Wildflower

by Prudence MacLeod

  “It all started as a part of my revenge plan. Part of living well is feeling good about yourself and I always feel good when I’m dressed up a bit. It didn’t take me very long to notice that others treat me more respectfully when I’m well dressed. I’ve talked to a few of the girls at the hair salon about this and they all tried an experiment for me. They went a few places dressed in jeans or sweats one day then went back the next dressed up a bit. They were astonished at the difference clothes can make to the level of service you get at most places. I wear sweats on my beach walks and when I’m doing the house cleaning, but I always clean myself up and dress a bit before I go out, even if it is just to get the mail or even if I am staying at home, but not working. I even wear a business suit when I working in my office.”

  “Go on, Abby, you don’t,” Hazel exclaimed in surprise.

  “Too many folk who work at home work in their house coat or worse,” laughed Abby. “After all, who’s going to see them? However, I tried it a few times and I noticed that my work suffered, it was far too easy to get distracted, and I couldn’t get any real enthusiasm going for the tasks. When I am in my work clothes, I am ready to work; I get twice as much done in half the time and I do a better job.”

  “Well, I’ll be darned,” mused Hazel.

  “Hazel, what are you thinking?”

  “I was wondering if that might work for me.”

  “You mean dressing like you’re on safari or something when you’re out taking photographs?”

  “That’s right, and wearing business suits when I’m at home working on piecing a book together. I think I’ll hit the thrift stores and see what I can find.”

  “Oh cool!” enthused Abby. “I want to come with you. Just tell me when.”

  “Well, I get paid next Thursday,” smiled Hazel, “would Thursday evening do?”

  “Great. I’ll drive in and we can do the rounds Thursday evening then we can go back to your place and check out the loot.”

  “And you will stay the night of course,” said Hazel softly.

  “Absolutely, every chance I get, I promise. Come on, let’s go. I can’t wait to get you home.”

  “Right behind you,” laughed Hazel as she gathered up the tray and deposited it on the way out.

  Abby gave directions and Hazel drove. She was actually a very careful driver and Abby nodded her approval on several occasions, eventually commenting on it. “Tommy says the object is not to get there in a hurry,” laughed Hazel. “The object is to make it as safe and smooth a ride as possible for the passenger, even if you’re the only one in the car.”

  “My admiration for his wisdom continues to grow,” smiled Abby. “Look, this is Pike’s Cove coming up. There’s the store where we get our mail and whatever we ran out of or forgot to buy in town. Pull in please and I’ll just run in and collect the mail.”

  “I’ll come in with you, I want to see it.”

  “Great, I’ll introduce you.”

  Abby introduced Hazel as the famous naturalist photographer, Hazel Fillmore. By now Hazel was beginning to get used to this and was not quite as embarrassed as she had been the first few times. As luck would have it, the Barnes brothers were there as well and they immediately began to leer at Hazel and surround her.

  Before Abby could say a word Hazel stepped her full weight on Alfred’s foot while at the same time seeming to fall forward and knock the hard part of her head into the bridge of Henry’s nose causing it to bleed. Both men yelped and leaped away from her while the girl behind the counter leaned as far away from Hazel as she could.

  “Sorry guys,” apologized Hazel as she whipped out a tissue and tried to hand it to Henry, “I’m a bit clumsy sometimes. Are you fellas Ok?”

  “We’re Ok,” replied Alfred as Henry backed away from her, “we’re fine.”

  “Perhaps I should introduce you more fully,” interjected Abby coldly as she approached them. Hazel noted the almost reverential way they deferred to Abby. “Ms. Fillmore is my fiancée. We are to be married this fall and she will then be living at Jamaica Point. I fully expect you to treat her with the same respect you treat me.”

  “Yes ma’am,” replied Henry, dropping his eyes. “Congratulations Miss Abby.”

  “Thank you gentlemen,” replied Abby with a sly wink at Hazel. “I have everything we came for my love, shall we go?”

  “Bye folks,” smiled Hazel as she followed Abby out of the building.

  “My, that was well done my love,” grinned Abby as Hazel pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward Jamaica Point. “Where did you learn stuff like that?”

  “Self defense class in Vancouver,” laughed Hazel. “So we are not going to hide the fact we are a couple?”

  “Oh sweet lord, Hazel, I’m so sorry,” gasped Abby, reaching out to grip Hazel’s arm. “We’ve never talked about this and I....”

  “Whoa, whoa, it’s fine with me,” laughed Hazel. “It will be wonderful to just be myself for a change and not trying to play the ‘we’re just roommates’ game again. I’m not only cool with the idea Abby, I like it.”

  “Thank god for that,” sighed Abby, collapsing back in her seat as she gave Hazel’s arm another squeeze and released it. “Frankly Hazel, I doubt I could hide my feelings for you if I tried, and the idea of trying never once entered my head.”

  “You are so sweet,” smiled Hazel as she patted Abby’s hand. “So what did you do to scare the daylights out of those two characters anyway?”

  “They were working on my house when I first bought it. They’re pretty handy, but I’m a lot happier when Keith is there to keep an eye on them. The very first time we met I let them see the gun I carried in my purse. They’ve been very respectful ever since.”

  “You carry a gun Abby?”

  “I bought it for an incense lighter; it sure looks real though.”

  “How delightfully tricky of you Miss MacKai,” laughed Hazel. “Is it any wonder I love you best?”

  “Music to my ears. Turn right up here. There she is, the old homestead.”

  “It’s more beautiful than I remember,” sighed Hazel as she brought the car to a stop to drink in the scene below.

  “Is it any wonder I fell in love with the place?” asked Abby softly. “Come on now, I want to show you the house.” Hazel put the car back in gear and headed down the hill toward the driveway. She parked close to the back door and they got out. “Come with me,” laughed Abby as she grabbed Hazel’s hand and ran around to the front of the house.

  They were standing in the tall grass halfway between the house and the shore and Hazel was in love all over again. She gazed at the house, then the water and back to Abby. Hazel had a tear of joy in her eye. “Abby, this place is magnificent and so are you,” she smiled softly.

  “Thank you sweet Hazel,” breathed Abby as she stepped into Hazel’s embrace and kissed her deeply. As their lips slowly parted, she turned in Hazel’s arms so Hazel was hugging her from behind and they were both facing the house. “She was built long before the road, and so she faces the only road there was at that time, the sea. Come, I want to show you your new home.”

  She took Hazel’s hand and led her to the house. They climbed the steps to the front door with the stained glass in it and Abby opened it with her key. “Just wait until you see the morning sun shining through the glass in this door,” smiled Abby as she led Hazel inside.

  Hazel felt like she’d just stepped through a time warp. She was in a parlor from the early twentieth century, complete with the old style wood stove, piano, and library of books. There was a large closed cabinet in one corner that Hazel rightly guessed contained the TV set and music system. “Abby, this is gorgeous.” Abby gave her the ground floor tour then they began to carry everything in from the car.

  “We’ll tour the upstairs when we take your bags up,” smiled Abby as she deposited a load of grocery bags on the kitchen floor. Hazel set down her load as well and went back for another. Soon they had everything in the huge kitchen and H
azel took the time to admire it properly.

  “Even an old fashioned day bed by the wood stove,” Hazel smiled as she took it all in. “This kitchen is almost like my mom’s; huge, but cosy at the same time. Can I help?”

  “Make tea while I stow this all away? Just poke around until you find everything you need.”

  “With extreme pleasure,” smiled Hazel as she began to run her hand lovingly along the cabinet doors. “Abby this place is magnificent.”

  “Thank you lover,” Abby beamed as she reappeared from the pantry. “So do you think you can be happy here?”

  “I would be happy anywhere you wanted to take me Abby,” smiled Hazel lovingly, “but this is like a dream come true. I expect to love it here. In fact I already do.” There was a loud bark just then and Hazel stepped to the door to let Hubby in. “Hey there fella, are your paws clean?”

  Hubby stopped and looked at her, puzzled, and wondering what he was supposed to do. Hazel motioned to the door mat and he stepped onto it. “Wipe you feet sir,” she commanded and began to move his paws around on the mat.

  “Hazel, for pity sake, the ground outside is as dry as a bone,” laughed Abby. “Whatever are you doing?”

  “If he gets used to doing this now, it will save us a lot of mopping this winter.”

  “Dear gods, I wish I had thought of that last year. Girl, you know some great stuff.”

  “Oh hey, I have brothers, remember,” laughed Hazel. “You always have to train the men to wipe their feet.” Abby’s sweet laughter lifted Hazel’s heart up to the skies.

  The tea was soon ready and they took it to the living room where they relaxed with some soothing music and chatted easily. Hazel was trying to express how impressed she was with the place and Abby was beaming her pleasure. Hubby sighed and lay at Abby’s feet where he promptly fell asleep. When the tea and snack were finished, Abby put the dishes in the sink, then turned and stepped into Hazel’s arms again. “I still can’t believe I really have you here at last,” she sighed as she hugged Hazel fiercely.

  “I know sweetheart, me neither,” replied Hazel as she returned the embrace gently. “For a while it was starting to look like it would never happen.”

  “I’ve been a wreck all day,” giggled Abby. “I was so afraid the sky would fall or something. I nearly went nuts waiting for you to get off work.”

  “So did I. I swear I saw that clock more today than I have in the last two years.”

  “But you’re here now,” sighed Abby softly.

  “Yes my love, I’m here now,” whispered Hazel.

  “Then let’s go upstairs and get you settled in. Once your clothes are in the closet, I’ll know it’s real.”

  “Alright, lead on my darling,” smiled Hazel as she released Abby and scooped up two of her suitcases. Abby grabbed the other and led the way up the stairs.

  Abby set the suitcase down in the middle of the hallway and turned to Hazel. “This is the bathroom in here,” she smiled as she opened the door to show Hazel a spacious room right out of a magazine. Next was the storage room with all the woollen yarn.

  “Wow,” exclaimed Hazel, “I see what you mean about the yarn.”

  “You do knit I hope.”

  “One of the things Gran taught me. I guess I’ll get a lot of practice this winter.”

  “Yes you will my darling,” smiled Abby as she led the way to the guest room. It was decorated like a young woman’s room from the nineteen forties, all in period furniture and fabrics.

  “Abby, this is wonderful,” enthused Hazel as she did a pirouette through the room.

  “Billy says it is way to girly, but he seems to sleep Ok here,” laughed Abby. “Come now my love, I have saved the best for last.” She led the way into her room and set Hazel’s bag by the closet door.

  “This is our room sweetheart, what do you think?”

  Hazel was in the middle of a huge bedroom. It was decorated from the same period as the living room, except that it had a queen size bed. “Abby, this is right out of a dream magazine,” said Hazel softly, tears in her eyes. “I like to watch the shows on TV about such places, but I never expected to see one.”

  “This is your room my darling Hazel,” whispered Abby as she stepped into Hazel’s arms. “Do you like it? Are you pleased?”

  “Abby, I love it and I dearly love you,” sniffed Hazel. “I am pleased beyond measure.”

  “Now I have one more thing to show you,” said Abby as she stepped out of Hazel’s arms and went to the jewellery box on one of the large dressers. “Hold out your hand now.” She opened a small velvet ring box and took out an engagement ring which she placed on Hazel’s finger.

  Hazel covered her mouth with her hand, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. “Oh Abby,” she sniffed in a choked voice.

  “Are you pleased my love?”

  Hazel swept Abby into a tight embrace. Unable to speak at first, she just hugged Abby fiercely. “Oh Abby, it’s magnificent,” she sniffed once she regained a measure of her composure.

  “I hope you don’t mind Hazel my love, but they’re Bride Murphy’s rings. Keith took them into town for me and had them sized up to fit you.”

  “I will wear this with pride and joy Abby,” sniffed Hazel, “for it is doubly blessed. Did you say there were two?”

  “Yes, the matching band is there as well. Are you happy sweetie?”

  “Abby, if I were any happier, I would surely split,” laughed Hazel through her tears of joy as she hugged Abby tightly again. “Now, I have something for you too.” She rummaged through one of her bags, and then surfaced with a small ring box. “I hope you don’t mind, but they’re not new. I was in a jewellery store when a girl came in trying to sell her grandmother’s rings. The old lady had died several years past and the girl needed the money to pay tuition as she couldn’t get a student loan. She was crying and so upset, so I bought them. I told her who they were for and that we would honour both the rings and the woman who once wore them. Was that Ok, or do you want me to trade them for....” She got no farther as Abby closed her mouth with a kiss.

  “Hazel, that is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard,” whispered Abby as their lips parted. “This ring is absolutely perfect and I will wear it with a great deal of pride. My god, you’re a marvel Hazel Fillmore. That was a wonderful thing to do and I love you for it.” She was admiring the ring on her hand now and Hazel beamed with delight at the pleased smile on Abby’s face. “This ring is very old,” mused Abby. “I’ll bet it was in that family for many generations. Hazel, it is absolutely perfect and I love it.”

  She was back in Hazel’s arms again and hugging her tightly. Finally she loosened her grip slightly and gazed into Hazel’s eyes. “We can keep this up all night my love,” she whispered softly, “but we would be far more comfortable in the bed.”

  Hazel gazed lovingly into Abby’s eyes for a moment then pulled her close again. “Abby, if you want to wait for the wedding night,” she sighed, “you had better put me in the guest room.”

  “I will do no such thing,” replied Abby firmly. “This is your home now and this is your room, besides, who said anything about waiting for the wedding night?” She pulled back a bit to give Hazel a saucy smile. “So, are you going to ravish me or what?” With her saucy smile still in place, Abby slowly unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor.

  “Truly I am in heaven,” sighed Hazel as she started to pull off her clothes.

  “Oh my,” purred Abby as she gave Hazel’s long elegant frame an appreciative look, “so tall, so slim, so exquisitely toned, so delicious ...”

  “Abby,” gasped Hazel as she saw her golden goddess naked before her.

  “Like what you see?”

  “Abby, stop teasing and come to me,” purred Hazel as she stepped toward Abby and opened her arms. Abby came to her, trying to meld into her, hungering for Hazel and demanding her touch. Hazel scooped Abby into her strong arms and lifted her onto the bed where she began to lovingly caress every inc
h of her golden treasure...

  A Summer’s Day At The Point

  Hazel Fillmore yawned and stretched her tall frame, then relaxed completely into the bed. In all her life Hazel had never slept in a more comfortable bed and she was luxuriating in it. She had awakened earlier and found her Abby tangled up in her arms and sleeping soundly, masses of golden hair spilled over Hazel’s abdomen. It had still been dark then and Hazel had caressed Abby’s hair and drifted back to sleep. This time the sunlight was pouring through the window and splashing over the bed that Hazel now occupied alone.

  “Abby?” she called softly as she sat up and stretched again. She got no answer, but she could hear Abby singing somewhere in the distance. Smiling with delight Hazel sat still, listening to the voice of her angel. With a smooth and graceful movement Hazel rose from the bed and padded to the bathroom.

  Abby laughed with delight at Hubby’s antics as he chased a butterfly past the clothesline where she was hanging out the laundry. It was a long line without a pulley system and she had to walk along it, propping it up with the long poles she had for that purpose. She was still laughing as Hazel, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt and with a camera slung around her neck, came out onto the deck. “Now there’s a beautiful sound.”

  At the sound of her voice Abby turned and flashed her most dazzling smile. “Hi there,” she called brightly, “did you sleep well?”

  “Abby I haven’t rested like that in years,” replied Hazel as she strode out along the clothesline path, smiling brightly.

  “What’s such a beautiful sound?” asked Abby as she hung the last of the laundry on the line and propped it up with a pole.

  “Your laughter.”

  “Sweet thing,” laughed Abby as she threw herself into Hazel’s arms. “Kiss me.”

  Happily, Hazel obliged. “I love you madly Abby MacKai,” she whispered as their lips parted.

  “And I love you madly too, my darling. Did you get breakfast yet?”