Exchange

by CF Frizzell

  “You’re fresh, Maguire.”

  “Mel, it’s illegal to be so god-awful sexy,” she growled, glad to be beside her again. “I’m losing my mind like a horny high school kid, for Christ’s sake. I want to trace those stripes on your jersey all over you, all over those gorgeous—”

  “Hush!”

  “I want to squeeze you to me, feel you.”

  “Shay.”

  “I need to kiss you.”

  Mel lowered her smile, and Shay watched a flicker of pink tongue wet those glossy rose lips. Let me.

  “I want to kiss you too,” Mel whispered.

  Do it. Right here and now. Fuck everybody.

  Shay stopped and closed to within a step.

  Mel studied her warily. “Shay.” Her eyes flitted to an elderly couple strolling by.

  “To hell with everyone, Mel.” Shay reached for her hand but a foreign one slapped her back. She turned and looked up at a smiling Officer Hennessey.

  “Evening, Shay, Mel. Looks to be a great night, considering the weather this morning.”

  “Jen. Nice to see you.” Mel sighed under her breath.

  Close enough to feel that warmth against the back of her neck, Shay straightened, proud that Mel hadn’t backed away. “Hopefully, you’ll have a quiet night.”

  Hennessey nodded and looked evenly from one to the other. “It’ll be quiet unless you two start a riot. Go do what you were going to do in private.”

  Shay reset her hat. “So, you’re preventing me from giving the lady a kiss in public?” She wondered about Mel’s reaction and hoped verbalizing her intention hadn’t jammed Mel’s heart up into her throat with fear or embarrassment. But it needed to be said.

  Hennessey looked past her to Mel. “Is that okay with you?”

  Mel apparently needed an extra second to compose a response, and her extended pause threatened Shay’s confidence, but finally Mel spoke up.

  “With all due respect, Jen, it simply isn’t a concern of yours.”

  Hennessey nodded again. “Fair enough. So, you two, you’re…?”

  Shay bristled. “It’s none—”

  Mel stepped closer. “Jen.”

  Shay really wanted to kiss Mel now.

  “Enjoy your evening,” Hennessey said, and feigned a salute and walked away.

  Shay turned and they stood toe to toe.

  “May I kiss you?”

  “Now you ask?”

  “I wasn’t going to ask at all, a second ago.”

  “I know.”

  “So, may I?”

  “Right here?”

  “Right now.”

  “Shay, just your kiss alone melts me into my shoes, but out here, in the middle of—”

  Shay sank back on a hip and tried her most incredulous voice. “You think I’d tear your clothes off and make passionate love to you thirty feet from the corn dog stand?”

  “Well, no, but—”

  “Maybe at the merry-go-round or the teacup ride, but not the corn dog stand.” Mel’s surprised laugh was exactly what Shay hoped to hear. “Let’s go for a ride.”

  “What? Shay, I can’t leave.”

  “Not leave, ride. As in Ferris wheel. Come on.” She backed away, grinning, waving Mel to follow.

  Their five-minute walk took an hour, as people stopped Mel to chat about the Heights and the fair. And Mel approached just as many, and logged “some great quotes” from seemingly everyone. No one dissed her or them with gossipy innuendo or even castigating looks. Folks spoke to them both, as if they were a team. Together. And conversation flowed comfortably. In her element, openly relaxed and confident, Mel simply glowed, and Shay enjoyed every second proudly.

  Are you seeing what I’m seeing, Mel? You need to. Tomson has more fair-minded people than you think, and it just can’t be that big a risk to take charge of your happiness. Don’t let the haters, the ignorant ones run your life. Shay compiled a mental list of townspeople who had welcomed her, not turned their backs on the dyke from Chicago, and was surprised at the number. You’d be surprised, too, Mel. They’re out there and they think the world of you.

  The American Legion band director drew them over, eager to promote his group, and Mel dazzled him with her smile and genuine interest. Student government advisor Jack Lawrence stopped them in the heart of the midway crowd, and after making sure Mel credited Shay for helping his group, he introduced his life partner. They all shook hands, and the men left them with an invitation to gather at the Exchange sometime soon.

  “So,” Mel began as they resumed their stroll, “how many people do you think saw us as a couple?”

  Shay fought the exasperation born from Mel’s concern. She longed to help her over the mountain Mel believed blocked her path. “Well, it’s hard to say. The fair coordinator and the newspaper editor have reason to walk the grounds, to check on things, get feedback.” A glance at Mel’s thoughtful expression told her she expected more. “But then again, maybe everyone did think we were together. And if you have to ask, then they didn’t show they cared. The idea—any rumor—that we’re a couple obviously didn’t matter. Did it?”

  Mel stared up at the stars for an extra beat. She puffed a strand of hair off her forehead.

  “Jesus, Shay. But it does matter. Maybe not to the folks we just talked to, but to a lot of others. Especially the ones who help pay my bills.”

  Shay drew her to a stop. “Do you truly know what they think? No. Granted, somebody like Dick Turner wears his attitude on his sleeve, but it’s all just ignorance, Mel. These people tonight surprised you, didn’t they? Who’s to say those others you worry about won’t surprise you too?”

  “There’s a lot of ignorance in Tomson, even hate. The Chronicle can’t afford—”

  “Looks to me like times are changing here in more ways than one, Mel. I’d say there are more open minds here than you realize. Hell, just the fact that no one’s burned down the Exchange says a lot.”

  Mel just scanned the grounds, nodding ponderously, and Shay figured mentioning such a tragedy hadn’t been too bright an idea.

  “I desperately want to put all my chips on faith in human nature and just spin the wheel, Shay. But it’s a gamble I’m not allow—” She huffed out a breath. “It’s a gamble I can’t take.” She started them walking again and Shay sighed heavily. Mel bumped her shoulder. “Please know I treasure your support. God, so much. I treasure everything about you.”

  Carnival boss Eric Bass beckoned Shay from his station at the Ferris wheel and she whispered as they neared the ride. “I’ll help you any way I can.”

  She introduced Mel to Bass, and he regaled them with an endless string of tedious but hilarious tales of past fairs. He helped lock them into their seat on the big ride and manned the switch himself.

  “I haven’t been on a Ferris wheel since I was a kid.” Shay grabbed her hat as they rose into the sky. Wind blew Mel’s hair across Shay’s face, and she let it tickle her nose until the wheel stopped for others to get on below. Their seat swung.

  “It’s been quite a few years for me,” Mel said. “A carnival in Cascade, right before I moved in with Nana. It was a memorable night.”

  The wheel took them up another notch and stopped abruptly, the swing rocked hard. Mel whimpered and Shay laid her hand over Mel’s on the cross bar.

  “Memorable, huh? Back in the days of Triumphs and rough rides?”

  “Yeah, before that door slammed shut, you know?”

  The wheel advanced and stopped once more. Now at the apex, they swung gently, and Shay ran a finger along the back of Mel’s hand.

  “Someday will you tell me about that door slamming shut?”

  “It’s not an easy story to tell, Shay. I was a grad student at USC but might as well have been fifteen. Pretty emotional.”

  “She had the Triumph?”

  Mel nodded. “A bit rough around the edges, let’s say, and, well, getting surprised by my dad just led to bad things.”

  “Oh, shit. One of those stori
es. Ouch.”

  “There’s a lot more to the tale, but…some other time.” Mel slipped her hand out from under Shay’s and entwined their fingers on the bar. “The world looks so different now.”

  They gazed down at the bustling carnival, so small beneath them, the dark bonfire and stage areas, the many pastures and riding rings, and the muted landscape sprawled out in every direction.

  “Does it look better now?”

  Mel drew her focus from the scene below and squeezed Shay’s hand. “You make it look better. Because of you, I want to find the strength I should have found long ago.”

  “You deserve to be happy, Mel, not just successful. And now, not some future day.”

  Mel ran her hand up Shay’s arm and carefully drew her near. “I’m enjoying this wild ride with you, Shay Maguire, more than you know.” Mel boldly leaned in for a kiss, and Shay’s breath left her. Every nerve in her body registered the touch of their lips, the exhilaration of a first kiss. Her sex pulsed insistently, and she felt herself dissolving into that gorgeous mouth, onto the rocking seat. It was as wild as anything she’d ever experienced. She slipped her fingers into Mel’s hair, cupped the back of her head as their kiss lengthened, Mel’s mouth a molten velvet around her tongue. Mel’s moan rolled softly into Shay’s mouth as they kissed slowly, deeply.

  The wheel lurched and so did they.

  “Mel, I don’t want this ride to end.”

  Mel kissed her lightly and drew back before they swung to the bottom of the wheel and up again. A hand on Shay’s bicep, she gave her a long look.

  “God, what you do to me.”

  Shay swallowed hard. I’m falling and there isn’t a damn thing I can do. She interlocked their fingers on the bar again.

  “We have to hang on.”

  “I promise to do everything I can not to let go.”

  They zoomed down, past Bass at the controls, yelled hello this time, and soared skyward. Mel laughed, a free, uninhibited sound that made Shay smile from the inside out.

  “Think I’m going to be ready for popcorn,” Mel shouted as they reached bottom and swung back up.

  “I’m with you, if my stomach holds.”

  “You have a weak stomach?” Mel shook her head at her own question. “No way.” She tossed Shay a sly glance. “No weakness in that stomach.”

  “I refuse to blush.”

  “Go ahead. I love your shy side.”

  Shay knew she’d treasure this moment, this sight for years, probably forever, the bronco-busting look of a sensuous blonde riding wild against a backdrop of stars. You’re a goner, you are, Maguire. She could only grin and hang on to her hat.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Saturday night, the bonfire ramped up the crowds and proceeded without a hitch for Shay and her massive crew of volunteers and Five Star employees. Firefighters dutifully misted the surrounding grounds, while police officers meandered through the welling crowd and mounted deputies patrolled the perimeter.

  Sheriff Davis drew his palomino to a halt beside Shay and tipped his hat.

  Shay beamed up at him from beneath her battered straw brim. “Howdy, pardner.” She ran a soothing palm along the horse’s withers.

  “Goes well, Shay. Nice job so far.”

  “Thanks, Sheriff. Fingers crossed.”

  “We’re estimating the crowd at around five thousand, and it’s early.”

  “We’re going to blow those numbers all to hell.”

  “Agreed. Tomorrow should be the biggest test. The whole damn town should show up, not to mention area towns, and we’ll probably top twenty thousand. What time does Prairie Fire arrive?”

  “Trucks should get here around noon, the band buses about four. Opening act goes on at eight.” She didn’t show her concern for the concert, the weekend’s biggest feature. The Nashville celebrities’ tour company would be providing its own security, and she hoped it and Tomson’s finest would get along.

  “Captain Anderson and his detail will want to meet with those folks right away,” Davis said.

  “Oh, they’ll be the welcoming committee, don’t worry. I’m getting them together immediately. I don’t want any misunderstandings, no turf wars. This is Tomson territory, not theirs.”

  He chuckled and his horse stepped sideways, impatiently. “Good to see you’re on top of things, Shay. Della chose right with you.” He tipped his hat again. “Stay sharp.”

  He moseyed off across the field and she took a moment to reflect on her present situation. Who would’ve thought…?

  She scruffed up her heated scalp and settled her hat back on her head. After a day of supervising the parking fields, the carnival and the vendors’ areas, the barns and farm corrals, and the growing bonfire crowd, she still hadn’t seen Mel. She pictured her cornered somewhere by a gaggle of biddies, being harped at by vultures. Before steam rose in her again, she dismissed that image. Mel wouldn’t put up with that. She’d stand her ground. Wouldn’t she?

  Ending another monotonous trip past the exhibits in the main barn, she descended the ramp and surveyed the bonfire throng once more. Flailing arms caught her eye this time, and she waved back at Misty, Coby, Keary, and Doran and felt a bit more secure in her solitary role.

  An ice-cold drink was in order, and she turned toward the nearest beer stand without looking. And knocked Mel right off her feet.

  “Holy shit!” Shay scrambled to help her up and brush dirt from her blouse and shorts.

  “Wow, Maguire, you’re a force!”

  “Jesus, Mel, I’m so sorry!” Shay was panic-stricken. Was that a flicker of pain?

  “It’s okay. I’m fine, honest.” Mel chuckled. “I just won’t try sneaking up again.”

  Shay scanned Mel’s adorable backside, brushed at every speck of dirt she could find along her legs and up to her hip pockets.

  Mel whispered. “Shay Maguire, come back here.”

  “I was just, you know…”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Buy you an ice cream? Cotton candy? Ride the Ferris wheel? Make out behind the barn?”

  “The devil in you—”

  Mel cut herself off so abruptly, Shay stilled. The sudden intensity in Mel’s eyes gripped her with the surety of hands on her shoulders, and Shay’s pulse quickened.

  “Mel?” Look at me like this much longer and I’ll kiss you.

  Mel sighed. “God. You’re irresistible. I need ice cream in a hurry.”

  Shay led the way past the crafts vendors and the high school booth, ridiculously eager to please.

  “Hey, Shay!” A wide-eyed teenager suddenly had Shay by the arm. “Remember me? Kenzie, freshman class president. I helped you at our bus yesterday.” She tugged Shay back to the booth. “Come see what we’ve got.” She removed Shay’s cowboy hat, and replaced it with a gold ball cap emblazoned with a black letter “T.” “You’re an honorary Tomson Trailblazer now.” Shay took it off to adjust the band, then fitted the cap to her head and bent the brim into a tight arc. She took back her cowboy hat and looked to Mel.

  “It’s so you, Shay,” Mel said, appraising her openly.

  Gleeful, Kenzie turned to the adult advisor behind the table. “See? This is Shay. I told you about her. She’s in charge here.” Her eyes followed Shay’s hands as Shay pulled money from her jeans. “No, the hat’s from me. It’s a gift. You aren’t paying for it.”

  Shay tried to speak, but Kenzie kept protesting. Shay glanced helplessly to Mel, but the sly look told her she was on her own. The advisor was no help either.

  “Here, then.” Shay put a twenty on the table. “A donation to the Student Government Council.” She backed away. “Thanks very much, Kenzie. I’ll wear it proudly.”

  “Sure, Shay. See ya ’round.”

  Shay shook her head as they walked. “How about something stronger than ice cream?”

  “She’s adorable, Shay.”

  “Great.”

  “I think it’s sweet. And no, ice cream will be perfect. Thank you.”


  Shay shot Mel a resigned look. “Thanks for your sympathy.” Forgetting that they were surrounded by hundreds of fair goers, she set her cowboy hat on Mel’s head and whistled at the sassiness it lent Mel’s all-American image.

  A middle-aged couple maneuvered around them and smiled approvingly at the hat. The man gave her a nod. “Lookin’ good.”

  Mel blushed as she eyed Shay. “You like this?”

  “God give me strength.”

  She fought the urge to take Mel’s hand as they roamed the busy midway. As it was, she thought a second straight night of them simply appearing together would have every tongue wagging that wasn’t already. But then Mel moved closer, and Shay’s confusion grew. Just how Mel wanted to be seen with her was a mystery. She didn’t want to push. No doubt Mel was just as frustrated. But Shay needed to know where she stood, at least where their boundaries lay. She was relieved when Mel glanced her way and spoke.

  “Last night…I can’t remember the last time I felt so good. And I want to enjoy tonight with you.”

  The words warmed Shay to her toes. I’d enjoy every night with you.

  “How about we don’t limit us to tonight?” She bumped her shoulder into Mel’s. “Last night really was special, Mel—even with cotton candy up your nose.”

  “That was your fault, you know.”

  “You pushed me.”

  “Ha! You pushed me!” Mel poked her chest.

  “I did not. I pulled you.”

  Mel grinned. “Yes, you certainly did.”

  “So, are you really okay with this?” Shay waved a hand between them, afraid to rejoice. Whatever you do, don’t kiss her, for God’s sake. “Us being seen together?”

  Mel took a noticeable breath. “Shay? I’m going to hold my head up. Screw them.”

  Shay stopped so fast she stirred up dust. “What?”

  “I said, screw them. I’ve put up with enough.”

  Shay’s mind hummed erratically and she looked hard at Mel’s keen stare. “I, um, wow. Yeah?”

  “There’s nothing I can do about people gossiping, is there? Why should I change who I am to satisfy someone else, especially low-life idiots? I’m not going to. I’m done.”