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Sky was so intent on digging; she never heard anyone until Bernie Herbella was a few feet away. Quickly turning her head to the side, eyes wide, face taunt, muscles rippling as if ready to do battle, but it didn't take long for her face to fall into a soft, more gentle look as she said, "Bern, as I live and breathe, you made good time."

He gazed down at the woman, smiled and said, "Yes, it is me in the flesh, something I might say about you not being. By the way, the fistfuls of dirt really would not deter anyone if they had in mind to sneak up on you."

Seeming perplexed, she dropped the fistfuls of sand, stood, swiped her hands together trying to get the residuals of dirt from them and asked, "What do you mean by that remark, 'not being'?  As you can see, I am all here.  Maybe you had too much air on your flight out. And the dirt, well, if I had to use it, I guarantee it would work."

His eyes darted from her to the small pile up of dirt she had dug out with her hands. "Well, from all I hear you just up and disappeared, had Bobie and Jim in a frantic mode. They called me, I came as fast as I could but there you are, looking as beautiful as ever, perhaps a bit of dirt here and there, still beautiful."

Sky glanced behind Bernie and could see the others trudging up the crest. Turning her attention to him once more she said, “Been here all the time. They left to get some things but it seems they are on their way back now.”

He turned to wave at the others who were approaching and then gazed at her and said, “Nope, from all I gather, when Bobie and Jim returned you were gone. I brought two guards with me in case there was some sort of trouble.”

Sky waved toward Bobie and Jim then said, “You must be daft. Been on my knees digging and looking at this area. She glanced at her wristwatch and said, “It is only a quarter past ten, they only left a few minutes ago.”

He raised an eyebrow then looked at his wristwatch and replied, “Sorry hon’ but it is one in the afternoon. You have three hours unaccounted.”

Sky looked at him then toward Bobie who was making a beeline for her. ”Bo--”
She never finished because Bobie Parker wrapped her arms around her in a close embrace and kept saying, “You’re here, you’re here.”

Sky held her for a few minutes then uttered, “You are strangling me.”

Bobie pulled back, her face glowing, still holding Sky’s hands in hers, she beamed and said, “Sorry ’bout that.  It’s just. . . It’s just I thought I had lost you.”

Sky gazed toward the others and asked, “You fellas’ excuse us for a few minutes?”  They all nodded as Bern pointed to the main part of the dig and they all walked in the direction, looking back a couple of times.

Sky’s eyes sparkled as she said, “Forgive me if I worried you. Bern just told me I lost three hours.  However, I have to say, it seemed like minutes to me. Didn’t want to believe him, until he told me, it was one in the afternoon and not ten in the morning.”

“What happened?”

She shrugged and replied, “Have no idea. I never left the area. Found this particular spot and started to dig at it with my hands. I felt you two would be back soon with the other things.” (She squeezed Bobie’s hands softly.) “There is no way I would worry you. God’s woman, don’t you know by now how much I love you, how important you are to me?”

“I do, I feel the same for you. Tell me, if this had happened to you and I had up and disappeared like you did, how would you take it?”

Sky reached down, pulled Bobie closer gazed into her Caribbean blue eyes and whispered, “I feel as if I could dive into your blue eyes, feel the warmth, the welcoming caresses, linger for hours, never wanting to leave.”  (Bobie never took her eyes off the woman, it was when there eyes met she muttered, “And I into your Caribbean greens.  Never leave me again, promise.”

Sky’s lips touched, brushed and with each stroke she painted a masterpiece on lips she longed for, lips that brought her many dreams to reality in magical ways. Bobie met the kiss with a yearning pent up fire of her own. Every time Sky’s lips touched hers, it sent a burning flood of pleasure rushing through her body as she moaned in ecstasy.   Sky put her arms around Bobie and lifted her so that she was pressed against the length of her body; her grip was strong, as if she never wanted to let her go again. Her lands one low and one high above her back, pressed Bobie to her until she felt as if her body was unifying with hers.


The two women had not gone unnoticed by the men, though they kept working at the dig it was Bern who looked at Jim Dillon and said, “This been going on all the time they have been out here?”

Jim gazed at the two women so deeply in love then back to Bernie Herbella and replied, “No sir.  I can’t say that they have.”

Bernie smiled, tipped his head to the left and said, “Not sir, Bern or Bernie. You are a good man, Jim Dillon. It is nice to know that they do not bother you.  Have to say it has been hard for me to take. Have had such a crush on Sky Richmond for so long, this definitely means I will never have a chance with the woman.”

Jim sit, stared up at Bernie and said, “Take a load off your feet; I think those two will be a bit longer. There is so much hatred, and killing, in the world. It is wonderful to actually see two people really care for one another. They are both professional, do the work, and that makes all the difference to me.  Sorry ol’ man about losing your chances with Sky, she is a stunner. If I may say so, more than likely you had an inkling it never would happen for the two of you.”

He sat and replied, “Ah but one can dream can't they? She is a dedicated person, when it comes to her job, and her friends. I also know if there is anyone that needs help, she will do what she can to help. So if this does not make you uneasy, then this will be a very good dig, if I say so myself.”

“Uh, you mentioned the town of Puerto Springs when you arrived; have to say it gives us all the willies.  There is something about it that I just cannot put a finger on.  What are you going to do about this time shift, if one can do anything?”

“Bern, reached for a small pebble and tossed it saying, “Something strange is going on, we need to find out what it is before something worse happens. Moreover, maybe the town of Puerto Springs holds the answer some how. We’ll talk to Sky and Bobie about this, figure out what is the best way to go.”  He stood then offered Jim his hand and said, “Take my hand let’s go back down to the camp site, I am hungry and food sounds good as well as a cold brew.”

Jim took his hand and was soon on his feet, he took a last glance toward Sky and Bobie who were still in an embrace, shrugged and followed Bernie Herbella back down.

The departure of the four men did not go unnoticed by the two women.  Sky raised an eyebrow and said, “Looks like the boys are going back to camp. Guess we may have made them uncomfortable.”

Bobie stepped back, still holding Sky’s right hand in hers and said, “We should join them before this time shifting thing happens again and we are lost.”

Sky brought Bobie’s hand to her lips and lingered softly placing tender kisses before saying, “You are right. This is a job, we need to be professional, Bern and two men are also here.  Not everyone is fine with us. I just wanted you to know I care, that I feel badly about leaving you, even if I didn’t know I had. Shall we go back?”

Bobie grinned and said, “Guess we had better, because your kisses have send many pleasurable sensations abounding throughout and if we do not go back, then I just may take you right here and now.”

“I knew when I first laid eyes on you, you would be a handful.”  Her green eyes teased and sparkled.

“Bobie stood on her tip toes, kissed Sky’s lips once more and said, “I think it might be more than a handful.”  She began to walk away slowly.

Sky shook her head in amazement but didn’t take long to catch up to the woman. “Hold up there partnah’ are you funning’ me?”

Turning to gaze up Bobie replied, “Never dear, and you know exactly what I mean. Now come on quit lollygagging.”



Once they were all back to the campsite, Bernie, Jim and the two men were sitting around a small table drinking beer and eating what looked like sandwiches. The talk drifted to the two women but eventually bounced back to the town of Puerto Springs. When Bernie realized that the only water they had came from the town, he wanted to make sure they had enough. Jim spied the two women walking toward the campsite and said, “Here they come, maybe we should ask them what they think?”

One of the men that came out with Bernie a tall dark haired, husky looking man grumbled, “Only thing they are good at, seems to be sex.”

Before he knew what hit him Bernie Herbella’s right fist landed a solid blow to the man’s jaw, sending him falling backwards over the chair and hitting the ground with a thud.  Instantly Bernie was on one knee, bending over the man barking, “I don’t ever want to hear those kinds of words come out of your mouth again, and if that is not clear enough for you, then you can leave now.”

He rubbed his jaw and muttered, “Got it. I’m sorry for mouthing off.”

Standing, Bernie said, “You treat them like the professional women they are. I mean it; if I hear one word that is derogatory, I will make you wish you were in England instead of here. That before I fire your ass.”

Bobie walked past them and headed for their tent as Sky pulled out a folding chair, set it up and then plunked down saying, “Sorry about that, she was really concerned. Still do not understand this time thing.”

Bernie reached into the cooler and then tossed a cold one toward her, which she caught in midair, saying, “Thanks, I need this.  What have you all come up with?”   It was hard not to notice the husky looking man rubbing his jaw and doing the best he could to ignore her in so far as eye contact.  She however never let things go by the way and reached out saying, “Hello, Sky Richmond, and you are?”

He nervously shook her hand replying, “Steve Burton.”

“Sky, Steve and Ken Maitland are here as body guards. I didn’t know exactly what was going on when I got the radio that you had disappeared.”

She shook the other man’s hand and felt warmth she did not get from Steve. “Nice to meet you both. Looks like the two of you have happened upon a mystery.”

Ken Maitland was younger than Steve, he was almost as tall, perhaps more muscular but thinner. He wore the military garb well, the green in his eyes almost matched hers but it was the lone dimple on his left cheek that would have made most women swoon, he was a looker. “Are the two of you friends? From the same outfit?  Just curious.”

“Oh no Ms., we met when we were hired to come out here. I am from California and Steve is from Georgia.”

Steve grunted, “Where we are from isn’t important Maitland.”  He bit his lower lip before saying something else. 

“Sky opened the beer, took a drink then said, “Always nice to know who one is working with. If you haven’t heard of me or Bobie Parker--”

He smiled, “Most everyone has heard of you and Bobie, people are still talking about the wendigo and the battle that was fought there.” He gave Steve the evil eye then quickly looked at Sky again. “’Sides, person would have to be in the closet not to know about your many adventures.”

Sky beamed, winked toward Bernie and said, “It is wonderful to have you with us and of course you too, Steve. If you will excuse me, I am going to go check on Bobie, be back in a second.”

Bernie watched the woman stride toward the tent then turned his attention to the two men. “Thanks Ken for what you said.  You will find out when the going gets tough there is no one going to watch your back that is any better than Sky and Bobie.”

He stood and stretched saying, “I look forward to the opportunity of this job and getting to know them better. If you don’t mind, I am a bit tired, plane trip and all. Would it be alright if I took thirty winks?”

“Sure, not much is going on at this time. When Sky gets back, we will discuss the best way to proceed. I will wake you if needed. For now, get some rest, you too Steve. I feel a lot of big things are coming up and I need you both to be on your toes.”

True to her word, Sky was back within five minutes. Her quick reappearance even had Jim raising an eyebrow.  Bern stood and held out a chair for her as she sit, smiled and said, “She is wore out, guess it is the stress. I told her I would let her know what we have decided.”

Bern had sit, laid his hands on the table and began to twiddle his thumbs. He seemed to be in deep thought finally leaning back in the chair saying, “Somehow, someway there was a shift in time, this can be explained many different ways. We know it is not us, no one here is having hallucinations so it is obvious it is man made.”

It was unanimous as Sky and Jim exclaimed, “Puerto Springs!” 

Bern nodded and said, “I think so too. We all feel there is something strange about the place, so maybe we should focus on them a little more.” Sky and Jim looked away, this did not go unnoticed by Bern who added, “Which one or maybe I should say, who wants to check the place out?”

Jim dug out another beer, popped the top and took a long swig. Sky leaned forward, placed her hands on the table and said, “Who ever does this will not be looked upon in a friendly manner by the townsfolk. Maybe we should draw straws.”

Grinning, Bern pointed toward the ice chest and said, “Toss me another would you Jim?”
Didn’t take long for the beer to make it to Bernie who fondled it between the palms of his hands for a few seconds before he removed the top. “First thing we need to do is get a water truck as well as some empty containers for drinking water.”

Now both were curious as to what Bernie was talking about and leaned closer to listen to his plan.  Sky glanced at her wrist- watch and said, “Getting on in the day, best not to go there this late. Maybe early morning would be best.  They seem to lock up the streets when it begins to get dark.”

“Have you met the town sheriff?”  They shook their heads. And he continued, “Mayor?” Once again they shook their heads. He threw up his hands in a futile gesture and asked, “All right, just who do you know or have met there?”

Jim stood and began to pace, Sky reached up and grasped his right arm saying, “It’s all right Jim, I’ll go. To answer your question, the only person we have had contact with is a little guy about four feet tall. He reminds me of one of the munchkins from the Wizard of Oz. Seems to be all right but it is obvious he does not like to talk to out-of-towners.”

Bernie took a long drink, waited for it to hit bottom and seemed to relish the refreshment before asking? “Out-of-towners?”

“Yes, anyone who is not from the place.  They seem to be quite tight when it comes to their privacy. We have secured some water from there, but not enough to bath, just for necessities.”

Standing Bern rubbed his stomach and said, “I am going to take a walk, let the food, and beverage settle. Give me time to think about what you said. Just so you know, I did not feel a good vibe when we were there either. But someone is pulling the strings and we need to find out who, before we all vanish into thin air.”

Sky stood, reached out and touched his left arm and said, “It is good to have you here, Bern. But I really meant it, I will go.”

He smiled, patted her hand and said, “I think we should all go. Someone to drive the two trucks we are going to buy or rent and get the water. Besides always much better to have back up in cases like this.  Take the rest of the day off, we can meet back here for supper, and discuss tomorrow.”

She nodded and said, “Good idea.  If you need anything let me know.”

He nodded and began to walk away as Jim Dillon rose to his feet calling out, “Hold up, I’ll walk with you, never to good to be walking out here alone.” he turned to gaze at Sky and said, “About supper, why don’t you and Bobie figure something out.”

Sky stood hands on hips, shaking her head at the man but said, “Sure, it will be a surprise, perhaps rattlesnake.”   She watched the two men chatting among themselves as they walked from camp. Turning she gazed at the other two tents and did not see Steve or Ken so she figured they were probably polishing up their guns or something military. Shrugging she headed for their tent. 

It was quiet when she entered, Bobie was stretched out on one of the bedrolls fast asleep.  She walked toward a chair, sit, removed her shoes, then walked to the other bedroll and laid down.  It had been a stressful day and it didn’t look like it was going to get any better. It felt good to let her body relax and before she knew it, sleep at overtaken her too.



That evening, the men were tempted out of their tents by scintillating aromas floating through the air. Bernie stood outside his tent first, followed by Jim and soon the other two stepped out. Immediately they knew the smell was coming from the  direction of the campfire.

Bobie poked Sky in the Side and said, “Here they come, just like you thought.”

Sky smiled finished setting the small table and said, “Good, might as well show them we can do something besides--”

Arching an eyebrow, Bobie said, “Kiss.”

“No, you know, archeology, we can really use our skills for other things. Besides, this will be the last time they get a cooked meal by us, after this, one of them needs to take turns.  I didn’t sign on as a cook and neither did you.”

Jim Dillon was all smiles when he saw the set table and all the trimmings. “Wow! You two have certainly outdone yourselves.”

“Sit, there is steak, baked potatoes, a sampling of salad, and oh yes, corn on the cob.  However it will be up to you to serve yourselves. Bobie and I are going for a ride.”

Bern surveyed the table as he watched Jim, Steve and Kin dig into the heavenly smelling food. “Thank you, it is appreciated. How long are you going to be out?”

Sky motioned toward the table and said, “Best get your chow before it is all gone. We are big girls we will be fine. Just want to get away for a bit, don’t worry about us and enjoy.”  She couldn’t help but shake her head at the enthusiasm of the men as they began to partake in the meal. “By the way boys this is the last time we cook. You all need to divide the cooking among one another, clean up after you are done, see you.”

They climbed into one of the jeeps, Sky drove and it didn’t take long to be out of the campsite area and on a lonely dirt road.  She drove up to one of the peaks, took a small roadway to the top and stopped the jeep. “Beautiful isn’t it?” 

Bobie stared at the full moon lighting up the area; it was gorgeous and brought out the many colors of the valley.  It actually looked like someone took out a paintbrush and scattered many different colors around the area. “It is breathtaking and so hard to believe someone is messing with something so spectacular.”

“But they are and we need to find out who and why?”

“I take it you are not going to leave this to the men folk?”

Shaking her head, Sky replied, “Nope. They will go in there like the macho men they are, throw their weight around and only cause people to close up even faster.”

Turning in her seat, Bobie gazed at the woman and asked, “And you think they will accept us? If so, I don’t think so.   You have seen the frosty looks the way most do all they can to scatter to the winds when they see us.”

“Well maybe this time it will be different. Usually Jim is with us.”

“He is really a good guy, Sky.”

“I know that. But he is a guy.”

Bobie reached over and took Sky’s right hand in hers. “By now they all know who you are, who I am and why we are here, there will never be a way we can get in, get friendly and find out anything.”

Sky smiled toward the woman, winked and said, “Maybe but we do have many skills and perhaps one might be--”

“Oh no Sky, not breaking and entering.  What the devil has hold of your head, I hate to even imagine what they have for a jail there and if we got caught, shifting time would be the least of our worries.”

“Want to take a walk?”  Sky opened her door.

Bobie replied, “Sure, but lets not go too far.”


Sky had changed into her khaki pants, white tee and black boots, Bobie followed suit and wore khaki pants, a light blue tee and her brown boots.  As they walked a path that was edged with white rocks that sparkled, the two looked like any other tourist that happened upon this spot. Sky reached over and pulled Bobie closer to her side and said, “Be careful, wouldn’t want you to slip or fall.”

Bobie chuckled and replied, “All ready have fallen head over heels in love with you.”

Sky stopped, reached down to caress Bobie’s face and said, “The light from the moon does not do justice to you. I ask myself everyday how did I get so lucky.”

“Luck is in the eye of the beholder, I somehow think it was more than luck. There are forces out there that may have wanted us to meet, to fall in love. Have to admit when we first met, falling in love was the furthest on our minds.”

“True, but in time we did and I will always be grateful however it was meant to happen. So have you given my proposal anymore thought?”

“You are serious aren’t you?”  (Sky nodded) Bobie added, “We should tell someone, at least Bern.”

Sky looked back toward the campsite and could see a small flicker from the campfire before she said, “I know Bern, if we are not back by morning, he will know exactly where we are. After all they are coming to Puerto so we will not be alone if we just happen to still be there.”

“Don’t know Sky seems a bit dangerous to me.”

“When did danger ever stop you Bobie. You watch my back and I will watch yours.”

“I love to watch your back, kiss it, caress it, feel your body move under mine.”

Sky shook her head smiled and said, “I love it too, but you know what I mean. Now would you stop talking like that, we have some serious work to do.”

“And what we do is not serious?”  Bobie was gliding her hands under Sky’s tee as the woman reached down and stopped them from traveling on up. “Why did you do that?" 

"I was just--”

Sky had retrieved Bobie’s hands and was holding them as she said, “You were just about to ignite ceratin areas that become putty in your capable hands my darling. There is nothing I would like better than to feel your love, be with you all night and day. But if we don’t find out what is causing this, the dig will be a thing of the past.”

Huffing, Bobie turned and started to walk away saying, “Must you always think about work first.”

Sky walked after her, reached out placed a hand on her shoulder and turned the woman around. She gazed into her eyes, caressed her face with one hand, leaned down and lightly brushed her lips with soft tender kisses.  “You come first in my life you always will. If it is loving you want, then I will forget about Puerto and we can go back--”

Bobie’s heart was racing, and she could feel Sky’s rapid beat when their bodies touched. It took all she had to pull away and say, “I’m sorry. You are right. Forgive me.”

Looking perplexed, Sky murmured, “Forgive you for what?”

“Because I was thinking with my libido and not my head. Of course, it is important to find out what the cause of the shifting time is; as soon as this is done, we can get back to the dig and procure some very nice artifacts.”

Sky ran a finger along Bobie’s cheek, stopping at her chin before she said, “Then it is not my loving you fancy?”

“Of course it is. Your love is like the air that I breathe without it I would wither away and die.”

“Then my darling, let me love you.”

“Sky, do you know how easy it would be to fall into your arms, feel your body, feel the sensations only you can give me?  If not just know it is the hardest thing I have ever done.”

“What dear?”

“Turning you down at this moment. Come on let’s get back to the jeep, take a jaunt to Puerto and see what is cooking at night.”

Sky didn’t say anything just put her arm around Bobie’s waist and walked to the jeep with her. Once they were there, she went into the back of the jeep and brought out a blanket. 

Bobie eyed her with curiosity and asked, “What are you going to do with the blanket”

Sky smiled and replied, “Put it out on the ground.”

“Sky no.”

After she spread it out, she turned to the woman and said, “Bobie, yes. There will be all the time in the world to check out Puerto. It is in the back of my mind, right now this moment I want to make mad passionate love to you.”

“You--you do?”

“I do. We have never made love under the stars and moon. It will be a first for us.”

“What if someone comes along?”

“If they do, they do. Right this minute all I want to do is take your clothes off, slowly, trace your soft skin with my lips and tongue, run my fingers over your body as I shower you with my undying love.”  She had already reached for the tee and began to remove it, was an easy chore to unsnap the pants, drop to her knees, pull them down and have Bobie step out of them. Gliding her hands up her legs, she placed kisses all the way, stopping, then starting again. Didn’t take long to place her hands on her buttocks, pulling her toward a mouth that was waiting to kiss, and tease through her cotton bikini panty. She could feel Bobie quiver as she grasped the waist of the panty and pulled it down with her teeth. Then she whispered with baited breath, “Come down, lay with me, let me love you.”

The second she lay on the blanket, she felt Sky remove the panty, gently spread her legs and begin to kiss, nibble, and caress with her tongue in such a way her body was on fire.

Bobie moaned. “Sky--don’t stop.” 

Sky raised her head, smiled and replied, “I have no intention of stopping. You are wet, swollen and ready for me, I plan on making this a night you will not forget for sometime.”

The sounds of orgasmic proportions echoed the area as Bobie succumbed to Sky’s loving  in wondrous unfurling waves of pleasure. At that moment, Puerto Springs was a distant memory.
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Continued