Second Chance for Eternity CH1.

Mira was looking forward to the camping trip. She knew just where to go to get his attention. After all these years it would be… interesting to see his face. Had he changed? Did he look older or more distinguished. For the first time in three years she had finally begun thinking about dating, with one very unusual exception. Him, only him. After the accident she had been consumed in grief, cutting herself off from friends and family alike. Shutting herself out from the world and wallowing in such a deep depression that she was still unsure how she had escaped that dark swirling world. She just remembered waking up one day, thinking she needed a shower. After she got out, the water having cleansed her of more than just the weeks of sweat and tears, she continued to go on auto pilot.

She hired someone to collect all the things out of her home that weren’t solely hers and put them in storage. Someday she would go there and go through it, when they wouldn’t trigger a complete relapse. She returned to work, using the days spent writing articles and books about others lives to escape her own bleak reality. And so her life went until two weeks ago. She needed a vacation, away from shadowy ghosts lurking around the familiar corners of her home. So off to her home town on the Oregon coast. She was actually looking forward to the cooler climate, long hours with nothing to do but bask in the cool wind and cooler sun on the beaches. Once there she had found some of her old friends, scheduled some fun outings and coffee dates, enjoying the free time for the first time in what felt like eternity. And that is how she got roped into the camping trip, surrounded by smiling faces waiting to hear a positive answer, she capitulated and agreed. A weekend spent away from it all, as she had so enjoyed as a child, would be fun.

That’s when she had heard his name. The one name that, years ago, would have sent her running for the hills in a desperate need for escape. Leeland. It was that man that had first captured her heart as a young girl, that man that had broken it and ruined her for a long time afterward. She remembered that he had never given her a real answer as to why he was ending it, after a weekend of passionate lovemaking mind you. Nope, nothing but an obscure comment about it ‘not mattering any more’. What was she supposed to make of that? As with any young heart she had assumed he had tired of her, thinking her too young and immature to waist his time with any longer. That perhaps somewhere there was another woman warming his bed and occupying his thoughts. Someone more experienced, more sultry and less innocent.

She had heard that he was to be camping himself this weekend, in the same spot he had taken her to with his friends. And like all those years before, he would once again be surrounded by his same friends. Well, she thought slyly narrowing her eyes, it was time to show him what he had left behind. To show him, what he may have again. She doubted any of the friends he had with him would remember her, after all fifteen years had a way of changing the way one looked. For her it had shaped and smoothed her into a sleek toned mass of auburn waves, honeyed skin, and supple curves designed to drive any man wild with want. She had sculpted her body with rigorous exercise. She spent hours in her garden at home under the desert sun tanning her skin to the perfect shade of creamy latte. Her skin was pampered with thick creams and soft perfumes. Her nails were perfectly manicured and polished with deep burgundy tones. But most of all her almond eyes were dusted with shimmering gold, coffee, and coal and her lips plumped with softening colorless gloss. The overall effect had been perfect. She looked every bit the part of a golden summer goddess surrounded by dark swirling tresses that usually fell to her waist.

The day had finally come and with her two friends in tow and privy to her plan she set off in the Camaro, top down, and smiled a perfectly white smile. She had dressed in her favorite canary yellow bikini, covered it with a sexy chocolate t-shirt that she had slashed and weaved down the back to reveal as much skin as possible. Her feet were strapped into a pair of flat bottomed beaded sandals that showcased her brightly painted toenails. She went without her jewelry, because really it would serve no purpose other than catching the sun. Instead she left her hair pinned up on top of her head in a haphazard falling down mess that swirled and framed her face in a sexy style she loved. Jenn was sitting sideways in her seat having gone onto the dirt roads long ago, and was gesturing wildly to Mallory in the backseat, who was laughing at whatever Jenn had said. Mira smiled as she looked at the two. They were of the few friends she had that were still single and unattached. They dated sure, but neither had found Mr. right. Considering their requirement factors they would probably never find him around here. Of course they were also a few years younger than her, in their mid twenties, so they still had plenty of time.

She was speculating on what she would say when she got to where they were going, smiling secretively to herself, and played the scene out in her head. She briefly entertained herself with a picture of his face with a jaw dropping expression of astonishment when he saw her. Before too long she came to the turn off and slowed down a bit so she wouldn’t miss the trail. It was a steep trail that led down from the road to a large clearing beside the river. You could easily see the road from the site but the bush lined edge made it hard to see the site from the road. She could see a bit of campfire smoke off in the distance as the road bent around a large corner and smiled wider at the fact that they were obviously cooking something, which meant that they were all there. The girls and her had purposely left later in the day so as to catch them off guard. Slowing down as she went around the corner, she watched closely. Knowing that if she went slow enough her plan would have the effect she wanted, three young girls looking for a camping spot.

Finally she came to the head of the trail and turned to the now giggling girls beside her. She smiled evilly and got out, shimmied her bottoms back down to her hips and tightening the ties on the bottom of her shirt to synch it up onto her waist. The warm expanse of skin of her flat stomach revealed. She wiggled her hips for effect, getting a whooping laugh from her friends that was guaranteed to catch the attention of the camp below, and then sashayed her way to the trail head. She began the decent slowly, its steep path dotted with ferns and small sticks. Then she calmed herself with deep breaths just before coming out at the bottom. Every head turned to her, talking stopped and a few appreciative smiles greeted her enthusiastic one. There was one face missing, but a few tents were pitched about so he could be in one. She raised her hand in greeting and proceeded towards the group, plan A activated.

“Hi! I was looking for a good camping spot for me and my friends. Do you guys know of any?” She made an obvious show of taking in their campsite. Knowing they would assume she was scouting out the space. A few of the younger guys met her face with an unspoken open invitation, stating obviously with their appreciative leers that she would be more than welcome in their tent. She broadened her smile and ignored them, focusing on an older man who seemed to be in charge.

“No.” Instead of coming from the man she had set her sights on, the deep and familiar voice, came from behind her. She froze inside, knowing that it was who she had come to see. Slowly she let her smile fade, and began to turn. She kept her breathing easy and when she finally faced him, kept her expression schooled. She looked up into a face that hadn’t change a bit. The only difference was that now a darkness was in those deep chocolate eyes, and it was more than a bit unsettling. Feigning indifference she smiled coolly.

“Ok, we’ll head down the road then.” She stepped aside and was irritated when he gave her a wide berth, as if afraid to touch her. He watched her go as a few shocked gasps sounded behind them and more than one protest followed. He held a hand to quiet them before following her. She knew he was because she could not only feel the daggers he shot at her, but she could hear the slight steps he took behind her. She had only gotten about halfway up when a hand shot out and gripped her arm tightly, sufficiently stopping her and half turning her at the same time.

“What do you think your doing?” Not the way she had pictured their meeting at all she let the cheery façade go, pasting on a blank expression.

“Just looking for a place to camp.” It was the truth, just not the complete one.

“Really?” the bored tone he used suggested he saw through her, his hand letting her go, crossing his arms as he leaned his weight on his left foot.

“Yeah, really.” she shot back as she turned the rest of the way, not caring if she sounded a bit angry.

“And you just picked this place randomly?” he turned his lips up in a humorless smirk.

“Yes! How was I to know you would be here? It’s not like you’re the only one to camp here, everyone knows about it.” She knew questioning him like that was about the only way to keep from lying, she never had been able to lie well.

“Yes, how would you know?” he looked down as he whispered the question more to himself than to her then his gaze traveled back up to her face, taking a leisurely stroll up her body. She stood unflinching, wanting him to look his fill and know what she had to offer now. She was unprepared for the heat that blazed in his eyes though. It wasn’t the shocked appreciation she had expected, instead it was angry want that stared back at her through his eyes. She frowned at that, then let a smile form on her lips. She raked her eyes over his body in the same slow fashion letting the want blaze in her eyes.

“No matter, it was definitely worth my time. You look…good.” She let her eyes come to rest on his once more, unwavering from the direct stare.

“You’ve a husband, your eyes should not be wandering.” His statement cut deep, unexpected, and she was quick to cover it up. But not before he caught it.

“Not any more. Bye.” She turned ready to leave before the hurt resurfaced.

“Divorced you, huh?” The smug tone had her biting the sharp retort that coated the tip of her tongue. Instead she turned, not taking care to cover the hurt and fury this time.

“No, dead. Along with the rest of my family!” She turned sharp as his face registered shock and a bit of sorrow? But before she could take even one step to get away from him, knowing instinctively she had to before the dark seething wave of emotion crashed over her, his hand once again gripped her arm but gently this time. Turning her against her will as she tried to slap his hand away.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Please, don’t be upset.” He tried to turn her to face him but she pulled away.

“Let go!” Finally turning her face to him she unleashed the fury inside on him, aiming for his heart with her words.

“That’s right! You don’t know! I only came back because I was looking for a distraction from the past. From the only person other than my husband who ever held my heart. But I can see that venture is just a young girls’ fantasy!” She clamped her mouth shut as a single tear fell from her perfect face, not realizing it had even run down her cheek. He reached for her but missed as she scrambled backwards, tripping over the uneven ground with a look of shock on her face for having spoken the truth. She turned and ran, not caring if he followed or not. She took the last few feet at a run and jumped into the front seat, ignoring the shocked looks she got from her friends as she turned the key and gunned the engine into gear. Dirt and rocks sprayed the road behind them as she shot forward and raced down the road.

After what seemed like a few miles she slowed down and crossed the bridge over the river, glad to have escaped him and her past. Her friends had been silent up till now and she glanced at them out of the corner of her eye. They were both watching her intently.

“Bad idea, all around.” she said, as if that explained everything. They didn’t ask, and for once she was glad they weren’t inquisitive like her other friends back home. They would have needled her and poked until they’d gotten answers.

“Well… lets not waste the weekend. There are a few spots up here somewhere to camp and get some sun. I know a spot where we could even take a nightly swim.” She waggled her eyebrows at her intended meaning. They relaxed and Jenn even laughed shaking her head. Glad to lighten the mood, she reached over and turned on the radio, twisting the volume up to blaring as the deep thumping bass filled the air around them.

Before long they came to a clearing where they could park and after she showed them the narrow path to the campsite, they began unpacking their stuff and setting up camp. The daylight had lowered to near twilight by the time they had pitched the tents and gathered enough firewood to get dinner started. Mallory had the salad already made by the time the other two had gotten the fire going and the chicken out. Mira placed the thick pieces of boneless skinless on the small grill over the glowing coals and seasoned the upside before placing a piece of tinfoil over it to help it cook faster. Jenn had found some hickory and sliced think strips off the small branch to let smoke over the coals. The smells combined made their stomachs growl. They talked for a while of things past and things they wanted in the future before finally deciding to turn in for the evening.

Jenn and Mallory agreed to have a small drink before bed while Mira wanted to bathe. They thought her crazy for trekking down the river by herself at night, but the promise of cool water to combat the humid summer heat was more that she could resist. She followed the shallows for a while before coming to the deeper pool she knew was there. There was a log that had fallen across the river long ago and the water tumbling over had eventually carved a waist deep pool into the river bed below it before flowing down farther and becoming shallow again. She used to swim here as a child, long before she was able to stand in it. She slipped off her sandals and un pinned her long hair, letting it fall down her back before stripping off the shirt. Grabbing up her small tote with a bar of soap and some small bottles of biodegradable shampoo and conditioner she waded into the water. The cool wet level rising on first her calves and then her thighs had her sighing in relief. The was a long low branch that hung out over the pool and offered a nice spot to hang the tote and she untied the bikini top. After hanging her bathing suit on the branch she plunged herself under the water, holding her breath as the flow of water cascaded over her and fanned her hair out behind her.

She reluctantly stood her hair now plastered to her back and lathered the bar of soap in her hands. She replaced it to the tote and began running her hands over her body, lathering the slick suds over hips and smooth stomach. She ran her hands up her arms, across her shoulders and on the back of her neck under her hair. Once again dipping beneath the surface to rinse the suds, she emerged to get a really odd feeling. Like she was being watched. She kept herself below the surface, only letting her head above it and watched the shore. Nothing moved. The trees cast shadows beneath them and the large rocks were big, but not enough for someone to hide behind, she hoped. Waiting a few more minutes, she finally stood and shrugged the feeling off to being alone at night. Even so she kept her hips beneath the water as she washed her hair. Finally finished she used the shampoo to wash her dripping suit and tied it back on, intent on changing once back to camp. She walked back to the shore, feeling the weight of her body return as she left the water.

She was just toeing on her shoes when she had that feeling again, trying to ignore it she nearly screamed when the sound of foot steps came from behind her. She whirled around to see a dark shape emerging from the shadows beneath the trees, fear licking its way up her belly and into her lungs making it hard to breath. She shrank back stumbling blindly back to the trail, but just as she was going to turn and run the moonlight shone on his face and her fear turned to anger. The man standing before her was non other than Leeland. She stopped and placed her hands on her hips, realizing he must have been there the whole time.

“Enjoy the show?” she bit out between clenched teeth.