Hello and welcome to my readers. My sincere thanks to you for your comments, feedback and votes on my previous efforts; I look forward to the same on this new tale. I hope you enjoy it. My continued appreciation goes out to Alex the Cat for her support and encouragement.
----------------------------------------
"Wahhooo, there it is. There's the old cabin. Look out fish, here we come."
Laura Owens jerked awake as her husband Mark let out a happy cry. Their big SUV stopped in front of a dilapidated structure that vaguely resembled a house. She had been enjoying a dream in which she and her friends wandered through one dress shop after another, buying anything that took their fancy. It wasn't really that much different from her real life, but it passed the time on the three hour drive to get to Old Jim's Fishing Camp.
If only her friends had come with her, she sighed, this was going to be so boring. Two weeks in this dirty place, she thought darkly, with no one except her husband and his three friends to talk with. Darn that Beth Saunders anyway, her bright idea got me into this mess. Beth had insisted that the wives accompany their husbands on their annual fishing trip this year so they could 'connect' as couples.
As far as Laura was concerned, Beth had been watching too many of those touchy-feely 'advice' programs that solved everyone's problem in an hour. "That's where she probably got this dumb idea," Laura grumbled to herself. Beth's husband Dave worked with Mark at the same investment firm, along with Carl and Ted, the other members of the fishing expedition. Beth and Mark had been having 'problems' lately, mostly of a sexual nature to hear her tell it, so maybe it was to be her way of 'connecting' with her husband again.
Of course, one of Beth's children had contracted chicken pox the day before they were supposed to leave, so she remained behind. Carl and Ted's wives had also quickly developed excellent last minute excuses for not going, so she was stuck for two weeks in a dirty cabin surrounded by testosterone and slimy fish. She had shopped so carefully for just the right outfits to wear, going to all the stores and on the internet. Now there was no one who would appreciate her new wardrobe, making Laura crankier than ever.
The men began unloading the SUV and the small trailer attached to it, talking excitedly about the fish they were planning to catch. Laura sulked in the passengers' seat, almost totally ignored by her enthusiastic husband and his friends, wishing she were anywhere else but here. Finally, when the fishing tackle, coolers and suitcases had been unloaded, Laura opened the truck's door and walked into the cabin. It was ugly, dark and smelly and she hated it. The men didn't seem to notice, already removing their custom designed rods from their cases and opening their tackle boxes, preparing for a day of fishing.
Laura walked out on the cabins porch and gazed at the vast expanse of Clear Lake, its far shore invisible in the morning mist. It was a beautiful view that Laura found strangely comforting, as she was not an outdoor person. Maybe she would walk along the shore later when the men were out in their boat and do a little exploring. Then she saw a figure walking along the path to the cabin from the lakeshore. At first, she thought it was a man dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, but as the figure neared, she could see it was a tall, blonde haired woman.
Molly McClure loved the early mornings on the lake; it was her favorite time of day and had been since she was a little girl. She had grown up on the shores of Clear Lake, its inlets and coves as familiar to her as a city dweller would be with streets and avenues. Her father, Jim, had died last winter and she missed him terribly. Her mother had abandoned them many years before, simply disappearing one afternoon from their cabin, never to return. Her father had raised her as best he could, sharing his extensive knowledge of the lake and all its wonders with his only child.
This would be her first summer in charge of her fathers fishing camp. Jim's employees had remained after his death, content to work for his daughter that they had watched grow to maturity. She was nervous, but confident her abilities and knowledge of the lake would carry her through the busy fishing season. As she neared the cabin where her first guests of the season were staying, she saw a stylish red haired woman standing on the porch, watching her as she approached. She waved and smiled, the woman waved and smiled in return.
Oh goody, thought Laura as the woman strode purposefully toward her, someone to talk with in this hellhole. I hope she's friendly. Laura looked at the woman with eager curiosity. She was tall, probably 5' 11", at least a head taller than she was. She appeared to be about Laura's age, in her late twenties. Her skin was tanned and glowing, fairly bursting with health. With her red hair and pale skin, Laura felt washed out in comparison to this athletic individual. Her figure was slim, small breasted with narrow hips and long legs. As she neared, Laura could see her dark blonde hair worn shoulder length framing an attractive angular face, with a narrow nose, thin lips, and high cheekbones. Laura drew her jacket about her shoulders and shivered as she looked into the woman's' piercing blue eyes, not entirely from the mornings chill.
When Molly drew closer to the woman on the porch, her long flaming red hair and deep green eyes intrigued her. She was stylishly dressed in expensive outdoor clothing; emphasizing her generous breasts, tiny waist and flared hips. Her gently rounded face was beautiful, with deep green eyes, an upturned nose, full lips and rosy cheeks. As she stepped onto the cabins porch, Molly felt a sudden warmth pass through her body as their eyes met. The woman smiled shyly and offered her hand. "Good morning, I'm Laura Owens, happy to meet you."
Molly took the offered hand in hers and replied, "And good morning to you, ma'am. I'm Molly McClure, the owner of this fishing camp."
Both women felt as if they had taken hold of a live wire as they clasped hands. Molly's sparkling blue eyes merged with Laura's shimmering pools of green. Neither woman moved for a long moment, overwhelmed by the depth of feeling they were experiencing with one simple touch. Then a shout of "Hey guys, I think our guide is here" from inside the cabin jerked them from their emotional connection. Molly's face broke into a huge smile and Laura grinned back at her, white teeth gleaming. Both women suddenly felt that they had found a friend and deep down in their souls, something much more.
