Always and Forever

by Lyn Denison

  “No. That’s okay,” Shann began.

  “Would it be any trouble?” Liz asked with a smile.

  “None at all.” Cindy picked up the phone on the counter behind her and turned back to them. She smiled over Shann’s shoulder. “No need to call. Here she comes.” She indicated with the handheld receiver before she replaced it.

  Shann turned slowly and saw Angie striding toward them. And everything else simply dissolved into the background. She took in the faint movement of Angie’s short fair hair, her well-defined brows, the way her lips curved upward in that ready smile. She was wearing her uniform of dark pants and blue short-sleeved tailored shirt and Shann’s gaze drank in the rise of her breasts, the sway of her rounded hips, her long, slim legs.

  And Shann had touched every wonderful, desirable inch of her.

  The now familiar surge of sybaritic hunger caught Shann unawares. It burned inside her to settle at her center and she was hard pressed to catch her breath.

  She wanted to narrow the distance between them, draw Angie into her arms, kiss her feverishly, make love to her again the way they had last night. And she knew for better or worse she had fallen in love with Angie Callahan. Desperately in love.

  Chapter Ten

  She loved everything about her. Her vivid green eyes. Her smile. Her ready sense of humor. The way she felt in Shann’s arms. The low, sensual sounds she made when they made love.

  Angie had reached them and although her smile encompassed them both, her eyes found Shann’s. “Hi.”

  Shann smiled, but her voice totally deserted her.

  “Hello, Angie.” Liz greeted her brightly. “We were hoping we’d see you. Would you like to join us for coffee?”

  “I’d love to.” Angie’s smile broadened.

  “Then I’ll go and save that table over there,” Liz said. “And get some goodies, Shann,” she added as she left them.

  Angie continued to gaze at Shann. Her eyes moved down, focusing on Shann’s lips, and after long moments her eyes met Shann’s again. “How are you?” she asked huskily.

  “Fine. And you?” Shann could almost cringe at her inanity.

  “A little spaced out but,” she drew a shaky breath, “wonderful.”

  Shann found herself drowning in the depths of Angie’s eyes again, and then someone said something over the loudspeakers, reminding Shann of where she was. “I have to get something to have with our coffees,” she said and made herself turn back to the glass-fronted display beneath the counter. At the sight of a plate of chocolate-dipped strawberries, Shann’s knees nearly gave way beneath her. “They all look so delicious,” she got out thickly.

  Angie leaned forward. “I can indubitably recommend the strawberries,” she said softly.

  Shann coughed, her mouth dry. “Maybe some ginger sticky date cookies,” she told the waiting Cindy. “Oh, and coffee and cookies for Angie.”

  “Put the bill on my tab,” Angie told Cindy but Shann protested, taking out her wallet and paying Cindy.

  “My shout this time,” she told Angie, and Angie acquiesced reluctantly.

  “Sit down and I’ll bring it over,” Cindy said, and Shann followed Angie over to the table where Liz waited for them.

  “I was just telling Shann how superb your coffee is here,” Liz said as they sat down.

  Shann slowly moved her leg so that her knee rested against Angie’s.

  Angie shot Shann a startled glance and then looked back at Liz. “Thanks, Liz. We started the coffee shop as an experiment and it’s been highly successful. We’re thinking we might expand to light lunches, like salads and gourmet sandwiches.”

  “That should go well, too. Sure beats a sausage sizzle.” Liz laughed.

  Cindy came over with a tray and distributed the drinks. She set the plate of cookies in the middle of the table and left them.

  “So you and Shann had a late night last night,” Liz said, cutting to the chase without warning.

  Angie slid a quick look at Shann, and a flush washed her cheeks.

  “I told Liz we were talking and forgot the time,” Shann said quickly.

  “Yes. We did.” Angie laughed. “You know me, Liz. Once I get started I can talk the leg off an iron pot.”

  “True.” Liz laughed with her. “Shann also tells me your unit is almost finished. Are you looking forward to moving back on your own?”

  “I am. It’s taken longer than I hoped it would, but I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed being back and having Ann spoil me.”

  Shann passed the plate of biscuits around.

  “Have Gerard and Amy finished their exams?” Angie asked politely before taking a bite of her cookie.

  Shann drew her eyes away, concentrated on her own biscuit.

  “They both finish next week. Amy on Tuesday and Gerard on Thursday, which is good,” Liz continued, “because they’ll be at home so Shann’s free to go up to Gympie to the Muster.”

  “That’s next week?” Angie glanced at Shann and she nodded.

  “I’ve planned to go up on Tuesday morning to get settled in. My first show is on Tuesday afternoon.”

  “How long will you be up there?” she asked.

  “For the week. I’ll probably come back on Sunday afternoon or if I’m too tired early Monday morning. From all accounts it’s a week of continuous music if you camp on the site.”

  “You’re camping?” Angie raised her eyebrows, and Liz chuckled.

  “You know you didn’t do camping very well when you were a kid,” Liz said. “If I remember rightly you always drove us mad wanting to go to the toilet in the middle of the night.”

  Shann grimaced. “I don’t remember that.”

  “Selective memory?” suggested her sister.

  “Well, everyone can rest easy,” Shann said dryly. “I suppose for me to call it camping would be stretching it a bit because I’ve been provided with a trailer or a campervan. So I’ll have a bed, a shower, all mod cons.”

  “Now that’s what I call camping,” Angie patted Shann’s hand.

  And Shann’s skin burned where Angie had touched her.

  “If I hadn’t had my surgery we’d have all gone up to see Shann’s shows,” Liz said regretfully. “You know I’ve yet to see Shann perform on stage.”

  “Really?” Angie raised her eyebrows in disbelief. “You’ll have to come down to The Blue Moon next time Shann’s playing.”

  “I told Liz you called in with some friends,” Shann put in quickly, and Angie smiled crookedly.

  “I think Liz knows why I was there, Shann.” She turned to Liz. “Maybe you can come along with me because I don’t intend to miss any of Shann’s performances.”

  “I might just do that.” Liz smiled at Angie. “Who knows, I could have hordes of women vying for my attention.”

  Angie laughed delightedly at the expression of horror on Shann’s face, and Liz joined in. “You always were easy to tease, Shann.” Angie took a sip of her coffee and winked at Shann over the top of her cup.

  “Now that’s the truth,” agreed Liz. She paused and looked at Angie. “About The Blue Moon, Angie. Does Ann know?”

  “About my sexual preference? Not in so many words.”

  “Do you intend to tell her?” Liz asked.

  Angie shrugged. “When I said not exactly, I meant I think she suspects. We just haven’t brought it out in the open. The right time will come up.”

  “What if,” Liz glanced at Shann, “you meet someone? Someone special?”

  Shann shifted in her seat. “Liz, maybe Angie doesn’t want to talk about this.”

  “It’s all right, Shann. And I know why Liz is asking me these questions. She’s your sister, and she’s worried about you.” Angie looked directly at Liz. “Hmmm?”

  Liz gave a soft laugh. “Something like that.”

  “I do intend to tell her as soon as I can.” Angie held Shann’s gaze.

  Shann swallowed. Her memories of Ann Callahan’s anger could still churn inside her. She had to admit she
was hard-pressed to see Angie’s aunt accepting the fact that Angie was a lesbian. When Angie put Shann herself into the equation, well, Shann’s reservations only deepened.

  Liz sighed. “Have you considered that it may not go as well as you hope Angie?”

  Angie nodded. “I think perhaps Ann and Mike are a little more open-minded than they used to be.”

  “Are you absolutely sure?” Liz frowned. “What if they’re not?”

  Angie shrugged slightly. “You’re right, I suppose. Maybe we can’t ever be sure about anyone. But how Ann and Mike react to the fact that I’m a lesbian is something that’s out of my control. I don’t want to hurt them, but I can’t change what I know’s right for me to suit anyone else.”

  Liz nodded. “And I’m sure Shann feels the same way. It’s just so difficult for you both.” She patted Angie’s hand. “I do hope it does go well. Now I’ll leave you two alone for a minute.” She drained her coffee cup. “I need to get a replacement bulb for my reading light.”

  Shann stood up. “I can get that for you, Liz.”

  “There’s no need, love. Stay there. I’m quite capable of performing this little chore otherwise I wouldn’t consider it. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Unless I run into Joe Radford. In that case I’ll probably need you both to carry the boxes of new lamps for the entire house that he’ll talk me into buying.”

  Shann watched Liz go, and suddenly she felt gauche and tongue-tied.

  “Liz seems to be recovering well,” Angie remarked.

  “Yes. I—” Shann met Angie’s beautiful green eyes. “I’m sorry she’s so nosy. She doesn’t leave any stone unturned when she’s seeking information.”

  Angie grinned. “I’ll bet Amy and Gerard have absolutely no secrets.”

  “Probably not,” Shann agreed.

  Angie’s smile faded. “You know Liz all but put me under a bright light after you left ten years ago. Luckily I couldn’t tell her much.”

  “Angie, I’m sorry Liz dragged you into it—” Shann began to apologize.

  “It’s okay, Shann. I wanted to help. I was worried, too. We all were. And Liz would have interrogated the entire suburb if she’d thought it would have found you. She loves you.”

  “Once a big sister always a big sister.” Shann tried to lighten the conversation.

  “Very much so. That’s why she wants to make sure you don’t get hurt again.” Angie replaced her cup carefully on its saucer. “She has no need to worry on that score,” she said softly.

  Her tone, her words, trickled over Shann like sweet, warm honey.

  “But I guess this is too public for that conversation,” Angie said regretfully. “And I suspect we’re both borderline sleepwalkers, hmmm?”

  “Good description.” Shann smiled. “But I’m also elated at the same time.”

  “Me, too.”

  Shann shook her head. “I was trying to work out how I was going to escape for a while so I could come over here to see you when Liz suggested coffee. I all but drove over here as the crow flies.”

  Angie laughed. “I’m glad you came. I was going to phone, but I thought you might think I was too needy or something.”

  “Well, I needed to see you,” Shann told her, and Angie grinned.

  “I feel like the cat with the cream. Lucky darn cat.”

  They laughed together.

  “Angie, about Ann and Mike,” Shann said seriously. “You know you don’t have to tell them anything on my account.”

  “Don’t worry, Shann. I’ve been pretty much preparing the way since I came home. I do think they already know, and I get the feeling Ann’s ready to discuss it.”

  “In a positive way?” Shann couldn’t help being skeptical.

  “I hope so.”

  Shann pulled a face. “It probably might not be the best idea to mention me specifically in that conversation.”

  Angie laughed. “You mean the notorious Shannon Delaney?”

  “That might not be far from the truth where your aunt’s concerned. I wasn’t exactly the flavor of the month back then with both sets of parents but especially with Ann.”

  “I know.” Angie sighed. “But I do think she’s quite aware she overreacted. She’s mellowed and apart from that, she’s been raving about what a wonderful boy Corey is and what a marvelous job you’ve done bringing him up on your own.”

  “I was on such tenterhooks the day she first came over I have no idea what transpired. I was too busy trying to walk on eggshells. But I do know I don’t have to worry about Corey. I’m a little biased, but I think he’s wonderful, too.”

  “He’s so very much like you. He is,” Angie repeated at Shann’s doubtful look. “And Ann and Mike are totally impressed about Corey getting that lump of a dog to actually take some notice.”

  Shann laughed. “It’s amazed all of us.”

  “Not that any of us will be sorry to see Tiger go next week.”

  Shann stilled and her gaze fell to her empty coffee cup.

  “Leigh and Evan and the kids are back from New Zealand,” Angie continued. “They’re in Melbourne at the moment, then they go on to Sydney. They’ll be coming home as soon as Evan finishes his business down there. The last Ann heard was it was supposed to be in the next week or so.”

  Hopefully when she was at the Muster, Shann thought. And she knew she felt a certain amount of relief knowing she wouldn’t have to face Leigh at the moment. “Well, no doubt I’ll catch up with them some time or other,” Shann said vaguely.

  Angie hesitated. “Will it be a problem?” she asked, sounding far more casual than Shann suspected she was.

  Shann considered the question. When she’d agreed to come home she was aware there was a chance she might see Leigh. Leigh who’d caused her so much pleasure and pain. She knew at first she’d felt a certain anticipation and that perhaps a small part of her had still clung to the faint hope that Leigh might admit she’d made a bad choice all those years ago. But would that change anything?

  “I don’t think so,” Shann replied cautiously.

  Angie looked down at the tabletop so Shann was unable to read the expression in her eyes. The silence grew, an uneasiness swelling between them. Shann searched for something to break the heavy weight of disquiet that seemed to have encompassed them, but eventually it was Angie who broke the silence. She raised her eyes to Shann’s.

  “Are you looking forward to performing at the Muster next week?”

  “Yes.” Shann relaxed, grateful that Angie had changed the subject. “I had hoped to go to the last one, but I couldn’t get away. It’s a definite highlight of the country music year.”

  “I wish I could see your show at the Muster,” Angie said. “I know you’ll be fantastic.”

  “Thank you.” Shann grinned. “And I wish you could come to my shows, too. Can you get away?”

  “You’d like me to come?”

  “Well, yes. I’d love you to,” Shann told her honestly.

  “But would I be able to find accommodation this late? Or perhaps I could just come up for the day.”

  “I have a trailer to myself. Sleeps six, I think.”

  Angie flushed. “You can have,” she paused and swallowed, “guests?”

  “Sure. I can check, but I can’t see why I can’t. Originally Corey was coming with me, but I didn’t want him missing any more school, not when he’s only just started at his new one. And he has exams next week, too. He’s so disappointed, and I’ve had to steel myself not to back down and say to hell with exams; of course you can come with me.”

  “I’d have to check my diary. I think I have a pretty full week, but maybe I could bring Corey up with me on Friday.”

  “Would you? Oh, Angie, he’d be dead chuffed.” Shann paused and swallowed. “Would you mind Corey being with us?”

  “No, of course not.” Angie smiled derisively. “I’ll take being with you whenever, however I can.”

  Shann smiled and gave Angie’s hand a squeeze. “I feel the same.” She lo
wered her voice. “Even if I’ll probably go crazy not being able to have an action replay of last night. I’m not sure about the sleeping arrangements in the trailer.”

  Angie reached out and took Shann’s hand, twined her fingers with Shann’s for long moments. “I wish . . . I want to kiss you so much,” she said thickly.

  Shann moved her knee slowly against Angie’s thigh, fancied she could hear the rasp of denim and garbadine. Her gaze dropped to Angie’s lips, fascinated by their shape, the way her tongue tip dampened their sudden dryness. Then Angie’s lips parted slightly, and Shann heard her catch a steadying breath.

  “Is that a police siren I hear?” she asked huskily, and Shann laughed softly.

  “If it isn’t it should be.”

  Angie reluctantly released Shann’s hand, and Shann saw Angie’s hand was unsteady as she ran it through her short fair hair.

  “We should—” Angie swallowed. “Liz will be back any minute and we don’t want to—”

  “Invite another interrogation?” Shann finished, and Angie nodded.

  “I’ll see what I’ve got in my diary for next week. I know I have to speak at a conference in Melbourne on Tuesday, and I also have some appointments down there at the same time, but I’ll let you know tonight. Okay?”

  “Sure. I hope you can manage to come.” Shann leaned back in her chair. “I won’t say anything to Corey until you know for sure. He’ll be really excited.” Shann grinned. “So will I.”

  Liz rejoined them then, and they chatted for a few minutes more before Liz looked at the time and said reluctantly that they should be getting back to their father.

  Just before four Shann left to collect Corey from soccer practice at school. Because Angie was coming over she decided to drive, and she waited in the car, watching the last quarter of an hour of the team’s ball-handling skills.

  As she watched Corey dribble the ball up the field, Shann stretched languidly, thinking of Angie, and she felt herself smile. It had only been hours since she’d seen the other woman, and she could barely wait to see her again. She had had no idea when she returned to Brisbane those few short weeks ago that her life would take such a turn and that she’d fall in love.