SIX
Olivia slept fitfully and arose early to check on Shimmer. Garret found her in the barn brushing her horse. “Good morning baby, I brought you some coffee.”
She stood on tip toe and kissed him. “Thanks, it smells good. I need the caffeine. I didn’t sleep very well worrying about her.” She sipped her coffee.
“How is she this morning?” He pulled her nose over to check her eyes. “I think the fog has cleared.”
“Yes, she nearly scared me out of ten years and is just fine this morning. I can’t wait to see what her blood sample reveals.” She led Shimmer back into her stall.
Garrett circled Olivia’s waist. “What you say we eat some breakfast and take a bath?”
“Now that the crisis has passed, I’d love too.”
The couple prepared a Sunday morning feast complete with sweet rolls and fruit to go with the eggs and bacon. Olivia laughed. “It appears our eyes may be bigger than our stomachs with all this food prepared.”
He stepped behind her and nuzzled her neck. “We can save the sweet rolls for after the bath.” His fingertips strolled up and down her body stopping to squeeze her breasts and rub between her thighs. “They will make a nice after lovin’ treat.”
She laid her head back on his shoulder and moaned. “Perfect. Let’s eat.”
All the sudden, breakfast became a game of seduction. The way Olivia ate her bacon and licked her lips. Garrett teased with bites of strawberries. The yummy sounds made while enjoying the food and watching each other play. Drips of honey ran down Olivia’s chin. Garrett slowly licked her chin and kissed her lips. “That was sweet but I know another drip I want to taste.” He tossed his napkin on the table and carried Olivia to their bedroom.
He pushed open the door with his shoulder. He dropped Olivia’s feet to the floor and threw the blanket off the bed. He gripped the waistband of her jeans and yanked her forward. His mouth smashed into hers. The hunger of their passion danced against each other’s tongues in a demanding two step. The tastes of salty-sweet, honey and bacon reminded him of the seductive breakfast teasers. He fumbled with the button, but finally freed her from the constraints of her clothing. They moved backward until Olivia’s knees hit the mattress edge. He kissed her down onto the bed. She panted when his lips trailed along her neck and scooted backward to the center of the bed. Garrett followed her in hovering above her body. His lips skimmed her skin and she sighed and wiggled amidst his ticklish torture. A momentary stop at her belly button, he nipped and licked his way across from hip to hip.
She bucked beneath him and whimpered with need. He spread her knees to find glossy puffy lips waiting to be devoured. His tongue slipped out for the first sip before he lapped away from bottom to the top. Olivia gasped when his tongue crossed her clit. She thrust her hips forward to grind against his chin. He made circles around and around on her clit with his chin. He inserted two fingers inside and felt the grip of her impending orgasm. She screamed and clamped her knees against his ears and flooded him with her juices.
Before she caught her breath, his cock impaled her cum-soaked body and he rolled his hips. He held her knees apart and bucked his body on her sensitive clit. She spasmed and screamed again, losing her voice completely in the throes of yet another mind-blowing orgasm. The grip of her body around his cock tossed him over the edge of his own hard release.
They laid together panting and nuzzling each other. “I want to take a bath, but I can’t move. You’ve drained me, Bear.”
He growled and rolled her on top of him. “We have all day for a bath.”
“In that case,” she covered them with a sheet. “How about a nap?”
He didn’t answer only listened to the sound of her breathing and dozed off himself.
A few hours later, Garrett’s phone buzzed. “Hey Erik.”
“Afternoon, how is Shimmer today?” His voice laced with concern.
Garrett extricated himself from Olivia. “Believe it or not she appears to be fine. What did you find out?”
“That is why I am calling. I think I need to investigate the area from yesterday. I will explain more when I get there, if that is okay with you and Olivia, of course.”
“I will go with you. Bring a gun, there have been animals sighted in the area.”
“Always carry my shotgun in the truck. Be there in an hour.”
Much as he hated to, he woke Olivia. He scooted behind her and kissed her shoulder. “Hey beautiful. It’s time to wake up.”
She stretched and rolled against him. “How long have we been asleep?”
“Maybe a couple of hours. We need to get dressed. Erik is coming out with the results and he wants to go out to Sweetwater Creek and scout around.”
“No time for a bath, but a shower suits me just fine.” She winked at him and jumped up. He swatted her butt and followed her into the shower.
***
Erik and Garrett saddled up a couple of horses and rode out to the same spot where Shimmer became ill. “What are we looking for specifically?” Garrett questioned.
Erik gathered soil samples, leaves and twigs, before he went down to the water’s edge. “Where does this stream start from?” He peered eastward and barely spotted the top of a building. “What is that place up there on that hill?”
Garrett waded into the water for a better view. “That is an old factory. Thought it had been vacant for years. But from the looks of things, someone has taken it over. I am not sure what’s up there but the creek starts off those mountains surrounding it.”
“Hang on a minute, I have a test kit, I can use to test for toxins in the water.” Erik brought a test tube and a bottle of drops to the creek. Once the tube was filled, he dripped some blue chemicals into it and the water turned dark and murky.
Garrett stared in belief. “Holy shit. What is in this water?”
“The test from Shimmer’s blood showed low level toxins in her system. Chances are this water is stronger and more toxic at the source. It’s had some time to dissipate before it gets here. Thankfully, she only got a small dose. It could easily have been fatal.”
“Erik, do you know what you are saying? We must find out what’s going on and stop it fast before the wildlife begins to die off. This is my home, I grew up here. I want my children to play here and enjoy nature. Holy Fuck man, we have to fix this and quick.”
“How much daylight do we have left?” Erik diverted the conversation until he had time to think of some answers.
“Couple hours at most. You are thinking, maybe we need to ride up the creek to the mountains?” The wheels turned in his mind too.
Erik thought out methodically their next move. “First off, we need to find out the name of the factory and alert the forest service. Is it possible to drive up that way then tomorrow we can ride up the mountain if we don’t get any answers?”
Garrett glanced around for a landmark to guide him. “Yes, I believe there is a pass. It’s rough and hasn’t been used in years, but the horses can navigate it I am sure.”
Erik agreed. “Let’s get back and drive up and see if we can find out the name of the factory or whatever it is.”
***
Erik brushed down the horses and put them away. Garrett informed the girls of their discovery.
Olivia hopped off the couch. “Let me grab my shoes and we will go with you.” Garrett caressed her arms and stopped her.
“Baby, it’s too dangerous. We are only driving by to check things out. If someone is up to no good, there will be guards and guns. I don’t want you or Sarah in the line of fire.” He pulled her into his arms and stroked her back.
Sarah stood up with her cowgirl attitude retorted. “Garrett, you know I can shoot as well as any man. I might be of some help.”
Erik wrapped her in an embrace. “That just may be so, baby-doll, but not this time. We are only on a fact-finding mission. When we gather all the information that is where your help will come in.” He enclosed and kissed her ear. “Horses are up for the night, Ready Garrett?”
Reluctantly, Garrett released Olivia. “Quicker we go, quicker we get back.” He nodded at Erik.
They hurried out to Garrett’s truck and took off toward Sweetwater Creek. When they rounded the big curve, there it was back on the hill surrounded by electronic gates. “Damn they have this place secured like Ft. Knox.”
Garrett pulled up into the entrance and shined his headlights on the sign, ‘Meridian Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’ “Holy shit, Meridian is the company the girls are doing the remodel for.”
Erik opened his door. “That is too much of a coincidence. I am going to see if I can locate the creek. It should be in the vicinity somewhere near to contaminate the water. If it’s them.”
Garrett grabs Erik’s arm. “Take this.” He shoves a pistol into his hand. “Got your phone?”
Erik removes it from his pocket. “Sure do. Why?”
“I will give you 15 minutes, after that I am coming in after you.” He agreed and disappeared into a clump of trees.
***
Unbeknownst to Garrett and Erik, a motion sensor flipped on a camera that signaled Phillip of their presence. The camera flickered in the darkness. “What have we here?” Phillip sneered. “I observe we have visitors.” He punches a number into the phone. “Jared, are you watching your surveillance cameras?”
He swallowed hard. “Yes, sir, Mr. Powers. I see a big truck parked at the gate entrance. He hasn’t moved or tried to back away. I figured he was lost and turning around.”
Phillip becomes agitated. “You idiot, that truck belongs to Thomas, and you must have missed the person who jumped out of the truck.”
Jared stood so quickly his chair hit the floor. “No sir, I apologize Mr. Powers. I will set off the alarm immediately.”
“NO, don’t do that.” Phillip screamed into the phone. “A game of cat and mouse could be fun. Just be sure to keep a close watch and I expect a crew to follow his trail at daylight, with a full report before breakfast.” He cut off the connection before Jared affirmed his orders.
Phillip leaned back in his chair. “Be careful Mr. Thomas, life just became very complicated for you.”
***
The time passed slowly, Garrett kept checking his phone. He glanced up one more time before he put the truck in gear. Erik walked gingerly to the truck. “I was just about to come after your scrawny ass.”
Erik chuckled. “Good thing you didn’t try. The woods are thick back there. I found the creek alright and it leads right back to that plant. I grabbed a water sample. Let’s get back to the girls and I’ll test it.”
Garrett backed the truck up. “I am ready, this place gives me the creeps. Feels like someone is watching me.”
Erik buckled up. “No shit, you should’ve gone with me. What a mess. But we can come in from the other side a helluva lot easier.”
“Why don’t you and Sarah stay over and we can saddle up in the morning and take a better look.”
“Thanks, I think she will agree. Her parents are strict.” He sighed.
“You leave her parents to me, if I have to I will set them straight on a couple of things. You have proven to me to be trustworthy and I see how you treat Sarah. She cares deeply for you and I see you care for her.”
“Thanks Garrett, that means so much to me. I am going to marry that girl, if she’ll have me.” Erik gulped and ducked his head.
“Hot Damn, have you asked her yet?”
“Well, I figured I better ask her parents first. I am working up to it.”
“If you need anything, Olivia and I are here, son.”
Erik kidded. “Fuck Garrett, you are gonna make me cry.”
They park outside the ranch, but before they go in. Erik stopped Garrett. “Can this stay between us for now. I don’t want to spoil it for Sarah.”
“Of course, when you are ready to make it official, we will have a party at the Silver Spur, my treat.” He winked at Erik.
The girls jumped to their feet when the door opened. “Dear God, thank you. You are all in one piece.” Olivia hugged Garrett close.
Sarah hugged Erik as well. “What did you find out?”
Garrett began the story. “Around the curve at Sweetwater Creek, there is a pharmaceutical company atop the hill. Locked up like a fortress. You will never guess the name of it?”
Olivia’s covered her mouth. “Not Powers, please don’t be Powers?”
He hugged her tight. “No, baby not Powers.”
“Meridian?” she replied, shocked at the consequences.
Erik tested the sample and the color was even darker than before. “We found the source of the contamination.” He wrapped an arm around Sarah’s waist. “Yes, baby-doll, Meridian.”
Olivia’s face contorted. “That is way to coincidental. Who is behind this?” She turned to Sarah, “We have to be at the Edward’s ranch at 8:00 in the morning to start the demolition.” Suddenly she relaxed. “Maybe we can find the connection between the two Meridians.”
Sarah smirked. “Play interior detectives?” Olivia nodded. “Count me in.”
Garrett remembered his invitation. “Sarah, I invited you and Erik to stay over. We have some tracking to do.”
Her mannerism changed. “I am not sure my parents will allow it.”
Olivia smiled. “I’ll take care of that and we will find some of my clothes for you tomorrow. It’s all settled. Now will that be one bedroom or two.”
Erik blurted out. “One.” Sarah simultaneously blurted. “Two”, then Erik repeated “Two” and Sarah laughed “One”.
Garrett belly laughed. “Under the stairs over there are one and two. So, take your pick. None of my business what your sleeping arrangements are.” He grabbed Olivia and kissed her neck. “We don’t judge. Sleep tight, tomorrow will bring an early start.”
Olivia phoned Sarah’s mother and arranged for her to stay over. Garrett and Olivia retired upstairs and Erik and Sarah retreated under the stairs.