A Shot at Love

by T. B. Markinson

“Yes,” Harriet lied, adding, “it has to be tomorrow. He was very clear about that.” Harriet remembered feeling Josie’s lips on hers and their plans for more tomorrow night. Having Camilla in the guest bedroom simply wasn’t feasible.

  “That seems out of the blue.”

  “X-ray!” Harriet snapped her fingers.

  “You’re getting weirder and weirder the longer you stay there. You know that? I’m actually worried about you.”

  “It’s for the puzzle.”

  “Oh, for bones. Yes, that’s a good one. Back to the matter at hand, I don’t think you understand. I need to come up this weekend.”

  “Need to? As in it’s life or death?” Harriet could practically taste the sarcasm in her mouth.

  “Yes. Exactly like that.”

  Harriet sat up straighter in her chair. “What’s going on?”

  “I can’t talk about it now. I need to be there, though.”

  “Now I’m worried about you. Can’t you give me something to go on?”

  Camilla shook her head, pressing her lips tightly. But she always had thinning lips whenever Harriet wanted her to spill a secret.

  “Can you stay…?” Harriet was about to say with Clive but corrected to, “At the inn on my street? I don’t want you getting ill from the paint fumes.” She nearly choked rushing this lie out of her cotton mouth.

  “Is this really how you treat your cousin? If need be, I can share the bed with you.”

  How could Harriet tell Camilla the truth? That Harriet hoped Josie would be staying the night? Even if they had only kissed earlier today, the kissing made Harriet hope for more. So much more. But her cousin was right, of course. “Okay, okay. I’ll make it work.”

  “Thanks, Harry. I really need you.”

  Harriet wanted to kick something but said with as much conviction as possible, “I’m always here for you, Cam.”

  “You hardly ever call me Cam.”

  “It felt like the appropriate time to.”

  Camilla smiled. “I knew I could count on you.”

  Josie probably won’t feel the same way.

  “See you tomorrow.” Harriet waved, feeling rather foolish.

  The call ended, and Harriet steepled her fingers, trying to decide what to do. Call Josie right then and there and explain the situation? Go to the pub and do it in person?

  Was it too early for a gin and tonic?

  Josie glanced up from the pint she was pouring and smiled at Harriet as she entered the pub, causing the stab of guilt to work its way further into Harriet’s side, as if a knife was trying to pluck out a rib.

  William shuffled to his favorite chair with his pint.

  “You’re here early.” Josie leaned over the bar and whispered, “Are you hoping for another kiss so soon?”

  Harriet giggled like a schoolgirl.

  “You okay?”

  Harriet nodded.

  “Do you want a drink to loosen up your tongue some?”

  “Please.” Harriet tugged on the neckline of her jumper.

  “What’s wrong? You’ve gone a bit green around the gills.”

  “Camilla.”

  “Is she okay?” Josie measured out the gin for a double. After taking a peek at Harriet, Josie shook out a bit more.

  “I don’t know. She insisted on coming up tomorrow because she has to talk.”

  “Gosh, I hope everything’s okay.”

  “But… tomorrow.” Harriet stared into Josie’s sparkling green eyes to impress the importance of the date.

  “At least you won’t have to wait long to find out what’s going on.”

  “True. But we had plans for tomorrow,” Harriet whispered.

  Josie’s smile lifted the cloud. “It’s okay, Harry. I totally understand.” She twisted the cap off the tonic bottle and set it next to Harry’s glass. “Just for you, two slices of grapefruit.”

  “That’s sweet. Don’t get in trouble with the boss lady. She’s not my biggest fan.” More like bitter enemy.

  “She’s not here at the moment.”

  “Does she have a favorite treat I can bribe her with?”

  Josie’s smile broadened, really bringing that dimple to life. “Chocolate.”

  “Any chocolate or a certain type?”

  Josie blew out a breath. “She really liked this chocolate place in Boston. It was in the Back Bay, if I remember correctly. Are you planning on dashing over to get some?”

  “Would it help?”

  “You really are sweet. She may warm to you if she found out about earlier. The woman would marry me off to the highest bidder if that meant keeping me here.”

  “I’m not sure how to take that.” Harriet knew Eugenie wasn’t her biggest fan, but the way Josie said may warm to you made it seem like Eugenie would never take to Harriet.

  “If it makes you feel better, we’re in the same boat. I’m not sure how to handle my mum these days. I’m sure you don’t have anything to worry about. Dowries aren’t a thing anymore, are they?” Josie rubbed her head. “Wait, I have that backward. Mum would have to pay a dowry. Or would you? How does it work in lesbian marriages?”

  “Are you proposing again?” Harriet laughed, realizing Josie was doing her best winding Harriet up, but it didn’t grate on her. In fact, she found it charming.

  “It’s my thing these days.” Josie rested on her forearms. “Be honest; were you nervous to tell me about postponing tomorrow? Was that the guilt I picked up on?”

  “Was it that obvious?”

  “Yes. Really, Harry, it’s not a big deal aside from the fact I have to keep my hands off you longer than I’d planned on.”

  Harriet’s mouth watered. “Is it wrong of me to wish Camilla’s life could fall apart at a different time?”

  “Wouldn’t that be nice?”

  “She can be infuriating sometimes.”

  “Who knows? She may still end up with Clive for the night, although ever since you stopped running the ginger ads, more women seem intent on coming here looking like ladies of the night hoping to snare his attention.” Josie leaned over the bar. “I think he’s getting tired of it. The only woman he talks about is your cousin, so fingers crossed they end up shagging.” Josie crossed her fingers with both hands.

  “That’d be lovely.”

  “I like this side of you.” Josie gave Harriet’s hand a pat.

  “Desperate?”

  “Desperation can be good in some departments. Makes me know you want more time with me. That’s a very good thing. Considering all the misunderstandings, the look of wanting in your eyes is crystal clear.”

  Josie had no idea how much Harriet wanted it. Wanted her.

  A group of tourists charged in, laughing, two of the guys in the group slapping each other on the back as if coming in from an epic adventure. Josie held up a finger, implying she’d be right back.

  Harriet walked to the far end of the bar, sitting on one of the available barstools. While Josie poured pints, Harriet was able to check out Josie from the side. Her tight jeans hugged Josie’s ass in such a way… Harriet swallowed a healthy portion of her G&T, trying to temper the desire raging inside. What was becoming of Harriet? She wasn’t the type to objectify anyone, but some switch in her brain had been tripped, and all she could think about was Josie. Not just having sex with Josie. Listening to her talk. Wanting her advice. Feeling her body against Harriet’s.

  Harriet took another long tug of her drink, draining it.

  “Easy, tiger. The next one is only going to be a single.” Josie took the empty glass, dumping the ice before putting it in the dishwasher. “Still upset about tomorrow night?”

  “I like your jeans,” Harriet blurted.

  Josie glanced over her shoulder at her backside. “I was hoping you’d come in tonight. It’s not my dress, but…” Josie arched her eyebrows. “Now, don’t suck this one down like a frat boy, because I may have a solution to our problem.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Getting off work toni
ght around nine.”

  “I like the sound of getting off—” Harriet couldn’t complete the sentence once she registered the words she’d just spoken.

  “On second thought, maybe you should down the gin and tonic. It’s really loosening your tongue.”

  Another patron stood at the bar, and Josie left Harriet once again, but Josie gave Harriet another chance to check out her ass.

  “The best view in the village,” Harriet said to herself, but Josie turned her head and gave Harriet a you’re a saucy minx grin.

  Harriet raised her glass in Josie’s honor and took a drink.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Mum?”

  Eugenie groaned. “I hate when you say Mum in that tone.”

  “What tone?” Josie did her best to sound innocent.

  “The I want something tone.” Her mum wore her playful let’s do battle face.

  “You have a very low opinion of me.”

  “Does that mean you’re not going to ask for a favor?”

  “Oh, no, I am, but I would prefer if you pretended this isn’t my usual song and dance.” Josie attempted her cutest smile, the one she’d perfected when she was a toddler and wasn’t ashamed to resort to when something really mattered, although she had no desire to fill in her mum about everything for the favor. They were close, but not that close.

  “Try it again.” Her mum crossed her arms.

  “Mum?”

  Her arms fell, and she shook her head. “Nope. Can’t ignore the tone.”

  “Fine.” Josie groaned. “Can I leave at nine tonight?”

  “For what? A business meeting?” her mum scoffed. “If you think I’m falling for that again…” she said in a disapproving manner, which was somewhat confusing since Josie was convinced her mum wanted her daughter to be in a relationship. But she was so against Harry. Eugenie continued, “Or a late-night walk, perhaps, so you can sneak more cigarettes?”

  No. I plan on shagging Harry. There was no way in hell Josie would admit that now considering her mother’s hardening expression. Why did Harry have to question the name of the pub and décor? It was such a little thing, but something like that needled her mum more than Eugenie would admit considering she gave up the chance to go to college because of Josie. “Now, I don’t like your tone. Or the expression on your face that implies I’m either a hooker or sneaking cigarettes behind your back.”

  “Are you? About either?”

  Josie took a step back. “I can’t believe you actually asked me that. The hooker part.”

  “It was meant to be a joke.” Her mum sighed.

  “Didn’t sound like it.”

  “I know. I could feel it when it came out. But I can’t get over the feeling that you’re hiding something from me, and I don’t like it. Not one bit.”

  “Oh, please. It’s not like you tell me everything going on in your life.”

  “When you say things like that, it really makes me think you’re keeping something from me.”

  “Mum,” Josie muttered. “I’m thirty-eight, not eight. Of course, I don’t tell you everything.”

  Her mum stared at her.

  “Please, can I scram at nine? Clive said he’d stay, and one of the girls in the kitchen can pitch in if it gets super busy.”

  “You told Clive about your plans but not me?” Her mum rested a hurtful hand on her chest as if Josie had said, “I hate you!”

  “No, I didn’t tell him about my plans. He didn’t ask. Clive treats me like I’m an adult.”

  “No, he doesn’t. Clive treats you like you’re one of his mates. Ask no questions; tell no lies. For all I know, we’ll be receiving more kittens on your behalf as some type of threat.”

  “I’m lying now? Jesus. All I wanted was a few hours to myself tonight. I didn’t know that warranted the fucking Spanish Inquisition. It’s not like everything in my life has been smooth sailing. In case you missed the memo, my life fucking fell apart. I don’t have a career. I’m in a country I don’t know. Everyone corrects me when I say sweater instead of jumper, like they can’t help pointing out I’m a stranger.” Josie waved a hand in front of her face in an attempt to stop the tears and to get control of her quivering voice. “Everything I’ve worked for went up in smoke. You’d think my own mother would give me the time and space I need to get my shit together. Not fucking ride my ass.” Josie tossed the towel she’d clenched in her hands onto the bar counter. “I quit!”

  Her mum hollered, “You can’t quit family!”

  As she charged out of the pub, her back to her mum, Josie screamed, “There’s a first for everything!”

  Outside the pub was a group of French tourists at a table, drinking red wine and smoking. They must have overheard the commotion because not one said a word, staring with their mouths open at Josie the American Barbarian, who’d just yelled at her mum in front of a roomful of strangers and some of the villagers.

  Josie sniffed and tried to smile as if saying nothing to see here folks, but in all probability, it turned into a grimace. She turned toward the river, needing to walk off the feelings.

  She didn’t get far when she heard Harry call out her name.

  Josie slowly turned, fully aware she was crying, but she forced out a hi that came out garbled, and then Josie burst into full-on waterworks.

  “Hey, it’s okay.” Harry pulled Josie into her arms.

  “I don’t even know why I’m upset. Or why I just yelled at my mum in front of the entire pub.” Josie mumbled the words into Harry’s shoulder, unsure if Harry was able to understand her. “I should go apologize.” Josie straightened.

  “Do you think you two need time apart to let the dust settle?”

  “I don’t know. We don’t really fight. This is a whole new world. Everything in my life is so new.” Josie held onto Harry tighter.

  “I’m sure it’s all overwhelming. You’ve had some major life changes, and it might all be hitting you right now.” Harry placed a hand on Josie’s shoulder.

  “Exactly. It’s like it’s really sinking in. My career is gone. What am I going to do? I feel like a boxer in the tenth round.” With frantic hand motions, Josie mimed getting hit from all angles.

  Harry slanted her head, giving Josie her full attention. “Do you want to come back to my place so we can talk?”

  Josie nodded. “Yes, but I’ll meet you there. I want to say sorry to my mum. I can’t leave it like that. We don’t act that way, ever. Not even when I was a teen.”

  “Do you want me to go with you?”

  “I won’t turn down your company.”

  They walked silently, side by side, back into the pub.

  Josie’s mum, her eyes puffy, talked to Clive behind the bar. Upon seeing Josie and Harry, Clive jerked his head so Josie’s mum would take notice. Without words, her mum came out from behind the bar and wrapped Josie into her arms.

  “I’m sorry, Mum. I don’t know what’s going on with me.”

  “Me neither. I mean with me.”

  “I’m going over to Harry’s to talk and unwind. If that’s okay with you.”

  “Of course, honey. Clive and Olivia are taking over for the night, so I’m going to take a hot bath. Maybe he’s not as useless as I thought.”

  They said goodbye, and Harry held the door open for Josie.

  Josie sucked in a deep breath, feeling much better.

  Walking along the river toward Harry’s cottage, Josie said, “You know, Mum didn’t even give it a second thought that I was heading to your place.”

  “Oh, I doubt she thinks you’d be attracted to me.”

  Josie flinched as if someone had tossed cold water in her face. “Why would you say such a thing?”

  “I have it on good authority.”

  “Meaning?”

  “It’s possible I overheard your mum and one of her friends talking about fixing you up on a date, and your mum categorically declared her daughter wouldn’t date someone from London or a woman with small tits.”

&n
bsp; “She actually said small tits.”

  “Not in those exact words. At least not the word small.”

  “And you overheard this?”

  “Yes. In the coffee shop on the square.”

  “That explains some of your hesitancy around me. Just to clarify, I have no idea why she thinks I focus on breasts.”

  Harry shrugged.

  “She’s told me the same. About dating someone from London. I don’t know how to tell her out of all the women I’ve ever been interested in, you’re by far the best of the bunch.”

  Harry smiled.

  “I’m not sure that came out exactly how I meant it.” Josie’s gaze fell to the pavement. “I think you got a sense the night I ruined dinner that my taste in women up until this point has been abysmal. I was horrified after I shared the bee sting story.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t want you to think poorly of me.”

  “I don’t, Josie. Not at all.”

  “It was like I couldn’t stop myself from sharing the story. For some reason, I want you to see the real me. Not the Josie I show the world. I need you to know me. Really know me. And it scares me.”

  “I understand.” Harry threaded her fingers through Josie’s. “My ex-wife once told me I was too nice and didn’t have any passion. Not just for her, but for life. I’ll admit hearing her say that did a number on me. It’s not until I met you that I started to realize just how much I had absorbed those words and started to live according to her beliefs. Soon after she said it, I moved here, cutting myself off from everyone and life.”

  “I’m glad. Not about what she said or how it made you feel, but I can’t lie about being happy to have met you. Out of everything going on in my life, you’re the one shining light. There’s something about you, Harry Powell.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Harriet wanted to sweep Josie into her arms, but given Josie’s emotional state, and Harriet’s shyness seeping back into her core, or lack of faith in herself, if she were being honest, she had a hard time believing the words completely. Clarification. That was what she needed as much as that made her feel idiotic. “And what’s that?”