by Robin Hicks
Koty was dressed in jeans that were so worn they were almost white. Black boots, black belt, and a plain black and white flannel shirt. The image made Kasey's jeans a little to tight around the crotch.
"You ready to go?" Koty asked, penetrating into her thoughts.
"Uh...yeah, I'm ready." 'For more than one thing.' She mentally scolded herself for her thoughts.
They got into Kasey's Mustang, and headed for the interstate. Both were quiet for a while until Kasey could take the silence no longer. "It's about a two hour drive from here, but the drive is pretty scenic and it's beautiful where we're going. I used to take this trip a lot, and I always did love the drive. By the way, I didn't know if they would have it there, so I picked you up a bottle of Crown Royal."
A little surprised, Koty just grinned. "Thanks, that was very thoughtful of you."
"You're quite welcome."
"So, how long have you had this horse? I am trying to picture you with this cowgirl hat and chaps." 'Oh my, what a vison.'
"God, Tonka's 18 years old, and I've had him for about 16 years. When my parents moved to Texas, I moved him to Dina's barn. When I lived in Richmond, I would go every weekend to ride him. Since I've moved back to the beach, I don't get out there as often."
Kasey leaned across Koty's lap, and reached into the glove compartment for some CD's. "Do you mind listening to Melissa Etheridge?"
"I love Melissa. Um...What is that perfume you're wearing Kasey?"
"It's Halo, I just bought it the other day. I've been eye balling it for a while though. Do you like it?"
"Uh, yeah. It smells really good." 'Too good actually, and I know where Halo is purchased from.' 'Fredericks of Hollywood'. Koty thought. 'Yummy.'
Kasey turned up the volume on the CD player, and Koty was a bit relieved that conversation would stop, at least for a while. Leaning a little on the door she studied Kasey's profile. Smelling that perfume made her want to bury her face in Kasey's neck. She physically shook herself to shake off the urge.
Seeing Koty shake, Kasey asked. "Are you cold Koty?"
"Um, no. I'm fine." Embarrassed for being caught, Koty turned to face the windshield. 'Get a grip on yourself, you're loosing it!'
Both women said very little for the rest of the drive. They were enjoying the scenery.
They pulled into a tree shaded driveway that must have went on for a half mile until it opened up with fields on either side. Straight ahead was a beautiful old style home that had obviously been redone. Fantastically huge Oaks surrounded the home with rolling hills behind, and to the left of it. Koty saw that the porch wrapped all the way around it.
"Wow Kasey, you were right, this place is beautiful."
There must have been at least fifty cars and trucks parked in the field to the right of them. And it was only 2:30. "I bet this place gets packed by 5:00. I'm glad we got here when we did." Kasey said as she parked the car.
As they got out of the car, Kasey told Koty that they were going to find Lu and Dina so she could introduce her to them. Making their way through the massive crowd of women, Kasey heard her name called.
Turning to the sound of the voice, they saw Lee walking towards them. Pulling Kasey into a hug, then reaching for Koty's hand, she brought it to her lips.
"It's a pleasure to see you again Detective."
"Koty. Please call me Koty." Koty felt her cheeks heat up.
"Ok Koty, how have you been?" Lee said grinning.
"Um, I'm fine. How about you?" Koty was a little embarrassed at all of the attention.
Turning her attention, but not her eyes to Kasey, Lee told her, "Lu has been looking for you. I told her you would be here shortly, but you know how she is."
Finally releasing Koty's hand, she grabbed Kasey's, and pulled her towards the barn. "Come on hon, I'll take you to her so she will settle down."
Kasey turned her head and grinned at Koty, grabbed her hand, and pulled her with them.
Lee stopped in front of a woman with jet-black hair, and eyes just as black. "Looky what I found Lu."
Lu grinned, and pulled Kasey into a fierce hug. "Where have you been? God I've missed you woman. You always stay away far too long." Noticing Kasey holding a strange woman's hand, she asked, "who is your friend Kasey?"
"This is Koty, Lu. She's a detective in Virginia Beach. Koty, this is Lu. A very dear friend of mine."
"A detective huh? You sure don't look like any detective I've ever seen." Lu took in Koty's strong presence matched only by her own, and smiled to herself. "And damn if you aren't the prettiest one I've ever seen. It's nice to meet you Koty." Lu reached out to shake Koty's hand.
"I thought that all detectives had beer bellies, and were bald. You know, the kind that walks around with a lollipop in their mouth."
They all laughed thinking of the old show Kojac. Hearing the laughter, another woman came to Lu's side and kissed her cheek. "Koty, this is the better half of me. Dina, meet Koty, she's Kasey's friend."
Reaching out, Koty shook her hand. "It's really nice to meet you. You have a beautiful place here." 'Wow. She must be a model. Man, Kasey sure knows a lot of beautiful women.' She had the kind of eyes though that could probably melt steel if she were mad enough.
After a few more introductions and a tour of the house, Kasey was saddling up two horses. "This here is Tonka, Koty. You'll be riding him."
"Shit Kasey, Tonka sure is a good name for him. He's as big as a damn truck, and that's a hell of a ways down to fall!"
Laughing, Kasey placed her hand on Koty's back. "It's alright Koty, he is big, but he's as gentle as a lamb. You'll do just fine, I promise." Noticing the skeptical look on Koty's face, she quickly added. "Trust me."
Koty gave one of her crocked half smiles, but the corner of her lip started to twitch. Something that Kasey had already picked up on, that she did when she was nervous.
"Honest Koty, you'll really have fun. Just give it a go for me. Please?"
"Kay."
They had been riding for about twenty minutes, when Koty finally started to relax. She had to admit to herself that it was kind of fun, just the two of them in the woods.
Both women slowly rode side-by-side without talking, just enjoying the scenery. Koty thought that she could still feel the heat on her back from when Kasey had placed her hand there.
Koty was mesmerized by the country around her. The grass was actually the color of the green crayon in a box of Crayola Crayons. The different colors of the leaves on the trees took her breath away, reminding her of a place in the mountains that she loved.
Stealing a peek at Kasey's profile, then the hills around her, she relaxed even more, and took in the clean crisp air. 'Wow, what a beautiful day.'
Two hours later, after brushing down the horses and releasing them, Kasey asked Koty if she was ready for a drink.
"God yes. That was some workout. No wonder the cowboys walk all bow legged. It's gonna take a month for my legs to straighten out."
"God, what a big powder puff." Kasey joked as she started walking.
Just as they had finished getting Koty a mixed drink and Kasey a Coke, Lee approached them again. Sliding her arm around Koty's waist, she said. "Hey Honey, there is this really cute redhead over there in that crowd that says she knows you from way back when. I told her I would bring you over to her as soon as I found you, so come with me. The band is getting ready to start, and that's where she is."
Kasey surprised herself when she realized she was a little taken back by the amount of touching Lee was doing to Koty. Lee was one of Kasey's best friends and she knew that it was just her way, but it still bothered her a bit.
When they approached the woman that Lee was talking about, Koty immediately went to her, and as far as Kasey was concerned, pulled her into a much too close, and much to long of a hug. Then the woman had the nerve to soundly kiss her on the lips. They were obviously more than friends at one time or another.
Koty finally released the woman and turned to Kasey. "Kasey, I
'd like you to meet an old friend of mine Deanne. We've known each other for years, though we haven't seen each other in over a year. Deanne, this is Kasey. She works with Chris at the hospital.
Deanne told them that her new girlfriend was the lead singer for the band. This piece of news made Kasey relax a little, but not much. While Koty and Deanne talked for a while longer, Lee pulled Kasey aside.
"I told you Kase, that Koty is one fine looking lady. You had better stick to her like glue tonight, or you're gonna have a hell of a lot of competition."
Kasey silently looked around her, and noticed a lot of women eye balling Koty. Some were even gawking. Kasey gave a light smile to Lee. "I told you Lee, we're just friends." 'Then how come I want to go over there and claw their eyes out?'
Chapter Sixteen
During an intermission of the band, Koty told Kasey that she was going to the bathroom, and she would bring her a soda back with her. Twenty minutes later, when Koty still hadn't arrived back, she went to look for her.
She spotted Koty leaning against the wall of the barn. A woman, and her reputation that Kasey knew well, was blocking Koty with one hand on the wall, and the other on Koty's waist. Frowning, she walked up, took the drink from the detective, and grabbed her by the hand.
"Lets go finish watching the band Koty."
Koty had to duck underneath the woman's arm as Kasey pulled her.
The woman got an angry look on her face. "Still stingy with your toy's huh Kasey?"
"Yup, you know me so well don't you Carla?"
Kasey ended her sentence with that, and kept walking with Koty's hand still in hers. Koty wasn't sure why she was so mad, but decided it would be best to just let the subject drop.
"This is a great party Kasey, I'm glad you asked me to come with you."
Kasey stopped and turned to look at Koty, and their eyes locked for what seemed to be an eternity. Kasey finally released her gaze.
"It is a great party and I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. I'm sorry for the display back there, but Carla really knows how to be a bitch sometimes."
"Sokay."
Making their way back to the band, Kasey finally released Koty's hand, and stuck hers in her pocket to shake off the tingling that touching her caused.
It was after ten o'clock when Kasey asked Koty if she was ready to leave. "It's going to be pretty late by the time we make it back to the beach, and I don't want to fall asleep driving. And you, obviously aren't in any shape to drive." The doctor lightly laughed.
Koty just smiled as she got into the Mustang. 'I am definitely feeling no pain, but I haven't felt this good in a long time. I wouldn't change nothing about tonight. Well...'
For a long while, both women were quiet, just listening to the CD player. Kasey reached over and cut down the volume. "Tell me Koty, is your name short for something?"
Koty grinned. "You mean to tell me that my wonderful and loving sister-in-law didn't fill you in on my life's history?" Turning to face Kasey, she reached out her hand. "Dakota Silvers at your service ma'am."
Kasey laughed and shook her hand. "Dakota huh?"
"When Monty and I were born, our mother was going through this crazy stage of naming everything after the states, including our pets. So, we got our wonderful names, Dakota and Montana."
"So Monty is Montana huh? I didn't know that."
"Yeah, kind of cheesy ain't it?"
"Actually, I kind of like those names. They fit you both."
"Maybe, but the kids sure got a kick out of them when we were growing up."
"Chris told me that your parents died in a car accident."
For a moment Koty didn't say anything, and Kasey was instantly sorry that she brought the subject up.
"Yes they did. We were just seventeen. I had a three-day weekend from collage, and I wanted to come home to see my girlfriend. My car was in the shop so I asked them to come pick me up. They wanted to wait until Friday, but I had to insist that they come Thursday instead. "It started to snow really bad that day, and they were hit head on by a truck that crossed over into thier lane. It took me many years to get over the fact that it was my fault."
"Oh God Koty. I'm sorry I brought it up. That must have been really tough for you then."
"Still to this day, I have nightmares about it. Only in my dreams, I'm the one driving the truck. That was nineteen years ago."
It had become quiet again, and after a while, Kasey realized Koty had fallen asleep. Deep in thought, she felt Koty's head softly fall on her shoulder. Adjusting herself in the drivers seat, she tried to make Koty a little more comfortable.
About fifteen minutes before they arrived at her house, Koty woke up, and rubbed her eyes. Realizing where her head was resting, she quickly sat up.
"Jesus Kasey, why didn't you wake me up?"
"You looked so peaceful, I didn't have the heart. It's ok Koty, you didn't leave any drool marks or anything."
Koty blushed, and glanced at her shoulder just to make sure that she didn't.
Pulling into the driveway Kasey put the car in park, but didn't shut off the engine. "Well, thanks again for inviting me Kasey. Like I said, I had a great time."
"You're quite welcome Koty, and I'm glad you went with me. I too had a good time."
Koty leaned over and gave Kasey a light kiss on the lips. She started to pull back but stopped. This time when she leaned in she kissed her deeply. Koty heard a throaty moan and thought her heart would pound right out of her chest.
They both pulled away gasping, and Kasey could see the want in Koty's eye's.
Barely able to speak, Koty asked, "would you like to come in for a drink Kasey?"
Kasey slowly reached up, and put her hand on Koty's cheek. With her thumb, she traced the outline of her lips. "Honey, that would be the perfect ending to a most fabulous day, but I think we ought to take a rain-check. I think that you will thank me in the morning."
"I...Um...Goodnight Kasey."
Koty leaned over once again, but this time kissed her on the cheek. She got out of the car, walked up to the house and didn't look back. If she had, she would have noticed that Kasey was just sitting there staring at her door.
Kasey wanted nothing more than to run right into the house, and make love to Koty. She knew though, that she wouldn't be able to handle it if Koty pulled away from her again. 'It's best if I just take myself home right now.'
Koty had made herself a drink when she got into the house. She couldn't understand why Kasey wouldn't come in. She felt by the way that she kissed her back that she wanted to just as much. 'Right, that's just wishful thinking.'
Chapter Seventeen
Sunday morning, Koty woke to the ringing of the phone. 'Ugh, I'm gonna change my number! "Hello."
"Morning Koty, it's Jason. I followed Coleman yesterday like you wanted me to. He met up with some guys over at the new site on Battlefield. They were unloading some crates, and putting them in the building that's mostly finished. Even though the building is pretty much done, I found it kind of odd that they locked it up with chains tighter than Fort Knox. It isn't like there is anything that someone would want to rip off. They even have a guy hanging around the place like he's watching it or something."
"Doesn't that seem odd? Why all of the trouble? The property itself is pretty secure with security passing around there every half hour."
"That's what I thought too. Why don't I come and pick you up, and we can take a ride over and check it out?"
"That's a good idea Jason. Just give me a half hour to shower and get some caffein going through these veins. I'll see you in a bit."
During Koty's shower, she couldn't get Kasey out of her head. Her feelings were already way too strong for the other woman, and she felt that maybe she should pull back from her before she got in even deeper. If she were to fall in love with the Doctor, it would be a one sided love she felt sure.
She had just finished her second cup of coffee when Jason knocked on the door, and asked if she was ready. Silent
ly they drove to the site where Jason had seen the suspects the previous day. When they pulled off to the side, they watched as a pick-up truck stopped at the door, and two men started unloading more crates.
"Jason, that truck isn't one of Monty's. As a matter of fact, they never even work on Sundays. If anyone of them do, it's normally Monty. Something is definitely not right here. I need to talk to Monty some more about this, and do some more digging on Coleman."
The sat there for another ten minutes, and decided to leave before anyone saw them. "Koty, I'll talk to some of the guys at the station and see if they will keep an eye out when they go by here. We'll figure out whats going on."
Jason pulled up to koty's house and put his truck in park. "Thanks Jason. I'll see you tomorrow."
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Koty remembered that she had told Jamie she would go over to her house for dinner today, so when Jason dropped her off, she went directly to her car and headed over there. I'll have to face the Grim Reeper sooner or later so I may as well get it oner with, Koty thought toherself.
"Give me a hug, and go sit down and get comfy, I want to hear all about your day with Dr. Feelgood." Jamie said as she swatted Koty on the butt.
"Let me go get us something to drink, and let Trish know that you're here."
When Koty finished telling them yesterday's events with Kasey, Jamie started laughing, "I told you Trish, she's falling for the Doc!"
"Shit Jamie, just because she is the most sexiest woman I have ever seen doesn't mean I'm falling for her!" Koty sighed and finished her drink. "God, I do think about her all of the time though."
Jamie and Trish both just laughed. Trish stood up, kissed Jamie and patted Koty on the back. "I'm going to finish making dinner. You two just relax for a while and I'll call you when it's ready."
When Trish left the room, Koty told Jamie about her and Jason riding over to the construction site, and what they had seen. "I'm gonna take a ride over there after work on Thursday, and snoop around. Maybe I can come up with something to prove that Coleman is up to no good."
"Uh oh. I know that look babe. Look, you are the best at what you do but you're not the whole damn squad. Don't go there by yourself Koty. There's no telling what you might find."