Bo looked out over the mountains and smiled. The air was cool as the sun set, but not yet uncomfortable. He listened to the birds chirping and the rustle of the wind and felt at ease. He had been deployed for nearly a year, most of it in a combat zone. He had arrived home two days ago and, as he had been on detached duty with a unit that still wasn't stateside, he'd managed to hide that fact and rent a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina.
He smiled again as heard a car coming up the road and turn into the driveway. It was Beth.
He hadn't seen her since the he'd left though they'd written and emailed and occasionally talked on the phone. He had started seeing her only a few months before he'd gone overseas. A friend had introduced them, and they'd hit it off. His sudden deployment had been hard to deal with for both, but especially Beth.
She was working in Knoxville and when he told her he'd be flying into Bragg the following Thursday, she'd suggested they get a cabin. Bo was intrigued and hopeful. They had begun to explore a bit physically before he'd had to go, but hadn't gotten very far, much to Bo's disappointment. Beth hadn't ever explicitly said that she would, or he could, but she had become more flirtatious as their time apart had gone on. Bo had never seen her naked, but he'd seen enough to want not only to see, but to touch and explore.
Bo stood and stretched; the deployment, long flight, and jet lag, had him tired and sore, but he smiled as he headed around the deck to the front of the cabin. Beth was getting out of the car when she saw him. She ran to him and threw her arms around him. They embraced. After a moment, Beth tried to giggle, but it came out as sob. Then she giggled as she waved her hand in front of her red face.
"I'm sorry," she sputtered, "I swore I wasn't going to cry."
"It's okay," Bo said easily, "I'm glad to see you too."
They hugged again and then Beth said, "I guess I better get my stuff."
They moved to the car and she leaned in to get her bag giving Bo a moment to let his eyes move over her. Beth stood about 5' 4" and had long, blonde hair, and blue eyes. She was wearing a light blue sweater and jeans. Both were tight and accented her large breasts and nicely shaped bottom. She turned with her bag and caught him staring.
Bo blushed and looked away and played it off by taking her bag.
She gave him an amused look, but said only, "I brought some food. If you'll get my hiking books out of the trunk, that will be everything."
Bo nodded, retrieved the boots, and headed inside with Beth.
He opened the door for her as she took the food inside "Nice," she said, "Looks just like the pictures."
"Yeah, it'll do," Bo agreed.
The cabin was small, consisting of a living area and kitchen with a wood burning stove in the center and a bathroom located through a door. The next room was a small study/second bedroom. It was narrow, with most of the space taken up by a futon, desk, and book case. The final room was the main bedroom. It was good sized, with a queen size bed, dresser, and chair. As in all the rooms, windows looked out over the mountains on the west side. There was also a deck around the west and north sides with several chairs, a table and a small hot tub. Bo set her bag and boots in the bedroom and returned to the kitchen.
"You started dinner," she stated with mock astonishment as she eyed the lasagna in the oven, "I'm impressed."
Bo smiled, "Me and Stouffer's do pretty well. Beats an MRE, that's for sure."
Beth chuckled as she opened a bottle of wine and poured them both a glass.
Bo hesitated, but took it.
"What's wrong?" Beth asked, "You give up wine over there?"
"No", he said, "I just haven't had any alcohol in a year. If I have too much, between that and the jet lag, I may be passed out before we get to dessert."
"Aw," she winked, "don't worry, I won't take advantage of you."
Bo laughed, thinking he wouldn't mind that at all.
When the lasagna was ready, they served it and sat down to eat. The wine and conversation flowed easily and steadily, and Bo was reminded of why he enjoyed spending time with Beth.
When they were done, they cleaned the dishes up and Beth suggested they watch a movie. Without realizing it, they had gone through a whole bottle of wine and though he'd said it jokingly, Bo was feeling lightheaded and tired. Nevertheless, he agreed to the movie.
"I'm going to put on some more comfy clothes if you don't mind, "Beth told him, "would you mind starting the fire? It's starting to get a little chilly."
Bo agreed and lit a fire in the small stove. Within several minutes, the chill was starting to recede. He looked up as Beth returned to the room dressed in an oversized t-shirt and a pair of sweat pants. He wasn't completely sure, but he was pretty sure her breasts were free under the shirt.
They sat on the sofa and started the movie. They made small talk for the first few minutes, but soon Bo began to fade. The warm room, his months long lack of enough sleep, the jet lag, and the wine all began to pull him down. He fought to keep his head up and his eyes open, but it was a battle he was destined to lose and soon he was sound asleep.
He awoke with a start nine hours later. It was dark, the only light in the room was embers in the stove and the first hint of dawn through the curtains. It took him a minute, but he got his bearings, remembering where he was and realizing he must have fallen asleep. He vaguely remembered her kissing him softly and whispering good night as she had covered him with a blanket.
It hit him suddenly that he had to pee something fierce and he went to the bathroom and relieved himself. He brushed his teeth and washed his face, then came back out into the living area. He glanced down the hall and softly padded through the middle room and to the bedroom door. Beth lay in the bed on her back, snoring softly as she slept. She looked beautiful and innocent and sweet. He thought of going and laying down with her, but he decided against it, turning and heading back into the living room.
Five thirty wasn't bad, he'd awakened the first two mornings he'd been back at 4:00 am. He hoped that in another day or two he'd be back on schedule. He put some wood on the fire and put some coffee on, then slipped on his jacket and stepped outside. It was cold, but not bitterly so and he looked out as the gray light slowly grew brighter revealing the frost covered hills. He smiled at the beauty of it and then went back inside and poured a cup of coffee. He sat down and looked up a couple of good hiking spots and then about 6:30, he heard Beth begin to stir.
Bo got up and moved to kitchen, frying eggs and cooking bacon. As he was finishing the bacon, Beth stumbled into the living room, walked over to him and put her arms around him.
Bo returned the hug, enjoying the feel of her resting against him. She took a deep breath and he could feel her breasts press against him through their shirts. He smiled and squeezed her.
"Do you know what time it is?" she asked huskily, "you're on vacation and you're up at oh effing dark thirty." This last she said with a teasing chuckle.
Bo smiled, "My body still thinks it's on the other side of the world. Actually, this is better. It only thinks it's halfway around the world now."
Beth chuckled and groaned, "At least you made breakfast and coffee. God knows I am going to need it!"
Bo laughed and plated up eggs, bacon, and toast for them. They sat down to eat, their conversation resuming easily. He asked if she'd like to go on a hike and she agreed. They agreed on a moderate hike about a 45-minute drive from the cabin.
After breakfast, Bo cleaned up the dishes while Beth got dressed. Then, they packed a lunch and by 8:30 were on the road. The drive through the mountains was beautiful with the sun out and the day warming nicely. They arrived at the Black Balsam Knob trailhead just before 9:30 and began walking in. The first part of the trail was steep and winding, and Bo's knees reminded him that he'd had plenty of this not too long ago. Once they reached the top of the bald though, the terrain flattened out and the walk became easier. The view south was incredible. They could see for miles! After going over a series of balds, they stopped on the last one and ate their lunch.
After they ate, they sat and just looked out over the sea of mountains. Beth leaned against him and he turned to look at her. Her eyes met his and they kissed deeply.
She gently broke the kiss and touched his face. "I'm so glad you're back," she said softly.
Bo covered her hand with his and squeezed it gently, then said with a twinkle in his eye, "Well, it beat the alternative."
They both laughed, and Beth smacked him playfully. They packed up and began the trek down. The trail wound down around the last ball and down an old logging road back to where they had parked. It was nearly three as they got in the car to head back. On the way back, they stopped at Ingles to pick up steaks and a few other things. By the time they reached the cabin, it was after 4 and the sun was beginning to set.
When they got back, Bo was stove up from the hike and the drive. He limped down the drive to the deck like an old man.
