Nice day yesterday, warm in the pm. In the morning, a visit to Bastion, shopped for a pair of jeans without any luck. Only two stores in this town sells men's wear. Worked on Forks in the Trail. I would say its coming along pretty good. Gave word at the office that we would leave a day early as we'll move the M H on Saturday, then will also be ready to head out right at 11 on Sunday. The warmer weather is finally causing some signs of spring. But still snow on the sides of the bowl that encompass the town.

Here' a snippet from Water Borne.

Alicia jumped to her feet and slipped past and out the door taking her knife from its case as she went.

She had hunted all her teenage years and the years she had spent as a wildlife technician had often required she dress out game.

She had the hide off and rolled into a bundle by the time the water had warmed and Bob had washed. When she went around to the door he was standing with his back to her, stripped to the waist. Looking at his body she realized that he was younger than what she had thought thanks to the abundance of whiskers and hair.

She stared for a second or two then stepped back from the door way. She waited a few seconds then shouted out, “Where do you want the hide?”

Bob slipped on a clean T shirt and came to the door, “When you get finished just leave it there.”

“I am finished.”

“How? You can’t be.”

He strode past her and around to the lean-to. Hanging from the rafter was the skinned deer, no superficial cuts and no hair on the meat.

He turned and glared at her then said, “ Where’dyou learn to do that.”

“I learned when I was a kid,” Then not to lose the moment she added with a straight look, “I’m good with a knife.”

He grunted and moved past her. She followed him inside and taking the basin of bloody water, through the contents outside and poured more water to heat.

Bob mumbled, “Go easy with the water, I gottapack it.”

Alicia whirled from the stove, “You are a miserable bastard, aren’t you? I just skinned your bloody deer for you and now you’re suggesting I shouldn’t wash?”

Bob glared at Alicia then angrily said, “Look girlie, I didn’t ask you here, I didn’t need your help whydon’t you just go back to where you came from and leave me alone!”

Alicia matched his angry stare and hissed, “I’ll go for now, I had thought maybe we could work this out amicably but you are obviously too bushed to be reasonable so I will go, but I’ll be back and when I do you’ll be out of here.”

“Better bring an army with you.”

“It won’t be an army, but I will bring the proof that this is all mine.” She waved her arm in a circle. “And I’ll bring an eviction notice that you’ll recognize by its long barrel.” Alicia snatched up her knapsack and walked out and over to the trail head. Once she was out of sight she broke into a run.

Bob stared after her then said aloud, “Stupid bitch. She’s probably ticked cause I caught her snooping.”

He paced around for a few moments then aloud again, “Ah to hell with it, I may as well get the rest of the thing before it gets dark.”

He headed down the trail and when he reached the fork broke into a trot.