The flight from London Heathrow had been quiet and uneventful. I had killed most of the time by either dozing or reading the paperback thriller I had brought with me.
The descent into Denver International Airport was straight forward and you would have barely noticed we had landed. I was travelling alone as I had become a widower five years ago when I had lost my wife to cancer. I had dated a couple of times since but had not formed a relationship of note.
I had flown to the U.S. before on several occasions either on business or the occasional holiday, mostly staying at locations on the coast to enjoy the warmer weather.
Some experiences of passing through customs had been a bit terse in the past but the female customs officer here was very pleasant, noticing my previous visits as she checked my passport and waited for her computer to give the 'ok'.
She noticed my home town of Bath and said she hoped to have the chance to visit one day to see the Roman remains. 'Thank you very much James' she said as she smiled and handed my passport back. 'The computer has said yes so welcome back to the US....enjoy your holiday.' I was quickly on my way to pick up my luggage and then grab a taxi to take me to the local hotel I had booked for a couple of days.
I enjoyed those days exploring locally and the views of the mountains still with their tops covered in snow. It always surprised me how built up the towns were in the US compared to home.
My plan was to explore a wider area on this holiday and I had booked what us English would call a motor caravan but our American cousins would probably use the term 'RV'.
The hire company delivered the vehicle to my hotel and had stocked it with the food and drinks that I had requested and after completing the formalities I was ready to start exploring. It was one of the smaller models that I had booked hoping to find it easier to manoeuvre on roads I didn't know.
I set off south from Denver on I25 and kept a steady pace so that I could enjoy the views. I had planned several stops on my route which took me to Walsenburg then west through the mountains to Fort Garland then south via San Luis to Santa Fe.
I skipped past Albuquerque and stayed on the I40 till I reached Gallup when I turned north, wanting to see some reservation areas and perhaps obtain some real history.
The smaller roads were mostly empty and I was enjoying the views when I saw a large RV pulled over in a rather odd place. I slowed as I approached as I saw some skid marks on the dusty road surface. As I pulled alongside I could see a blown front tyre and I parked up to see if any help was needed.
As I walked back I could see the situation was worse as the other front tyre was blown as well. I couldn't see anyone around so tapped on the side door and didn't get a response.
I scratched my head wondering what to do, should I try the door in case someone was hurt or sick? I knocked again and still getting no response I reached for the handle and then froze.
A female voice spoke from behind me.... 'I don't think that would be a wise idea if I were you mister.' It had a distinctive twang and although the 'English' was clear it didn't sound American either.
I stepped backwards and slowly raised my arms sideways with fingers open to show I wasn't carrying a weapon. 'Turn slowly around holding that pose' were the next words I heard. It was an order rather than a request. I complied.
What I saw next was completely unexpected. I'm 5' 9'' and the young woman emerging from the brush matched that. But not only that, she was absolutely stunning.
I didn't know where to look. As my eyes scanned everywhere I saw the hint of a smirk appear on her face, confirming that she knew I was rather taken aback. My immediate concern was the large knife she was comfortably holding in her right hand.
'I had stopped as I thought that someone might need help. I am not carrying a weapon of any sort and I can assure you I pose you no threat.' I said quietly.
She lowered her knife and then said 'you are foreign?'
I let my arms drop to my sides and said 'Yes, my name is James, and I'm from England.' With the situation a little more relaxed I took the opportunity to take in what I was looking at.
The most obvious item of her attire was the leather strap construction (I have no idea what it would be called) that she was wearing over what looked like a white thong bikini. It certainly showed off her muscular build. She had matching strapped sandals on her feet.
Her skin just glowed with an even dark tan and I assumed she spent her time mostly outdoors and probably naked at that. Her hair was black and was plaited, hanging about half way down her back.
Her eyes were very dark and appeared large as if they would take in everything about her surroundings, they were intently watching me and I imagined the brain behind them was summing me up.
I felt safer as she slipped the knife back into its sheath and then skirting around me she opened the RV's door. I kept completely still as the huge German Sheppard that had been quietly waiting inside bounded out and came and stood directly in front of me. It was as if it was daring me to move.
Very slowly I moved the back of my hand and placed it just in front of his nose. I held it there and after a few moments it touched me with its wet nose and then turned and stood beside its owner.
She gave me a little smile before saying 'not many are brave enough to do that. He thinks you are trustworthy; just don't raise your arms if you are close to me.'
I returned her smile. 'I'll be sure to do that; I know what they can do.'
A frown of curiosity appeared on her face.
'Do you need help to change those flats with your spare?' I asked.