by Alex Riordan
“Ladies,” he said in acknowledgement. “My name’s Charlie, and our tour this afternoon will consist of a relaxing ride over trails through the forest. We’ll see pinion and aspen trees, beautiful snow-covered peaks and then, we’ll travel through some of the beautiful meadows alongside the Roaring Fork River.” Adjusting his black cowboy hat on his head, and pulling the zipper on his coat up to his neck, he smiled. “Make sure you cover up with the blankets. And, if there’s any place you’d like to stop and take pictures, just let me know. I’m at your disposal.”
“Thank you, Charlie. We’re ready when you are,” Stephanie said, gripping Jessie’s hand under the thick blanket.
As the sleigh jerked into motion, Jessie leaned over and, with a stunned expression, said, “A sleigh ride? Steph, this is just…beautiful.” Her voice, she noticed, came out sounding rather breathless, but she just didn’t care. She’d never experienced anything like this, and she was finding the feel of the wind in her hair, the sound of sleigh bells, and the lush backdrop exhilarating. Then again, it may have been the fact that Stephanie was there, holding her hand and leaning against her. The smile on the redhead’s face making her look more relaxed than she had since the attack.
Stephanie squeezed her hand. “I knew you’d like it, Jess. I couldn’t let you come to Aspen without taking you for a sleigh ride.”
“I don’t just like it, Steph…I love it,” Jessie replied, looking over and catching herself falling into those eyes. Green as the leaves on the Quaking Aspen trees they were currently surrounded by, Jessie couldn’t help but be captivated.
“I knew you would,” Stephanie said quietly, smiling at her. “Look,” she said, pointing to the mountains in the distance, which had just come into view between a stand of trees. “Isn’t it gorgeous, Jess?”
“The most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen,” Jessie answered breathlessly.
Somehow, hearing Jessie’s answer, Stephanie didn’t think the brunette was talking about the view. Still, she loved Aspen this time of year, and she was so happy she could share this with Jessie. It meant so much to her just to be here in this place with the woman she loved.
Halfway through the ride, Charlie pulled the sleigh to a stop under a stand of aspen trees. Opening up an insulated box he had under the front seat, he pulled out three mugs and a huge thermos of hot chocolate. Pouring each of them a mug, he talked about the history of the state of Colorado while they sat back and enjoyed the deliciously warm liquid. Then, when they were ready, he offered to take some pictures of them together in the sleigh, and out in the snow. “Ya know, with the mountains as a backdrop, you’re gonna have some really nice pictures. If you’d like, I can get them printed for ya and my wife could maybe frame your favorite.”
“Thanks, Charlie,” Stephanie said. “That’s so nice of you. I think we’d really like that.”
“My pleasure, Ms. Winters,” Charlie said, tipping his hat. Then, flipping the reins and clucking, he urged the horse into a trot and they took off back toward the lodge. When they arrived, Charlie offered his hand as each of them stepped down. “If you’d both follow me, we’ll pull those pictures up and let you pick your favorite.” They did, and twenty minutes later, they’d picked out their favorite picture. Charlie printed it and gave Stephanie his card. “Lil will have this framed for ya by tomorrow afternoon. Give me a call, and you can pick it up here.”
“Thank you so much, Charlie,” Stephanie said, shaking his hand.
“Yes, thank you,” Jessie said. “I’m so glad that I got to experience Aspen this way. It was wonderful.”
He tipped his hat and blushed slightly. “It was my pleasure, ladies. You two have a nice night, now. We’ll see ya tomorrow.”
By the time they exited the resort, the sun had gone down for the day. Climbing into the drivers’ seat when the valet brought the car around, Jessie turned the car in the direction of the cabin. It was still early in the evening, but it had been a long day.
Glancing over at Stephanie, who was busy looking out the car window, Jessie asked, “So…would you like to eat out tonight? Or stay in and make something at the cabin?”
Stephanie turned her attention to Jessie when she heard the brunette’s voice. “Mmm, I think I’d like to make something at the cabin and stay in the rest of the evening. If that’s okay with you?”
Jessie reached over and caught the redhead’s hand, giving it a quick squeeze. “Anything you want is fine, Steph. But…I think I could probably get real comfortable in front of a nice warm fireplace. As long as you’re there with me?”
Stephanie sighed deeply, happy and content. “There’s no place I’d rather be, Jess.”
* * * *
Two hours later, they’d showered and eaten a quick dinner consisting of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Then, having cleaned up the kitchen, they’d both changed into more comfortable sweats and long sleeved t-shirts. Jessie had built a fire in the huge river stone fireplace built into one wall of the great room, and now, they were lounging on the couch, enjoying the fire and watching TV.
After a while, Jessie found herself just watching the redhead watch TV. Thinking about it, she couldn’t even say that she’d come to the conclusion…she had just always known: Stephanie was the most gorgeous woman in the world. To Jessie, that was an indisputable fact. Like realizing that the sky was blue or the grass was green. Even Alex, who was beautiful and extremely hot, couldn’t hold a candle to Steph. Her eyes alone kept Jessie fascinated for hours. Add that to those strong, defined shoulders and abs, the legs that wouldn’t quit, her personality and intelligence and a smile that lit up her heart, and there was nothing or no one who could beat her.
Stephanie was lying next to her now, curled up against her side, her head resting on Jessie’s shoulder. The redhead had given up on TV sometime during Jessie’s silent study of her and drifted off. She looked so adorable, Jessie didn’t have the heart to wake her up, even though her own arm had gone to sleep half an hour ago. Instead, she just held her and let her rest. The last week and a half had been difficult for her to say the least, and she deserved it.
Warm and content, Jessie flipped the TV off, but didn’t move to get up. It was much too comfortable here on the couch. Instead, she pulled a blanket down off the back of the couch and covered them both with it. Pulling Stephanie in closer, she buried her nose in Steph’s hair and breathed in the scent of her shampoo. Closing her eyes, Jessie drifted off to sleep as well, dreaming of deep green eyes and strong arms holding her tight.
* * * *
By late Friday night, early Saturday, Jessie was worn out but feeling fantastic. The last two days had been filled with snowboarding and shopping, and the evenings with dinner, dancing and drinking. Stephanie had taken her on a tour of all her favorite places in Aspen, and they’d had a blast. By the time they finally returned to the cabin, it was well after one in the morning, and both of them had fallen asleep within minutes of climbing into bed.
Now, at four in the morning, Jessie found herself awake and unable to go back to sleep. Unwilling to wake Stephanie, who was sleeping soundly curled up under the blankets, she slipped out from under her arm and went downstairs to the kitchen. Grabbing a Diet Coke, she headed back upstairs and, grabbing an extra blanket off the cedar chest at the foot of the bed, she stepped outside onto the balcony.
Wrapping the blanket around her shoulders, she sat down in one of the deck chairs and stared out into the wilderness around her. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply the scents of the forest and was instantly transported back in time. Her grandparents, Jim and Nora Drake, had lived on a farm in the middle of Ohio farm country. She remembered visiting them when she was little, spending weeks there during summer breaks from school.
There had been cows and horses, wide open fields and woods to play in, and she’d always loved it there. At night, when everyone else had gone to bed, she would always get up and go sit out in the backyard and stare up at the sky. There had never been any city lights
to drown out the sight of the Milky Way above, and she would spend hours lying on a blanket staring up at it, wondering if there really was life out there somewhere. Her grandmother had always caught her of course, and told her what a scare she’d given them. But she always did it with a smile on her face and Jessie knew that she understood why she’d gone out there in the first place.
She was drawn out of her reverie when she heard the glass door slide open behind her and she smiled, slightly. A second later, she felt Stephanie’s hand as it drifted to the back of her head and down to rest on her neck as she came to stand beside her. Jessie looked up and smiled, opening the blanket in silent invitation. Stephanie sat down on her lap and snuggled close as Jessie wrapped it around her, too.
“What are you doing out here?” Stephanie whispered, as she leaned into Jessie’s shoulder.
“I couldn’t sleep, and I thought I’d come out here and look at this gorgeous scenery. Not that you aren’t the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen…I just didn’t want to wake you up. Why are you out here?” she asked, nuzzling into her hair.
“I woke up and you weren’t next to me. I have a hard time sleeping without you there,” Stephanie admitted quietly, a hint of sadness tinting her voice. Undoubtedly, she was thinking about what would happen when she went back to LA.
Jessie reached up and pushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“You didn’t worry me, Jess. I was just…lonely.”
Jessie sighed, tightening her grip on the redhead’s waist. “I don’t want you to be lonely, Steph. I feel the same way, though, when you’re not next to me.” Not knowing what else to say, she fell silent, content to just hold Stephanie for as long as she could.
They sat there for a while on the balcony, looking out over the snow covered mountains. The lights from Aspen twinkling below them like the reflections of stars on water. It was so quiet, they could actually hear the snow, which had begun to fall, and Jessie thought that, for one brief moment, she could reach out and touch the universe. Then Stephanie stirred, and she realized that the redhead was watching her intently.
“Is there something wrong, Steph?”
She shook her head. “No. I was just thinking. You take my breath away, Jess. Every time I look at you, you just…” her voice trailed off, unable to find the words she wanted. After a minute, she went on. “It’s not just the way you look, although you are extremely hot.” That statement brought a smirk to Jessie’s lips, but Stephanie continued, letting it pass. “It’s just…everything about you makes me want to…” she shook her head again. “I don’t even know how to describe what I feel when I look at you. I think mostly, I’m just extremely happy and…”
Jessie hugged her tighter, smiling. “I love you, too, Stephanie,” she whispered, looking into her eyes. “And I want to tell you…I have never been happier in my life than I am right now, at this moment. Sitting here, in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with you in my arms. This is the universe showing us perfection.”
“You say the most beautiful things, Jess,” she whispered back, leaning in and kissing her on the lips. Long minutes later, she shivered as she backed away.
Jessie felt her shiver, and said, “Let’s go inside, Steph. It’s getting cold out here and I don’t want you getting sick. Besides,” she wiggled her brows, “there’s a nice warm bed in there, calling our names.”
Stephanie moved to get up and Jessie stood up with her, keeping the blanket wrapped around them both. Walking behind her, they went back into the bedroom and shut the door, closing the curtain over it. Only then, did Jessie drop the blanket, to let it fall to the floor. Crawling into bed, she waited until Stephanie had climbed in next to her. Then, when Steph was comfortable, snuggled up close and wrapped in her arms, she sighed in contentment. If only things could stay like this, she thought to herself. Things were as they should be, and Jessie found that she had no desire to change them. No desire at all.
Chapter 33
It had been two weeks since their return from Aspen, and Jessie and Stephanie had managed to settle back into a daily routine seamlessly. Every night after work, they went to the gym and worked out. The exception to that, were the evenings that Jessie had band rehearsals. On those evenings, Stephanie would spend time with Theresa at her place, and Jessie would meet them back there after rehearsal. Whenever that happened, she and Stephanie would stay in Theresa’s guest room.
This arrangement managed to keep up their cover story about Stephanie staying there, rather than Jessie’s. Or at least they hoped it did. Even though Bob had pled guilty and admitted to the other charges that had been brought against him, they still didn’t feel comfortable letting Mr. Mason in on their relationship. Not that he didn’t already know. He’d alluded to an understanding of what was going on that day at Theresa’s, but he’d never asked. And…none of them felt the need to enlighten him any further.
Now, on Monday morning, Stephanie’s cell phone rang. She furrowed her brow as she glanced at the display before answering it. Sliding her chair slowly back from her desk, she silently stood up and walked out of the office.
When the redhead stepped out, Jessie and Theresa exchanged looks. It was odd that Stephanie would get a call on her cell phone during the day. Odder still that she’d step out of the room to answer it.
Shrugging, Jessie said, “I guess she’ll tell us if she wants us to know.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” Theresa agreed, turning back to the pile of folders she was currently sifting through. “I just hope there’s nothing wrong with someone in her family.”
“I hope so, too,” Jessie responded. Something inside however, told her the phone call had nothing to do with Steph’s family.
Twenty minutes later, Stephanie walked back into the office. Her eyes were red, and she was visibly upset, but she didn’t offer any explanation. She simply sat back down at her desk and started working again as if nothing had happened. Jessie, noticing immediately that Steph was upset, knew what was wrong right away. She’d had a feeling when the phone rang, that it was bad news. Watching silently out of the corner of her eye, she wondered what was going on in Stephanie’s mind, but the redhead wasn’t giving anything away.
Closing her eyes, Jessie took a deep breath. She knew Stephanie would tell her about the call when she was ready. Still, it took everything she had not to ask about it. Clenching her jaw, she went back to work. Inside, she could feel a part of her dying, as she realized that their time was up and her life was about to change again.
The rest of the morning passed slowly. The usual banter and talkativeness was absent from the office that day, and no one spoke, unless it was business related. The tension in the room was so thick, it was becoming difficult to breathe. Finally, at lunchtime, Jessie suggested they all go out for lunch, and all three of them left the building.
Two doors down from their office, was a small family-owned restaurant that offered great food and private booths. After being seated and placing their orders with the waitress, Jessie looked at Stephanie, sitting next to her. “Are you okay, Steph? You’ve been awfully quiet this morning.”
Stephanie didn’t answer right away, biting her lower lip. Finally, taking a deep breath, she said, “That phone call this morning was from Joanie, my agent. They need me back in LA.”
Jessie felt the lump in her throat and fought back the tears she could feel welling up in her eyes. “When?” she managed to croak out. Her mouth was suddenly bone dry, and her throat felt like sandpaper.
Stephanie grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Two weeks.”
“So soon?” Jessie’s hands were shaking. She’d known this day was coming. She’d known when the phone rang, what the call was. It still didn’t make it any easier, though.
Stephanie shook her head. “Actually, she wanted me back in two days. I managed to convince her that I needed a little more time. You know…because of the attack.” That wasn’t exactly the truth, however. Stephan
ie didn’t feel the need to tell Jessie that she and Joanie had argued over the time frame. The strong-willed Joanie only giving in when Stephanie threatened to quit the show altogether if she didn’t get the extra two weeks.
“Okay, so…” Jessie started to speak, but her voice trailed off. She looked across the table at Theresa, who had a profound look of both, sympathy and sadness on her face.
“Jessie…” Steph said, pulling the brunette’s attention back to her. “We’ll start making plans tonight. We can do this.”
Hearing her words, so full of confidence, Jessie looked into Stephanie’s eyes and nodded. Tears still in her own eyes, she said, “Okay. Okay, Steph.” She took a deep breath and licked her lips. “We can do this,” she repeated. Maybe the more she said it, the more likely she’d be to believe it. She hoped so, because right now, she was scared shitless.
The waitress delivered their salads at that moment, interrupting their conversation, and they fell into silence. Despite the quality of the food, none of them managed to finish however, since all three of them seemed to have lost their appetites. When their hour was almost over, they headed back to the office, leaving half their lunch on the table, and a bewildered waitress behind.