Such Happiness as This

by Laina Villeneuve

  “Okay, you’re right. I want the big saddle,” Grace said after Robyn had finished putting her English saddle on her mare and lugged Kristine’s western saddle out of her shed. “Can’t you put that on Taj instead?”

  “Kristine’s saddle is the one set up for Bean. It’s got a breast collar and a crupper.”

  “That means nothing to me,” Grace said.

  Robyn laughed, taking a moment to admire how nice Grace looked. “Do you know why Kristine lent you her boots and jeans?”

  “She said my jeans were supposed to go over the boot, not the other way around.”

  “But it’s also the inseam. On Wranglers, the thinner seam runs along the inside of your leg, not the outside. It’s the opposite on your jeans which makes them less comfortable to ride in. The animal has to be comfortable too. This leather bit around the front keeps the saddle from sliding back. And this bit in back, the crupper, keeps if from slipping too far forward. That keeps Bean comfortable.”

  “Everything you’re saying just makes me think that a horse is much easier than a mule.”

  “Taj has a wider girth than Bean which is one reason Bean’s a very comfortable ride. He also has an incredibly smooth gait.”

  “How do you know all of this?”

  “I asked all the questions you’re asking, and Kristine made us swap rides one day. Don’t worry. I don’t think anyone you know will see you.”

  “If we do, you’re responsible for explaining why my mount is superior.”

  “Deal. You ready to roll?”

  “Sure.”

  They walked to the covered arena, and Robyn checked the saddles one more time before helping Grace from the mounting block into the saddle. She shortened the stirrups, letting her hands wander up Grace’s shapely calves as she did so.

  “Now I see why you invited me along, not just to show off your fancy pants.” Grace smiled, her eyes lingering on Robyn’s hands.

  Robyn felt her body flush. She pulled on her helmet, swung onto her own mount and directed Grace to follow her around the arena. After circling a few times, she asked Grace if she wanted to try trotting with Bean.

  “I like this speed,” she replied. “Go ahead and show off. I’ll just keep circling.”

  Robyn nudged Taj into a trot. She serpentined and broke away into smaller circles. Taj was a different creature in the arena than on the trail. She arched her neck and responded to the smallest of cues for each turn and shift in gait.

  As they worked, Robyn’s mind shifted from the flirtatious exchanges with Grace to her mount’s past. She imagined Penelope’s workouts, knowing from her trainer that she was an accomplished jumper. Robyn had taken the mare over some simple cross poles but was not experienced enough to work the mare to her full potential.

  Alone, she would have worked Taj longer, but knowing how little Grace rode, she cut her ride short, falling in alongside Bean.

  “So this is what you do, go around in circles? I can’t say I see the draw.”

  “Kristine hardly ever does any arena work. We ride trails or take the horses to the beach.”

  “I could maybe wrap my head around a ride on the beach.”

  “But it’s not your first choice for how to relax.”

  “I’ll admit a book and a glass of wine appeals to me more, but I could watch you all day.”

  Robyn smiled at the reins in her hands, not sure how to respond to Grace’s attention. “Let’s take them in.” As she expected, Grace groaned loudly as she dismounted and gimped beside Robyn as they led the animals back to the stalls.

  As Robyn pulled the bridles and saddles off, Grace grabbed her ankles and did several squats. “I’ve got a great idea. Let’s hit those hot tubs at Café Mokka after dinner tonight.”

  “I have a hot tub at the house,” Robyn said.

  “Even better!” Grace looked significantly more animated.

  “We’ll have to do it tomorrow, though. Mine heats by woodstove, so I need the whole afternoon to get it ready.”

  Grace stared at her. “Then let’s go to the ones in town.”

  “Your muscles will appreciate it more tomorrow anyway.” Robyn answered, stepping into the tack room. When she turned around after stowing her saddle, Grace blocked the doorway, hands back on her hips.

  “My treat.” She didn’t move to let Robyn by.

  Robyn balked, thrown by how quickly Grace had pegged her discomfort. She and Barb had argued about money so much that the topic seemed like a minefield. “You’re not very patient, are you?”

  “Not true. I gave you time to figure out you liked me,” she teased. She stepped into the dark of the tack room and slid her arms around Robyn’s waist. “And I’ll tell you right now I like to go out. I love restaurants, theater, seeing music live. I like to spend money, and I can see how that makes you put up your wall.” Her hands slid down around Robyn’s rear and she leaned in to kiss the spot on Robyn’s neck that always made her quiver. “But I live within my means. Don’t worry about money. Let me treat.”

  “Impatient and persuasive.”

  “Which goes a long way when I’m convincing people to part with their money to support the arts.”

  “I’d like to see you in action sometime,” Robyn said, imagining Grace working her charm.

  “Well, you’re in luck. I’ve gotten in touch with Ruth Mountaingrove and she suggested that we talk about her work over dinner. I was going to ask you to be my date.”

  “I’d love to meet her.”

  “I’m going to enjoy getting you out.”

  “Can I say I’ll enjoy getting you to stay in?”

  Grace smiled radiantly. “I certainly see the merit of staying in.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Passion

  “Thanks for letting me borrow the truck,” Tyler said, holding up the keys.

  Robyn cut the power to her lathe and ran her hand over the largest of the nesting bowls she would get out of the huge burl she and Isabel had pulled off the beach. She was close to having the rough spin finished and was pleased not to find any cracks or holes that sometimes plagued the bigger pieces. “Anytime,” she said, pocketing them. “Did you have any luck?”

  “I picked up a great set for next to nothing. They hardly need any sanding at all. No priming like I’ve had to do on those first ones from the estate sale.”

  “Do you want a hand carrying them in?”

  “Sure.” His eyes sparkled as he turned to walk back out to the street with a definite bounce in his step.

  It pleased Robyn to encourage the greenhouse project, and he’d made great progress by visiting the recycling center and hitting more estate sales. With his latest acquisition, he could probably begin the process of framing the house and fitting in the hodgepodge of old windows he’d collected.

  “Are you going to work on them tonight?” she asked when they’d carried in the last of the windows.

  “No. First thing tomorrow. I…I’ve got other plans tonight.” He glanced away. “I’ve actually got to get going.”

  Robyn swung the doors of the garage shut. “I’m calling it a night too.” They walked in silence to the house, Robyn turning at the steps to her back door, and Tyler continuing to the gate.

  “I do appreciate it,” Tyler said just as Robyn was about to step inside.

  “You’re welcome.” She smiled and walked to the kitchen sink to wash her hands. She breathed deeply the smell of something wonderful cooking. The kitchen was cozy from the warmth of the oven, and something both sweet and spicy made her mouth water.

  On the walk in front of the kitchen window, Tyler shut the gate and turned toward the street. Something caused a pause in his step. Sergio, a wiry Latino, strode toward the house, glancing briefly at Tyler as they passed. Sergio’s expression went from curiosity to annoyance in an instant. Tyler zipped his coat and regained his long stride, stuffing his hands deep in his pockets. Sergio stopped, turning to watch Tyler as he made a left at the sidewalk and headed toward town. He s
tood rooted until Tyler was out of sight before he shook his head and continued toward the house.

  Curious, Robyn turned off the tap. She had no context for the animosity she had read in Sergio, yet the interchange puzzled her. Did Tyler and Sergio know each other?

  Reaching for a towel to dry her hands, she stopped at a new shiny steel bucket sitting on her counter. She lifted the lid and found it empty. A pot of chili simmered on the stove.

  She reached for a spoon and startled when arms slipped around her middle.

  “Sorry I scared you,” Grace murmured, pressing her body against Robyn’s back.

  “I was distracted by all this.” She gestured to the stove.

  “Hope you don’t mind that I took over the kitchen.”

  “What happened to the scraps?”

  “I took them to the compost. And I got you this.” She gestured toward the compost bin.

  Robyn was mystified. She was the only one who ever tended the compost.

  “Is something wrong? Did I overstep?”

  Robyn faced Grace and wrapped her arms around her. “No. Not at all. Compost just seems a lot like barn duty which, as I recall, you foisted on me.”

  “I felt pretty confident the gross stuff would stay at the end of the pitchfork.”

  “Are you finished with rehearsal already?”

  “I had to pull out the corn bread. I didn’t know if you’d be in yet. But we just called it a night. We’re more than ready for the wedding this weekend.” She leaned in and kissed Robyn soundly. “I’ve been thinking about you,” she murmured when she drew away.

  Grace’s words even more than the kiss sent a shiver of desire through Robyn. “Have you?”

  “All day,” Grace confirmed. She pulled Robyn’s polo from her jeans and slipped her hands underneath to caress Robyn’s smooth stomach. “The way I see it, we have two options. The corn bread is ready. We could serve up the chili and sit right down to eat.”

  “Or?”

  “Or we can let the chili continue to simmer while we work up an appetite.” The kiss that followed gave a strong hint of what Grace thought was the right answer. When Robyn’s feet failed to convey her level of interest, Grace cupped Robyn’s breasts, her thumbs teasing the nipples.

  The sound of feet on the stairs broke them apart. Grace frowned and refused to let go of Robyn right away. “If it weren’t for your having tenants, I’d have my hand down your pants right now to find out how effective that kiss was.” For emphasis she gently traced up the seam of Robyn’s jeans, following it to her center.

  Robyn’s heart pounded with desire and amazement. The two of them were still so new as a couple that Grace’s advances caught her off guard. Of course, the years of complicated foreplay with Barb had programmed her to think that the kind of kiss Grace had just given her was only appropriate in a bedroom. Sex happened in a bed at bedtime. To suggest something else, especially out loud, would have only served to shut Barb down and put her in a black mood that could last for days.

  “Whatever you’re thinking…stop.” Grace took her hand and led her toward the stairs. She gripped tighter, preventing Robyn’s escape, when they met a bright-eyed Jen in the foyer having seen the other musicians out. “Chili’s on the stove if you want some.”

  She offered no more as she took the steps, leading Robyn exactly to where she wanted her. Robyn’s head felt full as she welcomed all the new truths of her life. This woman wanted her without question or condition. In Robyn’s room, Grace closed the door and made quick work of stripping off her clothes.

  Robyn pulled off her polo slowly, mesmerized not only by the beautiful bounty of Grace’s skin but also her absolute comfort in her nakedness. She dropped her shirt and reached for Grace.

  “Not so fast.” Grace clucked her tongue. “You’re way behind.” She helped by unclasping Robyn’s bra, stroking from shoulder to wrist with her fingertips as she removed it.

  “I’m always playing catch-up with you.”

  Grace ran her hands up Robyn’s bare chest and lowered her head to suck one nipple as she caressed the other. She unbuttoned Robyn’s jeans and pushed them off her hips. “Not this time,” she said, backing Robyn to the loft steps. “This time you’re first.”

  Robyn stopped when her naked rear touched the step behind her. She lifted a foot to climb, thinking only about getting to her bed, but Grace stilled her with a hand on her thigh and she realized Grace had no intention of letting her move. Keeping her perched against the step, Grace pulled down Robyn’s jeans, her eyes locked with Robyn’s. She knelt to free Robyn’s legs. Her hands returned after she discarded the jeans, warm and sure on Robyn’s calves.

  At Robyn’s knees, Grace’s hands pivoted, her thumbs now pushing at the insides of Robyn’s thighs. Robyn tipped her head back, losing herself in Grace’s touch. Grace pushed Robyn’s thighs apart and hot breath joined the path to Robyn’s core. Robyn shivered as Grace’s thumb traced through her wetness, and she was helpless to hold back a groan when Grace followed the path of her thumb with her tongue.

  “You are so ready,” Grace purred, slipping a finger inside.

  Robyn hissed with pleasure as Grace teased her, and she grew hungry for more. In bed, she would have raised her hips to ask, but she’d never been in this position before. She held onto the sides of the steps, testing whether she could lower herself.

  “Oh, that’s better,” Grace said, slipping her left hand around Robyn’s ass and entering further with her right.

  Robyn opened her mouth to agree, but there were no more words, only hot and wet and deep, her orgasm crashing through her like an unexpected storm. She gave herself over to the waves pounding through her. When she finally stilled, Grace was there in front of her, tracing her body, kissing her with lips heavy with her own scent. “That was a bad plan,” she finally managed.

  “What was wrong with my plan?” Grace demanded, humor in her voice as she continued to pet Robyn’s curves, teasing the curls between her legs.

  “My legs are useless now. I can’t move.”

  “I think you can with the right motivation.” Grace leaned forward and reached for the stair behind Robyn, her breasts brushing Robyn’s face. She found the step behind Robyn’s back and raised herself up, offering Robyn her belly.

  Robyn realized where the next step would put Grace’s body in relationship to her mouth, but instead of pausing and giving Robyn a chance to taste her, Grace shimmied the rest of the way into the loft. Laughing, Robyn spun around and made haste to follow.

  “Glad to see I can motivate you.” She lay seductively on the mattress, her body an open gift.

  Robyn moved between her legs, matching the landscape of her body to Grace’s. Grace groaned appreciatively when Robyn found her clit with her own and started to grind. She raised her legs and pulled Robyn closer. Robyn wished she could slip inside Grace, but Grace held on so tightly, all she could do was continue rocking. She lowered her lips to Grace’s neck and nipped at Grace’s earlobes and neck. Grace’s stomach muscles quivered beneath her as she came.

  “That hardly seems fair. I didn’t even get to touch you.”

  “But I love where you are.” She gripped Robyn’s rear more tightly. “I’d love it even more if you were inside of me. Next time maybe we could add a little something.”

  Robyn lifted her body, so Grace could lower her legs.

  “No?” Grace asked hesitantly.

  “Yes. Yes, absolutely. I…I’m sorry. I’m just getting used to all this.”

  Grace shifted to her side and ran her hand along Robyn’s hip. “You were in a relationship for years. How is sex something to get used to?”

  “I never knew sex could be fun. It was always loaded with all sorts of other emotions, but it was never like this. It was never fun.”

  Grace’s hand stilled. Then tenderly, she traced Robyn’s face. Robyn drew back a little, thinking that Grace was going to pity her or worse ask why she never demanded more. Grace surprised her by saying simply, “She
was an idiot.” Then she added, “and I’m hungry. For more of this, you can be sure, but first food.” She threw herself back on the bed dramatically. “If only you didn’t have tenants. How can you stand sharing your home with all of these people, not being able to walk to your kitchen naked if you want to?”

  “I don’t imagine you’re walking around your house naked these days.”

  “No, but that’s a recent development.” She raised herself up on her elbows. “And not permanent.”

  “What’s he up to tonight anyway? He said that he had plans.”

  “I don’t know. I guess I should give him a call and check in.” She sighed deeply and started to sit up.

  Robyn stayed her with a hand on her chest, still amazed by how easy it was to touch her. “Stay. I’ll grab dinner and bring it up. I’ll bring your phone too.”

  Grace immediately lay back down. “You’re a goddess. I promise to make it worth your while.”

  “I’m sure you will,” Robyn bantered, trying unsuccessfully to wipe the huge grin from her face. She took a deep breath to compose herself as she hurriedly threw on her clothes, anxious to hold Grace to her promise.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  “Ruth, that’s wonderful news. I’m so glad you convinced him to join us,” Grace said on the phone, adding another community photographer to her growing list of local artists traveling to the San Francisco Art Exhibition. The college had been reluctant to support her travel request for a trip to the city, but she’d argued convincingly that the talented artists could drum up interest and enrollment for the campus. Dropping Ruth’s name as one of the artists she was prepared to bring had helped, and she smiled at the recollection of how pleasant it had been to meet her over a business dinner.

  Even better had been Robyn’s interest in joining them. She wondered if Ruth might be able to persuade Robyn to join the artists taking their wares to the city. Her cell buzzed insistently in her purse. She stretched to reach her bag to silence it as she fielded Ruth’s travel and accommodation questions.

  Aaron waved from the door, trying to direct her attention to the flashing light on her phone that told her yet another call demanded her attention. She closed her eyes to give Ruth her full attention as she wrapped up the call.