"Summer Love" (c) Copyright, "Basia" "2007"
No copying or duplication without Author Permission

 basiasbedtimestories@hotmail.com 

The sun glistened across the water.  Small bubbles rose from where turtles lay.  Ripples caused by feeding minnows kept the shore waters moving.  The air was filled with the fragrance of wildflowers and primrose. She stretched out on a bed of clover and lost herself in the clouds.  Time seemed to stand still for a moment.  The children's laughter brought her back to the present.

"Mom, think fast!"  She turned her head just in time to catch the ball that was two inches from her face.  The giggles escalated to a roar as they tackled her.  A tickle fest soon ensued.  Three kids on one mom wasn't fair.

"Look", Jess said, breaking the festivities.  She pointed to her mom's pole. It was half in the water and becoming submerged quickly .  The oldest dove for it.  A giant splash and in an instant, CJ stood, dripping, holding the pole with the smile of victory on his face.  His mom took the pole.  "Now what do you think caused this?" she asked.  There hadn't been a nibble all day and that pole was well anchored or at least she though it had been.  The children continued to laugh while CJ took his shirt off , wringing the water out and hanging it up.  Basia reeled in the line.  Suddenly there was a hard tug.  She moved out to the end of a log hoping to catch a glimpse of what was attacking her line.   The log was covered in moss, so she moved carefully.   The line went limp and she was reeling it in when unexpectedly she was being pulled forward.  The moss under her feet would not allow her to grip the log. SPLASH!  She hit the water.  Laughing so hard she stood up and headed for the shore.  Out of the corner of her eye she saw a man running toward them.

"Are you alright ma'am?"  he asked. "I am so sorry."    

Basia stood still giggling. Wonder who he was and why he was sorry.  She never thought of how she must look.  Her clothes were soaked and her blouse stuck to her body.  Her jeans looked painted on.  

"Please",  he said holding out his hand, " I am so sorry".  Basia figured for some reason he thought it was his fault and that was fine with her.  She reached for his hand and pulled him in too.  The stranger was soaked, but not as much as Basia, so she splashed him.  The children's laughter grew again.  His concerned look faded into a smile. He began splashing back. The water flew  through the air with such fury. Then for no reason it all stopped. Heavily panting and dripping with water Basia extended her hand.

 "I'm Basia." She said.

 " My friends call me Karol. Nice to meet ya." the stranger replied.

She couldn't believe her eyes. Before her, drenched to the bone, was the most handsome man she had ever seen. She was lost in his steel grey eyes. His smile took her breath away.   He stood gazing.  Stunned by her carefree laughter he stood speechless. Her wet hair curled in long spirals around her face. A bead of water glistened as it streaked down her face. He reached forward to wipe it away.  Her skin was so soft. She smiled and his heart pounded in his chest.  Who was this girl?

"Shall we get dried sir?" Basia asked. 

"After you my lady", he responded with a bow.  Basia walked forward to the shore.

"Basia? Ahh Did you forget somethin'?"  Karol said holding up her pole.

"Nope, looks like I have a fine catch... but how to clean it... that I still need to figure out."

He felt the blood rush to his face in embarrassment. This was going to be an interesting day.

Up by Basia's campsite a fire was burning. She stretched a line across two trees and ducked behind one to change. The kids were off exploring and Karol sat watching. He saw her arm and part of her breast when she lifted her blouse. He didn't want to be seen watching her but he couldn't help himself.  This woman was not real. Where was her husband? Her thigh exposed along with her buttocks when she bent down to pick up the bra she had dropped. He felt heat pulse through his body.  Basia struggled to remove jeans that were soaked. She felt safe behind the large tree. Something in his eyes said he would not hurt her. She rung out her clothes and hung them on the line by the fire.

"Do ya wanna hang that shirt?" She asked.

He pulled his wet t-shirt over his head. Basia's heart pounded hard. "Mercy", she thought. His chest glistened in the sun. Basia turned her eyes quickly hoping he hadn't noticed her stare.  She blushed and a warm smile covered her face.  Karol balled up his wet shirt and tossed it at her.  

"Good One!" Basia said as she reached down for her iced tea.  Karol saw what she was doing and ran. He stopped for a moment to see how far behind she was.  As he turned frigid liquid hit him in the face.  He reached down for an ice cube and was tackled to the ground.  Within seconds Karol was on top of Basia.  His hands held her down in the soft grass. Laughter became silence as their eyes met.  Basia laid still; her heart hammering.  She traced the line of his face with her eyes focusing on the lips she longed to experience.  Karol was motionless.  A lump formed in his throat.  He wanted her.  Desire flooded his being driving him forward to her lips.  Basia chest ached from passion as his soft lips touched hers.  His grip released and her arms were free.  Lightly he ran his fingers down her neck, outlining her shoulder.  

She felt them sliding down her chest.  Her nipples hardened as her body begged for him.  He gazed at her beauty.  Her smile drove his mind mad.  As he tasted her neck and he could feel her tremble.

"Hey mom!  How long till we can eat?" CJ yelled from across the meadow.  

Basia stammered to her feet.  Her heart racing and her mind swimming.  Karol sat by the fire bending over to hide the effect she had on him.

 "In about 20 minutes sweets." She answered trying to collect her thoughts.  What had she almost done?  She didn't even know this man.  Why did she still want him so much?  As Basia turned to say something to Karol she noticed he was gone.  In the distance she saw a black pick up coming towards them.  It was Karol.  The sun highlighting his strong face made Basia's mind swoon.

 "Would you like me to grab something?  I am going into town to pick up some beer.  I’ll be back in a little bit."  Karol asked.  

"No, we're fine, thanks."  Basia said with a smile.

"By the way, umm, I guess I should have asked before", he felt fear and suppressed it, "I was wondering if"... He swallowed hard...  Basia continued.  "If I am married?"  Karol nodded his head yes.  "No, I'm not."  She answered. He felt a smile on his face.  He tried to stop it so she wouldn't see but it was there despite his best effort.

On his way back to town Karol couldn't get Basia off his mind.  The light fragrance of her perfume lingered in his clothes.  As he inhaled slowly he could see her face.  Those eyes that held him captive, that smile that warmed his soul and he could hear her laughter...  what was happening to him?  He felt like a teenager again.

The loud screech of brakes. The sound of crushing metal, followed by a hard jolt.  His truck ran off the road.  Karol lifted his head slowly off the stirring wheel.  Something tickled his lip. He raised his hand to brush it away and realized it was blood.  Red and blue lights flashed behind him. Soon yellow lights joined in.

 "Hey buddy, you alright?" A police officer asked.

Karol nodded his head.  Through the trees he could see what had hit him.  A new VW Beetle.  There was nothing left.  Paramedics and firefighters struggled to get the wreckage cut away.  "How bad is it?" Karol asked the officer. 

"Drunk driver,  I don't think he made it."  The officer looked at the ground.  He loved his job but this part was hard.  "You need to go over and get checked out.  That lip might need a few stitches."

Back at the camp, Basia began dinner.  The children were skipping rocks on the lake and Basia was thinking about Karol.  Her feet seemed to float above the ground as she walked. He was so different.  The moment that she had seen him there was an instant bond. It was as though she had known him from childhood. An eerie sense covered over her.  A feeling that something was wrong filled her soul.  She quickly called the children to her.  They were fine but the feeling wouldn't leave.  The night came quickly.  Jessica and her brother Tim chased fireflies and CJ  sat patiently fishing.   The sound of crickets relaxed the evening.  Basia sat by the fire pondering the stars.  She thought of the man she had met that morning. His face was still so vivid.  Deep within herself she worried.  He said he was going to return and hadn't.  Typically Basia would have shrugged such things because it was a normal man thing, but for some reason, she thought he was different.

"Hold still."  The paramedic said as he applied an antiseptic.  Karol flinched but held still.  "I think we can close it without stitches."  Karol was glad to hear that.  He had no desire to be poked with a needle.  He looked over at the tow truck as it hoisted his baby up on a hook.  The only good thing was it happened on a weekend when he was out camping and not during the week. The loaner car from the garage followed behind the tow.  "All done."  The paramedic said and Karol thanked him and headed for the car.  Now he just wanted to get his camping gear and...  Oh man, he totally forgot... Basia.  "She probably hasn't notice I didn't come back."  He thought to himself.

It was almost midnight when Karol came up the winding dirt path to his campsite.  Firelight flickered in the distance.  He wondered if she was awake.   As he placed the last of his gear in the trunk he heard a noise.

"I was wondering if you were comin' back."  His heart jumped.   He turned around and there she was.  Her face shined from the moonlight.  Basia caught a glimpse of Karol's face.

"Are you alright? What happened?" She said reaching her fingers gently to his face.  Realizing he had a car now and not his truck she was worried.  His eyes looked at her like no man had looked at her before.  He could see through her.

"I'm alright.  I was in an accident but I'm just banged up a little." He said thinking of the little VW.  "I just came back to pack up camp.  I was hoping you'd still be here but I thought you would be sleeping."

"Sleeping?" She smiled "After meeting you, how could a girl sleep?"  "Why don't you come down to my camp and we can talk and have a beer?"  Basia asked.

 "Sure, jump in and we'll drive down."

Basia climbed in.  She could feel him without a touch.

Karol sat down and couldn't believe she was there.  He wondered if she could tell how attracted he was to her.  And he wondered how her smile could cause all the pain to leave.   Karol reached for the ignition and Basia placed her hand on his.

 "Are you really ok?  You look shaken."  She said.   

Karol nodded his head.  "I'll be alright."  He answered turning the key.  The car moved slowly down the winding path.  As they pulled into Basia's camp she saw small green eyes staring out from behind a tree.

 "Look."  She  whispered.

Karol looked in the direction she was pointing but it was hard to look past her and not at her.  "There." She said guiding his attention back to the grove of trees.  He saw them, a mother raccoon and three kits.  Karol turned the car off but neither of them dared to open a door for hear that they may frighten the creatures away.  Basia leaned to whisper in Karol's ear.  He turned his head and brushed his lips across hers. Basia's heart pounded so hard. She looked deep in his eyes.  She was falling in love with a man she just met.

"This can't be real." She thought to herself.  Karol gently stroked her long hair. He couldn't believe his heart. He swore he would never feel this way for anyone.  How did she just walk into his heart and take over his mind.

"Slow down girl." Basia said to herself.  She could feel his eyes pulling her in.  "How about that beer?" She asked as she quietly opened the door.  

Karol took a deep breath.  "Sure" he replied.  

As Basia went into her tent, Karol got out of the car and found a nice spot next to fire.  He located a few more logs and was stoking the flame when she returned.  In her hand was a wicker basket.

 "Thanks" she said.  "I thought you might be a bit hungry.  Give me 10 minutes and you'll have a hot meal." Basia said smiling.  

Karol had not even thought of food but now that it was offered his stomach was grateful.  He nodded his head.  "I could use something, thanks."  

She moved some glowing coals to the side and placed a large foil package on the coals.  Then she piled more coals on top.  She reached over and grabbed two beers from the basket. She sat next to Karol.

"Beautiful" is all he said.

 "Yes, it is."  Basia said looking at the stars shining on the lake.  

"I meant you."  He thought to himself.