Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Adoré

   A Tale of Romance By The Star*

   Chapter Five - Rick

   Richard Steele--Rick--considered his years at UC Davis among the best of
his life.  OSU, where his brother was, wasn't a bad school at all, but he
thought Davis had the best animal husbandry program in the west.  And he
wanted the best.  He had in mind getting the ranch out of the beef
business, focusing on breeding stock for other ranches.  Oh, sure, they
would always sell the culls for beef, and that would be OK.  But he wanted
to learn how to breed superior cattle.  Cattle that ranchers would pay
enormous sums for.  That way, they would no longer need to worry about
commodity prices, or be at the mercy of the packing houses.

   Rick was also in love.

   He'd made one of his frequent visits to San Francisco--a group of
friends from Davis would go down for a weekend a couple of times a month.
This time he'd found himself in the art museum in Golden Gate Park. 
Standing there by the front door, admiring the huge bronze urn depicting
love of wine, he noticed the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen leaving the
museum.  She was a pure Scandinavian blonde, with the clear pale complexion
and nearly white hair of the far north.  Her face, in his opinion, was a
fit subject of poetry, even completely free of makeup as it was.  Her
clothing was eccentric--she was a 'Hippy,' with tie-dyed shirt and skirt,
sandals, hair in a clip, and no bra.  The clothing couldn't conceal that,
nor the exciting shape of her figure.

   As she passed him, she slipped, doing a prat-fall at his feet.  She fell
hard, her head hitting a paving stone with a lot of force.  When she just
lay there, Rick quickly stooped to help her up.  He rapidly discovered that
she was unconscious, with a nice goose egg swelling on her forehead.

   He'd seen the whole thing, though her fall was too sudden for him to
catch her.  He knew nothing was broken, so he turned her over and held her
in his lap.

   Attendance at the museum was low that day so it was a few minutes before
anyone else came by.  He asked the first who did if she would go in and get
him a damp cloth.  The woman whose head he was cradling had fallen and was
unconscious.  Concerned, the lady hastened to do that, and Rick was gently
wiping her face and the lump on her head when he saw her eyes flutter open.
Though she wasn't focusing, he could see that her pupils were equal.  No
concussion, then.

   When he looked again at her face, he saw that she was focusing now... 
and that her eyes were the pale blue of the summer sky at the ranch.

   Elin Gustafson had not had a good week.  She was majoring in art at USF.
She loved it.  But Tuesday her advisor had asked to have a talk with her.
He suggested that she switch to a 'more practical' major--with the
additional suggestion that she was a good draftsperson, but didn't have the
talent to make it as an artist.

   Then her mother had called to say that she'd met a man she adored and
was getting married that weekend in Las Vegas.  "No, don't come, dear.  I
don't want Johnny looking at any younger girls just yet." This would be her
mother's fourth husband, not to count a number of 'boyfriends' over the
years since her father had died.  "I'll let you know where I'm living as
soon as we settle someplace."

   Elin was thankful that her father had left college money for her, in
funds _she_ controlled.

   And then her roommate poured tequila into her goldfish tank, thinking it
was funny...  Six dead goldfish and a contaminated tank wasn't that funny.
Neither was a roommate who was drunk every weekend and usually brought home
some guy she'd only met a few hours before.

   For a treat, to lift her spirits, she'd gone to the museum.  Leaving,
she spotted a real hunk admiring the bronze urn.  Paying too much attention
to him, she didn't notice the piece of rotten fruit some kid had left on
the pavement.  She remembered her feet going out from under her...

   She awoke with her head in the hunk's lap and his gentle hands bathing
her face and head--which ached terribly, now that she thought of it.  His
face was frowning in concern as he looked deeply into her eyes.

   Elin attempted a smile.  It hurt, so her lovely lips just twitched up at
the corners.

   "Are you OK?  Can you talk?" the hunk asked her.

   "I think so," she murmured.  "What happened?"

   "You slipped on something and fell.  You hit your head pretty hard and
were out for a couple of minutes.  Do you want me to call an ambulance?  Or
can I take you to a doctor?"

   He sounded really concerned.  Like someone who cared.  She smiled up at
him.  "I think I'll be OK.  Would you help me up?"

   "Sure." He helped her to a sitting position, holding her steady.  A good
thing, because she saw whirling lights at the fringes of her vision.

   Standing, he held both her hands and helped her upright.  Since she
swayed against him and her knees almost gave way, he held her tightly to
him, so she wouldn't fall.

   "I think we'd better sit down again," he said.  "Think you can walk to
that bench?  That's it...  That one...  right there?" He almost carried
her. With his help, she made it to the bench and sunk down gratefully.

   "I really think you should have someone look at your head," he said.

   She replied, with a bit of strength in her voice, "I'll be all right.  I
just need to get home.  I can rest there."

   "Where's that?"

   "Over on Fillmore."

   "How did you get here?"

   "On the bus.  Don't need a car here."

   "Would you like me to help you home?"

   "That would be very nice of you.  Are you sure it's not too much
trouble?"

   "Not at all.  I was bored this afternoon, which is why I was at an art
museum alone.  My buddies wanted to start drinking early."

   "I'm afraid I'm not much excitement.  But I'm glad you're here to help
me."

   Getting her on the bus, once she was strong enough to walk to the bus
stop, was something of an adventure in itself.  He got really strange looks
from the driver and a couple of the passengers.  Everyone was relieved when
they got off at the stop near her apartment.

   Her place was a second floor walk-up in an old building, but was nicely
furnished in a 'new age' way.

   Once they were inside--her roommate was gone for the weekend--she asked,
"Can you stay a bit?  Make sure I don't pass out or something?"

   "Sure.  Happy to.  Although you seem a lot more steady on your feet than
you were a bit ago."

   "Yeah, I'm feeling pretty good, except for this rotten headache...  Can
I get you anything?  Glass of wine?  Beer?  Grass?"

   "Wine or beer.  I don't smoke."

   "Never?"

   "Tried it once.  Don't like being out of control, so I haven't used it
since.  Don't do more than a drink an hour, either.  Same reason."

   "Holy cow, not only handsome as can be, but straight, too.  How about
girls?"

   "Now there you got me.  I like girls.  Don't have one at the moment, but
that's 'cause I haven't replaced the last one yet."

   She brought him a beer and a glass, poured a glass of wine for herself,
and sat beside him on the sofa.

   "You don't sound, act or dress like you're from The City," she
commented. Where are you from?  And what brings you to town?"

   Rick started telling her about coming down for the weekend from Davis,
where he was an animal husbandry major.  That told her he was not a city
boy and she asked where he called home.  Then she had to hear all about the
Steele Ranch, its beauty and its setting and about ranch life.

   "You never even _dated_ until college?" She found that hard to believe.

   "No.  We didn't go to high school.  We were taught at home.  The nearest
girls were too far away to date."

   Unbelievable.  This guy had obviously made up for lost time, from the
things he'd said about girls at UC Davis.  And he was not some airheaded
kid doing college because his parents expected it.  He was a real gem--Elin
decided she wanted this one.

   Soon it was twilight.  Elin suggested they get something to eat.  "I can
cook, Rick, but there's a wonderful little Chinese place right around the
corner.  We can go there, or I can order takeout.  Either way, it's my
treat."

   "Let's go there and I'll pay," Rick offered.

   "No.  You've already done so much for me, feeding you is the least I can
do."

   "OK, but if you're going to pay, let's eat here.  I'd really feel bad if
I let you pay for me in a restaurant."

   _'OH GOD!  All this and a gentleman, too!'_ she thought.  "If that's
what it takes, it's OK with me." She called in their order, then brought
him another beer.  "About the time you finish that, our food will be
ready."

   Rick was enthralled.  He found the woman's conversation to be funny and
interesting.  And he soon realized that, though she was a free spirit and
very much her own woman, she was extremely intelligent.  He also discovered
that she was a genuinely nice person.  The nicest he'd ever known.  "The
milk of human kindness..." He seemed to recall a quotation with that in it.
That described Elin...  the inner Elin.  The outer was just downright
beautiful.

   After they strolled to the Chinese place and returned with their booty,
Elin preferred to eat on the sofa rather than at the table.  Rick turned
down her offer of another beer with dinner in favor of the tea that came
with it.

   When they had eaten enough, Elin moved to him and leaned her head
against him, pulling his arm around her.

   "That's nice.  Good food, good company, and good conversation.  Now a
warm arm around me to help the digestion...  Please tell me more about your
ranch, Rick.  It sounds so beautiful, I'd love to paint parts of it
someday."

   "Maybe you will, someday..." he said, launching into glowing
descriptions of his favorite places on the ranch.

   When he ran down, she looked at him.  "Rick, you said you don't have a
girl right now.  Maybe...  just for tonight...  could I be your girl?"

   He looked at her, trying to see if she was asking what he thought she
was asking.  Those beautiful blue eyes were looking at him with need in
them.  He already knew she was no tramp.  He moved to kiss her and was met
by lips softer than he'd ever felt, until they firmed and became demanding,
parting so her tongue could taste him.

   They moved to change the angle and her head brushed against his, causing
her to gasp when her bruised forehead bumped him.

   He backed off, afraid he'd hurt her.  She just looked at him a moment.
"It's all right.  You just brushed my bump.  It's still pretty sore.  You
know, we'll be a lot more comfortable in the bedroom, and I can get some
aspirin for my head."

   So matter of fact: They'd be more comfortable in bed and she'll get some
aspirin...

   He'd never met a girl like her.

   No games, no faked coy reluctance.  Just honest desire.

   She stood and held out a hand to him.  Taking it, he rose and let her
lead him into the bedroom, where she calmly removed her clothing and folded
it neatly on her dresser.  Naked, she looked even more beautiful than she
did clothed.  Her body would put most Playboy centerfolds to shame.  She
was just plain gorgeous.  Nonchalantly, she walked into the bathroom, took
two aspirin and brushed her teeth.  She gave herself a quick, tight grin.
This one was hers!

   In the bedroom, Rick was standing as she'd left him.  "Are you sure you
want to do this?" he asked her.

   "Only with you...  and only if it's what you want, too."

   Rick grinned and began shedding clothing.  "This country boy is all
yours, ma'am."

   In moments they were writhing together on the bed.  Somehow, Rick
entered her, though there was no moment he remembered when he did.  They
were so hungry, each wanting to devour the other.  The feel of her skin
against his was electric.  So soft, so smooth, and so sensuous; he'd never
experienced anything like it.

   Elin felt much the same.  This man created feelings in her that were
new. She was not a virgin, but she felt that she'd never made love before.
Without warning, an orgasm swept over her, wracking her with ecstasy.  As
he kept moving against her and in her, she felt another sweep over her. 
And then, incredibly, yet another.  She was gasping for breath, feeling
like she was drowning, when she felt him stiffen, then shudder deep inside
her.

   Elin wept for joy.  Everything before was just sex--this was making
love. She knew at last what it was all about.  And she felt a meeting and
melding of spirits with her lover's too.  Her search was over.

   She had found her mate.

   For his part, Rick was wiped out.  This was the most incredible sex he'd
ever known.  From a San Francisco hippy girl.  She was probably much more
experienced than him.  That could account for it.  But, even if she had
fifty lovers, he was glad to be one of them.  He'd be back, if she'd have
him.

   His next thought was that it was morning and he'd slept all night with
his arms around the most beautiful girl he'd ever met.

   The beautiful blue eyes were open and searching his face.  She sported
an ugly purple bruise on her alabaster brow, but she was still gorgeous.  A
tiny smile graced her very kissable lips.

   "Good morning, darling.  Would you like some coffee? ...  I'll be happy
to fix breakfast if you want."

   "Bless you.  I'd like that a lot.  Uh...  do you maybe have a razor I
could borrow?"

   Her laugh sounded to him like bells ringing.  "In the medicine cabinet.
New blades, too.  I just use soap, so there's no shaving cream, I'm afraid.
Go ahead and use my toothbrush.  I don't think we'll catch anything from
each other." _Except love,_ she thought.

   Shaved, brushed and dressed, he joined her in the kitchen, where she was
frying some bacon, buttering the toast, and had a half-dozen eggs ready to
fry.

   "Your coffee's right in front of you, dear," she said.  Noting his
stare, she blushed.  "Well, I can't very well cook bacon naked, now can I?"
She was wearing an old t-shirt and nothing else.

   When she served their breakfast and was sitting opposite him, she asked,
"When do you have to go back?"

   "What?"

   "When do you have to go back?  You know, to college?"

   "Oh.  Oh, yeah.  Ziggy wanted to leave about three.  That means between
three-thirty and four."

   "So I have you until you have to leave to get to where your friends are
staying?"

   "If I'm not in the way."

   "Oh, I hope very much that you're in the way...  a lot." She grinned at
him.  "Can I show you one of my favorite spots in the city?"

   "Sure."

   She took him to Union Square and led him into Gumps.  On the second
floor was an incredible collection of carved jade figures.  They spent
three hours admiring them, Elin discussing several of the pieces she'd
studied previously and researched.  Rick came away believing that she
really knew what she was talking about, when she discussed art.

   They took the cable car to Fishermen's Wharf and had lunch in a little
restaurant out of the tourist path.  Then they just wandered hand in hand,
until Rick had to go.

   Before he could ask, she said, "When will you be able to come again?"

   "I think I can make it in two weeks.  I'll drive myself, maybe cart a
couple of guys along to pay for the gas.  Would you have some time for me
that weekend?"

   "You can have me from Friday night until Monday morning, if you can stay
that long.  I'll kick my roommate out before then.  We'll have the place to
ourselves--if you don't mind staying in my apartment?"

   "Good heavens no.  It's a lot better than the places we usually flop. 
And lots better company."

   "You have my number?"

   "Yeah.  And you have mine," he said.  _You've got my number all right.
My number's up,_ he thought.

   On Tuesday, Rick visited a florist in Davis.  One with the FTD logo on
his door.  He sent her one long-stemmed red rose.

   Wednesday night she called him.  "Rick, that was so thoughtful of you. I
cried when I opened the box.  You are still planning to come down aren't
you?"

   "I wouldn't miss it," he declared.  "I only wish I could come this
weekend, too."

   "Oh, could you?" she breathed.

   "Only in my dreams, I'm afraid.  I have a big test Monday that I have to
study for.  It's a really important class."

   "I understand.  I'm just anxious to see you again."

   "Me too.  Thanks for the call."

   "Good night, dear," she said as she hung up.

   When her roommate finally came home, they had some words.  The roommate
moved out the next day.  She wasn't upset with Elin.  She knew Elin was an
exceptionally kind person, and that she had taken advantage of her kindness
outrageously.  She could move in with a guy she knew.  She'd be OK.

   Two weeks later, Rick arrived mid-afternoon on Friday.

   "My afternoon class was cancelled and I didn't see any point in
waiting," he explained.  "Besides, I want to take my favorite girl out to
dinner and maybe dance with her a little.  Say, you're even more beautiful
without that big purple lump on your head...  It was kind of fetching,
though."

   "Oh, you.  Where do you want to go?  Fancy or fun?"

   "Fun, by all means.  Do I need a jacket and tie?"

   "Not tonight.  But get your stuff out of the car--it's not safe to leave
it out there on the street."

   He retreated to his pickup and brought in a large suitcase and a garment
bag.  Seeing her expression, he said, "No, I'm not moving in.  I didn't
know just what we'd be doing and I wanted to be prepared for everything."

   "I wouldn't mind if you did move in," she murmured, mostly to herself.
"Well, the roommate moved out, so there's some room in the closet.  Hang
what needs to hang.  If you're comfortable in what you have on, that will
do.  I need to change though."

   As Rick went into the bedroom to hang his things in her closet, she
followed, and shucked her clothes as soon as she got in the room.  Turning,
Rick saw her naked figure, bending over the dresser, pulling out some fresh
underwear.  He walked over to her and caressed her body, reaching under her
to cup her breasts.  Sighing, she stood and leaned back against him, her
head against his shoulder, kissing him while he caressed her nipples.

   "You're so beautiful, honey.  You fill my eyes with beauty.  And when I
touch you, it's even more beautiful than you look.  My hands want to hold
you, touch you, know you..."

   "Yes dear.  I love your touch.  The touch of your eyes, knowing that you
take pleasure in how I look.  The touch of your hands, knowing that the
hands giving me so much pleasure are taking pleasure too...  This weekend,
let's touch a lot."

   "I'll do my part."

   "I know you will.  Now dear, let me go so I can dress.  Otherwise we'll
end up on that bed and never get our dinner--and I really want to dance
with you, too."

   Rick chuckled and backed up.  He sat on the bed so he could watch as she
dressed.  She liked him watching.

   He sure enjoyed the show.

   She took him to a small, neighborhood place.  The food was very good
ethnic Italian, the wine superb--with no hassle about their age--and the
little combo was fun to dance to, alternating sets of swing with slow
dances.

   Over dessert, Rick said, "You could tell that I'm eager to get in bed
with you.  But I have to say I'm glad you made me get out of the apartment
and brought me here.  I've enjoyed myself a lot.  So, thank you."

   Her dimples showed as she smiled at him, her eyes glinting.  "I've been
here quite often, but I've never enjoyed myself so much either.  So thank
you, too, dear."

   That night, she introduced him to the joys of oral sex--and taught him
how to please her with his mouth--after they made love conventionally. 
When he thought he was done for the night, she coaxed him to life one more
time with her mouth, then took him into her belly once more, this time with
him behind, spooned up to her.

   "Don't come, darling," she said.  "Just relax and sleep.  I want to
sleep with the feel of my lover in me, as your seed is in me.  I want your
arms to hold me and your hand to cradle my breast.  I want to feel the beat
of your heart against my body as I sleep secure in your arms.  If, during
the night, you need to come, go ahead.  Just don't pull out.  Hold me,
sleep in me.  Love me, darling."

   He did come in her during the night, the result of little rhythmic
contractions around him.  Though he was afraid he would slip out, her
tightness kept him firm enough.  He slept well, and woke in the morning
with his arm around her still.

   What woke him was the feeling of Elin having a little orgasm on him.  It
felt so good he thought he would soon come again.  When he started to move
in her, she asked him to move around in front.  She wanted him to kiss her
when he came.

   It didn't take long.  She came again, bringing him along with her. 
Their kiss was almost painful in its intensity, yet still very sweet.

   Elin lay back on the bed, a picture of freshly-fucked female, her hair
and face sweaty, her chest and shoulders flushed, and a big grin on her
face.

   "You can't know how wonderful you are!" she gushed.

   "Huh?"

   "I've never had dreams like last night.  Sleeping with you in me,
holding me, gave me the most intense dreams I've ever had.  I think they
were prophetic, too."

   "How's that?  What did you dream?"

   "Later...  Maybe I'll tell you later.  But that's a wonderful wakeup,
too.  And, didn't you come in me during the night?"

   "Yeah.  I did.  It was incredible, too."

   "I thought so.  I'm glad you did.  I wanted you to, if you could.  I
want you to feel free with my body.  Free to let it give you pleasure.  Oh,
darling, I'm so glad you did!"

   While she got up to put coffee on, he relieved the bladder pressure and
went back to bed.  She came back shortly with coffee for them both.

   "So, what are our plans for today?" Rick asked.

   "I thought I'd fuck your brains out, then feed you a little, then see if
I couldn't get you to fuck my brains out.  Then have lunch.  Then maybe
mess around and just make love.  And then see what else we might like to
do."

   They didn't get out of bed except to answer calls of nature or grab a
bite to eat until Sunday afternoon.

   At one point Saturday evening, Elin was riding upright on Rick, fully
impaled, her head thrown back and her marvelous breasts thrust straight
out. As she rocked on him she chanted, "I...  love...  you...  I... 
love... you...  I...  love...  you..." her chant rising to a scream as her
climax approached.

   When she collapsed on him, he pulled her up, kissed her throat, jaw and
lips.  Then he said, "Yeah, Elin.  And I love you, too."

   She raised her head to look in his face.  "Don't say that if you don't
mean it."

   "Oh, I mean it all right.  And not just when we're doing this.  I love
you on the bus, or in the little Chinese place.  I love you holding my hand
while we walk through Peacock Lane.  I love you making breakfast nude.  And
dressing with me watching.  And I love you talking to me.  You are the most
fascinating woman I've ever met--including my mom, who is downright
fantastic.  I love to look at your beauty.  But even more, I love the
beauty on the inside."

   Elin wept tears of joy.  He loved her!  He was her man!  The Hippy in
her made her ask, "Do you love me just when we're together, or do you want
me all to yourself?"

   "Elin dear, I haven't thought about it that way.  I'm thinking out loud
here, so bear with me and help me out, OK?  I know I'm a lot happier when
I'm with you.  And that's not just lust or loneliness talking.  I'm not
lonely.  And yeah, you turn me on something fierce.  But you make me want
to be with you and take care of you, too.  I find I'm counting the hours
until I see you again when we're apart.  If you're willing, I want you just
for me.  I promise to be exclusive, too.  And Elin..." She looked up again
at his change in tone.  "I want you forever."

   She gasped.  This was going a lot faster than she'd expected--or even
dared to hope.  But the result was just what she wanted, so she didn't
hesitate.

   "Oh, yes darling.  YES!" She dropped her eyes, demurely.  "Does this
mean you'll let me live with you?"

   He saw the joy in her eyes and had to say, "To be fair to you, I think
you should visit the ranch before you make a commitment.  You're a city
girl.  My life can be awfully lonely, even though I've never felt that
way."

   "But won't you be there?"

   "Sure, but I'll be out all day--and sometimes overnight.  Raising cattle
is hard work."

   "OK.  When do you want me to go to Oregon with you?"

   "Honey, you can't just drop everything and take off."

   "Can't I?  For this I can.  If you ask it of me, I'll move to wherever
you want me today."

   "No need for that just yet.  I still have a year of college--and you
have two years, don't you?"

   "I have two more years to get an art degree from USF.  I recently
learned that the degree doesn't matter.  I'll finish the year, then I'll go
to Oregon with you.  Next fall, I'll transfer to UC Davis, if they'll
accept me.  I'll change my major to education--maybe I can teach art in an
Oregon high school?  And when you go home to stay, I'll go with you,
whether I have a degree or not."

   "Honey, I love you.  And I'm very flattered that you'd throw aside your
dreams like that for me.  But I'd feel I'd cheated you if I let you do
that. We can make it work.  Finish what you started."

   "Rick," she said, forcefully, "you're my dream...a lot more than
painting pretty pictures of Fishermen's Wharf for the tourists!"

   When Rick left for Davis that Sunday evening, he'd committed to
returning the following Friday, as early as he could make it.

   The next day, Elin applied to transfer to UC Davis for her junior year,
as an education major.  Her acceptance came two weeks later and she
gleefully showed it to her lover, who was as pleased as she.

   On a practical note, Rick did two things.  He arranged for an apartment
for the next school year.  And, in one of his infrequent calls to his
mother, told her he was bringing a girl home, when he came home for the
summer.

   Hazel was euphoric for two days.  She knew Rick dated at school and even
bedded the girls he took out.  But it seemed that he was more driven to
learn and get good grades--that and the ranch and his ideas about breeding
cows--than he was in chasing girls.  That he'd found a girl who interested
him that much made her very happy--for him--being a parent who took greater
joy in the accomplishments of her children than in her own.

   Then the thought that he'd taken up with a bar girl or stripper occurred
to her--and shook her to the core.  Her boys didn't have a whole lot of
experience with women, after all...

   By this time, the end of the school year was only three weeks away. 
Elin and Rick happily admitted that they were addicted to each other... 
and not just to the endorphins from great sex.  One weekend, when Elin had
an especially painful period, Rick was perfectly content to hold her and
stroke her at night, and go shopping or sit in her apartment and talk
during the day.  Merely being together met their need.

   Finals week finally arrived.  Rick had no worries about that.  He wasn't
a straight A student, but his grades were solid.  He did well enough and
had earned the respect of most of his teachers.  He'd be OK.

   Elin finished a week before him.  She packed up her belongings in boxes,
and 'camped out' until her man came for her.

   After his last test, Rick jumped into his pickup and made a speed run to
The City.  They made love for the last time in the apartment and loaded her
things into the truck.  Rick joked, "If I knew I'd be hauling this much
stuff, I'd have bought a higher canopy." Elin joyfully whacked his arm and
told him he just needed to pack it in better--then proceeded to show him
how.

   Back at Davis, they put most of her things, with his, into storage. 
Rick showed her the apartment he'd leased for the fall.

   Rick had more baggage for the trip to the ranch--including all of his
bedding and a huge pile of dirty laundry.  When Elin teased him about it,
he said, "Mom is having a conniption about me bringing you home.  If I
don't bring laundry, she'll think I have a fever or something."

   They laughed and joked and sang goofy songs on the trip north.  Elin was
awed by the wild beauty of the Siskiyous, and the more desolate beauty of
the country around Klamath Falls.  As they made their way north to Bend,
she saw the pine forests and forested grazing land of that part of the
state.  She marveled at the granite and lava outcroppings and the dryness
of the soil, in spite of the green of the view.

   Rick explained that the Cascades were 'young' mountains, geologically
speaking, and that they were part of the Pacific 'ring of fire.' Then he
had to explain that.  It was a wonderful trip.  Rick would normally have
driven straight through, but he wanted his girl to see his home for the
first time in daylight, so they stopped for the night at a Motel 6 on the
edge of Bend.

   Elin's lovemaking was inspired, that night.  Rick asked her what brought
that on, while they were cooling down, snuggled together.

   "I'm going home with my man," she stated simply.  "I know we have
another year of school, but you're taking me home...  Oh, Rick!  I'm so
happy!" She hugged him fiercely to prove it.

   In the morning, after breakfast at Denny's, they hit the road again.  No
hurry, they had all day to get there--and they'd arrive in time for lunch.
Up the highway to Sisters, Elin enjoyed the mountain scenery as they
climbed the east flank of the Cascades.  Rick stopped for gas and a coke at
Sisters.  He didn't really need gas, but he wanted Elin to see the little
town.  While he was getting the pickup's tanks topped off, Elin made
friends with the elderly couple who owned the gas station and convenience
store.

   Yesterday in Bend, and this morning in Sisters, Rick discovered
something new about this woman who, he freely admitted, he loved deeply. 
Her beauty attracted attention, but people soon forgot her appearance,
except that it was pleasant, when they got to know her.  She was just a
very nice person.  Within minutes, everyone was her friend.

   From Sisters, they had to contend with thirty miles of pretty marginal
county road.  Elin didn't mind.  She was busy drinking in the beauty of the
place and reconciling its beauty with its loneliness.  It was very
different from anything she'd ever known.  But she found it wonderful, not
frightening.

   Soon Rick said, "Well, what do you think of the ranch?"

   "Where?"

   "Everything on your side of the road is Steele Ranch."

   "But, this is just more forest."

   "Yeah.  But it's Steele Ranch, all the same.  I told you the place was
big.  We'll get to the ranch headquarters in a few minutes."

   They soon came to a mailbox, made from an oil drum painted black and
mounted on its side on posts, with a wooden door on the front.  Block white
letters said that this was, indeed, Steele Ranch.  Rick turned into a
narrow drive that wound around a small, grassy knob.  Revealed in the
hollow was a large Victorian-looking house, three huge barns, and some
other sheds and buildings.

   Her artist's eye was captivated.  It was perfect!  With a big smile on
her face, Elin was almost bouncing on her seat with excitement.

   "Oh, Rick.  I can see why you love this place.  It's wonderful!" she
gushed.

   "Yeah.  And it's home, too," he said, laconically.  "Let's get in the
house.  It's lunchtime and mom likes to eat on time.  We can unload the
stuff after."

   Hazel and Ad came out of the house to greet them.  Marty and Adoré were
in finals week, and would come home Saturday.

   Seeing Elin for the first time, Hazel thought she looked like a candle,
burning a clean clear flame, with her Nordic blonde beauty.  She put a big
smile on her face and went to her with her hands outstretched.  Taking
Elin's hands in hers, she said, "I can see why Rick is captivated.  You're
beautiful.  Welcome to Steele Ranch."

   "Thank you.  I'm very glad you let me come.  Rick has told me so much
about this place--it's so much a part of him--I just had to see for myself.
I'm not disappointed."

   "I was just ready to put food on the table.  Come on inside and eat. 
We'll talk; Rick can show you around afterwards."

   Before the meal was over, Ad and Hazel loved the blonde girl as if she
was their own.

   After lunch, they unloaded the pickup, stashing their things in Rick's
room.  "We'll need a bigger bed.  No problem, dad and I will swap this for
the one in a guest room."

   Elin grinned slyly.  "What makes you think I'm going to let you get that
far away from me?"

   "Oh, you won't get far," Rick joked back at her.  "I was just thinking
of a bigger playpen."

   "Darling?  Won't your parents be upset if I sleep in here with you?"

   "Not at all, honey.  They know we're lovers and expect us to sleep
together.  If you'd be more comfortable with your own room, you can have
one.  But don't do it on account of the folks."

   He showed her around the house and instructed her on the idiosyncrasies
of the shower.

   Then they took a walk around the headquarters area, where Rick pointed
out the buildings and explained their purpose.  "Those two barns are for
storing hay and feed for the winter.  We store a lot of hay in big piles
out on the range, too, so the cows can get to it during the winter.  That
barn is for the horses, and includes a small indoor arena for exercising
the lazy beasts during the winter.  Over there's the bunkhouse.  Right now
we have three hands, besides family..."

   Elin was wearing an ankle length dress, made of a circle of light
cotton. The top was attached to a hole in the center of the skirt, a part
of it, and was form-fitting.  The whole thing was in psychedelic, tie-dyed
colors.  One wouldn't think it appropriate for walking around in barns and
sheds of a western ranch, but on her it seemed right.

   Spying the foundations and raw earth of Marty's homesite, she walked
over to see.  "Oh, this is a lovely spot Rick.  What's this?"

   "That's where my brother, Marty, is building his house.  He and Adoré
still have two years of college, so they're taking it in stages.  They'll
do the framing and roof this summer.  Then next summer they can do the
interior.  That way, it will be ready for them when they come home to
stay."

   Her educated eye picked the floorplan out from the foundation's shape.

   "This will be a wonderful house," she declared.  "I think Adoré will
love it."

   Rick smiled at her.  "I know she will.  She picked the site and hired
the architect."

   Elin smiled.  She would not ask--yet--for Rick to build her a house. 
They'd live together this year--and she'd hope for the best.



   *(c) 2001 Extar International, Ltd.  All rights reserved.  Single copies
for personal, non-commercial use may be downloaded or printed.  Any other
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