Chapter 55

John stirred, slowly opening his eyes. He found the lovely Sheila’s golden tresses before him. An absence behind him told him they were alone. He lifted his head and looked around, just to be certain.

Puzzled, he lay back down and pulled Sheila to him. She snuggled her warm body next to his. She was fully awake.

“Good morning, dear heart.” John said.

“Good morning, love.” she replied.

“Any idea where our lost souls are?” he asked, softly kissing her cheek.

She smiled and replied: “They got up hours ago.”

“Hours?” John asked.

“Mmm ... Yes ... I stayed to keep you company.” she said, snuggling tighter to him.

“That was mighty nice of you.” he said.

“Mmm, my pleasure, sir. I love lying next to you.” she said.

“The feeling is mutual.” he said, kissing her cheek once again.

“When you told me you had a full life, I had no idea.” she chuckled.

“Me neither ... It’s not always like this.” he chuckled back.

“I’ll bet ... you normally live a drab existence with just two hyper-sexual women, instead of seven.” she teased.

“Something like that, but I was thinking how lovely a number three was.” he said.

“Oh, myself I wouldn’t mind any number between one and seven. As long as I could wake up feeling like I did this morning.” she said, tracing her fingernails over his chest.

“I think I would. I’ve been home three days, and I only got to make love to you once. I may not get to again for another day at least if I’m expected to do the triplets all today.” he said.

“Darling, I don’t care if I have to wait a year. That once with you was better than I’ve ever known before in my life.” she cooed.

“Now you’re just teasing me.” he said.

“No, I’m not. The closest thing to it was with your other two lovelies and your mannequin. I don’t know if you know how good you are.” she said, seriously.

“Yes I do ... but I will say that you inspire me to higher levels.” he said.

“Apparently. I hope I always will ... I love you.” she said.

“I love you ... Uh ... I guess I have to save myself for the three ringed circus, but I’d be more than pleased to ... please you other ways.” he offered.

She chuckled: “No, not necessary. I’m quite content. But thanks for the offer ... It’s funny, I really am content. More contented than I’ve ever been in my whole life ... And having made love to you once, and being held by you through the night three times, I don’t ever want anything else.” she concluded.

“What brought this all on?” he asked.

“Love, I guess. But more than that really, cause I’ve been in love before.

“Acceptance, that’s it; For the first time in my life I don’t have to hide or try to explain my desires.” she said.

“Could you explain that?” John teased.

She smacked his butt with her palm, and then softly rubbed it.

“May I get you a cup of coffee?” she asked.

“No, I’ll get up. Looks like it’s late morning anyway. I have to go deal with Nick today.” he said, half frowning.

“I know you do. May I buy the tractor?” she asked.

“Not necessary, but thanks for the offer.” he said.

“You’d keep me from getting in on the ground floor of owning a piece of those three lovelies?” she pouted.

“I don’t expect to own them myself. I just want to assure their freedom.” he said.

“I know. I want the same thing. The idea of someone owning somebody is as offensive to me as it is to you. But please, can I split the cost with you?” she insisted.

“Perhaps after I find out what it is. If I accept now it might crimp my bartering skills. If I was bartering with someone else’s money, I might be tempted not to offer enough, or too much. But I’m content to deal with my own funds. I know I’ll swing the best deal I can then.” he chuckled.

“Fair enough. Shall we go find some grub?” she asked.

“In a moment. May I have a kiss?” he asked.

“Anytime, my love, anytime.” she said, melting with him.

They showered together and then dressed and went in search of the troops. They met Cindy in the kitchen. Both John and Sheila greeted her warmly.

“Where’s the troops?” John inquired.

Cindy chuckled real hard before replying: “Theresa’s scanning them. I took down your mannequin and the ones not being scanned are taking practice runs.”

“She’s scanning all of them? That’s not necessary. One of the three would probably be enough.” John said.

“Oh, the subject of just how they were different came up. I figured the best way to determine that was full scans of each.” she chuckled.

“Full scans?” John asked.

“Yup, hot and heavy, the whole thing. That’s why I took down your mannequin. To give Theresa a break. Candice was first, and she wanted to rape someone. Theresa had to run the scanner and I had to cook breakfast, so I solved it by letting her have at your twin. After that she started on the triplets, two at a time. I figure they may even be tame enough for you to handle in your depleted state by the time you’re fed. You may thank me now.” Cindy chuckled.

John pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply.

“Thank you. Perhaps I may live out the day.” he said.

“You are quite welcome, sir. Now, French toast or Monte Cristo’s?” she asked.

“Uh ... French toast. Monte Cristo’s might be too heavy for a man’s last meal.” John chuckled.

“Coming right up, right after I kiss this lovely woman again.” Cindy said, turning to Sheila.

Sheila smiled and moved into her arms. John wondered if he’d ever get his breakfast by the time they were done

Well fed, John carried his coffee cup into the lab. The sight that assaulted him was beyond his experience. Candice was in a sixty-nine position with one of the twins, another writhed on the scanning table as her back side was probed. The last was wildly bouncing away upon his mannequin. Theresa looked up from the computer grinning fiercely but looking relieved.

The one bouncing on his mannequin let out a scream at the sight of him. Her body convulsed hard and she collapsed upon it. Then she tried to scramble to him, weaving badly. He caught her and she jumped up around his waist and gave him a complete tonsillectomy.

“What happened to those shy girls who covered up at the sight of me yesterday?” John chuckled, when she finally let him talk.

“Why be shy? When can we do it for real?” she gasped.

“When I know which one you are.” John chuckled.

“Andrea. Now when?” she asked.

“After I deal with Nick.” he said, dislodging himself.

It did him no good as while he was talking Amy and Candice climaxed and then untangled themselves again to be next in line to greet him.

He caught Amy on the fly and she wrapped her legs around his middle while she tried to one-up Andrea’s tonsillectomy. John could taste Candice’s juices on her lips. Herself waiting impatiently in line. When John finally tore free, Candice kissed him deeply, but less hungrily. John tasted Amy’s nectar on her lips. He licked around her mouth and she giggled.

Sheila walked in and the whole routine started over again.

“Nice to feel wanted, eh?” John chuckled to her.

She smiled and nodded, meeting the next set of lips.

John wasn’t finished, as Theresa loosened the bonds on Amy. She was so hot she met him on the fly, knocking him back onto the sofa, over himself. He chuckled as she kissed him all over, almost tearing at his clothes.

“Easy, love. Here, try my alter ego out. I have to get ready to go meet Nick.” John said, rolling her onto his mannequin.

She mounted it quickly. Somehow hard and fast was what she wanted. Forgetting that that’s what she didn’t like about Nick. Her body started to convulse almost from the first stroke.

“He doesn’t kiss worth a damn!” she gasped, reaching for John once more.

He jumped out of her grasp.

“I’m certain you can find a set of willing lips nearby.” he chuckled.

Both Amy and Andrea moved to her without further coaxing. Each moved to suck on a nipple and then one lay down and attempted to lick her clitoris as she bounced away.

John turned to Candice.

“Shall we get this over with?” he asked.

She nodded and hugged him.

She collected a kiss from each of the other women while John greeted Theresa good morning.

“Don’t be long. Please. I don’t know how much I can take.” she said.

“We’ll hurry as best we can. But it’s a long ride anyway.” he said.

He went to pull away and she hugged him fiercely.

“You be careful, you hear me?” she asked.

“I promise.” he said.

Finally she released him and Sheila moved in to greet her good morning.

John and Candice headed out.

Candice went down to shower and dress while John headed upstairs. He retrieved his old .357 from its hiding place and checked it. He tucked it in its holster in the back of his belt and pulled his sweater over it.

He suited up and Cindy joined him. Candice came up brushing her blow dried hair. Sheila came to wish them well, hugging him to her. She felt the gun in his belt. She pulled back in surprise and nodded at him in understanding. She smiled at him, to his surprise.

“Now you take care you don’t need that.” she whispered to him.

He nodded and kissed her deeply.

The girls went out to get the snowmobiles out. John stalled a bit. Once they were out of sight, he unzipped his suit and reached inside to retrieve the weapon. He frowned and then pulled off the top half of his suit. He strung the shoulder holster where it belonged and then put his suit back on. He tried pulling it out a few times. Sheila watched him and nodded in satisfaction when he did.

“That’s better. Can you shoot that thing.” she asked.

“Not bad. Well enough. I hope the hell I don’t have to use it.” he said.

“Me too. But I’m glad you’re taking it.” she said, solemnly.

“Strange attitude for a city girl.” he teased.

“I seem to recall from San Francisco ... the guns always won.” she said.

He nodded and hugged her once more before he headed out.

Cindy had both machines started.

He plugged in his helmet and hit the transmit button.

“Cell phone and extra battery?” he asked Cindy.

She patted a bulging pocket.

“Compass?” she asked back.

“On the dash, detachable.” he answered.

Sheila came out and handed them each a thermos full of coffee. They nodded their thanks and attached them with cargo nets. Sheila kissed the girls and then John once more. They headed out.

The gate required that they dismount and two pushed while the third tripped the button. It finally creaked open enough to pass the machines. John mounted again and brushed off the snow. Telling the girls to do the same. They nodded and complied. Then he gunned his machine through the gap. The girls followed him.

They rode mostly in silence. John first angled up the road until he encountered Candice’s disabled machine. It was buried quite deeply, so they left it for now. Looking from the machine towards the mountain, there was a barely decipherable indentation in the snow, drifted over in most places ... John took off following it. It became a dashed line between the drifts.

It turned out that it did circle and meander quite a bit. Candice shivered, remembering the outbound trip. John lost the trail in a particularly heavily drifted area. He asked Candice which way. She studied the mountains for a bit and pointed. He took off with the others behind him. After a time he re-acquired the previous trail. It had meandered quite a bit. He crossed it and made a mental line in his head, averaging the meanders. Candice nodded after studying the mountains.

After a time Candice indicated to Cindy definite directions. She took the lead and followed Candice’s points. When they reached the mouth of a wide canyon, John called a halt.

They turned off the machines and listened to the deafening silence. John poured himself a cup of coffee. The girls did the same.

“How far?” he asked Candice.

“Just up the road ... up the canyon a piece. About a mile I guess. Look for a row of trees off to the left. You can see the cabin from there.” she said.

“Okay, then that’s where you two stop. Get turned around first. I want you pointing away.” John said.

Cindy nodded.

“You be god damned careful! You’re not an easy man to replace.” she said, hugging him.

She felt the pistol under his arm. She felt better that he had it but slightly disturbed that he felt the need for it.

“Anything else you can tell me I should know?” John asked Candice.

She thought for a moment.

“You just be real careful if he’s drunk. He likes to blind side folks.” she said.

John nodded. He kissed her and she hugged him too. She felt the pistol. She smiled at him.

“I hope I won’t need it.” he said.

“I hope you won’t too, but I’m glad you brought it. He can be an ornery cuss.” she said.

He nodded to them. They re-stowed the thermos and headed up the draw.

When John spotted the trees, he stalled while Cindy got turned around. Then he headed in.

“I’ll leave my mike open, but don’t say anything unless you have to. If Candice thinks of something while she’s listening, whisper it!” he said.

“How will we talk if your mike is open?” Cindy asked.

“Full duplex, dear. We can talk at the same time. I never told you before cause it made for easier communication.” he chuckled.

“One of these day’s you’ll learn to trust me.” she said.

“I do now. I have since the first time we made love. Now keep quiet.” he said.

“Okay ... I love you. Be careful.” she said.

“I love you too. And please be careful.” Candice’s voice said.

“I love you both. Now shut up.” he said.

A large man stepped out of the cabin holding a rifle when John pulled up before it.

John turned off his machine and dismounted, unconcerned.

“Howdy.” he said.

“Howdy, and who might you be?” Nick said.

“John Stevens.” John said, pulling off a glove and extending his hand.

Nick eyed him suspiciously and then took the hand. His grip was bone crushing hard. John returned it measure for measure.

“What you want?” Nick asked. Dropping the hand.

“Thought we might talk some.” John said.

“What about?” Nick asked.

“Your women.” John said.

“Been a might worried about them. They lit out of here a few days ago. You got them?” Nick said.

“Yes. Found them in the storm night before last, near froze to death. We almost lost Alice ... She’s got a touch of frostbite, but she’s alright. They all are.” John said.

“That Candice out there by the tree’s?” Nick asked.

“Yeah ... she don’t want to come back.” John said, unzipping the front of his suit, just in case.

“Who’s that with her? Seems a might big to be one of mine.” Nick said.

“One of mine.” John said, simply.

Nick nodded.

“Well, I guess we oughta go inside then.” he said, “After you.”

John shrugged and moved in the door, keeping his peripheral vision on Nick. Nick was watching the trees for a moment and then stepped in behind him. John turned to face him.

Nick indicated an old wooden chair by the table. He set his gun on the table and pulled down a bottle of bourbon. He blew the dust out of a small preserve jar and poured a shot into it. He put it in front of John and splashed some in another jar for himself. John knew enough to accept it. He took a pull on it, ignoring whatever clung to the lip and keeping an eye on Nick.

“So what’s on your mind?” Nick asked, taking a pull from his own drink, studying John carefully. The gun was in reach, but pointed the wrong way.

“Well, I don’t rightly know how to begin.” John said.

“Say it like it is.” Nick said.

“Okay ... Your women showed up on my land, bout forty miles from here. They was just plain lucky I happened across them. When I finally got them thawed out they told me they had run away from you. They didn’t want to come back. Now if they were serious enough that they headed out into that storm, wearing what they was, then I figure they were pretty serious about not wanting to come back.” John said.

Nick nodded at this but said: “But they’s my women.”

John nodded. Then plunged on: “Yeah, I figured you’d feel that way. Well, they got to gabbing the way women do, that bunch are like a flock of geese. Anyhow Candice let out that you traded a tractor for the triplets. My woman can’t have no kids and she took quite a shine to them. I was wondering how you’d feel about trading them off.”

Nick studied him a moment then said: “They grown a bit since I traded for them. They got other worth now ... if you know what I mean.”

John nodded and took a pull from his glass.

“I know. Can’t think what my woman wants them round for. She don’t like me even looking at sheep. But she’s a stubborn one. I’d make it worth your while.” John said.

Nick thought for a bit. Taking a long pull off his drink. He took the bottle and poured a large shot in John’s jar and a smaller one in his. John figured he wanted to dicker with an advantage. He shrugged his thanks and took another sip. Not too big of one.

“What you got to offer?” Nick said finally.

“How about a brand new tractor. Candice said the one you traded with didn’t run so good.” John offered.

Nick shook his head.

“Not much use for a tractor ... tractors ain’t got tits.” he said.

“From what I seen before my woman hustled them off, them girls don’t have much either.” John chuckled.

Nick kind of chuckled and nodded too.

“Candice do though.” he said.

“Well, I was more interested in the young’ns. Candice is a growed woman.” John said.

He heard a sudden intake of indignant breath in his helmet. Then a click where Cindy turned her radio off. John hid his snicker.