Chapter 27

As the morning gave way to afternoon, the heat grew intense, beating down on their heads and shoulders. They paused at a babbling stream to water their horses and fill their canteens, the cool water a welcome relief to their parched throats. Beulah and Lois shared a quiet conversation, their voices a soothing balm to Ben’s ears after the constant din of the town. They had come a long way from their days at The Blossom, their spirits buoyed by the promise of a new life.

The map that Sly had given Ben proved to be more than just a guide; it was a gateway to a world of beauty and danger that lay hidden beyond the town’s borders. They encountered a band of wild horses, their coats gleaming in the sun, and watched as they galloped freely across the plains. It was a sight that filled their hearts with awe and their souls with a longing for the freedom they had been denied for so long.

As the day grew hotter, their bodies were slick with sweat, their clothes sticking to their skin like a second layer. The heat was intense, but the excitement of their mission and the promise of a better life kept them pushing forward. They took turns leading the way, each eager to be the first to spot the Wematin camp.

And then, as if the heavens had heard their prayers, they crested a hill and beheld a sight that took their breath away. Spread out before them was a lake, its surface shimmering like a giant sapphire in the sun’s embrace. The water was surrounded by a grove of towering pine trees, their branches whispering secrets to the gentle breeze that danced across the water. The scene was so serene, so beautiful, it was as if the world had paused just for them, offering a brief respite from the harsh realities they had come to know.

“Looks like the perfect spot for a rest,” Ben said, his voice filled with a mix of wonder and relief.

Beulah and Lois nodded in agreement, their eyes drinking in the tranquil beauty of the lake. The horses whinnied, seeming to sense the peace that emanated from the water’s edge. Ben dismounted Lady Luck with an ease that spoke of his many years in the saddle. He loosened her reins, allowing her to drink from the cool, clear water. The other two women followed suit, their horses eager to quench their thirst as well.

With the horses tended to, the trio turned their attention to themselves. The heat of the day had made their clothes stick to their bodies like a second skin, and the allure of the cool water was too great to resist. With a laugh that echoed across the stillness, Ben began to strip off his clothes, revealing his lean, muscular frame. Beulah and Lois watched him for a moment, their faces a mix of amusement and curiosity, before they too began to remove their garments.

Their clothes lay in a haphazard pile beside their horses as they approached the water’s edge. The lake was a serene oasis, untouched by the hands of civilization, a stark contrast to the chaos they had left behind in Lawless Ridge. The water was cool and inviting, and Ben was the first to dive in, his splash sending ripples across the surface. Beulah and Lois followed, their naked forms cutting through the water with grace and power.