Love Came Calling

by C. A. Popovich

  “We’re in here, Joslyn.”

  Josie followed the sound of Nooko’s voice to the hot tub where she was smiling and kicking with Kelly holding her afloat on her belly. “Ah. Exercising again?”

  “I thought it might be a good distraction.” Kelly spoke as she spun Ruth in a circle.

  “Everything’s taken care of, and the police will be out tomorrow.” Josie smiled at Nooko in the tub. “How’re you feeling?”

  “I’m fine, dear. Why don’t you join us? The water temperature is perfect.”

  Josie deliberated Nooko’s request. The thought of sharing the tub with Kelly, their bare legs brushing, the jets pulsing against her body caused her breath to catch. She could use Nooko as a buffer. Right. “Maybe I’ll join you tomorrow. You can show me your new exercise routine.”

  “Sounds good. Shall we plan after breakfast? About eight thirty.” Kelly released Nooko, who floated onto the seat, looking far more relaxed than she had earlier.

  “I’ll plan on it.” Josie ignored her racing pulse as she watched Kelly’s lithe body as she rose out of the tub and grabbed a towel. She stood mesmerized at the sight of her smooth skin and firm ass as she leaned to dry her legs. Thank goodness she’s wearing a bathing suit. Her hands shook as she supported Nooko to help her out of the tub.

  “See you tomorrow.” Kelly waved as she left the room.

  Josie waved back, shaking off an unusual sense of loss. “Tomorrow, you’ll show me what to do, Nooko.” Josie’s throat tightened at the idea of Kelly not being around to spend time with Nooko in the hot tub. She’d gotten used to her smile and her self-confidence. She’d miss her terribly.

  * * *

  “Is it eight thirty already?” Nooko looked up from her plate of scrambled eggs and hash browns.

  “No. It’s only eight, Nooko. Finish your breakfast and relax a while. I’m just filling the coffeepot, and I’ll build a fire this morning to take the chill off.” Josie had the fireplace blazing a few minutes before Kelly walked in.

  “Good morning. Am I too early?”

  “Not at all. I made some coffee and hot water for tea. Help yourself. Did you sleep well?”

  “Yep. Like I said before, I love how quiet it is here. Peaceful.” Kelly smiled and poured herself a cup of coffee. “Did you get some rest, Ruth?”

  “Yes, dear, and I’m ready for my workout this morning. I’m glad you’re here.”

  Josie settled into one of the leather chairs facing the fireplace. Everything was quiet, and the police were sending a patrol car this morning. There was nothing more she could do, so she relaxed and concentrated on Nooko. “After I get some practice with your exercises, we’ll set up what I’ll call a hot tub therapy schedule for you, Nooko. Every day or every other day, maybe.”

  “Thank you, dear. I’m ready whenever you two are.”

  Together they cleaned up the breakfast dishes, and Josie and Nooko got into their bathing suits. Josie wasn’t altogether comfortable in her suit while Kelly stood by fully dressed, but she’d survive the self-consciousness if it meant helping her grandmother. Kelly said it would be good for her to practice without her there, so she could do it on her own. She gave instructions from the side of the hot tub while Josie put them into motion. It bothered her how frail her grandmother seemed. In the water, it was that much clearer, and it made Josie’s heart ache.

  “You’re pretty good in there.” Kelly grinned from outside the tub.

  “Nooko’s been practicing with an excellent teacher. She’s pretty much doing it all herself. I’m just helping to support her, the way you told me to.” Josie admitted it was a better learning experience for her to be alone in the tub with Nooko while Kelly supervised from outside, but she wished she’d been able to see Kelly in her swimsuit again. “It’s not too complicated, is it?”

  “Nope. Just make sure she’s doing all the work. Kicking and moving her arms. You two are doing great. I can see I’m no longer needed. Unless you need me for anything, I’m heading to my cabin.” Kelly smiled but lingered at the edge of the tub.

  “Thanks, Kelly. We’ll be fine.” Josie helped Nooko out of the tub and wrapped her in a towel. She felt the growing, but necessary, distance between them. In a few days, Kelly would be returning to her work and life away from Harlow’s by the Bay. She wondered if Barb would be pursuing Kelly while she was still on the island. The mental picture of her holding Kelly’s hand at the powwow prickled her gut while the memory of their shared kiss soothed it. Just as she’d thought, relationships were far more complicated than she had time for. She just wished it hadn’t needed proving quite this close to home.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Barb had said jeans and a T-shirt, but Kelly sighed with relief that she’d chosen the only nice outfit she’d brought, her blue silk blouse and black slacks. When they arrived at their dinner location, Barb opened the door to a rustic hotel as nice as any she’d ever seen. They followed the maître d’ to a small table for two toward a private area in the back of the dining room. Barb pulled the chair out for her and waited for him to leave before stroking her hand and speaking. “You look beautiful, Kelly. I’m thrilled you agreed to go out with me.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad you asked, and you look pretty good yourself. I see you’re not wearing jeans either.” Many of the various patrons were wearing jeans while others were dressed for a night out on the town.

  “No.” Barb looked sheepish. “I couldn’t very well show off my classy date if I didn’t look presentable myself. I know the owner of this place, and the food’s great. My favorite is the grilled fish. Would you care for a glass of wine?”

  “Sounds nice. White?”

  “White it is.”

  Kelly watched the interaction between the groups seated around the room. They talked, laughed, and waved to each other. She noted a few glances their way from several couples. She surmised most of them knew Barb since she said she was one of only a few conservation officers on the island. She wondered how many of these people she’d get to know herself in the next few months.

  “So, Kelly Newton. You’re a nurse, you like white wine, and you came to Drummond Island for a vacation. Anything else I should know about you?” Barb leaned back while the server poured their wine.

  Kelly took a sip, willing herself to relax. She didn’t know why she was nervous. This was what she wanted. A real date to explore the possibilities of a real relationship, but now that she was there with Barb, her thoughts involuntarily strayed to Josie. Unavailable Josie. She mentally shook herself. “Not much to tell. I’m a nurse supervisor at a nursing home in Novi, Michigan, and my friend and coworker told me about Josie’s new lesbian resort. I decided I needed a vacation, so I joined her and her partner and two other couples for this trip. I have a horse I ride in gymkhana events, I love soft jazz, and I love to read.”

  “I love to read, too. Fiction or non?”

  “Historical fiction. I love to read about real places or events with a romance woven in. I want to learn something from what I read. How about you?”

  “Pure romance with happy endings. It has to have a happily ever after, or I don’t bother. I’ve got a whole bookshelf full of them.”

  Their conversation was interrupted by the server taking their order.

  Kelly’s heart rate increased a notch. She’s a romantic. “I agree with the happily-ever-after part. It’s a must for me, too. How long have you been on Drummond Island?” Kelly refilled their wine glasses, unsure if the tension she felt earlier was relieved from the wine or from getting to know Barb. So far, she liked what she heard.

  “I’ve only lived on the island for three years. I was born and raised in Detour. It’s the little town you went through to get here. The ferry leaves from there.”

  “I remember. My group’s planning to go there tomorrow and check it out.”

  “Cool. I’d offer myself as a tour guide, but I have to work all day tomorrow.”

  They spent the rest of the meal talking about the is
land and about Barb’s work. She gave her tips on where to go in Detour, and they talked about Kelly’s horse riding. It was fun, uncomplicated conversation, and Kelly enjoyed herself immensely. The food really was delicious, and she had to turn down dessert but definitely wanted to come back for it one day. It looked divine.

  Barb took her hand as they left the restaurant and strolled on the sidewalk. “Why is someone as sexy as you still single?”

  “I could ask the same of you.” Kelly pulled Barb to sit on a bench set away from the walk. “I guess I just haven’t met the right woman yet.”

  “Ah. I can use the same excuse, I suppose. I met a few women in my DNR conservation officer training academy, but most were married, and the rest of my classmates were male. I was twenty-eight before I met my first long-term lover. It lasted a few years until she decided I was too wrapped up in my work. She said I worked too many weekends and holidays. I’ve only dated since.” Barb frowned and shifted. “Twelve years of holding out hope for ‘the one.’”

  “Hey. You okay?” Kelly put her hand on Barb’s, feeling her sudden withdrawal.

  “Yeah. I’m fine. Sorry. I’ve been told I get too pushy. I try too hard.” Barb turned to face her. “Have I pushed you? Am I being too…I don’t know…forward?”

  Kelly searched Barb’s face for a moment. “No, Barb. I don’t think so. I can see how someone could, but I see you as romantic and physical. I suppose if someone felt uncomfortable with you, it would be up to them to tell you. I like you very much. I’m single. You’re single. Let’s get on with our date and see where it leads?”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Barb’s huge grin pleased her as they resumed walking. They followed the sidewalk until it ended at a small grassy area with another bench where they sat again. Barb extended her arm behind her, and she automatically leaned into her embrace. They sat in comfortable silence for a while listening to the night sounds and the voices of a few couples strolling by, hand in hand. “This was nice. Thanks again for asking me out.” She sat up and turned to face Barb, pleased by her huge grin.

  “Believe me, it was my pleasure. I’ll walk you to your car.”

  They took their time returning to their cars in the parking lot.

  “Be careful driving back. Maybe we can do this again before you leave?” Barb looked hopeful.

  “I think that’d be nice. I’ll actually still be around working at the new nursing home, so give me a call.”

  “I will. Let me know when you get settled. Be safe.”

  Kelly appreciated that Barb waited until she’d started her car and began to drive away before moving to her own vehicle. She looked forward to seeing her again.

  * * *

  It was dark when Kelly parked in front of her cabin. The security light lit the porch before she reached the first step and reminded her of Josie. She hadn’t lied to Barb. She’d found her to be the most enjoyable date she’d been with in a long time, and she wanted to get to know her better. She hoped she could get her stray thoughts of Josie under control. She retrieved a bottle of water and settled on the chair on the porch. She thought back to the street corner where she and Barb had lingered to talk and enjoy the warm evening and nearly full moon. Their kiss began as a light good-night kiss but quickly grew in intensity until Kelly wanted more. She would have gone home with Barb and spent the night with her, but Barb hadn’t asked, and now Kelly was grateful. They’d both felt the connection between them, but Kelly feared her wandering thoughts of Josie would follow her into Barb’s bed, and that was unacceptable.

  Barb’s concern about being too forward showed they were in agreement in their desire to take things slow. She wanted a permanent, committed relationship, and Barb’s disclosure about her ex-lover triggered her own memories. She’d also wrapped herself in her work when she’d first graduated from college. How many dates had she broken with Allyson due to her varying work schedules? How many times had she changed their plans at the last minute because one of the nurses called in sick, and she took over her shift? Was it the reason she’d held out hope for Kristen? They were both so busy with work and riding their horses they could connect when it was convenient, but that didn’t make for a strong relationship. But was it what she was looking for? A convenient perfect fit? Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.

  “Hey, Kelly. It’s just me.” The motion sensor light went on again as Josie stood at the bottom of the steps. “I hope I didn’t startle you.”

  “Oh no. I like these security lights. They don’t miss much.” Kelly wondered if Josie was going to ask her where she was all evening. Get over yourself.

  “I’m glad they’re doing their job. I’m just making my rounds before turning in for the night. Debby told me you all are going into Detour tomorrow. I look forward to hearing how you like it.”

  “It seemed like a cool little town when I drove through it.”

  “It is. It has a rich Ojibwe history, so I suggest you stop at the museum. You’ll learn about the Métis population and how they came to be, as well as the shipping history.”

  “Métis?”

  Josie sat on the top step and turned to face her. “The Métis are people many used to call half-breeds. The English and French fur traders came here in the seventeenth century and hooked up with the Native American women. Their offspring were mixed race and called Métis. It comes from the French meaning half of one thing and half of another. The museum has more detailed information, and you’ll enjoy it.”

  “So, would you consider yourself Métis?” The information fascinated Kelly even beyond her desire to know Josie.

  “I suppose technically I am, but the Métis people define themselves as a separate ethnic group. They’re mainly in Canada with a culture of their own. I consider myself a woman who was fortunate enough to have had an Ojibwe mother and an honest white man for a father.”

  They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes while Kelly’s thoughts strayed to a young Josie. “Ruth mentioned your mother’s death. If you don’t mind me asking, how did she die?” Kelly regretted her question when she saw the pain in Josie’s face.

  “It was a long time ago.” She shifted to the chair next to Kelly. “It was a snowmobile accident when I was fifteen. For years, I blamed myself because I’d pleaded with her to join me and my dad on a ride. We’d ridden those trails for years, and it happened so fast I didn’t even know anything was wrong. I stopped when I saw my dad turn around and head back the way we came.” Josie stopped talking and tipped her head back. “One minute, we were laughing and enjoying a beautiful winter day, and the next she was gone. There were icy patches on the trail, and she hit one and lost control of the machine. She smashed into a tree, flipped over, and my father found her buried in the snow, pinned under the snowmobile.”

  “I’m sorry, Josie.” Kelly rested her hand on her arm.

  “Like I said, it was a long time ago. I take some comfort in knowing it was fast. Her neck was broken by the impact, and the paramedics believed she died instantly. I know it was nobody’s fault. I only wish my father could have gotten over it. It was an accident for a reason only the Creator knows, but he never stopped blaming himself. Her death crushed him and left me feeling guilty for a long time.” Josie stood and stretched before descending the steps. “See you tomorrow. Sleep well.” Josie waved as she walked away.

  Kelly leaned back in her chair and suppressed the craving to rush after her. To take away the pain of her loss. Why was she so drawn to her when she knew it was impossible? She pushed aside those desires and went inside and crawled into bed alone.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Josie’s thoughts wandered to the previous evening with Kelly as she swept the office floor and cleaned windows. She rarely spoke of her mother’s death, preferring to keep her vibrant and alive in her memory. She wasn’t totally truthful with Kelly when she’d told her she’d let go of the guilt she’d felt. She still struggled with regret for insisting her mother come on the
ir ride with them, and guilt for being responsible for the event from which her father never recovered. The loving, caring father she remembered, the man who’d shared his life with her beautiful mother, had been transformed into a broken, angry shell of who he was. She pondered why she’d felt so comfortable divulging the memory of her mother’s death to Kelly.

  Her disclosure to Kelly had come from a place so natural it had taken her by surprise. Whatever it was she felt for Kelly could lead to nothing or it would end badly. Her trust in the permanency of love remained buried in the snow underneath a crushed snowmobile lying atop her mother’s shattered body and her father’s endless tears. That didn’t mean she wasn’t glad to see Kelly had come back from her date with Barb, and she wouldn’t have admitted that she’d been listening for her return, wondering if she’d end up staying the night elsewhere.

  She turned her attention back to her task. She wondered again why Abe was so insistent on buying her place, and she wished her father had said something about him. Even if he didn’t want the property then, she didn’t have any clues as to why Abe wanted it now. The officer had come out earlier in the week, taken photos, and said he’d add them to the file of complaints she’d started, just in case they caught anyone. There wasn’t much more they could do, and it left her feeling frustratingly helpless. She locked up her office and headed inside the lodge.

  Nooko sat in her usual spot on the end of the couch with a cup of tea and a plate of cheese and crackers. “Is Kelly with you?”

  “No, Nooko. She’s going into Detour today with the group.” Josie sat in one of the chairs. “Were you expecting her?”

  “No. I just thought she might be going to the hot tub this afternoon.”

  “She might when they get back later. Did you want to do some exercise today? I’ll help you now if you want.” Josie pushed aside resentment at Nooko’s first choice of Kelly’s help.