Chasing Fire

The Wookie - Part 6

Bear walked slower than usual because Noralee could not keep up with him. She should have spent an hour on the treadmill every day before she left for Alaska. The physical demands of the landscape were taxing on her body and yet, Bear never seemed out of breath as she huffed and puffed.

"We are going to get you into shape." He was kidding with her and she half smiled in agreement. She never thought she was out of shape. Oh, she never did lose the Freshmen fifteen she put on at the beginning of college, but she never thought she was in bad shape. A little extra junk in the trunk never hurt anybody, until now.

"I wish I would have lost some weight before I made this trip." She could swear she was sweating from every pore on her body, and couldn't imagine how bad she smelled. She started digging in her bag for her deodorant.

"What? You aren't fat. You have curves. I love curvy girls. You look very feminine. If anything, you need gain a little more." He was grinning again. Oh, how he loved to tease her and get her to smile. "What are you looking for?"

"My deodorant." She was still digging, "I must smell like a dead dog right about now."

He threw his head back in laughter and his whole taut belly wiggled with the giggles. "Noralee, you are so funny! You make my cheeks hurt! Look where you are? It is just you and me and I promise you smell better than me."

"I know, old habits are hard to break. My ex used to ask me if I washed my pantyhose because he could smell my feet."

Bear fell on the ground and couldn't get back up he was laughing so hard. Tear were streaming out of his eyes.

"I was like what? I always washed my pantyhose! He was so sensitive to smells, it was completely ridiculous. I got a complex and always wore a new pair. Since being with him, I take deodorant and perfume with me wherever I go. He was really crazy about a lot of things." She stared down at him as she finally found her deodorant and started removing the cap. "Victory. Smells so sweet!"

This last line sent him spiraling into the dirt and holding his sides and begging her to stop. His face was as red as his hair. "Please....no...more."

"Oh, you think that is funny? Wait until I tell you about the Wookie." She was putting her deodorant on under her arms. "He was so anal about everything and couldn't stand body hair on him or me. Ok. Imagine this? Our so-called anniversary outing was at a spa with a wax session for two!!"

"Please...Noralee...you are killing me." He could barely breathe and his face was wet with tears as he waved his hands.

"I will after I tell you this one part. Blew my mind. He called my, you know, a Wookie. He said for our anniversary he was going to wax my Wookie, so he could enjoy it better."

"Dear God!!!" Bear buried his face in the ground and was completely crying now.

"Do you see why I came out here by myself? My Wookie was happy just the way it was, but no, it had to be groomed to meet his standards." Noralee knew she was being too personal, but there was something natural and earthy about him that she felt she could say just about anything and he might laugh, but he wouldn't judge her. "He even shaved his everything! He would fight me for my razors in the morning!"

He stopped crying for a second and wiped his eyes and she made a Chewbacca chirp, which she was too good at, and it sent him over the edge in laughter, again. It was making her crack up watching him laugh.

"I will never be able to watch Star Wars again without thinking about you." He was trying hard to get control of himself but she had him completely and utterly tickled to his funny bone.

"You and me both. My Wookie has yet to forgive me for that torture." She watched his second collapse to the ground, again in helpless laughter. "Now, who's breathless?"

"Fair enough. I surrender. Please, no more." He was beet red in the face and on his chest and arms. He wasn't wearing a shirt because he said it was too hot. Noralee was bundled up. He was a nice view. He had a perfectly cut torso and abs she could scrub clothes on.

"So, are you going to show me this fabulous view or is this it?" She helped him off the ground and for a moment their eyes met and locked.

"I like this one very much. I am not sure if the one I wanted to show you will compare to you, Noralee." He was cute when he was flirty and she felt like flirting wasn't out of the question for her, as well.

"I am really getting used to this one, too. A lot better than the one I have been used to all these years." She smiled at him and did a little Chewbacca chirp again.

"Please, no." He was on the edge of laughing again. "It is this way."

They made their way through the forest and climbed a steep embankment. He helped pulled her up along the way. She realized how helpful and considerate he was to her and how ridiculous her life with her ex had been for so long. As they reached the top, he led her to a cliff overlooking a huge valley, one-hundred- feet below. She was afraid of heights and stepped back a few steps.

"It is alright." He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind her, something her ex had never done. She read in a women's magazine that was a sign I guy really likes you, it was called the Bear Snuggle. She settled down some of her heights anxiety and relied on his hands to keep her sure and safe. It was a wonderfully comforting feeling being able to relax and let someone else do the caring for once. 

"You smell nice and not the deodorant. You have a sweet natural smell like roses." He whispered into her ear, brushing his bearded cheeks in her hair.

She blushed a little. Man, they went from strangers to knowing personal things about each other in a day. As she took in the amazing view of the magnificently wild, pristine valley, she knew he was watching her. "It is really beautiful."

"Yes, it is a beautiful view." She turned to see him looking at her.