R. is for The Mountain Girl (Chapt.3)

The Mountain Girl-
Chapter (3)
The Thicket

Jay, and Angel looked at their two children sleeping in the back of the
wagon. It had been a long day for all of them. Jess, and Beth had
worked hard for their age. She was 6 years old, and he was 12; each of
them carried pails of mud, and dried grass. They packed it, into the
crevices between the logs.

Angel was very excited about their new log cabin. She always loved it
here by the lake. She glanced over at the thicket, and thought, "that's
a dangerous place over there."

Jay noticed Angel, staring at the thicket. He said, "honey" let's go
over there, and burn that thicket. Jay told her, "I don't want you
worrying about the children every time they go outside." Angel watched
as Jay piled small pieces of wood, and dried grass under the vines. Her
mind drifted back into time.............................

Angel had never skinned a bear before. But, she was determined to keep
the fur it would make a fine coat. Angel never cared for bear meat it
was greasy, and tasted odd to her. But, then again she, didn't know how
to cook it. She decided she would dress it out like she did the deer.
Besides, it would be meat on the table, and out here; you had to be
thankful with what you, could get.

Angel ran back in the cabin, and checked on Jay once again, before she
started her task. He was still sleeping she, put her hand on his
forehead to see if he had a fever. He was warm to her touch, but not
hot, that was a good sign, she thought.

Jay was so good looking. He had black hair, and she remembered his
hazel eyes she, thought that was very unusual. He was slender, but yet
muscular, and had a nice tan.

Jay opened his eyes, and looked at her. Angel asked him, "how he, was
feeling"? He whispered, "I would feel much better if you would lye down
next to me." Angel said, "I can't! I have work to do, Jay!" She, was
shocked the nerve of him she, thought. She asked, "what about your
wife?" He muttered, "I don't have a family, let alone a wife". But you
told, "me".........

Jay cut her off; "Angel", please, lye down, and he pulled her to him.
Angel almost fell on top of him. He kissed her softly, and said, "O, my
beautiful Angel, I have fallen in love with you!" Angel was about to
say she loved him too. But noticed he, had fallen into a deep sleep.
She thought, "why" did he lie to me about having a family?

Angel quickly slid out of his arms. She grabbed her knife, and went
outside to prepare the bear for butchering. It was a long night she,
was tired she, could hardly keep her eyes open.

Angel strode over to the corral, and washed in the horse troth.

Angel went in the cabin, and glanced over at Jay. He was still
sleeping.
She got her old quilts out of the dresser drawer, and curled up on the
floor, next to the fire. As she was falling asleep she thought about
how nice it felt being in Jay's arms. She wondered if, "He did love
her! Because, one thing for sure she loved him!"

Jay opened his eyes, and looked around. He thought, "Where am I?" Then,
he remembered Angel, had come to his rescue. He said under his breath,
"she is my guardian Angel; without her I, would have died out there, or
that bear would have eaten me a live." A shiver ran down his
spine.

He had never in his 27 years met anyone like Angel, most women would
have been terrified to go out into the woods after dark. But, she was
not your ordinary woman. "She was something special", Jay,
thought!

Jay wondered if she, would have him when she, found out he had very
little to offer her. He peeked over the quilts she, was curled up by
the fire, like a kitten. She was sound asleep. He thought about getting
up, and carrying her to bed. But thought best of it. Besides, he had a
lot of respect for her.

Jay quietly slid out of bed he, had to go outside. He wanted to wash,
and put on clean clothes. He noticed she, had stitched him up again.
She had done a good job. He was sore but nothing he, couldn't
handle.

Jay stepped out into the fresh air and thought, "it sure is nice to be
alive." He walked over by the barn, and saw a trail of blood. "What is
this," he asked, himself? He laughed when he, realized what had taken
place.

Jay chuckled, and said, "Well, bear I see you got caught in your own
trap." He stared at the fur hanging in the tree. "Angel is quite a
woman," Jay, muttered.

Angel turned over, and opened her eyes she, thought, about all the
events that her taken place these last few days. She stretched out her
legs, her back, and arms were stiff she, could hardly move.

Angel remembered Jay, and thought, "she best be getting up, and check
on him." She raised up and looked over at the bed it was empty. Angel
said aloud, "not again!" He s left, and didn't even say goodbye, the
tears ran down her face.

Jay opened up the door, and walked in. "Angel", what's wrong? She
replied, "nothing!" He went over to her, and put his arms around her.
Angel, fell into his arms. Jay gently laid her down onto the bed. He
said, "You need rest!" Angel mumbled, "No, I'm fine, and she started to
raise up. Jay pointed his finger at her, stay in bed! "I am going to
take care of you", he, stated!

Jay made breakfast, and handed her the food. Angel tasted it, and said
"Jay, you would make someone a fine cook." He said, "really," and
laughed.

"Angel", what is your last name, Jay, asked? Angel told him, "Potter".
Jay said, "I am glad to meet you, "Angel Potter", you have saved my
life twice. I owe you my life!

Angel asked, and "you?" Jay asked, "if you would have me?" She smiled
to herself, and said under her breath, "I meant your last name".

I don't have much to offer she heard him say. Angel cut in, and told
him, "I'll take you Jay......... (There was a space in the air) Jay
mumbled, "Crabb". Angel repeated it, "Jay Crabb"!

Jay told her, "about his past, and how he lost his parents when he was
14 years old". How he, pulled up stake, and drifted around. Angel
proceeded to tell him, "how she, was left in the mountains to fend for
herself". They hugged each other.

Angel asked him, "if he, would pour her another cup of coffee"? Jay
replied, "I would do anything for you, Angel". She muttered, "well, Jay
Crabb sit down here, and lets tell each other some bare tales." They
both, roared with laughter. Jay took her into his arms, and said, "I
love you, Angel Potter!"

Angel mumbled aloud, "I love you to Jay, with all my heart!"

Jay glanced around did you say something Angel? I said, "I love you,
Jay!" He said, "I love you to Angel, and he set the thicket on fire."
They stood, and watched it burn. Jay asked, "You feel better now
honey?" Angel nodded and replied, "much better!!" They walked back to
the wagon, and climbed aboard.

Jay asked, "how about we all go swimming?" They were almost at the lake
when; Jess, and Beth popped up and said, "us too papa?" He replied,
"absolutely!" Jay stopped by the lake, and gently helped everyone out
of the wagon. They all grabbed hands, and wadded into the water.
(To be continued)

1