Unexpected Sparks
Page 27
“Maybe part of it was also because she enjoyed playing head games with this Rushton woman.”
Kate thought about Margaret and how she had slapped her a few weeks earlier. “I think so, too,” she said, suppressing a shiver.
“How’s Nikki?”
“Better,” Kate said. “Her headaches went away, and Rick was so impressed with how she escaped from the fire, keeping her cool under pressure, that he really pushed to get her the dispatch job. She’s working this evening, though she promised to come by after her shift.”
“You two still going hot and heavy?”
“Depends on your definition.”
“I gather that means yes.”
“She’s a wonderful woman.”
“She’s probably a tired woman. I’m surprised she has enough strength left to go to work after you’re finished with her.”
“Funny.” Kate made sure Susan realized she didn’t find it so at all.
“So, what’s this rumor you’re taking her to the Historical Society dinner?”
“Damn, how do you keep up with these things?”
“I hear things,” Susan said lightly. When she spoke again, her voice was more serious. “Are you really going to do it?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Susan didn’t respond, her silence eloquent.
“You’re not talking me out of this, Susan.”
“Did I try? Did you hear me say a word?”
“I know what you’re thinking. To me, it’s the perfect opportunity to settle the rumors and gossip once and for all. I love Nikki, and I don’t care who knows it or what the hell their opinion might be about it.”
“Aren’t you putting a lot of pressure on Nikki? How comfortable is she going to be while you’re waving her around in lieu of a rainbow flag?”
“She’s fine. We’ve talked it through, and she’s ready to stand by me.”
“Okay, but if they run you both out of town on a rail, you know you always have a place to stay with us.”
Kate smiled. “Thanks.” She lifted her head as she heard the door open below and the sound of footsteps on the stairwell. Obviously, Nikki was trying out the new key Kate had presented her. “I have to go, Nikki’s home.”
“Well, I don’t dare keep you from that,” Susan said, sounding affectionate. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Kate hung up just as Nikki knocked quietly. The door wasn’t locked, but it was understood that the key was only for the back door downstairs. Nikki had provided a similar key to Kate for her building. The next step for them would undoubtedly be an exchange of keys for the apartments themselves.
“Come in,” Kate called, smiling. She met Nikki by the dining room table and hugged her tightly. “How was work?”
“Still a little confusing,” Nikki admitted after kissing her thoroughly. “Once I’ve finished training, though, it should be all right.”
“You’ll do fine.” Kate tilted her head coyly. “So, are you really tired?”
Nikki grinned, her expression the slightest bit lascivious. “Did you have something in mind?”
“I just might,” Kate said, smiling as she took her hands and led her to the bedroom.
Both knew that when two people experienced unexpected sparks between them, either a blaze would ignite or the feeling would eventually die out, growing cold from lack of attention.
They fully intended to keep this fire burning.
About the Author
Gina L. Dartt was born and raised in Nova Scotia. She’s been a lot of places in Canada and the States, including California, Texas, Georgia and New Jersey, but still considers the Maritimes the best place in the world to live. She likes playing tennis, hiking, reading, spending time with friends and following NFL football. Her favorite authors are currently Elizabeth Peters, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, and Nevada Barr. She lives in Truro, with a massive amount of books and two cats, and works in the offi ce of a hardware store that has existed in the town since 1886. From the original wooden counter on the main fl oor, where a customer can still buy a single nail if they’d like, to the beams on the top fl oor that are still blackened and seared from a fi re that occurred nearly sixty years earlier, she is surrounded by the history of her home town, which she appreciates and cherishes. Her upcoming works include Unexpected Ties, the next book featuring Kate Shannon and Nikki Harris (Fall 2006).