New Quarters

by Tey Holden

  Karen grabbed a cold beer from the refrigerator, handed one to Addy and walked out to the patio. Addy watched her as she went outside. Karen looked somber. She also looked very sexy in her denim shorts and fitted black T-shirt.

  “I hope you’re not planning your next trip to the hardware store.” Addy teased as she sat next to Karen on the patio swing to drink her beer.

  Karen smirked. “Nope, that will be your pleasurable task. I will stay away from there, if I can help it.”

  Addy laughed. “You can handle them.”

  “You are not jealous?”

  “Nope, I trust you. So, what’s wrong, are you afraid that more lesbians will be coming out of the woods, or something?”

  “Oh, I guess that is inevitable, especially now that the word is out.”

  “Do you have former friends around here?”

  “No. Number one, I never fooled around in this neck of the woods. All my activities were far from here. Number two, I never stayed in contact with anyone from the past, so I have no idea where anyone would be, and number three, I never had any relationships.”

  “Why?”

  “I didn’t want to be tied down, and I guess I never really fell in love with anyone. You are the only person ever who really captured me. The day I first saw you in the gym will forever be engraved in my memory. It was weird. It was a senseless attraction. As if we were meant to be together, and then there was the question of how it would be possible when there was so much separating us. I was torn, yet it felt so right, I couldn’t walk away. It was as if the more I saw you and talked to you, the more I wanted to be with you, the more I thought of you, and then I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

  Addy smiled and put her arm around Karen’s shoulder. “Ker, when you went away to that ranch and I thought you were going to end up with that woman, I couldn’t have cared less about anything or anyone else in the world. I had to go after you and stop you. I felt selfish and confused, but I knew I wanted you, and I was not about to let you get away. I didn’t know how I was going to go about achieving that, but I had to do something. I wanted you for me.”

  “So, you are not worried about Mary?”

  “Well, I’m worried about her jumping you!” Addy laughed. “The woman looks scary. How are your karate skills as of lately? Maybe you should get that gun, after all” Addy chuckled.

  Karen smiled. “I’ll be fine. The tough ones aren’t usually all that tough. The ones that worry me are the femme fatale type. They know they are beautiful, and that they can get away with whatever once they have a target.”

  “Speaking from experience, Ms. Larsen?”

  Karen smiled. She looked at Addy. “I only want to be beautiful to you, Addy.” Karen’s eyes misted.

  Addy took her hand and kissed he knuckles. “You are. Come on, let’s go inside and make some dinner. I’m starving.”

  While cooking, Addy spoke. “So, let’s say either one of us comes across one of these ‘femme fatale’ type, what is the right move to stop them? I’ll have you know that, although I try not to be jealous, and I trust you, I don’t know that I can take someone coming on to you.”

  “Don’t worry, I get it. I don’t know if I could take anyone even looking at you, much less ogling you!” Karen said in jest, but serious.

  “So what are we going to do if we are ever faced with that situation?”

  “Trust. That’s what it comes down to. We both have to believe in each other, and in the promises we’ve made to each other. As long as we hold on to that, we will be able to withstand any storm.”

  Addy looked her in the eye. “You have my promise, Karen Larsen.”

  “And you have mine, Adriana Marcos.”

  Part 5

  Life was good. Every week they took weekend trips to discover a new part of Scotland. They often went to Edinburgh to shop, go to the theater, have dinner, or just to sightsee. Addy was fascinated with the history of the city and loved visiting all the tourist attractions from the Edinburgh Castle to the Rosslyn Chapel, the University of Edinburgh, the museums and the shops. She was totally enchanted by the city and Karen was delighted to show her around. It was like taking a child to Disney World. Addy always found something wonderful anywhere they went and Karen began to see and admire things she had never noticed in all her years there. They also visited Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee with just about the same type of result. When they were looking for a quieter time, they’d travel to the countryside, which Addy always found charming.

  Summer and fall were spent exploring Scotland. Fall was absolutely beautiful. The turning of the leaves, the crisp air, the smell of firewood burning in fireplaces, the beginnings of wearing long pants and light jackets, and the long walks holding hands walking over leaves of innumerable colors while looking at the deep blue ocean in the horizon was absolutely enchanting. They were both thrilled with the change of season.

  Although Karen had walked these paths many times before, she had never seen the beauty of her homeland as she was seeing it now, through Addy’s eyes. Even on their own property and in nearby areas to Altee, they walked hand in hand for miles every evening just taking pleasure observing the countryside and each other’s company. Addy pointed out every single thing she found amusing. Karen would just look at her wondering how someone could make so much of small things. Endless topics of conversation flowed and it was just perfect to share the beauty of the landscapes in each other’s company.

  When the weather turned colder, the longer car trips were less frequent. The roads were often in no condition to drive because it rained a lot, and when there was fog, the visibility was nearly impossible. It was early in October when Addy began to talk about a certain project she had thought about. Her ever active mind could not be still even when in total rest.

  “Ker, this project is perfect to keep us busy during the rest of fall and winter months. We are going to be here for three years, with nothing much to do. You and I are used to being busy, and we are going to be at each other’s throat, if we don’t look for some distraction. And although we are very good at finding distractions, we are going to have to fill twenty four hours a the day, for 365 days a year, and frankly, you are going to have to agree with me that even our favorite distraction is not sustainable at that rate.” Karen looked at her and grinned.

  “Ker, get serious. It’s going to lose its specialty, if it becomes the only thing.”

  Karen continued to grin. “Don’t think so.”

  “Ker!”

  “Okay, Addy, let’s look into the possibility, but don’t get too excited about it because we are not going to pawn our kidneys for this project.”

  “Yes! I’m so happy!” She kissed Karen in an exaggerated fashion. Karen could not believe she was even considering the possibility of the project. She was reluctant because she knew it would not be a cheap and that it would, most likely, open a can of worms she was not ready to tackle. Although she was willing to do anything to keep Addy happy, she felt a need to put her foot down as to how much effort and money would go into Addy’s crazy musings.

  On a few occasions, while exploring Scotland, they had talked about either turning the Manor, or main house on the property into an inn, or a historical home site. The Manor house on the property definitely showed signs of having a history, and Addy was of the opinion that such a magnificent property had to be shown off for the future generations to admire the glory of the past. Karen listened without expressing any opinion and, of course, there was the occasional eye roll.

  The Manor’s architecture was exquisite and certainly indicative of a certain era and lifestyle. The place had a grandeur and magnificence that definitely pointed to the glory of yesteryears. Addy thought that it was a pity to let such an architectural masterpiece deteriorate. Karen found the topic amusing because she knew the history of the property and was surprised that Addy, without knowing the details, had picked up on the origins of the house.

  When Addy originally raised the idea, and every
time she talked about it, Karen just listened and let her run with her imagination and enjoy her musings. Karen, however, never mentioned anything about the Manor or the history of the property as a whole. She thought that with time, she would tell Addy everything there was to know about the true origins of the estate. It had not been until now that she had realized that Addy had not only been dreaming and talking about it, but had been planning on it all along.

  Karen always thought that living with Adriana Marcos was like a roller-coaster ride, not so much because of the ups and downs, but simply because she never knew when the next turn was coming, or where they would end up. However, in the end, all that mattered to Karen was Addy’s happiness, and that Addy would be there for her to hang on, and to take all the turns as they came.

  The only reason why she was willing to consider the project now was because she was concerned that the holidays were fast approaching, and that Addy might be homesick and miss her family. Laurie had already announced that she would not be able to visit for Thanksgiving because she only had four days off from school and the trip was too long. Because Laurie was not coming for Thanksgiving, they made plans to spend Christmas in Washington, D.C., but spending Thanksgiving alone made her anxious and that was why she thought that if Addy had her mind occupied with something she might not miss her family as much. For the time being, it was working. Addy was already gearing up to research the project.

  They sat on the patio, after Karen had started a nice fire on the stone fire pit. “Alright business woman, let’s have some ideas.” She sat on the patio chair and put her feet on the table with a notepad on her hands. “I guess the first thing we need is to translate the vision to paper. What do we want?”

  Karen smiled. “You tell me, it’s your vision.”

  “One day, when we are all rich from the profits of this inn, I’m going to make you remember those words. How about it if we call it ‘The Inn of Scotland’?”

  Karen couldn’t help laughing out loud. “Addy, I’m sorry for laughing, baby, but that is the plainest name ever! It’s so, how should I put it, common?”

  “Go ahead, laugh. You are right. It’s so common that people will remember it. In fact, if I were to have more than one and start a chain of inns in Europe I would call them the ‘Inns of Europe,’ a very common name for a very familiar brand of very special comfort anywhere in Europe.”

  Karen came close to her and kissed her. “Baby, I adore you, and your musings.”

  “Adore me. Me and my musings will take you where no one ever has, you’ll see.”

  Karen kissed her on the lips. “Baby, you already have.”

  “Okay, but now we need to go further.” Addy began to describe the place as it looked in her vision. Karen leaned back on her chair and just listened and watched adoringly as Addy talked away imagining this glorious place. She loved to watch her go into her daydreams. Addy was a fairy tale in the flesh. She could talk forever about all sorts of things, real or imaginary.

  “So, confess, partner, would you stay in such a place?”

  “Yes, I most certainly would. But only if you were my personal chamber maid.” Addy looked up, placing the pencil to her mouth.

  “Hmm, that could be arranged. I will consider it.”

  “Tell me, my dear, where are you planning to find the money for this business venture, for this dream of yours?” As a financial expert, Karen was always concerned about the funds of any deal. She was also hoping that once Addy considered and became aware of the cost of her project, she’d stop talking about it.

  “Aha! Money is the second item on the agenda. I will go to talk to Mr. Kimbell tomorrow to see what he thinks, and if he has any ideas.”

  “Is that your plan?”

  Addy pursed her lips. “I will also—. “Addy got up and walked around the patio as she talked. She was like an endless barrel of ideas.

  Karen continued to smile, but after a while, she got up and went inside the house. When Addy turned, she noticed that she had been left alone and talking to herself. She immediately walked towards the kitchen to look for Karen. Karen was busy in the kitchen cutting an onion, and already making a big mess in the kitchen.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m making dinner.”

  “And what will that be?”

  Karen grinned. “I don’t know yet. It will be a surprise, I guess.” Although Karen was normally a disaster in the kitchen, she would always come up with some appetizing creation. The problem was that this was never done without spilling or burning something, and always leaving the kitchen in a total state of disarray.

  “See, my point, you need a pastime. We both know that when you take to the kitchen, it is not always good. Cooking is not your thing, sweetie. I think that point has been proven before. You can have your little entertainment tonight in the kitchen, but find something else to keep you busy because your one soldier troop here will be up in arms if your edible creation turns out to be of the poisonous type, or if we have to spend the night scrapping something off the pan, the stove, the floor, or all of the above.”

  Karen knew Addy was right, and bit her lip to suppress her smile. She continued massacring the onion she was cutting as she remembered the time when she decided to be artsy in the kitchen and flipped a Spanish omelet in the air and it hit the ceiling before landing partially on the floor, partially on the stove and over other pots and pans on the stove. The cleanup had been major.

  Addy, who had been standing by the kitchen door when she spoke, walked into the kitchen to fill her glass of wine, turned around, and again walked out to the patio. She perched her feet on the table and continued to muse and write in her notepad tapping her head with the pencil, as if in so doing she could come up with ideas.

  Karen chuckled in the kitchen when she saw her from the window. Unable to resist the urge to go out and join her partner, she put together chunks of cheese and olives and walked out to the patio with a glass of wine in her hand. She set the offerings on the table and came around from behind and kissed Addy on the head.

  Addy smiled. “What? Do we have a disaster in the kitchen already?”

  Karen grinned. “Let me have that paper pad.” She took the notebook from Addy’s hand and sat down grinning. “Go and make us some good food. I’ve just burned the onions.”

  Addy laughed, got up, took Karen’s face in her hands, kissed her on the lips, and walked away towards the kitchen. Two minutes later, Karen went inside the cottage, grabbed her laptop, and went back out to the patio to work on a business plan. Addy was delighted when she saw Karen with her computer. She knew Karen was a magician when it came to finances, and she was absolutely sure that Karen would come up with a tangible plan. She busied herself in the kitchen, and after a little while announced that dinner was ready.

  “I’m starving. Sorry about the burnt onions. Umm, this tastes great.” Even though the smell of Addy’s food had overtaken the kitchen, the smell of burnt onions was still in the air, probably emanating from the burnt pan soaking in the sink.

  Addy smiled as she watched Karen eat. One thing she always liked about Karen was that she liked to eat well. Unlike most thin women who are always worried about their weight, Karen didn’t deprive herself. She liked to have desert, enjoyed chocolate milk and ice cream, and overall enjoyed any good food. She would not eat large amounts, and definitely worked out, but she always ate with gusto. Addy was the same way. For them a meal was something to be enjoyed with a glass of good wine and good conversation. A small desert and coffee always followed.

  ***

  “Addy, we are going to need estimates in order to come up with accurate numbers, and for that we need to talk to someone who knows the business.”

  “Ker, we don’t know anyone here. Why don’t we go to town and check to see what resources we have locally?”

  Karen chuckled thinking that this was no way to start any business. Still she agreed. “Good idea. This dinner is really good, baby.”

  “Th
anks. Are we going to town today?

  “Why don’t we leave it for tomorrow? I was hoping to chill at home.”

  “Let’s try the new hot tub. We still don’t know if it works well.” Addy suggested.

  Karen grinned. “Can we skinny dip?”

  Addy rolled her eyes. “Yes, just make sure all the blinds are down. I’m not providing a free show for anyone.”

  After dinner, Karen locked the doors and pulled down the blinds, took the cover off the hot tub and turned on the water jets. “Are you coming in with me?”

  Addy turned to look at her. “Will I get a massage?”

  Karen replied, “a full body one, with all the trimmings.”

  “Those trimmings have me spoiled.”

  Karen grinned. “I’ll go upstairs to get the towels and our robes.” When she came back, she caught sight of Addy’s naked back as she was going into the water. She grinned and stopped flat to enjoy the view. No matter how many times she had seen that view, it always took her breath away.

  Karen said. “I like what I see.”

  “You better. It’s kind of too late to return the merchandise.”

  Addy watched as Karen undressed and walked into the hot tub. Once she was in the water, they came close to each other. “Who said anything about returning the merchandise? I’m very satisfied with it.” Karen slid behind her, wrapped her arms around Addy’s waist, and started to nibble her neck. “Umm!” Addy squirmed as Karen began the promised massage. She ran her hands up and down Addy’s thighs and arms.

  “Is this a good place to begin the massage?” Karen asked.

  “Yes, a very good place.” Addy moaned when Karen ran her hands all the way down her back to her buttocks.

  Karen grinned as she leaned in and kissed Addy on her shoulder. “You are so soft, and beautiful.” Karen’s hands began working their usual magic while the hot tub jets were busy working on both of their bodies. Karen continued to massage Addy’s shoulders, slowly dropping her hands down to her abdomen, continuing downward to her thighs, up her back and finally returning to her front.