Going on Red

by Lyn Gardner

  “Thanks,” Kate said, taking the wine. “Sweetheart, James said there’s a copy of this hanging in the flat, but for the life of me, I can’t remember ever seeing it.”

  The term of endearment was not lost on Brodie. Without missing a step, she leaned closer to look at the photo in Kate’s hand. “Oh, that one. Of course. It’s actually one of my favorites.”

  “Then where is it?”

  “In a drawer in the game room. Early last year, I was having a party, and someone knocked it off the wall. The frame broke, so I put it away for safekeeping. I totally forgot about it until now.”

  “Well, I really like it. You need to get it fixed,” Kate said, handing Brodie the photo.

  “Yes, dear,” Brodie said, and to complete her performance, she gave Kate a quick peck on the cheek. “Anything you say, darling.”

  Hearing her father bellow for assistance, Brodie winked at Kate and practically skipped from the room, leaving Kate and James alone again.

  James slumped into one of the leather chairs to nurse his beer, and Kate sat in the other, glancing at James occasionally while she enjoyed her wine.

  Other than his sky blue eyes, the family resemblance was undeniable. His jaw was square, and his frame slender, and his hair already carried a hint of gray, just like Brodie’s. The last visible family trait was his height, and although he was a few inches shorter than his father, he had a six-inch advantage on his sister.

  Kate’s thoughts drifted, taking her back to a previous conversation, and stealing another peek at James, she nodded to herself. He was wearing the same style of flannel shirt and faded jeans that had become Devon’s norm, and just like her sister, the man kept his long hair pulled back in a ponytail. Although Kate doubted anyone would mistake the professor and the IT professional as siblings, Brodie was right. They had more in common than the thread connecting their chosen professions.

  James sat in the wingback chair, sipping his beer and stealing glances of Kate when he could. When it came to the style of women Brodie preferred, the only thing James had to go on were the words used by his father when he’d return from visiting her in college. He’d mumble and grumble about the women Brodie was dating, and the things he had said under his breath painted a slightly different picture. Unless Kate had dressed down for the weekend, she was hardly flashy, and ditsy didn’t seem to fit either. She hadn’t tittered or blathered, or become lost in their limited conversations, and as James studied Kate, she just didn’t strike him as promiscuous, so that left out tart as well. “So, Kate,” he said, bringing the bottle of beer to his lips. “What do you do for a living?”

  “I’m a police officer,” Kate said, preoccupied with admiring her surroundings.

  In the process of taking a drink, when James heard Kate’s occupation, his mouth dropped open at the same time he tilted the bottle and what went in…promptly came back out. “Oh, bugger!”

  Kate jumped and looking over at James, her eyes widened when she saw beer dripping off the man’s chin. “Shit,” she said, getting to her feet. Picking up a handful of cocktail napkins off the mantle, she rushed to his side and tried to help mop up what had landed on his shirt while he dried his face.

  “Well, it’s about bloody time!”

  Kate and James looked toward the door in unison. The likeness was unmistakable, and Kate knew in an instant that the man striding toward them was Brodie’s older brother. She straightened and held out her hand, but before she could introduce herself, Ethan took center stage.

  “I’m Ethan,” he said, shaking her hand as if trying to dislocate her shoulder. “And I must say even though it’s taken him years to find a girlfriend, you were definitely worth the wait.”

  James quickly got to his feet. “Ethan—”

  “What? Did I embarrass you?” Ethan said, looking over Kate’s shoulder at his brother. “What’s to be embarrassed about? She’s a knockout, and you’re the luckiest bloke I know. Little brother, this one’s a keeper.”

  “I’m glad you think so,” Brodie said, standing in the doorway.

  Ethan turned toward the familiar voice. “There you are,” he said, and marching over, he pulled Brodie into a hug. “It’s not like I could mistake your car, but I thought you weren’t coming.”

  “Why would you think that?” Brodie said, stepping out of the embrace.

  “Because that’s what I told them,” Harrison said, coming into the room. “I didn’t want your brothers trying to fix you up with another date, knowing you were bringing your own.”

  “You brought a date?” Ethan said, grinning like a fool. “Come on, then, stop hiding her. Where is she?”

  Brodie’s face took on an inner glow as she gazed at her brother. “She’s right behind you.”

  Ethan whipped around, and when he saw Kate giving him a tiny wave, he jerked back his head. “You?”

  “Afraid so,” Kate said.

  “Really?”

  “Yep.”

  Ethan’s cheeks turned two shades darker. “Oh, Christ. I’m sorry. I just assumed—”

  “No worries,” Kate said, giving James a quick look. “It’s happened before.”

  A red-headed woman suddenly appeared at Ethan’s side. She was shorter than Kate and a bit rounder, and her smile was genuine as she held out her hand to Kate. “Hi. I’m Lucy,” she said, gesturing with her head toward Ethan. “I’m married to stupid. Pleased to meet you.”

  ***

  Once again, apologies were made and accepted. By the time they sat down for dinner, Kate was part of the family, and as he always did, Harrison had planned everything right down to the seating arrangement. Kyle had yet to get past the playing-with-his-food stage, so he was on one side of the table, flanked by his parents, while eight-month-old Megan’s carrier was safely strapped to the chair between Brodie and Kate. Casseroles fresh from the oven had been lined up down the center of the table, unreachable by youngsters knowing no better, so plates were passed around, and portions were piled on, and any request for a small amount went unheard. Friendly banter filled the room as bites of food and sips of wine were consumed, and more than once, tears were wiped from eyes as reminiscences brought hilarity to the table.

  Kate found herself watching Brodie, fascinated at how easily she tended to the baby at her side. Spooning food and wiping away dribble, Brodie smiled and cooed at the tiny tow-headed girl and Megan, happily enjoying her meal, gurgled in delight each time Brodie airplaned another spoon in her direction.

  Kate couldn’t deny the feelings washing over her as she sat amongst the Shaw family. She liked the warmth of the home in which she sat. She liked the way the siblings would shoot dirty looks at one another when they were on the receiving end of a memory, only to dissolve into fits of laughter moments later, and albeit make-believe, as Brodie’s partner, Kate had been accepted with open arms. There was no judgment. There were no furrowed brows holding condemnation in their creases or side-eyed glances of disapproval. There was only the love of a family, and it was a family Kate now adored.

  Howls of merriment found their way to Kate’s ears, and she looked at Brodie to see what she’d missed. A split-second later, Kate was laughing just as hard as the rest. “Oh, my God,” she said, seeing spots of strained carrots all over Brodie’s face. “What in the world happened?”

  “The little bugger grabbed the spoon,” Brodie said, glowering at the mess covering her.

  Kate, fighting to keep her mirth under control, picked up a napkin and began dabbing away a few of the larger splotches. It was a simple gesture, except when their eyes locked, simple became anything but. The look they exchanged was heated and intimate, and it was not lost on the other adults at the table. Smiles spread as brother looked at wife, and father looked at son.

  “You’d best change that shirt,” Lucy said through a fit of giggles. “Carrots leave beastly stains if not tended to quickly.”

  “Well, it appears that’s your cue,” Brodie said, handing Kate the spoon. “Here you go, darling. Have fun
.”

  Brodie left the room and spinning Megan’s chair to face her, Kate continued feeding the cherub-faced little girl.

  “So, Kate,” Harrison said, placing his napkin on the table. “You’ve listened all night to us going on and on about ourselves, but we don’t know very much about you.”

  “That’s easily remedied,” Kate said, glancing at her host. “What would you like to know, sir?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Harrison said, scratching his chin. “How about you start with what you do for a living, and how you met my daughter?”

  As Kate continued to feed the babbling infant, she filled the Shaw family in on her career and how she met Brodie after an attempted burglary in her office building.

  “So, it was love at first sight?” Lucy said, perking up in her chair.

  “Not exactly,” Kate said through a grin.

  “And why not?” Harrison said, looking at Kate. “My daughter is a fine-looking woman and has a lot to offer the right lady.”

  “That she does,” Kate said, chuckling under her breath. “She can also be a bit cocky at times.”

  Ethan exploded with a laugh so loud it sent all the others in the room an inch off their chairs. He had worked alongside his sister for several years, and he knew all about her swaggering streak. He had seen Brodie stare down the most stalwart subcontractor as she discussed their inability to meet deadlines or their lack of quality control, and brawny men with sun-weathered faces would end up limping from the room like whipped pups. “Talk about hitting the nail on the head,” Ethan said, wiping the tears from his eyes. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

  Lucy reached over her son and slapped Ethan on the arm. “That’s enough out of you,” she said before focusing on Kate. “But you obviously gave her a second chance. How did she change your mind? When did it get…you know…serious?”

  Kate suddenly found herself in a strange place. She knew pretending to be Brodie’s partner would involve a certain amount of lying, but not when it came to answering that particular question. Kate could talk of wine and antipasto and strolls down a street, window-shopping. She could tell them about Friday night candlelit dinners where hours would be spent chatting about their days, their dreams, and their jobs. Or Kate could speak of a night when she sat alone while Brodie danced with another, and how her stomach knotted with jealousy at the sight. Kate looked around the table at the eager eyes staring back at her, and she knew what she needed to do. She needed to lie.

  “All right, little one,” Brodie said as she ambled into the room. “I didn’t bring my entire wardrobe, so no more grabbing the spoon. Okay?”

  “Brodie, you’re just in time,” Lucy said, her face brightening instantly.

  “Oh yeah?” Brodie said, returning to her chair. “Why’s that?”

  “I was just asking Kate when things between you two got serious, but it seems the cat’s got her tongue.”

  “Is that so?” Brodie said, stealing a quick glance at Kate.

  “Oh, come on! You’ve got to tell us,” Lucy gushed, clapping her hands like an excited child. “I just love romance.”

  Collectively, the three men at the table groaned, and then Harrison stood up. “Well, I don’t know about you boys, but I think that’s my cue to start clearing the table.”

  “I’ll help you, Dad,” James said, springing out of his chair.

  “Count me in, too,” Ethan said, jumping up. “You ladies have fun.”

  Lucy watched as the men paraded from the room. “Well, that’s a first,” she said, focusing on the women sitting opposite her. “Okay, so Brodie…where were we? Oh, that’s right. You were going to tell me when things between you and Kate got serious, and don’t hold anything back. I want to hear everything.”

  Tickled by Lucy’s curiosity and the male mass exodus, Brodie stood up. “Maybe later, Lucy, but since it appears that little Megan here is done and the men have cleaning duties, I’m going to go stretch my legs. Be back in a tick.”

  “I’ll join you,” Kate said quietly, pushing back her chair.

  After grabbing their coats, Brodie led Kate to the French doors in the lounge. She flipped on the second of three switches and opened the door. “After you.”

  Kate stepped out onto the patio, and breathing in the chilly air, she took in her surroundings. “This is nice.”

  “Another of Dad’s hobbies,” Brodie said, zipping up her leather jacket. “I could turn on more lights if you’d like, but with the full moon, I didn’t think we needed it.”

  “No, this is fine,” Kate said, admiring Harrison’s handiwork.

  The slate patio was sizable, easily large enough to hold the nine-piece gray metal dining set placed in its center along with an assortment of clay pots scattered about. In several, winter snowdrops were standing tall amidst the pale yellow flowers of primrose, while in others, vibrant violets of purple were intermixed with the bright yellow of celandine.

  Kate noticed an opening in the rock border of the patio, and going over, she saw a path lined with daffodils. It meandered into the lawn, disappearing into the shadows of the night, and Kate could relate. Much like the walkway, Kate’s confidence in playing this part was fading. She took a deep breath and blew it out through parted lips.

  “Is something wrong?” Brodie said, taking a step closer. “I can bring you out tomorrow to see the rest. No worries. We have time.”

  “That’s not it,” Kate said, turning around. “Brodie, your family is wonderful, but when Lucy asked about our relationship, I got nervous. I didn’t know what to say.”

  “Well, I’ll try not to leave you alone with them again, and if she keeps asking, I’ll think of something.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Anytime.”

  Spring had begun the week before, and with the sun shining, Kate’s thinly-lined raincoat had been enough to ward off any chill. However, the sun had long since set, so when a gust of wind came out of nowhere, Kate shivered and quickly began fastening the buttons on her coat.

  Kate’s actions weren’t lost on Brodie. If things were different, if things were what dreams were made of, Brodie would have wrapped her arms around Kate and pulled her close. Unfortunately, Brodie knew that such an advance wasn’t up to her. She wasn’t stupid, and she wasn’t blind. Brodie knew in her heart that Kate was attracted to her, the tequila shots had proven that, but Kate was scared. Kate was deer-in-the-headlights-scared, and until she could move past it, if she could move past it, there was nothing Brodie could do because she’d never been where Kate was.

  Brodie had known her own sexual preference since puberty. There was never any doubt. There was never any choice. For Brodie, it was as normal as breathing, and for Kate, it was not. Brodie had questioned Devon enough to know Kate had never danced over the line. She had only ever dated men, so this attraction, unwanted yet undeniable, was no doubt as strange as it was frustrating. Brodie could empathize. She wasn’t looking for love when Kate walked into her office late that Friday night, but it had found her nonetheless, and there was nothing Brodie could have done to stop it.

  Brodie heard a noise behind her and looking over her shoulder, she saw James standing just outside the patio door. She stepped closer to Kate, wrapping her arms around the woman’s waist as she lowered her mouth to Kate’s ear. “Showtime, darling.”

  Kate hadn’t heard the click of the latch when the door had closed. Standing under a sky filled with stars, she’d been lost in thoughts about the woman behind her. Brodie was as much a mystery as she was an open book. She had candidly told Kate about her family, her life, and in a rather heated argument, even the joy she found in sex, but it seemed that each time they were together, a new page was revealed. Tonight, Brodie cared for an infant with the tenderness of a mother. She had hugged and kissed her family and played horsey with her nephew, riding him around the lounge on her back without a care or concern. She had made jokes of many and had been the brunt of many more, and she had laughed until she cried, so when
she felt Brodie’s arms around her waist, Kate thought another page was about to be turned. A page that made Kate’s palms sweat in the cold night air. A page that would reveal new and different, and something as equally scary as it would be welcomed.

  When she heard Brodie’s whispered words, reality came rushing back to Kate. No more pages would be turned that night, but the moment could still be relished. After all, they were supposed to be partners. Kate relaxed back against Brodie, allowing the woman to hold her even more tightly, and breathing in Brodie’s cologne, Kate cherished the warmth radiating from the body pressed against hers.

  “You two finally seem comfortable,” James said, lighting a cigar. “I thought being around the family might be cramping your style.”

  Brodie relaxed her hold on Kate, and they both turned to face James. “You only wish you had my style, baby brother.”

  Kate jokingly elbowed Brodie. “Your family is great, James. Why would you think we’re uncomfortable?”

  “Because for partners, you sure keep your distance. When Ethan started dating Lucy, they were like conjoined twins. You two hardly make eye contact.”

  James was spot-on, and Brodie knew it. She’d been raised in an affectionate family and showing it had never been a problem, so she racked her brain to come up with an excuse. Even though she’d never brought a woman home before, Brodie knew her family had long ago accepted her lifestyle, so using that excuse was pointless. She could, of course, blame it on Kate, perhaps suggesting the woman was raised differently, but that didn’t seem quite fair. If anyone was to be held accountable, it had to be Brodie.

  “I’m afraid it’s my fault, James,” Brodie said with an exaggerated sigh. “You see, Kate and I had a little disagreement in the car, and she’s still a bit mad at me. Isn’t that right, darling?”

  Kate paused for a split-second before her eyes began to twinkle. “Yes, it is, and until you’re ready to admit you were wrong, I see no reason to kiss and make up.”