What A Woman: Book Five (The Woman I Love Series 5)

by G S Binkley

  The bowling tourney was on and both teams were enjoying the back and forth of the game. The children jumped for joy when they knocked down any pins at all and even Hank suppressed his competitive nature when his wife out bowled him.

  Dani was the only one who did not seem to have as much fun. During the last game, Lacy took her daughter for a short walk to talk. “Lane hasn’t called.”

  Dani shook her head.

  “Then call him.” Lacy caught her daughter’s hand. “I talked with his mother a few days ago and she said Lane was missing you, too.”

  “Mom!” Dani rolled her eyes. Yet, secretly she was glad to hear that Lane felt the same. After the bonfire, for some reason a distance rose between the two. And one day during chemistry class, they had a big fight. Dani and Lane were working together on their final project for the class. Lane kept teasing her when she was working on the formula. Dani messed it up a few times and had to start again. When Lane wouldn’t stop, she practically yelled at him telling him to go hang out with his keg friends. Dani didn’t have a clue where that came from but when Lane walked out of the classroom things had changed between them. Over the next few days, the distance grew. There was only a quick ‘see you next year’ between them. Lane and his family left soon after and Dani now sulked most days.

  “Dani, why did you give Lane such a hard time about those guys at the bonfire? Sounded like he handled the whole situation very well.” Lacy was curious since her daughter was usually very rational.

  Dani let out a deep sigh. “I really don’t know.” That was part of her sullenness since school let out. The young woman was very confused about her own reaction. It was the thing she had to sort out and soon she hoped.

  When the bowling tourney had come to a conclusion, Stella’s team had won. It all came down to a roll off between Sammy and Hank. Since it didn’t seem fair to Stella or her team, Hank let them offer a handicap. After Stella and her team huddled, they offered a solution. Sammy would role his ball twice and see how many pins he could knock down. Hank would roll his ball twice and count the pins he knocked over. However, he had to get some extra help from none other than Hayley. She delighted in the prospect to help her uncle. Hank was up for the challenge.

  Sammy’s ball struck seven pins down on his first roll. Hank then stepped up on the lane. “Come on Hayley help your uncle.” The little blonde jumped on his left leg and held on for dear life. “Hey!”

  Nathan let out a full belly laugh. “You agreed to it.”

  Hank shot his brother an evil glare. “Fine.” His gait was slower than usual but steady. His ball swished down the lane and picked up eight pins. Hayley finally let go of his leg right before he sat down. “Okay, beat that Sam.”

  It was something in the way his uncle said his name that resigned the young nine year old to straighten his back and claim a serious demeanor. Sammy stepped up to his mark. He carefully focused on the three grouped pins. With a steady gait, Sammy released the ball, heading progressively toward the remaining pins. And with a loud boom two pins fell.

  Hank readied himself at his mark. He raised the ball up near his chin. But right before he took a step, Nathan piped up. “Hold on Hank.” Nathan nudged Hayley up toward her other uncle. “Here’s your handicap.”

  “That was only on the first one.” Hank protested. When he looked at the rest of the gang, everyone was shaking their heads. “Okay, come on, Hayley. Grab my leg again.”

  This time the young girl reached her arms up for her uncle to get her. “Hold me.”

  When Hank lifted his niece up with his left arm, she swung her arm around his neck. “Ready?”

  “Yes.” As Hank readied himself again to knock down the remaining two pins and win, Hayley kissed him and right before he released the ball she said. “I love you.”

  Seeing that he missed both pins, Hank shook his head.

  “We did it.” Hayley squealed.

  “It was a gutter ball.” Hank pouted.

  “I know…that was smooth.”

  Hank kissed his niece before putting her down. He plopped on the seat and glanced again at his brother.

  “It’s okay, honey.” Jen rubbed her husband’s back. “Look how happy Sammy is.”

  That’s all it took. Hank congratulated his competitor.

  **********

  David Levine had arrived a week before he was scheduled. So, Lacy sent him out with Derek for his practice sessions at the race track. Of course, Sammy insisted on going. Lacy and Gage had bought a race car for Sammy and enrolled him in lessons. He had already taken three lessons on the same days that Derek went to the track to practice. It would be a long day and while David was excited to be with his boys, he had hoped to talk with Lacy before being shuffled out the door not three hours after his arrival.

  While they were at the track, Stella decided to visit Lacy’s mom and dad. Dani headed over to the Little Theatre to help with building the set for an upcoming play. She enjoyed being around people with similar interests and it took her mind off of the call she hoped would ring through soon.

  That left Lacy, Gage and Hayley home alone. Gage decided to get started on the script that Derek suggested for their television show. She was doing some research on animal rights and those animals that were close to extinction when Hayley burst through her office door. “Hey. Where are you going so fast?”

  “Mom said you would take me to the lake.” Hayley climbed upon Gage’s lap.

  “Hmmm…let’s go find your mom then.” It was a beautiful day and the writer welcomed the intrusion.

  Hayley took Gage’s hand and led her out the door. “She’s painting…but be very careful mom spilled some paint.” The little girl neglected to tell Gage that she was the culprit behind the mishap.

  The writer surmised who was behind that episode. “Lacy?” Gage with Hayley right behind entered the studio. “Is it safe?”

  Lacy wiped her hands, removing some stray paint. She got up and met Gage half way across the room. “I love you.”

  Wondering what that was all about, Gage readily agreed. “Me, too.”

  The artist wrapped her arm around her partner and pulled her close. “Would you mind so very much if you kept our daughter…occupied for a while?”

  “No.” Gage wanted to walk over and see what Lacy was painting but her partner held the blonde from advancing.

  “Mom don’t want you to see…me neither.” Hayley pouted. “It’s a surprise.”

  “For me?” Gage’s green eyes lit up.

  Lacy simply kissed her lover.

  “Okay.” She grabbed her daughter’s arm. “It’s you and me for now.”

  Lacy sent out another ‘I love you’ to both of her girls. All the while both Gage and Hayley were silently plotting on how they could find out exactly what Lacy was painting. Through the years Lacy had developed her talent especially after she illustrated her partner’s book covers. It was a collaboration made in heaven. Now Lacy painted every chance she got. It was a peaceful diversion for her and it would help her mindset for when David returned with her sons because Lacy knew David was itching to talk with her. It would be a long conversation.

  Gage took Hayley for a slow boat ride and pretended to fish a little. It was a tranquil afternoon and when they arrived back at the house Dani was back home as well as Stella. “Where’s the boys?”

  Lacy walked up behind her partner and kissed Gage’s neck. “Thank you.” The artist had enjoyed the few peaceful hours. The painting was about half way finished.

  Gage twisted around in her lover’s arms. “No problem.”

  “What about me?” Hayley insisted.

  Lacy lifted their daughter up between them. “You, too.”

  “Gage said we could sneak in later and look at your painting.”

  The blonde glared at her daughter. “That was your idea.”

  Hayley scrunched her blue eyes at her blonde mother.

  Stella warded off the impending battle between the two blondes. “I picked up th
e hamburger and a few other items after visiting Lynn. We have lots to do before our bar-be-que tomorrow.” She had already put away several items and was preparing some raw vegetables.

  “I’m doing the bar-be-quing tomorrow mom.” Gage insisted. “You just sit back and enjoy.” She went over to the counter and surveyed all the goodies Stella had brought from the store.

  “How’s mom?” Lacy asked.

  “Oh, she’s good…by the way she really enjoyed your visit with her the other day and wanted to make sure and let you know she is eating right and exercising.” Stella was happy to relay the news.

  Lacy had been overly cautious when it came to her mother. Even though Lynn tried to get it through to her worried daughter that she had not fainted again and was feeling fine. “She’s coming tomorrow right?”

  “Yes.” Stella eyed the actor before adding. “She said she is going to be the team captain on the tug of war contest.”

  Before Lacy could protest, David and the boys came barreling in the kitchen.

  “Mom! I did it.” Sammy was excited. “I got to race today.”

  Lacy eyed David.

  “It was just a once around and it was against Derek.” David insisted that everyone was safe.

  “And I beat him by that much.” Derek squeezed his thumb and pointer finger close but you could still see a big gap.

  “Yes, but that much.” Sammy was proud of how close he came to winning the race against his older brother. However, when he squeezed his thumb and pointer finger together, the gap was significantly smaller.

  After a light dinner, David pulled Lacy aside. “Can we talk now?”

  “Just a minute.” Lacy talked with Gage about David’s request and asked her partner to see to the kids and get them off to bed. The blonde agreed and kissed Lacy. “Thank you again. I love you.”

  “Me, too.” Gage hugged her lover. “I’ll keep the bed warm.”

  Gage and the kids helped clean the kitchen before deciding on what movie they were going to watch that evening.

  Lacy and David walked outside. Their conversation started out with things like how the boys did that day and David asking if he could take his children to the water park. He added that Hayley would be a welcome addition if that was alright with both Lacy and Gage.

  Finally, Lacy asked the burning question that hovered over them. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

  David stopped. His gray eyes found something uninteresting in the distance before he spoke. “Hayston.”

  *********

  While watching a movie that featured an island in it, Derek remembered what he wanted to talk to his mom and Gage about. “Gage?”

  “Mmmmm…” Gage leaned her head toward where Derek was sitting.

  “Have you finished that show about animals? For mom’s show?” Derek was relentless about Gage writing that particular script.

  “I started on it. Why?”

  He moved over next to the writer. “I got an idea… remember when we were over at the studio and those guys were working on that documentary?”

  “Yep?”

  “You know that island that we fish on sometimes.”

  “I do.” Gage was still looking at the television. But when Derek didn’t say anything for a bit, she turned toward him.

  “How about we clean it up and make a park out of it?”

  Gage knew what it would mean to Derek. He was very serious. One could see it in his gray eyes. “Hmmm…I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

  Derek happily went back to watch the movie. He already had a name for the park picked out.

  Gage, on the other hand, started adding up all the things it would take to make that request happen.

  **********

  “I walked out…she walked out. Who cares who did what…Lacy, Hayston is all over the place. She wants this and then that. I can’t seem to please her no matter what I do.” It was obvious David was very frustrated.

  Lacy walked with her arms crossed. “David, you can be very…” The actor searched for the perfect word. “…demanding, needy, overpowering…” She stopped in her tracks when David did. “I thought you wanted to take a walk.”

  David crossed his arms. “Just giving you some time to finish your litany of adjectives to describe me.”

  “Not you exactly you…your behavior.” Lacy looked David squarely in his misting gray eyes. What Lacy had said about him affected David deeply. “David, you have a good heart. You go about trying to do the best for those in your life. I should know. You were the one that really helped my career take off.” She held up her hand stopping David from speaking. “You were relentless…” Lacy smiled. “Derek’s like that, too. Anyway, it’s just you’re like a runaway train…not knowing when to slow down or stop.”

  “Finished?”

  “Almost.” Lacy grabbed his arm and continued their stroll.

  David was happy to oblige her welcoming touch.

  The evening sun had set but the walkway was illuminated by the full moon and several night lights along their path. “You remember when you helped Hank get that construction contract years ago?” David nodded. “That’s one of the kind things you did for my family…” Lacy allowed her mind to drift back several years. “Maybe it was around the time your mother died that things changed…you changed. You were so driven…at the expense of other and yourself, David.”

  David never made that connection. But upon reflection, he knew Lacy was right. The death of his mother did change him. I was driven to the point of… David didn’t know how to finish that thought. “I know I hurt you and drove you away.”

  Lacy wasn’t looking for an apology. She remembered something she had told Gage a long time ago. “You have got to stop running.”

  When Lacy abruptly halted their progress, David stared at her.

  “I know it’s an old cliché but you have to stop and smell the roses.” Lacy’s blue eyes drifted to the beautiful roses below.

  Realizing that Lacy was right on all counts, David wondered how he could set things straight in his life. “I’ve gotten so far off the things I wanted in my life. With you…and the kids.”

  Lacy pulled David’s arm. “Let’s head back. You need to think about what you really want in life, David. For the next couple weeks just relax and enjoy life for once. You haven’t done that in such a long time.”

  David patted the hand Lacy had on his arm. “Thank you.”

  Just as they entered the house, the telephone rang out. Dani rushed past them. “I’ll get it. Hello?”

  When a brilliant smile bloomed on her daughter’s face, Lacy knew exactly who had called.

  Chapter Five

  The day started off early. Both Gage and Stella were in the kitchen making hamburger patties and preparing some side dishes. “I’ve got the potato chips.” Gage announced.

  “And the cookies, I see.” Stella laughed. “Why don’t you take them out to the canopy and check on the drinks.”

  Gage tucked the last bag under her arm but before she could get out of the kitchen her mom yelled.

  “Did you get the coals hot?” When the blonde refused to turn around, Stella hinted only too smartly. “You did say you were going to bar-be-que and the last time I knew anything about it…it required some hot coals.”

  “Yes, mother. I know…the coals need time to burn down so there isn’t any fire.” But Gage loved a good fire especially if you were enjoying it with the right person.

  Nathan came over early to help set up the tables and chairs. He had plenty of help since Lacy instructed David and the boys to assist. They set up about a hundred feet from the dock. The next thing on their agenda was the volleyball net that Lacy so haphazardly dropped at David’s feet.

  “I’ll go get the ball.” Derek yelled.

  Sammy was right behind because he wanted to play badminton and knew exactly where that equipment was stored.

  Lacy had called her mom and wanted to make sure they had everything she would need such as wh
at kind of food was on Lynn’s diet list. She thanked Stella for asking her mom that question when she visited Lynn. “Mom, let me talk to dad.”

  “Hey, Lacy. We’ll be over shortly. I have to find my swim trunks.”

  “That’s nice, dad.” Lacy could not care less about her dad’s apparel. “We have a nice spot for mom…lots of shade and I don’t want her overdoing it.”

  Dan chuckled. “Apparently, you think I have some kind of control over you mother. She does want she wants and I’ve given up years ago.”

  “Dad!”

  “Honey, your mom is taking very good care of herself. She knows how much her family loves her and… she’s not going to miss out on seeing all her grandkids grow up.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Dan winked at his wife who was listening to his conversation. “I am…see you soon.”

  He hung up before Lacy could say another word. Her attention was diverted when Dani came into the living room.

  “Mom. I bet you can’t guess who called last night.” Dani was smiling ear to ear.

  “All I know is whoever it was…” Of course, Lacy knew. “…sure took that frown off your face at just the right time.” Lacy wrapped her arm around her daughter. “I want all of us to have fun and I was worried about you.”

  Nodding her head, Dani walked alongside her mother. “I know…I know. But I’ve learned that you can’t let stuff bring you down for long… there are so many things to be happy about and besides…no use getting upset over things I can’t control.”

  “Where did you learn that?”

  “You.”

  Hearing Dani’s words nearly caused Lacy’s eyes to mist. There were times in her life that she wondered if she was being a good mom and teaching them what they needed to learn in life. Lacy knew it wasn’t always with words that one taught their children. More times than not, it was about a person’s actions and their behavior that children learned the most from. “Come here.”

  “Okay, okay...” Dani’s mom pulled her in for what could only be described as a bear hug. “Save your strength for the tug of war.”

  Oh, yeah. Mom needs to just watch. Who in the world came up with a summer blast involving Olympic type things?