Way down by the stream
how sweet it will seem
once more just to dream
in the moonlight...
My honey...


Chapter Ten


“It’s not much further, honey,” Bo told Nora as they made their way through the tropical plants and palms on their way to his ‘surprise’ the next day. She followed close behind holding his shirt tail as he cleared the way with one hand and carried a picnic basket with the other.

He kept the pace slow to accommodate her sore foot. The foot was bruised and scraped, but they were able to replace the bulky towel with several bandages instead. Bo wondered if they should take such a long walk, but Nora insisted on her surprise.

As they drew nearer to their destination, Nora heard a rushing sound and said, “What’s that?”

Bo listened. “That,” he said “is part of the surprise. I need you to wait here for a few minutes while I take care of some things.”

Nora grimaced. “You’re going to leave me here...alone...with the monkeys and other wild things?” she asked.

Bo laughed. “I’ll only be gone a few minutes. Besides, I have faith in you. You’ll be fine on your own.”

“That’s what you thought yesterday when you left me to my own devices, and look what happened,” she shouted as his figure disappeared amongst the foliage. “Bo?”

Nora did as she was told and waited, glued to that very spot, until Bo returned a quick five minutes later.

“Nora! Fancy meeting you here!” he said jovially as he got behind her. He wrapped one arm tightly around her waist and cupped his other hand over her eyes. “Come to my lair, my beautiful lady,” Bo said in an evil but inviting voice.”

Nora giggled as Bo led her from behind to her mystery destination. She heard it before she saw it.

“I hear water!” Nora said.

“Very observant, Counselor,” Bo acknowledged.

“I want to see! Let me see!” Nora said trying to move Bo’s hand away from her eyes.

“No no no...in a minute! We’re almost there.”

When he had her in the precise location he wanted, he asked, “You ready?”

She shook her head an emphatic ‘yes’. Bo pulled his hand away from Nora’s eyes and her mouth dropped open.

“Ohhh Bo…” she breathed in awe.

Her eyes scanned the scene before her...a waterfall plummeting over a cliff into a pool of crystal water below, the water cascading over boulders of varying sizes, some of them emerald green with moss, tropical palms and thick foliage in rich, dark greens dancing with sunlight and shadows, vibrant tropical flowers adding splashes of color everywhere...
And there, on one of the largest boulders, a picnic was spread complete with tablecloth, a bouquet of tropical flowers, a bottle of wine, and two long-stemmed glasses.

“So...what do you think?” Bo asked quietly standing behind her.

She turned to look at him. “This has to be the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” she uttered in awe.

“I thought you’d like it.”

“It’s amazing! Did you know it was here?” she asked.

“Yes, Pa showed it to us once when we were here with him. It took me awhile to find it again. I was back here the other day, and I couldn’t help thinking of you...I knew you would like it.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist. “It’s absolutely breath-taking. Thank you for sharing it with me.” She glanced at the picnic boulder. “And our picnic table…I love it! You are so sweet…” she murmured giving him a kiss.

“I try,” he whispered returning her kisses. Moments later, he pulled back and tugged her by the hand. “Come on, believe it or not, there is a view here even more spectacular than this one.”

She followed willingly as he pulled her along to the edge of the water. He pulled off his sandals and took hers then swooped her up into his arms.

“What are you doing?!” she laughed wrapping her arms around his neck.

“I’m taking you to see the view,” he said carefully making his way across the stream to the waterfall.

“Bo, I can walk…”

“No,” he interrupted. “The moss makes these rocks slippery. I don’t want you to fall and hurt that foot.”

“And if you fall?” she asked.

“Won’t happen,” he said as he painstakingly groped his way across, “I have toes like a monkey...I can grip these rocks.”

Nora laughed as she leaned in and kissed his neck.

“Don’t distract me, honey,” Bo said. “I’m a man on a mission.”

Bo slowly made his way to where the waterfall tumbled over the cliff to the pool below. He slipped a few times making Nora grip his neck tighter, but he held his footing and got them there safe and dry.

“Here we are, honey. I’m going to put you down now. Ready?”

He lowered Nora’s feet into the water.

“OoOooo, it’s cold!” she said still clinging to his shirt front. “How can water be so cold in this tropical climate?”

“Maybe that’s what makes it feel so cold,” Bo answered. He put his hands along Nora’s waist and turned her the other direction. “I want to show you something. Ready? Okay, now look up,” he told her. “Do you see it?”

As Nora looked up through the mist of the tumbling water she saw it. “A rainbow! I see it!”

He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful,” she breathed in awe. “This is like a magical place...l almost expect a unicorn to gallop to the edge of that cliff…”

Bo chuckled near her ear. “You think of unicorns, and I think of leprechauns. I can almost see them hiding in this lush green foliage.” He hugged her tighter, “They’re watching us,” he whispered into her ear.

Nora turned around in his arms and pulled him close. “Well then,” she said seductively, “let’s give them something to talk about.” Her mouth found his engaging him in a captivating kiss that left them both breathless and wanting more.

“Mmmm,” Bo murmured breathlessly. “If there wasn’t the threat of wild boar, enormous spiders, and poisonous snakes, I would cast you on that riverbank and make passionate love to you.”

Nora continued kissing him intimately as she slid her hands under his shirt. “I’m surprised at you, Bo Buchanan,” she whispered. “Since when have you let something like a spider or a snake or, what was that other thing you mentioned? keep you from having sex?”

“Mmm...wild boar,” Bo said huskily totally captivated by Nora’s mouth.

Suddenly she pulled back. “Wild what?!” she asked her face scrunched up.

He pulled her back to him. “Boar,” he answered finding her mouth again.

“Mmm. Wait, wait, wait…” She pulled away again. “Did you say ‘wild boar’ like in pig?, wild pig?, with the grizzly hair and the tusks and stuff?”

“Uh huh,” he murmured distractedly as he buried his face under her hair to plant kisses on her neck.”

“Bo! Are there wild pigs on this island?!”

“One. I saw one, honey, and it was just a baby one.” He spread his hands about a foot apart to show her the size. “Not big, no tusks, not mean...just foraging the forest floor for food...nothing to worry about…” he said pulling her close again.

“But Bo...where there is a baby, there is a mama close by ready to protect her young…”

“I haven’t seen any big ones,” he murmured. “Don’t worry, Red, you’re safe with me...I’ll protect you from the big bad pigs…” he breathed into her neck. He ran his hands along her sides then upward and along her breasts. She was starting to forget the wildlife and respond to his touch.

His mouth found hers again, and they shared a slow and intimate kiss before Nora whispered, “Like you protected me from the monkey and the spider at the bungalow?….”

“Mmhm,” he murmured again drawing her closer.

“You’re my hero, you know…” Nora murmured softly as she surrendered herself completely to his arms. Their mouths met again and tongues explored in more consuming kisses.

Finally, Nora put her hands on Bo’s chest. “Bo…” she said breathlessly. “We really…”

Bo exhaled. “Yeah…I think we need to have our picnic…” he said running a hand through his hair. My feet are frozen. What about yours?” he asked as he attempted to pick her up to carry her across the stream again.

“I can walk,” Nora said taking him by the hand. “I don’t want to risk you falling and getting hurt. I have plans for you tonight,” she said seductively raising a brow.

Bo grinned. “And I’m looking forward to it,” he said pulling her carefully by the hand to where their picnic awaited.

* * * * * * *

Their picnic on the boulder was wonderfully romantic with the sunlight through the foliage making shadows dance across their faces.

After eating, they spent more time in the stream playing amongst the mossy rocks. Bo’s ‘monkey grip’ failed him and he landed in the cold water with a surprised look on his face.

Nora laughed, but when Bo didn’t say anything she made her way to him across the slippery rocks. “Bo? Are you okay?” she questioned worriedly.

“I’m not sure, honey,” he said in a disgruntled voice.

“Oh Bo! Are you hurt? Is it your back?”

“Yeah...I need help, Red. Here...pull me up,” he said extending his hand.

When she grasped his hand, he started laughing and pulled her down on top of him. She had a soft landing against him and stayed completely dry, but he would have none of that. He held her down against him with one hand and splashed cold water on her with the other.

“Ohh!” she gasped with water dripping from her hair and a shocked expression on her face. “BO BUCHANAN!” She straddled him and splashed him back, but he only laughed that much harder. Finally, she stopped and just sat atop him dripping.

“Are you cold?” she asked as she saw him shiver. “Well, serves you right! I hope you’re good and cold!” When he kept laughing, she splashed another handful of water at his face. He sputtered but looked up at her grinning.

“Come here,” he said pulling her toward him.

“Oh no, Buchanan. With that little stunt, you just lost all hope of any loving. No way,” she said vehemently.

“Is that a threat?” he asked trying to pull her down.

“No...that’s a promise!” she said, loosening herself from his grip and standing to her feet.

“We’ll see about that,” he commented as he stood and followed her to the waterfall.

She looked up to see the water cascading over the cliff above, then looking at Bo and smiling she said, “We’re already wet. Why don’t we get in?” She pushed him under the waterfall, but didn’t get away fast enough. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her under the pouring water with him. They gasped and sputtered at the force of the cold falling water as Nora fought to get out of his arms.

Bo shouted, “TRUCE?”

She continued trying to get away.

“TRUCE?” he yelled again.

“YES! YES! TRUCE!” she bellowed.

He let her go. She immediately left the icy water and stood shivering beside the fall. He followed her. As he approached, she raised her eyes to meet his. A fire was kindling there.

Without words, he walked to her and wrapped her in his arms finding her mouth and kissing her passionately. She clung to him in a desperate grip. The sexual tension they had been feeling all day was at it’s brink.

When their lips finally parted, Nora whispered, “Let’s go back to the bungalow...”

“But you said I wasn’t going to get any loving…” Bo began.

“Shut up, Buchanan, and take me home,” she said before claiming his mouth for another kiss.

* * * * * * *

When Nora awoke and found herself alone under the skylight, she threw on one of Bo’s shirts and padded out of the bedroom. She saw Bo’s silhouette in the light of the refrigerator door. He stood there in his boxers, his hair tousled from their lovemaking. She approached him from behind and wrapped an arm about his waist.

“Did you work up an appetite?” she teased him.

“Yes I did...and I’m sure you did too,” he answered raising a brow at her.

Nora smiled. “Yes I did...I’m ravenous,” she said perusing the contents of the frig. “Not much left in here. What’s this down here?” she asked pointing to a latch toward the bottom of the appliance.

“I guess it’s the coils and condensing units and such, although I don’t know why it would be so large.” He pulled open the latch and discovered a freezer compartment.

“It’s a freezer! Why would the freezer be at the bottom like that? Look at all this! Guess we won’t starve after all.”

Bo started digging through the boxes and packages to see what they had available. “Honey look!” he said holding up a flat box.

Nora’s eyes grew big. “Is that a pizza?”

“Preheat the oven, Red! It’s a supreme!”

Nora turned the dial on the oven as Bo continued digging through the boxes and bags of food.

“Well, this is a relief,” said Bo. “I was beginning to think I would have to harvest a few more coconuts.”

“Heaven forbid,” Nora laughed. “I’d hate to see you go home with more head wounds.”

As Bo closed the freezer, he remarked, “I wouldn’t talk if I were you... Gimpy.”

He reached into the refrigerator and turned to Nora. “Beer?”

“Please,” she answered sliding the pizza into the oven and leaning against the counter.

He grabbed two beers and joined Nora. He handed her one and took a swig before leaning in to kiss her.

He glanced up and down her body before whispering, “I like your shirt.”

“Why, thank you. Hope you don’t mind that I borrowed it.”

“And if I did?” he asked.

“Did what?” she questioned sipping her beer.

“If I did mind that you borrowed it?”

“We-ll,” she said quietly, “then I suppose I would have to take it off.”

Bo put his beer on the counter and ran his hands under the shirt along her hips pulling her closer.

“I mind...guess you’ll have to remove the shirt, ma’am.”

Nora laughed. “You are so bad,” she said wrapping her arms around his neck.

Bo grinned. “That’s not what you were saying awhile ago…” he reminded raising his eyebrows at her. He took her beer out of her hand and placed it on the counter. “Come with me.”

“Bo...we’ll burn our pizza…”

“It’s okay. We’re going right in here,” he said pulling her by the hand to the living room. He moved the coffee table over and drew her back into his arms. “Do you realize you haven’t danced with me yet?” he asked her softly. He started swaying and twirling her about the room. She followed his lead.

“Do you realize we have no music?” she asked in return.

Undeterred he said, “Not a problem...We’ll just have to make our own music.”

“Oh? So, you’re going to sing to me?”

“Sure...anything for you. Do you have any requests, Counselor?”

Nora smiled and ran her palm along his cheek, “Have I told you lately that I love you?” While Nora was simply asking a question, Bo misconstrued it as her request.

“This is your lucky night, ma’am, because that just happens to be in my... repertoire,” he said twirling her again as he began singing slowly and off-key…

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you

Realizing the depth of the words, he looked into Nora’s eyes…

You fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do...

For the morning sun in all it's glory...

“You know this one, Red...”
Nora’s voice quietly joined his.

greets the day with hope and comfort too...
You fill my life with laughter
and somehow you make it better
Ease my troubles, that's what you do...

Nora buried her head in Bo’s neck. She was overcome with emotion and could no longer sing over the lump in her throat. Bo continued singing softly as they clung to each other and swayed to his song.

There's a love that's divine
and it's yours and it's mine like the sun...
And at the end of the day
we should give thanks and pray
to the One, to the One...

Have I told you lately that I love you... Bo sang in a voice choked with emotion. He couldn’t go on either. Instead they swayed together in the dark until the oven timer broke the silence.

Still holding Nora close, Bo murmured, “I hate to spoil this moment to get a pizza.”

She smiled as she looked up at him with glistening eyes. “I loved your song.”

He looked at her intently, “I love you, Red.”

“And I love you...so much,” she added caressing his cheek.

They shared some tender kisses before finally removing the pizza from the oven. It was a little burnt, but both agreed that the dance was well worth it.