Free To Know Her by Name by Lori Wick Page A

the bed was empty. He made his way to the door. He was no more than outside when he heard a splash.
    Although McKay had never been around the back of the cabin, he swiftly circled the log structure in the direction he’d heard the noise. The moon was nearing full so he was able to move through the trees with some light for his path. He came out in a clear spot that gave him a good view of the lake and stopped. Not 30 seconds later he watched someone, presumably Pup, come from the water. He stared as she reached with one hand toward her face. With the moon at her back he couldn’t make out any of her features, but the image of long limbs danced before his eyes. Just a heartbeat later he spun away.
    Pup heard the popping of a twig and spoke. “Is that you, McKay?”
    â€œYes, it’s me!” he sounded testy. “What are you doing out here with no clothes on?” he demanded.
    â€œTaking a bath in the lake like I do every night.”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous!” he told her bluntly, his back still turned, his heart pounding. “You don’t even know me. I might have attacked you.”
    There was silence for a moment, and when Pup spoke it was clear that she’d moved closer.
    â€œI don’t think you’re the type of man to attack a woman, McKay,” she said reasonably, and then added with maddening calm, “and if you did, I’d just shoot you.”
    McKay didn’t hear anything after that but chanced a peek over his shoulder. Pup was moving away from him now toward the cabin. She had wrapped some sort of light-colored robe around her and sure enough, her rifle was held in one hand.
    McKay turned and followed slowly. The last naked female he’d seen had been his sister. If memory served him correctly, they’d been taking a bath together. He’d been ten and she was five.
    He walked into the cabin, moving slowly since it was darker in there. Pup’s door was shut, but there was a slight glow coming from underneath. McKay went back to his room and slipped into bed. He felt incapable of normal thought. His mind was blank as to what to think, yet it swarmed with various notions. It was a long time before he actually fell asleep.

    McKay’s plans to rise early did not go exactly as he’d hoped. The sun was well into the sky by the time he had shaved, dressed, and readied to hit the trail. He found that Pup had left breakfast for him, but she was nowhere in sight. He knew what horrible regret he would feel if he had to leave without seeing her, but he made himself stay calm. If she were gone, he could leave her a note. He wondered if it would be insulting to pay her. The thought had no more formed when he pushed it away. He filled a plate with the food she’d left on the stove and sat down to eat.
    He didn’t want to gulp his food, but a certain excitement filled him. It was good to be headed out again. Never had he been out of circulation for three weeks, and it would be longer than that by the time he reached Denver, his ultimate destination.
    His food gone, McKay made his bed, straightened his room, and gathered his gear. Leaving everything on the front porch, he went in search of Pup. He didn’t think she’d left, but he still couldn’t find her. His rented horse and saddle were in the small stable. He saddled his mount and led him into the morning sun. It was then that he spotted her. He tied the horse’s reins to a post in front of the stable and walked over to where she was hanging clothes.
    â€œHeaded out?” She was the first to speak.
    â€œYes. Thank you for everything.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    They looked at each other for a moment, and then knowing he had to say something more, McKay said, “I’m sorry about Govern, Callie. I wish it could have been different.”
    â€œHe made his choices, McKay.”
    She was so matter-of-fact, so forgiving, but McKay still felt awful. He