First, she’d painted most of the rooms, beginning with Liz’s old room, the one Becky picked for herself. Then she and Doug had removed the torn and scuffed linoleum from the kitchen floor and laid new tile. The basement remained unfinished, but the main floor held a big country kitchen, an office, a utility room, and a small living room with a fireplace. This time of the year she loved to stack logs in the fireplace and watch the flames. She often shut the living room door, and she and Becky snuggled on the couch and read books or watched television.
Still, it was a house begging for a large family. There were full bathrooms on each floor and the top floor had six bedrooms. Becky’s room, her room, Doug’s room, and three guest rooms. The guest bedrooms were sparsely furnished, with peeling wallpaper and scratched and worn wood floors. Still, her family and friends used the guest rooms when they visited. Callie had made an excellent start with the decorating but hadn’t done any for a year. She told herself she was watching expenses, but the truth was that she’d had no heart for decorating since Doug died.
Callie rolled her shoulders. Forget the porch. Her next job, after she finished the kitchen, would be the spare rooms. Martha would have decorating ideas, but farm work was never ending, and decorating would be the last thing to happen. After Doug died, Callie became responsible for the entire farm. One thousand acres of wheat fields and sixty head of cattle and their calves. The days were long and hard, and fixing up the house was the last thing she wanted to do when she fell into bed at night.
Callie sipped her coffee. Martha was also helping her sort through Doug’s belongings. She’d donate the clothes. Personal items she would save for Becky or box and ship to Liz’s brothers. It was a painful slog sorting through all the keepsakes and memories of people’s lives. Callie sniffled and reached for a tissue. She wanted to give Becky a sense of stability, so she hadn’t removed any photographs from the walls or shelves. There were still reminders of Liz everywhere. Callie looked up as Martha entered the kitchen.
“Is that fresh coffee I smell?” Martha asked.
“Yes.”
“How did the calving go?”
Callie moved to the sink and washed her hands. “A C-section, but I have another heifer calf.” Callie pointed to her breakfast. “Do you want a sandwich?”
“No, thanks. I ate breakfast with Becky and then drove her to school.”
“Sorry she missed the bus again. It takes a small explosion to get my kid out of bed unless it’s a weekend. Thanks, Mar.”
Martha poured herself a coffee and settled on a chair beside Callie. “It was fun, and she loves telling me about the farm.”
“This place is in her blood. She’s flourishing here. Happier than I’ve seen her in years. And she loves the cattle.”
“I got that. I received a thorough accounting of all the new calves.”
Callie smiled. “Did you get to see pictures? Becky loves her camera.”
Martha laughed. “I did, but I have to admit each beige-white calf looked pretty much like the rest except for the boy-girl difference. She was disappointed that you couldn’t weigh them at birth so she could chart their growth.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Callie stared at the wall and nibbled her sandwich.
Martha slid her chair closer and laid her hand on Callie’s shoulder. “Where are you? You look sad.”
“Hard to believe Liz died almost five years ago.”
“You still miss her.”
Callie straightened. No more pity party. “Yeah, I still miss Liz, but I’m ready to live again.” A twinge of guilt poked at her as she imagined kissing someone else. Could I miss Liz and still be ready to love again? She had love to give and Liz no longer needed it. Not that she had time for that kind of thing. But it was nice to daydream, and the vet was a good, safe option in that regard.
Callie sighed. How soft would Lauren’s full breasts be? Callie loved breasts. Not her own. They were too small, but other women’s were amazing. She loved the feel and taste. She enjoyed the way a woman’s nipple would grow taut under her tongue. “Enough. I’m not ogling the vet’s breasts.” Callie’s hand flew to cover her mouth. She couldn’t believe she’d spoken out loud.
“Excuse me?” Martha’s eyebrows winged up. “I see the new vet has caught your attention.”
Callie groaned and pillowed her head on her arms. “But I’m making a poor impression. I’m either yelling at her or crying in front of her.”
Martha rubbed Callie’s back. “Are you sure she’s a lesbian?”
Callie shifted to face Martha. “I saw her in the grocery store once. She was wearing a pair of expensive black slacks and a dark-blue shirt that fit her curves to perfection. She was gorgeous. Maybe I was staring, I’m not sure, but the woman nearest me winked at me. She told me Lauren was a lesbian and didn’t hide it. I almost asked why she should hide, but I let it go.”
“Some random woman in the grocery store said that? That’s kind of weird.”
“I knew her slightly from some activity at Becky’s school.” Callie shrugged. “I guess I’m getting used to small town life where everybody knows everything about everybody. It’s no secret that I’m gay.”
“Perhaps she told you because she was trying to be kind.” Martha nudged Callie with an elbow. “Are people trying to fix you up?”
Callie pushed her plate aside, propped her elbow on the table, and rested her chin in her hand. “The cashier told me Lauren was picking up a dessert for a party at one of the veterinarian’s homes. She wore no makeup, but it’s not like that’s some big indication. Some women just don’t. Lauren’s wavy short hair, bright green eyes, and masses of freckles are something makeup wouldn’t improve anyway.” Callie sighed. “The natural look suits her perfectly.”
“You’ve got it bad.”
Callie shook her head. “No, I don’t. I just need a night out. My friend Rachel’s been bugging me to come to Saskatoon for a visit.” Callie longed to have some fun. No dating, though. That was a mistake she wouldn’t repeat. She’d dated a woman for three months the previous year, but their relationship had fizzled out because the woman hated Poplarcreek and Callie refused to meet up four nights a week in Saskatoon. She’d struggled to find time to get away on Saturday nights. Hell, she’d barely had the interest or energy to pay attention to the woman’s conversation. After that Callie had tried to have a one-night stand, but she couldn’t follow through. Sex without connection was meaningless.
“Mar, how about a night out while you’re here? Let’s go to the city on Saturday. A tasty dinner and then dancing, maybe? Rainbow’s a straight-friendly club. It’ll be a riot. There’s no shortage of babysitters around here.”
“No thanks. I’ll stay with my niece, but you have fun. Maybe you’ll meet somebody.”
“Whoa, hang on. I’m talking about a little fun.” She wasn’t sure why she felt the need to justify herself, but she did anyway. “I’ll always love Liz, but I need a break from the farm, and Rachel’s a lot of laughs.”
“So, no dating?”
“An active nine-year-old to raise and a farm to run are a lot to handle. Fitting a relationship into my life would be beyond tricky. Now come and help me pick out a dress.”
Chapter Four
Callie stuffed toiletries and a spare set of clothes into a small suitcase. She wasn’t planning on staying in Saskatoon overnight, but it was good to be prepared if the weather changed and she was stuck. Although, given the calving problems at Poplarcreek, being away from the farm overnight wasn’t a good idea. She glanced at the clock. It was Saturday afternoon, and she was headed into the city to meet Rachel for lunch and then they planned to shop. She had no money for new clothes, but it was fun trying on the latest dresses.
Callie looked up and smiled as Becky bounced into the room. Becky was bursting with energy. She opened her arms and Becky ran in and hugged her around the waist. She hugged Becky back and kissed her on the top of the head. “Hello, you. Will you be okay with Aunt Martha for the evening? I�
�ll stay if you want.”
“No, Mommy. You have fun. Aunt Martha says you’re going to a party for big girls.”
Callie laughed. “I am.” It was women’s night at the Rainbow Club. Some men still came, but it would be mostly women. And most of them would be lesbians. There’d be laugher, dancing, and light conversation, which was just what she needed to help her cope with a frigid winter and a truckload of worry. “What’re you doing tonight?”
“We’re having spaghetti and we’re making brownies. Your recipe.”
“Yum. Save me some.” Her sister sure liked to bake. Baking was comfort food, and Martha was nothing if not a comfort to have around.
“Then we’re going to sort my pictures and Aunt Martha’s going to show me how to make a slide show. I’ll be able to push a button and all the pictures of the calves will scroll by. Then we can put it on Facebook.”
“No pictures of me, I hope. Or you.”
“Not our faces. Maybe some of your back or your hands holding a calf. Is that okay?”
Unable to resist the joy in Becky’s face, she pulled her in for another hug, followed by more kisses on the top of her head. “That’s fine. You have fun.”
“You too.” Becky kissed her cheek and then bounced back out of her room.
Callie picked up her suitcase and the garment bag with her dress and almost bounced downstairs the way Becky had.
* * *
“Hey, Callie. Missed you, girlfriend,” Rachel said. “About time you escaped from the farm.” They hugged and kissed each other on the cheek. Callie had met Rachel at their favorite bistro in Saskatoon, and it felt a little like a homecoming.
“I’m not trapped, Rach. I love Poplarcreek.”
“If you say so. I’ll never live in a small town again or let anyone bury me on a farm surrounded by manure.”
“You’re awesome. I wish you lived closer.”
“Thresherton? No, thank you. I wish you could visit every weekend, but why don’t you make some more Thresherton friends?”
“I would if I had time. I need more friends and fewer enemies.”
Rachel leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. “What did Kruger do this time?”
“Another letter with a list of money I owe around town. I don’t know where he gets this information.”
“Computer hackers?”
Callie shrugged.
“Why not ask your parents for a loan? You said they helped your brother.”
“They did, and they’re very kind, but then they started asking for progress reports on his business. They said they wanted to help, and they probably did, but then they started giving him directions.”
“But they helped him.”
Callie shook her head. “I don’t need my parents’ help, and even their well-meaning suggestions would drive me batty.”
“Poplarcreek is a lot of work and worry. Why do you stay? Move to Saskatoon. You were happy enough in the city when you first moved to Saskatchewan.”
“I came to Saskatoon to take computer courses and if I hadn’t, we’d never have met.” The waiter arrived, and they ordered a second coffee.
Rachel shook her head. “Those classes were boring, but you made it fun. I lusted after you.”
“You were good for my ego, but Liz was all I wanted. I wasn’t ready.”
“I know, sweetie, and anyway I had a boyfriend.” Rachel patted Callie’s hand. “Remember the night we went drinking after our last exam?”
“I had to call Doug and explain I was too drunk to drive. I thought he might disapprove, but he told me to have fun.”
“Well, I was hoping for a fun night, but you spoiled it by passing out.”
“I’m ready to have fun tonight. Dinner and dancing. Are you dating a man or woman right now?” Callie asked.
“Oh, you know me. I’m chasing a surgeon, but she’s working tonight. Let’s go to the Rainbow Club and find somebody for you. Maybe Mitch is there.”
Callie groaned. “Don’t go there, please. Mitch and I are friends.”
“And have been for years.”
“Mitch was Liz’s good friend and part of the honor guard at our wedding. It would be way too weird.”
“Does Mitch think you’re just friends?”
“Yes, of course, and anyway, I’ll never date another police officer. Too bossy. I loved Liz, but she made all our decisions and I just followed.”
“I would resent that.”
“Funny, I didn’t. It felt natural at the time and I didn’t mind. But that was then, and I want a more equal relationship this time.”
* * *
At ten p.m., Callie and Rachel joined Rachel’s friends at the club. It was a mix of gay, straight, and bisexuals of both sexes. The common denominator was a desire to drink, dance, and have fun. Callie felt as if she were the matron of the group. She was the only one with a child and was a few years older than Rachel’s other friends. But after two drinks, she relaxed and no longer cared.
An American friend of Rachel’s teased her about Canada, and in honor of Callie’s rare visit to the club, she told her favorite Canadian joke. “I love Canadians. You guys are a riot. What does Canada mean? Wait, it has no meaning. Your forefathers were sitting around drinking beer and trying to name the country. One said how about we start with a C, eh? The next guy said maybe an N, eh, and the third guy said we should end it with a D, eh. Get it? C-A-N-A-D-A.”
There was plenty of laughter at that, and thanks to the amount of alcohol flowing, the joke probably got more laughs than it deserved. Callie was soberer than most. Earlier, she had switched to sparkling water to ensure she was sober enough to drive home.
Callie was chatting with Rachel when Rachel leaped to her feet. Rachel smoothed her dress over her hips. “Who’s that? She’s new and cute.”
Callie grinned. Somebody had sparked Rachel’s interest, and Rachel often got the woman or man she wanted.
Callie peered in the direction Rachel was staring and her stomach flipped when she saw who it was. Lauren walked through the club and settled at a table with a group of women.
While Callie sipped her drink and tried not to stare, Lauren’s eyes swept the room until they locked on hers. She grinned when Lauren froze with her glass halfway to her mouth. Callie straightened in her chair, smiled, and nodded at her. Callie glanced at Rachel, who posed seductively, leaning one hip on their table. She didn’t have Rachel’s killer figure, but she hoped Lauren had noticed her instead.
Rachel tipped her head and studied Callie. “What’s with that expression? Why are you pushing your breasts out?”
Callie turned her back to Lauren. “I wasn’t sticking my breasts out. They’re too tiny to attract attention even if I did. Don’t laugh at me. Anyway, the cute woman is Lauren Cornish, and she’s my veterinarian. She’s been at Poplarcreek a bunch of times. Yesterday she did two C-sections for me. She’s saving my sanity.”
“Hey, your yummy doctor is staring at us. Introduce me.”
Callie hesitated and tucked a loose strand of hair behind one ear. “I guess. I suppose I could.”
Rachel grinned. “Or don’t introduce me.”
Callie tore her eyes away from Lauren. “You’re my friend, Rach, but, well, if Lauren is looking for company…” Callie shrugged.
“You want it to be you? Aren’t doctors bossy, though? They are where I work.” Rachel worked in the records department at the large city hospital.
Callie grinned. “I’m not sure, but I’d like to find out. At least temporarily.”
Rachel spoke out of the corner of her mouth. “She’s on her way over.”
“Hi, Callie.”
Callie swiveled on her seat and found herself face-to-face with Lauren. “Hi, Lauren.” Callie paused for a beat. “Are you having a nice evening?”
“I am. I don’t get here that often.” Lauren glanced at the table of women she had been sitting with. “I’m with Val Connor and her girlfriend, Christine, and their other friend
s. You know Val, right?”
“Sure, she works at PVS.” Callie turned. “This is my friend Rachel.” She introduced Lauren to her friends. She suppressed the urge to do a little dance when Lauren didn’t give Rachel a second glance.
After introductions they made polite but uncomfortable conversation until Callie took control. “Would you like to dance, Lauren?”
They squeezed their way into the crowd and danced to a fast song. Next to Lauren, Callie felt like a clumsy farmer in sexy heels that made it awkward to dance. Sexy wasn’t what she was feeling.
The next song was slow. Lauren tilted her head in question.
Callie slipped into the proffered embrace and settled in against Lauren. She wrapped her arms around Lauren’s neck and gave in to her desire to caress Lauren’s shoulders. She bit her lip when Lauren shivered in response. They swayed to the slow rhythm with Callie’s cheek pressed against the side of Lauren’s head. She brushed her cheek against Lauren’s soft, silky hair and breathed in the delightful scent of rosewood shampoo.
Lauren wore black jeans and a long-sleeved, dark green shirt that hugged her body in all the best places. A few buttons undone gave Callie, from her higher vantage point, a glimpse of tantalizing cleavage. Heat emanated from Lauren where only the thin fabric of the shirt separated Callie’s hand from warm skin. After two slow songs had come and gone too soon, Lauren said, “Can I buy you a drink?”
“Maybe later? Dance some more with me?” The next song was romantic with a midrange tempo, and the dance floor emptied. Callie liked the extra room but preferred to be close to Lauren. “The beat and pace of this song is perfect for a rumba.”
Lauren blinked. “You rumba?”
“It’s been a while. What about you?”
Lauren answered by taking Callie’s right hand in her left. Then she circled her right arm around Callie’s waist, her hand coming to rest in the middle of Callie’s back. Lauren led them with the slow-quick-quick series of steps of the rumba. They danced well, as if they had been partners for years. They were rusty, but only tangled up once. While they danced, Lauren shifted to caress the bare skin of Callie’s lower back with her thumb.
Veterinary Partner Page 3
