Love Came Calling

by C. A. Popovich

  “I didn’t think you did. I’m…we’re glad you’re here. Please stay.” Josie mentally rolled her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was sound desperate.

  “Thank you. Lasagna sounds great.” Kelly and Nooko stepped out of the tub and changed into dry clothes.

  Josie retreated to the kitchen to prepare a salad to go with the lasagna, unable to suppress her excitement at Kelly’s unexpected visit. She automatically set the table they’d used while Kelly was a guest and filled three water glasses after setting the bowl of salad on the table. She arranged, and then rearranged, the napkins. She wanted it to look inviting.

  “Dinner smells great, Josie.” Kelly spoke from across the room as she followed Nooko to the table. She pulled out Nooko’s chair and made sure she was seated before turning to her. “Can I help with anything?”

  “We’re good. I just need to bring out the lasagna.” She retrieved dinner from the kitchen and settled at their table in the lodge.

  “How’s your job going at the new place?” Nooko asked as Josie served up dinner.

  “It’s going well. We’re filling up already and expect more residents next week. When are your next lodgers arriving?”

  “They’ll be here in July. More Canadian lesbians. I’m looking forward to meeting them.” Josie set the pan of lasagna on the table and concentrated on her food instead of Kelly.

  “So am I.” Nooko beamed and raised her water glass in a toast. “They’ll have to be great to beat your group.” She sipped her water and continued. “I was planning to go home next week, but Josie convinced me to stay awhile longer.”

  “I don’t think I ever knew you had specific plans to leave.” Kelly looked back and forth between them.

  “I told you she fell, and I worry about her being alone, so we’ll have to negotiate.” Josie squeezed Nooko’s hand.

  “Right. You mentioned it at the powwow. There was so much going on, I forgot.”

  “It was nothing. Just an accident,” Nooko said.

  “An accident isn’t nothing.” Kelly set her fork down and looked at Nooko. “What happened?”

  “It was in my bathroom. I just reached a little too far and fell. I wasn’t hurt.”

  Kelly rested her hand on Nooko’s and leaned toward her. “You know, Ruth, after we reach sixty, we begin to lose muscle, and our ability to balance decreases. It’s the reason I’m happy you’re doing those exercises in the hot tub.”

  “Sixty?” Nooko looked perplexed and sighed. “I passed sixty a long time ago.”

  “I’m glad you’re staying with Josie longer. We’ve got a great occupational therapist at work, and I’ll bring her list of exercises to you. It’ll help you stay strong.”

  “That would be wonderful. But I have to get back to my house before winter.” Nooko sat up straight with a determined look on her face.

  Josie tried not to groan. “Winter won’t be here for a while. You’ll have plenty of time for more exercise.” She’d managed to convince Nooko to stay past their planned date, and now she had to figure out how she was going to let her be independent and still keep her safe. “We’re having fruit for dessert, Kelly. Can I bring you a bowl?” She picked up Nooko’s empty plate and her own and started for the kitchen.

  “I’ll help.” Kelly followed her carrying her plate and the empty salad bowl.

  “Thanks.” Josie put the dishes in the sink and turned to face Kelly. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.” Kelly leaned back on the counter with her arms at her side.

  “You saw Nooko at the powwow. Do you think she’s strong enough to live alone?”

  “I’m afraid I’m not qualified to judge. From what I’ve seen of her, she’s in pretty good shape for her age. Falling is serious, though, if she lived alone. I’m glad she has an emergency fall pendant.”

  “Yeah. It’s the first thing I got for her after I witnessed her fall. I have my doubts the fall I saw her take was the only one. I sense she didn’t want to worry me, but I can tell when she’s holding something back. When I went to see her in March, she’d been treated by her doctor for a respiratory infection. Her neighbor told me she hadn’t been out of bed for three days. If it hadn’t been for her, I don’t know what would’ve happened.” Josie filled three small bowls with mixed fruit. “Let’s have some dessert.”

  Kelly stopped her from leaving by gently resting her hand on her arm. “Do you want me to bring the occupational therapist by next week? She can give us her opinion of Ruth’s possible falling tendencies.”

  Josie supposed the relief she felt showed on her face, since Kelly smiled sympathetically. She wrapped Kelly in a hug and spoke softly. “Fantastic, Kelly. Thank you, so much.”

  “Consider it done. I’ll let you know when she’s available.” Kelly stepped out of her arms but not before she caught her slight hesitation.

  “Let’s finish dinner. I have something I want to give you. I was going to wait until our lunch next week, but since you’re here, I’ll give it to you tonight.”

  “I’m intrigued.”

  The sparkle in Kelly’s eyes set off fireworks in her belly. She served the dessert and Kelly told them all about her new job, and Josie noticed that when the subject of her apartment came up, she became more subdued and changed the topic. They moved to continue talking in front of the fireplace, and Josie watched Nooko nod off in her seat on the couch. The temperature outside had dropped, and she covered Nooko with a blanket. She sat in comfortable silence with Kelly in the chair next to her. “This is nice. Thanks for coming over tonight.”

  “Thank you. Dinner was great.” Kelly stretched her legs out in front of her and rested her head on the back of the chair.

  “I’ll be right back.” Josie hurried to her studio before she gave in to the urge to straddle Kelly’s lap and explore her full lips. Her breath hitched as the memory of their kiss flooded her senses. Kelly had her eyes closed and appeared to be sleeping when she returned. She rested the gift box on her lap and traced her jawline with her fingers. Her skin was soft and warm. Her eyes fluttered open and flashed an intense longing before she looked away.

  “Sorry. I dozed off for a minute.” Kelly sat up and cradled the foil wrapped package in both hands. “This is lovely.” She carefully unwrapped and opened the package. “Oh, Josie.” She dangled the dream catcher in front of her and watched the reflected rainbow colored patterns dance on the wall. “Thank you. It’s beautiful, and I’ll treasure it always.”

  “I’m glad you like it. Hang it above your bed and have sweet dreams.” Josie sighed in relief at Kelly’s positive reaction. She smiled as she watched her read the note and carefully place everything back in the box.

  “I’ve really enjoyed this evening, but I’ve got to be at work at seven tomorrow, so I’m going to say good night.” She patted sleeping Nooko’s leg before moving toward the door.

  Josie followed her out to the porch. “Thanks again for being so kind to Nooko. She thinks you’re pretty special, and so do I.”

  Kelly stepped closer and rested her arms on her shoulders while carefully holding her gift. “You’re both special to me, too. I don’t how or when it happened, but I’ve come to feel like part of your family.” She leaned forward, whispered a kiss on her lips, and quickly moved down the steps.

  Josie watched her drive away, fearing she carried a piece of her heart with her. She checked on Nooko before checking the grounds and cabins for the night. Everything looked in order until she unlocked her office and found a note stuffed under the door.

  Are you tired of cleaning up yet? Don’t think a few lights and the police are going to keep me from getting what’s mine. I’ll be there in one week with my checkbook. Have the deed ready to sign or there will be consequences.

  Josie checked her safe and found nothing out of the ordinary. She locked the note away and rushed back to the lodge to check on Nooko.

  “It’s time to go to bed.” Josie gently stroked Nooko’s arm to wake her. She wanted her tucke
d up in bed before she called the police yet again. At least this time they could be there when the bastard showed up.

  “Sorry, dear. I fell asleep, didn’t I?”

  “You did. Kelly said to say good-bye, and she’ll see you again soon.”

  “She’s so nice.” Nooko balanced with her cane as they walked to her room. “She’s single, isn’t she?”

  “Yes. She’s single.” Josie pushed Abe’s note out of her mind to concentrate on Nooko. She laid out her nightgown and helped her remove her slippers.

  “I was thinking. Those other nice lesbian couples were so happy together. They probably dated first, don’t you think?”

  “They probably did. Yes.” Josie anticipated where this conversation was going as she pulled the comforter down.

  “Maybe you and Kelly could date. Maybe it would lead to something extraordinary for you. You need someone special in your life, dear.”

  “You’re special, Nooko. You’re all I need right now. Get some rest tonight. I’m making pancakes for breakfast.”

  “I saw the lovely dream catcher you made her. Your mother would be proud.” Nooko’s voice drifted quietly across the room as Josie turned out the light.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Is this necessary, Joslyn? I’ve never had a lock on my bedroom door. I’m not sure I’m happy about it.” Nooko spoke from her seat on the side of her bed.

  Josie finished installing a deadbolt and a new lockable doorknob. “I don’t trust this Abe guy. I don’t want to scare you, but I’ll show you the note he left. This makes me feel better.” She tested the keys in the lock. “This key works in both the deadbolt and door lock. Whenever you’re here alone, I want you to lock yourself in. Just until we get this dealt with, okay?”

  “Fine, dear. If it’ll make you happy”

  “It will. Please don’t forget. I’ve put your key on this wristband so you can wear it along with your emergency button. All the time.”

  Nooko held out her arm so Josie could put the wristband on. “Am I allowed to leave my room now?”

  “Nooko, don’t be like that. I’m sorry, but this is only until I can clear up this Abe thing. I’m going to try to talk to him and find out why he wants this place so badly. But until we know he’s really gone away, I just need to know you’re safe. Okay?” She chastised herself for not insisting he give her a phone number to reach him. It might have given her a little control over the situation, but that was probably what he wanted to avoid.

  “Fine, honey. Can we have breakfast now?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Josie scrambled eggs while Nooko sat at the kitchen table stirring the pancake mix. Her thoughts strayed to Kelly. Nooko’s suggestion they might have something special between them prompted memories of her mother standing at the stove stirring a pot of corn soup while her father snuck up behind her to nuzzle her neck. It never failed to make her giggle and turn in his arms for a kiss. She fought to keep those happy memories of her parents’ love and affection for each other forefront before the oppressive memory of loss, her mother ripped from their lives forever, took over. She’d seen how one day had changed her carefree energetic father into a bitter, miserable shell of his former self as if part of his soul had died along with the love of his life. She wouldn’t take a chance of that happening to her, and it wouldn’t be fair to Kelly. She was better off alone. She served the eggs and pancakes and concentrated on breakfast with Nooko.

  * * *

  Late that afternoon, Josie put Abe’s note in her office safe and marked the date on the calendar before calling Barb. Abe hadn’t threatened anything in particular and there hadn’t been any more incidents of damage to her property lately. She hoped this would be resolved when he showed up in a week. She sat and dialed Barb’s number, ignoring the slight twist of jealousy that surged when she thought of the time that she and Kelly might be spending together. She and Barb had been friends for a while now, and she didn’t want an irrational emotional thing to come between them. That didn’t kill off the little green monster, though.

  “Hello, Barb. It’s Josie.”

  “Hey, Josie. How’re things at the new Harlow’s by the Bay?”

  “They’re good, but I have a question for you. I got another note from Abe, and he’s coming here in a week with a check, intending to buy the place. I’m not selling, but I’m a little worried. The note says there will be consequences if I don’t sell, which doesn’t make it sound like a friendly visit. He also said something about getting what’s his. I don’t know what he’s talking about. Would you be able to plan to be here with me when he comes over?”

  “We’re looking at next Wednesday?”

  “I believe so. His note says one week, and I got the note yesterday.” Josie heard rustling of papers and figured Barb was consulting her calendar.

  “Okay. I’ll plan on it, and we’ll do a search on him in the Secretary of State’s driver’s license database. That will, hopefully, give us a picture of the guy.”

  “He hasn’t done anything, but his tone is sort of threatening. Would it be possible to, I don’t know, maybe pick him up for questioning? I worry that would piss him off, though. What do you think?”

  “I’ll plan to be over early morning Wednesday. I’d like to see the message before he gets there. But I think it might be worth having an officer there, too, since they’ve already got a file on him.”

  “Thanks, come anytime, Barb. I don’t plan to go anywhere this week. I sure wouldn’t mind if the police came, too.” Josie disconnected the call and phoned Kelly. She got her voice mail and left a message.

  “Hi, Kelly. It’s Josie. I’m calling about our lunch date this week. I’ve got a situation here, and I’m not comfortable leaving Nooko alone, so could we make it for Tuesday? And can you come by here and I’ll fix us something? Thanks.”

  She hung up and went to find Nooko.

  “Joslyn. Look who’s here!”

  “Kelly? Hey. I just left you a voice mail.”

  “Yeah. I just got it. I was on my way out of work and wanted to stop by to let you know about Caitlin, the occupational therapist. She can come by tomorrow, Ruth. Just to check on your balance and reflexes, okay? That will give her a better idea of what exercises to give you.” Kelly took Nooko’s hand but looked at Josie. “Next Tuesday sounds good for lunch. Is everything okay? You said something about a situation.”

  “Yes. Everything’s fine.”

  “Tell her about the note, honey.”

  Nooko looked worried, and Josie wished she hadn’t shown it to her.

  “Note?” Kelly tipped her head and furrowed her brow.

  “Abe left a note. He’s coming next week with a check to try to convince me to sell to him.”

  “Would there be an offer high enough you’d consider selling?” Kelly asked.

  “I grew up on Drummond Island, and I know for sure city living is not for me. I have a chance to create a safe relaxing space for lesbians and make a living doing it. I plan to have groomed cross-country ski trails available this winter. I can’t imagine doing anything else, and I don’t want to.” She saw the spark in Nooko’s eyes and knew she supported her in her decision. “There’s nothing to do now but wait, so shall we relax with a cup of tea?”

  “Tell me about your family, Kelly?” Nooko asked after they’d settled in their usual places on the couch.

  Josie rose to check on a group of three women quietly playing cards at one of the tables before retaking the seat next to Kelly. She was happy Nooko had forgotten about Abe.

  Kelly whispered to Josie, “When did they get here?”

  “This morning. They called on short notice asking if they could stay until the weekend.”

  Kelly turned back to Nooko. “I have a younger sister who’s staying in my house while I’m here, and she’ll be going to Michigan State University in the fall. My parents live near Tampa in Florida, and I have an aunt and uncle in Ohio I see a couple of times a year.” Kelly sipped her tea and glanced
at her watch.

  “I’m glad you stopped by tonight, dear.” Nooko patted Kelly’s leg. “I’ve made a pot of corn soup, can you stay for a bowl?”

  “Thank you for offering, but I’ve got dinner plans tonight. I’m glad I stopped by, too.” Kelly finished her tea and stood.

  “Thanks again. I’ll see you on Tuesday.” Josie pushed away her desire to know if Kelly’s dinner plan was a date with Barb, but she had a harder time pushing away her anticipation at seeing Kelly again soon.

  “Call me if you need anything,” Kelly said in her ear as she hugged her good-bye.

  Josie watched from the porch as Kelly pulled away. Her jealous reaction to Kelly’s dinner date puzzled her. Kelly wanted love and permanency. She did not. Why should it matter to her who Kelly dated? She went inside with a heaviness in her gut she couldn’t identify.

  * * *

  Kelly pulled into the Teepee’s parking lot five minutes behind their agreed-upon time. She didn’t see Barb’s SUV in its usual spot, so she waited for a few minutes before going to the window to place their order. They’d been meeting there for dinner often enough in the two weeks she’d been in her apartment that they were comfortable ordering for each other. Kelly liked that aspect of their growing relationship. She liked most things about Barb, and her punctuality was one of them, so this tardiness was unusual. She knew Barb would have a good excuse, but she wondered how much time she wanted to invest in something that might not go anywhere, reminding herself she wanted someone available. She tipped her head back on the seat and considered her definition of available. Certainly, she had to be single, but what good was trying to build a life with someone who was rarely around?

  Barb’s one relationship had failed because of her intense, unpredictable work schedule. Was that something Kelly could live with? She pushed aside her brooding, certain she still wanted to see where their connection would take them. She checked her phone for messages and sent a text. She started to worry after half an hour. Barb’s job wasn’t dangerous, but she’d told her stories of poachers and angry landowners getting into shoot-outs. She sent another text but remembered how spotty the reception could be if Barb was on the other side of the island. She finished eating her burger and tried calling. The call disconnected before she could leave a message, so she gave up. Her phone pinged before she had time to start her car.