It started as a pretty normal late summer day. I'd dropped a visitor off at the bus station and I was driving home, wondering what to do with the remainder of my weekend. It was then that I saw her, up in the distance walking slowly along the side of this dusty road.
Eyes watching her as I drove, I took her in. She could have been anywhere from twenty-five to forty I thought, difficult to tell. Hazel hair with long legs, wearing shorts and a t-shirt which emphasized a proper womanly figure - not stick thin, not chubby. Well rounded and proportioned in all the right places. There was a bag on her shoulders.
As I approached, I slowed down, not wanting to spray her with dust or alarm her. As I drove past, I saw a flash of a smile and a thumb stuck out. Watching her in my rear mirror, I slowed and pulled over to the side, the inevitable dust cloud enveloping me, the truck, and this mystery woman.
I drew the window down, watching her approach, her hand fanning her face and the dust out of the way, As she drew level with my lowered window, I saw crunched-up eyes, crinkled and sun-kissed in the corners. She looked so natural and beautiful. Trying not to stare, I did a quick up and down with my eyes from behind my sunglasses.
Working hard to look this stranger in the eyes, I raised my sunglasses onto my head, smiling at her.
"Hey, I'm sorry about the dust ball, we need some rain here!"
She coughed either for effect or real, and it was done with a smile on her face. I got the immediate impression, from the corners of her eyes and mouth, that she did a lot of smiling. It was a great smile!
Leaning in to rest on the side of the car, she smiled as she looked at me. "That's ok, I stuck my thumb out late. It's good of you to stop."
Looking behind down the road, I said, "No problem. You're a long way from nowhere all the way out here, where are you heading?"
Looking along the road in both directions, then into the car she smiled again. "Nowhere really. Well, I mean I'm not sure. I am just wandering and exploring and thinking."
Reaching over to open the passenger door, I looked at her. "Do you wanna get in?"
She smiled again, heaving her bag off her shoulders and into the back as she climbed into the passenger side. I couldn't help but look at her legs, and she gave a wry smile as she 'caught' me.
Driving off, I reached behind to grab an ice-cold coke, handing it to her. I introduced myself. "I'm James, it's nice to meet you."
She took it, nodding her head in thanks, opening it as she turned to me offering me a slightly chilled hand. "I'm Katie, thanks for the ride."
We drove along, creating more dust, as I asked again where I could drop her. Thinking for a while, she turned to me, her t-shirt hugging her impressive cleavage, telling me. "I honestly don't know, I have no plans. Which way are you heading?"
Taking a breath, I thought momentarily before answering. "Well, you're a long way from nowhere Katie, a long way. I live about five miles north through those trees. You're welcome to come with me. You can grab a shower, have some food, and sleep, while you decide. I've no plans and no one else home."
I added with a chuckle, "If that doesn't sound like the start of a kidnap movie."
Driving silently, I didn't speed up and let the suggestion settle with her. As I glanced over, I saw a smile form on her face, turning to me. "Fuck it, why not. You seem nice enough. Mind if I tell someone where I am, just in case you are an axe murderer or something?"
Laughing with her, she was infectious like that, I nodded my ascent giving her the coordinates of the house, driving off the main track through fields filled with horses and sheep. I heard her tapping on her phone. As she put it down, she looked at me "Thanks for understanding and not being a dick. It's real kind of you to take me in."
Pulling up in front of a large house, surrounded by trees, and turning off the engine all we could hear was an animal or two and sway of the trees. Turning to her, I saw her eyes widen as I told her, "Welcome to my home."
Opening the truck door, I took her bag and offered her a hand, taking in her long legs as she got out. "Wow, you live here all alone?"
Walking around the back of the house, I looked at her. "My daughter and certain friends come and go. Just us for now. Make yourself at home."
Walking around the pool, I was enjoying seeing her reaction, taking in where we were. I put her bag down, as I reached down and grabbed a couple of beers. Opening both, I handed one to her. "Cheers Katie, I'm glad to have met you."
She took it, wide-eyed and with a mocking smile in her eyes. "Cheers James, aren't you a dark horse? Is all this yours?" As she gesticulated around, arms moving in a circle.
I chuckled, "It's a business, let's say it's mine in partnership with the bank."
I sat down, looking at her as I gestured for her to take a load off. "So why were you on the road? You don't have to tell me, but it's unusual. Are you heading away from trouble?"
Emptying her beer, I gave us both another. "Not really trouble, but more reflection. I had some time to myself after my daughter moved to college, so I left stuff behind and went traveling to reflect. Here I am."
I didn't want to push harder, so I left it and watched her. She was visibly relaxing in the afternoon sun and as she got to know me.
Looking at the pool, she took a breath in and her eyes widened. "Christ on a bike, I am sorry. I had no idea." As I watched, confused, she folded her arms putting her hands under her armpits, which were sprouting hair.
Looking at her, I raised an eyebrow in question.
She looked at me with a broad smile, eyes tinged with rueful laughter. "Come on, don't tell me you didn't smell me in the truck Jimmy?"
Letting out a large guffaw, I shook my head. "I didn't notice, much. Do you want a shower or a swim?"
She stood, stretching, looking around, and pushing her shoes off quickly, she fell into the pool with a large splash. Watching her, she surfaced with a laugh and a splash in my direction. "Wow, it's glorious in here, but my only clothes are all wet now."
Standing on the edge, looking down at her, I smiled. "Just as well I have a washer and they'll dry pretty soon in this heat." As I stepped back, avoiding another splash.
I could see her clothes molded to her incredible figure, showing her curves and assets. She saw me looking and didn't cover herself. spreading out to let me see as she floated. Looking up, she almost dared me, simply stating, "Gonna join me if the clothes will dry so quickly?"
With a smile on my face, and pulling my t-shirt over my head, I jumped in making as big a bomb as I could. Laughing as I surfaced, seeing Katie rocking in the waves, her eyes were fixed on me. Now, don't get me wrong, I am in reasonable shape for a man in his forties, but I am still a man in his forties with chest hair and a little too much timber around the middle.