Dakota's Way 1 - Dakota's Way

by Robin Hicks

  "As a matter of fact Kasey, he gave those up about a month ago, so that will be a start. He started complaining that they stunk, and were making him feel bad."

  "Well I'm glad to hear that, it's about damn time."

  "Watch your language young lady," her mom smiled, patting Kasey on the butt.

  "Sorry mom. Lets go find Toby and Lynn, I could really use some coffee."

  Kasey's father, a retired tugboat captain, smoked expensive cigars ever since she could remember. He wouldn't be caught dead smoking any cheap ones either. If all they had were cheap ones, he would do totally without until he could get what he wanted.

  He was only allowed to smoke them in the den because her mother told him he wasn't going to stink up the whole house with them, and they had put one of them Ion filters in there. Most of the time though, he would go out on the porch though to smoke them.

  "What's this I hear from mom about a new love interest in you're life Kasey?" Lynn asked her when they sat down with their coffee.

  Kasey grinned from ear to ear. "Her name is Koty. She's a detective in Virginia Beach, and she is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me."

  "Wow, it sounds pretty serious. So when do we get to meet this wonderful woman, and is there going to be wedding bells in the near future?" They all laughed at this.

  "Toby will probably just try and hit on her when he meets her." Lynn said as she ruffled her brother's hair.

  At twenty-eight, Toby was an electrician, and doing very well for himself. He still played the field a lot, but said it was because he was still looking for Mrs. Right.

  Lynn was a collage professor at the University of North Carolina. Though Lynn was straight, she had a large following of lesbians that were always signing up for her classes. Lynn and Kasey looked so much alike they could almost pass as twins. When one of her students found out about Kasey, she hounded Lynn for months to get her phone number.

  Kasey pulled a picture of Koty out of her wallet and passed it to Toby. As expected, Toby's eyes about popped out of their sockets when he saw her.

  "Man, she's hot Kase. Does she have any sisters? I don't care how old they are. Hell, I'll even settle for a mom if she looks like your Koty."

  Rolling her eyes, Kasey took the picture from him and passed it to Lynn.

  "No Toby, I'm sorry. All she has is a twin brother, and he is married to one of my best friend Chris. Both of her parents died in a car accident when they were seventeen."

  "She's quite beautiful Kasey." Her mother said with a smile on her face. She hadn't seen her daughter this happy in such a long time. 'I don't even think she was this happy with Samantha.'

  "I hope we get to meet her soon. We'll see how things are going when your father recuperates from all of this."

  Kasey's mother insisted that they go to her house to get some rest. She promised that she would call them if there were any changes in their father's condition.

  Kasey had called Koty as soon as she arrived in Houston and had picked up her rental car. Since it was so late now, she figured that she would wait until tomorrow night to call her and fill her in on what was going on.

  Lying in an unfamiliar bed, Kasey tossed and turned and was unable to sleep. Getting out of bed to go get herself something to drink, she found Toby and Lynn in their fathers study having a drink.

  Finding the Grand Marnier in the bottom of the liquor cabinet, she poured herself a drink and sat down to join them. 'I knew I could count on you dad to have my favorite drink here.'

  They sat for another hour talking about all of the trouble that they used to get into when they younger.

  Like the time that Toby and his best friend Johnny Cowen super glued the doors to the gym shut in high school, and when Lynn got turned down for cheerleading just because the captain didn't like her, she stole her shampoo bottle and filled it with Nair. Thank God that no one ever found out about that.

  They remembered when Kasey had sliced up all of the tires on Bobby Johnson's mustang just because Amy had went with him to the school dance and she was jealous.

  Toby grinned, "Man, we sure did get into some good ones didn't we?"

  Slapping her brother playfully on the leg, Kasey told him, "Yeah, but you still do don't you?"

  "A little, but not like I used to. Hey, I'm a guy, I can get away with it every now and then."

  Finishing up their drinks, they gave each other hugs then went to separate bedrooms. Kasey felt much more relaxed so she figured she would finally be able to get some sleep.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Koty, Chris, and Monty drove to the resort the following morning in Chris's Dodge Durango. The forecast for that area had been calling for heavy snow, and possibly a blizzard.

  They arrived at the lodge and checked in before putting on their skiing outfits and hitting the slopes. They were able to ski that day but when they went to go out the next morning they were informed that the slopes were temporarily closed due to blizzard-like conditions.

  When they peeked out the door, they couldn't even see five feet in front of them. A little disappointed that they couldn't ski, it was still kind of exciting to be trapped in the lodge.

  With nothing else to do, they went to get some Irish Coffees from the bar and then went to sit by the fire. Everyone was glued to the T.V as the weatherman stated that most of the roads were being shut down due to the storm.

  "It's a good thing that we already have our rooms here." Chris told them when they found out that the lodge was booked solid.

  "Well, we may as well settle in and enjoy ourselves. Look on the bright side. The snow is bound to be great for skiing tomorrow, but there is going to be a lot of people stranded here because of the roads."

  After a couple of more hours and several more Irish Coffee's later, Koty told them that she was going to her room to take a nap. They made plans to meet here for dinner around 6:00 o'clock.

  As Koty approached the stairs she stopped dead in her tracks at what she saw. There at the foot of them with her hand resting on the rail looking right at her was Tina. 'What the hell, doesn't Tina work anymore?'

  "Koty!" Tina said genuinely surprised.

  "Don't you work anymore? What are you doing here Tina?"

  "Now that's a silly question. This is my three days off, and I'm here skiing, or was skiing until this damn storm hit."

  Tina pointed over to some women by the bar. "Me and some of the girls from the station caught one of those tour busses up here, and now they are saying we probably won't be able to make it out of here today or tonight. Can you believe that shit?"

  Koty followed Tina's gaze over to the bar and recognized some of the women that worked with Tina at the fire department. She sighed deeply and turned her attention back to Tina.

  "Where are you headed Koty, and where's what's her name?"

  "I am going to take a nap, and Kasey is out of town with a family emergency. Chris and Monty are here with me. Now, if you will excuse me..."

  Koty walked past Tina then went up the stairs, missing the small smile that reached Tina's lips as she watched her ex-lover walk away from her.

  'Jesus Koty, you look even better than you did when we were together.'

  Koty was far to tired too worry about Tina right now. She closed the door behind her, stripped out of her clothes then climbed into the bed. As she lay in the quietness of the room, her thoughts turned to Kasey, putting a smile on her face as she fell fast asleep.

  After a long and peaceful nap, Koty met Chris and Monty downstairs for dinner and drinks. Lots of drinks. Spirits were pretty high after all of the cocktails they consumed.

  "Ya know Chris, I haven't seen Monty drink this much in a long time. I almost forgot how hilarious he is when he's drunk, this is great."

  "Hey, I'm not as think as you drunk I am." Monty snorted when he realized what he had just said. "Hmm, maybe I am. Oh well, we are here to have fun."

  They partied for a while longer when Chris told Koty that she was taking
Monty upstairs and putting him to bed before he fell out at the table. Koty stayed to have one more drink and then headed to her room.

  She had just kicked her shoes off and lay on the bed to watch some T.V when she heard a knock on the door. Thinking that it must be Chris, she jumped up and opened the door. Her smile slipped from her face. 'Shit!'

  "Tina."

  "Hi Koty, can I talk to you please?"

  Koty stepped aside to let her in the door before closing it behind her. 'This can't be a good idea I'm sure.'

  "What do you want Tina?"

  "Look Koty, Me and the other women are stranded here because of this stupid ass snow storm. There ain't any rooms left, and there's no way to get to a Hotel. "The lodge has extra pillows and blankets for us all to sleep in the lobby, but I really don't want to sleep on any floor."

  "So what is it you want from me Tina?"

  "I'm asking if I can camp out in here tonight. Koty, I promise to be on my best behavior. I won't try anything, honest. Look, I know I don't have any right to even ask you this, but please don't make me sleep downstairs."

  "No Tina. Why can't you sleep downstairs?

  "Koty, there are too many people down there to be even remotely comfortabe. It's not so much as I don't want to sleep on the floor, but it's so crowded."

  Koty knew that Tina wasn't lying about the sleeping arrangements. Against her better judgment she gave in. 'I really, really know that this is not a good idea.'

  "Alright Tina, but since you said you don't mind sleeping on the floor, you can pull the pillows off the chairs and sleep there. Don't make me regret it."

  "That bed is a kingsize Koty..."

  "The floor Tina, or nothing at all."

  "Okay, and I promise I won't do anything to make you uncomfortable."

  They were sitting on the bed watching some T.V when Koty told her she was going to take a shower. She had been in there for a while when the phone started to ring. Tina, not sure if she should answer it or not, reached over and picked it up.

  "Hello?"

  "Um...is this Koty Silvers room?"

  "Yes it is, she's in the shower though can I help..."

  "Who is this?" Kasey said before Tina could finish her sentence."

  "This is Tina, who is this?" 'Oh shit!' Then it dawned on her who it was. 'Uh oh.'

  "Tina!" Kasey repeated in a sharp tone. "Let me speak to Koty."

  Koty had just come around the corner from the bathroom and asked Tina who was on the phone. "Um...I think it might be your girlfriend."

  'Shit shit shit! This is all I need!'

  She took the phone from Tina's out stretched hand. "Kasey?"

  "Koty, just what in the hell is going on there and what is that woman doing in your room!?

  "It's a long story Baby, let me explain..."

  "Oh Christ, nevermind. Don't tell me...Don't even bother Dakota, no explanations are needed at all. Don't call me, don't come to see me!" Click.

  "Kasey? Kase..." Nothing but the dial tone. "Son of a bitch!" Koty yelled as she slammed the phone down, climbed on the bed lying on her stomach and pulled the covers over her head. Tina had been with Koty long enough to know that meant there would be no more conversations tonight. This was Koty's way of clamming up when there was something she didn't want to talk about.

  Knowing that she had caused enough problems tonight to last a long tome, Tina turned off the T.V and went to sleep.

  The next morning when Koty awoke, she realized that Tina was gone, and she was alone. Rubbing her eyes and pulling herself out of bed, she stumbled to the bathroom. When she came back out she found a note on the table.

  Koty,

  Thanks a million for letting me stay last night. I promised you that I wouldn't cause any problems, but it looks like I did anyway. All I seem to do anymore is hurt you. I am truly sorry for messing up your life like I have. You don't ever have to forgive me. Just please, please don't hate me. I wish you and Kasey, (see, I do know her name) the best. I hope that you get what you truly deserve in life, even if it is her. You are one in a million sweetheart, and I'll always be around if you ever need me to be.

  I'll always love you,

  Tina

  Koty sat there for a while with her head down in her hands. 'Shit. Why can't anything ever go right for me anymore? What have I done so wrong to deserve this anyway?'

  She got herself together and went downstairs to meet Chris and Monty for breakfast. All she wanted to do right now was to go home and wait for Kasey to return from Houston.

  The roads that led out to the highway were now cleared, but the slopes would be a while before they opened, so they decided to just pack it up and go as soon as they had something to eat. When Monty got up to go pay the check, Chris turned to Koty.

  "Koty, was that Tina I saw leaving your room this morning?"

  Rubbing her hands over her eyes, Koty explained what had happened with Tina's sleeping arrangements, and about how Tina just happened to answer the phone while she was in the shower when Kasey called.

  "Christ Chris, I swear to you that nothing happened. I made her sleep on the floor, but Kasey is never gonna believe that. She has such a problem with Tina that I'll never be able to make her understand."

  "I'm sorry Koty. Why don't you let things calm down a little, and then try and explain it to her."

  "She told me not to call, or go and see her. I just don't know what to do."

  "What to do about what?" Monty asked as he came back to the table.

  "Oh nothing," Chris said as she patted Koty on the Back.

  "Just another day in the life of Dakota Silvers. Come on, let's go home."

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Kasey felt physically ill as she hung up the phone with Koty. She could hardly wait to talk to her and tell her how much she missed her, and that she would be returning to the beach the next day.

  'What in the hell was Tina doing in her room? Face it Doc, you know damn well what she was doing there.' It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. 'Jesus.' They had been lovers for three years, she knew all along that Tina was still in love with Koty, and was trying to get her back. 'Why in the hell am I so surprised? God what a fool I am.'

  All of the times that Kasey waited to hear Koty tell her that she loved her, now she knew why she never heard it. She never heard it because Koty didn't feel that way. She knew that Koty cared for her. That was obvious, but just as obvious, it wasn't enough. 'I guess Tina got what she wanted.'

  As devastated as she was when Sam had gone back to Annie, it seemed like high school stuff compared to her love for Koty, and the loss she was feeling now.

  She knew what she had to do. As hard as it was going to be, she knew that she would have to withdraw herself from Koty completely. She loved her enough to let her be with Tina.

  Kasey also knew Koty enough to know that she would try to contact her. She would just refuse to see her, and if she did see her it would not be alone, and she would play it off like she didn't care. 'I need to do this. I need to stay away from her. I need a stiff drink.'

  Kasey flew out of Houston the next morning. Her father was doing fine and there was no real damage done to his heart from the attack, and Kasey needed to get back to work.

  Lynn had asked Kasey what was wrong with her when she could tell that she had been crying. Kasey had told her that she was just really tired and still jet lagged, but Lynn knew she was lying. She did not push it though.

  She had hugged everyone and told them that she loved them. She left the car in the airport parking lot for the rental company to pick up, and she boarded her flight to Virginia.

  Her flight was straight through without a layover so she knew she would be home in about three hours. She would get home, unpack, take a shower, and go to bed.

  Tomorrow she would go to work, come home, and make herself some dinner, take a shower, and then go to bed. She would do this day after day after day until she could get Koty out of her mind.

  She knew
this wouldn't be an easy task, but it was something that she needed to do. She had been afraid to get involved with Koty for this very reason to start with. After what happened with Samantha she knew not to get involved with someone on the rebound. She had told herself over and over that this was a strong possibility. When would she ever learn?

  'Oh well, get over it already, what's done is done and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it but get on with your life.'

  ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗

  When Koty arrived home, she immediately went to the phone to check her answering machine for any messages from Kasey. Exasperated when there were none, she collapsed on the recliner.

  She had called Kasey's house, and cell phone several times and left messages for her to call. She even called the clinic and the hospital. She didn't have any phone numbers in Houston for her so she figured that she would just have to wait for now. 'I know she has to be home now.'

  For a solid week she had left messages for her but to no avail. She knew that Kasey had caller I.D, so maybe she was screening her calls and when Koty's number showed up she ignored it.

  Koty had driven by the doctors house a couple of times, but never saw her car. She knew that she was home from Houston now, because Monty had mentioned that she and Chris had met with the contractor for their office two days ago.

  Friday while she was at work, Jamie called and asked for her to meet them at Laces for a few drinks. Needing a break, and a strong drink, she told Jamie she would be there around eight.

  As Koty got out of the shower to get ready to go, she lay across the bed. 'Man am I tired.' For a brief moment, she contemplated calling Jamie and telling her that she was just too tired to go, but changed her mind and got up to get dressed.

  Koty had a very long week working ten to twelve hour days. Several times she even brought some cases home with her, which was something she had never done before. She figured that the more she worked, the less she would think about Kasey, and how much she missed her. Yes, she definitely needed to go out with her friends tonight. She needed to be able to laugh again.