiss met all his expectations, all the promises of what could come. He had no words to describe the fullness in his throat. He pulled back far enough to look into her eyes, but he wanted to place her head against his heart.

  She cupped his face. “I feel so full inside, so complete. You make me believe there are still good men. My past experience with men always left me disappointed, the way you stand and wait an hour to take a seconds-long roller coaster ride. I used to let anticipation build up in my mind when I met a new man. I’d think ‘this guy will be different.’ But it never failed, I’d be let down because what I had expected lasted a fleeting moment before disappearing like a seed in the wind.”

  Would he be able to prove himself worthy of her trust? It was a tall order to keep from ending up lumped in the same category as other guys from her past.

  Yet, her confidence in him boosted his belief in himself.

  Or maybe her confidence in God had rubbed off, and he could now see reasoning in taking the leap of faith.

  But first, he had the confidence to chance another kiss.

  ****

  She pictured the whole thing as though watching behind a camera lens. Aiden came nearer in such slow motion. Her insides were anything but sluggish as his face lowered to hers, an eternity of time. She closed her eyes in anticipation. But his lips only brushed hers. The roughness of his short whiskers tickled her upper lip.

  She wanted more. Her eyes flew open to search his. “Are you going to quit fooling around and kiss me for real?”

  His eyes widened, and his brows lifted with surprise. Then he threw back his head to hoot with laughter.

  She stamped her foot. “It’s not that funny. I’m just so impatient, I cannot wait another minute!”

  He obliged by leaning forward. He lowered his head to meet hers and took her mouth slowly, as though savoring. Each new sensation whispered through her. The gentle assault weakened her. She felt like she was sinking.

  Just when her legs threatened to give out, he left her lips to rasp, “I think you’ve been kissed. Still curious?”

  His laughter turned to something else entirely. A new light mingled with determination in his eyes, and his gaze shifted to her mouth.

  She felt her eyelids growing heavy with anticipation. She waited. Before her lids closed all the way, she knew he wasn’t going to kiss her again. She followed his line of sight and gasped.

  Lakota. “How do you suggest we make him move, so I can see if he’s injured?”

  “He’s always been curious. Let’s pretend to work and he’ll watch. Or, we could play and have fun. Maybe he’ll join in.” She eased out of his embrace. “Play with what? Toss my shoes around pretending they’re balls?”

  “We could do that. See if he wants to play fetch.”

  “Horrors!” She giggled. “Let him chew up one of my precious finds?”

  “Why not?” Without another word, Aiden ran to the sneaker pine tree and grabbed a worn shoe with enough leather any canine would love to gnaw on. “Catch!”

  Beth reached above her head and caught the missile, hurling it back. They’d captured the wolf’s attention. Lakota’s massive head followed the shoe-toss, back and forth.

  “Once when I was on the street,” Beth said with a slight gasp, “after I’d been kicked out of my apartment again, I noticed a couple get out of their car in front of a restaurant.”

  She ran to the side in order to catch the shoe, and then flung it back to Aiden. “The older man, in need of a haircut, leaned against the side of the car. The woman, whose hair was neatly styled, pulled a dark blue comb from her purse and combed his beard with precise, gentle strokes.”

  He stretched for the shoe and held it like a football player watching for a receiver.

  Beth focused on Lakota, who had entered the clearing, before she continued. “Then this woman licked her fingers and smoothed back the man’s hair above each ear. She ran the comb through the salt-and-pepperish gray strands on the top of his head. The love they shared hurt my heart. After she replaced the comb, she patted him on the cheek before taking his hand to lead him inside.”

  Aiden again stuffed the shoe under his arm and went towards her. He enfolded her hand then laced their fingers, let the shoe drop. He said with a husky voice, “I once saw a love like that in a movie. My sister called it palpable. The couple’s shared feelings were so unveiled I could feel them leap off the screen. I wanted to reach out and touch what they shared.”

  In her air
space now, she watched him swallow.

  “Back to the couple I watched,” she continued. “The woman was vibrant, and he was younger than he appeared. I figured he had a fast-spreading dementia of some sort. But the love they shared brought tears to my eyes.”

  Beth reached up to cup his face in her palms. “I’ve never known that kind of love. That’s the kind of love I want.”

  Who could resist a kiss after relating a story like that?

  She wanted to stay with lips locked until the next blizzard, but something tickled her bare leg above the sock.

  They broke their sweet connection, Beth moaned in protest.

  He raised his head and she jerked back. Lakota crouched at their feet with the shoe in his mouth, one massive paw over Beth’s foot.

  When Lakota realized all eyes were on him, he backed up.

  She laughed. “Look at the fun in his eyes. He doesn’t look hurt at all. What do you think? Shall we toss him the shoe?”

  “If you’re brave enough to reach for it, why not find out? We’ll discover if he’s healthy.”

  She’d take the dare. She knelt to her haunches. Her hand crept towards the ragged shoe. “All right, boy. You have to let me grab the shoe if you want to play.”

  Beth gave a tug, and to her utter amazement, Lakota released the shoe. When she had a good grasp, she heaved it into the air.

  Aiden laughed. The musical sound filled Beth with joy.

  Lakota bounded into the air and swiveled. All the animal’s muscles proved to be in fine physical order. The bullet had either grazed him or was located in a place the wolf had licked clean until it healed over. Instead of retrieving the shoe, however, Lakota trotted into the woods as though carrying a trophy.

  Beth stood transfixed, staring into the trees long after he was out of sight. When time moved again, she thanked the Lord for Lakota’s restored health. She strode to Aiden’s side, knew she was beaming.

  When they met, he blurted, “The thing is, I think I love you.”

  That came out of nowhere. Her smile faded, and she shot him a smirk. “Sounds like a song. You aren’t sure?”