Rustled Read Online Free PDF

five
o’clock, though, if you want to wait a couple of hours.”
    “How the heck
do you know what time it is?”
    “I just do.
Got an internal clock, I guess.”
    “Well, I’m
hungry now.” I sounded like a five-year-old, even to myself. But I was hungry.
    “Okay, I’ll
fix us some of that stew, that okay?”
    “Whatever.
Hey, Russ? Would you move that lantern somewhere else? It gives me the willies
up there.”
    Russ jerked
his eyes up to the lantern. “It does? I keep it there because anywhere else it
shines in your eyes. But if it bothers you…”
    “It really
does. I don’t mind if you turn it down, but please put it somewhere besides
right over the bed.”
    “No problem,
Kitten.” Oh, now I was Kitten again. Apparently making demands was considered ‘spittin’
and scratchin’’.
    While he
heated the stew, I took the opportunity to scoot into the tiny bathroom with a
basin of warm water and a bit of soap. He must have done the same at some
point, because he smelled great, a mixture of the soap, a spicy scent that
surely wasn’t cologne, and woodsmoke. But I was beginning to get ripe.
    §
    Our meager
meal finished and the dishes neatly washed and put away, Russ asked if I wanted
to play more cards. Mischievously, I answered, “Strip poker.” And was rewarded
by his hearty laugh.
    “Lookin’ to
get naked with me again little girl?” Hmmm, that was a new one, and that was
exactly what I was looking for, but I wasn’t going to admit it.
    “Just
kidding.”
    “Be careful
what you kid about, Kitten. But no, I don’t think strip poker is a good idea.
You need to stay warm, remember?”
    “Yes, Russ.
Hey, how about Truth or Dare?”
    “You’ve gotta
be kiddin’.”
    “Come on,
it’ll be fun.”
    Reluctantly,
he shuffled the cards and let me cut them. Then he told me to draw first. A
king. His draw turned over a five. “Truth or Dare,” I said.
    “I’ll take
Dare, but it can’t be anything dangerous, like sending me out into that storm.”
    “I dare you
to—I don’t know, crap. Why didn’t you choose Truth?” I asked. I could feel a
child-like petulance steal over my face.
    “Because you
don’t believe anything I say anyway.”
    My mouth
dropped, I couldn’t help it. How had he known that?
    “Everything
you think is written on your face, plain as day,” he said as if in answer. Oh,
lord, now he was reading my mind.
    “No, just your
face.”
    “Goddammit!” I
cried, piqued beyond my control. Russ grinned at me. I picked up the deck of
cards and flipped them at him, scattering them all over the bed and beyond to
the floor.
    “Now, what did
you want to go and do that for,” he complained. I crossed my arms, frowned at
him and refused to speak. How was I supposed to gain the upper hand if he knew
everything I was thinking? Then I felt my face grow warm. What if he knew…? I
shot him a quick glance, but he was busy picking up the cards. I’d better cut
my losses and just go to sleep, I thought. I turned my back on him and
straightened out, the whole quilt still tucked around me.
    §
    I didn ’t wake when Russ rearranged the blanket so he could get under it,
but I did when I felt his weight against my back. My eyes flew open to a dark
room, lit only by the glow of the hot stove. Russ must have put the lantern
out. I stilled my heart, which had jumped with alarm when Russ rolled into me,
so that I could listen for the wind that signaled the blizzard was still in
full storm mode. Yes, there it was, though fainter than before, I thought.
    Russ’s even
breath was closer, and I knew without looking that he was asleep. What had
caused him to roll into me, when he had been so careful since we got our
clothes back? Fully awake now, I shifted a little to turn over so that I could
see him. It took long minutes for me to turn fully without waking him, shifting
a bit, then lying still until his stirring stopped, only to do it again.
Unfortunately, my dress was now twisted around me