CHAPTER 1
Widower Pete Kurtz turned the camper van into the driveway of the substantial home of Dr Neville and Mrs Cathy Stevens on Morningside Drive, Granite Bay in California, just west of Folsom Lake.
Sharon (20) screamed, "He's here!"
She raced out to greet her elder sister's lover.
Pete switched off the engine and took in the appearance of the approaching blonde beauty. She wrenched opened his door, obviously highly excited. So he joked, "Hi, you must be Sharon. Sorry I thought you'd be a kid. You surprise me."
Sharon heard those words and just lost it. She jumped at Peter and kissed him, full on the lips.
"Jesus Sharon."
"Don't you like being kissed?"
"Well not wet ones like that."
She pretended to be disappointed and said, "Oh well..."
"You are lovely Sharon and come in far above my expectations. God what a body."
Used to manipulating guys around her age she said, "So you admire my body?"
But Pete was awake to her. "Can it Sharon otherwise your sister will murder you."
Sharon giggled and made way for Nellie who flew in screaming, "Oh Pete, darling. Ohmigod, I can't believe you are here."
"Lying bitch, she knew to the minute when you'd be arriving and delayed to make the big entrance," Sharon said, retreating to stand beside her waiting parents while hoping to witness some display of lust from two lovers who'd been separated for three weeks or so.
No such display eventuated.
Nellie drew Pete from the cockpit and said, "Come meet my folk."
Pete, in trepidation, was dragged forward, or almost. God what if the parents rejected him on the spot?
Neville greeted him very solemnly, shaking hands and saying Pete should call him Neville.
Then came the breakthrough. Cathy, busty and modern looking for an older woman, threw herself at him, almost knocking Pete over, and kissing him full on the lips said, "Thank goodness you're here; Nellie has been a wreck and losing weight since she returned home."
"Er Mrs Stevens, I don't think you should be engulfing me like this, I mean not with your husband watching."
"Neville sought to marry an exciting woman and found me so knows what to expect from me."
"Er okay but could I have some air?"
Cathy let go and Pete sidled over to Nellie and they placed an arm round each other, looking a little like an old married couple.
Neville and Cathy looked at them approvingly whereas Sharon looked rather disappointed.
Sharon said, "Show me inside the campervan Pete."
She opened the door and waved her in.
"Come in Pete and let's try the bed."
He was mortified but Cathy smiled and said, "Just like her mom she's a big tease."
"Er go inside Cathy and try the bed."
Cathy shrieked in laughter and said he was so funny.
Pete said to Neville, "Take a look Neville. This one is small; I'm about to trade up."
"Thank you and thank you for not making suggestive comment about me hopping on to the bed with my wife or with my daughter."
Christ, though Pete. What that this guy's idea of humor?
When Neville entered the van Nellie who was standing outside with Pete said, "Why are you trading up?"
"To provide us with greater comfort."
"Us?" she said, with a quaver.
Peter knew this was it. He hoped the others would not emerge from the cabin or call him.
"My plan was to take you into Montana and then slowly head south for the winter. We discussed that."
"Yes, we did. But I didn't commit 100 percent. I have my career to consider."
Peter smiled and said, "That's okay Nellie. At your age you need to get your life sorted."
She looked at him steadily, "And you don't?"
"At least short-term I have committed to following the sun, er warmth. I'll not try to influenced you unduly; it's for you to decide."
Nellie slept in her own bed that night. Pete was given the guest room. During the night Sharon crept into his room. He stirred, hearing something, and she slid in beside him and said, "It's me."
Pete snapped into full awake mode and thought, the situation was suicidal.
"I'll not touch you Sharon and you being here is being disloyal to your sister."
"Aw, well you finger me and I'll suck you."
"No Sharon. Nellie and I have done some hard miles together and my loyalty is with her. Please understand that. I'm not rejecting you."
"I understand. Good night," Sharon said, sounding a little emotional.
Cathy, still awake, had heard someone walk past the bedroom. She slid out of bed to see who it was, hoping it was Nellie but fearful it was Sharon. She was just in time to see Sharon under the illumination of the nightlight, positioned almost at floor level, glide into the guest room.
Jesus, Cathy sighed, thinking what a mess. She was thinking she'd better go in and break it up when she heard the voices of the occupants of the guest room raise a little. She stepped back into her bedroom and watched as Sharon walked by muttering. Cathy said to herself you hero Pete and then wondered why was Nellie almost spurning him?
Cathy returned to bed and slipped into sleep, leaving that questioned unanswered.
The family and visitor related well during the next two days and then Pete went off looking for the upgrade. He'd done the research on the Internet and arrived back three days later with a beautiful two-year-old 42ft bus-like RV fitted out to sleep four with a 340hp diesel motor and all-leather interior and three slides (to increase floor space when the RV was parked).
Everyone viewed it and made appropriate noises of approval but it was Sharon who made the major impact.
"Can I travel into Oregon with you and Nellie?"
"Ask Nellie and then ask your mom for approval."
"Nellie?"
"I am still pondering my options. Do what you want."
"Mom?"
"Are you sure you want to travel alone with Pete. Think of your reputation?"
Sharon's bottom lip fell.
Pete swooped. "She doesn't travel without Nellie."
Nellie said, "I said I'm still deciding. I resigned two weeks ago and have to work another two weeks to work out my notice of resignation. You go Sharon."
Cathy squeaked, "Neville!"
But he was no help. "I'm staying out of this. It's a circus."
They all looked at Pete who shuffled and said, "I can't believe this. Sharon your mother is right, think of your reputation."
"I'll not be jumping into your bed if that's central to your thinking."
Pete pulled out his handkerchief and mopped his forehead. "Sharon, you don't understand."
Nellie broke the impasse. "Take her for seven days. She can bus back and make up on her lost classes."