Evey smiled in her sleep, dreaming about lying next to Joan. The hand stroking through her hair felt so soft and real. She reached up and took the hand, bringing it to her lips once again.
"I'd enjoy that more if you brought those beautiful, warm lips up here and really kissed me," she heard. Evey jerked upward and stared down into soft, brown eyes.
"You're awake!" she said.
"You're so beautiful," Joan said.
"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Evey asked.
"Okay. Now that you're here. Are you all right?"
"Still a little chilly."
Joan gave her a half-smile. "Want to join me under these blankets? They're very toasty. I'd be glad to share."
Evey couldn't stop a chuckle. "I bet you would."
"Come up here, woman, so I can feel you close to me," Joan said.
"I don't want to hurt you," Evey said.
"You'd never hurt me unless you refused to let me touch you."
Evey shivered slightly.
"Cold?" Joan asked.
Evey shook her head. "Remembering the last time you touched me." Then her eyes filled with tears again. "I...I'm sorry you were injured because of me."
"Please Evey. I love you," Joan said. "Don't ever doubt that. I was injured because a deer decided to cross the road."
"I love you," Evey whispered as her lips met Joan's tenderly and passionately. Joan ran her good hand into Evey's hair as they both became lost in their newly discovered feelings.
"I don't know why the hell you're in a hospital," Charmaine's voice said. "Looks more like you need a hotel room to me."
Evey tried to move away, but Joan held her tightly. "It's customary to knock before entering a room, Charmaine," Joan said, her hand moving slowly along Evey's back.
Charmaine shrugged. "Nothing wrong with a little lovin' early in the morning," she said. "The others stopped for cafeteria coffee before coming up." She looked at her wristwatch. "So you've got about ten minutes to wrap up this love-fest before the thundering herd arrives." She turned to leave and stopped, adding, "Nice to see you again, Mrs. Chase. It's about damn time."
"What's she talking about?" Evey asked as she brushed Joan's hair back and stroked her cheek after Charmaine left the room.
"Charmaine knew I was in love with you before I was willing to admit it myself," Joan said. "I have very smart children and they apparently didn't get it from me."
Evey shook her head slowly. "You're brilliant."
Joan grinned. "You're biased."
"You're right," Evey said.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Joan placed her hand on Evey's neck and drew her closer. "Now kiss me again."
There was no hesitation as Evey brought their lips together again, pouring everything she felt into the connection. A loud knock at the door brought them breathlessly out of the kiss.
"Damn," Joan breathed.
"You'll be home soon, baby," Evey said as she traced Joan's lips with her tongue. "Then I can show you how I really feel."
"Still decent?" Charmaine asked as Evey opened the door.
Evey smiled at Joan and said, "Unfortunately."
Charmaine laughed and embraced Evey. "She's needed you," she said.
"I've needed her my whole life," Evey whispered in return.
Pushing past the two women, the others quickly filled the room, chattering simultaneously. Evey released Charmaine and returned to Joan's side, grasping her hand again, grounded by the strength she absorbed from her lover. My lover, she thought as she gazed down at Joan who smiled up at her warmly.
"When can we spring you, Mom?" Meg asked.
"The sooner the better," Joan said.
"Karina and the crew are making a few adjustments to make room for a bed if we need it," Tucker said.
Joan turned her gaze to Evey. "I might stay a couple of days to make sure there aren't any complications. I was planning to fly back here on Friday anyway."
Evey had made her decision the night before. "We can leave any time you're ready, sweetheart," she said, not looking at anyone except Joan.
"Are you sure?" Joan asked.
"I'm sure I want to be anywhere you are. I love you." Evey was certain she was blushing, but didn't care. "There's nothing here for me anymore."
"You know I want you with me, Evey. What about the farm?"
"There aren't many good memories there. I might offer it to Ralph. If he doesn't want it, I'll list it for sale. I won't be separated from you again."
"Am I old enough to hear this?" Meg asked, rolling her eyes.
"You're a Carmichael, for God's sake," Charmaine snorted. "Of course you're old enough. Now let's get organized. I've got a hot man waiting for me at home."
"It'll take me months to erase that image from my mind, Charmaine," Meg said.
"You're just jealous," Charmaine smirked.
As they all hugged and laughed before saying their goodbyes, Evey pulled Beth aside. "Would you pack some clothes for me? Tucker will get them on the plane."
"We'll see you again, won't we?" Beth asked.
"Of course, darling." She looked at Kristie. "You both will."
"You sure you're all right, Mom?" Tucker asked as he leaned down to hug Joan.
"I'm fine, sweetheart."
"I haven't seen you happy in a long time. We've all missed that part of you."
"I'm sorry, Tuck."
"We miss Mama, but not as much as you have. I imagine I'd feel the same way if I lost Giselle."
"It's an emptiness you can't begin to imagine." She glanced to where Evey was standing. "It takes someone very special to fill a void like that."
"I'm glad you've finally found someone. I think she really loves you, Mom."
"I hope so because I really love her." She patted his arm. "I'll see you all soon."
JOAN WAS EXHAUSTED by the time everyone except Evey was gone. She held her hand out and Evey took it.
"Tired?" Evey asked.
"A little. You're so beautiful," Joan said. "I'm so lucky."
Evey saw tears forming in Joan's eyes. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Do you need a nurse?"
Joan shook her head and looked up at a red-cheeked Evey. "There's something I need to tell you."
"You can tell me anything, honey," Evey answered softly.
"Promise not to laugh?"
Evey nodded as Joan's hand moved from under the blanket and took hers. Joan looked extremely worried. She didn't look at Evey as she opened her mouth to speak. "You're going to think I'm crazy. Maybe I am. I don't know."
"You're not crazy."
When their eyes met, Joan said, "Martine saved me." Once she'd said that the floodgates opened and she couldn't stop talking. "She was there and stayed with me until you arrived." Joan tried to continue, but was having a difficult time putting her words together. "When the water rushed into the car, I...I couldn't get out because my legs were stuck. I was going to drown. Then I saw her smiling at me, just like she used to. It calmed me and I knew I wanted to live." Her eyes searched Evey's face. "She didn't leave me. She told me how much she loved me and hated leaving me alone, but she didn't have a choice. She's waiting for me, Evey, but it wasn't my time after I'd found happiness again." She looked up. "Am I crazy? Was she only a hallucination?"
"No. No, she wasn't." Evey remembered what she'd seen and heard after Joan's rescue. Take care of her. "She loved you enough to want you to be happy now, sweetheart. Her love saved you. I promise to never forget that." Evey leaned down and kissed Joan's forehead.
A tap on the door brought the moment to an end as Dr. Douglas entered the room, pushing glasses up on his nose. "How is our patient this morning?"
"Ready to get out of here," Joan said.
"The good news is that your core temperature is up to almost normal. You should have your own physician check it out. The laceration in your leg will probably cause some discomfort, but heal in a few weeks." Douglas stopped as if thinking and scratched his head. "You were extremely lu
cky, Mrs. Carmichael."
Joan swallowed and held her hand out to Evey. "I have a lot to live for." She coughed and squeezed Evey's hand.
"I recommend plenty of bed rest and your stitches can come out in about a couple of weeks."
Joan looked at Evey and smiled broadly. "Spending time in bed. That is good news, doctor."
Evey smiled back. "Yes, it is. Very good news."
"When will I be released?"
"This afternoon unless you'd like to stay through dinner."
"Thanks, but I can wait until I get home. I'm sure I can find something to nibble on...in bed."
Evey covered her blushing face and shook her head while Joan laughed. The rest of her life would be everything she'd ever wanted but denied herself. She hoped she'd be able to adjust to the promise the future held.
About the Author
Originally from the Appalachian region of Eastern Tennessee, Brenda now lives in Central Texas, near Austin. She began writing in junior high school where she wrote an admittedly hokey western serial to entertain her friends. Completing her graduate studies in Eastern European history in 1971, she worked as a graphic artist, a public relations specialist for the military and a display advertising specialist until she finally had to admit that her mother might have been right and earned her teaching certification. For the last almost thirty years she has taught world history and political science. Brenda and her partner of sixteen years, Cheryl, are the parents of four occasionally grown children, as well as five grandchildren. Rounding out their home are three temperamental cats, a Poodle mix, and a Puggle puppy who snores like a freight train. She is looking forward to retirement sometime in the future. She may be contacted at [email protected] and welcomes all comments.
More Brenda Adcock Titles
The Sea Hawk
Dr. Julia Blanchard, a marine archaeologist, and her team of divers have spent almost eighteen months excavating the remains of a ship found a few miles off the coast of Georgia. Although they learn quite a bit about the nineteenth century sailing vessel, they have found nothing that would reveal the identity of the ship they have nicknamed "The Georgia Peach."
Consumed by the excavation of the mysterious ship, Julia's relationship with her partner, Amy, has deteriorated. When she forgets Amy's birthday and finds her celebrating in the arms of another woman, Julia returns alone to the Peach site. Caught in a violent storm, she finds herself separated from her boat and adrift on the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Her rescue at sea leads her on an unexpected journey into the true identity of the Peach and the captain and crew who called it their home. Her travels take her to the island of Martinique, the eastern Caribbean islands, the Louisiana German Coast and New Orleans at the close of the War of 1812.
How had the Peach come to rest in the waters off the Georgia coast? What had become of her alluring and enigmatic captain, Simone Moreau? Can love conquer everything, even time? On a voyage that lifts her spirits and eventually breaks her heart, Julia discovers the identity of the ship she had been excavating and the fate of its crew. Along the way she also discovers the true meaning of love which can be as boundless and unpredictable as the ocean itself.
Pipeline
What do you do when the mistakes you made in the past come back to slap you in the face with a vengeance? Joanna Carlisle, a fifty-seven year old photojournalist, has only begun to adjust to retirement on her small ranch outside Kerrville, Texas, when she finds herself unwillingly sucked into an investigation of illegal aliens being smuggled into the United States to fill the ranks of cheap labor needed to increase corporate profits.
Joanna is a woman who has always lived life her way and on her own terms, enjoying a career that had given her everything she thought she ever wanted or needed. An unexpected visit by her former lover, Cate Hammond, and the attempted murder of their son, forces Jo to finally face what she had given up. Although she hasn't seen Cate or their son for fifteen years, she finds that the feelings she had for Cate had only been dormant, but had never died. No matter how much she fights her attraction to Cate, Jo cannot help but wonder whether she had made the right decision when she chose career and independence over love.
Jo comes to understand the true meaning of friendship and love only when her investigation endangers not only her life, but also the lives of the people around her.
Reiko's Garden
Hatred--like love--knows no boundaries.
How much impact can one person have on a life?
When sixty-five-year old Callie Owen returns to her rural childhood home in Eastern Tennessee to attend the funeral of a woman she hasn't seen in twenty years, she's forced to face the fears, heartache, and turbulent events that scarred both her body and her mind. Drawing strength from Jean, her partner of thirty years, and from their two grown children, Callie stays in the valley longer than she had anticipated and relives the years that changed her life forever.
In 1949, Japanese war bride Reiko Sanders came to Frost Valley, Tennessee with her soldier husband and infant son. Callie Owen was an inquisitive ten-year-old whose curiosity about the stranger drove her to disobey her father for just one peek at the woman who had become the subject of so much speculation. Despite Callie's fears, she soon finds that the exotic-looking woman is kind and caring, and the two forge a tentative, but secret friendship.
When Callie and her five brothers and sisters were left orphaned, Reiko provided emotional support to Callie. The bond between them continued to grow stronger until Callie left Frost Valley as a teenager, emotionally and physically scarred, vowing never to return and never to forgive.
It's not until Callie goes "home" that she allows herself to remember how Reiko influenced her life. Once and for all, can she face the terrible events of her past? Or will they come back to destroy all that she loves?
Redress of Grievances
Harriett Markham is a defense attorney in Austin, Texas, who lost everything eleven years earlier. She had been an associate with a Dallas firm and involved in an affair with a senior partner, Alexis Dunne. Harriett represented a rape/murder client named Jared Wilkes and got the charges dismissed on a technicality. When Wilkes committed a rape and murder after his release, Harriett was devastated. She resigned and moved to Austin, leaving everything behind, including her lover.
Despite lingering feelings for Alexis, Harriet becomes involved with a sex-offense investigator, Jessie Rains, a woman struggling with secrets of her own. Harriet thinks she might finally be happy, but then Alexis re-enters her life. She refers a case of multiple homicide allegedly committed by Sharon Taggart, a woman with no motive for the crimes. Harriett is creeped out by the brutal murders, but reluctantly agrees to handle the defense.
As Harriett's team prepares for trial, disturbing information comes to light. Sharon denies any involvement in the crimes, but the evidence against her seems overwhelming. Harriett is plunged into a case rife with twisty psychological motives, questionable sanity, and a client with a complex and disturbing life. Is she guilty or not? And will Harriet's legal defense bring about justice--or another Wilkes case?
**Recipient of a 2008 award from the Golden Crown Literary Society, the premiere organization for the support and nourishment of quality lesbian literature. Redress of Grievances won in the category of Lesbian Mystery.**
Tunnel Vision
Royce Brodie, a 50-year-old homicide detective in the quiet town of Cedar Springs, a bedroom community 30 miles from Austin, Texas, has spent the last seven years coming to grips with the incident that took the life of her partner and narrowly missed taking her own. The peace and quiet she had been enjoying is shattered by two seemingly unrelated murders in the same week: the first, a John Doe, and the second, a janitor at the local university.
As Brodie and her partner, Curtis Nicholls, begin their investigation, the assignment of a new trainee disrupts Brodie's life. Not only is Maggie Weston Brodie's former lover, but her father had been Brodie's commander at the Austin Police Departme
nt and nearly destroyed her career.
As the three detectives try to piece together the scattered evidence to solve the two murders, they become convinced the two murders are related. The discovery of a similar murder committed five years earlier at a small university in upstate New York creates a sense of urgency as they realize they are chasing a serial killer.
The already difficult case becomes even more so when a third victim is found. But the case becomes personal for Brodie when Maggie becomes the killer's next target. Unless Brodie finds a way to save Maggie, she could face losing everything a second time.
Soiled Dove
In 1872, sixteen-year-old Loretta Digby fled her home in Indiana to escape an abusive step-father. Rescued from the streets of St. Joseph, Missouri by brothel owner Jack Coulter, she turns to the only work available. By twenty she became a much sought after prostitute catering to St. Jo's most influential men and dreaming of the day she can leave her past behind and start her life anew. Jack is enraged when he discovers his favorite employee's plan to leave. Bloody and beaten, Loretta is rescued by a young prostitute, Amelia Benson, and customer Reverend Cyrus Langford. Working with teacher, Hettie Tobias, who is traveling west for a teaching position in Trinidad, Colorado, Loretta and Amelia leave their former lives behind.
In the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains outside Trinidad, Clare McIlhenney has been struggling for years to make her father's dream of owning a cattle ranch in the west come true. Working with a few ranch hands and her foreman, Ino Valdez, Clare has slowly built the ranch over the last twenty years while overcoming everything that should have stopped her.
The Game of Denial Page 25