The usual disclaimers..

Underage.. Go some place else

No sex or violence..

Language.. Yes 

Feedback is what help a bard know if the people reading the story like it or hated it.. So let me have it.. Tinstrttn@aol.com

Many thanks to my beta who is a bossy boss.. But she makes things so much better for you readers.. Trust me on that on.. THANKS MARY!!

“We should be at the office in ten minutes, Ms. Moore.” The helicopter pilot said as he controlled the fast moving machine over the city of New York.  

Cameron Moore, looked up from her paper work and looked out the window. She'd seen the same view almost everyday for the past seven years. At first it amazed her because it looked like thousands upon thousands of ants scurrying across sidewalks as they pushed and shoved in a hurry to get to nowhere. With toy cars and trucks, sitting along the roads waiting for some kid to come push them to their destinations. Now the scene bored her to no end. The daily life of the big city, had worn off a long time ago, so she would open her briefcase as soon as she was buckled in and start planning, or going over her workday until they landed. 

“Thanks, Mike.” Cameron replied as she flipped some of her paper work on her lap. “Let me know, when we are about two-minutes out.” 

Mike nodded, as he looked out to the horizon. “No problem, Ma’am.” 

***************   

Keller Addams sat on her front porch watching the sun slowly make its way up into the sky. She smiled to herself as she could almost feel the heat from the sun’s hands as the pinks and oranges were painted across the sky with a delicate touch only nature can do. 

A noise she wasn’t used to hearing, startled her into looking down the dirt covered road to her right. “Who the hell is that?” She said to the not so quiet morning as a small cloud of dust gusted against the green trees by the road. 

Keller stood up and walked to the front steps and waited to see who her visitor was. When she saw the ugly, white pickup truck that had seen it’s better days twenty years ago, she smiled. “Lars.” She mumbled, setting the warm cup of coffee she had in her hands down on the railing. Slowly she made her way down the three wooden steps and waited for her old friend to pull up next to her black, Jeep Wrangler.  

“Morning.” Lars grumbled as he stopped his truck and turned off the engine. 

Keller leaned down and rested her elbows against the open window. “What brings you out here so early?” She watched as the bald man frowned and seemed unsure about how to relay the news.  

“I got this in the mail this morning.” He held up a long, white envelope. “I noticed that you and everyone else in town got one too, so I decided to bring up your mail.” He held up an envelope that was already torn open that had his name on it. “It's not good news.” 

“Okay, what can be so bad that it has you driving up here?” Keller grabbed her envelope from her friend and flipped it over. It had the name of some attorney from New York in the upper left-hand corner. “Why would someone from New York send us a letter?” 

“Guess some bigwig is trying to buy the land.” Lars stated, as he watched Keller open her own letter. 

“What?” Keller looked up from opening her letter. “Who?”  

“Read. It explains it all.” Lars pointed to the half opened envelope.

Keller shook her head as her brain tried to wrap itself around the possibility that she might be losing her home.  

Lars watched his young blonde friend scrunching up her eyebrows in consternation, as she read the black letters on the white piece of paper. “It all seems pretty official and I don’t think they’d send out this type of letter if the sale wasn’t going to go through.” He sat back in he truck and looked out at the view before him. 

Trees, hundreds of years old covered both sides of the valley. Several birds flew overhead looking for their morning meal.  He watched them doing their acrobatics, going in circles.  He could remember fishing nearby and watching the birds, as the small river gently made its way giving off a peaceful sound when he was standing next to it.  

“Who ever buys this land will ruin it and it will never be the same.” Lars mumbled as he started his truck. He looked back to Keller and smiled. “I have to get back to town. Mandy is pitching a fit about all this and I'd best get back to calm her down.” 

“Okay Lars. Give Mandy my love and tell her we’ll do what we can to keep things the way they are.” Keller patted the elbow that stuck out the window.  

Lars nodded. “I will.” He put the truck in gear then gave a small wave. “Bye.” 

“Bye.” Keller waited until the truck was no longer in sight before she walked back to her cabin. “I’ll do a little research and see what I can find about this lawyer. Maybe I can find out who is planning on buying my mountain.” 

***************  

Cameron looked out the big picture window of her office as she twirled a pen with her fingers. Several pigeons flew past her, but she remained oblivious to it.  She was concentrating so hard on something else or mainly someone else, she never noticed them, or the sound of the door opening as someone walked in. 

The person that stood in the doorway sighed, before she stepped further into the room and closed the door. “Are you getting any work done?”

Cameron almost dropped the pen in her had as she turned in her black leather chair. “Damn, you scared me. And the answer to your question is, no.” She sat the pen down on top of some paper work that she should have been working on and smiled at her friend. “What can I do for you, Gerry?” 

Gerry brushed a strand of silver hair off her face and sat down in one of the guest chairs in front of the big desk in the room. “I thought you’d like to know that the offer for the land went through and it will be yours by the end of the month.” 

“Really?” Cameron scooted to the edge of her seat like a kid waiting to open her birthday presents . “That’s great news!”  

“Thought you’d like that.” Gerry smiled over at her friend. “You'll  just have to wait for the paper work to come in and get it signed.” 

Cameron took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.  She'd always loved the mountains. She'd grown up near them and when she'd heard that some lumber company was sniffing around looking at the property, she became concerned.  Immediately, she went to her lawyers and told them to do whatever they needed to do to buy the land and stop them. 

“What do you plan on doing with it?” The silver haired woman asked after watching Cameron’s smile grow.  

“I'm not sure yet.” The dark haired executive replied as she leaned forward to rest her elbows on her desk. “That land is very special to me.” 

“That’s what you said.” Gerry crossed her legs and rested her arms on the chair. “But you never really said why?” 

Cameron thought for a few minutes before she answered. “It’s where I fell in love.” 

“What?” Gerry nearly jumped out of her chair. She'd known Cameron for years and had never heard of her being with anyone at all. “With who?” 

Cameron closed her blue eyes and thought of the sea green eyes that invaded her dreams when she slept. When she opened her eyes she spoke. “You know that’s where I grew up?” She watched as the other woman nodded her head. “Well, when I was two years old, we moved into the small town, so my father could run the tiny new paper there.  One of his employees had a baby girl named Keller the same age.  Our Mother’s met and became friends.  And in doing so, we became best friends from the first day.”  

“That’s so sweet.” Gerry grinned.  

Cameron waved her hand at the older woman. “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” She picked up the pen she was playing with earlier and fiddled with it. “The best memories I have growing up, are of her and me hiking around that mountain. It was always just the two of us. We knew that mountain like the back of our hands.” She smiled, as the feelings that she'd been trying to suppress for the last few years swept though her. “One day as we were hiking, I realized that not only did I love the mountain and the time we spent together, but Keller had stolen my heart without me even knowing it.” 

“Did you tell her?” Gerry questioned as she sat the brown envelope she had been holding on the desk top. “Did she return those feelings?”    

“Hell I was scared shitless, so I never asked or told her. So I had no clue.” The dark hared woman confessed. “Then I was accepted into the state university and I haven't been back there since.” 

“Do you still have contact with this Keller?” Gerry stood up and walked to the coffee pot that was always filled. “Want some?” 

“Yeah, thanks.  And to answer your question, no.  I haven't talked with Keller, since I left.” Cameron’s face fell. “I was afraid of the way I felt.  I threw myself into school and my career. Before I knew it here I am.” She lifted her hands up and looked around the room. “I was a coward. And I've always wondered how things could've been, if I had said something back then.” 

“For one thing, you aren’t a coward.” Gerry stated with conviction as she turned away from the coffee pot. “You were young and unsure of how to deal with feelings, that you knew most people would hate you for.” 

“I don’t have that excuse now.” Cameron replied, looking over at her friend.  

“You know it takes a different kind of courage to walk into a conference room full of people than it does to open your heart.” Gerry handed Cameron a cup of steaming black coffee and sat down again, with her own drink. “Opening your heart takes more courage if you ask me.” 

“Maybe.” Cameron mumbled from around her cup.  

The two sat there for several minutes in silence before Gerry locked eyes with her friend. “Are you going to make a trip to the mountain?”  

“Yeah, as soon as I have the papers, I plan on going there and seeing if things have changed at all. If that’s the case, I’ll just leave it be knowing that the mountain is safe from companies wanting to cut all the trees down. If I’m lucky enough and things are the same.” She set her cup down and entwined her fingers on top of her desk. “I might even build myself a cabin, or something. Spend my vacations up there.”  

Gerry nearly spit the mouth full of coffee across the room. “You?” She coughed.  “You take a vacation?” 

“Ha, ha, ha. You’re so freaking funny.” Cameron laughed at the expression on Gerry’s face.  

“It’s just you have not taken one in two, or three years. It just surprised me, is all.” The older woman winked and stood up. “Well as soon as I have the papers, I’ll let you know. That way you can go check things out.” Gerry walked back to where the coffee pot was and used the small sink that was next to it to rinse out her cup. “Thanks for the caffeine burst and thank-you, for sharing your story with me.” 

Cameron just nodded and smiled before she turned back around to look out her window.  

***************   

Keller shut down her computer and leaned back in her chair, with a frown on her face. “It must be somebody with deep pockets, if they can afford those kind of attorneys.” She rubbed her eyes and stood up and headed into her kitchen for a cold glass of water. “I guess, I should be happy that at least its not one of those lumber companies buying the land.” She mumbled softly as she reached for a glass. “I just hope that whoever it is doesn’t decided to change it and build some type of resort, or something.” 

Keller heard a scratching at her back door, so she set her glass down and walked over to open the screen door. “Well hello there Screech.”  

A big black cat made its way into the cabin without a care in the world. He made sure to rub his head up against Keller’s jean covered legs before going over to his empty food dish.  He sat down, letting out an annoying noise, that was supposed to have been a meow.     

“I know.” Keller laughed softly, as she smiled at her pet. “What will it be tonight. Salmon or tuna?” 

The cat just looked up at her like who cares, just fill my bowl. 

“Well since you don’t care and you had the tuna flavor last night, you can have salmon tonight.” The blonde woman walked over to her pantry and grabbed a small can of cat food. “It looks like I need to make a run into town in the next few days.” She said, as she glanced around her almost empty shelves.  

Screech let out an unhappy noise and scratched at his bowl.  

Keller went to the counter and set the small can down.  She rummaged around in the drawer for a clean spoon before opening the can.  

Screech started meowing his annoying meow as soon as the smell of his lunch hit the air. He couldn’t wait and dipped his head in the way, as soon as the first spoonful hit the bottom of his bowl.  

“Move your fat ass.” Keller laughed at the cats antics as she tried to hold the cat back.  After finally succeeding, she tossed the can in the garbage and washed her hands. “I have no clue, how you think that stuff smells good. It stinks to high heaven.” 

Screech didn’t pay any attention to what his owner was babbling about. He was to involved in his meal to care.  

***************   

A month later, the coldness of January slipped into the uncertain weather of February, as Keller drove down the highway. She was heading towards the small town of Pine Summet, where she'd spent most of her life.  

She casually flipped through the radio stations, hoping to find something to lighten her mood, putting her in better spirits. The whole town had heard that the sale of their beloved mountain went through and that the new owner may be coming down to check things out. No one knew if the new owner would totally disrupt their lives, or keep things as they were. 

Hitting the last button on her radio, Keller jumped a little in her seat as a small sports car blew past her going at pretty good speed. “Damn I hope Perry gets that jerk.” She said as she lost sight of the car when it went around a bend in the road. 

Quickly forgetting the car as an upbeat song filled the inside of the jeep. Without thought, she started singing at the top of her lungs.  

***************   

Cameron sat in her car and looked around the quiet town. “It looks exactly the same, just smaller.” She opened her door and the instant the fresh air hit her face, she took in a deep breath of the fresh air. “Damn I have missed that smell.” 

“Excuse me, can I help you?” An old woman asked as she stopped in front of the sports car. 

Cameron turned her head and tried not to let the shocked expression appear on her face. She was so used to the city and people not caring. “Um no, but thanks.” 

“Sure no problem. Have a good day.” The woman smiled before she started walking down the sidewalk. 

The tall executive closed her car door, stepped up over the curb and stood there, wondering which way she should start walking.  She knew, that the old newspaper office her Dad had worked at was to the right and down two blocks. With a destination in mind she started walking with a smile on her face.

***************   

Keller slowed down as she got closer to the outskirts of Pine-Summet. As she passed several parked cars, she noticed the small sports car and shook her head. “I guess that one got away with it.” She continued down the road until she came to the combination grocery store and post office.   

As she pulled into an empty parking spot, Lars stepped out and waved. “Morning Keller.”  

The small blonde waved back, as she shut off her jeep. Quickly stepping out, she closed her door and walked over to give her friend a hug. “Morning Lars. How’s your day?” 

“The buisness is doing fine, everythings moving slowly, but surely.” Lars smiled, as he went to open the door for his friend. “Mandy's in the back.” 

“Thanks.” Keller stepped into the old building and looked around. It wasn’t the typical grocery store that could be found in a town, anywhere else.  It had the feeling of what it would've been like centuries ago. It had a little of everything that the people of the town would need at some point. And if it wasn’t there, Lars and Mandy would make sure they had it within a week.  

“Mandy you back there?” Keller raised her voice a little as she made her way through the store. 

Mandy stood up from her desk and went to the doorway. “I'm back here, Keller.”  

“How are you?” Keller asked her friend as she gave her a hug.  

Mandy gladly returned the embrace with a smile. “I’m doing great. How about yourself?” She asked, as she motioned for Keller to take a seat in an old folding chair. 

Keller sat down. “Things are good.” She watched the older woman returned to her seat and leaned back in her office chair. “Have you heard any news?”  

Mandy shook her head, knowing exactly what Keller was talking about. “Sorry, nothing yet. But if what we've heard is correct, then the new owner should be arriving at any time now.”    

Keller nodded her head and leaned back. “I just hope, that whoever it is, they don’t plan on changing anything. It would be a shame to lose what we have here.” 

“I agree and so does the rest of the town.  So, if whoever this person is does decide to change things, he or she, is in for one hell of a fight.” The gray haired woman stated with conviction.  

No doubt about that.” Keller clapped her hands together. “By any chance, did my package arrive?”  

“Ohh yes.” Mandy stood back up and quickly made her way out of the small office. She didn’t stop to wait and see if Keller would follow her, because she knew the small blonde would be right on her heels. “It just arrived, a little over an hour ago. I knew you’d be coming in town today and stopping by, so I didn’t bother calling.” 

Keller followed with a big grin on her face. She always got real excited whenever one of her books was published and they sent her a few copies to send to friends and relatives. “I can’t believe this is my seventh book.” 

“Why not? You’re an outstanding author and deserve the recognition.” Mandy sat the small box up on top of the counter. “I still say that you should have your picture plastered on the back, so everyone will know it’s you.” 

Keller shook her head as she reached for the box. “No, it’s better this way. I’ve heard so many horror stores about stalkers and shit. I so don’t need that. Plus, I like the anonymity of no one knowing the real K.C. Addams.” 

Lars stepped into the store with a frown on his face. “Just heard someone saw a strange woman walking around town.” 

“Well I guess our mystery guest has arrived.” Mandy smirked.  

Keller stopped opening her box and looked over at Lars. “Has anyone talked with her? What does she look like?” 

“Mrs. James saw her pull up and talked with her for a few seconds.” Lars moved around the counter, so he could stand next to his wife. “The ones that saw her, said she was standing in front of the old newspaper office just staring at the building.” 

“That’s odd?  That place has been shut down for several years now.” Mandy wrapped her hands around her husbands waist.”I wonder why she was there?”  

Keller didn’t say anything as a small shiver ran down her spine. Whenever she would pass that place, memories would run through her mind and a feeling of something major, that was still missing would crash through her soul. 

“Keller?” Mandy waved her hand in front of the blonde woman’s face. “Hello? Anyone home?” 

“Huhh?” Keller shook her head. “What?” 

“Looks like you stepped out for a second. You okay?” Lars asked with concern on his face. 

Keller looked from Mandy to Lars and smiled. “Yeah, I’m good. Just wool gathering is all.” 

Mandy tapped the package on the counter. “So do we get the first one?” 

“You always do.” The blonde author grinned as she opened the box and reached in. “Here you go.” She held up a book and tried to hand it to the older woman. 

Mandy reached into her pocket and pulled out a pen. “Can you autograph it first?” 

“You know I am going to run out of things to say if you have me sign them here, with every single book I write.” Keller laughed as she picked up the pen. 

“I doubt that.” Lars moved past his wife to get the rest of Keller’s mail. “Do you have a list for me?” He asked as he sat a big pile on the counter. “Or are you just here for your mail?” 

“I always have a list.” Keller reached into her front jeans pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. 

“Hand it over and I'll get your things all set up.” Lars snatched the paper out of her hand. “Why don’t you go get some coffee at the diner with Mandy and I’ll get your list squared away.” 

“Thanks Lars.” Keller stood and walked towards the door where she waited for Mandy. “Do you want us to bring you back anything?” 

Lars thought for second and smiled. “A big greasy cheeseburger would be great.”  

Mandy walked by her husband and smacked him on the butt. “Sorry dear. You can have a nice chef's salad.” 

“But..but.” Lars stuttered. 

Keller laughed at her two friends. She knew that since Lars had his heart attack a couple of years ago, Mandy had him on a strict diet.  

Mandy opened the door as she turned to her husband. “Since you have been so good at following your diet, I can maybe wrangle up a small cheeseburger, but that’s it.” 

“Love you babe.” Lars blew his wife a kiss and went about getting Keller’s order filled. 

***************   

After walking around town for an  hour looking at things that brought back happy memories Cameron decided to grab something to eat at the town’s small diner.  

As she walked in, the whole place stopped and looked at her. Taking a deep breath she stepped all the way in and noticed an empty both all the way in the back and headed for it as fast as she could without making a scene.  

She hadn’t sat down for two seconds before the waitress was there with a menu and a glass of water.      

“Do you need anything to drink?” Dora asked as she popped her gum. 

Cameron nodded. “Yeah a soda would be great. Thanks.” 

“Sure no problem. I’ll be back in a minute to take your order.” The waitress with the beehive hairdo said, looking Cameron over, before going behind the counter to retrieve her drink. 

The tall dark haired executive scanned the small menu and decided that a Cheeseburger with fries would hit the spot. Setting down the menu, she let her gaze wander over the small crowd in the restaurant. Everyone was whispering to the person next to them, except an older woman, who was sipping her coffee.  

“You ready to order dear?” Dora asked as she stepped in front of Cameron blocking her line of sight. She put the bubbling soda on the table along with a wrapped straw. 

Cameron handed the waitress her menu as she spoke. “Cheeseburger with fries. Please.” 

“Okay, it should be done in about ten to fifteen minutes.” Dora walked away to place the order. 

Cameron went back to watching the crowd as she tore the paper off the straw and stuck it in her drink. She took a small sip as someone passed by her table. Quickly glancing at the person’s back as a familiar scent hit her. She closed her eyes, but quickly opened them when it hit her where the smell came from and who it reminded her of. “Keller.” She whispered softly. 

***************   

Keller sat back down after going to the bathroom. She noticed everyone was behaving oddly and gave Mandy a questioning look. “Why is everyone so quiet?” 

“I think the bigwig from the city is sitting behind you.” Mandy didn’t point, but she gestured with her eyes. “You walked right past her.” 

“I did?” Keller sat straight up in her seat. She wanted to turn around and get a look, but didn’t want to be nosey. “What does this person look like?” 

“In one word. Gorgeous.” Mandy stated without thought.  

“Oh, now you've piqued my interest.” Keller wiggled her fingers in front of her body. “Tell me more.” 

“Well she has long black hair and long legs that go on for miles.” Mandy kept stealing glances, trying not to draw attention to herself and her friend, but every time she looked over, the brunette was looking right at Keller. “She has blue eyes the color of the sky and in fact, she keeps looking at you.” 

“What?” Keller started to rip her napkin into small pieces. “How do you know she is looking at me?” 

“Because every time I look over at her she is staring at your back.” Mandy confessed.  

Unable to take it any longer, Keller shifted in her seat, so she could at least get a quick look at the mystery woman. As soon as she turned, the unforgettable blue eyes locked with hers. “Oh God.” 

***************   

Cameron got lost in the green eyes that locked with hers. She used her shaking hands to pull herself out of the booth and start walking to the woman who had always held her heart. 

Keller copied Cameron’s moves and stood up, but her feet were stuck to the floor and she was unable to move. 

Mandy reached over and grabbed her friends hand. “Keller? You know her?” 

The shocked blonde nodded her head. “Yes, it’s Cameron Moore.” 

Mandy knew instantly who this tall woman was. She'd listened to the stories about the two, since she and Lars, had become friends with Keller. She also knew how much this woman had hurt Keller by leaving and not bothering to stay in contact with her small friend. 

Cameron slowly made her way around tables to stand in front of Keller. “Hi.” 

“Hi.” Keller replied back with a tremor in her voice. “Long time no talk.” 

“Yeah,” Cameron stuck her hands in her pockets, as she bit her bottom lip. “Would it help any, if I said I could explain why, I haven't talked with you since I left?” 

“Depends.” Keller sighed as she fought the emotions. 

Cameron cocked her head to the side. “Depends on what?” 

After a few seconds of silence Keller spoke. “If you plan on leaving again without a word and hurting me more.” She couldn’t help the tears that started to fall. “Because I’ll have you know no one and I mean no one has ever hurt me the way you did all those years ago. You were my best friend. You weren’t suppose to just up and leave me high and dry like you did.” 

Cameron couldn’t stand it and cupped Keller’s soft angelic face with her hands. She used her thumbs to wipe away the tears. “I know saying sorry is lame, but right now its all I have.” She wanted to drop her hands and wrap her arms around the trembling woman but didn’t want to take any chances. “I’m so sorry and I promise from this moment on, that you'll always know where I am at.”  

Keller sobbed, as she threw her arms around her long lost friend.  

Cameron held on as tight as she dared to the trembling woman in her arms as she closed her eyes. 

Mandy stood up and decided that she needed to get the two out of there, so they could talk. She knew that the town's gossip line was already in full swing and wanted to nip it in the bud. “Why don’t you two, follow me.” She patted Keller’s back to get her attention.  

Keller moved away from the warm embrace and nodded. “Why don’t you get your food to go and we can go.” 

“Good idea.” Cameron looked around, until she caught the waitress’s attention. “Can you put my food in a to go box, please?” 

Dora nodded and quickly spoke to the cook. Within a minute, Cameron had her lunch in one hand and Keller’s hand in the other.  

***************   

After going back to Lars and Mandy’s store, Keller decided that she needed to talk with Cameron alone and in the privacy of her own home. She asked Cameron to go get her car and follow her out to her place. 

Cameron agreed that would be best and left the tiny grocery store. 

“I have your things in your jeep.” Lars said softly, after watching Cameron walk out the door.  

Keller hugged her friend. “Thanks Lars. I appreciate it.” 

“Anything for you.” Lars gave the small woman in his arms a squeeze. “If you need to talk about anything. No matter what time, just give us a call.” He looked over at his wife and smiled, when she nodded her approval.  

“I will.” Keller moved over to hug Mandy. “Thanks.” 

“No problem.” Mandy replied with love to the young woman who was more of a daughter then a friend.  

The two store keepers watched, as their friend left the store and got into her jeep. Lars spotted the styrofoam container on the counter and moved over to open the lid. “Oh honey, thanks.” 

“That’s not from me. It was Cameron’s and since, she seems to have forgotten it, you can eat it, but you'll have to walk on the treadmill for an extra fifteen-minutes.” Mandy said as she walked back to the office. 

All Lars did was nod his head, since his mouth was full.     

***************  

Cameron cringed, every time her car would hit a bump. “I should've just rode with Keller.” At that thought, she tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “I can’t believe it. Within seconds, my life changes.  I hope to God, I can be strong enough to finally open up and let her know, how I felt back then.” She took in a deep breath. “Hell, how I still feel.” 

Keller watched the small sports car in her review mirror as it tried maneuvering around all the dips and bumps in the road. She shook her head and started to laugh when the car hit one bump, that was almost as big as the car itself. “She's going to kill me, when we get to the cabin.”    

At that thought her heart started to beat faster and her hands began to sweat. “Oh man what am I going to do? I don’t think I can hide these feelings like I used to.” She almost slammed on the brakes to stop them from going any further she was so scared.  

Cameron noticed the brake lights flicker on the jeep in front of her, so she downshifted, putting her car in low gear, which brought its speed down to a crawl.  She pulled in behind Keller and set the brake.  

Keller stopped her jeep in her normal spot and sat there watching Cameron park behind her. Her breath caught in her throat, when the door opened and the long legs slipped out. She just got better and better looking, while she was gone, didn't she? I get a feeling she has more confidence and when she walks into a room she demands respect. Plus something else. Something that I‘m missing. I can’t put my finger on it just yet, but I will find out and soon. 

Cameron pulled herself out of her car and looked down to see if she could see any damage. Not seeing any she walked to Keller’s jeep and opened the door. “Did you need any help, bringing your bring things in?” 

“Umm, sure. I mean, yeah.  That would be great!” Keller opened her door and stepped out. She walked around to the back door and opened it up to grab some of the bags.  

Cameron followed Keller silently, as she looked around at the scenery. It'd been years, since she'd seen anything so beautiful. She couldn’t help herself, as she stopped walking and just absorbed everything around her.  

Keller opened the door, putting her bags down on the kitchen counter. When she walked back to the door, she watched Cameron as she looked up at the mountain side. Her heart swelled at the feeling of actually seeing the other woman standing in front of her again. The happiness started to slip away to hurt and confusion. So many years of not knowing and wondering what she had done brought back the tears she had thought she cried out so many years ago. Taking a deep breath and wiping the fallen tears off her checks she continued to stare at the other woman.  

Not wanting to disturb her, Keller quickly emptied the jeep and put the groceries away. When she was finished, she leaned against the door jamb and just watched.  

Keller knew how the mountain always affected the taller woman in a special way and she instantly knew that the her mountain, no, their mountain, was safe from the money hungry logging companies. Even if Cameron decided to leave once again she could still trust Cameron when it came to their peaceful mountain. 

Cameron decided as she watched the world around her, that she would do anything in her power to let Keller know, she loved her. As she thought that, she turned to the cabin and caught Keller watching her. “How about a short hike?” 

Keller nodded and smiled. “How about it?  It sounds great!” 

***************   

The two walked side by side talking about their lives. Cameron apologized about losing contact with Keller but didn’t tell her the reason why. She was unsure how to voice her feelings until she passed a tree that made her stop. Keller watched as Cameron circled the tree and stopped. 

Cameron blinked back the tears that threatened to fall as memories of herself standing here alone and wanting to shout at the top of her lungs how much she loved her best friend, but only brave enough to carve their names in the tree trunk before her.      

“What’s wrong?” Keller asked after a few moments of watching Cameron touch the tree’s side. 

Cameron looked over at Keller. “This is where my life changed.”  

Keller gave her a confusing look. “I don’t understand.” 

Cameron waved the other woman over, to stand beside her. “It’s where I realized I loved you.” 

Keller stopped walking and looked at the tall woman. She couldn’t think of anything to say, so she stood there unmoving. 

“It hit me one day as we were hiking.” Cameron didn’t move she looked Keller straight in the eye. “As we passed this tree, I looked over at you and my heart knew you were the one for me. The one who would fill my life with joy, but most of all, the kind of love that they only talk about in the movies.” 

“Oh God, Cameron.” Keller covered her mouth with her hand. “That’s why you..” She couldn’t finish her sentence. 

Cameron didn’t need to hear the rest of the sentence. “Yes. I was so scared that I would do something to make you ashamed of me. It was easier to run. To hide.” 

Keller started to cry at the thought of what could have been, if either of them had taken the chance to speak their true feelings. She blinked back the tears that had yet to fall as she moved to stand next to Cameron. Seeing what Cameron was still touching she couldn’t hold back the emotions any longer.  

“When did you do this?” Keller asked as she traced her carved out initials and then Cameron’s. Her hand started to shake as it traced the small heart that surrounded the letters. 

“The day before I left. I'd always hoped that maybe you would’ve come across it at some point.” Cameron shrugged her shoulders slightly.     

“Did you know, that not twenty-yards away, another tree has almost the same carving?” Keller turned to look up at Cameron. 

“Really?” Cameron brushed a few strands of blonde hair away from Keller’s face. 

Keller nodded as she took Cameron’s hands in hers. “I want to do something that I have only dreamt about.”  

Cameron waited to see what Keller wanted to do and when she figured it out she bent her head as she cupped the tear streaked face in her palms. 

When the two broke apart they were taking deep breathes and trying to calm their hearts.  

“No more running.” Keller stated as she hugged the warm body next to her.  

Cameron shook her head. “No. I never plan on leaving Keller’s Mountain again.”

The End

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