THE DESOLATE SOUTHLAND

CHAPTER 3: HARLEY'S REQUEST

'Harley loaded up the items Riko requested and thought to herself, "This man doesn't buy much, I wonder why?" It was about a 5 mile drive to the entrance of Reiken Plantation. She had only been there once before on another delivery. Riko didn't know she had delivered because he wasn't home and left instructions to just leave them at the gate. "He is really a loner," she thought.

As Harley drove she thought about the conversation she had with sarge earlier. She laughed because she is the only one who he allowed to call him sarge. And she wondered if he meant what he said, "anything you want'"

"I will have to ask him."

Continuing to drive, she began to daydream. Sarge was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was six foot one inch tall, two hundred ten pounds and ripped with muscles. She knew this because she was friends with Marcy, doctor Jeremiah's nurse. Marcy told her about the time Riko was there for a physical. He had a high and tight hair cut but kept a five o'clock shadow. He wore tight jeans with a tight tank top most of the time and had a farmers tan. His deep blue eyes and glistening smile always made her melt. "Yeah, this could be a man I could love," she thought.

5:25 pm, Harley arrived at the Reiken Plantation. She wondered how she would get in as she looked around. She admired the custom built gate and wish she knew the builder because it was so cool. It towered twelve feet high. Each dowel was three side, spiral and pointy at the top. Each side was razor sharp which prevented anyone from attempting to climb up it. Each was placed about four inches apart to keep one from trying to squeeze through with out serious injury as well. The gate was in two sections approximately ten feet wide and opened in the middle.

She noticed an intercom to the left. So she pressed the call button. Shortly, a voice spoke and said, "Get ready Harley, when it opens, drive on up the drive. It is the log cabin on the hill to the left. Let yourself in, the door is unlocked."

Harley, drove up the drive noticing how beautiful this place was with all of its rolling hills, wild flowers and hardwoods that formed a canopy over the drive. As she approached she reminder herself to ask Riko for help.

She gathered the two bags and walked up the walkway as she admired the landscape. Thinking to herself all the time, "There must be a woman around, this is too pretty for a man." She went in, and looked around as she waited for him to greet her. A couple of minutes passed and she yelled, "I'm here, sarge."

"Please call me Riko, all my friends do'" A voice said from behind her.

She jumped, "Where in the hell did you come from?"

"umm, the shower. I just finished my swim." he said as he cut his eyes.

"oh," she said as she blushed with slight embarrassment.

Harley tried to regain her composure but couldn't help herself as she looked him over from head to toe. Sarge stood there in a pair of his tight blue jeans showing his muscular legs and the bulge showing off how well he is endowed. He was shirtless, and obviously didn't dry off completely since droplets of water trickled down his muscular chest and across his rippled six pack.

"Here let me take those," and reached for the paper bags.

"Would you like something to drink?" he asked as he walked toward the kitchen.

'Huh, umm, oh, yeah sure!" And she followed.

Not a word was said as they sat there drinking a tall glass of sweet ice tea. Riko broke the silence.

"Darling, how much do I owe you?"

"Owe me?"

"Yeah, for the groceries and delivery'"

"Owe, about that, no charge."

"Come on Harley, you know I don't take things without paying. So how much do I owe you?"

"Well, I was kind of hoping you would do something for me in exchange." "You said I could have anything I want earlier today, remember?'"

"Yes, I remember, but..."

Harley interrupted him, "I really need your help and I can't pay you."

"Harley, I'm paying you, and we can talk about what is troubling you and how I can help."

Harley smiled, and nervously took another sip from her glass. She looked around avoiding eye contact as he watched her closely.

"I will be right back, I got to go get my wallet."

"OK," was all she could say and Riko sensed her struggling with what was on her mind.

He returned quickly with his wallet and asked her once again how much he owed her. She handed him the receipt and he paid her telling her to keep the change.

"Now what is troubling you darling, and how can I help?"

She fought back the tears and began to tell him a horrible story of her past. Riko, reached out, put his hands on her waist, pulled into him, hugged her close and gently kissed her forehead.

"Damn right I will help you. This I can fix this and gladly fix for you!" "Nothing to worry about or be afraid of any more'"

She snuggled in his arms as he held her even closer. She knew then, as she took in his smell and felt his warmth, she loved this man.