Here Comes My Woman: Book Three (The Woman I Love Series 3)

by G S Binkley

***********************

  Slapping his drinking buddy on the back, Koda Kannon bid his farewell. “That’s too bad buddy. I’m sure you’ll get another job.” Koda tapped Tony Kussler on the nose. “You got a nose for the dirt. Try the tabloids again.” Koda dropped a couple of twenties on the bar. “Gotta go.” He started to leave but turned around once more. “Hey, if you need anything…” Pointing to Tony first then to himself, he said. “You….me.”

  Tony was still mulling over his friend’s comments when the gang from the movie set entered the bar. He covertly took a place near the group in an attempt to garnish any juicy information that would further his plans. I wonder what Blade has for me. Son-of-a-bitch better come through.

  It was another usual Friday night for the gang. Everyone was in attendance except for Ryan. Shanti spread her time between dancing with Michael, Shonnel and Ben and talking with Griff.

  Griff was biding her time waiting for the right moment. She suspected that Shanti would be willing for what she had in mind. However, Griff had been around enough to know you have to have the right bait to catch a potential disinterested fish.

  As the night wore on, it became apparent that Ben Thomason was making head way with Shanti. Fuming, Griff gulped down another drink, now preferring the harder stuff. When Ben escorted Shanti home, Michael was relieved while Griff seethed.

  Tony’s Friday night observation of the group provided some interesting developments but when Blade didn’t show for the scheduled appointment, the reporter gathered his things and left.

  After a couple more drinks, Griff became a wild woman. She floated throughout the bar looking for love, taunting and teasing everyone that was remotely interested. Having been spurned first by Gage and now Shanti, Griff had only one thing on her mind.

  Michael pulled the dancing woman down from the top of the bar. “Come on, I’m taking you home.”

  Swaying against the young man, she rubbed up against him. “Just what will you do with me then?”

  Michael tried to ignore her roaming hands. He guided her through the bar and out the front door.

  Spinning around, Griff flopped her arms over his shoulders and kissed him. “Like that?”

  “Come on, Griff. You’re drunk.” Michael was fighting the sexual feelings rising in him.

  ***********************

  Three days before Lacy and Gage were to head home for the 4th of July family bar-be-que, Lacy opened the package. Maybe this time. She carefully followed the instructions on the box. Before she could read the results, Lacy heard one of the kids scream. Laying the wet stick on the box, she hurried out of the bathroom.

  Rounding the corner to Derek’s bedroom, Lacy met her three children and Gage engaged in an all-out tickle fight. Sammy squealed as Gage tried to protect him from his two older siblings.

  “No fair, Gage.” Derek yelled. “He tickled me first.”

  Dani fell over laughing. “Now, you know how I felt when she…” Dani sternly pointed at the blonde. “Kept me from you. You did the same thing, Derek.” Her blue eyes grew wider. “Now, come here.” She pounced toward him. Narrowly escaping, Derek found safety in his mother’s arms.

  It only took a half hour to settle the kids in bed. Having forgotten all about the test results, Lacy climbed into bed. She waited for Gage to check the house before retiring.

  “All secure.” Gage announced, having set the alarm system.

  “Hurry up, will you?” Lacy wanted her human pillow so she could go to sleep.

  Holding up a finger, Gage pointed to the bathroom. “Be right with you.”

  At first, Gage didn’t notice the stick still sitting on the box as she brushed her teeth. Leaning over to spit, Gage’s green eyes snapped wide open. She quickly rinsed her mouth out. When her blonde head popped out from the doorframe, she cleared her throat. “Lacy, could you come here a minute?”

  Lacy lounged on the bed. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m tired. What is it?”

  Walking out of the bathroom, Gage had one hand behind her back and wearing a very smug smile. “Lacy.” Holding the blue tipped stick up in the air, Gage announced. “One of us is pregnant.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Ryan White shut down the set of Lacy’s movie for the long 4th of July weekend. Since they arrived back home in St. Troy late Wednesday evening, the entire family slept late the next morning.

  When the tired travelers finally woke, it was near noon. As Stella prepared lunch, Lacy wondered where her partner was off to. “You seen Gage?” Lacy snagged a couple of grapes before looking out the kitchen window as Stella fixed some sandwiches.

  Lacy turned when the nanny didn’t answer her. She noticed some sandwiches on the table already and grabbed one. The dark haired woman paused to study it before taking a bite. Mmmmm… Gage makes the best sandwiches. “Guess she was in here earlier, huh? Stella?”

  So intent on navigating the knife to cut the sandwiches she was fixing, Stella didn’t hear Lacy. Lacy keenly watched Stella cut the sandwiches diagonally with precision. Mmmm… just like Ga…….!

  Realization dawned on the dark haired woman but she didn’t have time to decipher it since Dani came barreling in the kitchen. “Stella, you got a phone call.”

  Finally, the nanny looked up. “Me?” Both Lacy and Dani watched as a dark cloud passed the nanny’s eyes before she rushed off to answer the telephone call.

  “Where are your brothers?”

  “Where I left them.” Dani absently replied.

  Cocking a hand on her hip, the mother asked. “Where’s that?”

  Dani munched on a cookie she grabbed from the package on the table. “Outside with Gage. She’s giving them rides on the lawn mower.”

  Lacy turned on her heel, heading out the door. “Dani, would you finish getting things ready?”

  Her mother was out the door before she could reply. “Uh oh, Gage is in trouble.”

  ***********************

  Lacy watched from a distance as her partner pulled Derek and Sammy in the small trailer behind the lawn mower. At least she doesn’t have the blades on like last time.

  Gage felt an eerie feeling rising as she made another turn. When green met blue, she smiled. The blonde negotiated the shrubs, heading straight to Lacy. She killed the engine and offered another winning smile. “I learned my lesson.” When Gage first bought the lawn tractor and trailer, the boys begged for a ride. Figuring she could kill two birds with one stone, Gage piled Sammy and Derek in the trailer and went about mowing the lawn. When Lacy found out, she was fit to be tied. Gage could still hear the fuming mother. She didn’t talk to me for two days.

  Seeing his momma, Sammy wiggled out of the trailer. “Sammy, hold on you little whipper snapper.” Using Gage’s favorite phrase in referring to the two year old, Derek helped his younger brother out.

  “Momma!” Sammy waddled across the short distance to Lacy. She scooped him up, giving him a kiss. Watching her oldest son take up a protective position near his hero, Lacy grinned. “Come on. Lunch is ready.”

  The group piled in the kitchen ready to eat. Once the kids were settled, Lacy addressed her partner. “Gage, sweetheart, why don’t you hire someone to mow the lawn on a full time basis. We have the money.” While they were making the movie, Gage had temporarily arranged for a local lawn care company to maintain the lawn.

  After gulping down her drink, she said. “But, we like to mow the grass. Right, Derek?”

  Derek slapped her hand in a high five. “Yep.”

  “With the way you were going about it when do you expect to get it done?” Lacy asked sarcastically.

  “Point taken.” Gage scooted back from the table. “I already called Steve from that lawn place. He’s sending someone over tomorrow.” The blonde rose and walked around placing a quick kiss on Lacy’s temple. She winked at her lover. Gage placed two hands on her partner’s shoulders and leaned in. “That way I have more time for you.”

  Lacy was enjoying the impromptu massage when a distraught Stell
a stumbled in the kitchen. “Ma’am?” She directed to Lacy. “I need some time off.”

  “What is it?”

  With pursed lips, Stella frowned. “A friend of mine is in the hospital. In LA. I’ve already made the necessary arrangement. I know this is short notice but… it’s……”

  “When do you leave?” Lacy jumped up to comfort the older woman. “Gage can drive you to the airport.”

  Gage nodded. “Sure.”

  Placing her two hands on the nanny’s arms, Lacy inquired. “Is there anything we can do?”

  Relieved for the time off and offer of help, Stella answered her. “No, she’s just very bad off and I’ve…. I…Grace is a very dear friend.” The older woman nearly collapsed in Lacy’s arms. She helped the nanny to a chair.

  Dani splashed some water on a dishtowel and handed it to Stella. “I know Grace. She’s nice.” The twelve year old continued when she saw her mother’s raised eyebrows. “On the plane….. you know, Grace. She was going to see her new grandbaby.”

  “Can’t be the same one, Dani.” Lacy countered, still watching the distressed nanny. “Stella, what’s Grace’s last name?”

  Patting her neck with the cold damp rag, Stella confirmed what Dani assumed. “Davidson.”

  Gage was about to turn away in order to get the car keys when she heard Stella’s last words. “You? You know Grace Davidson?” Stunned by the news, Gage slumped to the nearby chair. “I can’t believe it.” She said more to herself as several revealing memories zapped to the forefront of her mind. “I knew there was something familiar about you. You…. you helped me….”

  “Yes, Gage, it was me.” Stella confirmed.

  “What? Helped you do what?” Confused, Lacy asked then looked from the nanny to her partner. “Gage? You know Grace, too?”

  A long paused filled the air as Gage allowed several more memories to come rushing back. “She….” Shocked, the blonde shook her head, still unfocused. Finally, Gage spoke again. “Grace was my caseworker. And, she…” Dazed green eyes met the green eyes of the nanny. “…helped me with my stuttering.”

  Crossing her arms, Dani declared her victory. “Like…I told you.”

  Lacy shot her daughter an irritated look. “Stella, when do you leave?”

  “Five. I can get a cab.” Stella offered.

  “No, Gage will see you off.” Lacy swung her head to her partner for confirmation. Pulling the stunned blonde from her distant musings, Lacy asked. “Gage?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Can I go?” Dani asked.

  Derek chimed in. “Me, too.”

  Not wanting to be left out, Sammy raised his arms to his mother. “Momma? Me, me.”

  ************************

  Lacy stretched her long body against her lover. “Mystery solved.” She declared but was worried about her partner and offered a distraction. Lacy’s hand slid between the sheets along her lover’s side then up and over Gage’s firm stomach. When her hand veered south, Gage stopped her.

  Looking directing into Lacy’s loving blue eyes, Gage asked. “Do you mind? I don’t feel up to it tonight.”

  Only feeling slightly rebuffed, Lacy dropped her head on her partner’s shoulder meeting a strong squeeze from Gage. “I’m worried about you.”

  As it turned out, the whole clan had taken Stella to the airport since no one wanted to be left behind. With the nanny safely on the plane, Gage had driven quietly home. Her demeanor remained the same throughout the evening, not even getting much of a rise from the blonde when Dani taunted her for not winning in the game of charades.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No.” Her laconic response cut through the air sharper than she intended. Drawing in a deep breath, Gage apologized. “I’m sorry. Why didn’t she say anything?”

  “I know.” Lacy snuggled closer, brushing her lips against her lover’s neck. “All those mysterious meetings she had was…. just to visit her sick friend.”

  “Somehow I feel…. not betrayed exactly…” Gage couldn’t find the exact word regarding the emotions that played inside her.

  “She’s a lot like you…keeps everything inside.” When Lacy heard her own words, a cord struck home.

  Gage pulled her lover even closer. “I remember now…. she…. I… we got along….. well. I really liked her. She didn’t make fun of me or nothing… just like Grace. I guess I was five, six… I don’t know.”

  The revelation that crossed Lacy’s mind begged to be acknowledged but she wasn’t about to interrupt her partner’s long awaited explanation about her past.

  “We… she did more than help me with my talking.” Gage smiled. “We played together. I would sometimes pretend that….....” The blonde refused to cross that one time hopeful bridge. “We did everything together at the Center. Instead of playing with the other kids, I would help her fix lunch, clean up…whatever.”

  A warm smiled graced Lacy’s face. Another mystery solved. Perfectly cut diagonal sandwiches. “Sweetheart, may I make a suggestion?”

  Gage drew back in order to see her lover’s concerned eyes. “Yes.”

  “Before you go and assume why she never told you, wait till she gets back and then the two of you should talk. I’m sure she has her reasons.”

  Gage lightly kissed her lover. “For you, anything.”

  Even after hearing Gage’s agreement to her advice, Lacy knew it would be a difficult task for her lover.

  ***********************

  The next morning Gage met with a young man named Jim. The 6’ 2” man quietly followed the blonde around the property nodding more than talking. The buzzed hair cut blonde man studied the grounds carefully as if surveying a potential battleground.

  After Gage explained what she needed him to do, she asked. “Any questions?”

  “Reckon that’s all I need.” Scratching his two-day-old beard, he asked. “Mind if I get started tomorrow?”

  “Ahhh… you know it’s the 4th, right?” He nodded. Puzzled as to why the young good looking man didn’t have other plans on the 4th of July, she said. “We’re having a bunch of people over tomorrow…. how about Sunday or Monday might be better for you?”

  Jim paused to scan the yard once again. “Said you’re leaving Monday… wanted to be sure I started before then… in case I have questions.” Seeing Gage hesitate, he offered. “I won’t be in the way tomorrow.. quite a bit of land here. Wanna do a good job for ya.”

  Gage looked into his sincere brown eyes and agreed. “Okay. You might as well join us for something to eat while you’re here.”

  Jim nodded. Gage watched him amble off to his black car.

  ************************

  Gage could tell that Mark was nervous when he arrived with Julie and her two children, Joe and Jessie. He confirmed her suspicions when he leaned in and said. “This is it. This is the weekend.”

  Gage punched her friend in the arm. “Good for you.” Nodding at the eighteen-year-old boy, Gage asked. “What’s going on there?”

  Mark took a long moment to study Julie’s son who shared the same dark looks and warm brown eyes as his mother. “There’s been some progress. I’ll tell you later. By the way, Dash and his wife and son are coming back to live here in St. Troy.”

  The blonde smiled. “Grayson? Your brother-in-law? Guess we’ll get to see even more of you then.” Lacy and Gage had met Alexis and Dash Grayson on one of their short shopping trips to New York City a year ago. Chance Mallicoat, the one time ever-faithful companion of her friend, Mark, was now securely re-attached to his old boss, Dash Grayson. Chance had served the Grayson family from when Dash was a young boy till it was assumed that his one-time young charge had been killed several years ago. With the joyous news of Dash being alive, Chance left Mark’s employment with his best wishes.

  Before Mark could reply, Julie took possession of her boyfriend’s arm. “Gage, do you mind?”

  “No, go on…..you need any help with your bags?”

 
Jerking on Mark’s arm, she nodded. “That’s why I have him.”

  ***********************

  After their guests settled in and had a short lunch, the small group ended up out near the pool. Dani took up residence next to the sixteen year old, Jessie. She grilled her on everything from make-up to boys and even though the nearly thirteen year old was several years away from dating, Dani figured she should be prepared. Her last year in school awakened her interest in boys.

  To everyone’s surprise, Joe showed an amazing amount of patience as both Derek and Sammy doused him with their water guns. Julie explained to her friends Joe’s recent problems with drugs, which only further determined Lacy’s resolve to raise her kids in St. Troy.

  Finding a quiet moment to themselves, Lacy leaned in. “How’s things been going so far?”

  Julie’s brown eyes drifted to her boyfriend. “Hard to tell. He’s been quieter… more distance lately.” She turned to her friend. “Although he was an absolute lifesaver in helping me with Joey.” Julie produced a quick frown realizing she had slipped again. Her eighteen year old wanted to be called Joe.

  “Hmmmm.” Lacy thoughtfully mused. “Think he needs a push?”

  “I’m afraid if I did….” Julie stopped short, too scared to enunciate her fear. “I’ve decided this is the weekend.”

  “Good for you.” Having heard her friend’s decision, Lacy hoped everything would work out for Julie. Maybe I should enlist Gage’s help. Lacy had not let Gage in on what she and Julie conspired, keeping the confidence of her friend intact. However, she was not about to idly sit by and allow two ships to pass in the night without sailing to some kind of mutual port. She figured Gage would be very instrumental in providing the shining beacon both reluctant parties would need in finding their way to the same harbor.

  Her thoughts were disrupted when a stream of water doused her. Wiping the liquid from her face, she saw standing before her two innocent faces. Apparently, Joe and Derek had been chasing Gage around the pool when the blonde decided to take up residence in front of her and face the water assault full on. In the last minute, Gage not realizing where she was standing, stepped away in order to miss the deluge, which then rained down on an unsuspecting Lacy. The two boys hightailed it away leaving Gage standing alone. Lacy’s squinting blue eyes met shocked green that quickly turned playful. Gage shrugged then smiled at her partner before rushing off to find her assailants. “I said it before and I’ll say it again… I love that woman but she is in so much trouble.”