Kindling

by Agnes H Hagadus

  KINDLING

  By

  Agnes H. Hagadus

  ©2018 All Rights Reserved

  Dedicated to all my readers. Without you, I’m nothing. Special dedication to my sweet better half. I love you spitfire. And thank you to our daughter Miss Alex, gone but never forgotten, you are loved

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  #2HeartsOneDestiny

  The embers were dying in the fireplace. Jessie wondered how many other fires had blazed in the old fireplace. It had been restored, nearly to its former glory. Nearly everything on the old plantation had been restored.

  There were updates. The kitchen had been the most difficult to update, without losing any of the charm of the past. Jessie knew how lucky she and her wife had been to have the guidance of her best friend Jackeline.

  In fact, Jackeline had left her own bed and breakfast in capable hands while instructing the two novices. Thelma was an experienced business woman, who had been fairly successful over the years. But running a bed and breakfast entailed so much more than either had anticipated.

  It wasn’t maintaining the rooms or the grounds. It was the interaction with people. Jessie had never been one for crowds, unless it meant she was on the hunt for her next conquest. While those skills had merit, she was now fully committed to Thelma.

  The kindling Jessie added to the dying embers sparked for a moment. They sputtered. There was the undeniable smoke thickening by the second. As she added more kindling, the smoke slowly turned into a steady fire.

  As for Thelma, she had been hurt beyond words by one woman. It had caused her to keep a distance. Not only from those seeking romance, but friendship. If it hadn’t been for the persistence of their friend Candy…

  “Are you coming to bed?” Thelma had waited patiently for her wife to stoke the fire. Spring had sprung, but the nights were still a bit cool. Even for someone who had grown up in Michigan.

  Jessie cautiously placed the last of the firewood. It wouldn’t do to burn her fingers before she could sample the soft treasures her wife had to offer. When Jessie turned her attention fully upon her wife, she forgot all about being cautious.

  The young woman didn’t hesitate in picking up her wife. The training Jessie had endured as she had attempted to fulfill what she had thought was her lifelong dream came in handy at times. As did the fact she maintained her training so that she could become the handywoman of sorts around the bed and breakfast.

  For now, Jessie was nothing more than her soulmate’s lover. By the end of the week, they would be officially welcoming their first guests. The Loweridge Bed and Breakfast was unique in The South in that it was LGBTQI friendly. Not that they would turn away anyone. It was that they wanted a safe environment for people to celebrate. Or hopefully make a love connection.

  It was time to make that love reconnection. Jessie wondered what she had done to deserve a woman such as Thelma. If she remembered the words of her friend Candy, she knew it wasn’t whether you were worthy of love or not.

  It was the fact every person in the world deserves to be loved. Most know love, but the trick was to accept the love one was gifted with. Even the stoic Kathy had agreed. That said something as her best friend had not even known what love was before she had met her soulmate.

  Jessie eased her wife upon the bed. They’d chosen a bedroom on the second floor. It had called to them, for some reason. The view was breathtaking. There had once been fields of cotton, but now were fields filled with various fruit trees. There was also the gazebo that had served the couple on numerous occasions already.

  It didn’t take long before Thelma was in all her glory. There were times when Jessie would take her time. She would kiss every part of exposed skin as she declothed her wife. She would indulge in every taste there was to be taken.

  Then there were times when the young woman could not help the desire to see her wife naked. It still amazed Jessie how one woman’s love could make her want to forsake all others. It had never been like that. Not until she had met Thelma.

  The dark as night t-shirt was nearly ripped from Jessie’s body as she was in a hurry to join her wife in having no clothes upon her body. No bra was necessary for the young woman. The black jeans and cotton panties were discarded.

  Thelma’s breath caught. If it weren’t for her best friend Candy granting her friendship, she may never have taken a chance on a true relationship. She may never have allowed her soulmate into her life.

  Years upon years of closing herself off from everyone had been the norm for Thelma. It wasn’t only relationships of an intimate nature. It was forging any kind of connection with any human, even her employees over the years.

  Now, Thelma was married to the most beautiful woman in The South. Both Kathy and Candy would disagree, as would her wife. In Thelma’s opinion, her Jessie was nothing short of amazing, in every sense of the word.

  Her thought was halted as Jessie lowered herself. Though there was a noticeable height difference between them, it seemed their bodies molded together. Their breasts pressed together. The scent of their shared instant desire was intoxicating.

  Thelma couldn’t help the gasp of surprise as Jessie easily rolled onto her back. It meant Thelma was straddling her wife. The heat from their combined mounds nearly had Thelma reaching her sweet release.

  Somehow, Jessie managed to shift so that she was in an upright position. Her wife remained straddling her, but now they were staring into one another’s eyes. There remained a vulnerability in emerald eyes.

  Jessie knew it was because of the harm other women had done. There was one, in particular, that had caused her sweet Thelma so much pain. And was the reason it had taken so much for even friendship to be achieved.

  Though younger, Jessie knew, in a way, she would have to be the caregiver. She would have to be the one who protected her soulmate’s heart with every beat of her own heart. With every breath that she took, she would make certain no one ever harmed her Thelma again.

  The kiss was searing. There was no other way to describe it. The coming together caused their breasts to once again be pressed firmly together. There wasn’t much room between them.

  Thelma began to slowly rock against her soulmate. Their pulsating clits were barely touching. Still, it sent shockwaves throughout their entire bodies. It seemed every time they made love, it was as if they’d never given in to their full desires.

  Another gasp of surprise escaped Thelma as she felt Jessie’s hand slide between their sweat drenched bodies. It was with ease the slick folds were parted with Jessie’s index finger. Her own pinkie was gliding slightly over her own clit. It was enough yet drove her further insane.

  Their bodies rocked together in the rhythm of their souls. It was a dance many lovers had experienced over time. But it was unique to each couple. And can’t be duplicated, no matter how many times they made love.

  Between their breasts gliding and the pressure maintained by Jessie’s fingers, Thelma was nearing the edge. There were sometimes when she found her release too soon for her liking.

  This was, unfortunately, one of those times. It was a few more strokes of Jessie’s clit before the young woman joined her soulmate in sharing their release. Thelma slid her perspiration covered body along Jessie’s until she was lying with her head upon her lover’s chest.

  “Do you think any of those that have reservations will enjoy such pleasures as we just experienced?” Jessie felt Thelma shift slightly. “I’m sorry if that was crude. Sorry if I didn’t say I love you, which was my first thought.”

  Thelma couldn’t help giggling. “Jessie, I love you. But sometimes, you read too much into things.” Thel
ma positioned herself so she was staring into azure eyes. She began, idly, tracing the abs upon her wife’s stomach.

  The sensation was igniting the spark that was always near the surface for Jessie. Sometimes she hated how easily she was ready to make love. Most of the time she used it to her advantage when making love to her sweet Thelma.

  “I was thinking how the road to a relationship isn’t always easy.” Thelma maintained the gaze into her lover’s eyes. Somehow, Jessie never flinched. Their own road had had more than a few potholes but had been more than worth the journey.

  Jessie sighed heavily. It was more than true as her best friend Kathy had not had an easy path to love. She had not had an easy path as her life had been scarred from childhood. It made the former firefighter wonder what journey some of their future boarders would have to travel. And would they be lucky enough to have their happily ever after?

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  The sound of being accepted was more satisfying than usual. It was the time clock accepting her final punch for the day. The five-foot-two-inch redhead couldn’t help the enormous grin. “See you tomorrow, Allison.”

  Brown eyes were glowing. “No you won’t, Rick.” Allison Montgomery couldn’t help laughing at the perplexed expression upon her boss’ face. “You forget I start my vacation! I’m out of here for a week!”

  “Damn!” Rick shook his head. He was not only Allison’s boss, he was her friend. They didn’t associate outside of work much, as it could look inappropriate, but they often chatted during shifts or prior to or after work. “Who’s going to come in early or stay late for me?”

  “Don’t know. Don’t care.” Allison nudged the sandy blond with her elbow before making her way to her locker. She’d worked an average of sixty hours per week the past three months. Before that, she had worked at least fifty.

  It wasn’t for survival, though Allison lived from paycheck to paycheck without all those hours of overtime. She had taken every shift she could, glad she worked for a corporation who didn’t mind paying overtime, so she could save for a week away from her small town.

  As Allison made certain she had everything she needed from her locker, including a last minute list of things to purchase for her long road trip, she felt Rick leaning against the locker next to hers. “You’ve earned this time. I only hope you can finally find someone who appreciates you as much as I do.”

  The words were meant, at least half-heartedly, as a joke. Allison knew her boss also had feelings, beyond the cautious friendship, for her. Alas, even if it weren’t against policy, she would never be able to love Rick.

  In all her thirty-one years on earth, Allison had never been attracted to a man. There had been things about certain men that attracted her friendship, but it had never led to more than the cherished friendship.

  Rick was no exception, no matter how many times he attempted to joke about one day giving up and settling for the likes of him. It was the only thing that, at times, caused Allison to distance herself from him.

  “I don’t think anyone special is in my future.” Allison slammed her locker shut, before making certain it was secured. Not much was left in it. Still, she knew corporate sometimes invaded their privacy.

  “This vacation is about getting away. Being somewhere sunny.” As she made certain her thermal jacket was zipped, Allison shivered. “It’s not even winter and I’m freezing.” Both laughed. It was the joke. The cashier was Michigan born and raised, but was still a wuss when it came to the chillier temps.

  “Sure that’s all it is.” Rick hastily stood in her way. “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I want you to call if you have any troubles. I’m not just talking with your old car. I mean, any kind of trouble.”

  It didn’t need saying. Allison understood. Michigan, especially in a smaller town as she resided in, could be quite judgmental. From what she knew of where she was staying, it was part of The Bible Belt.

  It meant there could be danger around every corner for someone who wasn’t afraid to advertise she was a lesbian. She almost always had a necklace with the pride flag upon it. When not at work, she had several shirts supporting the LGBTQI community.

  There had been a few confrontations over the years. Luckily, Rick or one of her other supervisors had been there for her. Outside of work, she always carried a can of mace. She was not one to be messed with.

  “I promise. If I need anything, I’ll not hesitate in calling.” When Rick appeared uneasy, Allison placed her hand on his shoulder. “You trained me when I hired into this lousy place. We’ve been friends ever since. I know I can trust you to be there for me. Now, I have to grab a few things for the drive. Two more days and I’ll be in Albany, Georgia.”

  Rick reluctantly stepped aside. He knew his friend could handle nearly anything she came across. It wasn’t the can of mace. It wasn’t even the self-defense classes she attended at least once a month.

  It was because Allison Montgomery knew herself. She rarely refused to back down from anyone. It was the fact his friend was traveling outside the state of Michigan for the first time in her life.

  While he wasn’t much older, Rick had traveled some. After college, he’d done the whole road trip thing. Some of the things he’d seen…He took a deep breath before reluctantly taking his eyes from his friend.

  There was a part of him that wanted to speak to his manager. Rick knew he would be denied time off. It wasn’t because they were already down two cashiers on vacation. It was because any management was required at least two weeks notice for any time off.

  “I hope you find what you are looking for.” Rick made his way to the manager’s office. Unlike his subordinates, he had to meet with the incoming shift before he was able to leave. “I just wish it was with me.”

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  “I’ll be fine.” Lucy took a moment to glance at her mother. It had been years since the thirty-five-year old had taken a vacation. In fact, it had been five years since she’d taken off more than two days in a row.

  Ester Dash was worried about her daughter. While she was the one who had instilled her daughter’s work ethic and helped her open the small grocery store, Lucy would work twelve to eighteen hour days. Even with Ester offering to help.

  “I know you will be, Mom.” Lucy continued the finishing touches. There were specific orders she wanted to make certain went through. Even if her mother had power of attorney and was technically co-owner, the sandy blonde was meticulous. She would leave nothing to chance.

  The elder sandy blonde shook her head. This vacation was necessary. It was more than necessary. Ester had a wish. It wasn’t exactly that her daughter would find true love or her soulmate.

  No, what Ester had been wishing for, since her daughter opened her own store, was Lucy would discover some way of balancing life. Perhaps the right friendship could do that. Love wouldn’t be such a bad thing, either.

  “I just have to make certain everything is in order.” Lucy finally placed her pen in the desk holder. While a majority of her business was performed via the computer and telephone, she was still old school and used pen and paper at times.

  “For you, that would mean never taking a vacation.” When her daughter would object, Ester hastily took her daughter gently by the arm. “Since you loathe flying, it’s time for you to get a good night’s sleep. Driving from Plymouth, Michigan to Albany, Georgia by yourself isn’t much of a vacation. You’ll need your rest.”

  “Mom, I can handle driving.” Lucy shook free from her mother’s grasp. “I know you mean well. I used to drive deliveries around town. From sun up to sun down. Until I was able to afford delivery persons.”

  Lucy was always cautious of her wording. It wasn’t only because she identified as bisexual. It was because of the climate of the world. Saying the wrong term could be offensive. Even saying ‘Happy Holidays’ vs ‘Merry Christmas’ could garner a lecture. She would simply smile and nod as if in agreement.

  “But you ar
e older now.” The low growl caused Ester to laugh. “But seriously, driving around a town you lived in your entire life is not all that exhausting. Being on guard so that you don’t miss a turnoff or the idiots around you, that can be exhausting.”

  It was true. Still, Lucy wasn’t quite ready for her vacation to officially begin. Why? She was staying in The South. An area she hadn’t been in since she was five. It wasn’t in a progressive area such as Plymouth. Though it was a small town, it wasn’t far from Ann Arbor, home of the Michigan Wolverines. People were more accepting, in general, than in most places in the lower peninsula.

  “I promise. I’m leaving now. And I’ll not have any coffee or caffeine until I’m ready to hit the road.” Ester couldn’t help the tear that formed in her eye. “Mom, please. I know letting your only child go on her own, even at my age, isn’t easy.”

  “That’s true, Dear.” Ester couldn’t admit the real reason she was near tears. It was because, finally, her daughter was taking a break from life. At least the working side of life and she was taking time for herself.

  “Just be safe.” Ester hugged her daughter. “And call. Not while driving but call whenever you think about it. Even in the middle of the night, just to let your old mom know where you are and that you are safe.”

  “I will.” Lucy relished the hug. It had been her and her mother for so long. There were those that she worked with she considered family. But there was only her mother. And that’s the way she always wanted it to be. This wasn’t a romantic vacation. Just getting away for a while. So why had she chosen an LGBTQI friendly bed and breakfast that appeared so romantic?

  ()()()()()()()()()()()()()

  The wide open skies were something the raven-haired beauty always adored. What she couldn’t adore was how most in her home state felt about her. The fact her birth certificate still had male checked upon it was the number one reason few could love or accept Geraldine Lovett.