Marika rose gracefully and walked David to the door. Bidding him farewell, they exchanged a quiet high five and smiled at each other.
"I'll call you once she's passed the learner's test, and we can coordinate what we're teaching her," the priest said.
The lawyer nodded. "Sounds good. I'll talk to you then." She opened the door for him and watched him amble down the hallway, before turning back to see what Rhi was up to. She found her guest reading the booklet, a small furrow of concentration on her forehead. Smiling to herself, she went down the hall to the den, leaving Rhiannon to study in peace.
* * *
"No way!" Lee exclaimed, as she cut another big slice of pie, ignoring Dana's slight frown. "So Rika's going to teach you how to drive." She speared the slices of apples left behind, grinning impudently at her partner's rolled eyes.
"And David too," Rhi explained, shaking her head when Lee slid the pie plate across the table to her. "No, thanks. One's enough."
"For some people," Dana said acerbically, but her warm brown eyes regarded her big mate with affectionate exasperation.
"Growin' girl," Lee mumbled around the pie.
Marika laughed at Dana's snort and got up to get more coffee. Dinner had gone well, and even Rhi had occasionally joined in the lively conversation unprompted. She'd been delighted to see how enthusiastically her young guest had told their friends about learning to drive. It erased the last of any doubts that she and David had done the right thing.
Lee downed the last of her coffee and held out her mug for a refill. "So are you going to issue city-wide warnings when you're about to take to the road for the first time," she teased Rhi, who just grinned at her Dragonslayer in delight. "Hey, if Rika and David are going to teach you how to drive a car, maybe I could teach you how to handle a bike."
"No!" Marika and Dana said at the same time
Lee looked hurt. "Ah, c'mon, you two. I'm a perfectly safe driver, and I'd teach her the proper way to ride."
The lawyer shuddered at the thought of her small assistant trying to balance Lee's huge bike. Not wanting to offend her old friend, but hating the thought of Rhi attempting something that could hurt or even kill her, Marika chose her words carefully.
"It's up to Rhiannon whether or not to accept your kind offer of course, but don't you think your bike might be a bit...over-sized for her?"
The big woman scratched her neck thoughtfully. "Yeah, you might have a point there. The Suke's pretty big all right." Brightening she said, "I've been thinking of getting Danny a dirt bike so he and I could go riding on weekends when he's not with his Dad. I could teach her on that, and she could decide if she wants a street bike."
Marika was fairly certain by the startled look on Dana's face that this was the first time Lee had mentioned dirt bikes and Danny in the same breath. Rhi must have noticed too because she cut in smoothly, "I really appreciate that, Lee, but I think I should concentrate on one thing at a time and get my vehicle licence first."
"Okay," Lee agreed amiably. "But let me know if you ever want to learn, and I'll be glad to teach you."
The lawyer was pretty sure the topic would come up for discussion when Lee and Dana went home, but for now she was grateful that Dana held her tongue. The evening had been so pleasant that she didn't want to see it ruined.
"So is Danny coming with us to the Stampede this year, or is he too mature now to hang out with a bunch of old ladies?" Given that Dana's son had complained loudly the previous year about going to the Stampede grounds with his mother, Lee and herself, Marika was pretty sure she already knew the answer.
Dana shook her head ruefully. "I was informed in no uncertain terms that he was going with Tony and the boys this year, and that I wasn't even allowed to acknowledge him if I saw him there." When the others laughed at her chagrin, she added, "Naturally he didn't tell me this until after I'd gotten our tickets to the rodeo, chuck wagon races and Grandstand show." A thought occurred to her and the nurse turned to Rhiannon. "If you don't have any plans, why don't you join us, Rhi?"
"Um, me?"
"Sure, why not?" Lee joined in enthusiastically. "We always have a great time, and the tickets are already paid for so you might as well get some use out of them."
Marika watched her assistant closely, this week's experience allowing her to read the longing mixed with uncertainty in dark blue eyes. "We really would enjoy having you join us," she said softly.
Rhi looked at her searchingly, and after a moment nodded slowly. "I'd like that." Turning to a delighted Lee, she said firmly, "But I insist on paying for the ticket."
Lee straightened and leveling her best intimidating look on the young woman, she growled, "Are you trying to insult me, Lady Mouse? We invited you as our guest, and you think that means you have to pay us? I can't believe you said that. I'm outraged!"
Marika stifled a smile and saw Dana do the same as two stubborn people prepared to go head-to-head. Laying a gentle hand on Rhi's arm, the lawyer urged, "Let her do this, or we'll have to put up with hearing about it the whole time we're there."
The small face scrunched up rebelliously and Rhi bit her lip in frustration, but she finally acquiesced. "Okay...but I'll make it up to you."
Lee grinned and, generous in victory, agreed. "Sure, you can buy me a bag of those mini-doughnuts. I loooovvvve those things!"
"No kidding! You ate half a dozen bags of them last year and then couldn't figure out why you felt like hell the next morning," Dana reminded her mate.
"I think that had more to do with the beer tent than the doughnuts," Lee asserted. "Or maybe I got a bad corndog or something."
The partners bantered back and forth as Rhi leaned over and whispered, "She goes to the Stampede for the food, doesn't she?"
"I heard that!" Lee said with a chuckle. "You don't get the whole Stampede experience unless you've tried all the rides, sampled all the food, watched the chucks and the bull-riding, and two-stepped your way through Nashville North."
Marika and Dana looked at each other with mutual grins, remembering Lee's enthusiastic 'Stampeding' in previous years. The lawyer wondered if the presence of her assistant would tame the big woman at all, but doubted it.
"Do you enjoy going to the Stampede?" Marika asked Rhiannon.
"Well, I sometimes go look around the grounds on preview night, and I like watching the parade and the fireworks. I usually go to a couple of the pancake breakfasts too."
With no surprise, the lawyer noticed that Rhi had only mentioned the free events of the Stampede. She made a mental note to wangle one of their corporate ride passes for her assistant's use. If she approached her carefully, she might even get the young woman to accept it without protest.
Dana looked up at the kitchen clock. "If we're going to make Danny's game, we're going to have to leave soon, Lee." Turning to Marika, she apologized, "Sorry to cut it so short tonight, Rika. His dad will get him there on time, but I promised that we'd show up to watch."
"Of course," Marika assured her. "I knew he had a game tonight, but I'm glad you made it over."
"I want to take a quick look at Rhi's back before we leave though. Would you excuse us for a moment?" Dana stood and motioned the young woman to accompany her.
Lee watched them and as soon as they disappeared down the hall, she leaned forward and with a gleam of excitement asked in a hushed voice, "Do you know what July 5th is?"
Marika nodded. "Of course. It's Dana's birthday. Are we throwing her a surprise party or something this year?"
"Nope. This year I've reserved a cabin out at Emerald Lake. Danny's going to be with his father, and we're taking a couple days off work, so it's just her and me for four long lovely days."
"That sounds wonderful, Lee..."
"There's more. It's not just her birthday." Lee's eyes shone with glee.
Cocking her head in puzzlement, Marika asked, "It's not?"
"Uh uh. It's also the day I'm going to propose." Lee sat back with a smug look of self-satisfaction.
> Marika gave a little shriek and launched herself across the table, grabbing her best friend and hugging her tightly. "That's wonderful, Lee! I'm so happy for both of you!"
Lee hugged her back and then laid one finger across Marika's lips. "Now, it's a secret, so you can't say anything."
"Not a word," the lawyer promised as she slid back into her chair, eyes dancing with happiness. She loved these two women and was thrilled that they were going to formalize their rock-solid relationship.
"You have to help me though, Rika," Lee said more seriously.
"Of course, anything you need, you know that. What can I do?"
"Help me pick out the perfect ring."
Marika grinned. If it were anyone else, she'd have insisted that they had to do something this personal for themselves, but given her old friend's shopping impairment, she was more than pleased to assist. "You name the date, place and time, and I'll be there," she assured the big woman.
Lee looked at her affectionately, excitement still lighting her face. "I know Dana will agree that we'd like you and Danny to stand with us the day of the commitment ceremony too."
Feeling a lump in her throat, Marika only nodded, eyes glistening. Hearing the other two returning, she tried to bring her emotions under control and was grateful when Lee picked up the conversation smoothly.
"So you should see this new centre fielder on Dana and Terry's team. Man, that woman has a cannon for an arm," Lee said as Dana and Rhi entered the kitchen.
"You talking about Darcy?" Dana asked, sliding an arm around her partner's shoulders.
"Yup. I was just telling Marika that with her on your team, you might even win the championship this year."
"Yeah, she's a helluva player. Hey, Rika, why don't you and Rhi come to our game this week and then go out to Oly's with us afterward?"
Marika hesitated for an instant, remembered Val's vitriolic words the night of the anniversary party. She wasn't keen to encounter Dana's teammate and her ex-lover, but a quick glance at her assistant showed that the young woman had a hopeful look on her face. It was enough to overcome any reservations, and she nodded decisively. "All right. If Rhi feels up to it and wants to go, then we'll be there."
Judging by the grin on her small friend's face, Marika was pretty sure Rhi would be up to it.
* * *
"So have you memorized the study manual yet?" Marika asked, matching her pace with her companion's shorter legs. They were strolling the walking path that followed the river. The early summer day had been warm, but as usual in the foothills city, the evening had cooled off rapidly and the lawyer was glad she'd insisted they both bring light jackets.
Rhi grinned. "Not quite, but I'm working on it. I mean, things like the traffic signs are pretty basic, but I keep forgetting stopping distances and the description of how to drive a standard is pretty confusing."
"Don't worry. Once you've got your permit and you start driving with David and me, it'll all start to make sense," the lawyer assured her.
They moved aside to make way for a roller blader whizzing by them, then stepped back on the path. The women walked quietly for a while, and then without looking at her companion, Rhi said, "I have to go home tomorrow, Marika."
The older woman had been expecting it, but it hurt nonetheless. She told herself it was ridiculous, that she'd see Rhi at the office every day, but that didn't ease the fact that she'd miss her assistant and the long, companionable hours they'd spent together that week.
"Are you sure?"
"Uh huh. I've imposed on you long enough."
"It was no imposition." Marika longed to tell Rhi how much she'd enjoyed her company, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead she offered, "You know you don't have to come back into the office until you feel up to it, even if you are ready to go home."
"Trying to replace me at work?" The words were light, but the lawyer could hear the undertone of uncertainty. She stopped and turned to face her companion.
"No. Absolutely not. I'd miss you until you were ready to come back, but I don't want you to rush it if you need more time to heal."
She was rewarded by a smile that lit her assistant's whole face, and she returned the grin whole-heartedly.
"Dana said it looked really good tonight, and that you'd done an excellent job. I can move my arm without pain..." Marika frowned at the blatant fib, and Rhi chuckled wryly. "Okay, almost without pain. But the point is, I can do my job, and believe me I'd far rather be in the office than trying to avoid unanswerable questions in my aunt's house."
Marika nodded thoughtfully. It always came back to Rhi avoiding her aunt in any way possible. "All right. But if you start getting tired, or you hurt, or simply need to lie down for a while..."
"I'll tell you."
"Good." The women resumed their walk as Marika said, "It might be for the best anyway. I can still change your dressing and keep an eye on how it's healing."
Rhiannon laughed lightly. "That should go over well in the office."
The lawyer snorted. "Well, I didn't mean I'd do it out in the waiting room. We'll retire to the ladies room for that."
"Probably the best idea," Rhi agreed, and the comfortable silence fell over them again as they began the circuit back to Marika's condo tower.
When they passed the small ice cream shop that was still busy with Calgarians enjoying the summer evening, Rhiannon laid a hand on Marika's arm. "Let me buy you an ice cream cone?"
Marika was about to counteroffer to make the purchase instead, but looking down at her companion, saw the earnest look in the dark eyes. Understanding that this was important to the young woman, she nodded her assent. "Okay, pralines and cream, please."
Rhi joined the line-up at the take-out window, and Marika leaned back against a tree watching her. Her assistant was still favouring her right arm, but not so markedly that it was readily apparent. She had to admit that Rhi was probably ready to resume work, and if she were honest with herself, she wanted the young woman back in the office with her. Sighing, the lawyer acknowledged that she'd have been just as happy to work out of her home for another week, but she pushed her overprotective instincts down, deciding that they had to get back to normal sometime. Normal, sure! She shook her head, unable to deny that the past week had changed the definition of normal between them irrevocably, but unsure how it would affect their future, both professional and personal.
Rhiannon returned with a big grin and two double scoop sugar cones. Marika shook her head reprovingly, but accepted the proffered cone. They dawdled their way back to the condo, enjoying the ice cream and both patently reluctant to see their last walk together end.
Marika's cone lasted until they reached the apartment door, though Rhi's had long since vanished. They entered and both headed for the kitchen to wash up.
The water running over two pairs of hands, Rhi asked casually, "So how come you never play that piano out there?"
Startled, Marika glanced down to see curious eyes regarding her. "Um, well actually, I do play it quite often."
"You haven't played since I've been here."
"I didn't want to disturb your rest, and I guess I didn't think you'd like my kind of music."
"Huh. So what kind of music do you play?"
Marika handed Rhi one end of the towel and took the other for herself. Drying her hands industriously, she answered, "Classical, jazz, some modern stuff. Sort of whatever I'm in the mood for."
"Play something for me?"
The request was earnest and Marika nodded. "All right. But just one piece and then maybe you should have your bath, okay?"
The younger woman agreed amiably, and the lawyer led the way to the living room. Rhi sprawled on the couch next to Spooky, who promptly crawled into her lap. Marika smiled at that. She'd seen her cat curled up next to Rhi's sleeping form more than once, and she was pleased that the two of them got along well.
Taking her seat at the Baldwin, she considered for a moment and then let her fingers go where they wanted.
The soft, mellow air filled the apartment and Marika closed her eyes, letting the music carry her away as it always did. She was almost startled to hear the sound of applause when she finished, but she opened her eyes and offered her companion a sheepish smile.
"That was wonderful. You're really very good!" Rhi enthused, her eyes shining with appreciation.
"Thank you. I took piano through most of my childhood and teens. Completed the Royal Conservatory exams, but I just play for myself now."
"What was that piece?"
"Gymnopedie No.1 by Erik Satie. He was a French composer at the turn of the last century who had a rather odd fascination with gymnasts' feet. He would write his music to match the rhythms of their routines. He once wrote a very short composition with instructions that it be repeated 840 times in a row. Quite an oddball actually, but then aren't we all in one way or another? Still, he's one of my favourites."
Rhiannon gave her a wry look and Marika closed the lid over the keys. "All right, young lady," she said with mock severity. "Bath time!"
"Yes, mother," the young woman said with an impish grin. "Are you going to read me a story after that?"
"Only after you're all clean and tucked in," Marika bantered back, her affectionate gaze following her giggling assistant out of the room.
An hour later, as Marika gently worked the muscles of Rhi's back and shoulder, she felt a profound sadness. She'd come to care for the young woman drowsing half naked under her hands, and she hated the thought of Rhiannon returning to a house and aunt she obviously loathed.
The lawyer wished she could ask her assistant to stay longer, but her mind threw up so many logical reasons against it, that she didn't have the nerve to propose the option. Instead, she took extra care and extra time, smoothing and working the soft flesh until she saw Rhi's eyes close and heard her breathing deepen into sleep. Still she continued, until at last she admitted she was doing this more for herself than the sleeping woman. Reluctantly, she drew back and pulled the covers up to the small shoulders. Tentatively, she laid a light hand on her companion's hair, smoothing the still damp curls until she couldn't justify her presence, even to herself, any longer.
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