The Lone Star Collection Read online

  †

  Our victory in Saturday’s Science Bowl Challenge wasn’t unexpected. My team fully expected to take state again, and there was talk of us going beyond regionals this year. The shocker for me was the beaming face in the audience that came into focus just after the final buzzer. Suddenly, I was so eager to leave that I almost missed getting my certificate. Katie was waiting near the exit.

  “You did pretty good, Tex.”

  I squinted up at her, ridiculously pleased that she had found me. “Just pretty good? We won, didn’t we?”

  “Well, maybe you didn’t have much competition.”

  “Maybe I prefer it that way.” I grinned, motioning that we should go. “Are you ready?”

  She nodded at me and winked as she took hold of my hand. The simple act of intertwining our fingers felt so amazing that I almost couldn’t move. But when I heard voices down the hall, I hurried us along, wondering if Texas would ever change from a place where some asshole might give us grief simply for being two girls holding hands. Sighing inwardly, I added another quarter to my imaginary jar.

  At Pete’s I bought two hot dogs—without onions—from the vendor outside, offering one to Katie who declined. “We could have gone somewhere good to eat.”

  “These are good,” I mumbled through my last mouthful. “But the corny dogs at the State Fair are the best. You just missed it, but we could go next year if you want.”

  “You’re a planner, aren’t you?” she asked. I stared at my feet, feeling awkward until she took my arm, leaning into me as we walked toward the store. “It’s okay. I’m more impulsive, so we’ll balance.”

  Once inside, it became clear that Katie’s impulses would have induced her to purchase every piece of camping equipment that Pete’s carried, had I not steadily talked her down to only what she’d need for our subsistence trip—amidst much giggling on her part and pretend exasperation on mine. Shopping wasn’t usually my thing, but I had a really great time. We practically closed the place down, still laughing as we put the purchases in her trunk. Then she asked how I was getting to Rocky Landing.

  “I usually ride with Mrs. Rush.”

  “Would you consider sacrificing your coveted position as advisor’s pet to accompany a directionally challenged Californian?” she teased.

  I swallowed. Katie was fun and very easy on the eyes. Was that why my internal warning sirens that signaled potential emotional damage went unheeded? Cocking my head, I leaned toward her. “I suppose I could be persuaded. But it’ll cost you.”

  She bowed toward me in response. “Is that a fact? How much?”

  “Five of those Quantum Energy bars from Pete’s.”

  “Three,” she countered, inclining a bit more.

  “Four.” I inched her way, working to sound firm.

  “Deal.” Our eyes met as we stood face to face, only inches apart.

  Captivated, I said the next thing that came into my head. “I don’t like you being taller than me.”

  “Then I guess you’ll have to grow up,” she answered, fighting a smile. She planted a quick kiss on my cheek and was walking away before her lips on my face even registered.

  I didn’t stop smiling until it dawned on me that Friday felt like a long way off.

  †

  In class, my mind refused to concentrate, insisting on looping moments with Katie like the weather channel replays temperature maps. When I failed to include decimals on two easy algebra problems because I’d been reminded of her phone number, it seemed a sign, the way moss growing thick on the trees means a hard winter. That evening I took my cell into the bathroom, needing absolute privacy to sound cool enough for a girl like her.

  “Hello?”

  “Uh, hi. It’s Jules. From Scouting Girls.”

  There was a slight pause. “Have I not told you that you’re the only Jules I know?”

  I liked hearing that. “Good. Because you know how I feel about competition.”

  “And I suppose you don’t know any other girls named Katie?”

  “Not a one,” I assured her.

  She clucked her tongue. “Liar.”

  Busted. There was a Katie in my English class and one on the drill team. “Not one that counts,” I amended, and she made a pleased little humming sound before clearing her throat.

  “I’m glad you called, Jules. I’m starting to feel very nervous about this wilderness thing, and I need encouragement.”

  More confident now, I talked about the trip, assuring her that she’d be fine. “And if we get there and you don’t like it, you can always go back to base camp and get to know some of the other girls.”

  “I thought you didn’t like competition.” There was a smile in her voice, but the sudden vision of her and Amber huddled close at the campfire made me feel oddly possessive.

  “True. Scratch that last idea. No other girls for you.” The words were out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying. “Oh sorry, that sounded…I didn’t mean, uh, personally.” I could hear her laughing through my dismay.

  “You’re adorable,” she said, and I breathed out with relief. “What kind of music do you like?”

  Adorable was still echoing in my head and swirling pleasantly in my chest. “What?”

  “I’m making a playlist for the road. What shall I include for you? Country?”

  “I prefer classics.” I paused for several beats. “Like the Supremes, the Beatles, Stones, Jefferson Airplane, Fleetwood Mac.”

  She laughed again. “I thought you meant—”

  “Actually, those too, ‘cause I’ll listen to almost anything. Or we can just talk.” I gathered myself for a second. “I really like talking to you.”

  “I really like talking to you, too.” Her voice had softened, and the words made my skin prickle like a nearby lightning strike. Then I heard my mother calling.

  I lowered my voice. “I gotta go, Katie. I’m sorry, but I’ll see you Friday.”

  “Okay.” She sounded disconcerted.

  “I mean, I’m looking forward to seeing you on Friday.”

  “Better,” she encouraged.

  “I can’t wait to see you on Friday,” I whispered.

  “Good. Me too.”

  I smiled and hung up without another word.

  †

  I ran all the way to Mrs. Rush’s house, which gave me an excuse to pant slightly at the sight of Katie standing by her car. “I’m really glad—” I began but Mrs. Rush called for us to go.

  As I put my pack into the trunk, Katie squeezed my hand and whispered, “So am I.”

  Once we were underway, she grinned, turning on Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors album. “I listened to this all week. It’s good.” Her singing was as off-key as mine, plus she mangled some of the lyrics hysterically. But once we reached the park road, she turned off the music and her mood changed.

  “What will be the hardest thing about doing this?” she asked earnestly.

  It was a good question. “Being alone in the quiet,” I answered. “So many people seem dependent on their devices for everything, and you won’t have them here.” She swallowed audibly. “But there’s a trade-off,” I added quickly. “Have you ever felt like you don’t have enough time to think? Like you could figure out something important if you just had a few moments of peaceful solitude? You’ll get that on this trip. In fact, I’m positive you’ll come away with some brilliant insight about life.” She didn’t react to my tease, so I put my hand on her arm. “You can do this, Katie. And I—I’ll look after you as best I can until we go to our separate sites.”

  Her eyes locked on mine. “Okay, I believe you,” she whispered, making my heart skip.

  Mrs. Rush met us after we parked at the trailhead, handing out maps with our campsites marked. Katie’s was farthest away, but mine was closest to hers, so at least I could get her that far.

  Setting a quick pace, I led the campers along the single file trail, giving high fives to each of the others as they split off. As the gray fall eveni
ng descended into darkness, only Katie’s footsteps were behind me. She seemed a little winded when we stopped to put on our headlamps, so we both had water and an energy bar—smiling at the memory of our negotiation outside of Pete’s.

  “Does the camping part ever happen?” Katie mock-whined, and I laughed.

  “We should reach my site in another fifteen minutes or so. Are you doing all right?”

  She nodded, gesturing with the empty wrapper. “Better now.” She lifted her water bottle again, but I caught her arm.

  “You need to pace yourself with your supplies. Remember, all you’ll have for the next two days is what you’ve got with you.”

  She nodded slowly, her expression solemn.

  About fifteen minutes later, the trail rose out of the trees and onto an exposed rock area. Abruptly, the wind blasted us like a giant fan pushing right into our faces. I could feel the air cooling with each step. We continued climbing, but the bare trail was increasingly difficult to see as the thick cloud cover prevented any starlight from coming through, and I began to worry about the battery time on our lamps. After five more minutes of battling the gusts, I squatted, pulling Katie close to me.

  “This is crazy. Let’s go back down to the base of this hill and see if we can find a spot.”

  We retraced our path, and I took a second to get my bearings. Given the strength and direction of the wind, plus the effect it was having on the temperature, we had to be walking into a blue norther. I gestured for Katie to follow as I began bushwhacking along the base of the hill, incredibly relieved when my light revealed a small clearing. Trees across the opening were whipping in the wind, but near the rocks, we were protected. For tonight, it would be a fine space, and we’d sort everything else out tomorrow. “Stop,” I said to Katie, pointing as I shed my pack. “We’ll camp here and make a fire ring there.”

  “Together? I thought we were supposed to be on our own.”

  “We’re supposed to show we can survive. Being exposed during a blue norther isn’t safe, and it sure isn’t smart. We’ll set up in the shelter of this hill.” I took her pack and gestured toward the rock face. “Go over about five yards and make a fire ring with those stones. Then get some downed branches out of the woods. Try to find all sizes if you can.”

  She seemed pleased to have a task. “Got it.”

  Getting our tents pitched in record time, I shook out my bedroll and turned to Katie’s pack for hers. It wasn’t there. I found her stacking the wood beside a decent-looking fire ring. “Where is your sleeping bag?” I asked.

  She grimaced. “It felt too heavy so I left it in the trunk of my car. I thought I could just use that thermal blanket I bought.”

  I stared at her, my heart clenching. Some planner I was. I’d already screwed up by not listening to the weather report and by not checking that she had all her gear. Now I should say, “Come share my sleeping bag,” but imagining that kind of closeness with her panicked me, and the words froze in my throat.

  She misread my expression and lowered her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was going to get so cold.”

  The dejection in Katie’s voice made my heart ache, and I reached for her hand. “This isn’t your fault; it’s mine. I should’ve had you ready for our volatile Texas weather. Let’s get warm, and we’ll see how the blanket does afterwards.”

  She’d done a good job with the wood, and I had a nice blaze going in no time. We ate facing away from the flames, warming our backsides, and washed up quickly afterwards.

  “Okay,” I said as I banked the fire. “Leave your socks and thermal underwear on and wrap up tight in your blanket.” I pointed at our two tents. “I’m right next to you so just call if you need anything.”

  She put her arms around me and hugged me for a long moment. “I couldn’t do this without you. I guess that’s pretty obvious.”

  I hugged her back a little tighter, hoping she’d feel the apology in my embrace. “Sleep well, Katie.”

  She backed away, sounding oddly formal. “Goodnight, Jules.”

  †

  Burrowing into my bag, I refused to think about Katie alone and possibly frightened by the forceful wind. I dropped off quickly, oblivious to anything until I heard her calling. “Yeah?” I answered, my voice raspy.

  “I’m so cold, I can’t stop shivering. Can I build the fire back up?”

  “No. You come in here with me.”

  “Jules, no. I—”

  “Katie, please. We should have done this from the beginning.” Now wasn’t the time to admit why I hadn’t offered. I cleared my throat, falling back on my drawl. “Don’t make me come out there and get you, missy.” I heard the zipper and she flopped in, landing more or less on top of me. “Close it quick,” I ordered, and she did. I could feel her shaking, even through my bag. “Take off your thermals and get in here.” I began fumbling in the bag, taking off my own pair.

  “Why?”

  “Alone, the underwear keeps you warmer. With another body, it’s better to leave it off. I believe that’s the fifth law of thermodynamics.”

  She tried to laugh, but her voice only quaked. “It is not.”

  Actually, I knew body to body heat would help jump-start her own warming process. “Hurry up.” I balled my long johns under my head and motioned to her with a bare arm. “You’re wasting my natural hotness.”

  “I doubt your natural hotness is ever wasted.” She shivered, pulling off her top.

  I looked away, glad she couldn’t see me blush. “You can leave your panties on.”

  She said something else, but her teeth were chattering so badly I didn’t understand her.

  “Slide in here and face out.” We both groaned as she did. Her body temperature suggested she was close to hypothermia, but since she could still hold a conversation, it must not be too severe yet. “Put that blanket along your front side.” When she was done, I put my arms around her and pressed close. Her breathing was quick and shallow. “Now face down into the bag and try to take deep breaths of warmer air.”

  She did, but then I felt her shaking even harder. “Katie?”

  “Oh, God.” She was crying. “I’m really scared.”

  “Hey.” I began rubbing my hand along her side, keeping the other around her shoulder. “You’ll be fine in just a minute. But listen, there’s no crying in camping.”

  She laughed a little as she pulled away to wipe her nose on the blanket. I took off my skull cap and put it on her head. “Now come here.” I brought her back against me, noting her skin was already warmer. She snuggled in, making soft, contented sounds as she fitted herself firmly along my body. I murmured encouragement as she shuddered occasionally—”That’s good. It’s okay. You’re all right”—and tried to ignore the incredible sensation of holding her by fixing my mind on the weather and our supplies. Then I deliberated whether there was any explanation of this sleeping arrangement that would still allow me to earn the Wilderness Subsistence pin. When I got around to considering how my semi-rectangular bag designed for one adult male seemed to fit two teenaged girls just fine, the respiration of the lovely form beside me had become deep and steady. I tried to relax, but it was very hard. As hard as my nipples that received a light brush with each breath she took. My face was so close that with a flick of my tongue I could have tasted her skin. I thought about turning over, but the vision of her moving with me, pressing her breasts against my back while her breath tickled my ear made me tremble.

  She mumbled something in her sleep. I stroked slowly down her side to the curve of her hip and back, rubbing my cheek against her hair, and she quieted. Intending only comfort, I was left feeling incredibly aroused. Like everything with Katie, this felt different and more important than the limited exploits I had with my previous girl crushes. Admittedly, the last time I was horizontal and almost naked with another girl was when my cousin and I stripped to our undies and lay in the grass under the backyard sprinkler during that childhood summer with the long string of 100+ days. But
when my mind pictured what might have happened if I’d been fearless enough to invite Katie in sooner, the truth was as clear as a cloudless spring sky: I hadn’t suggested this arrangement initially because I wanted to sleep with her. I’d always imagined intimacy as something I’d find eventually—like maybe in college—but she’d blown into my life like the unexpected blue norther outside, and I’d been unprepared for her effects.

  Seconds later, I realized that my body was taking charge as my fingers had drifted until they rested just below the curve of Katie’s breast. My breath caught and I swallowed, retreating very carefully from the brink of someplace that might have no return. She stirred, pressed her hips against my crotch and captured my hand in hers. When I realized she was pulling me toward her breast again, I rolled onto my back bringing her head over onto my shoulder with a grunt. She settled against me, and then threw her leg over mine, nuzzling my neck as she whispered my name. Even to someone with no experience beyond second base, the invitation was clear. My mental swear jar exploded as I contemplated the situation. I was attracted to her in every way, but we hadn’t even kissed. Weren’t there things we were supposed to say first?

  “Shhhh, Katie,” I soothed, stroking her hair until her breathing steadied, willing the tempest of desire inside me to pass. After what seemed like hours, my over-stimulated body and my methodical mind achieved stasis, and I fell asleep. When I opened my eyes, pale light was filtering through the tent. Sometime in the night I had turned over and she’d moved against me, exactly as I’d imagined. The press of her breasts and the warmth of her arm around my waist was better than I’d dreamed and as unsettling as a rotation in the clouds.

  I decided a necessary visit to the great outdoors would cool me off. She woke as I wriggled out of her hold.

  “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “To the bathroom.”

  I was pretty sure she was watching me put on my thermal underwear, and then she confirmed it. “Those boxers are mighty sexy, Tex.”