Page 27 of The Mountain Man's Virgin
“I.. I.. I can’t ride one of those,” I said, pointing to the snowmobile.
“Yes, you can.”
“I’ve never done anything like this before in my life,” I said, exasperated.
“The Lucy I’ve come to know can do anything she puts her mind to,” Mick said, and gently pushed me forward into the shed.
“How do I start it?” I felt like I was looking at a UFO.
“You have to get on it and jump on the running boards three times, it’s like a motorcycle kickstart.”
I flung my leg over the massive machine and stood on the running boards. “Like this?” I jumped up and down.
“Harder and higher should do it.”
I grasped the handlebars and jumped with all my might. Nothing happened.
The machine stayed cold and quiet, I searched the instrument panel for any sign of life, then turned to look at Mick. “Am I doing something wrong?” He was grinning, then he burst out into laughter, doubled over, tears falling from his eyes as he held his stomach.
It was then that my eyes fell upon the key in the ignition.
“You asshole!” I jumped off the snowmobile and pelted mitten-handed slaps on his arms. It only made him laugh harder.
“I… I… I never thought that you would do it,” he managed to blurt out in between his fits of laughter.
“You turn the key to start it, don’t you?” I said. I crossed my arms and waited for this grown-up child-man to stop laughing at me.
“I’m sorry Lucy. I – I – I know I shouldn’t be laughing, but you really gave those jumps one hundred percent. You turn the key and then pull the cord,” he said pointing to a black handle.
“I looked ridiculous, didn’t I.”
“Totally,” he roared.
I couldn’t help it, I tried to pretend like I was pissed at him, but it was pretty funny. I never thought of myself as a clueless city girl, but clearly, there were things that I needed to learn. I turned the key and Mick pulled the cord and the loud engine roared to life. Mick grabbed my hand and placed it on the right-hand side of the handlebars, his gloved hand around mine, then he pushed the throttle and revved up the engine. It was scary and powerful sounding at the same time.
I grinned at Mick. He smiled back at me and winked. “Are you ready to have something this powerful between your legs?”
I blushed. It seemed out of character for him to say something so crude.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life,” I shouted over the sound of the engine. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of embarrassing me twice in five minutes.
He gave me a quick lesson on the throttle and braking systems and explained how I had to lean to steer the machine. It seemed much simpler than I expected.
“Stay behind me and keep in my track. If you get into fresh powder you’re gonna get this thing stuck so bad we won’t get it out until spring.”
We did a few practice loops around the yard. When we circled the cabin, I noticed a clearing that hadn’t been visible in the storm. It looked like it once was a paddock for horses, but there was something big in the middle, buried in a mound of snow.
“What’s that?” I yelled, pointing to the mysterious clearing.
“What?” Mick yelled, pointing to his helmet.
I knew that he could hear me.
“Read to go home, Lucy?” he asked, changing the subject.
I wasn’t ready to leave. After only two days, Mick’s cabin felt like home. I liked being around him. I felt a comfort with him that I had never felt with Lawrence. I felt a yearning to stay wrapped up in blankets in Mick’s arms forever.
When I didn’t answer, Mick lowered his eyes and muttered something that I couldn’t make out.
