Posted As Missing

12. Matchmaking

By the time David had done his geology and security survey, Rachel and Maria had already placed their packs in the perfect camp spot beside a huge block of gabbro.

He walked over to join them, took off his pack and laid it alongside theirs. "What a fine spot this is," he said, examining the setting and pointing to the tops of the cliffs soaring around them. "It appears to be well hidden from almost any angle."

Rachel nodded. "We tried for years to find it again, and even knowing where to look, we couldn't. We tried from above and below and crossed the slopes many times in each direction. No sign of it."

David wiped the sweat from his brow. "While we're hot and sticky, let's unpack and set up camp so we cool before we bathe." He examined the fallen block of gabbro. "This seems an ideal place for our shelter." He unstrapped the roll of canvas and blanket from his pack, spread it out, and said, "I'll set it up for us while you ladies unpack, then go to the pools."

While the women organised the contents of the packs, David wedged the line from a corner of the oiled canvas into a crack in the rock at his chest level; then, he led the line from the next corner around a flake on the back of the fallen block. Rachel came over with a towel in hand as he adjusted the line. "That's an unusual shelter."

"I thought a low, sloping roof would not only make a good dew and rain cover but also help retain our body heat. I'll tie lines from the lower two corners around large rocks on the slab. That will enclose a tight little space between the cliff face and this rock, with the only opening a small triangle. We'll be hidden from the entrance ramp."

Rachel nodded and held up her towel. "Maria and I are off to the pools to bathe. You stay here to allow us our privacy."

A while later, as Rachel and Maria lay soaking and relaxing in the warm pool, Maria said quietly, "Mama, you've told me lots about me, about my body, but you've never told me much about boys – about men. I know you've tried, but I wasn't interested."

"And because of your indifference, I never pressed. Simply asked if you had questions about it."

Maria bobbed her head. "I didn't then, but I do now. We had begun studying sexual anatomy and reproduction at the hospital, so when David came in for dinner the first night, I showed him my interest."

Rachel chuckled. "Your insatiable curiosity. And did he show his interest?"

"He did. But I now realise why he went back and forth from endearing to reserved – not wanting to risk his cover."

"Of course. So, how did you break through to him?"

"The first night, I didn't. On my walk home, I thought of so many things I wanted to ask you, but you were already asleep. Thoughts of him kept me awake for a long time, and I slept late – rushed away to the hospital without asking."

"So, last night?"

"The gasthaus wasn't busy, so I had much more time to talk with him. I suggested wine instead of ale, and sensing his interest in it, I told him how we make it, and when that led to mentioning Switzerland, his manner changed."

"Of course, it would. He would see you as much less of a threat. So, from there?"

"He remained at the table long after dinner, and as we talked, I thought often of the sexual reproduction lectures and texts." She shrugged. "You know how I prefer experience to book learning, so after finishing my duties, I asked him to take me up to his room and show me how."

Rachel laughed. "That is so like you – insatiable curiosity."

"Only when I'm interested. And the more we talked, the more intrigued I became." She pressed her fingers to her mound and trembled. "I don't even understand how his things work; they're so different from my button and grooves."