Page 76 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Cheri chuckled about dining in the woods.If my celebrity clientele should see me now.She carried the Wal-Mart bag while Cole heaved the cooler onto his shoulder.

“What’s in there? I can tell it’s heavy.”

“Do you always ask so many questions?”

“Maybe I missed my calling as a reporter.” Reaching for his hand, Cheri said, “This is quite an adventure. I love it.”

Cole squeezed her hand with his free one while he steadied the cooler on his shoulder. Pointing with his head, he said, “It’s up yonder.” Walking hand in hand, they approached another clearing near a babbling brook. Cole set the cooler on the ground and extended both arms to the side. “What do you think?”

Cheri glanced around. “Where are the restrooms? The sound of the running spring water makes me want to pee.”

Cole howled. “That’s one of the downsides to nature. You’ll have to squat behind a tree.”

Cheri’s face fell. “You’re joking, right?”

He shook his head. “Dead serious.”

“I’m almost afraid to ask about toilet paper.”

“I figured a city girl like you might not appreciate usin’ a leaf so I brought a roll. It’s in the bag.

Cheri glanced from side to side.

“No one’s lookin’ except for squirrels. Don’t worry.”

“Um, okay. Don’t look.”

Cole pointed in the opposite direction. “I’ll look for wood to build a fire while you do your business.”

Cheri took a tentative step and stopped. “Promise you won’t watch.”

“Cross my heart.” Cole made an exaggerated ‘X’ across his upper chest before walking away. “I’ll be too busy gatherin’ limbs.”

As Cole sauntered off, Cheri watched his trim backside. His tight Levis hugged his toned legs. His tee highlighted his muscles and tan. He didn’t have an ounce of fat on him and had just enough muscles to look sexy but not overdone.

Waiting until he was out of sight, Cheri gripped the roll of toilet paper and scouted for a discrete area. After spotting three trees close together, she squatted and heard a twig snap.

“I said, I didn’t want you to—” Yanking her pants up, she realized the intruder was a squirrel that scampered by and ran up a tree. Cheri watched until his bushy tail was out of sight, uncomfortable having even a squirrel watch her relieve herself.

After she finished, she wondered what to do with the small amount of toilet paper she had used. Deciding to bury it under leaves, she assumed it would disintegrate in time. Stepping back toward the clearing, she noticed Cole had already stacked and crisscrossed several tree limbs in a growing pile.

“By the look of that huge heap, I assume we’re going to be here a while.”

“Hopefully. We have a tent, remember.” Grinning, he asked, “Hungry?”

“Starving. First I need some antibacterial gel since there aren’t sinks and soap around here.”

Cole’s grinned. “Good plan.”

Cheri dug through her expensive, cavernous purse. “This stupid bag needs pockets. Everything falls to the middle.” After several minutes, she plucked a tiny green aloe antibacterial bottle out of the corner and squirted a large amount on her hands. “There. Alex would be proud. I almost feel human.”

“You definitely look human. Actually, you’re about the most perfect human species I’ve ever seen.”

Cheri felt herself blush.

“Not used to compliments, New York?”

“Not meaningful ones, cowboy.” Rubbing her belly, she asked, “How long will the hobos take?”

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