Chapter One
Ranger Rod was a man's man, rugged, a man of few words. He loved being on his own, watching over the forest and animals he was assigned to protect. He was very proud and found his calling.
At 39 years of age he was in shape, sporting a muscular and sinewy body. He was 5'11, weighing in at 185. His black military short cropped hair suited his him.
The forest ranger outpost was a good two hours away from the nearest town. Rod hardly went into town except to stock up on necessities. He was a good hunter and knew how to identify and collect herbs to eat. He had a real knack for mushroom hunting and liked preparing a feast from his latest finds. The guy was a mean cook to boot. He could also whip up a delicious meat stew from fresh road kill.
The cabin at the outpost had an old reliable wood stove that heated the cabin and was used to cook meals plus there was a regular stove that operated on propane gas. He did have a ham wave radio. In the evenings he loved reading by the fireplace wearing his long john underwear. The lighting was certainly not contemporary, he used Coleman lanterns and oil lamps.
There was no bathroom, only an outhouse. To bathe he had to heat water on the wood stove and fill a tin tub he hauled out of the shed at the back of the cabin. This he did once a week. He didn't mind coz he had all the time in the world. During the week he washed up with a cloth, what some refer to as a sponge bath.
Life at the outpost was humble and sparse compared to average folk's lifestyles and Ranger Rod loved it that way. He was fond of simplifying his everyday life, the less gadgets and stuff the better life was, according to his beliefs.
Rod loved his old military jeep. He had a gas reserve tank at the outpost, so he would not be stranded without gas. He did a fair amount of driving around the surrounding areas in order to keep an eye out for poachers, wreck less hunters also always on the look out for wildfires.
Rod had been on his own at this outpost for approximately 14 years. It was his custom to drive into town once a month to pick up supplies and the mail.
This being Saturday and the end of the month he found himself in town. He went to get the mail at the post office. To his surprise there was an official looking brown envelope from the ministry of forests and wildlife. He wondered what that was all about. He headed for the local dinner to enjoy lunch and go over his mail before procuring supplies.
Once seated and nursing a good cup of hot coffee Rod opened the brown envelope coz he was sure curious what it contained. In it was a two-page letter and some documents and what looked like a map of sorts.
The ministry was letting him know that the forest acreage he was watching over was to be increased significantly as of immediately. Another 1000 acres being added to the area he was responsible for watching over. The ministry was also advising him that they were sending another ranger to partner up with him in order to be able to handle the extra work load.
He was a little concerned about having someone else at the outpost, wondering what sort of man the ministry was going to send to help him out. After all, Rod was used to being on his own, yet he did have to admit to himself that there was a good amount of work to be done at the outpost, things had gotten busier over the years. At times he wondered what it would be like to have company, someone to share work with and talk to even though he was a man of few words. Rod was a certified quiet type.
The letter from the ministry went on to tell him that a new recruit had already been chosen and that he would be arriving on the Monday, the 21st of the month. It was already the 19th.
That did not give Rod much to get things ready. He decided to make a list immediately for what was needed to feed two instead of one. He did what he had to do in town and headed back to the outpost after loading up on supplies asap.
He only had one bed, a queen size bed and it was time to change the sheets. He would have to share the bed with the new recruit. The sofa was too uncomfortable to sleep on.
Before you know it was the 21st. Rod was kind of nervous and anxious wondering what the new guy was like. Finally, around 11am he heard a vehicle coming up the dirt road up to the cabin.
An old beat up black pickup truck came into view and drove right up the cabin.
Rod waved hello.
The driver got out of the truck and walked up to Rod, extended his hand and introduced himself. "Hi, my name is Howie. I'm the new recruit assigned to work with you."
"Please to make your acquaintance Howie. My name is Rod. Let's bring your luggage inside and then we can have lunch, you must be starving?"
"It sure smells mighty good."
"We are having stew and fresh baked bread Howie."
Howie only had four duffel bags.
Rod showed him inside the cabin and dropped the luggage in the bedroom.
Howie looked inside the bedroom as though searching for the other bed.
"There is only one bed Howie. Hope you don't mind sharing?"
"Of course not, that is ok by me. I grew up four to a bed. I come from a family of 9 brothers and two sisters. Makes me feel at home already he said with a broad smile."
Over lunch Rod let Howie know what the set up was like at the outpost. He told him there was no bathroom only an outhouse. Saturday night was usually bath time and how it worked. In the next few days they would work out their routines, what needed doing.
Howie let Rod know he was not great at cooking, yet he was good at cleaning, carpentry and renovations.
Once Howie's things were unpacked Rod decided it would be a good idea to show him some of the forest they were charged with watching over. Just a small tour.
So, they hopped into the jeep and off they went for about an hour.
Howie was taking in the sights with wide open eyes. They came across several deer, pheasant and wild turkey. Howie had a deep love and understanding of nature, wild life and water. He fit in just right with Rod. He did have to talk endlessly, he was just glad to be by the side of a buddy, being company was enough for him.
They returned to the outpost in time to get supper ready.
While Rod prepared supper Howie sat at the old kitchen table watching Rod cook while enjoying a beer.
Rod was used to getting down to his union long underwear once the day was over, this was his way to relax and lay back and also keep warm as there was no central heat, only a fireplace and woodstove. He let Howie know how he liked to hang out in his long johns.
Howie was totally ok with this. He had bought several pairs of long underwear, union style figuring the outpost might be a drafty place.
Rod excused himself for a few minutes, returned to the kitchen wearing only his natural colored long underwear. He still had his work boots on with big woolen work socks and dark green ranger baseball cap. He looked masculine and virile in this gear.
Howie took in the sights and was impressed with the way Rod looked in his underwear. He was fascinated at the sight of Rod's protruding bulge. It was sure big and manly.
"Do you mind if I change into my long underwear Rod?"
"Of course not, its more comfortable in long johns, that is what I usually wear in the cabin and outdoors. There is nobody around to worry about. Go ahead and make yourself at ease."
