by Gerri Hill
Robin smiled. “I didn’t mean anything by that, Kate. I’m just saying you’ve changed. It’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
“Well, Robin, maybe if you sit out here, enjoy our scenery, read a good book, you’ll understand what we mean,” Brenda suggested. “I’ll go check on lunch.”
Kate looked at Robin. “Well?”
“Sure, Kate. I’ll sit out here and read, and try to contain my excitement.”
“Look, if you dislike it here so much, why did you come?”
“Because it’s your birthday. I thought that’s what I was supposed to do.”
“Well, maybe if you’d called first, we could have discussed it and you would have learned that it wasn’t something you had to do. Honestly, I hadn’t given a thought to my birthday. And as scary as it may sound, one does lose track of time up here.”
“Oh, I’m sure a few days of this won’t kill me. My flight back is at noon on Sunday.” She held out her hands. “Now, where’s that book you want me to read?”
“You know, darling, it would be so much simpler if you just told her.”
“Her flight is not until noon on Sunday. Do you really want to be around her for two days after that?”
“Not that we’ve had a chance to talk, darling, but you are going to have to share a bed with her.”
“I know.”
“Surely you’re not going to sleep with her.”
Kate sighed. “We haven’t seen each other in four months. Don’t you think she’s going to expect sex.”
“And you would do it? Even after Lee?”
“After Lee what? Who’s to say that she’s not rounding up her next date as we speak?”
“You are so blind. Blind and stubborn. I never thought I would say those things about you, darling.”
“That’s just it. I’m not blind. I know exactly how Lee is and she wouldn’t give it a second thought to sleep with someone else.”
“So that means you are going to sleep with Robin?”
Kate shook her head. “No. I can’t. I’m not.”
“Because you have feelings for Lee and because you’re falling in love with Lee. Why won’t you just admit it?”
Kate gasped. “Falling in love with Lee? I’d have to be insane.”
“Call it what you want, darling.” She pointed to their lunch platter. “Six enough?”
“Six is plenty. I doubt Robin will eat two.” She looked out to the deck where Robin was reading. “And I’m not going to sleep with her because of me, not because of Lee.”
“Because of you what?”
“Because you know my rules. It would just be sex and I don’t do just sex. Whatever Robin and I had is gone. I look into her eyes and there is nothing there. It’s almost like we’re strangers. I can’t see being intimate with her. It nearly disgusts me to think about it and how sad is that?”
“Again my point. Why don’t you tell her? Get it over with.” Then she leaned closer. “So, if it wasn’t just sex with Lee, what was it?”
“I swear! Can’t I say anything without you always twisting it around to Lee?”
“Okay, darling. But I love teasing you.” Brenda picked up the platter of burritos. “Bring the tea and napkins.” Then she stopped. “How do you plan to get out of sex?”
“She can’t handle alcohol. She’ll pass right out.” Kate raised her eyebrows mischievously.
“Sangria,” they said in unison.
“Oh my God, Kate! A woman? Jennifer is a lesbian?” Robin shrieked.
Kate paced on the deck. “You think it’s too much?”
“No! I love it. It’s just so unexpected.”
“You think so? The last few books, you didn’t get the impression that Jennifer might be gay? That she and Paul weren’t really in love?”
Robin blushed. “Well, I didn’t actually read the last two, Kate.” She shrugged. “I mean, I started them—”
“But you couldn’t make it through,” Kate finished for her. “It’s okay. You’re not the only one.” Kate looked at Robin’s empty glass. “More wine?”
“Sure. This stuff is great. Who makes it again?”
Kate cleared her throat, hesitating only slightly. “Lee. Sheriff Foxx. You probably remember her.”
“Who could forget? She’s a knockout.”
“Yes. A knockout,” Kate murmured as she went in search of more wine. Brenda already had another glass ready to go.
“This is number three,” Brenda whispered. “Is she going to be able to stay up for steaks?”
“I’m thinking we should start them now. Wine and a heavy dinner will put her right out.”
Brenda shook her head. “It would be so much easier to just tell her.”
“Yeah. And if she’s really, really pissed, she goes back to Dallas, to my apartment,” Kate said. “Where my things are. Who knows what she might do?”
“She doesn’t seem to be the angry type. Or the excitable type. No passion, darling.”
“Maybe it’s me. Maybe I just wasn’t able to bring it out in her. Just like she doesn’t bring it out in me.”
“Then why on earth have you spent two years together?”
Kate took the wine. “Nobody’s ever brought it out in me before.” She met Brenda’s eyes. “Until now.”
Brenda smiled gently. “I know, darling.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
“What about that one?”
Lee followed where he pointed, a cute redhead, maybe twenty- three or so. She shook her head. “I told you, Skip, I’m not in the mood.”
“So we’re just going to sit here and drink? We haven’t done this in years.”
“Then let’s pretend we’re staking out the place.” She nudged him, then motioned to the pool table.
“Oh, man. That’s the little bastard that broke in here. I told Opal he should’ve pressed charges.”
Lee laughed. “And he’s got some balls coming back here. Why don’t you go give him the what-for, big guy.”
“He almost peed in his pants when I caught him. I can’t believe he’s here.” Skip stood up. “I’ll just go say hello.”
Lee glanced again at her watch. After ten. Were they in bed already? Were they touching, kissing? She closed her eyes, trying not to imagine another woman touching Kate, making love to Kate. She told herself she shouldn’t care, that it really wasn’t any of her business what Kate did. Just because they slept together didn’t mean they had any kind of rules now. It didn’t mean anything. Kate’s girlfriend was here. Of course they were going to have sex. And if Lee had any sense at all, she’d take Skip’s advice and go talk to the redhead.
She looked down the bar again. No, she had no interest in the redhead. She cupped her cheek in one hand, hoping—praying— that she could get over this silly attraction she had for Kate.
She shook her head and closed her eyes. Hell, you’re in love with her. It’s past a silly attraction.
“You okay, Lee?”
Lee looked up, smiling at Skip. “Of course. I’m fine. Did you put the fear of God in him?”
“Cocky bastard,” Skip muttered. “I told Opal he should’ve pressed charges.”
“I take it he wasn’t scared of you?”
“Oh, he and his buddies had a good laugh.”
“He’s just fucking with you.”
“Yeah, well I’m going to be Opal’s private security for awhile. I told him I want to bunk over here.”
“Skip, the kid’s not going to hit this place again.”
Skip raised two fingers to Opal, pointing at Lee. “But just in case, I want to be ready.”
Lee laughed. “Okay, Barney Fife, you can do a stakeout.”
Skip bumped her shoulder. “I hate it when you call me that.” Then he bumped her shoulder again. “So, what about the red- head?”
Lee shook her head. “Not interested.”
“Look, are you sick or something? It’s Friday night.”
“Thanks, Opal,” Lee said when he placed two bottle
s on the bar. “And I’m not sick,” she said to Skip.
“Are you like, pining for someone?”
“Pining? No, I’m not pining. Geez.”
“So you have someone at the lodge for later then?”
“No! Jesus, Skip, can’t I just be alone? What’s the big deal?”
“Man, testy too.”
Lee sighed. “I’m sorry.” She tapped the bar with her fingertips as she stared at her beer. “Okay, maybe there is someone,” she said quietly.
“Are you serious? Who?”
“You think I’m going to tell you? You gossip like a woman. It’d be all over town.”
“Well, of course! This is big news. Lee Foxx in love,” he laughed.
She grabbed his arm. “I never said in love,” she hissed. “Don’t be spreading rumors.”
“Okay, I’m sorry.” He leaned closer. “So, who’s the lucky gal?”
“Maybe not so lucky.”
“Oh, Lee, you know what’s sad? I’m the only son of the richest man in the county, and you still get more dates than I do. So, who is she?”
Lee cleared her throat. “Kate Winters. She’s the woman staying with—”
“The writer. The one you took hiking,” Skip said. “Yeah. That one.”
“I’ve not met her.”
“No.”
“So what’s the problem?”
Lee shook her head. “Too much to go into.” She tipped her beer at him. “But she’ll be leaving soon. Hopefully things can get back to normal.”
“She was just here for the summer?”
“Yeah. I think she’s leaving this month.”
“Does she know how you feel?”
“Of course not. You think I’m crazy?”
Chapter Thirty-Five
“Oh, honey, that sex scene was absolutely delicious!”
Kate stared blankly at Robin. “You think so?”
“Really. It was so . . . so passionate. I didn’t know you could get all worked up like that,” Robin said with a laugh.
Kate blushed. “Well, it’s certainly something new for me.”
“I love it.” Then Robin winked at her. “And if I can stay awake tonight, maybe we can try to duplicate it.”
Kate gave a nervous laugh. “Well, it’ll be a long night. Brenda’s got that little dinner party planned, you know.”
“Yes. And maybe burgers on the deck will be more fun than the sit-down affair she had the last time.”
“Maybe. Although it will probably be the same group.”
“That’s okay. They were a little strange, but I enjoyed chatting with the sheriff. That one has got some kind of charisma, doesn’t she?”
“She’s just loaded with it,” Kate murmured quietly as she tried to suppress the twinge of guilt that showed it ugly head.
“What? You don’t like her?”
“Oh, I like her fine. It’s always interesting to see who she’ll bring to these little get-togethers. Her age limits are somewhere between eighteen and twenty-two, I believe.” Guilt mixed with jealously was a terrible combination, Kate decided.
“Well, as cute as she is, I’m surprised someone hasn’t snatched her up.”
Kate tried to smile, but she wasn’t sure it reached her eyes. “I don’t believe Lee wants to be caught.” She stood suddenly, pointing to the laptop Robin held. “I’ll let you finish. I’m sure Brenda needs help in the kitchen.” She didn’t wait for a reply as she walked quickly inside.
“What’s wrong, darling?”
Kate shook her head. “I’m not sure I can do this.”
“I told you to just tell her.”
“I’m not talking about Robin.”
“Lee?”
“I swear, Brenda, if she shows up here tonight with a date . . .”
“What will you do, darling? You’ll have a date. Why isn’t Lee afforded the same consideration?”
“Because I can’t help but have a date,” she snapped. “If Lee brings someone, it’s a conscious act on her part.”
“You’re being ridiculous and you know it.”
“Why must you always take Lee’s side?” Kate demanded.
“Because I’m a romantic, darling. And when I walked into your room and found the two of you in bed together, my heart nearly melted right there on the floor.” Brenda waved her hand dramatically. “I saw love, darling,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry you don’t see it.”
Kate shook her head. “I . . . I care about her. But I’m certainly not in love with her. I’m not that crazy.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Lee stood nervously beside her Jeep, wondering why she was putting herself through this. She should have told Brenda she couldn’t come. Brenda would have understood. Hell, Kate would have understood.
But in the end, she couldn’t stay away. She had to see Kate. She had to see Kate with Robin. It seemed like days . . . weeks, since they had been together. Hard to believe it was just yesterday morning she’d walked out of Kate’s bed.
And Robin walked in.
She was nearly eaten up with jealously. In her mind, she saw Robin touching Kate, saw Robin kissing Kate, making love to Kate. And she had made herself nearly physically sick thinking about it. She never thought she’d be one of those women who could become so consumed with jealously, but she was.
Another glance at the house, another deep breath and she finally took the first steps toward the patio. She heard voices on the deck and she paused, listening. She felt somewhat comforted by the peaceful sound of Sunshine’s voice. Perhaps she could find some time alone to speak with Sunny. Just to see what the Fates had planned for her this evening. Maybe give her a heads up.
Funny, Lee.
She smiled, glad she could still find the humor in it all.
“You can’t grill the veggie burgers, Brenda.” Kate took the box from her hand and read the directions. “Pan fry lightly in olive oil,” she read.
“Do we have olive oil?”
“I swear, vegetarians are a lot of trouble.”
“I’m sure cows think they are no trouble at all, darling.”
Kate laughed. “Well, we’ll do these last. They only take a few minutes.”
“I’m not going to start the grill just yet, darling. I’ll wait for Lee. And she better get here soon. I don’t think we have enough wine to get us through this evening.”
“Did you ask her to bring some?”
“No. But she always does,” Brenda said as she carried the tray of hors d’oeuvres out to the deck.
Kate shook her head. “I have got to find out about this Pueblo chief and this recipe,” she murmured.
“Who are you talking to?”
She spun around, finding Lee staring at her. Their eyes met.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” Kate gripped the countertop, wondering at the sudden impulse to fling herself into Lee’s arms. “I . . . I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Used the side door,” Lee said. She took a step closer. “Everything okay?”
Kate considered lying. But instead, she managed a sad smile. “Just peachy.”
Lee looked across the bar to the others on the deck, including Robin. She slid her glance back to Kate. “Can we talk?”
Kate hesitated. She shouldn’t, she knew. She shouldn’t be alone with Lee. She seemed to lose all her self-control around Lee.
“Just for a second, Kate.”
Kate nodded. She slowly reached out to take Lee’s hand. Their fingers entwined immediately and Kate felt the quickening of her pulse at even this simple touch. She led her back the way Lee had come, through the side patio door. Once outside, Kate walked into the shadows, leaving the muted voices and soft patio lights behind. Unconsciously, she looked to the sky. The moon—three-quarters full—not quite a coyote sky, hung lazily over the cliff walls.
“I . . . I missed you. Last night,” Lee said quietly.
Kate turned slowly, finding Lee’s eyes in the shadows. No matter how often she told herself
that Lee was dangerous, that Lee was just out looking for her next bed partner, that Lee couldn’t possibly be trusted with her heart, she simply could not fight her attraction. Lee’s eyes held her, pulled her closer.
“Skip took me out to Opal’s last night,” Lee said, her fingers still holding Kate’s hand tight. “He was trying to set me up with . . . with this redhead,” Lee said quietly.
Kate tried to ignore the pain in her heart. She didn’t know why the words caused her pain. It was what she’d suspected Lee had done last night.
“And you know, I knew you were here with Robin. I knew she was in your bed.” Lee cleared her throat. “I knew she was touching you. Making love to you,” she whispered as her eyes closed. “And I . . . I just couldn’t stand the thought of you together.” Lee touched her chest, rubbing lightly against the ache in her heart.
“So . . . so I guess the redhead made it all better?”
Lee shook her head. “No. I wasn’t in the mood for anyone’s company.”
Their eyes held and Kate was surprised at the pain she saw in Lee’s. She took a step closer.
“You know what? I wasn’t in the mood for anyone’s company last night either.” Not that Robin hadn’t tried. Apparently, they hadn’t fed her enough sangria. But Kate had complained of a terrible headache and Robin had finally fallen asleep.
“What does that mean?” Lee whispered.
“It means she wasn’t touching me, wasn’t making love to me.”
Lee closed her eyes, letting her breath out slowly. “Oh, Kate,” she whispered.
Kate moved without thinking, her hands sliding up Lee’s arms, pulling her closer. “I missed you too,” she whispered against her mouth.
Lee pulled her closer, nearly crushing Kate to her. This need she had for Kate was overwhelming. She couldn’t seem to get close enough. Their mouths fought for control, neither winning. Lee moaned loudly when Kate boldly cupped her breasts, both hands covering her.
“Oh, God, Lee,” Kate murmured, her lips moving from Lee’s mouth, traveling down her throat, seeking the throbbing pulse in her neck.
Lee closed her eyes, her heart pounding from Kate’s gentle exploration, her hands and mouth moving lightly across her body. God, she wanted to take her to the ground and make love to her right here. She wanted to touch her so badly, she trembled. She knew they should stop, knew the others would miss them. But with Kate’s mouth moving across her skin, with Kate’s hands moving to her hips, sliding down to her thighs—teasing her. God . . . no, she couldn’t stop.