“To join back up with Kat.” A short distance later, Leah spoke. “Some of these men really get into this dressing up, huh?” Leah pointed to a tall man with long dark hair and a beard, only wearing a loincloth. By the way he walked, there was no guessing that he didn’t wear anything underneath of it.
“The Encampment wouldn’t be the same without him. No one knows his name, but he’s here every year.” They walked past several tepees with small fires burning and several children playing with wooden swords. “It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it does a lot for our town.”
“I wasn’t bashing it, Briley. It’s just different. I’ve never been to anything like this before.”
“It’s different, that’s for sure.”
After a beat, Leah asked, “Do you want to get some ice cream?”
Briley chuckled and squeezed Leah’s hand. “I have never turned down ice cream.”
“Ice cream, then I think it’s time we had some fun.”
That sounded like a good idea. “Fun with you and me or fun with a crowd? What did you have in mind?”
“Get your mind out of the gutter. How about bowling? You can invite your sister if you want to. Just a friendly competition.”
“I can get behind that, tiny. Are you sure you’re even strong enough to pick the bowling ball up?” It did sound good after a long day of ups and downs.
“Already smack talking, Briley. I see how it is.”
“I like to win.”
“That you do.”
They were almost at the table when Briley turned around and walked backward, pointing down her body. “Are you sure you’re ready for the awesomeness you’re about to unleash?”
The laugh that erupted from Leah was a balm to Briley’s soul. “Oh, I think I can handle you.” She traced her finger down Briley’s cheek.
“It’s about time you two showed up,” Kat hollered.
Briley put her hand on Leah’s back and pushed her forward. Then did a double take when she noticed Nina and Trevor seated at the table. “Hey guys.” She kissed Nina on the cheek and settled down across from Kat. “Leah wants to grab some ice cream then go bowling.”
Before Kat could answer, Nina did. “That sounds like fun. I haven’t been bowling in ages. If it’s no trouble, Trevor and I will also join you.”
“Of course.” Leah sat down beside her. “The more people that come, the more fun we can have when Briley starts to lose.”
“What?” Briley said.
“Oh, Leah.” Nina high-fived her. “I like the way you think.”
“I see how it is. My girlfriend and best friend ganging up on me. Fine.” She turned to Trevor. “Are you any good at bowling?”
He grimaced. “Not really?”
“Fantastic.” Briley clapped her hands. “Neither is Kat.”
“I resent that statement,” Kat threw out.
“On a good day, Nina has a fifty-fifty chance of beating me.” She eyed Leah. “You’re the wild card, but I think I can take you.”
“You can try, darling. You can try.”
This is what she wanted. Just spending time with friends and family. Competitiveness was in her blood, but she would take it easy on them tonight. After all, it was just bowling with friends.
Chapter Twenty
After the first game, Briley realized it was not just bowling with friends. The competition between everyone was more intense than the Mexican lasagna Mr. Balkin made a few years back that sent Briley and three other people to the hospital. She didn’t know they had it in them, but she’d had a hard time staying atop the leaderboard and it was putting her in a foul mood.
Trevor had been correct in his own assessment. He was terrible, but was a good sport, and cheered Nina on. That’s all that mattered and they did look good together.
“Your turn,” Leah said, squeezing her shoulder and bringing her out of her thoughts. “Good luck, darling.”
A quick glance at the scoreboard made her gasp. Nina had taken the lead. That would never do. She jumped up and blew on her hands. “Enjoy the lead, Nina, because it’s about to be taken away.”
“Promises, promises.” Nina winked at her.
Briley picked up her ball, took a few steps toward the lane, and let it go. Automatically, she took two steps back. Her eyes were glued to the ball and she shimmied with her feet as it flew down the lane. She jumped up when she bowled a strike, turned around, and made a shooting gesture with her fingers. “Take that, Nina.”
“Whatever. I’ll catch up.”
Kat stood and patted Briley on the arm. “Your lead won’t last long.”
“You only wish it won’t,” Briley shot back. She shook her head and sat back down by Leah, who curled into her side.
“I hope you’re having fun. I know I am.” Leah kissed her on the cheek.
“I always have a good time when I’m with you.” Briley tried not to squirm at the chills that raced down her spine as Leah played with her hand. “Loads.” She knocked on the table beside their chairs that was solid wood. “I’m winning, so there’s fun in that.”
“It didn’t last long.”
“What?” Briley jerked her head around to look up at the scoreboard, then down at Kat’s look of triumph.
“Leah,” Kat said, standing close to them. “Your turn.”
“I’ll be right back.” Leah said.
As soon as she got up, Kat sat in the spot Leah had vacated and turned just enough to look at Briley. “I’m glad everything is working out with you two.”
“Me, too. It feels like…” She adjusted her glasses. “It feels so good.”
When Leah returned, Kat moved, allowing her to sit back down beside Briley. The feel of Leah’s body next to hers had kept her mind muddled all night.
“Your turn, Briley.”
“Already?” That was quick. She hopped up and approached the lanes. “So, Trevor.” Briley heard Kat say as she approached the lane, but drowned them out. A strike would ensure her win and she loved winning. As soon as the ball left her hand, she backed up. When all twelve pins fell, she jumped up and high-fived Kat.
Briley ended up winning two of the four games they played and was quite happy to get out of there near midnight. The drive home was quiet as Leah drove.
“I had a really good time tonight,” Briley said when they reached Leah’s front door. “We’ll have to do it again. I have a feeling Trevor will be sticking around.”
Leah hugged Briley tight. “He seems like a good man and a well-dressed one.”
“That he is.” She leaned down and captured the oh so tempting lips of Leah. The kiss quickly deepened, both lost in the moment. Briley’s hands found purchase on Leah’s hips and pulled her close. Before things could get heated, Briley pulled back with a gasp, and rested their foreheads together. “Wow.”
“Wow, indeed.” Leah buried her head in Briley’s neck, then nipped her neck. “We have to stop.”
“We should.”
Leah took a step backward, grabbing Briley’s hands and pushing her away. “Go home. We’ll see each other tomorrow.”
“I go to the nursing home at least twice a month to visit the residents. Most don’t get visitors. Do you want to come with me tomorrow?”
Leah leaned back against her front door. “What time?”
“Nine.” Briley took a step in Leah’s direction, but she shook her head and held her arm out to keep Briley at a distance.
“You’re dangerous, Briley.” Leah ran her hand through her hair. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Getting her bearings, Briley turned and walked home.
Kat was waiting for her in the living room, and handed her a glass. Without asking what was in the glass, she downed it, and hissed as it burned the way down her throat. “Shit.” She coughed.
“I’ve been thinking about what I want to do,” Kat said after a few minutes.
It was about time. “What have you decided?” Briley kicked off her shoes and curled up in the corner of the co
uch.
“You ever watch the shows about tiny houses?”
“I binge watch them all the time. Brandon and I have actually talked about building them, but his interest isn’t as strong as mine.”
“That’s what I would want to do. They’re not for everyone, but there is a market,” Kat said.
“In the last few years, the market in Garriety has grown eighty percent and they’re in the process of changing a lot of city ordinance to allow more in.”
Kat looked surprised. “Really? Tiny houses are something you would want to do?”
“Yes. I’ve done a lot of research. I’ll get it together for you and you can compare what you’ve already come up with.”
“That would be great,” Kat said.
“Wow. It seems things are changing for both of us.”
Kat slipped her arm around Briley’s shoulders, pulled her close, and rested their heads together. “That’s not a bad thing. Sometimes you just have to jump. I’ve never been as brave as you are being with Leah. I think it’s time I start. Quitting my job and moving was the first step. It was hard. You make it sound easy.”
“Easy. You’re kidding, right? It’s not going to be easy. Leah and I are both going into this with baggage and issues to overcome. Starting something is the easy part, sustaining it is going to take time, but time is something I’m willing to give. You might laugh, but I want the white picket fence and happily ever after.”
“Briley, I think you’re well on your way.” Kat shook her head. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Don’t worry so much. Life is short, and she’s hot.”
Kat threw back her head and laughed. “Should have known you would find a way to include a Doctor Who reference.” They fist bumped. “How are you feeling about things? Honestly?” Kat asked.
“Good. I’m feeling good.”
“There is something else I wanted to talk about.” Kat finished her wine. “I’m thinking about moving out.” Kat tried but failed to keep a smile off her face. “I’ve been thinking about it for some time.”
That was also a positive step. She didn’t mind having Kat around, but had gotten used to living alone for the last two years and it was an adjustment. “I don’t mind you staying with me.”
Kat gave her a knowing smile. “Thanks, but I want a place of my own. If you could look for a house for me, that would be great.”
“Where and what kind?”
“I like your neighborhood. If not this one, maybe somewhere around this area. As for style.” Kat shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not really worried about the style.”
“I can totally do that.”
“I would love to have my own place by Christmas.”
“Until a couple of months ago when you arrived on my doorstep, I never thought you’d move here.”
“Me either.” Kat kissed her on the head. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
Kat untangled herself from Briley and stood. “All right. It’s getting late and I was just waiting up to make sure you were okay.”
“And for that, I love you.” At the door to her room, Briley called Kat’s name. “I’m really happy you’re here.”
“Me, too, Bri.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Briley woke early with a pep in her step that she hadn’t expected, considering how late she went to bed. In years past, she would bypass the second day of the Encampment, instead opting to take her leftover baked goods from the week to the nursing home for the employees. Today wouldn’t be any different. It was still early, so she worked in silence for a couple of hours, preparing and loading everything into her truck.
After she hopped into the truck, she slipped into the driver’s seat and started the engine. Leah settled into the passenger seat beside her, kissed her lips, then pulled her seatbelt on. It didn’t take long to reach the first red light.
“Light’s green, Briley.”
Twenty minutes later, she pulled up beside the doors of the nursing home. Working as a well-oiled machine, Leah helped her carry the three boxes into the lobby. Briley informed her she was going to park the truck and would be right back.
When she entered the building again, she noticed Leah was talking with a group of three people and decided not to bother her. Instead, she made her way to Sharon, the day manager at the home. “Good morning.”
“You as well. Everyone looks forward to you coming every month.”
“I’m happy to do it. I’ll help you carry this stuff to the break room, then I’ll mingle. Everything is labeled as usual.”
“Sounds good.”
After everything was laid out, she and Leah quickly became separated again, but she didn’t mind as she chatted with the usual suspects. After five games of chess, three of checkers and a half-hour of helping Mrs. Burlin with her puzzle, her eyes found Leah across the room. She smiled when Leah raised her hand in acknowledgement.
Leah excused herself from the man she was talking to and joined Briley. “Briley, how did you get involved with the nursing home?”
Briley motioned for Leah to follow her. They both leaned back against a wall away from the crowd. “When I first met Nina after I moved here, she asked me to join her, but I kept turning her down. I was busy and didn’t really have the time to dedicate to any volunteer work. After a few months of her careful prodding, I finally gave in. Seeing all these people sad broke my heart. Sure, there are a few whose family visits them, but the majority only have each other.” Briley leaned close to Leah. “See that woman sitting in the wheelchair by the window?” Leah nodded. “That’s Hazel. She was married for sixty years before her husband passed away from a stroke. She has five kids, but four months after he was buried, her kids banded together and set her up here. They sold the house, almost all her possessions, and haven’t been to see her for the past four years. I come here twice a month, sometimes more, because I can’t stay away.”
“That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.” Leah wiped at her eyes and accepted the Kleenex Briley handed her.
“Sometimes, I still cry myself to sleep after a visit, but I can’t not come. After nine years, they expect me and I may not be in control of a lot of things, but this I can do and I won’t let them down.”
Leah leaned sideways until their shoulders were touching. “I can’t imagine the people you must have lost over the years.”
“I talk to Nina. It’s never easy. I used to play chess with Vern every time I would visit. It was a tradition, then one morning I woke up out of sorts. I can’t explain it.” She rubbed her arms. “When I walked in here, I just knew. No one had to tell me, it just felt different. Vern was a character and everyone loved him. It hasn’t been the same without him, but life is a cycle.”
Leah eyed her. “That’s a good way to look at it, but that doesn’t make it any easier.”
“Oh, no. It really doesn’t. It sucks.”
“When we leave here, do you want to head to the park? Spend some time together.”
Briley drew Leah against her side. “You mean like a date.”
“No, Briley. Not like a date. An actual date.”
“Your forthrightness is extremely sexy.”
Leah buried her head in Briley’s chest and chuckled. “I’ll have to be more forthright then.”
“Sounds good to me.”
A few hours later found them both walking side by side along the river’s edge, eating bowls of ice cream. Briley got her usual mint chocolate chip and Leah ordered rocky road. Their silence was comfortable as they continued walking.
“They have the best ice cream,” Leah said, licking her spoon.
“They do.” Briley finished her ice cream and held her hand out for Leah, who didn’t hesitate to take it. Her hand was warm and reassuring clasped with hers.
Leah smiled and let Briley set the pace after they threw their trash away. “I can’t believe we’re really doing this. You. Me. When we first met, I didn’t think it would be like this.�
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“No.”
Leah shook her head. “No. It’s even better than I thought it could be.”
“We’re just getting started. If I’ve already successfully wooed you, just you wait for the full-frontal assault. You won’t know what it hit you.”
“You have my complete attention. Well, until Evan comes home.”
“When does he get home?” Briley held tightly to Leah’s hand.
“Kathy is bringing him home a week before school starts.”
“Nice.”
“He loves spending time with his Ma and Griffin.”
This is what Briley wanted all along. To just be with Leah. Enjoying her company.
“Did you have any pets growing up?” Leah asked after a few minutes.
Briley looked between their clasped hands and Leah’s smiling face. “I had a cat. Mr. Whiskers. He died when I was seventeen and I haven’t had another pet since. I’ve thought about getting another one, but haven’t made my mind up yet. You?”
“I had a pet hamster when I was six and a Guinea pig when I was ten. After Harry, the Guinea pig, died, my parents let me pick a cat from the pound. Percy died a few years later. He was older when I got him, but he deserved a home just as much as a kitten did.”
“They do.”
“Evan’s been asking for a dog.”
Briley tugged on her hand to lead her down a different path. “Are you going to allow him one?”
“He’s been wearing me down for the past few months. He’ll turn seventeen two weeks before Christmas, and I’m going to take him to the pound to pick a pet out. I didn’t realize we would be expanding our family so soon.”
“He’ll be so excited.”
“I know and I feel he’s ready. He takes excellent care of his little sister.”
Briley grew quiet. “Do you ever wonder how we got here? I mean not just us, but every situation that people find themselves in. My mom and dad met at the circus. He wasn’t even supposed to be there but changed his mind at the last minute. He said it was the best decision he had ever made.”
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