Kindling

by Agnes H Hagadus

  Lucy knew her fiancée had wished for Geraldine to possibly join her. But the cowgirl was insisting on returning home. Not that Lucy could blame her.

  It was what Lucy needed to speak to her mother in regards to. Her business. The place she had family, not employees. The place that made enough for everyone to do just more than survive, even with times changing.

  There was a part of Lucy that was tired from running her own business. But she couldn’t see herself working for someone else. Selling the grocery store would only help herself out. What would her employees do?

  It was something Lucy hadn’t fully thought about. At least not until she had heard the rumor that Allison would be without a job soon. Would there be severance pay? Would her employer help to maintain her insurance?

  If Lucy were to sell, those would have to be considerations. Not only would she need enough money to start over somewhere else, she would make certain her employees would be taken care of, at least in the near future.

  Instead of calling, Lucy chose to text her mother, even though her mother wasn’t the greatest at using her cellphone. The first text asked how the store was doing.

  It seemed like forever for her mother to respond. Lucy was sat in the kitchen alone. The smell of coffee was everywhere, as was the scent of cornbread. The cornbread was something Lucy had not necessarily enjoyed in Michigan but was beginning to enjoy.

  Lucy had forgotten it was so early. The response was nearly hilarious. The first thing was to apologize. The second was to ask again how the store was holding up without her.

  The springtime was a little slow so it wasn’t a surprise when her mother said that things were slow. It meant a majority of her employees were helping with inventory.

  Unlike the big corporations, Lucy made certain to take a hard count of her inventory at least once a month, even if it meant paying some of her employees overtime.

  Leave it to her mother to be direct. Lucy knew if she didn’t say anything about Dallas, her mother would be forced to ask how things were going between them.

  Did Lucy tell her mother in a text? It was only slightly worse than actually speaking via the phone. It took a moment for Lucy to compose a reply.

  Yes, things were wonderful between her and Dallas. So much so that there was something she wanted to tell her mother. She left it with one day meeting her truckdriver. She hoped her mother would not read between the lines.

  As was her mother’s normal response, all she wished for her daughter was to be happy. To make certain she texted before she left the bed and breakfast. And to text whenever she was somewhere safe to do so. Plus, not to drive straight through.

  It was one thing Lucy knew. She was loved. Her mother had always been there for her. Especially when she was opening her own place.

  The fact it was her grandfather’s death benefits from the police department that were used to open the store when her mother could have used it for her retirement…

  Luckily, Lucy’s mother had accepted a small percentage in the business. It allowed for her to draw money and set it aside for retirement.

  Living together also helped the mother/daughter duo to save money. It was something that would have to be faced if Dallas were to move to Michigan. Or if Lucy were to move anywhere with Dallas.

  Lucy sent her love and promises of behaving. It was time to think about returning to Dallas. In the morning, Lucy would be heading out. Would Dallas follow her so far even though she was needed by her moms?

  For now, Lucy would sit in the kitchen. She would think of how far she had come. She would think of how far she had to go. But that was life.

  People evolve. People grow. They learn. It’s a part of life. Lucy was now only beginning to realize just how much she had to learn about life. Even that simple truth.

  Not being able to stand it, Lucy helped herself to one of the cornbread. It would be washed down by a second cup of coffee.

  The silence of the early morning in a bed and breakfast was surprisingly so much like the home she shared with her mother.

  But then, that made sense. This was a bed and breakfast. It was more than a motel. It was more than a place to lay your head. It was a family. Run by an amazing family.

  Lucy realized something. She had been adopted by the two women and those that worked for them. So many things to be thankful for.

  Yet, Lucy was cautious. While wanting to learn and grow, it came with failure. It came with the possibility of being hurt.

  Love was the same. Yet, Lucy had easily accepted being committed to her fiancée. To committing to the unknown. Even though, anything could happen to take it away from her.

  ()()()()()()()()()()()()()

  Dallas had wanted to speak to Geraldine about returning to Montana, but sensed things remained tense between the cowgirl and Allison. It would be best to leave the pair alone.

  Would the pair become more than friends? It was something Dallas loathed to speculate about. Instead, she would rather let nature take its course. Would she help if she found herself in the position to?

  When it came to her moms, Dallas didn’t hesitate in helping. It was why she wouldn’t be able to travel with Lucy the entire way.

  How Dallas had wanted to see where Lucy lived. To see the business she had built. Most importantly, to meet the woman who had given birth to her fiancée.

  If the time difference weren’t so great, Dallas would be skyping with her moms. Instead, she was sending them an email. She knew if she were to text them, one or both would have their cellphone on and it might wake them.

  It was the last thing either needed at the moment. Dallas had a feeling her moms were holding back at the amount of damage or how long it would take to recover.

  It would be typical of them if they were to stretch the truth a little. Why? Because this was the first time in a couple years Dallas had truly taken time for herself.

  Yes, there had been the two or three night stays when Dallas’ schedule allowed. Those were usually spent planning her next haul.

  Not all the time. Dallas cringed at some of the dalliances she had enjoyed over the years. Worse were the ones that wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  The thought of unrequited love caused Dallas to think of Dina. The truckdriver’s face was still sore from the cuts inflicted by the stones Dina threw into her bedroom.

  What had happened to the young woman who had become obsessed with Dallas? Sam had promised to keep her informed, but there had been no word.

  So much happening for Dallas. There was one thing she wanted to do before being forced to watch Lucy drive away. After finishing her email, she would have to start researching.

  It was something that wouldn’t be delivered until after they were headed in separate ways. Dallas would have to have it sent to Montana.

  As the website came to life, Dallas could feel her heart racing. She had been the one to say this was more than a fling. That she wanted to make a commitment.

  But to be looking at a jewelry website for an engagement ring? Dallas couldn’t help chuckling. The quiet was shattered for a moment. The quiet reminded her of her mornings on the ranch.

  While Dallas loved the country and the quiet, it was deceiving. So many things happened in the quiet of the night. She should know better than anyone.

  It was a memory Dallas didn’t like to think about. It was tainting her search for the perfect engagement ring. Yet, the truckdriver had to face it if she were to ever attempt to move on.

  The memory was why Dallas was so protective of others. It was why she loathed hunting with every fiber of her being.

  At one time, it was a tradition for her mom and herself. Her momma would rather be the one to cook whatever the pair caught, whatever it might be.

  Dallas had to place her cellphone on the table. Her mind could no longer focus on the websites she was browsing. She would revisit them, perhaps as soon as the evening. After she took her little lady on a proper last date.

  The purge. It was something Dalla
s had to do from time to time to deal with the memory. It wasn’t something everyone could understand. Yet, it was a part of her.

  Until Dallas was twelve, she went fishing or hunting with her mom. They were better than most. It seemed they had a knack for it. They only caught what they would use or give to others. Nothing went to waste.

  It had been during Thanksgiving. It had been the usual. Dallas and her mom had left before there was a hint of the sun. They had made it to their special spot. It was a small lake, which was only a quarter on their property.

  Prior to her twelfth birthday, the owner of the other three quarters hadn’t minded if they accidentally crossed the property line. There were no fences, no real markers. Everyone just knew where one’s property ended and the other began.

  But times changed, as did one’s neighbors. Dallas had been in the tent. Normally, they would hunt for deer. But the weather hadn’t been cold enough or so her mom had said. So it had been fishing.

  Dallas had been in charge of making certain the bait was ready, while her mother tested the rowboat. Even though they took tremendous care of it, her mother refused to allow her daughter on anything unsafe.

  There had been a popping sound. Dallas, even at twelve, would know it anywhere. After all, she had wielded her own shotgun the year prior, much to her momma’s chagrin.

  By the time young Dallas had made it to her mother, she had been bleeding profusely. Dallas had begun running, only to be halted by yet another popping sound.

  The buckshot had landed at her feet. It would have scared most. Not Dallas as she had continued onto her mother. In fact, she had stood as a statue of protection, staring down the double barrels.

  The young man had held the gun aimed at her head for a count of a thousand. How long that really was, Dallas couldn’t ever be certain. It was something her mother had taught her to be patient. And with her life and her mom’s on the line, patience was her greatest virtue.

  It would come in handy while continuing to court Lucy. Dallas wasn’t naïve. She knew her fiancée had a long way to go. But then, the best things in life were worth waiting for.

  ()()()()()()()()()()()()()

  Thelma was upon the balcony. The doors were shut. She wasn’t certain where Jessie was. At this time in the morning, normally they were making love or snuggling together.

  It wasn’t a normal morning. Nothing was normal at the moment. Jessie had yet to speak to her about her mother’s death. It was angering Thelma.

  Yet, Thelma knew everyone had to process things differently. There wasn’t a switch one could flip and get over something. Or at the very least, come to terms with.

  As Thelma leaned upon the railing, she knew these were thoughts that had flown through her mind several times already. Patience. It was a virtue. But not one she necessarily possessed.

  The sound of the sliding door caused Thelma to stiffen, if only momentarily. There was only one person who would be coming to see her here.

  “I’m sorry I haven’t exactly been talkative.” Jessie maintained her distance. She knew her touch would be welcomed, but she didn’t think she deserved it.

  “Jessie, you are one of the most talkative people I know.” Thelma turned so that she was looking her wife in the eyes. “But when it comes to emotions, you are so much like Kathy that I can hardly tell you two apart.”

  “I know.” Jessie knew it had been partially an attempt at humor, but also alluding to the fact neither she nor Kathy handled emotions well was the truth.

  “I’m not about to pressure you.” Thelma leaned easily on the railing. Her instincts were telling her to continue the distance. Though her heart was telling her to engulf her wife in a hug.

  “Someone wise attempted to tell me not to go this alone.” Jessie reflected on her brief conversation with Jackeline. “She knows me so well. I used to respect her. But I was anything but respectful while she was attempting to comfort me.”

  “Jackeline knows you love her. She’ll forgive you.” Thelma decided to take a step toward her wife. “Better yet, she’ll say what I have to say. There’s nothing to forgive.”

  Tears were streaming down Jessie’s cheeks. Her first reaction was to angrily wipe them away. But that wasn’t what Thelma would want.

  It wasn’t what Candy would want. It wasn’t what Jackeline would want. Kathy would probably have reacted the same way. So why not follow what she wanted?

  Because it wasn’t necessarily part of her anymore. It was that old part of Jessie. The one who thought loving someone was a weakness. That allowing oneself to grieve was forbidden.

  Jessie held open her arms. Before she could fully brace herself, she had an armful of petite blonde. “There’s plenty to forgive. But I can work at making it up to you.”

  Thelma was now crying. This was all she had wanted. Not to see Jessie cry again, though it meant she truly was beginning to deal with her mother’s death.

  What Thelma had wanted was to hold her wife. To be able to comfort Jessie beyond the darkness of the night. Sometimes words were unable to express just that. It took holding the woman you loved to do just that.

  “There’s no need to make up anything.” Thelma knew it was near time to start the day. They could count on their staff, but it wasn’t her way. “We have an hour or so before we have to be downstairs. Why don’t we snuggle like we did last night?”

  “With pleasure.” Jessie reluctantly broke the embrace so that she could open the sliding doors. She waited for Thelma to enter the sanctuary of their bedroom before closing the door.

  Though there was no fire roaring, Jessie laid upon the soft rug. Thelma snuggled up next to her wife. A blonde head was easily leaning on a shoulder.

  There was silence between them for the next twenty minutes. Jessie wanted to speak of how her mother had died. How ironic it had been to have met her demise in a church. That she had been lured there to witness the crime.

  Thelma was content in being held by her wife. Jessie was dealing with so many emotions. Thelma couldn’t even begin to fathom what her wife was truly feeling.

  It was time to break the silence, if only because they would have to dress and ready for the day. “It’s sad that all four of our initial boarders will be leaving some time tomorrow.”

  Jessie broke away from her wife. “With everything happening, I hadn’t realized five days had flown by. I wish they’d had been able to spend the full week. Sadly, everyone has to allow for traveling.”

  “Not everyone can afford to fly like Sam and Abby.” Thelma hoped she didn’t sound bitter. After all, she could fly anywhere around the world many times over and still have money in the bank account.

  It was just that Thelma also knew of the struggle for those without money. It wasn’t always a business she had attempted in the past. There were a handful of charities she had begun. A couple still flourishing.

  “I’d rather ride The Black Panther any day.” Jessie kissed her wife soundly. “I miss those adventures we used to have on the back of the old girl.”

  “I never thought I’d come to like riding on a motorcycle. But I have to admit that I miss it as well.” Thelma wondered if the weekend could lead to an adventure, not only with her wife, but maybe with Kathy and Candy.

  “That’s one thing we have to promise one another.” Thelma was struck by azure eyes. Jessie’s smile was nearly as radiant as it normally was. “That we never not take time for ourselves. That we take time to spend with our friends.”

  It had been as if Jessie had been reading her mind. “We will. I promise you we will. And we’ll always take time to make love.” The alarm clock began chirping. “Just not this morning.”

  Thelma couldn’t help the laughter as she broke the embrace. Another day had started. Sadly, it was the last evening they would have with their boarders. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be quite as eventful as some of their other days together.

  Chapter 16

  Though it was nearing noon, the air was cool. Allison couldn’t believe the b
rightness of the sun. It was even brighter than the morning.

  Partly, it was because of the recovery from the storm. Mostly, it was because Allison was with Geraldine. Though her cowgirl remained slightly distant, things were returning more like just after Allison had cared for her friend, after bringing her home from the bus station.

  The pair were cramped in Allison’s compact car. It wasn’t very roomy. But they were together and on their way into town.

  It was shocking that Allison had convinced Geraldine to leave the bed and breakfast. After all, when Allison had returned to the bed and breakfast, she had found her cowgirl curled up on the bathroom floor.

  Allison had attempted to convince Geraldine she could open up to her, but the cowgirl had refused. Allison had allowed Geraldine to compose herself, before suggesting they share breakfast together. Maybe share a walk around the front grounds, before trekking into town for lunch and a movie.

  “Are you sure you want to spend some of your savings on lunch and a movie?” Geraldine was nervous. She hadn’t left the bed and breakfast since the incident at the bus station. In the morning, she would be returning there. The thought caused her to shiver.

  “Is this really about the money?” Allison briefly took her eyes from the road. She wasn’t certain of the roads so didn’t want to take too long not watching where they were heading.

  Geraldine wasn’t looking at Allison. In fact, the cowgirl wasn’t even watching as the sights were speeding by. Her eyes were focused on the hands resting in her lap.

  “Geraldine?” The cowgirl wouldn’t look at her. Allison wasn’t about to push. She had learned her lesson. But what would get through to the cowgirl?

  “As for the money, I know I have to be careful with my funds.” Allison stared directly ahead. “But at the same time, I know I can get a job anywhere. There’s Lucy’s offer. Me moving to wherever doesn’t have to take place right away. And I’m not going to deny myself the pleasure of a last date with my best friend.”

  Geraldine turned her head toward Allison so fast, she was afraid she might have hurt her neck. “Best friend?” Allison never took her eyes from the road. She merely smiled. “But…”