Here Comes My Woman: Book Three (The Woman I Love Series 3)

by G S Binkley

  “Yep.” Gage said with a disgruntled mumble. “Sammy doesn’t like me and, now, I think Derek likes her better than me.”

  “Oh, he does not. What’s wrong with you today?” Lacy searched her partner carefully, looking for any clue as to why Gage was so out of sorts that day.

  “I don’t know… there’s something familiar about her. It’s weird somehow. I can’t explain it.” Gage slowed, cautiously negotiating the hairpin curve due to the blind spot at Benton’s Pass. “I wish they would get this fixed. People drive too fast through this area.”

  Lacy waited till her partner had carefully traversed the dangerous curve and resumed normal speed. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothin’.” Gage grunted.

  “Mmmmm hmmmm. I believe that.” Lacy smiled. Sarcastically, she continued. “First, Sammy doesn’t like you, Derek likes her better than you and I have too much money.”

  A small smile rose on the blonde’s face. “It’s not that you have too much money…it’s just that I don’t. I know I’m being a baby.” Gage winked at her lover. “But, I’m your baby.”

  Lacy’s hand caressed Gage’s cheek. “Yes, you are.”

  After a few more miles, Gage pulled their new Grand Cherokee Jeep into the doctor’s parking lot. She opened Lacy’s door, grabbed her hand and said. “Come on, let’s go make a baby.”

  Even though today wouldn’t be the day for that, Lacy loved her partner’s enthusiasm and newfound attitude. Happily, she followed the older woman inside.

  ***********************

  As they waited in the doctor’s office, Lacy noticed an article in USA Today newspaper about a kidnapping in Los Angeles. She pored over the piece, soaking in every detail. “You’re right. The cove’s not that private. Anybody on the lake can drive their boat right down to our house.”

  “What?” Gage asked before Lacy jammed the newspaper in her chest.

  Remembering that they both left their cell phones in the car, Lacy insisted. “As soon as we get home I’m calling David.”

  A nurse came to the door. “Ms. Levine, the doctor will see you now.”

  Lacy jerked Gage up. Completely bewildered by her partner’s demeanor, Gage followed as she tried to read the article in question.

  *************************

  When the couple arrived home, Lacy took her sleeping son to his bedroom with Gage right on her heels. “How is that you go to the doctor and I come back finding out that I’m anemic?”

  “You know very well how. She took blood tests from both of us.” Lacy was distracted. She wanted to call David immediately and negligently dismissed her lover’s concern. “You better get that straightened out because we are going to have a baby and nothing is going to stop us.”

  Before Gage could reply, Lacy was out the door, heading for the nearest telephone. She punched the numbers quickly and impatiently waited for someone to answer. “Hayston? Hi. Is David there?” Lacy tapped the table. “David? How are the kids? Are they there with you? Did you see the papers?”

  “Lacy! Hold on there, honey. Yeah, the kids are here. Matter of fact, they’re outside in the pool. Stella’s with them. What’s up?” David wondered about his ex-wife’s rapid-fire questions.

  “Good.” Lacy sighed a heavy relief. “Let me talk to them.”

  “In a minute. Now, what’s wrong?” David asked again then noticed the light haired young woman walk up, handing him a drink. “What paper are you talking about?” When the young woman silently quizzed him regarding his question to Lacy, David shrugged his shoulders at his girlfriend, Hayston Rawlings.

  “The kidnapping. It’s all over the news.” Lacy stressed her disbelief at David’s casual attitude. “You do read, don’t you?”

  “Honey…..” The stern look he received from Hayston caused him to amend the endearment toward his ex-wife. “Lacy, they’re fine. Derek even smiled at me today.”

  “Ha!” Hayston countered with a wicked laugh. “That was only because you spilled wine on your expensive shirt.”

  “Either way, it was a smile.” David shot back at his lover.

  “David! Focus.” Lacy fumed. “Let me speak to Dani or better yet.. Stella.”

  Lacy waited the few minutes it took to get Stella on the telephone. She blew a kiss to the patiently waiting blonde standing nearby. “Hi, Stella. How’s the kids?”

  Gage watched as the dark-haired mother quizzed the nanny. Asking every question conceivable under the sun about how her children were doing. Lacy capped her inquisitive queries before talking with each of her children with one last question to Stella. “You have Derek’s Epipen, right?” Lacy’s faint nod confirmed that all was well.

  When Lacy finally hung up, she opened her arms wide, beckoning her lover close. In less than a heartbeat, Gage wrapped her lover in her arms. “I love you.”

  Allowing her lover to briefly nuzzle her neck, Lacy reluctantly pulled away, guiding the blonde to the bedroom.

  When they arrived, Lacy noticed a rose lying on her pillow. “How did you? When did you?”

  Gage shrugged.

  After giving the blonde a thank you kiss, Lacy dropped to the bed. “I’m exhausted.”

  “I’m not surprised.” Gage sat down next to her. “It’s been an eventful day.”

  “You won’t be mad if we don’t?” Lacy’s words dropped into a silent abyss.

  Laying Lacy back on the bed, Gage undressed her partner with tender loving care and affection. “No.” The blonde adoringly smiled at Lacy.

  “I know I promised.” Gage pressed a finger to the lips of the woman she loved.

  “It’s okay. Besides….” Gage winked at her lover. “I talked to Hank and Jason. They won’t be coming till noon tomorrow.” Gage waggled her eyebrows and wrapped her lover close, warding off the unease of the day and providing Lacy with a safe harbor through the night.

  Chapter Two

  Heavenly silence met the waking couple. Gage slid over her partner but hesitated briefly before dropping in for a sweet and gentle good morning kiss. “Should we chance it?” The blonde wiggled her eyebrows seductively.

  “We should.” After a restful sleep, cradled in her lover’s arms, Lacy was more than ready for what Gage had in mind.

  Once again, Gage brushed her lips against willing ones then repositioned herself, propping her leg between Lacy’s thighs. The blonde left a trail of hot kisses down her lover’s neck as her right hand found refuge on Lacy’s breast.

  “Mmmmmm.” Lacy moaned, closing her eyes in pleasure. “Heading for your favorite spot?” She knew her lover well. Gage always spent an inordinate amount of time feasting upon her breasts. And, Lacy never complained.

  “I have many.” Before their young son woke and the boys arrived to work on the deck, Gage found every spot and gave it her undivided attention, much to Lacy’s delight.

  *************************

  Lacy hurried to dress upon hearing her son calling. “What are you doing today?”

  Gage relaxed on the bed, watching her lover haphazardly throw on her clothes. “Write. I guess.”

  “That’s nice.” Sammy wailed loudly once again. “What about later? We need to talk about the movie.” Lacy rushed to the door, paying very little attention to her lover’s answer.

  Gage watched Lacy run out the bedroom before she could reply. “Oh, well, I’m not going to complain.” Gage plopped back on the bed and a huge grin promptly sprung upon her face. “I finally got me some.”

  *************************

  Gage wrote the rest of the morning while Lacy played with Sammy and consulted with Hank and Jason about the house. When the writer finally put away her laptop, she searched out her partner, hoping to have a late lunch together. The doorbell rang before she located her missing lover.

  “Hey, Mark. Come in. Help me find Lacy.” Gage headed for the kitchen with Mark following closely behind.

  “Things are coming together. I like it.” Mark said, looking around as he walked throu
gh the main entrance and down the long hall to the kitchen. “Lots of light in here.”

  “Yeah, Lacy likes the kitchen bright and cheery. She insisted on solar power, too. A real environmentalist.” Bending over, Gage popped her head in the refrigerator as Mark surveyed the eloquently decorated high ceiling stuffed with numerous skylights. “How bout some lunch?”

  “Nice view.” Mark commented.

  “You’re not flirting with my woman, are you, Mark Calico?”

  With her head still in the refrigerator, Gage’s green eyes popped wide open and Mark stuttered in an attempt to reply. “Ahhh. No… I was…” Pointing up, Mark continued. “It’s a nice view up there. Not, there.” His hand dropped to point at Gage.

  Lacy’s blue eyes glanced at Gage’s backside. “Now, you’re insulting my woman’s ….. assets?”

  “Ahhhh….” Mark stumbled before Gage saved him.

  The blonde stood upright. “Drop it, Mark. You’re sinking fast.” Walking over to Lacy, Gage kissed her. “Thank you for defending me.”

  Returning the kiss, she smiled at Mark’s embarrassment. “Anytime. Someone said something about lunch?”

  “Siddown. I’m fixing sandwiches.” Gage glanced at the kitchen door. “What about the guys?”

  “Jen and Lisa came over. They’re having lunch by the lake.” Lacy smiled at Gage. “Sammy’s with them.” Jen Farris was Hank’s girlfriend of almost five years now and Lisa Lewis, Lacy’s sister, had secretly set her sight on the thirty-five year old Jason McIntyre.

  “Oh…..” Maybe if Mark doesn’t hang around too long, Lacy and I could…. Gage let her mind wander as she quickly made the sandwiches, meticulously cutting them diagonally before serving them. “Eat up.”

  Lunch lasted longer than Gage had hoped. When Mark showed no sign of leaving, Gage reluctantly broached the subject of Lacy’s upcoming movie, HERE COMES JORDAN. “So, Mark, have you finalized the casting yet? Got anybody to play Shelley?”

  Mark nodded. “Shanti James.”

  Lacy gathered a few plates from the table. “Marva’s niece?”

  Both producers of Lacy’s new movie shrugged their shoulders.

  Surprised that they didn’t recognize the famous actress’ name, Lacy informed them. “Marva DuLaine. She did several episodes on my show.” After placing the plates in the sink, Lacy sat back down at the table, contemplating. “Most of her career was on stage.” The dark haired actor allowed a few brief memories of her old friend to invade her mind. “She’s a character. We had some…. crazy times together.”

  A concerned look briefly traversed the blonde’s face then Gage cleared her throat. “What kind of crazy times?”

  Placing her hand on the blonde’s arm, Lacy soothed her partner. “Not that kind of crazy.”

  “What kind of crazy do you think I was talking about?” Gage retorted as if being insulted then pretending to pout.

  The tall dark haired businessman slowly stood up. “Guess this is my cue to exit.” Mark laughed at his own remark. “Show business talk… guess I’ve been spending too much time with Ryan.” The director for their upcoming movie was Ryan White. For the last several months, Mark and Ryan had been spending hours together in pre-production. Recently, Mark had asked Ryan to join Shadow Productions. That reminds me I need to talk with Gage about that invitation.

  Lacy popped up, pushing Mark back down. “Sit down. You two talk. I’m going to check on Sammy and the rest of them.” Glancing quickly back at her lover, Lacy smiled then mouthed. I love you.

  Gage smiled. Oh, why did she go and do that? Just when I was working up a bit of steam…. getting mad so we could… make up later. Her mind drifted to their earlier lovemaking session, stirring a physical reaction in her that still lingered hours later.

  “Gage?” Mark quizzed, waving his hand in front of his longtime friend and partner. “I know she’s a distraction but she’s been gone for the last five minutes.”

  Harnessing her full attention back to her friend, Gage said. “Mark, I love you really I do. Like a brother. But, we need to come up with a signal.”

  Being extremely intelligent and having known Gage for over four years, Mark knew exactly what his younger friend was referring to. “Stayed too long, did I? Hey, if I can’t be with my girl than neither can you?”

  “How are Julie and the kids?” Gage stood up. Before allowing him to answer, she continued. “Come on, let me show you my writing room. I’ve got those stories you wanted to take a look at.”

  “Did you finally finish HEART OF AFRICA?” Mark followed his friend through the kitchen door. When they reached Gage’s writing room, Mark stopped short. Clearing his throat, Mark cautiously continued. “There’s something I want to talk to you about…. it’s Julie.”

  The seriousness in his tone commanded Gage to give him her full attention. “Sit down.” She motioned for him then she sat in her leather chair behind a desk. “What is it?”

  Long moments passed as Mark tried to get comfortable. “Several things really. First, I asked Ryan to join our company. I know I didn’t talk with you about…”

  Gage halted him with an upraised hand. “That’s great, Mark. You know I don’t have a problem with that.” She leaned forward in her chair. “There’s something more serious on your mind. What is it?”

  Mark sucked in a deep breath. “How do you…. how did you win over Lacy’s kids? I know they love you.”

  Nodding, Gage surmised the problem that plagued her good friend. Julie Grant had two children, Joe and Jessie. They loved their father very much and it was after he died that Mark entered Julie’s life again. Mark, Julie and Joe, Sr. had been friends for years. Prior to meeting Mark again, Julie was still trying to deal with the inherent problems of running her own production company, her ex-husband’s death, and how the kids reacted to it, all alone except for the help of her nanny, Stella Smith. So, when Mark re-entered her life, she found in him a safe haven.

  Puzzling over his dilemma, Gage leaned back. She watched Mark intently study the hundreds of books that lined two walls of the room as if trying to avoid the very question he posed. “To tell you the truth, Mark. Although, Lacy will deny it, Sammy doesn’t like me at all.”

  Shooting his friend a doubtful look, Mark remained silent but his concentration was now fully focused on her.

  “Well, maybe he likes me a little…” Gage squeezed her finger and thumb closely together. “…bit. And, that’s only when he’s hungry or needs his pants changed and Lacy’s not around to do it.”

  Stretching out her name slowly, Mark said. “Gaaage….”

  She tossed him her latest screenplay. “You’re asking the wrong person. Derek liked me just like that.” Gage snapped her fingers together. “Dani….” She let a heavy sigh escape. “Dani. I bribed her with a…. your speedboat when we were at your cabin on the lake. Actually, when I think about it….” Gage continued seriously. “…. she just needed to be reassured that I wasn’t there to take their mother away from them.”

  Mark flipped through the screenplay without really giving it much thought. “I’ve tried that. Julie keeps reassuring me that they’ll come around.” He stood up abruptly, tossing the script on the desk.

  “I see you liked it.” Gage said dryly.

  “Damn it to hell, Gage.” Mark paced around the room. “It’s been close to two years and nothing has changed. I’ve tried everything. Here I am CEO of an international company, producer of my own production company…” Mark paused, looking at his co-producer.

  “Go on.” Gage encouraged her friend to vent.

  “I wheel and deal every day knowing that thousands of people in my companies depend on me. I am a good employer.” Mark wasn’t looking for Gage to boost his ego just to confirm the truth. He desperately needed reassurance from his friend.

  “You’re a great employer…and person.” Gage added. “I know of none better. Mark, no other company in the world offers the kind of benefits you do to your employees. Daycare for your employees. The
y have stock in the company. And, I know for a fact when one of your employees or partners….” Gage smiled, remembering when she backed out on helping him when he produced her first screenplay in New Orleans. “….needs time off for personal reasons… no problem. You’re there for them.”

  The fuming man eased back down in the leather chair. “That reminds me. I can’t stay long. I need to go to New York tomorrow.”

  ***********************

  Lacy lingered near the pathway to the lakeshore as she watched her older brother, Hank playing with his nephew. Her attention soon turned to her sister gazing at Jason with unchecked adulation. Guess mom was right. “Room for one more?”

  Sammy jerked his dark head up. “Momma!” He scrambled out of his uncle’s arms, waddling toward his mother. Lacy plopped down on the blanket the foursome were picnicking on right before the two year old jumped into her arms.

  After watching Sammy’s reaction to his mother, Jen smiled at Hank. “I wonder what it would feel like… having your child love you that much.”

  The never been married thirty-six year old man swallowed hard before glancing away, intently checking out a duck on the lake.

  It was then his youngest sister, Lisa, nudged him. “You can look at the duck all day long bro but even they have families.”

  Much to Hank’s dismay, several little ducks joined the adult male duck along with their mother. Hank shot all of them a dirty look but what really irritated him was the smirk on his friend and construction partner’s face. “Lisa, did I tell you that Jason thinks you’re pretty?”

  It was time for Jason to swallow hard but he regrouped quickly. “As a matter of fact… yes, I do.”

  “You do?” Lisa thrilled at his words.

  “All of the Lewis women are beautiful actually.” Jason concluded.

  Lisa’s happy balloon deflated slightly, dropping her hazel eyes, she concurred. “Lacy is.”

  Quickly sensing his words hurt Lisa, Jason confirmed. “Yes, she is.” Summing all the courage within his muscular six-foot three-inch frame, the dark haired man continued not caring that the others were close by. “But,….” His long finger lifted her chin. “…when I look at you there’s nothing more beautiful.” Emotion well up inside him as he thought I don’t know where those corny words came from but with that smile on her face, you’d think I just hung the moon. Without looking away from Lisa’s radiating face, Jason said. “Shut up, Hank.”