Anthony Newman: American Survivor

The move completed Cobie began rearranging the cabin to suit herself. Joe moved furniture and tried to assist as much as possible. Cobie avoided discussing their budding relationship but did sit on the couch with Joe’s arm around her while they relaxed before bed. On a few occasions, she laid her head on his lap as she read one of the survival manuals. Joe began to wonder if Cobie would ever commit to a meaningful relationship.

Spring had begun, the days were warmer, and the sun rose earlier each day. The mountains of Oregon were beautiful year round, but the springtime is especially enjoyable with the valleys turning green and the plants and trees putting out buds and later flowers. The sunshine was a welcome part of their day as it warmed their faces and arms. Joe had the girls join him at noon every day in a short sunbathing ritual that increased their morale. On a few occasions, they all wore shorts and t-shirts during their sunbathing.

Dan and Joe took two hours every day after lunch to teach the others about their weapons and how to use them effectively. Joe shared his stock of pellet rifles so they could demonstrate proper shooting techniques. The live but silent shooting exercises significantly increased everyone’s accuracy.

Joe taught everyone the art of fighting with a knife after he read every article on the subject from his Grandpa’s books. He made the books available to everyone. They all worked hard to become proficient enough on several survival topics so they could teach the others.

Joe watched Cobie and Jane wrestling on the ground after Dan taught them how to fight. Cloe laughed as her mom pinned Jane to the ground for a minute before Jane looped a leg around Cobie and pitched her to the ground. Joe pulled for Cobie to Jane’s dismay, but his support made Cobie’s day.

“Ladies, that was excellent. Tomorrow you will learn how to disable a larger attacker. Joe and I are trying to manufacture some…err…cups to protect the family jewels from your vicious assaults.”

“Yes, girls, I want my hubby’s jewels intact after we beat up on them tomorrow,” Ginny laughed as she spoke.

“Mom, that’s too much information,” her daughter Dot exclaimed.

Joe took a towel and a bottle of water over to Cobie who was exhausted from the training. She took a drink and poured the rest of the water on her head. Joe sopped the water from her hair with a towel and tried to dry it.

“Joe, I’ll look like a weightlifter when we get through with the training. My muscles are so sore,” Cobie said.

“I have a jar of Blue Emu back at the cabin you can rub on your muscles,” Joe said.

“Could you do it for me? I’m so tired, I could fall asleep right now,” Cobie replied.

“Well, we need to get on back to the cabin. Cloe grab your gear. I’ll get mine and your moms.”

Cobie asked Joe to haul water to the big tub so she could take a bath and Joe answered, “Let me turn the hot water heater on and the tub will fill itself with nice hot water.”

She lay on the couch and asked Joe to hang the sheet up that hid the tub from the rest of the cabin. After the water was hot, Joe filled the tub to about five inches deep. The water was hot but perfect to sooth Cobie’s sore muscles. She walked behind the sheet and began to take her clothes off.

“Cloe, go out and tend to your rabbits,” Cobie said.

“Okay mom, I’ll be outside until super,” Cloe said as she left the cabin.

“I’ll go out and join Cloe with the rabbits so you can bathe in private,” Joe said.

“Please stay and keep me company. I’m behind a sheet, and you can’t see anything. Stay and talk to me, please Joe,” Cobie begged.

“I don't want you to think I would take advantage of our arrangement,” Joe replied.

Cobie stuck her head around the sheet and said, “Joe come here.”

Joe walked over to her, and she reached around with one arm and drew him close to her. She kissed him long and hard, and then said, “I’m so glad you came back. I think I know how to keep you here with us.”

“If that was a sample of things to come; I’m in,” Joe replied.

“Joe, Jane is so jealous that you’re living with us. She tried to kill me this afternoon,” Cobie smiled to herself as she washed.

“Yes, she is jealous. During our trip back from town, she told me that if you didn’t want me that her door would always be open,” Joe replied.

“Joe do you want to go to her door?” Cobie said as she toyed with Joe.

“I don’ know how to answer that. I have this other woman who kinda likes me every now and then but not enough to commit. I care for her a lot, and I’m waiting for her to make up her mind,” Joe said.

“I hear she is warming up to you and rubbing that sore muscle stuff all over her body might seal the deal,” Cobie said as she stood up and dried off.

Cobie walked out from behind the curtain with only a towel on, walked over to Joe, and kissed him. She then lay down with her back up on the couch. She pulled the towel down until it only covered her butt and said, “Rub that stuff on my legs first, then my arms, and then my back.”

Joe began rubbing the cream onto her legs and then said, “Darn Cloe might come in. This wouldn’t look good.”

“I told Cloe to give us a couple of hours of privacy to discuss a few things. Get back to rubbing my back that feels so good. I’m pretty sure that after tonight there won’t be any going to Jane’s door,” Cobie moaned.

Joe finished her backside, and she said,” That was damned good. Turn your head so I can roll over.”

He turned around until she said to begin rubbing again. When he turned, she had placed the towel over her waist, and a washcloth covered her breasts. Cobie looked up at him and said, “Rub that stuff on every bit of skin you can see. Don’t touch any other parts. I think your girl is warming up to you but really wants the rubdown before she makes up her mind.”

Joe rubbed the cream on her arms legs and upper chest before moving to her stomach. He rubbed her in a very sensuous way until he said, “You know that you are killing me.”

“I know, and it is so much fun watching you squirm. I think your girl has made up her mind. Lock the door and take your clothes off,” Cobie said.

She threw the towel to the floor and then drew him close and kissed him long and hard. Joe locked the door and scrambled to take his pants off. They lay down on the couch when suddenly Bennie began growling and barking outside. Then they heard Cloe screaming, “Help me.”

Joe put his pants on, grabbed his rifle, and ran out the door. He saw Cloe on top of the truck swinging a stick at a mountain lion that was trying to attack her. The lion jumped onto the hood of the truck and crouched to spring at Cloe. There was another that had Bennie cornered against the porch. Joe aimed and fired at the one trying to attack Cloe. He shot twice, and the beast fell to the ground. He turned to shoot the other lion and saw it running off into the woods with Bennie chasing it. He shot the first lion twice more to make sure it was dead.

Joe went to Cloe who was down on her knees crying. He picked her up off the truck’s fender and carried her to the house. Cobie came running out of the house half dressed and met them on the porch.

“Baby, are you okay. What happened?” Cobie asked.

“A huge cat tried to eat Bennie, and I hit it with a big stick. I forgot to take my gun out with me. Please save my dog,” Cloe sobbed.

Cobie held her daughter on the couch and asked, “Joe what do we do? I want to save Bennie, but we don’t want to get anyone else hurt.”

“Darling, I’ll track Bennie and bring him back. He’s probably got the cat stuck in the top of a tree by now and is too stubborn to come home until he catches the cat. I’ll be back in a few hours,” Joe said.