Gabrielle had to think about it. She wouldn’t really be cheating on Aneko, and she had no date. She was going with a friend and her girlfriend. “Sure. I’ll go. Meet you there.”
“Wheeeeee. Wonderful. I’ll tell Michelle.”
Gabrielle took a hot shower, enjoying the new home’s bathroom, and soaped her breasts and played with them, wishing they were Aneko’s. She dressed in her best cowgirl outfit of a long red skirt and black leather fringe jacket. She looked hot and wore an American Indian necklace and matching, dangling jade earrings. She jumped in her truck and drove out as the sun set. It was in her eyes, and she barely missed another pickup coming in on narrow Windhurst Lane.
She drove to the Grange and parked. Gabrielle strode in, wearing her red cowgirl boots with the silver tips and cowgirl hat, black with red outlines. She knew she looked hot and wished Aneko would see her. She’d ask Joy to take a picture with Gabrielle’s cell phone so she could text it to Aneko.
She met Joy and Michelle. They caught up on things, bought drinks at the bar that helped support the Grange, and danced. It was old stuff for Gabrielle, but Joy was new to it. The caller showed the steps for the new comers, and everyone got in two lines. They rotated so you always switched partners.
On the second dance, Gabrielle danced in line and just finished with an old dude, about eighty, and she moved to a new partner. The music continued, and the caller prattled on, and Gabrielle fell still. She stared.
“Aneko?”
“Hey, babe. You look beautiful. Just totally stupendous and stunning.”
They stepped out of the dance lines.
“Why are you here?”
“I came to see you. You almost hit me on Windhurst Lane. I honked and waved, and you never saw me. I followed you here. I’ve never line danced, but I’ll learn for you.”
They embraced then kissed.
“I’m speechless.”
Aneko grinned. “Good.” She kissed Gabrielle with tongue, and others applauded.
The song ended, and the caller said over the PA system, “Well, folks, looks like we’ve had a reunion here. Ride ‘em, cowgirls!”
Gabrielle and Aneko walked outside for privacy, and they spied up at the full moon. “I love you, Aneko. I never expected to see you again. Your job in Washington is about over, and I expected you’d move somewhere far away. I have to confess, I don’t want to move from Bandon. I know everyone. I’m on the fire department. I like it here, and I have a new house.” She blinked. “I’m sorry.”
They sat on a tree stump.
“I understand. I actually guessed that. I know you think you meant it when you said you’d move to whatever city I decided on, but I figured you’d want to stay here. I’ve checked out a number of places, and—”
“I understand. You’ve found a place to move to. I understand. Maybe we can stay in touch, but I’m not into long-distance relationships. They never work out. Sorry.” She turned her head away so Aneko didn’t see her cry.
Aneko held her tight. Both were silent. Gabrielle stopped crying. “Gabrielle, I’ve decided where I want to live and that’s in Bandon. Nowhere else do I feel at home. I want a small town. I want you. Will you be my girlfriend?”
Gabrielle swallowed. She blinked. Her mouth fell open.
“Do I need to do CPR on you?”
Gabrielle shook her head.
“Gabrielle, will you be my girlfriend, please?”
She shrieked as she hugged Aneko. “Yes, yes, oh, bloody well yes! I will be your girlfriend. Are you sure?”
“As sure as I can be for now. That might change. Don’t know. But for now, I want you. We need to be honest with each other. If something bothers one of us, we need to speak up. There will be no cheating. If you want to invite someone into the bed, ask, but don’t cheat. I want to do gardening and grow stuff to eat and smell. I want a greenhouse. I just need to find a place to build one.”
Gabrielle hushed, “Oh, I hate cheating, too. I have eight and a half acres that I inherited. We might find a place there to build one.” She laughed. “I also have a brand-new house with three bedrooms. Will you move in with me, into my bed? We can turn one bedroom into an office for you, okay?” Gabrielle’s heart swelled, and she felt warm inside.
“Okay.”
They hugged and kissed and just sat there, admiring the moon.
“Gabrielle, you are an angel on Earth. I love you.”
THE END
ABOUT M.M. SHAPIRO
M.M. Shapiro has led a Renaissance life, working in a wide array of professions, but was always interested in gay and lesbian stories. With a high sex drive, there is always plenty of sex in the stories. Shapiro used to have almost two dozen stories published with another publisher, but they all came down when that publisher, due to serious illness, had to close, but it’s wonderful to find another quality and caring publisher.
Shapiro is very pleased to work with JMS Books.
ABOUT JMS BOOKS LLC
JMS Books LLC is a small queer press with competitive royalty rates publishing LGBT romance, erotic romance, and young adult fiction. Visit jms-books.com for our latest releases and submission guidelines!
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