New Quarters

by Tey Holden

  “Thank God. Looks like you are resolved to solve the town’s economic problems single-handedly.”

  Addy gave her the look. “Larsen, three fourth of everything in there is for you, so hush!”

  “Okay, but I have to tell you something.”

  “What now? Don’t tell me that the Church of England wants a piece of the inn also?”

  Karen smiled. “Worse. The devil is out to get us and he’s sent two envoys.”

  “Who? What are you talking about?” Karen told her about JP’s call and the unwanted guests at the inn.

  “Oh, crap, it’s like we always have a fanfare around us. How was it that they were able to get a reservation at the inn?”

  “The reservation was made under the name Singleton. I think that was Susan’s ex. They are also paying an arm and a leg for the Earl’s suite.”

  Addy put her hands on Karen’s shoulder. “Ker, let’s just get this out of the way right now. You know Alana disgusts me, so I’ll be ready to fend her off, but I need to ask you about Susan because whatever happened between you and her, I’d much rather hear it from you. I don’t care about the past, but I don’t like to come across as not knowing your past dealings with her.”

  “Addy—.”

  “Let me finish, please. All I care about is the present and the future. I was married, and I know there were other women in your life, so tell me what the story with Susan is? What exactly happened between you and her? And, please, do not spare any details. When I face her, it will be worse for me not to know, than to know.”

  “I know. We met at a deposition. They were suing her and we were her attorneys. During the deposition she kept looking at me and after we finished deposing her, she invited me to lunch. I was trying to get a life, remember?”

  “Um huh? Did you get one?”

  “No, Addy, I couldn’t get you off my mind.”

  “But you still went out with her, why?”

  “Because I was trying very hard to not think of you, and she was throwing herself at me with all sorts of insinuations during lunch. So, I went along and played her game. Now I regret that decision. Sorry, who would have thought?” Karen shook her head and continued. “She invited me to dinner and I accepted. It was just dinner and it was pathetic. I was still fighting thoughts of you in my mind, and I ended up telling her about you.”

  “Wow, really?”

  “Yes, I was pathetic. She insisted on my need to forget about you, which in truth was what I was trying to do as well, since I had lost all hope with you.”

  “Wait! Did you have hope about me, even though I was married?”

  “Yes, somehow I was hoping for a miracle. You’ve always believed in miracles.”

  Addy was pleased with Karen’s reply, and she smiled lovingly. “Continue telling me about this St. James woman.”

  “So, I went home that night, but we made plans for lunch the next day. We actually went to lunch a couple of times. The second time, I was resolved to try to forget you, and I brought up the idea of the ranch retreat. Melanie had mentioned it, and I thought it was a good idea to find out if she and I were compatible. So, I invited her, and she immediately accepted. You know what happened after that.”

  “Of course, she accepted immediately! What kind of a person accepts an invitation like that after you had already told her about me? She wanted you all right! And she didn’t give a damn about your feelings or else she wouldn’t have moved on you so quickly. You never slept with her?”

  “I never thought about it much, but now that you mention it, it’s true. She didn’t care about how I felt at all. You really saved me from what could have been a terrible relationship, and no to your question. I never slept with her, thank God! The truth is that after I met you, I went a few times to New York and Boston and met up with women, but the more I got into you, the less those women met my needs. It got to the point that no one was good enough when compared to you. I also began to think about what you said about looking for love and I realized that, until that moment, I was actually just looking for sex and I panicked. I didn’t like what I was becoming. That last time I was in New York, I spent the night on the phone with you wishing you were the one there with me. Even though I was far from you physically, you were there, at the very center of my core, of my life, of my heart.”

  Karen paused and looked in pain when she spoke again. “I did kiss her a couple of times.” Addy held her gaze unaffected by the admission. It was what she wanted to hear, after all. “I’m not very proud of all I’ve done. I did things for instant pleasure. I guess I never found anyone worthwhile, until I met you. I never fell in love before. Sometimes I wonder what would have become of me if I hadn’t met you. How empty and worthless my life would have been in the end.” Karen looked down, and placed her hand on her forehead. “I never slept with her, you have to believe me. You have to!” Karen pleaded anxiously.

  Addy pursed her lips and looked at her straight in the eyes. “I believe you.”

  Karen’s eyes misted. “I would never lie or keep anything from you. I put our entire relationship on my word. And you know you are all I have and love.” Karen held her gaze. Addy smiled knowing that Karen knew that she would see the truth in her eyes.

  “Well, then, as there are no secrets between us. We stand united and we brace ourselves for their attack, with the confidence that they will not succeed. I have the feeling that they are going to try to make me jealous. I can tell you now that they will not succeed. Even if I see her kissing you, I will not be! Let’s go now. I feel like taking on the world starting with those two. Just make sure that your gun is well tucked away, I don’t want to be tempted!” Oh God, help me make it through the weekend! And let there be no blood!

  When they arrived at the inn, the first thing they saw was the duo. They were lounging in the reception area. It was as if they had been waiting for them, and as if their sole purpose of being there was to see them. JP did not look happy at all.

  “Oh my God, Karen, it’s been such a long time, babe!” Susan came over and hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. Addy smiled.

  “How are you doing? When I met Alana, and she told me about the inn, I had to come to see you. You look great, as always.”

  Karen was hardly able to get two words in. She realized that Susan had an agenda and was all out to overwhelm. Addy caught the drift also. They had decided to play along. “Thanks, and yes, it’s been a while. Susan, I’d like you to meet Addy.” They had agreed that Addy would not be introduced as her partner because that would indicate fear on Karen’s part in the sense that she felt like she needed to shield herself in order to be ‘safe.’ Addy was of the opinion that Karen should stand on her own two feet.

  “Oh, my! Don’t tell me this is the famous Addy?” Susan scrutinized Addy from head to toe with a guarded smile. It was obvious that she was not expecting Addy to be anything like the person in front of her, although she was aware that in order to have captivated Karen so wholeheartedly, there had to be something special about her. Addy was a master performer and she could put on the best of shows when she wanted. Her smile was sweet, but knowing, and her vibrancy very evident.

  “Yes, this is her, the one and only.” Karen looked at Addy and smiled lovingly.

  “Wow, you were able to rack up a straight woman after all! Karen, you are something else!” Karen was stunned by the comment. If looks could kill, Susan would have been dead on the spot from the look JP gave her. He was listening to the whole conversation from the front desk. Of course, that dagger was thrown at Addy.

  Addy was resolved to win this match, so she took it as it came. “You can say that again, the woman is a menace!” Addy proclaimed lacing her arm through Karen’s. She immediately noticed the effect of her comment on Susan’s face. Karen looked at her trying to hold back a smile but couldn’t. Wow! That’s my girl!

  “Oh, hi Alana we didn’t expect to see you around here after your last visit.” Addy continued with her onslaught making Karen almost
want to laugh out loud. Too bad you can’t have what you really want here!

  “Well, the inn is very nice and Susan and I seem to have hit it off well, so we said why not? Plus, since it appeared that we both had mutual acquaintances here, here we are!”

  Karen smiled, thinking where to hit her that it would hurt most. However, her poker face took over upon hearing Addy’s invitation to dinner.

  “Sure, at what time?” Alana immediately responded.

  “Say, six thirty? We can meet here in the lobby, is that okay?”

  “Of course, will see you then.” Susan replied.

  Addy and Karen left heading for the back room, as the other two women went out the front door. JP walked right behind them. “Are you out of your minds inviting the devil and company to dinner?” Those two are going to rip your eyes out and eat you alive! I’m nervous just thinking about it.” He looked at Addy. “You obviously don’t know who you are dealing with here, Ms. Addy! You are in over your head. Those two are evil, and will do whatever it takes to break you guys up. Lucifer and company! Don’t know which is worse, but it is evident that the St. James woman has come to claim her prize and the Alana woman is standing by to pick up the spoils of war. In my opinion, you should stay as far away as possible from both. I don’t like this situation.”

  Karen didn’t say anything to JP, but looked at Addy. “Don’t you think the dinner thing was a little too much?”

  “Nope. You know what they say, ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer.’ I want to keep them together and very close.” Addy stated very sure of herself.

  Karen rolled her eyes. “I know the saying, Addy, but I wish we didn’t have to keep them that close. I hate the way Alana looks at you.”

  “Ditto with the way Susan looks at you, but remember what we talked about.”

  A very nervous JP interrupted their exchange, “may I ask to be let in on this private talk, since I may lose my nails over this whole ordeal?”

  Addy smiled. She came over and hugged him. “JP, trust me on this one. This blonde is mine and she knows it, and look at me, making war over a woman! JP it’s really a pity you didn’t see me when I hit Karen’s uncle in the balls.”

  “Ouch!” JP sort of covered his jewels, just in case.

  “Yes, people shouldn’t mess with me, when it comes to protecting my turf. I assure you that the devil has met his match! And my turf happens to be the blonde!”

  “Okay, but don’t say that I didn’t warn you!” JP went back out to the reception desk. Karen smiled, but was worried. Could JP be right? Addy was confident, but she was naïve and those two were evil. She was just hoping that Addy was as strong as she said she was going to be. This was a very delicate matter. She was resolved to run them out at the first insinuation of anything.

  “Ker, if we run from them they’ll think it’s because we fear them, and then they’d think they have a chance with us. If we fear them, then it is because we feel that our love is not strong enough to withstand any heat. I don’t fear them, I believe in us. I just despise them for what they are trying to do.”

  “I don’t fear them either, Addy. I just fear what I might do, if they cross the line.”

  “Stay cool and trust me like I trust you. That’s all I ask of you.”

  “Okay, I will try, but since there are no balls to kick here, I will either go for the belly or straight for the face. Maybe a red eye will remind her not to mess with us again.”

  Addy smiled. “I won’t tell you not to do such a thing because I have no grounds for such a request, considering my own behavior, but try to keep cool, please.”

  Dinner was uneventful, there were lots of looks and innuendos from the two devils, but the women handled them well, and when dinner was over, they parted on friendly terms.

  “That went pretty well. I told you it was better to keep them together and within our sight.”

  “Okay, I’ll admit that you were right on this one, but I still don’t like the situation.”

  Addy was doing her little happy dance as Karen watched smiling. “I don’t like it either, but we need to deal with it.”

  ***

  The next day the story took another turn. Addy was doing her usual run through the stables, when she came face to face with Alana. The meeting was unavoidable. Addy was doing her rounds earlier than usual hoping to avoid any possible encounter, but it still happened. It was as if Alana had planned it. She actually had inquired about Addy’s presence in the stables the day before, and a stable hand told her that she was usually there early in the morning.

  “Well, well, look who is here, my favorite cowgirl.”

  Addy was a bit taken aback. “Hi, looks like you are an early riser.”

  “Not usually, I just like the company these horses keep in the morning.”

  Addy caught the message, but dismissed it. “Are you riding this morning? If so, Mr. Nelson can get you on a good horse.”

  “I was rather hoping to find me a good woman to help me.”

  Shit, here we go again! “Alana, I thought my message was clear the last time we met.”

  “Your message was clear, but I don’t give up easily.” She came closer to Addy and circled her, even dared to run her hand through her hair. Addy moved away and shook it off. “You see, I like very much what I see, and I want it.”

  “Well, I’m sorry. I’m not interested.”

  Alana was about to grab Addy’s arm, when she felt a strong hand pulling back her arm. “You try that and you are going home with a black eye, or better yet, I may just beat the crap out of you!” It appeared that JP had alerted everyone about the visiting couple and everyone was to report to him the duos whereabouts. When he found out that Alana was at the stables, he immediately called Karen. Karen dropped all she was doing and ran for the stables. She was already angry when she got there and overheard part of the conversation.

  “Karen! What a coincidence.”

  “Karen, Alana was telling me that she wanted to ride, so I was sending her to talk to Mr. Nelson.”

  Karen was still holding Alana’s arm. Her knuckles were white from the pressure she was putting into her arm. Addy came by and placed her hand on Karen’s arm suggesting that she let go. Addy didn’t want Karen getting into trouble, so Karen loosened her grip on the woman.

  “Ker, let’s go, we have things to do at the inn.” Addy said while pulling Karen away.

  “Pack your bags and go. We don’t want to see you again around here.” Karen said in a low menacing tone as Addy pulled her away. They left Alana alone at the stables with a very red spot on her arm where Karen had grabbed her.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes, they are leaving tomorrow.”

  “Not soon enough. Addy, can you not hang around alone until they leave?”

  “Okay, I won’t. I’ll stay at the inn. JP and James are there.”

  “Good.”

  “You are not okay, are you?

  “How can I be when I know that bitch is after you? She found out where you were going to be and came after you. She is capable of anything. Do you mind if I stick around? I won’t be able to do anything else, anyway. I was supposed to go to town, but I’ll send someone else, I’m not leaving here.”

  Addy smiled. There was no way she was going to change Karen’s mind. “Okay, let’s stay together to face the enemy. I need to keep an eye on you just in case the ‘no so saint’ woman tries something also. You are next, you know? She’s probably plotting as we speak.”

  “Be prepared for the worse, she knows she’s going to have to be aggressive with me.”

  “I’ll hit her.”

  Karen looked at her. “I know you would, but I’m going to ask you not to and avoid trouble.”

  Addy chuckled. “I’ll try, but you know me. And you were about to send Ms. Alana home with a black eye. I might just send the other one home with a matching pair. Plus, if I can hit a man, I can certainly hit a woman. I think I’ve already established that much.”
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br />   Karen chuckled. “Yes, but we are going to try to avoid trouble. You stay with me, fireball, I don’t want to have to bail you out, and we don’t need another day in court.” When they arrived at the inn, Karen walked over to JP and thanked him for the alert.

  The day passed and not a word was heard from either woman. The next day was their parting day and Addy and Karen were both in the lobby awaiting their departure. When they met, Susan threw the last dagger. She looked at Karen and touched her face. “Well dear, we part again, unfortunately this time I didn’t have the opportunity to give you all the pleasures you liked so much.” Then she looked at Addy with a smug smile. “You are lucky, not everyone is so hot in the sack.”

  Karen had her poker face. She was just hoping that Addy would hold up to their agreement. She was hanging by a thread there until she heard what she never thought she’d hear. “Don’t I know it, but the sack is nothing compared to the hot tub.”

  Susan was pale as a sheet of paper. Her plan hadn’t worked. Alana was speechless and Karen’s poker face was as if carved in stone. Alana broke the silence. “Let’s go, Susan.” Filled with consternation, Susan didn’t respond, just turned around, exited the lobby, got in the car, and drove away.

  Addy and Karen stood still for a few seconds before Karen turned to Addy. “Addy, are you okay?”

  “Now that they are leaving, I am.” She turned around and started to walk outside. JP had been standing by and saw and overheard the whole interaction. “You go girl! You gave it to her right in her face. I’m so relieved now that they are gone. I’m putting out an all hands alert. Those two are not booking a room here ever again. I’d better get on the phone and tell everyone to stand down now that the coast is clear.”

  Karen followed Addy with her eyes and began to follow her, but stopped when Addy got in the car and left. Karen was left wondering if everything was okay. She walked to her own car and went straight to the cottage also.

  Addy was in the kitchen. “Addy, you didn’t believe her did you?”

  “Ker, it doesn’t really matter. I told you I care about the present and the future, not the past.”