Chapter Four

Today, neither of them said much. Jake dressed in his usual Wrangler’s and boots. A black shirt tucked into his jeans completed his outfit, aside from his hat and coat. Lisa dressed similarly, not yet used to the feel of pants that actually fit her.

Jake admired the woman that stood before him. She was nervous, not yet confident with her new attire. “You look great, Lisa.” He sat on the edge of the bed and gestured for her to spin around. “We need to get you a hat.”

“Oh, I don’t really like them. I mean, I don't like wearing them. You look great in yours, though,” she said. She played with her hands, looking around her for something to do.

He sneaked a peek at her backside before standing. “Let’s get outta here.” Ever since her little peep show this morning, he couldn’t get the image of her ass out of his head. He held the door open for her, allowing her to exit first. Lisa wasn’t much to look at, but those jeans hugged her just right as she walked out to the pickup truck.

—---------------------------

“Where are we going?” she asked.

Jake gunned the engine, trying to pick up speed before he merged with the traffic. “Mile down the road to the house. We gotta meet with a contractor. I need estimates - pick the right folks to do the work.”

“Oh, okay. So, what’s my job?” Lisa asked.

She cracked the window enough to stick her hand outside, feeling the cool air on her skin. This had become a daily ritual, and Jake had taken notice. For about fifteen minutes, she would do this.

Jake was intrigued, but ignored it. She continued on as if it was normal, and talked to him, watching the scenery rush by.

“What?” Jake asked, downshifting at the next exit.

“You said I’m working for you, so what’s my job?” Lisa asked. She picked at a nail with her thumb, wondering what he would say.

“Oh. Pretty much whatever I need help with, I guess,” he answered. “If you need a title, then call yourself the manager.”

“But I know nothing about being a manager,” she said. “How do I do that?”

He laughed, enjoying her panicked reaction. Didn't she know he was kidding? It’s made up, but she seemed to want something to grab on to.

“Well, you manage your own life right now. Just apply that here.”

“Alright, I think that makes sense,” she said. “Just - be patient?”

Jake smiled at her, then reached over and gave her knee a little squeeze. He thought nothing of it - it was a friendly thing. Lisa jumped at the contact.

“Sorry. Just some, I’m not used to that,” she said. “My - well. Not so good things - nevermind.” She sniffed, but gave him a sad smile. “It’s not you, I promise.”

Jake watched the road, but raised his hand slightly as an apology. “My bad, don’t apologize.”

“It’s fine,” she whispered.

“I’m sorry.” He looked over at Lisa, but saw she was disconnected.

He slowed and turned onto the gravel drive. Jake didn’t know if he should say anything to her about how he felt. Was it love or lust? Was it loneliness? Did she even hear him? He downshifted the pickup again, the transmission's gears whining as the tires crunched their way down the driveway.

He tried to forget it, wanting to think about something else. He felt terrible. Lisa was struggling internally, processing very, possibly horrific memories and he was making this about himself. She needed him, just like he did yesterday. He made the end of that day about himself and ended up fucking himself up. She was there for him, regardless.

“I like you, Lisa.” He exhaled, not believing he really said that out loud. “I like you a lot.”

He didn’t watch her this time, knowing she couldn’t hear him. Well, he didn’t know for certain - maybe she could? He passed the second curve in the road; the house coming into view. That’s when he noticed something that wasn’t there before; Lisa moved her left hand on the seat between them. He laid his on top, curling his fingers over hers.

Her hand shook slightly, but she gave him a squeeze. Lisa could hear him. She was up there, locked away in her mind. Jake stopped in front of the shop and shut it down, using his knee to bump the shifter into neutral. He didn’t want to release Lisa’s hand.

He noticed someone had delivered the dumpster already. The contractor hadn’t shown up yet, but he wasn’t in any hurry. That is, until a giant black figure lumbered from the missing door of his shop. Jake released Lisa’s hand and pulled the glove box open.

Racking a load in the chamber and stepping out of the truck, he fired at the bear. The gun bucked in his hands, the spent casing flying from the chamber. The thing swung its head and ran off into the treeline.

“Motherfucker!” He yelled. “I’ll get you, asshole!”

He leaned on the pickup’s door, watching the spot in the trees where the bear had vanished.

“Did you get it?” Lisa said. She stretched her shoulders with a yawn, watching as Jake sat in his seat again.

Jake snapped the safety on before leaning over to put the gun back in the glove box. “Nah, it ran off. Probably gonna tell its friends.”

Still leaning over, he got a closer look at her. He wanted to see if she was really back, or just on autopilot. That’s when she grabbed his face, planting a kiss on his lips. She took him by surprise, holding him in place while she laid it on him.

“What was that?” He asked, sitting back in his seat.

Lisa sucked her lips and shrugged. “You said you liked me a lot. I feel the same way, I guess.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” he said. “I like you, you’re a good person.” He looked out at where the bear ran off to.

Lisa dropped her eyes, her smile fading. “Oh. Yeah, so are you.”

She played with her eye, trying to hide the stinging tears that threatened. Jake glanced at her, seeing her disappointment.

“Fuck,” he thought. “Explain, idiot!”

“I - I just think that maybe we should see how things go,” he said hastily. “My life always moves right along so fast. I just wanna get things going here, you know?” He said, pointing to the vacant, depressed looking house.

She looked at him through teary eyes. “Yeah, I get it. You need to get back to work.”

“Well yeah, but we also just met,” he sighed. “An I ain't ready for a relationship again.”

It felt like something tore her stomach apart. He was talking about something they both wanted, but he was the only one who had a problem with it. She was hanging out there, exposed and hurting.

Jake wasn’t pushing her away, but he wasn’t willing to go there. She wanted him, and it pissed her off that someone dated him before her. Did they hurt him? Is that why he won’t accept her?

“Was it that bad?” she asked.

Lisa needed more information about this other woman. What if she made stupid mistakes like that other person? She had to get her shit together and keep Jake interested, no matter what.

Jake was wondering if he said something wrong. Lisa watched him like he was some kind of alien bug. Suddenly, she wanted to know all about his ex. What was she like? Did he love her?

“She and my mother never got along. To be fair, both of them were the problem in the end,” Jake said. “Vicky wanted me to sell the truck and find a job in sales,” he chuckled.

He leaned his arm out the door and grinned at Lisa. “She knew me so well, huh? Sales? I can’t sell trucks! And mom - she never stopped reminding me how much I owed her for raising me.”

Lisa scowled at that last part. Memories of her own mother saying the same things hit her ears. How ungrateful Lisa was with her threadbare thrift shop jeans and thin cotton shirts. But her mother wore the best of the best at all times, while Lisa made do with ill-fitting items.

“Mine was, or is, no better,” Lisa growled.

Jake nodded and rested his other arm on the back of the pickup’s bench seat. He and Lisa were more alike than he first thought.

“They both constantly complained to me about each other. Vicky got in her skull that we’re gettin’ married. She told mom, an then I got an earful about not keeping her in the loop,” said Jake. “When that shit wasn’t going on, I’d hear how my dad was a pile of shit an didn’t love me.”

“But he gave you all his things, right?” Asked Lisa.

Jake nodded, turning to spit out the window. “I knew mom was a liar. Dad called me all the time, and vice versa. She just wanted to turn me against him. And you know what?”

“What?” Lisa asked, scooting closer to him on the seat.

“Dad never talked shit on mom. He always asked how she was and left it at that. Makes me sick even now when I think about it. But my problems ain’t yours, and it’s all old news anyway,” he said. “What’s important right now is you, and getting this shit hole fixed up.”

He leaned forward, reaching for the can of dip on the dash. Lisa snatched it from its spot and closed the distance between herself and Jake, handing him the small tin.

Lisa’s stomach flipped. “He said I’m important!”

“I’m not ready, really. I - I don’t think I’ll make a good girlfriend, but I want to try.” She sighed, brushing her hair out of her face. “That sounds stupid. I just don’t want to lose you, and I know that’s not fair. I really like you.”

“I’m not very good with women, not after my mother and - we just won’t go there.” He packed his lip, tossing the empty can in the truck's bed.

“You mean with dating skills?” she asked.

He put his right arm up on the back of the seat again, allowing her to sit against him. “No, not like that. It’s trust. I have a hard time trusting people. Interacting with females is fine, but anything more than that is punching my comfort level.”

Lisa nodded, laying her head on his shoulder. “I won’t ask you for details, but I believe you. My momma was, probably is, still a selfish bitch.” She covered her mouth with a hand and sat up. “Oh, my gosh!” She turned and stared at him in disbelief. “I’ve never said that about her before!”

Jake smiled and waved her back with his hand, wrapping her in a hug. “Sounds like progress to me,” he said. “Mine too.”

“Why are you letting me so close if you have trust issues?” Lisa asked. “I’m a woman, so why not push me away?” She looked up at him, her eyes flicking back and forth between his own.

Jake thought for a minute. “Prob’ly how we met. Then how you acted, and your situation. Seeing how you were living and what happened to you. I didn’t have it as bad as you, but I recognized that look in your eyes. You’re also bossy without being selfish, far as I can tell. My judgment on that aint reliable though.”

“I ain’t bossy!” Lisa protested. “Name one time,” she said, smacking his chest.

“When you yelled at me to stab my scalp!” Jake said.

“I didn’t yell at you. I just wanted to help you,” Lisa countered.

“Yeah, but I told you no. An you didn’t listen.”

“And you couldn’t see how bad it was!” she shrieked.

“Okay, damn!” he boomed. “You just made my point, Bossy.”

“Fine, then just suffer next time. See if I care.”

She turned away to look out the passenger window. Her ‘mad’ act was unconvincing, since she still leaned against Jake.

“And that’s I feel like I can trust you,” he said.

She looked up at him again, eyes shining. “Trust? That’s a lot, Jake. I don’t know if you really should.”

Jake furrowed his brow, staring down at her. “Why?”

“Well, it’s not even. I don’t fully trust you.”

He nodded and spit out the window. “Fair enough, but I never said fully. Just trust as in holding you, sharing my room with you. Not that I have a fucking choice in that department.”

She giggled into his shirt. “Yep! Okay, I get what you’re saying now.”

“I ain’t gonna push you to do anything you don’t want, Lisa. That’d be wrong of me, and bad for you.”

“I know, Jake. I knew I could trust you like that. But, it’s still not fair,” she said.

“Why? How is this not fair? I don’t understand why you keep saying that.”

“Because what if I’m keeping you from something you want? What if another woman comes along with something better to offer you than drama and mood swings?”

Jake laughed, almost into a coughing fit. Lisa sat up, concerned and upset. “What is so funny?”

“All women are drama and mood swings, Lisa.” He held his chest, trying to calm himself down.

Lisa punched his chest, scowling. “That’s not funny, and you know what I mean!”

“Okay, I know what you mean. But seriously, don’t worry about it. Before I met you, I signed off on relationships forever. My last two relationships ended with pregnancy claims to keep me around.” Jake spat again and shook his head, a deep frown on his lips.

Lisa lay against him again and patted his chest. “Okay, I understand.”

“I know you do. You tried your own manipulation this morning,” he said.

Lisa’s face warmed, knowing just what he meant. “What?”

“Yeah, and now I can’t get the image out of my head.”

Her stomach flipped and her heart damn near stopped mid-beat. “You - liked it?”

“Yeah, didn’t understand what was going on at the time. I get it.”

“Get what?” Lisa asked.

“That shit was a trap.”

“You’re half right. I wanted to see if you liked me back,” she said. “Did you really like it?”

“Uh-huh. Not much there, but it’s a good shape.”

“You’re so sweet,” Lisa said. She smiled to herself, laying on his chest. “But no touching yet, okay?”

“You ain’t my girlfriend, I ain’t your man,” he said. “Taking everything slow, like this fucking contractor.”

“That you know of,” she thought.

—--------------------------------------------

The contractor showed up 30 minutes late, not a good sign for Jake. They walked the property, with Lisa tagging along next to Jake. The guy took notes, marking everything that had to be done. When the evaluation was complete, he informed Jake that he could finish gutting the house and clean up the debris. The remodel and roofing work had to be done separately, and by another contractor.

Jake wasn't pleased. This same guy told him on the phone that he could do it all, or at least general it out to others.

“Just get me your estimate and I’ll let you know,” Jake said. As he walked to his truck, Lisa hurried to keep up with him.

“Look, mister. I’m not licensed as a contractor. I can’t legally do the work you need.”

Lisa stopped and faced the man.

“Wait a minute,” she said. “You lied on the phone to get work?”

The guy scratched his neck, picking at a scab that looked like it had never healed. “Yeah, kind of. Why?”

“No, get off the property,” Lisa snapped. “Now, get out of here!” She pointed at the driveway, her face contorted into a mask of rage.

Jake grabbed her hand and spun her around. “Lisa, what’s the matter?”

The wannabe contractor scurried to his beater and peeled out, the tires kicking up gravel.

“He just wanted to scout the place for copper to cash in.” Lisa rolled her eyes, her body shaking with adrenaline. “My dad already cleaned it out,” she said, giving a nervous laugh. “He was acting just like him when he needed a fix.”

Jake opened his door, letting Lisa climb in first. “I’m glad you caught that. I would have paid him for the work to never get done. You’re already shaping up to be an excellent manager.”

Lisa smiled, hands still shaking. “Let’s just dig through the phone book some more. We’ll find the right people soon.”

“Yeah, maybe ask around at the tavern later,” Jake suggested.

Lisa raised her brows and shook her head. “No, you’re not.”

Jake gave her a confused glance while he turned around in the driveway. “Why not? Loads of working guys drink there. That’s the perfect place to ask around.”

“Okay,” she said. “But you won’t be drinking when you go there.”

Jake chuckled, hand on the shift stick. “Now why wouldn’t I be drinking there? It’s a bar, Lisa.”

Lisa just stared, not saying anything. Jake stared back, the truck idling in the driveway. They stared into each other's eyes, reading each other's expressions. Jake gave her his best ‘I’m serious’ look, but Lisa narrowed her eyes into thin slits.

“But why?” Jake asked.

“Because I’m the manager, remember? Besides, two head smacks in just a couple of days, and two different sets of stitches,” she commented. “And I don’t like addicts.”

Jake scoffed. “I’m not an addict!” he roared.

Lisa jumped, but she held her gaze. “Okay, what about your tobacco? Are you addicted to that?”

“It’s just a habit. I ain’t addicted,” he said. He stared at her, trying to tell her she was wrong. “I mean it, I’m not an alcoholic.”

“Then why are you so upset that I told you not to drink today?”

“Because you told me instead of asking,” he said. “And, well, I just don’t like being told what to do.”

The truck bounced up the gravel driveway and turned onto the highway. The old engine roared up the asphalt, Jake giving it all the throttle. Lisa leaned across the seat and patted his thigh, looking up at his face.

“Okay, I’m sorry. That guy just upset me, and your alcohol thing from last night. It upset me,” she said. “Hold off for a couple of days? Your skull needs a break.”

Jake took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Fine,” he said.

“Now, let’s go to the doctor's office. You need to get checked out by a professional.”

“Oh, hell no! I told you, I hate needles,” Jake protested. “You just want to see me suffer.”

Lisa giggled behind her hand. “I saw enough of that last night and this morning. I just want her to make sure you aren't concussed. It’s probably too late for that now, but still.”

Jake grumbled incoherently, but didn’t argue it any further.

Lisa grinned and leaned on the door. “Taking things slow.”

—------------------------------------------------------

Jake sat on the exam table while Doctor Melissa checked his eyes with her test light. He wore a frown and a fresh dressing over his stitches.

“Well, Mr. Marshall. No signs of concussion, but you need to drink more water.”

Doctor Melissa scribbled on a prescription pad and handed it to Lisa. She sat in the corner chair by the door. “Antibiotics, take them with food. One week should be long enough.”

Jake sighed and nodded. “Can I go now?”

The women gave him a withering look, but the doctor nodded. “Yes, you may leave, Jake. Lisa, well done with his stitches. I could see where you first started with his scalp. Much better as you progressed. Come in after a few more days and I’ll take them out.”

Jake coughed and left the exam room, leaving Lisa behind with the doctor. “Or you can take them out at home. I don’t think he’ll want to come back anytime soon,” Melissa laughed. “Good progress, by the way. You are filling out some in just a couple of days, mainly your face.”

They talked some before leaving the room, Melissa giving Lisa a quick once over. Finally, after what felt like hours to Jake, he pulled away from the office with Lisa in the cab.

“You know, doctors aren't bad people, Jake,” Lisa remarked. “Doctor Melissa helped me during a terrible time.” Her voice cracked and became small. She coughed and patted her chest. “She knows what she’s doing.”

He nodded, not wanting to send her swimming into her mind with a glance. ‘Something’s there. Don’t press the memory, change the subject,’ he thought. “You’re right, they just make me uncomfortable.”

Lisa shrugged. “Yeah, I agree. But our pain and problems aren't always fun to fix.”

“Words of a wise woman, right there,” Jake said. “Speaking of woman, time to get your birthday present early.” He only drove a mile down a street before turning into a tiny parking lot next to a small office building.

Lisa looked at the sign out front, but it meant nothing to her. “Cow Creek Communications? What’s that mean?”

Jake took her hand, the two of them walking in through the front door. A bell tinkled above them, notifying a man behind the counter. He stood and shuffled up to the counter, hanging his cane by the handle on the glass display case.

“Afternoon, folks. What can I do for you?” he asked in a frail voice.

Lisa released Jake's hand, placing hers on the glass case in front of them. The illuminated case was chock full of phones - cell phones. Motorola RAZR, Siemens M65, Multiple Nokia’s. She looked up at Jake, wondering why they were here; did he need to fix his phone?

“Yeah, we need to buy a phone. You cover the major networks, right?” Jake asked.

The man behind the case pulled some papers out from his desk, passing them to Jake. Lisa tuned them out while she read the little cards on the phones. Everything looked so cool, but then again everything did if you put it under glass with a light. The one that stuck out to her the most was the RAZR by Motorola.

It was flat and sleek, the silver color making it shine. The best part wasn't that it flipped open and closed, but the little display screen on the front. It lit up and showed you notifications without having to open the phone.

“How does that sound?” Jake said.

“What?” Lisa asked. “Sorry, I wasn’t listening.”

The man laughed, leaning on the glass counter. “She's taken by the technology.”

Jake sat on his heels next to her, looking at the phones with her. “What one do you like?” he said in a low voice.

Lisa’s mouth fell open. “You mean, for me?”

Jake smiled. “Yeah, for you. It’s your birthday tomorrow, remember?”

She leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. “That one, right there.”

The old man removed a box with the picture of her phone on the front. After setting it up and test calling it, he handed it and the box to Lisa in a white plastic bag. Jake signed some agreement papers and handed the cash over to the old man.

Lisa was on top of the world, but it felt like everything would come crashing down any minute. In her mind, nothing good ever happened to her without something going wrong shortly after.

—---------------------------------------

Jake was snoozing on the bed with the TV on. Lisa lay next to him, exploring her new phone, his arm around her. He was just beginning to snore when his phone vibrated across the surface of the bedside table. Lisa snatched it up, answering it without a second thought.

“Hello?” she asked.

A man’s voice at the other end hesitated before talking. “H- hello, Jake?”

“Yeah, this is his phone. Can I tell him who’s calling?” she asked.

“Oh, yeah, this is Jason.”

Lisa handed the phone over. “Jason, boss.”

Jake opened his eyes, taking the thing in his hand. “Yeah, sup?” He asked, rubbing his eyes.

“Hey man, who’s the girl?” Jason asked.

“Oh, my new manager, Lisa,” Jake answered..

Lisa giggled, clicking away at her phone.

“Wow, you actually found a girl, huh? Shit, I never thought I’d see the day,” Jason said. “Listen, the yard here has 3 days left before everything gets towed out. You need to come get the truck before it’s held for ransom.”

Jake sat up. “I thought Brad had longer than that? He told everyone there was another month at least.”

Jason coughed, holding the phone away from his mouth. “Sorry. Yeah, he fucking lied to all of us. I got most of the guys' rigs here tuned up and running. Now it's all up to you drivers to get them out. Sorry, man.”

Jake sighed, rubbing his face again. “Fuck,” he mumbled. “Alright, can you get mine going? I left -”

“A key on the oil dipstick; already done,” finished Jason. “I’ll charge you when you get here. Don’t worry about it.”

“Thanks man, for everything. We’ll be out there the day after tomorrow. Lisa’s birthday is tomorrow. So if I can get us some tickets today, we’ll leave tomorrow night.”

They said their goodbyes and hung up. Jake slapped his phone shut, tossing it next to him.

“Where are we going? What’s wrong?” Lisa quizzed. “Who’s Jason?”

Jake chuckled and lay back again. “Jason was our shop mechanic when we worked out of Reno. He called to warn me that everything in that yard will be towed away in 3 days. We need to go to Reno.”

Lisa’s eyes got huge, the reality of something sinking in. “You mean I’m going with you?” She asked.

Jake smiled and reached up for her with a hand. “C’mere, let me tickle you.”

Lisa shrieked and climbed backwards off the bed. “No! I don’t wanna be tickled.” Her hair was wild, strewn across her face, shoulders and back. “No tickling,” she laughed, pointing a finger at him.

Jake shrugged and reached down into the bedside drawer next to him. “Fine,” he said, tossing the phonebook at the foot of the bed. “Call the airport. We need two tickets to Reno, Nevada.”

She reached down, watching him for any sneak attacks. “I don’t know how to order tickets,” she said. “What do I do?”

“Just call the airport and tell them we want to go to Reno, and you want to be there tomorrow night.”

Lisa’s hands shook. She sat on the edge of the bed and opened the thick book. Jake observed, but didn’t interrupt her. When she looked like she was lost in the pages, he helped.

“Eugene airport. It’ll be an hour and a half drive to get there,” he whispered.

Lisa called in the number, holding the phone to her ear. Her voice shook a little, and she used a lot of ‘um’s and ‘uh’s’, but she got through it.

“Why am I so nervous, Jake?” she asked. “It’s just a phone call, but I was so nervous.”

“You ain’t used to it. It’s all new,” he replied. “You did it though. I’m proud of you.”

Lisa tucked the slip of paper with the booking number under Jake’s wallet and flopped down next to him. “That’s why you wanted me to do it, isn’t it?”

“Of course, you need to do that stuff,” he said. Jake rubbed Lisa’s back, her happy groans sounding like a purring cat. “Now we just need to meet the sheriff and Miss Ellie tomorrow afternoon. Gotta have you turn 18 before we leave.”

Lisa laughed, the blankets muffling her. “Silly, I’ll be 18 at midnight tonight.”

“Oh, shit, you’re right. I shouldn’t be touching you right now then.” He removed his hand from her back, halting the light back rub.

Lisa protested, whining loud enough to wake the bears in the forest. “NooOO! Keep going, please?” She lifted her face from the bedding, giving him the most pathetic looking sad eyes he’d ever seen.

“Listen, I’m sorry. I forgot you weren't legal. I shouldn't be rubbing your back,” he said, holding his hands up and away. “Gotta wait until tomorrow.”

“Jaake,” Lisa whined. “Please, just stop joking. That feels great.”

He rolled his eyes, scratching her back again. “Can’t even tease you, huh?”

“Ugh,” she groaned. Her eyes were closed, a small smile on her lips. “I don’t joke about back rubs.”

—------------------------------------

“Alright dear,” Miss Ellie said. “Just remember that no matter what, you get the last say.”

Lisa stuck her tongue out at Jake before she ate the last corner piece of the cake. Miss Ellie had baked Lisa a medium size sheet cake. Chocolate with boston cream in the middle, frosted with a teal cream cheese frosting. Jake asked for the last corner piece, but Lisa denied it.

“See? My cake, my rules.”

Miss Ellie laughed along with Sheriff John. They looked close, and something was definitely going on between them. Lisa and Jake shared a look, both coming to the same conclusion.

For dinner, John grilled some chicken in the alley behind Miss Ellie’s shop. Miss Ellie made a potato salad and garlic bread to go with the chicken. Everything was excellent. After the food, Sheriff John placed a large manilla envelope on the table and slid it in front of Lisa.

“They were able to use the photo of you we took at the doctor’s office. The birth certificate was easy to get, the school had a copy. The social security office is still working on getting you a card.”

He leaned back, placing an arm around Miss Ellie’s chair. Lisa opened the envelope and found an Oregon state ID with the birth certificate.

“Thank you, John.” She showed Jake the ID, beaming. “This is what the airport lady said I needed to board the plane.”

“Yeah, ever since they hit those towers, they’ve upped security a lot. Might wanna go there a bit earlier just for the line,” Miss Ellie commented.

They did just that. Lisa hugged them both, promising to call when she landed in Reno.

“Maybe just send me a text message. I might be asleep by then.” John chuckled.

“Thank you, have a good night,” said Jake, closing the shop door behind him. His boots clunked on the wood steps that led down to the concrete sidewalk below. Lisa waited for him at the bottom, hands stuffed in her back pockets. The resulting effect pushed her chest forward, giving him an eyeful.

“I had a great time tonight,” she said. Her arm snaked around his, pulling herself close to his side. “I can't believe we had to clean everything out of the motel room, though. That kind of sucked.”

Jake laughed, pulling her door open on the truck. “Can’t leave everything in it, can we? We need it in Reno and on the way back.” He got behind the steering wheel and pulled away from the curb, the old pickup roaring down the street, leaving a cloud of faint blue smoke.

“Yeah, but I literally just organized the room! It sucks.” She folded her arms, giving him an exaggerated pout. When she did, her arms pulled her long sleeve shirt tighter across her chest.

‘Is she purposely doing these things?’ Jake thought. ‘Or maybe I'm just seeing her differently now.’

“How did you like your dinner?” he asked, trying to distract himself. “I sure enjoyed John's chicken and Ellie’s cooking.”

Lisa dropped her arms and rolled her eyes. “I loved it, Jake. Do you only think about food?” She asked, a little miffed.

“Hell no! I sometimes try to relive that morning you showed off your butt,” he said. “You should’ve seen it, Lisa. The cutest thing ever.” He waved his hand in front of him as if he was unveiling an elaborate painting.

Her jaw dropped with surprise. “Wow, really? That’s all you think about is food and my butt? And I was there, you idiot. It was me!” She finished by smacking his arm, then unbuckled herself.

“What are you doing?” asked Jake.

Lisa slid over, planting herself in the middle, right next to him. “I can cuddle you in public now, right?” She clipped the middle seat belt around her, leaning on his side.

“I dunno, Lisa. That could be a harassment charge in the workplace,” Jake said.

Lisa giggled, wiggling closer to him. “I won't report you.”

“Nah, It’s me that’d report you,” he replied. “The manager is trying to cuddle the boss.”

Lisa put a hand on his neck, pulling him down to kiss his cheek.

“Always full of surprises, huh?” Jake replied. “I’m okay with that.”

They found a spot in the secure long-term parking lot, locking the doors tight behind them. Jake pulled their suitcases from the bed, handing Lisa her new purple one with wheels. A jet took off just as they made it to the front doors, its twin engines screaming as it climbed into the sky.

Lisa stopped, looking up at the jet gaining altitude, and shook her head. “I never thought I’d ever fly in a plane, but here we are.”

They made it through security just as the terminal began boarding passengers. Lisa was so distracted by the security team checking their shoes and clothing that she never had time to get worked up about takeoff. But that happened now, cramped in the small jet next to Jake.

“Are we safe?” She asked, eyes darting around the cylindrical cabin.

Jake put an arm around her, rubbing her forearm. “We’ll be fine. It’s a short flight to Reno. Just relax and breathe normally.”

The overhead speakers crackled to life. The pilot’s voice filled the cabin, instructing the attendants to close the doors. Lisa jumped, looking around them at the other passengers.

“What’s going on?” she asked. “Are we going to launch?”

“Takeoff, hunny. Ships launch, planes take off,” commented Jake. He explained the seatbelt lights and the procedures.

Lisa watched and listened closely when the flight attendants went over the safety procedures and seat belt adjustments. She double checked her’s and pushed Jake’s arms up, making sure his fit as well. He didn’t protest; anything to keep her mind as calm as possible was the key to keeping her from slipping into her funk.

The plane lurched backward, and Lisa gripped the arms of her seat. “What the heck?” she muttered.

“Just the little car outside pushing us away from the terminal, it’s alright.”

“Good evening, everyone. This is your pilot speaking. Please make sure your belts are securely fastened. Our flight from Eugene to Reno will take an hour and a half, and we expect to touchdown at 7pm. Please sit back and relax; enjoy the flight. Attendants, please prepare for takeoff.”

The speakers went silent again with a simple ‘click.’ The engine’s whine grew louder, the noise in the cabin increasing as the pilot navigated the plane onto the runway.

“Jake, I don’t know about this,” Lisa groaned. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

Jake pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. “Sure you can. This isn’t even the best part.”

Lisa let out a small whimper, pressing herself closer to Jake. The plane made its last turn, throttling up for takeoff. They shot down the runway, engines howling as they lifted off the ground, soaring into the darkening sky. Lisa buried her head in Jake's side, shaking like a leaf.

—--------------------------------------

They touched down exactly one hour and 20 minutes later. They wheeled their bags down the terminal ramp and into the main airport. Jake found the exit signs and followed them until they stood outside. He flagged down a cab and gave the driver the address of the truck yard in the industrial park. Twenty minutes later, the two of them stood in front of a large chain-link gate locked with a chain.

Jake dug in his pocket for his keys while Lisa looked around them in the darkness. The wind blew dust and little tumbleweeds across the street, giving her an eerie feeling. The few street lights around her cast everything in a dull, orange glow.

“Where are the trees? There’s nothing here but dirt and little weeds. Kind of shitty area,” Lisa said.

Jake laughed, pressing his key into the padlock. “Welcome to the high desert. And you’re right, there’s not much here.”

The sound of chains slapping the metal fence echoed around them in the darkness. Jake slipped his keys back in his pocket and pushed the gate open. “Let’s go see if she’ll start up for us.”

Lisa gave him a quizzical look, but did as he said. They walked across a badly cracked concrete parking lot to the back corner of the property. Jake stopped in front of a big gray Kenworth truck and dug into his pocket again. Lisa stood back, still holding her suitcase’s handle.

“What are you doing? Is this yours?

Jake opened the door to the cab and climbed up into the driver's seat. “Yep, this is my girl,” he said. “Had her for a few years now. This thing pays the bills and then some.” He switched the lights on and climbed out, unlatching the hood before flipping it open. “Go ahead, climb on up. I just gotta check the oil and everything.”

Lisa stared at the massive semi truck while she drug her suitcase over to the open driver’s door. She looked up into the cab, then down at the two metal steps that led inside. She left her suitcase on the ground, unable to drag it up with her. When she made it inside, she sat behind the wheel, staring at the big dashboard in front of her.

Multiple gauges and switches occupied the space in front of her. Craning her neck to look out through the windshield, she saw the open hood with the engine below her. Jake’s hat moved around the engine below. She watched as he pulled metal sticks out of the engine and checked lines on fluid jugs. Then he closed the hood, blocking the engine from view.

She couldn’t believe it; the hood looked to be over 8 feet long. ‘How does he drive this thing?’ she wondered.

Jake appeared at the door, lifting her bag up to her. “Set that on the bed, will ya?”

“Bed?” she thought. That's when she noticed the large space behind her. There was a bed against the back wall, 3 feet behind the seat. Cabinets and storage pockets lined the walls. She heaved the suitcase onto the bed and sat next to it. Jake climbed in and turned the key.

The engine cranked and sputtered before it roared to life. The whole truck vibrated with the sound of the two exhaust pipes running up the sides of the cab. Lisa slid into the passenger seat, watching the illuminated gauges on the dash.

“What do you think?” Jake asked.

“Kinda loud,” said Lisa. “Is it always like this?” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, leaning over the dash to see in front of them.

Jake laughed and patted the dash. “Yeah, this old girl loves to talk.”

Lisa then pointed behind them to the bed. “Are we sleeping in here?”

“No. Heck no,” said Jake. “We're going to hook up to my 5th wheel.”

“What’s that?” she asked. “Like a trailer?”

“Kind of. It’s my travel trailer.” He pointed in front of them, off to the side. “Right there. That’s our home until the house is finished.”

Lisa followed his finger and saw what he was referring to. Parked along the fence was a massive three axle travel trailer. “How big is that thing? It’s huge.”

“Forty-three feet from nose to tail. I bought it used last year after my dad passed away.”

“Oh,” Lisa said. She watched his face as he pushed in a knob on the dash and rolled forward. “I’m sorry, Jake.”

“Ah, it’s alright. He lived a decent life, I think. I just wish I had a little more time with him. He’s the one who built the ranch; the shop and house. After mom divorced him, he moved to Mexico and bought a condo.”

Jake backed up to the trailer with a slight bump before turning the truck off. Immediately, everything went silent. “Let’s show you the new house, huh?”

Jake pulled the handle on the trailer’s door, gesturing for Lisa to walk in ahead of him. She smiled, uncertainty in her step. The black metal stairs squeaked under her feet, flexing slightly under her weight. The air in the room smelled stale, not having been circulated in some time.

As she looked around her in the dark, the lights in the ceiling above her flicked on, temporarily blinding her. The inside was nice - simple. The carpet was a light blue, which she hated, but everything else had a pleasant country home feel. A kitchen with a ‘U’-shaped counter sat just to the left of the door, with a living area on the right. Through a door on the right, next to the living room, sat a small staircase that led up into the master bedroom.

In the trailer's rear, just past the kitchen, was a dining area and a large desk. Past that, in the very back, was the full bathroom and small bunk bed area. Lisa just wandered around, peeking in cabinets and doors to get a layout of the place.

“How big is this thing?” she asked. “Like, 8 feet wide or something?”

Jake smiled and pressed a button on a panel by the door. Four sections of the walls moved, sliding out and away from the trailer. The interior space almost doubled, giving the impression that they were in an oddly shaped apartment.

“Uh, well. How big is it now?” she asked.

He laughed, flipping the other control panel switches. “The entire living space is about 400 square feet. More than enough for the two of us here.”

Lisa shrugged, not really caring. She was more or less exhausted, talking to stay alert. “Are we going to bed soon?”

Jake was crouched down by the staircase wall with his ear pressed against some kind of plastic vent panel. He cocked his head, giving her a concerned look.

“Yeah, we can. Are you okay?”

She sighed, flopping down in an overstuffed gray recliner chair. “Yeah, just tired. My eyes hurt, like they have weights underneath them.”

Jake nodded and stood to press something on the control panel by the door again. “Alright, let me get the water heater lit. After that, I’ll get our bags out of the truck. Is that okay?”

Lisa shrugged, barely able to keep her eyes open. She kicked her boots off, pulling her feet up underneath her and curling into a ball on the chair like a cat. Jake watched this and grinned, opening the door with a lighter in his hand.

“I’ll be right back,” he said. “Gotta put a spark to the pilot light on the water tank.”

She didn’t answer. Her breathing had already turned slow and rhythmic. Her coat was tight around her, hood pulled up over her head, toes tucked under the chair’s armrest cushion. Nevada’s wind whistled outside the door, rocking the trailer ever so slightly while she drifted off to sleep.

Jake pulled the door open, stepping up into the trailer. “Got that thing lit. You can take a shower in about 20 minutes if you want.” He dropped the lighter on the counter, turning to see if she heard him. When he saw she was asleep, he lugged the two suitcases up the stairs into the room.

The heater set at 72F soon made the interior comfortable. Jake slipped fresh sheets on the mattress before pulling the fluffy goose-down comforter from its vacuum sealed bag. With everything set, he lifted Lisa from her chair and placed her on the bed. He contemplated taking her coat off for her, but left it. The last thing he wanted to do was trigger another episode.

Padding down the 3 steps into the living room, he slid the door closed. ‘This place held up well in storage,’ he thought. ‘Should take a shower before bed; get something to eat in the morning.’ He yawned and stretched his arms up and back. ‘Been a long damn day. Probably just as long tomorrow if the weather holds out.’

The rumbling of the water heater stopped, telling him he now had 8 gallons of warmth. He stripped off, leaving his boxers on. Grabbing a fresh towel from the closet in the back, he entered the bathroom, relishing the short supply of warm water. “Oh, that feels good,” he said to himself. The stitches in his scalp stopped stinging this morning, but the ones on his face reminded him of their existence when he soaped up.

He heard soft thumps outside the room - light feet coming down the bedroom stairs into the back. Jake listened closely, wondering if Lisa was looking for him. But as soon as he heard them approach, they turned and disappeared the other way. ‘Probably wondering where I was,’ he thought.

After toweling off, he opened the door and found his sweatpants and a shirt on the floor outside the bathroom. He chuckled and bent down to pick them up. Looking down the length of the trailer, he saw the bedroom’s sliding door partially open.

‘So she came out here to bring me clothes?’

He then saw her coat tossed on the chair with his. Her phone was now plugged in and sitting on the counter next to his.

‘She wasn’t out here that long, was she? I only heard her walk down and back, right?’

Jake dropped the towel and slid his sweats on, noticing she forgot fresh boxers. He pulled the shirt on and hung his towel on the rack to dry. ‘Not like I need them to sleep, anyway.’ He thought. ‘Odd why she’d wake up just to freshen stuff up in the trailer.’

He turned the lights off on the way back to the bedroom, double checking to make sure the door was locked. With the crime in this area, he always made sure to lock everything. It didn’t matter that they were parked in a gated yard.

Jake climbed the stairs, leaving the door open now that the lights were turned off. He found the lights off in the room as well, aside from the small reading light on his side of the bed. Lisa’s jeans hung on a hook by the closet, along with her shirt.

‘Got her night clothes on. That’s why she really woke up.’

He flipped the blankets back to slide in. Lisa lay on her stomach, head turned away from him, arms above her head. Jake admired the way her dark hair spread out over her back and shoulders. His small smile turned to a look of surprise when the blanket peeled back a little too far, exposing her bare back.

‘No top?’ he thought. His mind raced, not sure why she would go to bed like that. ‘Is it too hot in here?’

He sat on the edge of the bed and turned to the side, one knee propped up on top. He wasn’t sure if he should say something or even lie here with her.

‘What if she wakes up and realizes she forgot to put a shirt on?’

“Lay down, it’s cold,” she mumbled.

He looked over his shoulder, seeing her face turned to him now.

“Uh, Lisa? You forgot your top,” he said. “Do you want to put it on before I get in?”

“Just lay down and turn the light off,” she said. “I wanna cuddle.”

—----------------------------------------------

Jason texted Jake, informing him he was in the yard. Jake tossed the blanket off of him and looked down at the sleeping woman laying on his chest. He pulled his arm from around her and slid sideways, lowering her head slowly to rest on the bed. Lisa groaned, grabbing at his hand when he stood.

“I gotta meet Jason outside,” he whispered. “Need to make sure the truck and trailer are ready for the trip.”

Lisa groaned again, this time sounding more like a growl. Jake laughed and tousled her hair.

“Get a shower if you want. I’m just gonna get dressed and step outside.”

Jake walked to the foot of the bed and set his suitcase at the foot of it. Lisa heard the zippers followed by the sound of clothes being sorted through. When she thought Jake had turned his back, Lisa turned to look down at him.

His back was turned, and she looked just in time to see the sweatpants she lay out for him slide down his legs. A small satisfied smile formed on her lips as she admired his firm backside. He reached up and back, grabbing the shirt and pulling it off over his head. The muscles on his back and shoulders shifted and twitched under his skin.

Seeing what she wanted, Lisa turned away again and laid down before Jake caught her looking. While she did, she reached behind her, pushing the blanket down below her butt. She didn’t think he would mind, but this was way more fun and secretive. He didn’t know it, but the top wasn’t the only thing missing last night.

Jake pulled his pants up and turned to grab his belt from the foot of the bed when he saw her. Lisa faced away from him, just as he left her when he got up. But now the blanket was much, much lower. She lay on her right arm, the other stretched out away from her. Her bare back, smooth and lean, was exposed all the way down. Her bare ass stood out, proudly on display.

His breath caught in his throat, heart ready to burst from his chest. He wanted to reach up and grab it, but contained himself. She trusted him, and he never wanted to ruin that. This view was for him, and he knew it. He remembered what she said just the other day, and all he could do was smile and enjoy what she let him see.

Jason had the hood open on the truck when Jake finally stepped out into the chilly morning air. He held a wrench in one hand and a grease gun in the other when Jake walked up to slap him on the back. He wore his usual faded blue coveralls with old grease and oil stains all over it.

“I looked her over for you. Checked the fluids, tires, greased her up. She's ready to go, though you'll want to top off the tanks before you go too far,” Jason said. He closed the hood and wiped his hands off on a red shop rag. “That old Cat engine is just as strong as it was the day it rolled off the assembly line.”

He walked to the passenger side of the truck and snapped the last hood latch closed before leaning against the truck's steps. Jake sat next to him, packing his lip with a fresh can of tobacco.

“How much do I owe you, buddy?” he asked, reaching into his back pocket to remove his wallet.

Jason tucked his rag in a pocket, smirking at his friend. “Shit man, you don't owe me anything. That's what friends are for.”

Jake pulled out two one hundred-dollar bills and tucked them in the breast pocket of Jason’s coveralls. “Friends or not, I don't expect you to work on my truck for free.”