by Donna Jay
“Lead the way.”
She’d taken less than three steps when a playful slap landed on her backside.
“What was that for?” Simone pouted over her shoulder.
“No reason, other than your backside taunting me. Are you sure you’ll be warm enough in a dress?”
“Yep, I’ve got tights on underneath.”
“More’s the pity.”
“Good Lord, woman. Get your mind out of my knickers.”
That earned her another playful whack.
Simone paused in the doorway to her room. “My bedroom.”
Rather than just glance inside, Nadia marched her backwards. Simone’s cheeks flamed, heat flooding her body.
The back of her legs connected with the bed, she fell back, and Nadia was on her. For what felt like forever, Nadia kissed her hard and without mercy.
“You have no idea how much I want you right now.” Nadia nuzzled her neck. “You smell fucking divine…I bet you taste it too.”
Unable to resist the pull that was Nadia, Simone writhed beneath her.
“But we don’t have time.” Nadia stood.
This time Simone’s pout was genuine. “Not fair.”
“Come on.” Nadia held out a hand, and Simone tucked her fingers under her armpits.
“Brat.” Nadia’s smile was equal parts sexy and exasperating. She turned her back and walked away, hips swaying.
“Did anyone ever tell you you’re infuriating?” Simone bounded off the bed.
***
Shortly before twelve, Nadia slowed to fifty kilometres per hour as they coasted into Morrinsville, population 7000.
The six-and-a-half metre fibreglass cow ahead on their right was hard to miss.
“Let’s stop and take a picture.” Simone grabbed her phone out of her handbag.
“Sure.” Nadia pulled to the left and expertly manoeuvred her car between two others.
“Impressive.” Simone nodded slowly. She’d been driving for eighteen years and was yet to master the art of parallel parking.
A young father stood before the Mega Cow, two little boys running around on the raised platform.
“Come on. Let’s go and make like tourists.”
Simone rounded the car and met Nadia by the driver’s door. She held out a hand and Simone slid hers into it.
It was like sliding into a sleeping bag, warm and comforting.
Once the coast was clear, they sprinted across the road. A cattle truck whizzed by and Simone instinctively held her breath.
The driver honked the horn, waving out the window. The two little boys dwarfed by the fibreglass cow jumped up and down, waving frantically.
It could be an uncle but was more than likely just a friendly driver.
“Here.” Nadia relieved Simone of her phone. “Go stand under Bessie.
“Is that her name?”
“I have no idea.” Nadia chuckled. “Go.”
A guy who appeared to be in his late twenties motioned to the twin boys playing chase, zigzagging between the cow’s legs. “Come on, kids.”
“Aw, Dad.” They whined in unison.
“The lady wants to take a picture, and I’m sure she doesn’t want you scallywags in it.”
The moniker Nadia normally reserved for her made Simone smile.
“They’re okay,” Nadia said, eyeing the boys with affection. She crouched so she was eye level to the boy closest to her. “Did you see that one over there?”
She pointed across the road to the life-size blue cow outside New World Supermarket. “Want to know its name?” She lowered her voice, and the kid evading his father came closer. “It’s Moo World Cow.”
“Moo.” The boys chorused, hands cupped around their mouths, heads tipped back.
Their father stepped up and snagged a boy under each arm. “Thanks, we’re heading that way next. We came from the other end of town. We’ve spotted around fifteen cows so far.”
“There’s fifty in total,” Nadia said.
“Look at you, Miss Encyclopaedia.” Simone nudged Nadia playfully.
Morrinsville was well-known for its life-size sculptures, but on the odd occasion Simone visited the small town, she’d never spotted more than ten.
“Come on, boys.” A woman stepped up, and the guy handed over one of the kids and set the other on his feet.
Simone climbed up on the fake grass and stood beneath Bessie, or whatever the monstrosity’s name was.
The guy motioned to Nadia. “Get up there. I’ll take a picture for you.”
Without hesitation, she handed over her phone. Nadia jumped up, all big blue eyes and gorgeous smile. Looking at the camera, she entwined their fingers.
“Mummy,” one of the boys said. “Why are those ladies holding hands?”
“Because that’s what people do when they love each other.”
“Like you and Daddy?” The other boy asked.
When the camera clicked, Simone was smiling so hard her cheeks hurt. Nadia’s smile was just as big.
It was such a delight to be around gay-friendly parents. Sure, acceptance had come along way, but sadly she still faced bigotry far too often.
She was completely taken aback when Nadia wrapped her arms around her, dipped her at the waist, and planted a chaste kiss on her lips.
The boys started cooing. “Ooh, now they’re going to have babies.”
The camera was back in Nadia’s hand before Simone could catch her breath. They watched the two smiling parents buckle their kids into the back seat of the car.
“What was that for?” Simone asked.
“Because, apparently, that’s what people who love each other do.”
Simone’s heart soared and crash landed all at once. She dreamed of the day Nadia declared she was in love with her, but it was way too soon for that.
If Nadia said it now, it would feel forced. Not genuine. Insta-lust was one thing. Love though, that took time.
“Don’t overthink it.” Nadia waved to the two little boys as the car pulled away from the curb. “At least keep up the charade until they’re out of sight.”
Oh. Of course.
Her heart sank, and that was ridiculous. She’d just told herself it was too soon to hear the L-word and now she was disappointed.
She turned back to Nadia. “Should we stop and get a bottle of wine?”
“No way.” Nadia looked appalled. “My family are teetotallers.”
“You’re kidding.” Simone couldn’t imagine Darrin abstaining, but then again he was pretty funny without adding alcohol to the mix.
“Yep.” Nadia grinned. “I have a stash in the boot of the car. My family drink like sailors and, fair warning, my uncle’s as inappropriate as his son. Give it back, and you’ll be fine.”
“I can do that,” Simone said with more confidence than she felt.
Chapter 13
Nadia
By twelve-thirty, they were seated at a table for eight. Nadia, Simone, and Rose on one side. Aunty Judy, Megan, and Luke on the other. Uncle Jim at the head of the table, and Darrin at the foot.
The dining room overlooked acres and acres of land with fenced off paddocks, many with new-born calves and their mothers grazing.
Inside, the aroma of lamb infused the air. Once again, Aunty Judy had outdone herself. No one made a Sunday roast quite like her.
A large serving dish chock-a-block with roast vegetables, kumara, potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, and parsnip was passed around the table. Nadia turned her nose up at the parsnip but dished up one of everything else.
Uncle Jim poured himself a glass of wine and held the bottle in the air. “Anyone else?”
“Yes, please.” Simone held out her glass, and he filled it to the brink.
“How about you, girl?” He nudged Nadia’s elbow.
Girl?
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Simone’s lip kick up. Her eyes went wide when Nadia ran her hand up the inside of her leg, under the table cloth.
Not so fun
ny now, are you?
“No, I’m good,” Nadia said, declining the offer of a drink.
Jim looked at her like she’d grown a second head. “Are you sick?”
Aunty Judy slogged him in the arm. “Leave her alone,”
He shrugged, topped up Judy’s glass and handed the bottle down to Rose. Once Rose half-filled her glass, she offered the bottle to Megan.
“No, thanks.”
“God, what kind of party is this when half you filly’s don’t want to drink?” Jim asked.
“Ignore him.” Judy shook her head. “Gravy anyone?”
“Please.” Nadia poured a generous serving over the roast meat.
“How long have you two been together?” Megan asked.
The question reminded Nadia how out of touch they’d become. It was hard to believe they’d spent every school holiday together as kids, making huts in the hay shed, feeding-out, and getting up at the arse crack of dawn to help Jim with milking.
Now look at her, the business owner of a lingerie shop, no less.
“Not long,” Simone said, smiling at Nadia.
“Aw, new love.” Darrin cooed, clutching his chest.
Nadia tossed a pea at him. It bounced off the table and hit the floor. Buddy, their big ginger cat, appeared from out of nowhere and wolfed it down.
“Where’d you meet?” Luke asked around a mouthful of kumara.
“At the store,” Nadia said at the same time as Simone.
“Oh, nice.” Jim took a swig of wine, smiling over the rim. “I guess she liked what she saw.”
Nadia absolutely did, but she knew her uncle was being crass. “Not my store.”
“Oh, you run a store too?” Jim raised an eyebrow at Simone.
“I do. I’m the CEO of KB Incorporated.” A proud smile lit up Simone’s face, and Nadia beamed on her behalf.
“Wow, the kitchen and bathroom shop.” Jim scratched his chin. “You two have the perfect jobs. Nadia gets to check out women all day, and you’re surrounded by all that tongue and groove.”
One glass of wine and he was off. Just as Nadia was about to apologise, Simone made her proud.
“Never mind the tongue and groove, we have the best, ever, removable showerheads. The ones that pulse…” She kissed her fingers. “Magnificent.”
“Oh my God, that’s gold.” Darrin slapped his thigh. “She got you there, pops.”
The rest of lunch passed in a blur of idle chit-chat and plates being passed back and forth.
Confident Simone could hold her own, Nadia followed her aunty out to the kitchen once everyone was done eating.
“She seems nice,” Judy said, taking the plates from her and stacking them in the dishwasher.
“She is,” Nadia said. “But it’s early days yet.”
“I’m happy for you.” Judy abandoned the dishes and put her hands on Nadia’s shoulders. “It’s been too long.”
“I know.” Nadia nodded. She hadn’t met anyone she wanted to introduce to her aunt and uncle in more than a decade.
Her fortieth was only two years away, and she’d love nothing more than to share that day with a special someone. Hopefully, that someone would be Simone.
Back at the table, Jim passed the wine around again. Simone poured half a glass then handed it to Rose. Once she topped up her glass, she offered it to Megan, who once again declined.
Megan shot Luke a nervous look and cleared her throat.
“We have some news,” she said in a rush.
The table fell silent, all eyes on Megan.
Luke flung an arm across her shoulders and gave her a nod as if to say, “go on.”
“We’re expecting.”
“Expecting what?” Uncle Jim asked, and everyone groaned.
“A baby, Dad. You’re going to be a granddaddy.”
A look of shock flashed across his face shortly before a tear ran down his cheek. He blinked hard, and Nadia squeezed his hand.
Judy was out of her chair in a flash, rounding the table, hugging Megan from behind. “Oh, darling, that’s wonderful news.” Judy straightened, gave her a watery smile, then hugged her again.
A lump of emotion clogged Nadia’s throat. This was the best news she’d heard in forever. Megan had battled endometriosis for years, and she’d been told her chances of having a baby were slim to none. Three years ago, at Nadia’s thirty-fifth birthday, she told Nadia she’d resigned herself to a life without kids.
Even though she’d said it with a smile, the pain behind her eyes had been unmistakable. Nadia had hugged Megan and left it at that. Nothing she said would’ve sounded right.
“Wow, sis. That’s cool. So, I’m going to be an uncle.”
“You are.”
“When do you calve?”
Oh, he fucking didn’t! Nadia shot daggers at Darrin with her eyes.
He shrugged in a “What’d I say?” gesture.
“Give birth,” she mouthed hoping no one else saw.
“I’m only eight weeks along, so not for a while.”
Nadia’s outrage turned to surprise. Megan hadn’t even blinked at his comment. Personally, childbirth and calving being lumped into the same basket disgusted her. But then why should it? Both involved bringing new life into the world.
“Don’t overthink it.” Simone’s breath was warm on her neck.
Nadia turned and was met by a beatific smile.
“Why are you grinning?” She asked while everyone else’s attention was on Megan.
“You warned me about your relatives who are outspoken and fun, and now you’re acting like a shockable niece who’s only meeting them for the first time.”
Sometimes Nadia felt that way, but Simone was right. Despite Darrin’s poor choice of words, he meant well. The huge smile splitting his face in two said as much.
He reached across the table and shook Luke’s hand. “Well done, mate. Now the olds can get off our case.” He grinned at Rose. “We’re just having fun practising, right, babe?”
“God, why do you have to be such a pig,” Nadia said, biting back a smile.
“Hey, who are you to talk? What about you and Simone getting cosy on the couch?”
Trust Nadia and her big mouth. “Okay.”
“No, not okay. Carry on, son.” Her uncle’s smile was as big as Darrin’s.
“Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?” Simone asked, effortlessly taking the focus off them.
Darrin shot Nadia a look that as good as said, “lucky dodge.”
She pushed to her feet and rounded the table, giving Darrin a clip around the ears as she went.
“Hey, what was that for?”
His question didn’t merit a response.
Megan stood and Nadia pulled her into an embrace. “I’m so happy for you.” Just before they pulled apart she whispered in her ear, “Come see me when you need a maternity bra.”
That earned her a hearty chuckle.
“What’s funny?” Darrin scrunched up his face. “You better not be laughing at me.”
“Life, little brother, is not all about you,” Megan quipped.
Everyone laughed and it transported Nadia back to the easy comradery she’d shared over the years with this loving family.
***
Shortly after three o’clock, they hit the road.
“So, that’s your family?” Simone asked as Nadia drove out of Morrinsville.
“Not my immediate family, but I’m closer to them than my own.”
“Brothers and sisters?” Simone asked.
“Two sisters, both way older. I was the surprise daughter.”
Simone snorted. “You’d think your parents would have a clue how that happened after already having two daughters.”
“Thing is, Mum was almost fifty.” Nadia waited for Simone’s reaction, expecting it to go how it always did.
Wow, go your old man. At least you know they were still doing it, or something equally as vulgar. But she underestimated her.
“Oh my God, I can’t i
magine what that must’ve been like for you growing up.” Her voice was soft, her eyes full of compassion.
“They were great, but you’re right. At times, it was tough.” Nadia lost count of how many times people assumed her parents were her grandparents and her sisters were her aunties. “Uncle Jim’s mum’s baby brother. Sixteen years younger.”
“Big gap.”
“No gap, five siblings in between.” Nadia slowed as they neared a sweeping corner. “I think my parents used to send me to the farm to get me out of my sister’s hair.”
“How old are they?” Simone flicked down the visor and handed Nadia her sunglasses as the sun peeked out from behind a cloud.
“Thanks.” Nadia slid her sunnies on. “Michelle just turned fifty, she’s twelve years older than me, and Sandra’s fifty-four.”
“And you are?”
“Thirty-eight.”
“So Michelle was seventeen when you started school?”
“Correct, and Sandra was twenty-one. She used to pick me up from school sometimes and everyone thought she was my mum.”
She shot Simone a sideways glance. “One time I snuck into Michelle’s room and stole one of her bras.” The memory made her smile, even though her sister had been livid. “I remember standing in front of the mirror, wearing a pair of mum’s heels, and my sister’s bra stuffed with socks. I thought I was so grown up.”
“You were destined to be the bra lady!” Simone laughed and Nadia grinned despite herself.
“How old were you at the time?” Simone asked.
“Six, I was just a kid but I wanted to be just like my big sister. It wasn’t long after that I started going to my cousins’ house every weekend. I think they had a hard time finding a balance between letting my sister be a teenager and letting me be a kid. Michelle had gone flatting, so she seemed to tolerate me more.”
Simone rested her hand on Nadia’s leg and a companionable silence settled between them.
Coming out to parents nearing their seventies had been nerve-wracking, but they’d been more curious than anything else.
Her mum had quipped, “you were our surprise baby, and you’ve never stopped surprising us.” Then she’d kissed her and said, “I’m proud of you, honey.”
Her dad’s only comment was, “one day you might get lucky and meet a lady as wonderful as your mother.”
