Petey started to drive the Mule toward the Lodge as she promised. Rachel zipped up a hoodie against the night air and brushed back her hair from her face. Petey carefully negotiated the speed bumps that lined the black-topped roads that intertwined throughout the park. Rachel looked sideways at her designated driver and felt comfortable in a way that she had not been in a long while. Still new to this experience, this lifestyle, she was cautious and careful and not ready to let her guard down. But she did feel a connection, to these women, to this place. She found herself relaxing and that was not something that she did with ease. “I know this place....the moonlight on the river is something to see…..if you're interested." Petey offered. Rachel thought of Dory waiting on her at the Lodge, but she also knew that Dory was no stranger on keeping herself entertained and was probably dancing and flirting with everyone in the place. She smiled to herself in the darkness and looked at Petey. “I didn't really want to go to the Lodge anyway. I mean it is a great place, don't get me wrong, but I came her to wind down, not get wound up." Rachel confessed. “I won't keep you too long, but I think you would love the view." Petey promised as she headed the Mule away from the Lodge and toward the darkness of the park. They passed a lot of golf carts and other ATV’s along the way; everyone was hooting and hollering, laughing and carrying on. The mood of the park was definitely festive. It was a Saturday night and the place was jumping. It wasn't long before the traffic thinned out and Petey left the blacktopped road and hit a trail. She drove confidently and kept the Mule from straying off course. The road was filled with rocks and roots but Petey kept to a trek that only she knew. Finally, Petey stopped the vehicle and grabbed the flashlight and her gear bag and lit up a pathway. She slung the bag across her shoulder and offered her hand out to Rachel to lead her to the bluff. Rachel hesitated for just a moment and then slipped her hand into Petey's. Rachel felt the strength and warmth transfer to her chilly hand and squeezed it a little tighter when she slipped on a rock. Petey held tight and waited for Rachel to right herself before going on. They walked quite away when they reached a clearing. Petey dropped the gear bag and rummaged through it, she brought out a small fire starter and a grill torch. Rachel could make out a small stone fire ring with a teepee of wood already in the center. In a flash, Petey had a small crackling fire going. There was a log seat that overlooked the bluff and Rachel sat down by the fire. “Looks like you have this down to a science" Rachel pointed out, nodding to the fire ring and the stacked wood.“Is this you’re MO, bring a girl up to the bluff and seduce her" Rachel laughed nervously. Petey looked across the fire and smiled. She dropped her head then looked back into Rachel's eyes. "Actually, you are the only person I have ever brought here." the blond confessed honestly. "This is kind of a private place for me. I run here just about every day. I write here, sometimes I draw, but this….. is my sanctuary. I have never brought anyone here to seduce, its sort of….hallowed ground to me. I never meant for you to think that I was coming on to you Rachel. I feel comfortable with you, but you're in a relationship. I am not a crowbar dyke. I'm not into breaking up relationships. I am into finding friends. I have found some very good ones in this park." “I’m sorry...." Rachel hung her head and felt her cheeks flame from embarrassment. “I guess I heard what I whated to hear at Sara's. I just assumed you were the park's Lesbian Lothario." “If that is a compliment.... then thanks......I think." Petey smiled uncertainly. “But I'm not. I'm just like everyone else. I am looking for a relationship that lasts longer than the time it takes to get undressed and do the deed. Don't get me wrong, I love sex, I love making love to women. But I am not into the emptiness of the bar scene, or the one niters. Been there and touched that. I brought you here because I knew that you would see this place the way that I see it." Petey waved her hand at the river below them. It shimmered in the moonlight like a moving ribbon of molten silver. It was beautiful and Rachel could feel and see what Petey meant. The silent eloquence was breathtaking. The fire behind them crackled merrily, casting shadows around the bluff. From the vantage point they had they could see the whole park laid out with it's festive lights of every description and campfires blazing against the night. It was amazingly stunning. There were party pontoons dotting the river like jewels against the silvered water. Rachel was captivated by the scene and she felt very privileged to be there. Petey stood at the bluff and the fire light danced across her body. Rachel walked over and put her hand on Petey’s shoulder and squeezed it gratefully. “Thank you for sharing this with me." Rachel said humbly. “Thanks for considering me a friend." Petey turned and gently placed her hand on the side of Rachel's face and brushed her hair back. Her hand trembled slightly and she smiled into Rachel's brown eyes. "You’re welcome." They stood close together while the small fire began to die behind them. Petey turned and scattered the coals, she had a container of water in the gear bag and she doused the glowing embers. Over by the tree was a bag of sand concealed by the foliage, she took a couple of handfuls of sand and buried the smoldering coals. She brushed off her hands and packed up the gear bag and grabbed the flashlight. Petey held out her hand and Rachel grasped it and once again felt the warmth and strength of this beautiful woman transfer to her and she held on as Petey led the way back to the ATV. Rachel stumbled forward when her foot got tangled in a vine and again it was Petey's strong grip that pulled her back and they were facing each other, bodies pressed close, they could feel each other's racing heart. Petey's arm circled Rachel's waist to steady her. In the darkness their foreheads touched and they stood like that just a few moments. It was Petey who broke the silence, "it's okay Rachel... I've got you......" she murmured softly. "Whenever you're ready......." Rachel felt torn between wanting this moment to last forever and knowing that she was in a committed and monogamous relationship. With a deep and reluctant breath she looked into Petey's eyes and said in a shaky voice "I guess we better go back to the Lodge." Petey just simply smiled and led the way back to the Mule............ *SPECIAL FEATURE* Slide Show To Continue To Chapter 31 Click On The River © Labinky Park 2008 Labinky Enterprises 2008 |
Chapter 30
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