Chapter 5: 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 pratfall 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, and loving 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 Reno. "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 couldn't believe it.

"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 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. With 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 Davis?"

"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 a remarkably 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."