Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 CHAPTER 05



   Duncan had no more than pulled back out onto the road to town, when a
City of Ritzville Police Patrol car slammed on it's breaks as it passed
them going the other way.  Making a tire screeching U-turn it spun its
tires accelerating back behind them.  Duncan slowed, figuring to pull over
and let him go by when the Patrol Car's lights started flashing.  But after
pulling over and stopping, a shocked Duncan watched him pull up behind the
motorhome and stop.  With his eyes fixed on the left outside mirror, he
suddenly fell back onto his seat.  "Oh, shit..." A startled Helen looked at
him wide-eyed.  It was the first time she had heard him use language that
couldn't be heard on the radio.  Unless you counted what was said while
they had been making love.  "Helen, I may be in the soup.  If so, I need
you out of the soup so you can help me on the outside.  Don't jump in and
demand equal time, please." With eyes big as saucers, Helen recognized a
town cop, wearing a pair of mirrored sunglasses stop outside the drivers
side window.  "Oh, no," she gasped, immediately identifying the big tough
who had hustled her last night.  The guy Duncan had dropped to the tavern
floor, the one they had left lying on that same bar floor, unconscious. 
Duncan rolled his window down and the cop in a brusque, emotionless voice
asked, "May I see your Driver's License sir?" Helen had never seen such an
emotionless face in her life.  Her heart sank, wondering what this small
town thug must be like with the law behind him.  "Thank you, Mr. 
Handsworth," the cop growled as he handed the card back.  Then suddenly his
face broke out into a grin.  "Hey, there's no way I can keep this tough cop
charade going.  I wanted to stop and thank you for last night; and no, much
as I look like it, that wasn't me at the bar last night.  I've been looking
for you all morning to thank you.  Folks told me last night that you were
expecting to be around town for a couple days getting the lady's car fixed
at the station.  Is that right?" "What is this all about, Officer?" asked
Duncan.  "Were charges filed after the ruckus last night?  If I thought
there was going to be a problem I would have stayed at the bar a while
longer." "Well Mr.  Handsworth, my brother finally lost it, after some real
shit was thrown at him over the last few weeks.  I've been trying to baby
sit him, but I was out on call when the divorce papers were delivered to
him by the bimbo's attorney yesterday afternoon.  I was hoping to keep the
final explosion private, but my wife said he just grabbed his hat and went
out the door.  Never said a word to my wife about where he was going.  He
was long gone before I got back home.  Chester's been staying with us since
he caught the twit he married in bed with the town drunk.  Ever since she's
been tossing accusations at him, and her lawyer has tied up everything my
brother owns." "My brother, bless his soul," the cop continued, "still
loves that hussy bitch.  She was his high school sweetheart, and he has yet
to see how she's changed over the past eight years.  Chief Traynor, our
police chief, has put him on furlough until he can get himself together. 
If you two hadn't been able to handle him last night, I would have had to
take him to jail.  He's a damn nice guy usually, but at that moment he was
off his gourd.  If he'd spent the night in the iron-bar motel, especially
for assault, his police career would be over.  That's all he has ever
wanted to do, really." "This morning, he can only remember bits and pieces
of last night.  When he started to bring some of the pictures up in his
mind this morning, he went into the bathroom and threw up.  Sounds crazy to
say this, but I think you saved a good man.  I'd like to buy you folks a
cup of coffee, if I may.  My name, by the way, is Everett.  Can I call you
Duncan, Mr.  Handsworth?" Duncan held his hand out to shake Everett's hand.
"No real thanks needed, Everett, but we'll take you up on the coffee, if it
includes a doughnut or two.  And by the way, my friend here is Helen
Conningham.  Lead on, Officer Everett.  We'll follow." Everett led them to
a happy, cheerful looking diner downtown.  He pointed out a spot to park
the RV, and met them at the door, holding it open for them as he ushered
them inside "Hey Clarice, you got a pot of fresh coffee, or is that still
the one you made for yesterdays lunch crowd?" he called out as he sat them
in a booth in the brightly painted, well lighted café.  "Ev, you wouldn't
know bad coffee if I fed it to you.  I've got a nice fresh pot, and I'll
poor a cup for your friends.  Give me a minute and I'll get out the
crankcase oil you usually drink," a sweetly smiling, matronly waitress
answered from behind the counter.  "Do you folks want high octane, or
unleaded?" she directed at Duncan and Helen.  "We'll take the octane,"
Helen answered for the two of them.  Then looking at Duncan, "Unless you
want tea, Duncan." "Hey, I've got water so hot it's banned on Sundays,
English Breakfast Tea and a couple flavors of herb teas.  Whatever you
prefer," the waitress called back.  "What ever's easiest," Duncan called
back.  When the waitress brought over the coffee, Everett introduced them.
"These are the folks who kept Chester out of trouble last night, Clarice.
Thought the least I could do would be buy them a cup of coffee.  What do
you have in the way of doughnuts or Danish?" After Clarice had delivered
their orders, Everett excused himself a moment to check in with the
dispatcher.  When he came back the three of them just fell into
conversation like they had been friends for years.  Everett filled them in
on the history of Ritzville.  When asked he suggested some stops they might
want to make for photography.  Clarice kept coming by to refill their cups,
adding something to the conversation each time she stopped at their table.
It seemed to be a popular spot, with townspeople stopping by in what seemed
to be a regular schedule.  Before Duncan and Helen were aware of it, they
had been drinking coffee and eating doughnuts for almost an hour.  The
conversation seemed to be coming to a natural close when the door opened
and Chester, the guy they had run into last night stepped into the café. 
The first Duncan knew of it was when Everett waved his hand, "Hey, we're
over here, brother.  Grab a cup and come on over." Duncan eased himself
back a bit in his seat, and stared accusingly at Everett who grinned back
at him sheepishly.  Clearing his throat, Everett said, "Duncan, I'm sorry
but you might not have stayed if I told you my brother was coming.  I
guarantee you won't regret staying." "Regret what, Ev?" asked Chester
arriving at the table.  "My sticking around to meet you this morning,"
Duncan replied for him.  Chester looked down at the floor as he turned to
pull out a chair.  Duncan noticed he was limping.  "I'm sure glad you did
stay.  I have to thank you for last night." Both Helen and Duncan just
looked at him.  "Ma'am, I have to apologize to you, too.  I just seemed to
go crazy for a while.  I really ain't that kind of man, but...  Oh hell,
things just haven't been too stable for me the last few weeks," Chester
said to Helen.  He didn't seem to be able to look her in the eye.  "By the
way, my lout of a brother hasn't introduced us.  I guess you folks know my
name, now.  It's Chester.  But what can I call you folks, except
exceptional?" "Oh, sorry Chester," spoke up his brother.  "Helen, Duncan
this is my brother.  Chester, this smart gentleman is Duncan Handsworth,
and the lady is Helen Conningham.  Say hello, and do some groveling, big
brother." "You got that right, Ev," spoke Chester.  "And Mr.  Handsworth, I
want to thank you for going easy on me last night.  It couldn't have been
easy for you, 'cause I know I look pretty imposing.  But all you left me
with was a sprained knee.  The headache came from the booze, I think.  I
seldom drink, maybe even more seldom now, but I had a right skin full last
night.  Damn it!  I made a fool of myself.  Course as our daddy used to
say, we're the only ones can do that, make fools of our own self.  Then
he'd tell us to try to do something a bit more constructive, making a fool
was too easy.  He sure got that right!" Helen and Duncan soon found
themselves relaxing and enjoying Chester's company.  All to soon, Everett
had to excuse himself to get back to his patrolling and Chester told his
new friends he had to leave also.  The brothers were sincere in asking to
see the two again before they left town.  Seeing the morning had already
disappeared, Duncan asked Helen if she wanted to meet him in a couple hours
after he got his chores accomplished, say 1:00 for lunch here.  He had a
couple things to get done, and he was sure Helen would be happier shopping
without dragging him along as an anchor.  Helen smilingly agreed, chuckling
to herself about the way all men shied away from shopping.

   - - - - It was after 3:00 when Duncan tucked Helen's arm in his before
they ducked into the small café where they had enjoyed coffee that morning.
Both were tired.  It seemed to Helen that she and Duncan had walked every
street in town at least three times.  Helen was amazed at how many really
interesting photos they had found to shoot in the little town.  Even more
amazing were the number of shots they had taken the second, third and in
some cases the fourth time they walked down a particular street.  It seemed
every time they returned they individually and separately found new things
they thought could be turned into photographic art.  The first thing Duncan
had done when she met him that afternoon was to give her a gift wrapped
box. She had no idea what it might be and was astounded when she opened the
box to find a twin to Duncan's digital camera.  Duncan explained he had a
first rate printer in the RV, and they could turn any shots they thought
worth it into photos whenever they chose.  No delays, no worry about a
photo lab botching a job.  What they had were two professional level
cameras and their own dark room in the RV.  She didn't need to wait for a
photo laboratory to process her film, didn't even have to wait until they
got back to the RV.  She could see what she had just taken on the small
screen on the back of the camera.  Not only that, but they could make
prints that evening and see what the photos looked like full size.  Duncan
explained with the software programs he had on his computer they could crop
and adjust each image to their hearts content.  Helen had been like a kid
with a new toy, dragging him off immediately to take photos of the town. 
The table they had been at that morning was open, and they made a beeline
for it, collapsing on the comfortable red Naugahyde chairs.  Clarice, that
morning's waitress, was standing at the counter and Duncan asked her if she
ever got off work.  She assured him she was off but it was so nice she hung
around even on her time off.  Duncan ordered two milkshakes, and when they
were done picked them up himself to carry back to their table.  Duncan was
just kind of staring off into the distance as he felt his muscles relax. 
He was carefully keeping the lovely Helen in the distance he was staring
at, when his companion suddenly snorted and clapped her hand over her
mouth. Helen's eyes got real big, and then she hissed at Duncan, telling
him to listen.  A man sitting directly behind Helen was holding an animated
conversation with his companion.  Both the farmers were taking advantage of
a short lull in their schedule to come to town and take a break.

   "I tell you, Jessie, it's true!" the man behind Helen was saying. 
"Look, we don't see 'em very often.  Less now than when I was a boy, but
that was a cougar I heard last night!  They come down from the forests
upstate, and occasionally one will work its way all the way down here. 
I've heard them before, and I tell you that was a cougar you and I heard
screaming last night around midnight.  Nothing else around here either
sounds like that or is loud enough..."

   Here Helen turned red and buried her face in her arms on the table.

   "...to be heard that far.  I mean your place is a good five miles from
mine and we both heard it.  Right?" and he waited for his companion to nod.

   "You have any other explanation for it, Jessie?" he asked and took
another sip of his coffee.

   Duncan raised his voice just a tad, and called past Helen, "Was that a
bit East and some North of here you heard that?"

   The man twisted around, "You hear it too, Mister?" he asked.

   "Well we heard something last night, pretty late.  Our RV was parked at
some spring off the main road," Duncan replied.

   "Hey, I know that spring.  It's almost directly between Jesse's place
and mine.  Was it pretty loud?"

   Duncan glanced at Helen's brightly scarlet face, "It was real loud where
we were.  What did you say it was?"

   The man named Jesse spoke up, "Hilliard here claims it was a Puma,
Mountain Lion you know.  Didn't used to worry about them, they never hurt
nobody, but we seem to be building houses where they usually hunt and there
have been some nasty attacks the last few years.  If he's right, and I'd
guess he is, you'd best stay in town tonight.  At least don't go back
there. Shouldn't be a problem but that must be a big mean one judging from
the scream it was giving.  Could get pretty badly clawed and bitten if you
were to run into it and it was in the mood."

   Helen now had both hands clapped across her mouth, her eyes were huge
and she was fighting to look natural.  She didn't want anyone looking at
her now; they might put it all together.

   Duncan grinned at her, "Hey, that scream sounded awful close to me. 
Sounded like a whole series of screams.  You sure that was a cougar?  Could
have been an owl, or even a woman screaming for all I could tell?"

   Hilliard replied, "Trust me, mister, that was a cougar.  They do sound
like a woman in trouble, but it was too loud for that.  Had to carry three
miles to my place, and pretty near as far to Jesse's."

   About that time the hamburgers Duncan had ordered arrived he and Helen
dug in.  In a couple minutes the two farmers left and Helen whispered, "Do
you think that was me they heard?"

   Duncan grinned at her, and reached over to take her hand, "No doubt in
my mind, Helen.  But I don't know if I'd describe you as big, now mean
maybe...And you know, I DID get scratched up some last night."

   It didn't seem possible, but Helen turned an even brighter shade of red.
Then she kicked him under the table, hard.

   Leaving the café later, they climbed into the motor home to drive to the
motel.  Duncan made a point of pulling some Band-Aids out of the bathroom
cabinet, complaining about some deep gouges he had on his shoulders.  When
Helen socked him he staggered and fell into the dinette before they broke
up laughing.

   The motel could best be described as a motorhotel.  It stood three
stories high on the edge of town and only modern practice kept it from its
proper title of hotel.  Their rooms were adjoining and on the third floor.

   Helen was surprised to discover a connecting door between the two rooms.

   Duncan carried their two bags up despite Helen's protest.  He just told
her to practice her feminism when it was appropriate.  She laughed and gave
in, gracefully as ever.

   Duncan placed her suitcase in her room, then carried his to the room
next door.  The rooms were comfortable, but hotel-beige.  Both rooms were
decorated in a western theme with paintings of cowboys, horses, and
round-ups on the walls.

   Helen grabbed her coin purse and an ice bucket before heading to the end
of the hall.  After filling the bucket with ice, she extracted some Pepsis
and Fantas along with a couple Canada Dry Club Sodas from the several
vending machines.  After gathering bags of peanuts and other munchies she
headed back to their rooms.

   Walking into her room she shut the hall door before knocking on the
connecting door, then waited until Duncan opened it.  Walking into his room
she put her provisions on the table standing by the window and overlooking
the rolling wheat fields surrounding the town.  Two comfortable looking,
tan over-stuffed chairs flanked the table.  Smiling at him she told him she
would come back for a nightcap after her shower, promising to knock before
she came in.

   Returning to her room she quickly stripped, stepped into her shower and
luxuriated in the hot shower.  Drying off she slipped on a long yellow
sleep shirt, more a long T-shirt than anything else.  She bottomed that off
with a pair of bright red french-cut panties.  Glancing at the mirror she
pulled on her white terry cloth robe before knocking on the connecting
door. The red panties certainly made their presence known under the thin,
soft rayon sleeping shirt.

   To her surprise there was no response, so she sat down and thought about
her day.  In less than ten minutes there was a knock from Duncan's side of
the door.  Opening it she found him standing there in a wine red bathrobe,
a white T-shirt peeking out from between the lapels.  Smiling she joined
him in his room, leaving the connecting doors open.

   Making themselves comfortable at the table, Duncan fixed them each a
highball using the club soda and a bottle of Jack Daniels he had carried up
from the motor home.  Helen opened the peanuts, chips and pretzels, and
then they just sat back and chatted.

   It felt so comfortable and right to be there with him that Helen had to
blink several times when she remembered she had only met Duncan the morning
before.  She had been planning a long romantic week with her husband Gerry.
The marriage had been drifting for several years, and he had agreed they
needed to spend time learning one another again.

   And then the skunk had pulled that stunt, leaving her with a broken car
at the start of their vacation together as he had jetted off to the
Philippines.  It was supposed to be business, but she was beginning to
wonder.  That sort of thing had been happening far too often the past three
years.  Surely he was in a position at the company that others should be
doing this initial trouble shooting.  To Helen it seemed Gerry was the
first called and the last home whenever an emergency came up in the
company. She frowned thinking the two of them hadn't even taken a long
weekend together for over a year.  Gerry hadn't even been home for
Christmas last year.

   When she put her mind to it Helen realized it had been over four years
since they had spent a vacation together of any kind.  And four years ago
the "vacation" had been a family gathering for Gerry's mother's funeral. 
They had attended her funeral together, yes, but Gerry and she had left in
separate airplanes.  Gerry hadn't even stayed for the reception after going
to the grave site.  He left early, flying off on another of his constant
weeks long trouble-shooting junkets.  She hadn't seen him again for ten
days after she returned home.  And that was his mother's funeral!

   "Earth to Helen," she heard from across the table.  "You went someplace
Helen.  Can I come along, maybe I can help."

   "Oh, Duncan!  Sorry, I was just gathering wool for a moment.  Today
Gerry and I were supposed to have been at Lake Chelan," Helen responded. 
Pausing she added, "I'm not sure today wasn't a lot more fun, but it sure
wasn't what I was expecting to be doing.  Say, do you think we could get to
that old barn just outside town and get a picture at sunup tomorrow?"

   "Sure, let's get some sleep now, then catch the early light.  Let's say
goodnight, Helen."

   "Sounds great, but I need to clear up a misconception you have.  You
keep talking like I am a whole lot younger than you.  Just how old do you
think I am?" she asked her companion.  Duncan looked at her carefully for a
moment, "Men aren't supposed to put ages on their ladies, Helen.  Why do
you want the answer?"

   "Oh fudge, Duncan.  Just answer the question.  I think it's important."

   "Well, when I first saw you yesterday I figured you were no more than
say thirty-two.  After spending a couple days with you, my guess is you're
too mature for that.  I would guess, maybe thirty-eight.  Now what kind of
trouble am I in?" answered Duncan.

   "None at all, except I can't believe you think I'm that young.  Duncan,
I'm forty-four.  Not only that, but I have a grown son.  If he and his wife
have any say in the matter, I'll be a grandmother by this time next year.
So you see, we are age contemporaries.  Knock off this elder statesman
attitude, OK?" replied Helen.

   "Well," Duncan said reflectively, "I sure guessed wrong on your age, but
I think you guessed wrong on mine, too.  Hope it doesn't make a difference,
but I'm sixty-one.  So, you're still the youngster."

   "Well, I never thought you were wet behind the ears, Duncan.  Now I know
you don't believe I am either.  I feel better.  Seventeen years difference
would have been impossible when I was seventeen, but not so much now. 
Let's get to bed and catch that morning light," smiled Helen.

   "Sure, if we can pull ourselves out of bed.  Since my semi-retirement
I'm not in the habit of getting up on any kind of schedule," Duncan agreed.
"But it's get to bed now or you'll never get me up."

   They both rose from their chairs and Duncan walked Helen to the open
door connecting their rooms.  When Helen turned she saw the hunger in his
eyes.  It did little nice things to her tummy.  Putting her arms around him
she leaned against him, lifted her face and kissed him softly.

   It was a gentle kiss, but lasted a little longer than either of them
expected.

   After a moment Duncan leaned back to look at her as she reached up to
capture his lips again.  This kiss was not as gentle, and a long way from
being as innocent.  Helen found her arms up around Duncan's neck, her hands
clasped tightly together.  Her body strained against him, her breasts
flattened against his chest she shivered with lust and comfort.

   Helen's knees trembled, barely holding her as her mind disappeared
except for thoughts of Duncan.  Helen's open mouth covered his lips and her
tongue pushed out and into his mouth.  They strained together, their
tongues caressing as the growth of his manhood pushed against her belly.

   With an armful of desirable woman, the most desirable he'd ever seen and
thoughts of last night's activities clouding his mind, he verged on
carrying her off to his bed.  There would be no complaint from Helen, she
was nearly swooning against him.  Her breath was escaping her lips in
little pants.

   When Duncan felt Helen's bare legs against his Duncan knew their robes
had opened.  That was the moment his cock sprang free through the opening
in his boxers.  It met her silken panties sending another shiver through
his whole body.  Helen was unconsciously grinding her loins hard against
his, sensuously rubbing his erection.

   For long moments their bodies strained together, their hips rocking. 
The room was suddenly stifling hot and feeling constricting.

   Suddenly, somehow Duncan stepped back away from Helen, holding her
shoulders to steady her as the support of his body was taken away.  She
looked up desperately into his eyes, seeing the naked lust in his hungering
eyes as she strained to return to his embrace.  Yet he stepped further
away, his hands on her shoulders straightened to hold them apart.

   With a searching, hungering stare and a husky voice Duncan said, "Helen,
this may be one of the hardest things I've ever done but I can't accept
your gift.  You would question my motives if I did.  You are trying to save
a marriage and I came out of the blue acting as knight-errant.  It isn't
fair to you or Gerald for me to just step in."

   Helen started to say something, but Duncan put a finger over her lips.

   "Please, Helen.  Not now.  Unless or until you decide the marriage is
over you would never forgive me for stepping in like this.  What we have so
far has been miraculous.  It was also spontaneous.  This morning we agreed
we wouldn't do this and it would be wrong of me, after feeding you drinks
and giving you an exciting new experience during a romantic day.  If this
goes further than good friends, I'll want it to be without regrets by
either of us.  I know, and you know too, you would regret our not stepping
back to look at both our worlds.  You are not the kind to take this kind of
step lightly.  Neither am I."

   Both stood silent for a time, studying each other.  In a gruff voice
Duncan spoke, "Let's get up and enjoy the sunrise, woman.  You looked
pretty good over breakfast this morning, can you do it two days in a row?"

   Helen took a deep breath and smiled, stepping away from his supporting
arms.  "Duncan, this morning I didn't have my ammunition with me.  I have
my make-up case in the room behind me now along with my 'vacation on the
Riviera' wardrobe.  You ain't seen nothing yet." Then she stepped back into
her room, slowly shutting the door between them.

   Duncan's breath sighed out of him.  His body was already telling him he
had done something stupid.  Still he knew he had done the only thing he
could.  The connection between Helen and himself had grown incredibly in
just a day.  He didn't expect anything to come of this.  Whether or not
that was true what had grown between them was too precious to endanger. 
His body wanted her, his mind and soul would not allow taking a chance on
hurting her.  If this thing grew it would not be for a weekend or a month.
If he never laid eyes on her after tomorrow what this thing was already
something to warm his life in the years to come.

   He hoped the phone call this morning to his manager would give him a
clue where he should go with this.  He would check with the investigator
tomorrow.

   Hanging her robe in the closet, Helen slipped between the cold sheets,
her body shivering with unfulfilled passion.  Closing her eyes she started
going over the past two days.  Almost immediately her eyes popped open. 
What in the world was going on?

   She was a married woman fighting to save her marriage.  She had never
lost sight of that goal; yet she had been throwing herself at Duncan like a
lovesick sixteen-year-old.  In her entire life she had never experienced an
hour to compare to what she had experienced after meeting Duncan.  It felt
like she was living on a new level.  It all started when she caught him
checking her out at the rest stop and not let up since.  The passion was
far beyond anything she ever imagined.

   Her life, her marriage had been at a crisis point.  And suddenly the
fabric of her very existence had changed.  She needed to sit and think
about this.  What direction did she want to go.  Until the last few years
Gerry had been a wonderful man, a good father and a loving husband.  Then
he changed.

   It happened right after the kids had left the nest but she didn't feel
that had anything to do with the change.

   Gerry had been getting more and more distant since then.  When Helen had
agreed to the partnership of marriage with Gerry, she had devoted herself
to maintaining the marriage.  She always assumed her mate would be as
devoted to her as she was to him, "Forsaking all others".  This long
vacation together was to be the opportunity, the revitalization.  Then
Gerry bailed out at the very beginning; before it began, really.

   They had always led a healthy sex life.  Sex wasn't the reason for
marriage but it was one of the most important glues holding it together. 
Sex with Gerry had all but disappeared.  His health was good except for
stress headaches from the increased responsibilities.  Gerry wasn't about
to step back to lesser responsibilities, the stress of the decision making
was what he reveled in.  It was what made life interesting.

   She wondered about his faithfulness.

   He had been unwilling to spend time with her.  No sugarcoating that. 
Before meeting Duncan she was wondering if she had lost her attractiveness.
If a man like Duncan found her as compelling as he did, that couldn't be
the problem.

   Duncan had affected her in ways no man, none, had ever done before.

   But that was another worry!

   Where in the world was this going with Duncan.  She had never had any
desire to stray in her marriage, then along came Duncan and she couldn't
seem to think of anything else when he was near.

   What in the world was she doing?

   She spent the long hours of the night worrying her two related problems.