Marika just murmured and kept her eyes on their friends as they crossed another street. Rhi didn't know whether to kick herself for missing an opportunity that would never occur again, or be relieved that she'd gotten out of a potentially humiliating experience.
She'd begun to brood over her words when a soft voice said, "Seems to me this would be the perfect time to learn. You're with friends. We won't laugh at you. I'll teach you how to two-step if you like."
Rhi gaped at Marika who smiled reassuringly at her. "Um, yeah, I guess...If you're sure you want to risk your toes."
"They've been abused by bigger women than you, Rhiannon Davies," Marika chuckled. Then she pitched her voice louder, "Isn't that right, Lee?"
Lee looked over her shoulder. "Isn't what right?"
"My feet have been danced on by bigger women than Rhi here," the lawyer teased.
Dana broke out laughing and Lee groaned. "You're just NEVER going to let me live that down, are you? It was my first Stampede. I didn't know a two-step from a polka!"
Marika grinned and leaned her head towards Rhi as she whispered, "Lee is very...enthusiastic...on the dance floor, but you'll notice that Dana is wearing her steel-toed boots."
Rhi giggled, now keenly looking forward to getting to the club. They soon reached Dana's car and piled in, making their way through busy streets to the old converted warehouse down by the railroad yards. Parking was no problem there, even with the streams of women going in and out of the building. Locking the blue Taurus, they walked quickly towards the door, which had been converted to look like a barn door, complete with hay bales, wooden barrels and a section of plank fencing lining the way to the entrance.
Lee paid their cover charge and shook her head with a grin when Rhi tried to give her the money. "Buy me a beer later, Lady Mouse. Now it's time to dance!"
They entered the club, greeted by the driving sound of a country band and the sight of a large wooden floor covered with dancers, many in garb that made Lee and Dana look decorous. The stage was on one side of the dance floor, and a horseshoe shaped bar bustling with patrons was on the other. The western theme had been continued inside, and Rhi saw many women perched on the bales scattered around the interior. Servers with the omnipresent white Stampede cowboy hats circulated among the many small tables ringing the floor, their black leather aprons stuffed with bills as enthusiastic patrons celebrated lavishly.
Lee led the way through the crowd, greeting many of the club goers as she pushed through to a free table on the far side between the dance floor and the bar. Once they'd staked their claim, she and Dana tossed their hats on the table and headed for the floor. Rhi sat quietly beside Marika, staring at the dancers and the band. Perhaps because she'd become accustomed to Lee and Dana's candid affection with each other, Rhi wasn't at all taken aback at the sight of women dancing and flirting openly.
She let her eyes drift around the darker corners of the club and did a double take as she spotted the dark-haired firefighter leaning against a pile of hay bales, with a blonde woman in her arms. As she watched, the blonde wrapped herself around the taller woman, making her intentions crystal clear to even a casual onlooker. Rhi looked away with a small, triumphant grin.
"What's so funny?" Marika's voice sounded right next to her ear, the only way she could be heard in the din of music and voices.
Rhi leaned closer to the woman's ear and pointed out the firefighter and her enthusiastic date. "A friend of yours," she said casually, even as she inhaled the scent of her friend's hair.
Marika followed her gaze and eyed the amorous couple disinterestedly. With a small shrug, she said, "Not really a friend. I only talked to her once, though she did ask me out last weekend."
Rhi stiffened and glared at the oblivious firefighter before realizing what she was doing and deliberately looking away. Striving to sound casual, she asked, "Did you go out then?"
The lawyer shook her head. "No, I had better things to do." Looking at Rhi, she grinned. "I had to teach a certain someone how not to run into dumpsters, and how to appreciate Japanese cuisine."
Incredulously, Rhi realized that this gorgeous woman had turned down a date with that...firefighter to spend the day with her. She stared in disbelief, but Marika had turned back to the dance floor and was watching Lee and Dana with a smile. Rhi felt an irrepressible grin split her face, and, sure that her feelings were clearly on display, was very glad Rika wasn't looking her way at that moment.
A harried server came by just then and stopped by their table. "What can I get you?" she asked gruffly, her eyes scanning her other customers even as she waited for their order.
"A couple of drafts, whatever you have on tap is fine, and Rhi? Do you want to try a wine cooler?"
Rhi had no idea if she'd like it, but was quite willing to follow her friend's suggestion so she nodded.
"And two peach coolers too," Marika finished their order.
The server hurried off, and Rhi dug out her wallet. When the lawyer tried to make her put it away, the smaller woman frowned.
"Nope, this one is mine. Besides, I owe Lee a beer, remember?"
Marika conceded with good grace, and the out of breath dancers arrived back at their table almost at the same time as the drinks. Lee downed half her beer in one swallow while Dana sipped more decorously. The lawyer watched Rhi's reaction and looked pleased when the smaller woman signaled her appreciation of the cooler.
Lee and Dana bounced between the dance floor and their table, but it took another cooler before Rhi worked up her courage to accept Marika's invitation to give it a try. She followed the tall blonde closely as the lawyer led them to a less crowded corner of the floor. When the ubiquitous two-step started up again, Marika gently positioned Rhi's hands and held her firmly as she guided her through the steps.
"That's it, Rhi," she encouraged. "Step, step, slide. You're doing great!"
Rhi fell into the pattern easily and followed her partner's lead as they whirled around the edge of the crowded floor.
"It's easier if you don't watch your feet," Marika suggested with a smile.
With a sheepish grin, Rhi quit looking down and instead looked at her partner, focusing on the soft gray eyes that were beaming approval of her efforts. Lost in that gaze, she quickly forgot her nervousness and simply absorbed the pleasure of the dance, the music and her partner.
When the dance ended, Marika simply held Rhi's hand waiting for the next number. When it turned out to be a slow dance, she cocked her head at her young friend inquiringly. When Rhiannon nodded shyly, she drew the smaller woman into her arms and let her body lead in a slow, sensuous dance.
When the music ended, Rhi felt very unsteady on her feet and didn't protest when Marika suggested returning to their table for a bit. Lee and Dana were grinning at them as they approached, but when they sat down, the conversation only revolved around how great the band was.
The next hour passed swiftly as she and Marika were up on the dance floor as often as Lee and Dana. She mastered the two-step, thrilled to each slow dance, and even tried a polka. That attempt left both women laughing as they headed back to their table to catch their breath. Rhi dropped into her chair, and Marika placed a hand on her shoulder. When she looked up at her dance partner, the lawyer gestured towards the back of the club.
"Just going to the washroom. I'll be back in a moment, okay?"
Rhi nodded her understanding and watched as the graceful woman made her way through the crowd. When she realized where her gaze had settled, she flushed and grabbed for her drink. Embarrassed by her own reaction, she stared at the tabletop, sure her blush could be seen across the club. Grateful that their friends were still up on the floor, she drew in a deep breath trying to calm herself.
Chaotic thoughts and emotions tumbled over themselves, and she turned the bottle in her hand wondering if she could blame the alcohol for what she was feeling. But she knew she wasn't even tipsy, having barely sipped her way to a third cooler. Resolutely, she decided she would t
hink about all this later when her head was clearer, and the company and the atmosphere wasn't influencing her.
Blindly staring at the bottle, she never even noticed when a woman came up and knelt beside her.
"Hi," the sandy haired woman said, as she leaned on Rhi's chair. "Would you like to dance?"
Startled, Rhi looked at the woman who was regarding her expectantly. She was a pleasant looking woman with friendly, open, blue eyes, and she waited patiently for an answer.
"Um, I..." Before Rhi could stutter out an answer, two familiar hands settled on her shoulders.
The stranger glanced up. "Oh, sorry," she said, standing and smiling apologetically. "Didn't know she was taken." She nodded amiably and retreated into the crowd.
Rhi looked up to where a somber Marika was staring after the stranger. When the lawyer glanced down, Rhi smiled at her. "Saving me from suitors?"
Marika's eyes softened and she grinned back. "Only if you want me to. Did you want to dance with her?"
The smaller woman laid her hands over the ones still lightly resting on her shoulders and teased, "Nope. I've just barely got you broken in."
That got her a laugh, and Marika offered her a hand. "Well then, let's hit the floor again."
The rest of the night passed swiftly, and by the time the band called the final dance, Rhi's feet were sore from the unfamiliar workout. Moving slowly in her partner's arms for the last dance, she was completely contented. When it ended, Marika led her off the floor to join Lee and Dana, and the four joined the slow-moving crowd exiting the club.
Rhi didn't even realize until they'd emerged outside that the lawyer was still holding her hand. She glanced shyly at the other woman and down at their interlocked hands. Marika instantly loosened her grip and shrugged sheepishly.
"Um, sorry."
"No problem."
They didn't say anymore as they headed for the car, but Rhi found herself unconsciously curling her hand, seeking the lost warmth. Once inside the car, Dana fastened her seat belt and asked, "Where to first?"
Marika turned to Rhi and said earnestly. "It's past two AM. Why don't you stay at my place tonight, and I'll run you home in the morning, okay?"
Rhi thought for a second. She could probably sneak into her aunt's house without being detected, but the thought of returning there after such a wonderful day was abhorrent.
"Yeah, all right. But only if I take the day bed this time. I'm not putting you out of your own bed again."
For a moment, Rhi thought Marika was going to say something, but she only turned to Dana and said, "Can you drop us both at my place?"
"Not a problem," Dana said cheerfully as she put the car in gear. The ride to Marika's condo was quiet, the women too tired now from the full, busy day to talk.
Rhi and Marika bid a quiet goodnight to Lee and Dana, then disappeared into the building.
Lee looked at her partner speculatively. "Am I right?"
Dana nodded slowly. "Could be, my love."
"You don't seem too happy about it."
The stocky nurse sighed. "I like Rhiannon. You know that."
"But?"
"But I'm worried. What if she's only experiencing her first crush and it really doesn't have anything to do with Rika? What if our friend loses her heart to that little girl, only to have it crushed again when Rhi moves on? Honey, I'm not sure how many more times that can happen before Rika doesn't have much left to crush."
Lee sat silently, absorbing her partner's words. Then slowly she said, "From what I saw tonight, they at least deserve a chance. There was a helluva lot chemistry crackling out on that dance floor."
"Uh huh. I'm not denying that, hon. I'm just not sure it'll be enough."
"Ughh," Lee groaned. "I'm too tired to think about this tonight. Let's go home."
Dana chuckled and put the car into gear. "Okay. I have to go soak my feet anyway."
"All that walking and dancing wore them out, eh?" Lee offered with a grin.
Dana raised one eyebrow wryly. "Sure, love. Let's go with that."
They laughed together as they headed for their home.
Chapter Seventeen
MARIKA SLOWED HER pace a bit to match the stride of her smaller companion. Despite a light drizzle, that was as much mist as rain, the women were walking the sea wall around Stanley Park. The waves of the Pacific slapped the concrete barrier on one side and stands of stately Douglas fir, hemlock and cedar, broken periodically with lushly cultured gardens, grew in profusion on the other. Almost a thousand acres, Canada's largest urban park provided many kilometres of walking trails through a verdant park set against a backdrop of ocean and mountains. As much as the lawyer enjoyed her own city, she had to admit that for sheer beauty, this city won out.
Marika was deriving a lot of enjoyment from Rhi's obvious pleasure in their trip. What would normally have been a routine business trip, had turned into an adventure as her assistant reveled in every aspect of the journey, not even minding the lengthy check-in lines or the long wait for their luggage and a cab once in Vancouver.
The lawyer smiled, recalling her wide-eyed assistant as the aircraft had taxied for take-off. At the time she'd wondered if Rhi would take to the experience or be a white-knuckle flier. Her musings had been answered once they were in the air. Rhi had turned to her with a big smile and said, "That was fun!"
Marika had laughed, something she'd found herself doing a lot of lately around her friend. "Glad you liked it, Rhi. Enjoy it while it lasts. It's not a long flight between Calgary and Vancouver."
The women had arrived in Vancouver late in the afternoon, and much to the lawyer's disappointment, she had found that the Symphony of Fire she'd wanted to take Rhiannon to at English Bay didn't start for another week. Rhi hadn't seemed upset by their change of plans though, more intent on inspecting her room once they arrived at their hotel, the Sandler Arms.
With adjoining rooms, they'd immediately opened the connecting door. Marika had left her unpacking to lean against the doorjamb, watching her assistant eagerly examining all the features of her room. She'd grinned widely when Rhi picked up the price sheet for the courtesy bar. As she'd expected, the young woman had been outraged by the cost and vowed not to open so much as a bag of peanuts.
After unpacking, they'd gone out for dinner further down Burrard Street--to a restaurant that Len Owen had recommended when Marika had called him earlier in the week. As she strolled beside her companion, the lawyer made a mental note to congratulate her colleague on his recommendation. The women had dined on sweet basil crepes and pan-baked fresh salmon filet with a blackberry-tarragon sauce. She'd managed to conceal the cost from Rhi by putting everything on her corporate card, and the other woman's pleasure in the fine meal was untainted by price concerns.
Now they were ambling along the sea wall, walking off their dinner and enjoying the slapping of the waves beside them. Rhi had never seen the ocean, and she'd insisted on lying down on the wall to dip her fingers in the water. Marika had watched her closely, not quite trusting her exuberant companion not to fall in, amused by the face she made when she licked her fingers.
"It really is salty," Rhi commented, standing and wiping her fingers on her pants.
"Well, it is the Pacific," Marika agreed, then nodded out towards the bay where a catamaran was tacking to avoid a yacht under full sail. "Pretty, aren't they?"
"Yeah. There sure are a lot of them. I'm kind of surprised they'd go out in this weather."
Marika chuckled. "Living around here, you'd never get outdoors if you were afraid of a little rain."
Rhi nodded her understanding, then laughed as she pointed just ahead of them. Two seagulls were squabbling over a piece of bread that had been dropped on the path. The two women waited until the dispute was resolved and the victor flew off with the crust in its beak.
Resuming their walk, Rhiannon asked, "So what's the schedule for tomorrow?"
"I'd like to check in with the office by eight. The hearing is scheduled to star
t at 9:30, and Dr. Tsang and his wife will meet us at the IRB," Marika said, referring to the Immigration and Refugee Board. "Its office is also on Burrard and not far from the our branch office, so we'll be able to walk between our hotel, the office and the IRB. It's a fairly complex case so I expect it will take most of the day, but we should be done by dinnertime. I thought maybe we could go to Gastown for the evening and then, assuming the hearing doesn't go into a second day, we'll fly home the next morning."
"Gastown?" Rhi asked, looking at her curiously.
"Uh huh. It's a historic part of the city, complete with cobblestones and fancy lampposts. It's full of native craft shops, art galleries, and antique shops. It's a great place for people watching; and you can find anything from gourmet dining to bistros and sidewalk cafes, to pubs and comedy clubs." Marika smiled at her companion. "I thought you might enjoy checking it out with me."
"Sounds great," Rhi enthused, "but why is it called Gastown?"
Marika frowned slightly as she tried to recall, but finally shook her head. "I know it was named after a character named Gassy Jack, but I don't know the whole story. There is a statue of him right in Gastown, so maybe there's a plaque or something there that tells the whole story."
The lawyer could tell by the smile on her companion's face that Rhi approved of her plans, and she gave a little mental sigh of relief. Despite the fact that this wasn't a holiday, she'd wanted to make it more than just a business trip for the younger woman. She strongly suspected that her friend had never had a vacation in the traditional sense.
They walked along in amiable silence for a while until Rhi asked, "What is a hearing like?"
"Well, we'll be there representing Dr. Tsang, his wife and children. The opposing counsel represents the Minister of Immigration, and the board hearing the case generally has one or two members. We'll present our case for refugee status, and opposing counsel will try to find the holes in our arguments. The board may rule immediately, but more likely will reserve judgment for a few weeks."
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