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     Charles felt a rush of emotions welling up inside him and he did not know how to respond to her, but he spoke anyway. "If that's what you want, then I'll help you.., but you need at least forty days for the sutures to be removed, you know healing takes time. You don't have enough time." he smirked.
     "I can keep him off me for awhile." Lexa said realizing there was a hitch in her plan.
     "Yeah right!" he balked. "Xation will be banging you Sunday night after dinner! You are supposed to be his wife and he hasn't been with you in years, and my God look at you!" he said making a gesture with both hands. "You are so beautiful and charming! You look like that Movie Star Daryl Hannah for God's sake! And now we got you all cleaned up and fit and healthy!" Charles went on getting excited as he spoke "My God! I even have an erection now just looking at you! Are you kidding me?" he said in all honesty.
     Lexa blushed then began to worry that Xation would discover her secret and that would be the end of her. She did not reply to his statement, instead she sat there a moment letting her crafty mind do it's work. It was not until about twenty minutes, after the storm had passed, and they had crossed the Texas border Lexa let out an exclamation. "I know what to do!" she smiled as they sped south down highway 35E. "I will get really drunk on wine at Sunday dinner, Serena told me their parents will be there and they are bringing my neph.., son" she corrected herself, "and you will be there so, once I embarrass him, you suggest another  rehab for the alcohol detox. Then you can take care of the scar before you take to me to rehab and I can heal while I'm in there." she said a sly, cunning smile on her face.
     Charles sighed shaking his head at her cleverness and he said "If that's what you want to do, then I will help you. But this is Xaton Day we are talking about here, this is risky and it might not go as planned but if you're not afraid then I will help you." Leah smiled her eyes clear and bright, a blush to her cheeks, radiating happiness. This gave Charles a warm feeling, and not just the one in his trousers.
     So it was the two stopped at a legendary BBQ joint and ate and laughed and talked and went over their plan. It was about noon when Charles pulled up in front of The Green House in Arlington, this was the finest Spa in all of Texas. Leah had three days of treatments, massages, etc.. ahead of her and she was happy to say goodbye to Charles, who would be picking her up at four on Sunday to bring her back to Xation. She kissed him on the cheek and thanked him once more as she slid down out of the Jeep and was escorted into the Mansion-like Spa by a young beautiful woman with fiery red hair.
     It was about one p.m. when Charles finally made it home to his house and he was surprised to find a note from Serena stating she had brought in a team of maids who cleaned the house from top to bottom, she had restocked his refrigerator, had the pool cleaned and sent over a landscaping crew to mow the lawn and trim the trees and shrubs. She had also purchased a placed new silk sheets and blankets and pillows on his bed. Charles was well pleased and he stripped down and took a hot steamy shower and after he dried himself off he climbed up into his luxuriant bed and wrapped himself in warmth and softness and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillows.

More Chapter 10

     Charles said nothing looking at her in disbelief. Lexa stared back her eyes as big as saucers "You don't believe me? I am not lying to you." she said offended by his reaction. "My God! Xation is the one who put the lie in believe, Charles, not me." she pleaded her case.
     "Prove it!" he snapped back at her "Prove to me that you are not Leah."
     "Fine!" she said in a harsh tone reclining the passengers seat all the way back as she lifted up her shirt, unzipping her blue jeans pulling them down past her pelvic bones exposing her well tanned, flat stomach "Leah had a C-Section when she had her baby. So where's the scar Charles? There isn't one because I have never had a baby, because I'm Lexa, Leah is dead and you have to accept it." she said zipping up her pants and adjusting her clothes.
     Charles felt all the blood rush from his face down to his stomach he wanted to vomit. He tried to speak but it felt like he had a stone in his throat, his mind raced with the realization that Leah was dead and gone, he had not been helping her at all, but it was her twin sister who had fooled them all. "She's gone?" he stammered "You?" he sighed looking deep in her green eyes not knowing what to say, confused by the mixed feelings of despair and joy. His mind did not know how to react so he wrapped his arms around her, calling her name out over and over again. Charles stroked her long blond hair squeezing her hard against his body making it difficult for her to breathe then half crying, half laughing he began kissing her on the cheek telling her how much he always loved her. Then as the storm raged the wind howling outside the Jeep, the two became still looking deep into each others eyes, they began kissing each other with great force and longing. Charles felt electrified by the sweet, wet, warmth of her mouth and it took several moments for the two to come up for air.
     "No Charles stop." she said panting wiping his saliva off her wet lips. "We must not do this." she said the flash of an old memory of the last time they were lovers. '"No one can ever know what I have told you! We  need to keep this a secret!" she pleaded.
     "Why?"
     "Because if Xation ever finds out he will have me slaughtered."
     "Then let's not go back! I can get money, we will hide." he implored.
     "No. You know that would never work, besides Xation may be a cold hearted bastard, but he's rich and handsome and takes care of his family. I have lived the past five years living off of Doritos, and Diet Coke, I want to live like a queen again. Xation will take care of me."
     "Oh? Well what about your scar? Won't he see you naked when he fucks you?" Charles asked aggravated by her attitude.
     Lexa slapped his face sending a short, sharp, shock to his system. She turned back towards the dashboard fuming as she watched the hail stones bounce off the payment. "When that time comes, and I will continue to  avoid that as long as possible, by then I will have made a scar of my own, it shouldn't take much a nice deep cut, have you sew me up and the masquerade will be complete. You will still help me, won't you, Charles?"
   

Chapter 10 continues

     She felt the weight of her deception weighing heavy, pushing her down in her seat, oh if she could only take flight and fly away from the truth of what she had done, but she could not, now she must be honest. "When we left, do remember John whispered something in my ear?" she asked as Charles shook his head yes, a terrible look of dread washing all the color from his face. "He said, 'Truth is like rain. It saturates everything it touches.'" she paused the sound of the hail stones smashing on the ground outside as the Spring storm raged all 'round. "So before we get back to Texas, I need to tell you the truth." she looked at him lovingly squeezing his hand as she began her tale.
     "Long before we grew up, my sister and I would always play tricks on our friends, teachers, boyfriends, etc... switching places with one another causing confusion and much heartache, all through high school and college. We had a lot of fun!" she smiled with a quick mischievous memory from senior year. "You know we looked so much alike even our own parents had trouble distinguishing us apart.., that's one of the reasons I miss her so much!" she said wiping a small tear from her cheek.
     "I miss Lexa too." Charles reminded her.
     "I know you do, you really did care for her." she smiled stroking his cheek brushing the hair from his eyes.
     "More than you'll ever know." he sighed.
     "No, I do know how much you care." she said with a nervous look in her eyes as she said "Because I have missed you too."
     Now Charles was confused because now Leah was speaking as if she was Lexa, but that was impossible as Lexa was long dead. Then he thought of what she said before. Had she gone mad? Did she think she was her dead sister? Could she be her dead sister? Many thoughts raced through his mind as he sat there staring over at her. "Leah? What do mean?"
     "Leah was bored with Xation she began having an affair. I would come to the ranch on the weekends and she changed into my clothes and would leave. I took her place, Xation never knew. But that Sunday when she was shot to death with her lover, in his bed, in his house, I was stuck. Leah died and I did not! That's why I fled soon after the funeral, I watched them bury Me! I went to my own funeral Charles!" she went on excitedly telling her story. "I am Lexa! I needed to tell you the truth. Old John was right, everything he did and said was right!" she exclaimed as the heavy weight of her pain lifted up and off her soul and she felt happy, unafraid, light as air, clear of mind. Charles felt shell shocked like a bomb had just been dropped. His mind raced back trying to piece together memories to search for a hidden clue, but would could he do? He knew she was telling the truth.

Chapter 10 begins

     It was around six in the morning on Thursday when they finished their stay and Leah and Charles said goodbye to John, who was happy he could be of service to them both. Leah did not want to leave as she had learned so much and shared with him the secret of her pain and deception, it was difficult for her to let go of her embrace. John whispered a few words of encouragement in her ear as he kissed her on the cheek and watched as the two got into their Jeep and turned down the long winding road, back to civilization.
     Charles and Leah rode along in silence the windows down as the cool mountain, fresh and fragrant air blew across their face and through their hair. The two were the most relaxed and happy they had been in a very long time. And secretly they both wished they could live their on that mountain with old John for the rest of their lives, but that would be impossible, Xation Day would not allow that, for every person in his family and organization served a purpose and had a duty to fulfill. Leah knew she would soon be back with him and it made her skin crawl. She began to worry, but used a method John had taught her on of their hours long conversations. So she trained her thoughts to focus on a happy memory she had when she was young, filling her mind with the sound of her sisters laughter when they had their first golf lesson and she hit the ball at an odd angle and sent the hard dimpled ball smack into her ankle and she was hopping around cursing and laughing at the same time. And with that Leah forgot all about Xation and the trying times ahead.
     Now as they drove south towards Texas  massive black clouds rolled across the sky, low to the ground like a dark, thick blanket. Lightning flashed across the sky from end to end, miles and miles apart, Charles felt uneasy driving into the Spring storm but they had a schedule to keep to so on he drove. The closer they came to the storm and the pounding rain, closer to the Texas border, Leah became more frightened and nervous all the peace and serenity she had attained in the past few days melted away from her leaving her mind in circles and her muscles in knots. At one point the driving rain turned to hailstones, the size of golf balls, forcing Charles to pull under an overpass to wait out the storm. After a few tense moments Leah opened up her mouth and spoke, she had decided it was time for her to tell Charles the truth about what happened, she hoped he would still be willing to help her. "Charles," she paused almost smirking knowing full and well Charles was not his name, just an identity, of a dead man, Xation gave to him "I need to share something with you, something from the past, before my sister was killed." Leah said as she took his hand in hers a small tear rolling down her cheek.

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     After they had finished and were feeling energized and relaxed Leah and Charles changed into some fishing  gear and joined John out on the lake to spend the afternoon fishing. It took Leah a little practice to paddle with her oar correctly while Charles struggled in the back of the canoe as they went in little circles, but soon Leah got the hang of it with much laughter as they set out across the wide lake to a shady spot where striped bass swam in the dark shadows. The three enjoyed their time together as old John told them a little about his life and his time as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He told them how he met his wife and the difficulties he had bringing her back to the States. John told them how he came to own the land and how he came to build Coldcreek Lodge and what inspired him to open up his home and land to the sick, addicted and dying. Leah was touched by his stories and she felt like a better person having known him.
     It was about two hours later when the trio rowed back to shore with their catch, a little sunburned and tired. Charles was happy as he had caught the most fish. Nihar was waiting to help Leah up out of the canoe and he instructed her to go into the cabin and shower as he would give her a massage with hot stones and an Indian head massage.
     "Why can't I have a massage?" Charles asked disappointed.
     "You come back to the lodge with me, I will teach you how to clean the fish." John informed him.
     "I know how to clean a fish." he said offended.
     "Wonderful! Then you can clean them all, but come Charles your friend Leah is the sick one and she needs this much more than you." he smiled grabbing his walking stick as Charles took the catch walking back up the trail into the woods with the old man as Leah came out of the cabin nice and clean, wrapped up in a plush, white robe. She met Nihar down by the lakeside under a small gazebo; which was covered with a thick, lush  honeysuckle vine that was in full bloom. Nihar turned his back as she removed her robe and slipped under the soft white sheet on the massage table. Leah lay on her back inhaling the sweet scent of the flowers she was dead tired and she felt like she could fall asleep at any moment.
     "Now just relax and you will feel much better." Nihar said as he set a small bowl of warm oil in a tray just above her forehead. The bowl had a small hole in the bottom of it and when he removed his finger from it a slow warm stream of botanical oil flowed on her forehead and seeped down her hair and neck it was a strange sensation but very calming. As this went on Nihar stood at the end of the table rubbing her feet with more warm oil using a technique called Reflexology. Leah let out a few moans of sheer pleasure and comfort and soon she drifted off and dreamed a dream.
     And in this dream she found herself sitting in the sun on a hill covered with wild flowers. She was wearing a long flowing white dress and all was bright around her. Far off she heard the sound of little children's laughter and when she turned back from where the noise came from she saw a mirror image of herself sitting on the hill next to her. She became filled with joy as she saw her twin sister smiling back at her. The sisters embraced and both were filled with the Spirit of Love. Each expressed how much they missed one another and, only when she asked to stay, her dead sister told her she was not allowed to come over just yet. Then her dead sister rose up off the mountain turning back as if she were being called by an unheard voice. She smiled down floating above the flowers the leaves of grass touching her toes she explained she had to go and take care of the little children. She gave her sister a wink and said "Truth is Love." Then Leah found herself awake on the table as Nihar nudged her awake. She turned on her stomach for him and then he placed six hot black stones along the muscles of her spine. The deep, relaxing heat seeped into her tired body and she closed her eyes hoping to dream of her sister once more.

More of Chapter 9

     The three were greeted at the end of the path by a good looking, young, dark skinned gentleman who was wearing only a pair of white gauze-like linen pants and was not wearing shoes. He smiled brightly with a pure perfect white aura about him, he seemed to be radiating light as he spoke extending his hand saying "Good morning John." as he shook the old man's hand the two men embraced warmly as they greeted one another. "And you are my students!" he said extending his hand to Leah "I am called Nihar and I will be your Yoga instructor, now follow me into the cabin where you may select some looser fitting clothing," Nihar explained as they all introduced themselves. John went down to the boat house to prepare a canoe for the fishing trip he would take Leah and Charles on after their Yoga session.
     Charles and Leah followed Nihar into the little lake cabin where he took them to a small room filled with racks of clothing, jackets, fishing vests, fishing poles, hiking boots, etc... of every size, for men and women. All were new with the tags still attached, it was like a little store. Nihar instructed them to take whatever they needed during their visit, as it had already been included in the rate. Leah thought this was a most excellent idea and she delighted in picking out her yoga outfit, a warm soft pink cotton set. Charles chose a pair of pants like their instructor was wearing and did not wear a shirt. He was looking forward to stretching out his body and resting his mind by the cool mountain lake so early in the morning. And it was spectacular Leah and Charles and Nihar stood on their mats close to the waters edge and as they went through the poses, mountain pose, tree pose, forward bends, downward facing dog, warrior pose, triangle pose, cobra, upward  facing dog, bridge pose, etc... the gentle lapping of the waters along the shore, and the reflection of the mountain range and the bright blue sky was so calm and peaceful that the blood rushing through their sore bodies, moving the energy, changed their state of mind. As Leah came up from one of the forward bends a rush of blood and energy flowed to her brain and she suddenly felt dizzy and euphoric, like when she did a hit of heroin. Nihar noticed this and he laughed.
     "Leah, are you alright? Dizzy?" he smiled.
     "It's like a drug." she said trying to get back into the next pose, not used to this effect as she had not done Yoga in many, many years.
     "Yes, and it is free and completely natural." he laughed a little more. "It amazes me that there is even such a thing as drug dealers, or drug addicts! If the stressed out, angry, depressed people of this world would just perform yoga once a day then many evils would vanish and walk about as ghosts, long dead spirits that no one has any use for, and can no longer remember their purpose. But I am just a young man from Bombay. What can I do?" he asked looking at them sweat glistening off his firm chest and shoulders as a wisp of a short black curl caught by a gentle breeze brushed against his cheek as he continued "I can teach this to you and perhaps, you can carry this with you where ever you go."

Chapter 9 cont's

     So it was they sat in the deep forest in the dark shade of the ancient trees as the sounds of Nature filtered through the woods. Charles stared over at the old man, his red skin weathered by too much sun, wind and pain, though he seemed to rest easy in his own being, secure in his own personality, full of wisdom and secrets, ready to translate deeper meanings with the force of lightning, but at the same time he seemed child-like, and humble knowing the Great Mystery, whose message he knew and understood. Charles and Leah watched him sitting quietly smiling surrounded by Nature and then he spoke, softly, slowly imparting ancient wisdom.
     "In order to do what is best, to make ourselves worthy we should study the animals, learning its innocent ways; understand their sounds and motions. Think of the deer; which can endure thirst a long, long time, the hawk the surest bird of prey. the gallant elk, the watchful frog, the owl learned in night wisdom and gentle ways, the ferocious bear, the little foxes active and wily, the crow direct and swift in flight, and the hardy wolf who hunts its prey in the dead of winter in the deep, cold, snows. So all of Nature seeks to survive and the Great Spirit provides for all he has created; and we too struggle to survive in the worlds that we have created in which we are forced to live." John Coldcreek paused a moment allowing his knowledge to pour out over the buds of their minds then continued. "If the animals have existed for thousands of generations then why is our struggle so difficult? Our Nations have provided the best in education, medicine, agriculture, and technology, but still we have all become so tired in our lives we can no longer hear the animals, so much so that we bring ourselves to a stop."
      After a long pause he continued "For everything as it moves, now and then, here and there, makes stops. The birds as they fly stop in one place to make their nests, and in another space to rest in flight. A man goes forth and stops when he wills. So it was that the Great Spirit has stopped. The sun, which is so bright and beautiful, is one place he has stopped. The moon, the stars, the winds he has been there with them all. The trees, the animals, are all where he has stopped, and so we must think of these places and send our prayers there to reach the place where God has stopped to win his help and blessing."
     The three sat there for a moment as the sun rose higher in the morning sky sending dappled streams of light down on their faces. All was calm, the woods, their pulse, the beating of their troubled hearts, their minds were clear and focused as they breathed in the sweet, clean, mountain air. Then old John rose to his feet the well used walking stick helping to support his age worn body as he beckoned for Leah and Charles to follow him down the trail. They did so at a slow rate of pace and then in a low tone the old Kiowa man sang an ancient tribal song "O our Mother the Earth, O our Father the Sky. Your children are we with our tired backs we bring you gifts of love and prayers. Then weave for us a garment of brightness. May the warp be the white light of morning, may the weft be the red of evening. May the fringes be the falling rain, may the border be the standing rainbow. Thus weave for us a garment of brightness, that we may walk fittingly where birds sing. That we may walk fittingly where grass is green. O our Mother the Earth, O our Father the Sky." as he finished his song; which nearly brought Leah to tears, they walked down the path together until they came out of the cold deep woods to a small cabin by a huge lake that was perfectly still reflecting the mountains and sky.

More Chapter 9

     So it was they ate their fill and when a long pause settled over the group the old man smiled placing his napkin over his empty plate and with a warm twinkle in his eyes he looked over at Leah and Charles and said "Now, have you had enough, are you ready for a long nap?" he laughed a little.
     "Oh, yes!" Leah said as the warmth of the early morning sun kissed her face.
     "Good, your body and mind are prepared for our first steps on our journey together, now come, follow me." John said getting up from his chair and walking over to a small wooden spiral staircase; which led the trio down to a veranda underneath the balcony. "So, we will not be taking naps, instead we shall take a long walk through the woods to work off our heavy meal, as this is what is best for us at this time." he smiled again grabbing a long walking stick with the head of a bear carved into the top of it. Charles and Leah followed him down a long cold trail in the deep forest of trees. "Here now, observe." John said pointing up "We have tied white ribbons up on the limbs of the trees every few feet, so if you get lost on the trail follow the white ribbons and if you want to go to the top of the mountain ridge follow the red ribbons. We do not want anyone to get lost." he smiled again walking briskly ahead of them. They walked about a mile and came to a little clearing by a small creek in the woods. There was a long thick log that had fallen many years ago providing a perfect place to stop and rest. They sat themselves down saying nothing as John bade them to remain silent and listen to the sounds of the forest creatures stirring awake.
     Birds chirping, the water flowing in the creek, squirrels scurrying up in the trees, rabbits rustling through the ferns, the screech of an owl off in the distance. "Listen..," John spoke in a hushed voice "The animals want to speak to you."

Chapter 9 continues

     Charles and Leah set out under the black sky and brilliant shining stars in the country, she felt a little sleepy listening to the classical music and the hum of the engine so she drank the last of the hot chocolate from the thermos and reclined her seat cuddling up with the soft warm blanket Charles supplied for. Charles smiled when he noticed she had fallen asleep and was snoring a little, he had a warm feeling in his heart knowing he was doing his best to take care of her, and it was refreshing to have someone to take care of.
     It was about 4:30 when he woke Leah as they drove up into the mountains down a long winding road north of Broken Bow, just south of Heavener. The two felt a little lost driving through the deep woods all alone in the dark. After a few spooky moments along the road it finally ended up in the gravel drive of a huge stone and log Adirondack style mountain lodge; which was lit up and was a beautiful structure. There in the doorway stood an old man who was tall, broad shouldered, deep set brown eyes, high cheek bones, short white hair slicked back. The man welcomed his guest and invited them into his home.
     "I am so glad your journey brings you safe and sound to my property." he smiled an ancient grin extending his hand to the petite woman standing before him "You must be Leah, it is so nice to meet you." he said warmly as he introduced himself "I am John Coldcreek, and this is my home, and yours, for the next few days." he turned and shook hands with Charles. "I believe we spoke on the phone earlier Charles, so very nice to meet you and thank you for participating, your friend Leah needs our help." John said the smile never leaving his face. Charles shook his hand firmly happy to see the sparkling eyes of this aged, wise man who had been through much in his long, storied life.
     "Oh thank you so much for fitting us into your schedule."
     "Yes well," John's face saddened a bit "The woman that was to be here this weekend succumbed to the her radiation treatment for her pancreatic cancer, so.., " his voice trailed off. Leah suddenly felt very fortunate and she felt lucky to even be alive. "But now you have been sent to take her place and now you will receive the help she did not have a chance to enjoy. So come the sun rises soon and we have prepared a breakfast fit for a Queen." the three walked through to the great room; which was about forty feet long and thirty feet wide, two massive fireplaces where on each end and where lit filling the room with a comforting warmth. There where groups of long supple leather sofas flanking the fireplaces with woven blankets, a nice collection of handmade baskets, a few large sculptures of buffalo and Native American warriors astride their war horses and there was a baby grand piano by the backdoor. Charles was impressed with all the antiques and the native style of the lodge. He was more impressed when John introduced his daughter to them and she was beautiful. Tall, thin, long black shiny hair, she was of Kiowa and Vietnamese descent, she was about thirty with clear skin like porcelain, she was wearing a simple long black cotton dress that only exposed the skin of her arms, she was barefoot and smiled with a bow as she opened up the two massive wood and glass doors and led them out to the large balcony.
     "How beautiful." Leah gasped as she stepped out,the woods and lake below them as the sky brightened and Mt.Ida loomed off to the left, all was peaceful and still, the lake off in the distance looking like black glass reflecting the mountain as the sun slowly warmed the sky with pale colors in the clouds, ribbons of amethyst and coral streaking the sky. A long cedar table, large enough to accommodate twenty, was loaded with a gourmet selection of fruits, eggs, berries, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, etc... Then as the three helped themselves to a big breakfast John's daughter sat at the piano and began playing softly as the three sat and talked sharing conversation's and stories about the mountain and the woods, and the fish swimming in the lake. Leah felt comfortable and safe there on the balcony overlooking the dark and secret woods as the sun slowly filled the sky, looking like a hand painted work of art. Leah sat for a moment burning this quiet serene memory in her mind forever, she had not felt so warm and welcomed in a very long time, and she actually realized at this moment she did not have a care in the world, and she knew this feeling would not last for long, so she wanted to take her time and enjoy it.