Jade

by Dark Hollows Press, LLC

  “Look Anthony. She’s a big girl who can take care of herself. I’m sure if she got herself into any hot water you’d be the first person she’d call. You know she thinks a lot of you and that’s saying something. She doesn’t hold many people in high regard.”

  “It’s a gut feeling I have. Well actually it’s more than a gut feeling. It’s been a decade since Holly died and we’ve launched her product line this year. I think it’s brought everything back again to her and she’s not someone to wear her emotions on her sleeve. You know how she is, she buries it all deep inside but it’s bound to come out somehow, someway, sooner or later and I think it’s coming to a head now.”

  “So what do you think she’s doing then?” Brendan queried.

  “I don’t know. Living in Las Vegas, losing all her money in the casinos, buying up property all over the western states, setting up an Alpaca farm. I mean, with her, it’s anybody’s guess. Besides, you said yourself that lately at our weekly poker games she’s been distracted and losing hands when she normally never loses, which is good for us but odd for her. Something’s going on with her. I need to get a hold of her to find out.”

  Anthony waited for Brendan’s response. There was nothing but silence on the other end of the line for more than a few moments. At last he spoke. “Do whatever you need to do but keep in mind that it’s only been a few days. She called you, what, a couple of days ago to tell you she was taking three weeks off. So what? It’s not like she’s missing in action. She has her cell phone and laptop. She hasn’t disappeared off the face of the planet, right? Besides you didn’t seem this worried before when she mentioned it, so why all the big concern now?”

  Somewhat shamefacedly, Anthony admitted, “I was so thrilled to be running the company on my own that it didn’t even cross my mind to ask why she decided out of the blue to take three weeks off. I know she said she needed some R&R but I feel I should have probed a little bit deeper. You know, not taken it simply at its face value. Jade is my friend and a great boss but you know her tendency to micro-manage and be hands on with everything. It’s nice to be fully in the driver’s seat for a change.”

  Brendan laughed so hard and long into the phone that Anthony started to get annoyed. Breathlessly he spluttered out. “Congratulations buddy. You’re normal just like anybody else. Personally I don’t know how you’ve stood it for as long as you have with Jade breathing down your neck all the time. Enjoy it for what it is, because before you know it she’ll be back and ready for action.”

  After getting off the phone with Brendan, he was relieved to find he felt better. He had put things into perspective. Anthony realized he wasn’t showing much faith in Jade or her judgment if he thought things could go off the rails that quickly. She had only been out of touch a couple of days. If she needed to blow off some steam for the next couple of weeks so be it. In the meantime he’d keep the business running in her absence.

  * * * *

  The women had their breakfast and bundled themselves up in their gear. Mitch had driven up the road to pick them up and take them back down to the mule shack. After first name introductions had been made they got into his Jeep, Jade in the front and Stacey in the back.

  “You’re lucky,” Mitch began, “Usually the road would be closed at this time of year but the weathers been so good it’s been kept open. We’re ‘officially’ closed at the mule shack but we certainly don’t mind taking the occasional tourist down when it’s so nice. For an extra charge,” he threw in with a cheerful grin.

  “It’s okay even though it snowing now?” Jade didn’t want to be tossed off the side of the canyon by a mule that slipped on an icy trail and she was quite sure that Stacey didn’t either.

  “Nah, this is nothing for these mules and they could do this in their sleep. Besides, ma’am, we’re not like the south rim. They get more tourists and are open all year round, so if we can make some extra money we’re not against it.”

  She was more amused than annoyed at his candor. “Well, thanks for your honesty.”

  He threw her another quick open faced grin. “You’re welcome, ma’am. With Christmas coming the extra money will be handy.”

  She decided she was going to throw in a generous tip on top of their already generous fare. “You can call me Jade instead of ma’am. Ma’am makes me feel so old,” she said, smiling to take any sting out of the words. Mitch was probably twenty years her senior.

  “It wasn’t intended as an insult. You don’t look old at all but you do look like you’re used to respect. Something in the way you carry yourself. I don’t think I want to get on your bad side.”

  Both women laughed at this accurate remark. It was true and Jade was amused at how easily he had read her.

  She was happy, though, that the warm sensual side of her was coming to the surface thanks to Stacey. But she did notice how men treated her differently from Stacey and age had only a certain amount to do with it. Stacey couldn’t change how she looked but she could change how she presented herself. It was obvious to anyone that when most men looked at her all they could think about was fucking her. It would be nice if they took her seriously, seeing the whole person and not simply the sum of her body parts. But then again, wasn’t that how she had viewed her originally? Jade realized to her chagrin she hadn’t viewed Stacey any differently from any man out there.

  Mitch pulled up to an outpost where a woman stood waiting for them with four saddled mules.

  “Ladies, this is my wife, Sandy. Sandy, this is Jade and Stacey,” Mitch said. They all shook hands.

  “Mighty pleased to meet you both.” Sandy said. The immediate impression Jade got from her was warm friendliness. She’d treat you like a long, lost relative even if she had only known you for a minute. She had that old world hospitality air that was so hard to find in this day and age.

  Once introductions were over, they all mounted, heading off with Mitch in the lead and Sandy coming up the rear. As they progressed through spectral trees and lush evergreens, Jade was overwhelmed by the wintry beauty surrounding them.

  The mules as promised were surefooted and even-tempered. At one point when they stopped to look out at the view spread before them, she found herself scratching Jake behind his long floppy ears and telling him what a good boy he was. The mule was so relaxing to ride that she thought it might be something to look into when she got back to New York.

  Twisting back toward Stacey, she smiled at her. She looked beautiful with the snow covering her dark hair which was turning incredibly wavy and wild in the weather. Her eyes smiled back at her and Jade’s heart stealthily turned over in her chest. Looking forward again she hoped Sandy hadn’t noticed anything. The story they had told her and Mitch was that Stacey was her friend’s daughter coming back to attend school in New York. Originally they were going to fly back but decided to make it a driving tour instead, spending time talking about some of the issues Stacey was dealing with.

  “Hasn’t the school year already started?” Sandy had asked puzzled.

  Jade had been quick. “Yes it has but right now they are on their winter break. Stacey has gotten herself into a little bit of trouble in Las Vegas.” That’s an understatement, she thought, “So after her mom contacted me for help we thought it might be best for her to come stay with me and attend Adult Education Classes until she gets her high school diploma.”

  This was all Sandy needed to hear to set her off on a tangent. She berated Stacey for not staying in school and emphasized how important it was to get a good education. Stacey nodded meekly in agreement and said how lucky she was that Jade was willing to help her out and get her on the right track.

  Jade was highly amused by the whole conversation. Not because she didn’t think Stacey shouldn’t get her high school education, but because if Sandy knew the full extent of their relationship she was pretty sure she’d be horrified.

  Riding in silence for a while, she became aware that Sandy was calling her. Turning around she glanced at Stacey who raised
her eyebrows and gave a subtle shrug. Looking at her a moment longer, Jade turned her attention to Sandy.

  “Yes Sandy?”

  “I love the name, Jade. It’s not a name we hear too often out here in the West. I’ve only met a handful of them. Is it a nickname or is it your given name?”

  “It’s my birth name. My mother was so sure I’d have green eyes that she’d picked the name out before I was even born.” She paused for a moment. “I never knew who my father was but I believe I inherited my green eyes from him.”

  “And your mother never told you, even now, who your father might be.”

  She gave a short laugh. “Well she never got the opportunity to tell me and I never got the opportunity to ask because she left before I turned a year old. I haven’t seen her since. My grandmother raised me on a farm in Iowa. I don’t even remember my mother. All I have of her are a few pictures that my grandmother took while she was growing up. I guess she was very troubled so she probably did me a favor in a way leaving me with my grandmother.”

  Sandy had plenty to say about that having raised six children herself, with the youngest still at home finishing high school. She was very outspoken in her contempt of mothers who couldn’t put their problems aside to raise their children.

  Jade was amused to find someone so indignant on her behalf especially at this late stage in her life but in retrospect she had to admit most people didn’t know her life story – except for Holly of course. Holly had known her better than anyone, even Anthony. Such a sharp pain of grief surged through her that her hands trembled on the reins. The only one who noticed was the mule Jake who flicked his long ears back as if to ask what the problem was. She reached over and scratched his neck. Jake’s steps became almost jaunty with the unexpected affection. It made her smile and helped ease the pain of Holly’s memory a little.

  Sandy had fallen silent after her rant as they continued down the trail. The view was so breathtaking that Jade felt sad that it had taken her this long to actually come here to see the Grand Canyon in all its splendor. She had flown over it many times but had never given it much thought until now. Stacey had wanted to see it, and she wanted to make Stacey happy. She was enjoying this awesome beauty all because of her.

  * * * *

  Stacey, riding behind her, was more than a little surprised to hear the story of Jade’s upbringing. Biting her lip, she realized she had assumed a lot of things about her – that she had the advantage of a normal and stable upbringing for one thing. And while it appeared her grandmother had raised her well, it would still suck being abandoned by your mother. Still, she thought wryly to herself, she had lived with her mother and had been abandoned emotionally if not physically years ago. But these were the things she needed to know and understand about Jade if this relationship had any chance of succeeding.

  Mitch pulled into a rest area and dismounted and they followed suit. Coming over to stand beside Jade, Stacey was keenly aware of her presence. What she wanted to do was reach over, pull her close and kiss her. Wishing the world was more different than it was now, she turned to her, smiling. “Do you want to walk down the path a bit?”

  Jade nodded and both women walked down the snow covered path. Stopping they looked over the edge, awed by the incredibly powerful beauty that surrounded them.

  Turning to Stacey, she said, “I wish I’d brought my camera with me. I’d love to capture this view. I’m actually a very good amateur photographer. I mean you can’t help being in the industry and not pick up some of the tricks of the trade. Plus,” she paused for a moment, “I hired one of the best in the field to teach me for a pretty pricy sum. But now it’s been a couple of years since I’ve held a camera in my hands. I wonder why I stopped. I used to enjoy doing it so much as it was a great distraction from the pressures of my job.”

  “Maybe it’s time to start again,” Stacey suggested, sensing how much she missed it. “Why not buy a camera now and photo journal this road trip?”

  Jade looked at her. “Yes, you’re right. I suppose I could, couldn’t I?”

  It was snowing again. Stacey opened her mouth and stuck her tongue out to catch the snowflakes. She looked over at Jade and her heart leaped to see the tender look come over her face. A mischievous idea came into her head and she quickly reached down to pick up a handful of snow and threw it at her.

  Jade gasped in surprise and her tender look turned cunning. Stacey turned to run but not before Jade got her good on the side of her arm.

  “Oh, you’re in trouble now.” Soon they were both laughing so hard they could hardly stand. Stacey stumbled over to her and leaned her body full against her. Jade wrapped her arms tight around her. Looking up to where Mitch and Sandy were, she was relieved to see there was no way they could see them over the crest of the hill they’d descended. Still, if they came looking for them, this was a very compromising position to be discovered in.

  Kissing her quickly on the lips, Stacey pulled away and said, “I can hardly wait until we get back to the cabin.” Looking up at Jade with a sexy, sultry look knowing it would leave no doubt at all on what she intended to do once back.

  “Me either. Come on, baby. We should head back before they come looking for us,”

  Reluctant, but knowing she was right, Stacey turned to head back up the path. Aware of the throbbing between her legs, she began fantasizing about the things Jade did to her in bed. The sexual chemistry was amazing and the thought of her hands on her body was enough to make her weak in the knees. Thinking of Jade’s tongue licking her in that sensitive, secret spot between her legs made her so, so wet and horny. Anxious to get back now, she increased her pace as she walked up the hill. All she wanted to do was get back to the cabin and get underneath Jade and her tongue.

  * * * *

  Sandy and Mitch hadn’t been idle while sitting with the mules waiting for the two women to return. Sandy had started talking about Jade. Mitch had told her to mind her own business but she had kept right on talking.

  “Mitch, wouldn’t it be funny if this Jade we have here right now on this mule ride is the Jade Tanner, the cosmetics tycoon. I mean, she’s about the right age and has that look of money about her. I read an article awhile back about Holly Dahl, the co-founder of Jade’s Cosmetics. She passed away from cancer several years ago. Anyhow there was a picture of Jade Tanner taken at her funeral and I think this is her!”

  Mitch told her to shut up about it and how could she in God’s name remember a picture from years ago?

  “Do you still have that magazine with the picture in it?” he snapped at her.

  “No but…” Sandy started.

  “Then shut the fuck up about it Sandy. I swear to God if you ask if she’s Jade Tanner I’ll skin you alive. If she’s not you’ll look like an idiot and if she is, you’ll still look like an idiot.”

  Irritated she stuck out her tongue at him and blew him a raspberry. How could she explain to Mitch that the picture stuck with her not so much because of the image but the energy that emanated from it? This tall glossy haired beautiful woman emanated that same energy. If she told him that he’d really lose his cool with her. He didn’t believe in that hocus pocus stuff. But could it simply be someone with a similar vibe? When she had questioned Jade about her name she had hoped she would offer up the goods but she hadn’t.

  A movement caught her eye. Turning her head she saw the two women walking up the hill. “Oh look, here they come now.”

  Watching them, she was struck by the air of intimacy that surrounded them even though they were walking well apart. As they approached she, for once, listened to Mitch and didn’t say anything. If she was the Jade Tanner here incognito on a mission to help her friend’s daughter, it probably wouldn’t do to piss her off by blowing her cover.

  Once the journey back up the trail was done, there was that uncomfortable moment when money needed to exchange hands.

  Jade stood looking at Mitch and he looked at her. With studied nonchalance Jade pulled five crisp one hund
red dollar bills from her wallet.

  Handing it to Mitch, she said, “Here, this should cover it along with Sal’s fee.” She could not suppress an involuntary shudder when she said the creep’s name.

  Sandy and Mitch exchanged glances. They noticed her cringe. “No one really likes Sal, but because it is such a small community we all tolerate him.

  "His uncle owns the Gateway so he lets Sal man the desk in the off season. Sal’s the weirdo of the family. I think his uncle feels an obligation to help him out because Sal’s dad is a jackass and never treated Sal very well. In the summer he does odd jobs around here to earn his keep but he’s lazier than a toad at noon.” She shrugged. “He doesn’t add anything to the Inn but there’s not much we can say about it.”

  “Ahhhh,” Jade said, “Well that explains it.” They thanked Sandy and Mitch again for taking them. “It’s something I know I’ll remember forever and I’ll be recommending it to my friends,” she said, with a carefree grin. “I’ll be coming back too.”

  Mitch shot Sandy a meaningful look which she interpreted as saying, See? Good thing you didn’t ask her if she was Jade Tanner otherwise this would all be out the window ‘cuz you would have pissed her off.

  Grudgingly she had to admit that Mitch was probably right about keeping her mouth shut. Not that she’d ever tell him that, but if this was THE Jade Tanner, the caliber of clientele she could bring would bring them to the next level. The only thing was, they’d have to do something about that crappy Gateway Inn Lodge. Sal would have to go.

  * * * *

  Mitch dropped them off at their cabin. Both women were cold and tired.

  “You have the first shower and I’ll get a fire going in the wood stove,” she said to Stacey seeing she was as cold and tired as she was. She heard her stripping in the bedroom and then the shower running. Looking at the wood stove brought back memories of the farm house in Fremont. When she had been responsible enough, Jade’s grandmother had taught her the secret of how to get a fire started. That information would certainly come in useful now. While she busied herself making the fire Stacey emerged, cocooned in a fluffy towel, her hair trailing down her back in damp tendrils. Jade felt the breath sucked right out of her as she was again blown away by Stacey’s natural breathtaking beauty. Stacey smiled at her. “I made sure there’s still hot water for you.”