Skyler walked over and placed a hand on the wall by Jessica’s head. She leaned in close and said in a husky voice, “I need something to keep my mind occupied, too, so I’ll stop playing last night over and over in my head.”
“Last night isn’t something I want you to forget, not even for a moment,” Jessica whispered as Skyler’s warm lips caressed her own.
Their kiss deepened to a passionate exchange, only to be curtailed by the sound of hooves nearing the barn. Jessica held Skyler’s glazed stare a moment longer. Maybe I’m breaking through that tough shell after all, she thought.
There was enough of a nip in the air to chase away the pesky deer flies that torment both horses and riders in the summer. Still, a cheerful sun shone from the deep blue, cloudless sky to warm their backs as they rode along the mountain trails littered with fallen leaves. They raced across the meadows, laughing and jumping logs and ditches small enough for Charlie to handle. When they reached the mountain trails, Jessica and Rampage led the way with Charlie and Trekker, Skyler and Con Air following. The happy warmth that radiated between them seemed to soothe the anxious youngster.
When they turned down the path to Skyler’s ledge, they dismounted and Skyler loosened the horses’ saddles and replaced their bridles with halters to make them more comfortable before tying them to nearby trees. Jessica cast a smug glance at her, and received a warm stare in return. Charlie didn’t miss the exchange, and lowered his head as a light blush colored his cheeks. Jessica enlisted his help to spread a blanket on the smooth ledge, then unpacked their lunch. The sun shone warm on the exposed ledge, and Skyler began to remove the sweatshirt she wore over a short-sleeved polo shirt.
Charlie’s face blanched when he looked up. “Jess. Sky…” he sputtered but could not put his thoughts into words.
Jessica was at a loss at first to understand his distress. “Oh,” she said as realization dawned.
Skyler stopped while she still had one arm in her sweatshirt. “What?” she questioned as she looked at her companion’s faces. “What’s the matter?”
Jessica failed miserably in her efforts to look stern. “I think Charlie was hoping you would keep your clothes on this time. Skyler’s mouth dropped open and Jessica gave up her effort to look serious. “Charlie was with me the day Scott showed us your sunbathing spot. I think he’s afraid you’re changing into your usual attire, or lack of it, for this location.”
Charlie’s face had turned a deep red. “I didn’t look once I realized it was you, Sky,” he mumbled.
Skyler’s shock turned to amusement. She walked over and kneeled next to him, placing an arm around his shoulders. “I’m sure you didn’t, Charlie. I was just taking my sweatshirt off because it was getting bit warm for me, but I want to explain something.”
“Okay.” Charlie’s relief was apparent.
“Not that I would want people going around naked all the time,” Skyler said, “but the human body is nothing to be ashamed of. Neither you nor I should be ashamed that you caught me sunbathing, because you were a real gentleman by not staring once you realized you had by accident imposed on my privacy. Your mom would be so proud of you for being thoughtful.”
“Scott looked.” Charlie grimaced.
“I’m sure he did. But you don’t want to be like Scott, do you?”
Charlie shook his head vigorously.
“You’re a handsome young man, Charlie, and, in a few years, you’ll have plenty of girls interested in knowing you better.”
He wrinkled his nose at the prediction.
“No. I’m telling you the truth. You’ll be interested in them, too.” Skyler chuckled. “When you find that happening, I want you to remember what a gentleman you were with me, and I want you to make me proud by treating those girls and their privacy with the same respect. Any guy can be a man when they reach a certain age, but not every guy is a gentleman. That’s what will make you a real man, okay?”
The boy looked thoughtful. “Like Clint?”
Skyler smiled. “Exactly like Clint. He’s a real gentleman.”
Jessica’s eyes filled as she watched the two. She loved the nurturing side that came out when Skyler was around the children. “Hey, I don’t know about you guys,” she said, reaching into the saddlebags. “But ham sandwiches sure sound good to me.”