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Show 5. But as soon as JD got out of the car and uncoiled, feeling the rush of cool air in his face, he decided it didn't matter. They'd be a mile apart, anyway. He swung open the gate. "Drive her through," he waved at Stephanie, feeling expansive. At home he'd only let her move his car up and down the driveway. Aside from getting flattened himself as she bore down on him, he couldn't see any reason why she shouldn't have the pleasure this time. As usual, he'd underestimated his sister. She drove it through all right, but she kept going, veering off into the sage, riding the crests of the ruts dangerously, going way too fast. He thought she'd never stop, "Damn you!" he puffed when he finally caught up with the car. He shoved her over into the passenger seat, ignoring her screams. "I really do hate you," she retorted, laughing so hard she could hardly get it out. "It's a love-hate," he teased, smacking her a good one on the near shoulder. He hoped it hurt a little. "It's a hate hate! A capital H hate!" She looked like she might try to clop him right back, but she didn't. When they rounded the last bend into the clearing JD let out a wild whoop of joy. His heart pounded; a wide grin took over his face. JD was out of the car before it quit rolling. If Stephanie hadn't been along he'd have hugged a tree or something. "This is it," he was fairly singing. "This is our same old place. We dug the latrine behind those juniper over there. That was my job." JD was jumping from one spot to another. "Hey, look, Steph!" She was stretching beside the car. "Our buck pole from last year. That's where Old Albert hung overnight. He and his dad always gave their deer names. A kind of requiem. "It's nice here," Stephanie agreed. She stood on her tiptoes and inhaled noisily. "I like it." JD glanced at his watch as they unpacked the car. It was almost four o'clock. There'd be little chance to see elk today. If he could get the picture Crawford wanted for the Times, the money would take care of his gas. That way he could get his car payment in on time, too. |