by CF Frizzell
A small voice called her name and she turned in time to catch the youngster stumbling over his own feet. “Whoa, cowboy!” Shay caught him before he hit the turf.
“I sorta almost tripped,” he said. “Hi, Shay.”
“Hi.” She squatted to see beneath his red cowboy hat. “Hey, you’re Josh?”
The round face lit up. “Yeah, it’s me. Grammy and Grampy brought us again. We had to see the Rangers ’cause me and Joey are gonna do that next summer and then I saw you ’cause we’re over there on the fence and you said you’d show me your Harley if I came again and so can I see it? Here I am.”
“Yeah, you sure are.” Shay looked around for Rogers and his family. Her breath caught when she spotted them and an elderly woman—and Mel wearing dark Jackie-O sunglasses.
They all appeared engaged in lighthearted conversation with the older woman, who sat in a folding chair very close to the rail. At her side, Mel pointed out something in the program to the others.
Her hair was loose, and Shay was hypnotized by the glossy waves lolling about her shoulders in the breeze. She knew how they felt, as she did all Mel’s curves, outlined by that rosy T-shirt. The khaki shorts just shouted for Shay’s hands.
Shay’s mind flipped into playback mode as she lost herself in the view, and she reveled in the sensation of those lips melting into her own, the feather-light touch of that hair dancing across her eyelids, the trembling on her tongue…
“Hey, Shay.” Josh yanked on her belt. “Can you take me for a ride? This is so cool!” He ran both tiny palms across the Softail’s leather seat.
“I can’t right now, Josh, but if you want to sit on it, that’s okay.”
He heaved himself onto the seat, head first, and almost fell off the other side. She dashed to rescue him by his back pockets.
“Okay, not that way,” she said, laughing, and set him on the seat properly. He grabbed for the handlebars, and even though he could barely reach both at the same time, it didn’t seem to spoil his fun.
Josh yelled with all his might, “HEY, GRAMPY, LOOK!”
All heads in the immediate vicinity turned.
Mel’s heart pumped a bit harder at the sight by the motorcycle. Josh was adorable. Shay was hot.
She watched Shay place his hands on the gas tank and then sling a leg over the seat behind him. With tactile clarity, Mel recalled the weakness she had brought to those legs just hours ago in the shower, how Shay had clung to her as she shuddered, so vulnerable during climax. Standing beside Nana, Mel welcomed a familiar rush of arousal.
Shay straightened the bike and heeled up the kickstand. She threw her weight forward to coax the Softail into motion, then pushed off with her feet. Josh beamed at his grandparents.
Shay rolled them to the railing and raised her voice over Josh’s rapid-fire exclamations to greet everyone. Joey whined for his turn, so Shay hoisted Josh off and him on, and gave him a few minutes to gawk and preen from the seat.
Nana peered out from under her sun hat at the scene. Once again, Mel wondered what was going through her mind. Ready or not…
The children examined the Harley thoroughly while Tommy and Barbara picked up the conversation about motorcycles, horses, the Five Star, the fair, and, thankfully, not the Heights. Mel didn’t want that heavy topic to surface. She already had one to think about. Determined to wait for the right moment, Mel remained cool, silent, and smiling behind her black lenses.
Little Joey got his quiet ride as Shay walked the heavy Softail to the arena gate and back. Marveling at the strength in Shay’s legs, Mel just shook her head. Joey waved and she extended both arms and revved an invisible motorcycle. Shay flashed her a sideways grin, rolled to a stop, and set Joey next to Barbara.
Shay remained seated, pointedly looking everywhere but at her. Mel could feel Nana sizing up this infamous Shay Maguire person she’d heard precious little about. In fact, Nana blatantly stared. Courage, remember? Open your mouth before she does.
“Do you work for Della Slattery?” Nana abruptly said.
Too late.
Shay removed her Trailblazer cap, and Mel wished that seductive look had a smidgeon of the impact on Nana that it did on her.
“Yes, ma’am. The fair is the biggest responsibility I’ve ever had. I hope you’re enjoying it.”
I could listen to that deep, creamy voice all day.
Nana turned away to take Mel’s arm and pull her down. In a poorly-disguised hush, she asked, “Lissa, is this a man or a woman?”
Mel felt her face drop. She was mortified. Graciously, Shay grinned at the ground. Tommy and Barbara immediately began discussing food, but had to silence the boys, who thought the entire issue was hysterical.
“Nana, this is Shay Maguire. She is the project manager for Slattery.”
“This is Shay Maguire?”
With a mixed expression, Nana turned back, and Mel cringed, having no idea what would come out of that mouth next. Nana most likely would insult Shay’s gender, her appearance, or her employer, or all three, and Mel simply shook her head at everyone.
Shay leaned off her seat toward Nana. “How do you do, Mrs. Baker? It’s very nice to meet you.”
“You don’t dress the part of a boss,” Nana said. Mel’s attention went skyward.
Shay sat up straighter and offered a humble smile. “Well, I’m lucky that my boss didn’t hire me for my wardrobe. I tend to get pretty involved in my work, and I never know when I’m going to end up really dirty.”
“Oh, so you don’t just ride around on that thing giving orders to folks?”
“No, ma’am, I don’t. I’m working with police and fire officials, vendors, townspeople, even those Nashville bigwigs about the concert. I have a lot of ground to cover every day, and I have to make sure things get done on time. And if somebody needs a hand, I jump in. I believe in earning my paycheck.”
“Well, that’s mighty refreshing to hear these days. I like that,” Nana said and nodded her approval.
Mel dared to think Shay was racking up points. She glanced at Tommy and Barbara. Both appeared quite amused.
“Are you from Chicago?”
So much for points.
Shay looked surprised. “Ah, yes, ma’am.”
“I’d heard that.”
“Have you ever been?”
Good for you, Shay.
“Lord, no. No city for me. I’m proud to say I’ve lived here all my life.”
“Honestly, Mrs. Baker, I’ve only been here a short time, but I wish I could say the same. You’re a very lucky lady.”
“You know, you have such a pretty smile. Why don’t you let your hair grow?”
Mel bent down to whisper. “Nana, stop embarrassing her.”
“I was just asking an honest question, Lissa. Look at her,” she went on, and pointed with a crooked finger. “She should let it grow. It would look so nice, and right now, it’s just so…mannish. Just look.”
Mel dropped her sunglasses to the tip of her nose and connected with Shay’s eyes. The impact swirled to her depths like a fine liqueur, and she bit her lower lip. Shay noticed and shifted on her seat. Unable to control her smile, Mel turned away briefly and reset her sunglasses. Jesus, she thought, I can’t even look at her without melting. And it shows. She collected herself as quickly as possible.
“Nana, if she wanted longer hair, she’d have it, I’m sure. You know, with this weather we’ve been having, I don’t blame Shay for wearing it that way. It’s much cooler. And speaking of that,” she rounded on their group, “I am parched. Anyone for lemonade?”
“Me! Me!” the boys chorused. Everyone but Nana smirked.
“Hey, guys?” Shay reached into her pocket and drew out a quarter. The boys gathered closer. She quickly flipped it into the air and slapped it down onto her thigh. “One of you picks heads or tails, and the winner rides up front, the other rides behind me. We’ll roll over to the lemonade stand with Ms. Baker, okay?”
Mel sighed with relief.
&n
bsp; “Yeah!” Josh shouted, then apparently remembered to ask for permission.
“I call heads!” Joey yelled, as if Shay wasn’t less than a foot away.
The boys pressed against the motorcycle and Shay’s leg to see. She slowly lifted her hand and the three of them leaned in to peek at the results. The adults were amused, but Mel was busy thanking her sunglasses because every part of Shay made her mind race and her vision blur. I want you completely, too.
“Tails! I win!” Josh blurted, and jumped up and down. “I’m sitting up front! I’ll drive!”
They left Nana with Tommy and Barbara and made their way across the grounds. The boys talked nonstop, and Mel strolled while Shay worked up a sweat to keep the bike rolling.
“Sorry about Nana, Shay.”
Joey tapped Shay’s back. “Did she hurt your feelings, Shay, not knowin’ you was a girl?”
“No. She was just being honest about what she was thinking. It’s just that, sometimes, it’s polite to think about the other person’s feelings before you say or do things. I bet Ms. Baker’s grandmother just forgot, that’s all.”
At the concession stand, with the boys content waiting on the bike, Mel gazed appreciatively at Shay’s profile. “You’re terrific with them, you know.” Shay chuckled, and Mel reached into her shoulder bag for her wallet. “I’m buying. This was my idea.”
Shay unfolded a wad of wrinkled bills she’d pulled from her pocket and didn’t look up. “To save my ass, so I’m buying.”
“No, you’re not.” She bumped her shoulder to Shay’s and murmured, “It’s a really nice ass.” She rushed money onto the counter and lowered her voice. “I can’t keep my eyes off you. It’s going to be an awfully long day.”
Shay spoke toward her boots. “I hate not seeing your eyes. All I want to do is kiss you—everywhere.” She chuckled and Mel glanced her way.
“What’s funny?”
“Well, it’s not really funny, funny,” Shay said as she watched the woman pour their drinks. “I, ah, riding the bike…the vibration…”
Mel looked over the top of her sunglasses again and smirked. She loved the lines of Shay’s face, the determined set of the lips she now knew so well and ached to touch. She rose on tiptoes to whisper in her ear.
“Somebody’s horny.”
Shay’s eyes flashed. “Do tell.”
Mel pushed her glasses back into place. Teasing was as arousing as a touch. She took the carrier with lemonade for the boys, Nana, and herself, and they headed back to the bike.
But nearly light-headed with happiness, Mel couldn’t let it go. It simply felt so good. “And whose fault is that?”
“It’s your fault.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, God, no. I thank you.”
“Nana doesn’t know what to make of you.”
“Who?” Shay asked. “Him or her?”
“I’m so sorry, Shay.”
“It’s okay. I’m used to it. I just don’t want her to dislike me.”
Mel was lost in thought as Shay carefully mounted the Softail between the boys. Approaching the group along the fence, she walked closer to the bike.
“We’ll be going up to the barn in a bit. Nana’s friends are expecting her at the Grange exhibit. Mike and I have work to do here before I take Nana home.”
“You’re coming back, though, right? I mean, for the concert and all.”
“Seriously?” She watched Shay lift each boy off the Softail. “For the concert. Oh, of course.”
Shay leaned toward Nana again. “I better get back to work. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Baker. I hope we see each other again soon.”
“Good afternoon, Shay.”
Mel tempered the longing from her voice. “Good seeing you. Don’t work too hard.”
“Can’t. I’m pretty worn out already,” Shay said. “Pedaling this thing is hard work.”
*
Nana didn’t waste any time getting to the point, just held her words until Mel left the ranch and turned onto asphalt. Mel had been about to ask if Nana reconsidered attending the concert, returning to the fair after a nap and supper, but didn’t get the opportunity.
“Are you carrying on with that…that woman? She’s a lesbian.”
Mel froze. This certainly wasn’t the way she’d hoped to deal with the issue. Not that she’d come up with any suitable way yet.
“‘Carrying on’? What do you mean, precisely?”
“You know perfectly well what I mean. Please take those glasses off and look at me.”
“Nana, I’m driving.”
“You’re avoiding my question. It simply cannot be true. I won’t hear of it.”
“Can we talk at home?”
“I am just so upset. It’s all so disturbing.” She pulled tissues from her handbag. “To hear from several people that my granddaughter is associating with someone who…who thinks she’s a man, that Melissa Baker is being played for a fool, has been taken in by—”
“Okay, that’s enough.” Mel braked hard and pulled off the road. Nana stopped dabbing her eyes to grab the door handle. Mel threw the shift into park, turned in the driver’s seat, and flung her sunglasses onto the dashboard.
Nana looked at her fearfully. “Why are you angry?”
“Why?” Mel took a breath. She had to calm down or Nana wouldn’t see past the fury. “I’d thought we’d have a calm, mature discussion in the privacy of our home, Nana, but you leave me no choice.”
“You need to do something immediately, remove yourself from the dangerous game being played by this woman, if that’s what she really is. I can’t say as I’m sure. No one is sure.”
Mel was so mad, she didn’t know where to begin. That’s it. This insanity stops here.
“First of all, I’ll associate with Shay Maguire in any way and for as long as I choose.” Nana’s eye widened. “Secondly, I’m a grown woman and don’t ‘play games,’ as you so crassly put it. Do you think I’m a fool? Is that what you think?”
“Well, no, Lissa, dear, but—”
“You need to acknowledge that I’ve been properly raised to be a kind, honest person. A good person, one with a brain. I am smart enough to recognize and appreciate sincerity in others. I’ve earned your respect. Hell, I deserve your respect.”
“Well, yes.”
“Do you respect me?”
“Good heavens, yes. I know how you were raised, how smart you are, how much you care for others. I know you, Lissa, that’s why this is—”
Mel shook her head and held up a hand for Nana to stop. “There’s a part of me, Nana, a very big part of who I am that you do not know.” She set her upraised hand on her chest. “The heart of the matter is that I’m gay, Nana, and I’ve always been gay. It’s the part of me I’ve wanted to share with you for so, so long, but I feared you’d put credence to gossip and negativity and overlook my happiness. Obviously, my fears were justified, and that hurts me terribly.”
“You’re claiming to be a lesbian?”
“It’s a fact, Nana. And I am tired of living my life in fear of ridiculous attitudes. Yours included. I’m done with it.”
Her voice a tear-choked mumble, Nana stated, “Our pastor reminds us that homosexuals—”
“He’s wrong, Nana.”
“Melissa! His is the word of our Lord!”
“No, Nana. It isn’t. It’s Pastor Rooney’s interpretation. And I’m not going to debate the Bible with you here on the side of the damn road, nor confess my years of frustration having had to listen to him rant about innocent people…about me,” she added, leaning toward her for emphasis.
Nana sat dumbstruck, tears wet her blouse. She shook her head slowly, turned away as she wiped her face, and spoke out the window.
“I refuse to believe it. Three people spoke to me about you today. I shudder to think what the entire town must be saying.”
Mel touched her arm. “Would you let someone tell you how to live your life? No, I know you wouldn’t. It’d be a
cold day in hell. Well, I’m being honest with you, Nana, because I love you, and I’m being honest with myself. Please hear me.” Nana sent her a guarded look. “These are the indisputable facts: I’m extremely attracted to Shay Maguire and she is to me. I find her refreshingly exciting, kind, and fun, and I’m envious of her courage to be her own person. I respect that immensely. Being with her makes me happy, stronger inside, and I enjoy being with her. I think the world of her, Nana. She’s very special to me.”
Mel had no idea what either of them would say next, but when Nana removed her glasses, she braced for more.
“Melissa Baker. What in the name of God’s green earth are you saying?”
“I’m telling you that I’ve buried myself in my work long enough. I’ve found someone who makes my days brighter, who makes my heart happy.”
“But, Lissa, that’s what good friends are for. This Shay Maguire, well, if she insists on taking you as her friend, you have to be aware of what people will say, how the Chronicle could suffer.”
“I’ll repeat myself. I am done living my life to please other people. As for the Chronicle, well, I guess we’ll see how fair-minded Tomson people really are, won’t we?” Mel swallowed the scream that threatened to leap from her lips. “And Shay hasn’t taken me as a friend. Shay and I have grown to become friends. And I don’t want Shay to become something someone else wants. She is wonderful the way she is. It’s why we’re close. We’re different and we complement each other amazingly well. I love it. And I love her for it.”
Nana issued a tired sigh and Mel reset herself behind the wheel. Shifting the car into drive, she noticed the tremor in her hand. My heart rate must be over a hundred. So much was said, yet she knew she stopped short of admitting she was falling in love. And it’s time you admitted it to yourself.
“Let’s get home and I’ll fix us a couple tall iced teas.” She glanced at Nana, but found her staring out the window again. Mel exhaled, feeling a bit lighter around her shoulders. “We can talk more at the house, if you want.” She gave Nana’s knee a little squeeze.
“I don’t think there’s much more to be said.”
