Escaping the Past

“I remember,” he smiled at her.

“They are probably roasting marshmallows in a candle flame, by now.”

“She still does that? She used to do that with me. It was one of my favorite things. And Jeb would make shadow puppets in the glow from a candle flame.”

“And now John tells scary stories.” Lou’s eyes met his and she sighed. “You feel like streaking to the house in this mess?”

He emphatically said, “Hell, no. Have you lost your mind? I’m staying right here.” He sat down on a bale of hay that was already stacked yet was low to the ground. Lou climbed one level above him and sat down as well.

Brody leaned back against her bale and grunted.

“Something wrong?” she asked.

“To be honest, I’m tired as hell and more sore than I have ever been in my life.” He flexed his neck muscles, trying to stretch.

“I would offer you a massage but you might take it the wrong way,” she said.

His eyes met hers in the darkness. “And just what way do you think I might take it?"”

“Never mind,” she bit out.

“Lou, if I promise to behave, can you rub my shoulders?” He formed a temple with his hands.

“Lean back.” She patted her knees and Brody scooted back on the hay bale until his back touched her shins. Unexpectedly, he pulled his shirt over his head.

“What? It was soaked.”

Lou looked down at his strong shoulders, shadowed in the moonlight. His neck and shoulders were tight and strong, just like the rest of him. She took a deep breath before her fingers lightly touched his shoulders and gently began to knead his sore muscles. He groaned low in his throat at her efforts.

“That feel good?” she asked, deepening the pressure.

“Oh, yeah,” he hissed. Her movements became stronger and faster as she worked the muscles in his neck and shoulders. He groaned and moaned for a full ten minutes, his head finally falling over in a relaxed pose. She shook out her hands and wrung them lightly together.

“Thank you,” he said as he took her hand in his. “Now your hands are sore.” He lightly brushed her leg as he reached for her hand. “And cold! Good grief! You’re freezing.” He ran his hand up her arms, feeling the goose bumps on her skin.

Brody stepped to the truck and pulled out another tarp. Motioning for her to move, he covered the area where she had been sitting. He lay down along the length of two bales. He patted the area in front of him, holding his arms open wide. “Come on. Let’s share some body heat.” I have enough to share.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Brody.” Nerves shook in her voice.

“Oh, get over it, Lou. I’m too damn tired to put the moves on you. Come on.” He patted the hay again.

Lou reluctantly let Brody pull her down onto the hay. He could probably feel her hesitation as she lay down stiffly beside him. He groaned as he tucked one hand around her waist and flipped her on her side. Her bottom was tucked into his lap like two spoons fit together in a drawer. He supported the weight of her head as his arm slipped under her head.

The long work day soon took its toll and, no matter how much she wanted to fight it. She relaxed and curled into him.

Four hours later, Brody woke to total darkness. He shifted slowly, unsure of where he was. He felt a round bottom pressed against his groin and long, dark hair tickled his nose. He shook Lou gently. “Lou?”

She came instantly awake and sat up. “What’s wrong?” she asked groggily.

“Nothing. I think it’s stopped raining.” He sat up as well and stretched. “We should probably get back to the house.”

She yawned and nodded. “I’m ready when you are.”

They walked side by side out of the barn. Lou stopped and sniffed the air. “Do you smell that?”

“What? The hay?” Brody could smell the clean scent of damp earth after a heavy rain. He watched her sniff for another scent she couldn’t recognize.

“No. It’s something else.” She sniffed again. “It’s probably nothing.” She shook her head to clear it as they walked to the house.