Dawn of Change

by Gerri Hill

  “You told him to stay away. Why, every time I see him, he asks about you. He tells me that he wants you back . . . that you’re making a mistake.”

  Susan smiled ruefully. Dave always knew how to stay on Ruth’s good side. Just tell her want she wants to hear, he used to say.

  “The mistake would be to go back.”

  “But what will you do? You can’t stay up here forever.”

  “No. I’ll stay through summer, then I’ll have to find a place.” The thought of going back to Fresno depressed her, though. She found it better not to think about summer ending. “I haven’t touched the trust fund from Grandfather. It’s more than enough to sustain me until Dave and I can get things settled.”

  “But still, you have to do something. You can’t hide in a house all day.”

  “No, I can’t. But I never finished college. I could always go back to school. Or I may follow Shawn’s advice. There are so many worthy causes that need volunteers. I just have to find the one that’s right for me.”

  “Oh, Susan.” Ruth shook her head disapprovingly. “That woman will have you working at an AIDS hospice if you’re not careful.”

  “And what would be wrong with that?”

  “Oh, Susan, I worry about you.”

  It was a phrase Ruth had been using quite frequently, Susan noted with a smile.

  She and Ruth were both startled by the one quick knock on the door before it opened and a drenched Shawn stood there.

  “Sorry,” she said as she stood dripping on the mat.

  “I’ll get a towel.” Susan hurried into her bathroom, pleasantly surprised that Shawn had braved the weather. She returned to silence in the living room as Shawn and Ruth stared at each other.

  Her voice was a teasing whisper as she handed Shawn the towel. “You know, there’s this neat invention they’ve come up with. You use it in the rain. It’s called an umbrella.”

  “Very funny,” Shawn whispered back.

  “Where’s Alex?”

  “In the truck.”

  “In the truck? Well, go get him.”

  “No. It’s raining.”

  “You can’t leave him in the truck.”

  “He’s fine. He’s probably sleeping already.”

  One frantic, high-pitched bark brought their eyes together.

  “Sleeping?”

  “He’s fine.”

  “He’s scared. Go get him.”

  “No.”

  “Please?”

  Shawn would have stood her ground, if not for that one whispered plea. She had no defense to that word with Susan.

  Susan saw the change in Shawn’s eyes as she had whispered “please” and her heart warmed. After last weekend, she had been afraid that she had damaged their friendship somehow, fearing they might have lost the easy camaraderie they had built. But their teasing exchange with each other eased her fears.

  Susan silently handed Shawn an umbrella and Shawn silently turned and ran back to the truck.

  “You’re going to bring that dog into the house?”

  “Yes, Ruth. And they’ll probably stay the night.” She turned to Ruth, an unspoken challenge in her eyes. “I hope that’s okay with you.”

  A few seconds later, Shawn and now a wet Alex stood on the mat. Susan took Shawn’s towel and proceeded to dry Alex, all the while telling him what a good dog he was and how mistreated he’d been to be left in the truck. Alex licked Susan’s face in thanks and never gave Shawn a second glance.

  “You know, I’m wet, too,” Shawn finally said, interrupting the lovefest in front of her.

  “And you deserve it.” Susan handed Shawn the now wet towel and led Alex into the kitchen. “I’ve got a bone for you, sweetie.”

  “I get a wet towel and ‘sweetie’ gets a treat,” Shawn murmured.

  “What?”

  Shawn laughed. “I’m just complaining about this unfair treatment, Ruth.” She took off her wet boots and socks and strode barefoot across the rug. She eyed the sofa, then her wet jeans, and promptly squatted on the floor.

  “Susan said you would probably stay the night.”

  And I bet you’re thrilled about that prospect, Shawn thought. But she shrugged. “The rain doesn’t appear to be letting up.” Then she smiled, hoping it didn’t look as insincere as it felt. “You don’t mind, do you?”

  “It’s not my house.”

  Alex ran into the living room with a rawhide sticking out of his mouth and Shawn playfully tried to steal it.

  “You know, I’ve got another,” Susan offered. “But I thought you’d rather have this.”

  Shawn leaned back on her elbows and looked up at the beer being held over her head.

  “Mmmm. Thanks.”

  Susan sat behind Shawn on the sofa, her eyes moving over the wet hair and T-shirt. She resisted the urge to straighten the damp locks that hung across Shawn’s forehead. She could feel Ruth watching her and she squared her shoulders. She was doing nothing wrong. Her relationship with Shawn was perfectly innocent. With that, she reached out and caught a drop of water as it slowly slid down Shawn’s neck.

  “You’re wet,” Susan stated.

  Shawn turned her head and their eyes locked as a slow grin appeared on Shawn’s face. She arched one eyebrow seductively. “Really?”

  Susan blushed from head to toe and nervously glanced at Ruth. Shawn’s husky laugh was for her ears only and Susan cleared her throat before speaking.

  “Would you like some dry clothes? Sweatpants, at least? We’re about the same size. I think you could get into my pants without a problem.” Again the arched eyebrow shot up over amused eyes. “Will you stop,” Susan whispered, her face turning scarlet again. God only knew what Ruth must be thinking.

  “I would love to get out of these wet clothes.”

  Their eyes held again and Susan wondered why everything they said suddenly sounded so sexual. Ruth was, no doubt, close to having a stroke. Susan rummaged in her drawers, finding a clean pair of sweats. Shawn would never be able to fit into one of Susan’s T-shirts, though.

  “I left the pants on my bed.”

  “Thanks. Be right back.”

  Susan watched her walk away. Saunter was more like it, she thought. Shawn didn’t walk like most women. Her stride was purposeful, confident. Cocky, she added. And sexy. Now where did that come from? She blushed again and found Ruth staring at her.

  “What?”

  “I can’t believe you plan to let her stay here.”

  “Why not?”

  “Have some sense! Can’t you see the way she looks at you? The way she talks to you?”

  “Looks at me? Oh, Ruth, you’re imagining things.”

  Ruth’s reply was cut short when Shawn walked back into the room. Her wet T-shirt had been replaced by one of Susan’s. It was a size too small and even the bright floral pattern on the front could not hide the fact that Shawn wore no bra.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I borrowed a shirt, too.”

  “A little tight?” Susan teased.

  Shawn tugged at the neckline. “Snug.”

  She sat on the sofa with Susan, drawing her legs up and tucking her bare feet under her. Ruth was staring at them and Shawn had had about all she could stand of Ruth. She had no idea how Susan tolerated her.

  “So, Ruth, what brings you up here this weekend?”

  “I’m just visiting. What about you? Hard to camp in the rain, isn’t it?”

  Shawn grinned. “Not hard. Just messy. Besides, I think the rain has let up.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You’re staying here tonight,” Susan told her.

  Shawn nodded. “Thanks.” She patted the sofa beside her. “A dry sofa is better than a wet tent any day.”

  “You’re not sleeping on the sofa. My bed is a queen. You can sleep with me.”

  Susan wanted to ignore the gasp from Ruth and she hoped Shawn had not heard it.

  “Susan, if Shawn wants the guestroom, I don’t mind the sofa,” Ruth offered.

  �
�No one is sleeping on the sofa.”

  “Well, then I could move into your room and Shawn could still have the guestroom.”

  “That’s silly, Ruth.”

  Shawn watched this exchange between sisters, wondering who would win. Ruth obviously did not like the idea of Shawn in Susan’s bed, probably thinking that this would be the night that Shawn attempted to ravish her. And she suspected that Susan was intentionally doing this to piss Ruth off. She smiled at that thought.

  “I really don’t mind the sofa,” Ruth tried again.

  Susan stood up. “But I do.” Her eyes hinted at a challenge as she glanced at Shawn, who said nothing.

  We have a winner, Shawn thought.

  “I’m going to set the table for dinner.” She turned to Shawn. “Soup okay?”

  “Yeah. It’s a great night for soup.”

  An uncomfortable silence filled the room, then Ruth shifted uneasily.

  “I suppose you find this all amusing,” Ruth said.

  “Pretty much, yeah.” Shawn didn’t try to hide her smile. It was amusing as hell!

  “I know it was you that put all these ideas of divorce into her head. She was perfectly happy.”

  “In case you haven’t noticed, Susan has a mind of her own. And she was not perfectly happy, Ruth.” Shawn leaned forward, her voice low. “You’ve got to let Susan live her own life. Trust her to know what’s best for herself. She’s not a child, you know.”

  “She’s making a mistake.”

  Shawn sighed. Susan was right. Ruth was impossible to talk to. “Well, if she’s making a mistake, it’s her mistake to make, not yours.”

  “Oh, how poetic,” Ruth cooed. “And I suppose you’ll be here to pick up the pieces after it’s all over?”

  “Why do you assume she’ll need someone to pick up the pieces? Susan is a very strong woman, Ruth. She’s going to be fine.”

  “Bullshit! I know what you’re after,” Ruth hissed.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me! I know your kind. Even if Susan can’t see it, I can.”

  “See what?”

  “You’re only after one thing.”

  “You’re way off base here, Ruth.” Shawn felt her anger toward this woman rise to the surface and she stood suddenly, startling Ruth. “But I assure you, if there was anything going on between Susan and me, there is nothing you could do to prevent it. You understand?” Her voice was barely a whisper when she finished, but Ruth was pressed back against her chair as if Shawn had been yelling.

  Susan stuck her head out of the kitchen. She had been surprised to actually hear conversation going on between the two of them, but by the looks on both women’s faces, it had hardly been pleasant.

  Her eyes found Shawn. “Hungry?”

  “Starved.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “A glass of wine in bed?”

  Susan stared at her, but Shawn turned to the cabinets, quickly taking down two wineglasses. A stunned Ruth watched in silence.

  “Do we have a candle?”

  Susan swallowed nervously. “In the bedroom.”

  “Good.”

  Shawn left and Susan and Ruth exchanged glances.

  “Well . . . goodnight, then,” Susan murmured.

  “Susan, I beg you,” Ruth whispered. “Don’t go in there with her.”

  “Ruth, I’ll be fine. Really.”

  “Can’t you see what she’s doing?”

  Yes, Susan thought, she’s trying to upset you. And it seems to be working. “We’re just going to have a glass of wine before bed and talk.”

  “My God, you are so blind! She’s trying to seduce you! Wine and candles? Have some sense!”

  Susan was certain Ruth’s attempt at whispering could be heard throughout the house, and it took all of her control not to laugh at Ruth’s obvious seriousness.

  Susan patted Ruth’s arm. “I’m in no danger, I promise. Now, go to bed, Ruth. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  It was all she could do to contain her laughter and it bubbled out as soon as the bedroom door was closed behind her.

  “You are so bad!”

  “I’m sorry, but she pissed me off. If she offered me the Goddamned guestroom one more time, I was going to scream. Jesus!”

  Susan handed Shawn the wine and corkscrew, then went into the bathroom to change. “You know she won’t get any sleep tonight.”

  “Good!”

  Shawn was sitting cross-legged on the bed, jogging shorts and T-shirt having replaced Susan’s borrowed clothes. Alex was curled like a perfect angel at the foot of the bed. Shawn had the wine opened and poured by the time Susan came out. She was wearing a long T-shirt that reached nearly to her knees and Shawn grinned at her.

  “Is that all you’re wearing?”

  “It’s what I sleep in.”

  Shawn smiled wickedly. “Why don’t you pass by Ruth’s door, just to show her what you’ve got on?”

  “So, you’re really trying to give her a stroke?” Susan joined Shawn on the bed, mimicking her cross-legged position.

  “She drives me insane. I don’t know how you stand her.”

  Susan nodded. “She is a little obsessed with you, I think. You frighten her.”

  “She’s lying in bed with her door open, just waiting for any sound.”

  “Sounds of passion?”

  “Oh, I doubt Ruth could even imagine two women being passionate with each other. No, I’ll bet she’s listening for the sounds of rape. Surely, you would never willingly submit to my advances.”

  “She’ll run in and pull you off of me, saving me.”

  “And she’ll wonder how I managed to get you naked so fast,” Shawn teased.

  They laughed quietly, then touched glasses.

  Susan leaned back into the pillows, her mental image of Ruth pulling a naked Shawn off of her equally naked body causing sensations she’d rather not have. What if Shawn did try to seduce her? Would wine in bed do it? Would she fight it?

  But she would never find out, she supposed. Shawn simply finished her wine and crawled under the covers, leaving ample space between them.

  “Don’t hog the covers,” Shawn murmured and she rolled onto her side, her back to Susan.

  Susan smiled at Shawn’s back. Barely two months, yet they were so familiar with each other, it was scary. Susan was now embarrassed for her earlier thoughts. Shawn had become a good friend. Her best friend. How could she even think that Shawn would try to turn it into something more?

  Susan turned out the light and pulled the covers to her chin, her feet bumping Alex as she tried to stretch out. She listened to Shawn’s even breathing, surprised she was able to fall asleep so quickly. Susan closed her own eyes, feeling comforted by Shawn’s presence in her bed.

  She woke only once during the night, her body pressed against Shawn’s warm back, her face buried in the hair at Shawn’s neck. She made herself move away from that warmth, wondering when she had sought it. Shawn stirred briefly, then stilled again, her even breathing the last thing Susan remembered.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The sun had just peaked over the mountains and Shawn slipped on sunglasses. She was as apprehensive as she’d ever been driving up the mountain, Lisa’s phone call still fresh in her mind.

  “I’m going to tell her.”

  “So, this is for sure?”

  “Oh, yeah, it’s for sure.” Then, “Will you be there? I need you to be there.”

  “I’ll be there, Lisa. Susan will need me there, too.”

  It had been her Friday to cover the phones and after she’d gotten home, it was much too late to drive up. She had told Susan the week before that she probably wouldn’t be up until Saturday, but still, she had nearly called her.

  This was getting much too complicated. She told herself she had no business spending every weekend with Susan, but little good it did. If she wasn’t careful, this infatuation she had for Susan could get out of hand. Infatuation?

  “
I’m beyond that, aren’t I?” she asked Alex. “But so are you,” she told him.

  When she pulled into Susan’s drive, she didn’t know whether to be relieved or not. Lisa was not there yet.

  Alex ran around the cabin, obviously knowing Susan would be on the deck, and Shawn laughed.

  “I think you love her more than you love me,” she murmured.

  She found Alex with front paws sprawled across Susan’s lap as she tried to balance coffee cup in one hand and Alex’s head in the other.

  “I think he missed me.”

  “I think you’ve spoiled him so badly that he doesn’t like me anymore.”

  “I think you don’t buy him enough treats.”

  “I think you buy him too many.”

  Susan laughed. “So, who do you think he likes more?”

  “He likes you more and I’m highly offended.”

  Susan finally pushed Alex out of her lap and wiped her face with her hand. “He gives good kisses, too.”

  “Well, I taught him that, of course.”

  Their laughter echoed through the forest and Susan finally managed to offer Shawn coffee.

  “Stay. I’ll get it. You want some more?”

  Susan handed her empty cup to Shawn. “Please.”

  They sat in comfortable silence, with Alex perched importantly between their chairs, enjoying occasional attention from both women.

  “Lisa’s coming up today,” Susan finally said.

  “Really?”

  “I haven’t seen her since . . . well, since she was here with Sheri.”

  “Is she coming by herself?”

  “I think so.”

  Shawn had a moment of panic and her mouth opened, ready to prepare Susan for what Lisa had to say, but she turned away, pretending interest in a woodpecker as it drummed on the spruce tree that hovered over the cabin. She kept telling herself this wasn’t any of her business, that she was just a friend willing to lend a helping hand. But with Susan, it was more than that. She couldn’t bear to see pain in those blue eyes.

  “You haven’t talked to her, have you?”

  Shawn swallowed with difficulty. She had promised Lisa, she reminded herself. “No.” Oh, she would pay for that lie.

  “She said she would be here early, but I guess her early is not like yours.”