of hair sprang up starting just above his navel. The furry dark line partitioned the lower meadow like an ominous fence extending below his belt only to be interrupted where a fertile imagination might conjure. If I was going to retain a cool disposition, I had to stave off the empty feeling in my abdomen and the increasingly intense tingling in my midsection. Taking a deep breath, I thought, "down boy." It would not do if my cravings were detected by any of the assembled by discernable body language. When we greeted each other, my eyes wandered about all the men and food so no one would notice the true focus of my attentions. Regaining my composure, my avaricious resolve was only intensified.

During the bean and cornbread meal, sure enough, the subject of Bob not having a camping mate arose. Even prior to discussion on this topic, I spoke of how much I was impressed with the countryside in the area and how I regretted that I had so little time to explore to suit my curiosity. The two topics of conversation intermingled smoothly but, at first, did not connect. Finally, one of the hands took the bait. "Hey Bob; why not take Blonde with you. You're always bragging about how you know the forest trails better than the rangers. Now you have a chance to show off all your familiar turf to someone who would really like to see it."

In my most modest and friendliest tone, I tried to pose a helpful resource. "I would be happy to split all the expenses with you, Bob."

My heart leapt, as I feared that the obnoxious oldest hand would derail my strategy. "Besides, you would score brownie points with the boss: Blonde's uncle", he quipped as he crudely rubbed his fist, thumb and forefinger against his nose. "Still, it wouldn't be the same as taking your lady with you, lover boy." Partially masticated food nearly dropped out of the mirthful mouths of the other hands in their enjoyment of the latest joke.

Bob seemed to resist the barbs of his tormenter and very civilly responded, "Thanks for the offer, Blonde. I will give it serious thought and let you know."

"Patience!" I counseled myself, "so far, so good." That night, I was rewarded when my uncle alerted me that I had a telephone call. Bob asked that I keep the arrangements confidential. Unbeknownst to the others, Bob had made reservations for a cabin. He asked me if I would still be prepared to pay half for the considerably more appreciable expense to be awarded to the National Park Service.

"They are really nice. They have working fireplaces and private baths." I readily agreed, excitedly realizing that I may be able to see more of my love interest than if we had just been tent mates. "You're all right Blonde. I got a sense that you are sort of an upright guy when I first met you."

If he only knew.

_______________________________

The Monday evening of our departure, I had restrained myself to not overstep my bounds and not build high expectations. The true path of success for any cock man in hot pursuit is to think with his brain and not with his dick. We drove away from the ranch loaded with more supplies than we would probably need. Driving his older model SUV well over the speed limit, my friend was quite loquacious, one on one. "It was a mistake anyone