Unexpected Ties

by Gina Dartt

As they paddled lazily around a bend, they all but careened into ten or twelve cows cooling their bellies in the water. Nikki was hard pressed to tell which was the most surprised, the cattle or the women. In either event, the cattle spooked, most splashing their way back to the bank where it sloped up to the pasture. But one black-and-white individual, perhaps a little more aggressive, or confused, than the others, took a few steps toward the startled women, who promptly panicked.

  Two canoes immediately tipped over, spilling their contents into the river, while two more grounded on the opposite bank with the women scrambling out and dashing into the woods as if the hounds of hell were snapping at their heels. Nikki stopped near the shore, floating calmly in the water as she kept a judicious eye on the cow and hoped that Kate wouldn’t overreact as the others had.

  Instead, to Nikki’s amazement, the cow paused only a few feet away from their canoe, regarding them with placid brown eyes. Kate looked back at the animal for a second before lifting her hand. The cow raised its head and tentatively extended its muzzle, letting Kate pat it briefly. Then it snorted as if washing its hoofs of the whole matter and turned around, ambling after its departed companions and leaving the river ahead clear.

  Nikki glanced at Kate in amazement and then stared at the results of the unexpected encounter, seeing the Summer Twins stumble from the river, both screaming about eels and leeches and other creatures that may or may not have inhabited the waters. June had a piece of grass tangled in her hair and almost turned herself inside out trying to remove it as May offered all sorts of incoherent and unhelpful advice.

  That was too much for Nikki. She bent over her paddle and laughed until she cried.

  Some time later, when she’d finally recovered, she gestured to the van where half the women were piling in to drive back to the bridge where they had left their vehicles. “I’m going with Jackie to pick up the car,” she told Kate. “Will you be all right until I get back?”

  “I think I can manage.” Kate glanced toward the grassy shore where their canoes were lined in a row, keel up.

  Nikki grinned crookedly. “Am I nagging?”

  “No, darling. You’re just assuming I’m completely helpless outdoors, and that’s not the case.”

  “Fair enough.” Nikki kissed her before heading over to the van.

  Once the van drove out of sight, Kate surveyed her surroundings. The park was little more than a large clearing next to the river, with a narrow dirt lane leading out to a paved secondary road. A couple of picnic tables stood near the graveled bank, next to a large fire pit where evidence of previous bonfires remained, including the fragments of scorched beer bottles. Kate supposed that the group would just set up their tents in a semicircle around this central area. She wondered where the washrooms were and then realized with a sort of creeping horror that there were none.

  She sighed glumly. The things I do for love.

  Drifting over to the nearest picnic table where others had already gathered to wait for their significant others, she sat on the hard, wooden bench opposite Kim and Lynn.

  “Having a good time?” Kim asked.

  Kate considered her answer. “It’s been interesting. Nikki’s really enjoying herself.”

  “It’ll be better once we get set up.” Lynn grasped Kate’s hand, turning it over to examine the palms. “No blisters. I’m impressed.”

  “I was lucky.” Kate moved her fingers a bit, feeling the tightness in her skin. “My arms and shoulders are a bit sore.”

  “Would you like me to rub them?” A slender, almost frail, blonde woman dropped onto the seat next to Kate. Her rounded features and high hairline put Kate uncomfortably in mind of a Komodo Dragon for some reason.

  An expression of distaste briefly crossed Lynn’s face at the newcomer’s arrival. The woman had sat down far closer than necessary to Kate and was eyeing her breasts.

  Startled, Kate edged away and quickly answered, “Uh, that’s all right. That job belongs to someone else.”

  “Kate, this is June Allison,” Lynn said in a flat tone. “I don’t think you’ve met her yet.”

  Because Nikki had been carefully keeping her away from certain members of the group, Kate realized. She was beginning to suspect why. She had seen June’s type countless times before at parties and gatherings, individuals who flirted outrageously beyond the bounds of good taste, all the while dropping sly comments designed to disrupt anyone else’s enjoyment of the event. Some were particularly clever at sowing dissention between couples for no other reason than to prove that they could. This woman, Kate decided, was simply a gay version of people she’d learned to watch out for in her social set over the years.

  “Hello, June.” Kate didn’t let her polite smile reach her eyes. She grasped June’s hand firmly, assessing the woman with a cold, analytical dispassion. It was a look she had cultivated during countless dinner parties when someone was coming on to her or David, a gaze of pure ice that indicated she knew exactly what was going on, and how little it meant to her. Those capable of taking the hint would usually quit wasting her time, and it was seldom necessary to become less than polite.

  Kate didn’t know if June had ever encountered such a palpable aura of contemptuous amusement before. Certainly, it wouldn’t have slowed other people Kate knew, such as Michelle Greenwald who prowled the Truro Golf Club as if it were her own personal feeding ground. But it definitely seemed to impact this young woman. June blinked and shifted away, managing a weak smile and an expression that revealed confusion and intimidation in equal measure.

  “Uh, nice to meet you.” She looked around, as if seeking an avenue of escape. “Oh, there’s Jennifer. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Damn,” Lynn said as June hastened off in the direction of another group of women. “How’d you do that?”

  Kate feigned ignorance. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “I think we’re a little out of our depth with you. June certainly is.”

  Kate felt a sudden qualm, not wanting to place herself apart from these people, particularly those closest to her lover. She had been amazed at how openly affectionate Nikki had been during their journey down the river, how she always had her arm around her shoulders or waist at the many stops they had made. Nikki clearly felt completely comfortable with these women, even with those she didn’t like, and was able to act in a way that she couldn’t in the greater part of society.

  “I’ve just run into that type before,” Kate said quietly. “They’re a fixture at Christmas and office parties, particularly when a lot of alcohol is involved.”

  Lynn nodded, glancing over at the other group, her gaze speculative. “I suppose they are. It’s harder for us to understand what people like that are up to because we’re not looking for it, until it’s too late.”

  Kate heard a certain tone in Lynn’s voice, an indication that she may have personally fallen victim to game-playing.

  “I suppose that’s true. In any event, I’m not going to allow them to spoil my outing with Nikki. It’s far too important to her.”

  Lynn tilted her head. “What about you?”

  “If it’s important to her, then it’s important to me. I may not be particularly fond of this type of recreation, but I have to try it a few times before I can truly gauge my comfort level.”

  “You’re a very fair person, Kate.”

  “I try to be.” Kate glanced over at the others. “So what happens now?”

  “After the rest get back, we’ll start setting up the tents.” Lynn nodded at a nearby group of trees. “See that little rise? Kim and I usually set up there, but there’s plenty of room for two tents. You and Nikki can set up right next to us. The ground stays dry even when it rains because of the drainage, and it offers a good view of the river. It’s also far enough away that you can get some sleep no matter how late everyone else stays up.”

  The low hum of engines permeated the air and, expectantly, Kate glanced down the lane as several cars, including Nikki’s blue H
onda, jounced into the campground. Kate watched her lover get out of the small hatchback with a sort of proprietary swagger that she had lacked until now. Nikki spotted her, and a bright smile lit up her face.

  “Have you picked us out a spot?” Nikki had a bit of a condescending note in her voice.

  Kate indicated the rise. “Right there,” she said blandly. “It’ll stay dry even if it rains, and it has a good view of the river.”

  Nikki seemed surprised. “Good call.”

  Kate grinned and helped Nikki unpack their gear from the back of the car. Under Nikki’s direction, they soon had the tent up, the air mattress inflated, and their sleeping bags spread out. By the time they had finished, the sun was going down and all the women had gathered around the fire that crackled energetically in the pit. Kate sat down on a convenient log while Nikki took her place on the ground between her legs, leaning back into her embrace. Another woman had brought along a guitar and was strumming it lightly as the group chattered loudly while roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.

  Kate brushed her lips over the top of Nikki’s head, feeling warm and contented as she hugged her. She could almost understand the appeal of camping at times like this, with the roaring fire and the air around filled with companionship and laughter. She gradually became aware of being scrutinized and glanced up to meet June’s burning gaze across the fire. Kate offered a cold smile, warning her away with an easy menace. It was June who dropped her eyes first, and Kate shook her head. These girls were so unskilled in this sort of thing. They might be capable of causing heartache in this group, but they wouldn’t last a minute in the social set Kate normally ran with.

  “What are you thinking?” Nikki’s face was gentle as she looked up at her.

  “How beautiful you are,” Kate said, stroking her lover’s hair languidly. “How much I love being here with you.”

  Nikki blushed. “You’re dangerous. Don’t show anyone else that charm or I’ll be scraping them off with a spatula.”

  Kate chuckled as she leaned down to kiss her gently. The moment was interrupted when Kim plopped down beside them with an expression on her face that caused them to straighten alertly.

  “What’s up?”

  “Apparently, Kate and Lynn are having this wild affair,” Kim said dryly. “At least, according to May who just finished filling me in on the details on how chummy they got while we were picking up the cars. I guess they were actually holding hands.”

  “What?”

  Kate could feel the surge of anger in her partner, the way Nikki abruptly tensed. “Gently,” she advised. “Don’t give them the satisfaction.” She glanced at Kim. “You know that’s not true.”

  Kim waved her hand dismissively, embarrassed. “Of course I know that. It’s just the Summer Twins trying to cause trouble. I merely wanted to give you a head’s up in case something gets back to you.”

  Nikki’s body was a bowstring, actually quivering beneath Kate’s palms as she glared across the fire. “I’m going to—” she began.

  “No.” Kate spoke softly but intently. “That’s what they want. A reaction from you to let them know they’re getting to you. That’s where they derive their amusement, from the ability to cause dissention. Don’t grant them that power over you, Nikki.”

  Slowly, Nikki relaxed, but her gaze was still troubled when she looked up at Kate. “We can’t let them get away with it.”

  “They only ‘get away with it’ if they provoke us into retaliating. I’m sure if you went over there and made a scene, they’d have all sorts of ways to turn it back on you and make it appear to others who aren’t as aware of what’s going on that you’re the one being unreasonable and out of control. Believe me, I’ve seen their type before. The only way to deal with them is to remain above the situation.”

  “Kate’s right, Nik,” Kim said. “You know better than to let them needle you.”

  Nikki was very still, breathing slowly and deeply for a few moments before finally dipping her head. “Fine,” she said in a grating voice. “But I don’t have to like it, or them. Why do people have to act like that?”

  Kate shrugged. “People are unhappy, and they somehow translate that into trying to make others unhappy. Misery loves company, you know.” She leaned down and nuzzled Nikki, slipping her arms across her chest to hug her warmly. “But happiness grows exponentially, my love. Concentrate on that rather than the small pettiness of a few malcontents.”

  Nikki’s body relaxed further. “I’ll try.”

  “That’s all I can ask.” But Kate frowned as she glanced across the fire, her keen mind evaluating her options.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Strolling back to the fire after a brief trip into the woods, Nikki fumed over the perfidy of the Summer Twins. Kate was right about not letting them know they had gotten to her, but she still wished she could give them a taste of their own medicine. As she passed a group of canoeists huddled at a picnic table some distance from the fire, sharing another joint, she heard something that made her alter her path.

  “Did I hear someone say Monica Henderson?” she asked as she squeezed into the circle.

  “Yeah,” one of the women said, looking over at her oddly. Nikki recognized her as one of a group from Pictou Road, a cheerful older woman named Victoria. Victoria was partnered with a dour individual named Jennifer, who was casual friends with one of Kim’s acquaintances who used to date Debbie’s best friend from high school.

  Sometimes Nikki didn’t think she knew these people as much as kept track of them by some eclectic chain of connections. It was somewhat like the six degrees of separation game, without involving Kevin Bacon.

  “Do you know Monica?” Victoria asked.

  “Uh, actually, no,” Nikki temporized, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for why she was asking. “I know…uh, her boyfriend.”

  Victoria’s face cleared as if she knew what Nikki was talking about. Nikki was very glad that one of them did.

  “You mean Pat.”

  A light went on in Nikki’s head. Who else would have access to the woman’s car? “Yeah, Pat,” she said conversationally. “What’s he doing now?”

  “Still the shift foreman at Elliot Manufacturing.” Nikki barely resisted the urge to thrust her fist into the air in triumph. Victoria frowned slightly, though she was too relaxed to really detect anything in Nikki. “I thought you knew him?”

  “Only in passing.” Nikki spoke glibly. “I just heard he was going out with Monica.” She paused, trying to come up with something else to provoke further discussion without making it appear she was digging for information. “They’re still getting along, aren’t they?”

  Victoria didn’t seem to find this an unusual comment, which made Nikki suspect it was a volatile relationship. She just thanked the fates that gossip was such a prevalent pastime in this part of the Maritimes.

  “Well, they had a pretty tough time when Stevie died.” Victoria apparently thought that Nikki knew all about it, and Nicky wasn’t about to disabuse her of that notion. “Pat was really torn up about it.”

  “Yeah?” This was far too easy. “He and Stephen were that close?”

  “Best friends all through school. That’s how Pat got the job.”

  At that moment, Victoria’s partner came back from wherever she had been, and the conversation trickled away. Nikki hesitated, trying to figure out how to reopen it, but couldn’t come up with a good angle. Momentarily defeated, she took a polite hit from the joint as it passed her way, handed it to the next person, then drifted away from the group and strolled back to the fire, worrying these new bits of information like a puppy with a bone.

  So Pat was the man in cahoots with Martin and Tiffany. Of course, what exactly they were in cahoots about remained a mystery, and whether it had anything to do with Stephen’s death had yet to be determined. As Nikki resumed her place next to Kate, she decided she would have to find out more about Pat. It was too bad that she hadn’t gotten a last name, but he was
the shift foreman at the Elliot plant. Tracking him down shouldn’t be that difficult.

  “What are you scheming about?”

  Startled, Nikki looked up at her lover. “Who, me?”

  Kate eyed Nikki through lowered lashes. “Yes, you. I know that furrow between your eyes. You’re up to something.”

  Nikki flushed at the accusation, and at the accuracy of it. “Nothing much.” She hesitated. “I found out whose car was at the motel. I think the man I saw was Pat, the shift foreman at Elliot Manufacturing.”

  “Pat Spencer?”

  Nikki grinned. Sometimes the fact that her lover was at the center of Truro’s business community was extremely useful. “You know him?”

  “Not that well. He was a friend of Stephen’s so I saw him on occasion at family gatherings.”

  Kate gave Nikki a stern glance, and Nikki decided it was time to change the subject. “Feel like going to bed?”

  Kate continued to stare at her. “Are you trying to change the subject?”

  “Do you have a problem with going to bed?”

  Kate offered a smile that held a touch of sensuality. “No problem at all.”

  Nikki rose to her feet and pulled Kate up beside her. A chorus of “good nights” resounded from the circle around the campfire, along with a few knowing looks that made Nikki a little self-conscious. Taking Kate’s hand in her own, she strolled over to the ridge and their tent.

  Nikki switched on the small battery-operated lamp that gave them enough light to undress by, and undoubtedly offered anyone who was glancing in that direction an impromptu shadow striptease through the canvas. That thought, and the realization that it had grown considerably cooler in the late May evening, caused Nikki to suggest they retain a certain amount of clothing rather than strip down entirely. She waited until Kate was situated before she switched off the lamp and joined her.

  Snuggling in their two sleeping bags zipped together, Nikki spooned against her lover and Kate made a small sound of amusement. “Listen,” she said quietly.

  Nikki paused, lifting her head. “What?”