Someone Like You

by Syd Parker

  Lex sensed the change, and she took the peace pipe Aspen offered her. She started grating and within minutes, she handed Aspen a pile of gruyere with a grin. “By all means…create.”

  Aspen rolled her eyes and smiled. “Shut it.” She had to look away so Lex wouldn’t see the grin that stayed plastered on her face. Despite the heated exchange, this felt so much like a hundred other nights they had spent together; her cooking and Lex watching, or playing sous chef. It felt good. Too good, and she tried not to allow herself to get lost in emotions of yesteryear.

  Aspen pulled a wooden pizza peel off a rack and sprinkled cornmeal over the surface. She gently lifted the dough and stretched it back out into a circle over the cornmeal. She spread a thin layer of sweet garlic over the crust then topped it with pears and prosciutto. She finished it by sprinkling a healthy amount of shredded gruyere over the top and brushed the edges with olive oil. She slid it onto the pre—heated pizza stone and shut the door. “You want a drink?”

  “Yeah, what do you have?”

  Aspen pulled the fridge open and started listing beverages. “Beer, pop, a Reisling.”

  “Let’s do the Reisling.” Lex suggested, thinking it sounded like the perfect pairing with Aspen’s pizza.

  “Good choice.” Aspen pulled the wrapper off and scrounged around for a corkscrew. “Do you mind?” She handed Lex the bottle and corkscrew and started searching for wine glasses.

  Lex poured the Reisling into the glasses Aspen set on the island. She handed a full one back to Aspen and sampled her own. “Mmm, good.”

  Aspen sipped her own as she cleaned up the few dishes they had dirtied and wiped down the island. She put the flour away, grabbed her glass and leaned back against the counter. “So what else is new?”

  Lex shrugged. “Not much.”

  “Lex, we haven’t spoken in five years. Certainly more has happened to you during that time than getting a new job.”

  Lex shot her a self—effacing smile. “Sorry. I forget sometimes it’s been that long.”

  Aspen paled slightly. “I haven’t.”

  Lex swallowed a lump. However hard it had been for her; it must have been infinitely harder on Aspen. She was the one that Lex abandoned. “Listen, A. I never meant to hurt you.”

  Aspen waived a dismissive hand and opened her mouth to reply, but the shrill buzz of the oven timer stopped her. “Saved by the bell.”

  “But I'm in a lot of trouble later.” Lex winked mischievously and dodged the dishtowel that Aspen chucked in her direction.

  Aspen set the pizza stone down on a hot pad holder and sliced it. She slid three pieces on a plate and handed it to Lex then served herself two slices before settling onto the stool next to Lex.

  “Oh, my god. This is so delicious. I forgot how good you were.” It was Lex’s turn to blush. “I mean how good your cooking is.”

  “You always did love it.” Aspen shot her an appreciative smile. “Don’t get too used to it. After all, six months will be over before you know it.”

  That’s what I’m worried about. Lex wasn’t sure where that thought came from. Well yes, she actually did. She had forgotten how good it felt to be with Aspen. It was a feeling she knew she should fight, but as the wine and the nearness to Aspen settled in; she felt the tingle of warm familiarity steal into her subconscious, and in true Tataris fashion, she decided she would deal with it in the morning.

  Chapter 5

  Lex blinked against the soft rays of sunlight that stole into her room. She rolled over and stared at the ceiling. She wasn’t awake enough, and it took her several minutes to get her bearings before she threw the covers off with a loud groan. She stretched her arms over her head and yawned loudly.

  Her eyes flicked to the door, and she wondered if Aspen was up yet. One deep inhalation later and she knew the answer to her question. The smell of hot coffee wafted under her door, and before she knew it, it had wrapped her up in its grasp and deposited her in the kitchen. “Morning, sunshine.”

  Aspen handed her a cup and poured rich, dark liquid all the way to the top. The steam swirled tantalizingly towards Lex, and she hurried a bit more than she should have to take a drink. “Woo, shit. That’s hot.” Wisely, she blew on it before she attempted to drink it a second time. “So, what’s up for today?”

  “Lex.” Aspen cocked her head sideways. “Just because we are in the same house doesn’t mean you have to spend time with me. I know you have stuff to do, and I’ve got plenty to keep me busy.”

  Lex’s face dropped before it broke out in a grin. “Yeah, sure I know, A.”

  Aspen held her gaze a moment longer, before breaking the connection and escaping to the fridge. “You want breakfast?”

  “You don’t have to make anything. I can eat a protein bar or something.”

  “Really?” Aspen spun around and looked at her askance. “I thought we settled this already.”

  Lex colored slightly. “We did. I feel bad that I’m taking advantage of you.”

  “You’re going to have to stop thinking that. It’s just as easy to cook for two. Besides, you know I love to cook.” Her eyes zeroed in on Lex. “Now let’s try that again. Do you want some breakfast?”

  A relieved smile broke out on Lex’s face. “Yes, thank you. I’m starving.”

  “Pancakes okay?”

  Lex nodded. Aspen could have offered to make her a dirt pie, and she might have eaten it. Lex was normally very patient, but the one thing she didn’t usually wait for was food. When she was hungry, she wanted to eat.

  Aspen busied herself setting the griddle to heat and mixing batter. “I’ve got blueberries.”

  “Whatever is fine. If you’re having them, I will too. But otherwise, don’t worry about it.” Lex felt a little tug. Five years, and Aspen still remembered she loved blueberry pancakes. Cassidy couldn’t even remember that her favorite color was blue. Funny, how different the women she loved were.

  “Blueberries it is.” Aspen poured the batter onto the griddle and scattered blueberries over each drop of batter. “Can you grab the maple syrup and the butter out of the fridge?”

  Lex slid off the stool and padded over to the fridge in search of the requested items. She located the butter, grabbed it and searched for the syrup.

  “Behind the milk.” Aspen said from the other side of the door as if she sensed what Lex was thinking.

  Lex pushed the milk aside and grabbed the syrup. She shut the door and turned to Aspen with a smile. “Just like old times. You can read my mind.”

  “Like I said, some things never change.” Aspen slid her spatula under the first of the pancakes and flipped them over to finish on the other side, leaving Lex to ponder her words. It was the second time in less than twenty—four hours that she had said that same phrase and Lex had to wonder if she was trying to tell her something.

  Lex found the plates and silverware and gave them both a napkin, while Aspen finished up the pancakes. She set a stack at least twice as high as hers on Lex’s plate, mindful of the bottomless pit she was feeding. Lex thanked her and doused her own stack liberally with syrup, dropping a pat of butter on for good measure. She was just about to sit down when Aspen stopped her.

  “Grab your stuff and follow me.”

  Lex scooped up her plate and coffee and jogged to catch up with Aspen, who was just walking into her bedroom. “Oh nice, breakfast in bed.”

  Aspen looked at Lex over her shoulder and rolled her eyes. “You wish.”

  Actually, I do. Lex thought briefly, before conjuring up a picture of Cassidy’s face. Remember why you’re here. “Where are you taking me?”

  Aspen set her food down and pulled the curtains open on what Lex had mistakenly assumed was just a window. She revealed a large set of French doors. “Voila. The perfect spot for breakfast.”

  And the perfect spot it was, Lex thought. The French doors opened up to a large deck that spanned the length of the house. In the far corner, was a sunken Jacuzzi that Lex wished she had known about la
st night. The views from the small table were breathtaking. Rolling hills covered with trees that were just beginning to hint at autumn’s return. “This is gorgeous.”

  “It is.” Aspen set her plate on a small table between two Adirondack chairs. “Aunt Ginny didn’t mess around. It’s hard to believe this is the old bunkhouse.”

  “No doubt.” Lex settled into the chair beside her and shoved an impatient bite into her mouth. “Mmm, heavenly. I don’t know how you do it. I can’t seem to get a pancake anywhere close to this. Definitely, a bummer when I’m craving breakfast foods.”

  “It’s just pancakes, Lex.” Aspen chuckled lightly.

  “Nothing is just anything with you.” Lex met her eyes and smiled genuinely. “Everything you touch is special.”

  Aspen felt her chest tighten. Don’t even start thinking like that, Aspen. Remember why you are here. Closure. She smiled at the compliment, but it stopped before it reached her eyes. She needed to keep her distance, at least with her emotions. “Glad I can accommodate.”

  Lex sensed the wall go up and mentally chided herself for pushing. The one thing that she knew hadn’t changed with Aspen was she was slow to open up. It took her a while to trust and even longer to let someone in. The second time around was going to be even harder. The trust she had given Lex had been crumpled up in a ball and thrown back at her. She knew it was a miracle she was even in the same state with her, much less sharing breakfast on the second day of their tempestuous journey. “So, what made Ginny stop breeding horses?”

  Aspen shrugged. “I think she just got tired. When Uncle Neal passed, it got to be too much.”

  “I’m really sorry about your uncle.” Lex covered Aspen’s hand with hers. “I should have called or something.”

  Aspen tensed beneath her touch, and she let out a long sigh. “You didn’t owe me anything, Lex. We were over a long time ago. I didn’t expect you to show up just because my uncle died.”

  “I just meant that I should have called or something.” Lex pulled her hand away. “How did he pass?”

  “Heart attack. It was fast, though. The doctors said he probably didn’t suffer at all.” Aspen blinked back a tear. She wasn’t sure she was prepared for the onslaught of emotions this little trip down memory lane was going to bring up.

  “That’s crazy. He was always so healthy.” Lex shook her head in disbelief. “I figured he would live until he was a hundred.”

  Aspen laughed. “That’s what Aunt Ginny used to say. Her phrase was more like only the good die young, so your uncle ought to make it until he’s at least a hundred years old.”

  “Do you remember the time he took us snow skiing?”

  Aspen’s laughter immediately got louder. “Oh my gosh, the time we went to Lake Placid. The one and only time he took us skiing. I’ve never been so mortified in my life.”

  “That was the funniest thing ever.”

  “For you, maybe. Meanwhile, I didn’t come out of the lodge the rest of the trip.”

  “I’ve never seen someone actually slide under the fence and into the creek before.”

  Aspen rolled her eyes. “What can I say? I’m obviously gifted.”

  “All I know is I’ve never looked at a mogul the same way again.” Lex looked down and realized she was eating her last bite. “Oh man, I talked through my whole stack.”

  “I can make you a couple more. I’ve got a little batter left.” Aspen started to stand up, but Lex motioned her back down.

  “I’m fine. If you don’t stop me, I’ll eat so much I won’t be able to move.” Lex laid her head back and stared up at the clear blue sky above them. “Just relax and finish your coffee before it gets too cold.”

  It was Aspen’s turn to smile. Lex had remembered she hated lukewarm coffee. In fact, she was teased because she drank a cup faster than anyone else she knew. She couldn’t help it. Coffee was meant to be hot enough to singe your tongue. Anything else seemed like sacrilege.

  “So, what’s on the docket for the day?” Lex had closed her eyes, but she opened one enough to peek at Aspen as she waited for her answer.

  “Horse duty for one.” Aspen mentally ticked off her to—do list. Aunt Ginny was making sure she worked the rent out of her. “I have to run Guinness into town and get him groomed. I need to pick up some supplies. Nothing too taxing.”

  “Guiness?”

  “Aunt Ginny’s dog. He’s black and tan and Guiness just sort of fit.”

  “Cute.” Lex stretched her legs out in front of her, and her bare feet peeked out from under the frayed hem of her faded jeans. She circled her foot in the air, trying to work the kink out of her ankle. “I can help with the horses.”

  “Ankle still bothering you?” Aspen leaned over and pulled up her pants, so she could see it. The scars were barely visible now, but she could still make them out. Lex broke her ankle in several places on a misjudged step on third base. Her body had gone one way, and her ankle had said good-bye, packed up and headed in the opposite direction.

  Lex nodded. “Little bit now and then. Figure it will be something I just have to deal with. Most days it’s okay and I can run through it. Today, I’m thinking I’ll relax."

  “That means no horse duty for you.” Aspen replied firmly.

  “No good.” Lex’s tone was kind but firm. “I’m living here too. Besides a couple of Advil will knock the edge off.”

  Aspen sighed loudly and pushed herself off the chair. “Just as stubborn as you always were.” She gathered her dishes and nodded towards the far end of the deck. “Your room opens up to the deck as well…in case you wanted to use the hot tub.”

  Lex scrambled up and followed her inside. “So, what exactly is horse duty?”

  Aspen rinsed their dishes and stacked them in the empty dishwasher. “You’re about to find out.” She flicked her eyes over Lex’s attire and smirked. “You might want to change into something more conducive to shoveling shit.” She walked out with a smile, leaving Lex staring after her with wide eyes.

  Minutes later, Aspen handed Lex a pitchfork. “This is what I like to call mucking 101. You are sure about this?”

  “I think so.” Lex took the pitchfork and smiled. “What do I do first?”

  “Give me a sec to let the girls out, and I’ll give you your first lesson.”

  Lex watched her closely as she led the horses out to a small pasture where they could roam for the day. She used the few distracted moments to study Aspen. Her hair was pulled up and twisted at the back of her head. The sleeves of her thermal shirt were pushed up revealing tanned, muscular forearms. She had faded Levis tucked into a pair of old rain boots, and for the first time since Lex had gotten there, a carefree smile lit up her whole face. It erased years of worry and heartache. Lex felt warmth effuse her body, and she knew it wasn’t the heat of the morning sun.

  “You ready?” Aspen’s voice broke through her reverie. She followed her into the barn. “Throw a couple of buckets in the wheelbarrow and bring it back here.”

  When she joined her at the empty stalls, Aspen was already grabbing water buckets and taking them outside to empty. She brought them back in, grabbed a handful of the straw bedding and scrubbed the inside of the bucket. She nodded towards the pitchfork in Lex’s hand. “You’re going to scrub the stalls.” She laughed at the blank expression on Lex’s face. “Find the manure, scoop it up and shake the dry straw through the tines then dump the manure in the bucket. Reba and Tarra are easy. They use the same spots at the back of the stalls. Lacey, on the other hand, she likes to leave little surprises for you. Just watch your step.”

  Lex cocked an eyebrow, and shot Aspen a what have I gotten myself into look. She padded into the stall and started to muck.

  Aspen followed behind her and emptied the buckets into the wheelbarrow before taking it to a small compost pile. She shook clean, dry bedding into each stall and filled the buckets with fresh water. They were finished before she knew it. Her normal morning routine had taken half the time, and she shot Lex a
grateful smile. “Thanks.”

  “Sure.” Lex propped the pitchfork up against the wall and scrubbed her palms on her jeans. “Okay, I do have to say this whole mucking thing doesn’t completely suck.”

  “I’m glad you said that. We do it twice a day.” Aspen spun on her heel, and for the second time in minutes, left Lex with an open—mouthed expression. The shock turned into a smile. It had been less than twenty—four hours, but they had slid past awkwardness that Lex feared would temper their time together. She was pleasantly surprised, if not hopeful that when they came out of the other side of this venture, a semblance of a friendship might be had and that made her happier than she had been in years.

  Chapter 6

  Cassidy studied her fiancee’s face closely. Lex was bent over her computer proofing her latest article. It had been two weeks since she had spent any time with her, and Cassidy was seconds away from a full-on pout. The attention she was craving was currently misdirected towards a laptop. “Hmm.”

  Lex looked up from her laptop and caught Cassidy’s questioning gaze. She smiled ruefully. “I know. I'm sorry, babe. I just have to finish this up and send it to my editor, and then we can spend some time together.”

  Cassidy wasn’t sure if it was the tone in Lex’s voice, or the lackluster response to Cassidy’s welcome that irritated her more. She met Lex at the door wearing nothing but a pair of lacy panties and one of Lex’s button-down shirts. Normally, this would send Lex’s blood pressure soaring, and it wouldn’t be long before Lex pinned her up against a wall and gave her a proper hello. Cassidy sighed again. Something was different about Lex, and while she couldn’t pin down the exact reason, she was fairly certain it had to do with her ex.

  They didn’t talk about Lex’s time in Vermont. By pre—arrangement, Lex didn’t share, and Cassidy didn’t ask. She preferred not to hear the details. But now, curiosity had her wondering about the subtle change in Lex. She had known a part of Lex would always belong to Aspen. She just hoped the part that she still had wasn’t overtaking the part that Cassidy had. The worry had started to creep through her, and she needed reassurance, which counted for her uneasiness and reading too much into Lex’s cool reception.