Free Satan's Forge (Star Sojourner Book 5) by Jean Kilczer

behind it.
    “What do we do now?” I asked.
    She threw me a questioning look. “We wait for the deer, dear.”
    “You mean you're going to shoot a
deer
?”
    “Unless you want to jump on his back and wrestle him to the ground, yes.”
    “But…”
    “Didn't you say you've lived in the wilds?”
    “Yeah, but not on deer meat.”
    “Well, on what kind of meat, then? It doesn't come packaged, you know. There's deer meat and then there's deer meat. We can't eat most of the indigenous animals, even with digestall. But we can eat modified deer meat, with the pills. What did you live on?”
    “Tubers, and, uh, berries, and edible plants, and fruit when I found it.”
    “For how long?”
    I shrugged. “About a month.”
    “What did you do for protein?”
    “I caught some fish.”
    “Jules, there are no fish in these lakes that a Terran can eat. I'm a good shot. The deer won't suffer.”
    I rubbed my eyes. “But he'll be dead for a long time.”
    “Ah, Blondie.” She ran her hand through my hair. “If we were herbivores, we could get down on all fours and munch grass. But we're not. You want to argue with nature?”
    I exhaled a long breath. “OK. I guess wolves wouldn't be as quick as a beam rifle. But don't take one that's pregnant or one with fawns, and no trophy bucks!”
    “Jules,” she said softly, “you insult me. I wouldn't do any of those things.”
    I nodded and drew her closer for a gentle kiss on her lips. “I'm sorry.”
    “Get down.”
    “What?”
    She pointed. “Three of them, coming out of the woods. There. Two bucks and a doe.”
    “Oh.” I hunkered down as three small deer, no larger than big dogs, walked quietly out of the woods and along the narrow dirt trail.
    “The big buck,” Sophia whispered and raised her rifle.
    “But they're so small,” I said.
    “Dammit, Jules. They're adults.” She fired.
    The buck bleated, and crashed to the ground. I think he was dead before he hit.
    “I got the spine,” Sophia said. “That kills them quick.”
    The two other deer bolted and leaped into thick woods.
    I think I went pale.
    “He died within seconds, Jules. When your time comes, it should be so fast.” She got up, brushed leaves off her pants, and strode to the dead animal. “Coming? I could use some help dressing him.”
    I stood up. My stomach felt queasy. “I don't feel so good.”
    “Well, maybe you'd better go back to the cabin,” she said angrily, “and leave this work for me.”
    “Think I will.” I mounted Copper and turned him toward the cabin.
    I was shirtless and sweaty as I chopped wood in the late afternoon sun when Sophia came back with the butchered animal in bags tied behind her saddle.
    I wiped a hand across my forehead and sighed. I left the axe in a split log and walked over to her as she hefted a bag of meat. “Here, let me help.”
    She put down the bag and smiled. “It's OK, Blondie.” Her eyes crinkled as she smiled that broad, full-lipped smile that left me breathless.
    “It is?”
    “This is all new to you.” She kissed my cheek. “You'll get the hang of it. You look good in sweat.”
    That night we built a fire and Sophia opened a bottle of red wine she'd been saving for a special occasion. We sat together quietly on the sofa and sipped wine as we stared into the flames.
    “I've been thinking, Jules.” She cuddled closer. “Suppose your friend Joe is on New Lithnia, and he's been trying to get in touch with you by comlink? Have you considered that?”
    I nodded. “I tried a dozen times, but in these mountains, all I get is static.”
    “Suppose tomorrow, we take a ride to White Peak. I think you might get through to surrounding country from there.”
    “I didn't know there was a peak higher than our altitude.”
    “You can't see it from here. It's hidden by forest and hills.”
    “OK. It's worth a try. Tomorrow then.” We smiled, touched glasses and drank.
    * * *
    We left before daybreak on Copper and Stormy, to travel in the cool