The Best Things in Life

by Kate Sweeney

  “Hey, it’s your first attempt. Here.” Morgan handed her a buttered slice of bread. She held hers, licking her lips. “Here goes nothing.”

  Cara took a bite. It tasted like bread, but there was an underlying taste. She looked at Morgan, who had nearly finished.

  “What is that taste?” Cara asked. “Don’t eat any more.”

  Morgan was already slicing another piece. “Open the wine. That should kill any aftertaste.”

  Cara took another bite. “Yep. There is a…” Cara snapped her fingers. “That’s it. It tastes like your beer.”

  “Beer?” Morgan took another bite.

  Cara thought she looked like a little kid, chewing away while thinking. She leaned over, kissing Morgan on the cheek.

  “What was that for?” Morgan asked.

  “No reason. So, what do you think about the taste? It’s a little overwhelming to me.”

  “Maybe hops or barley.”

  Cara hung her head when she realized. “Yeast.”

  “What? Oh…” Morgan laughed. “You must have missed the directions.”

  “Well…”

  “What happened?”

  “There were three packets of yeast, and when I ripped them open, all of it fell into the bowl. That has to be it.”

  Morgan laughed. “Well, I still think it’s very good for your first time. Hey, you can’t get a yeast infection from this?”

  “Of course not.” Cara waved her off while setting the slice of bread on the plate.

  After Morgan did the same, she opened the bottle of wine.

  Cara shivered, looking out at the blustering snow. “I can’t believe last week we were having a cookout.”

  “It changes fast up here.” Morgan poured the wine into the familiar pheasant glasses. “Maybe someday I’ll get real wineglasses.” Morgan handed her a glass.

  “Please don’t.” Cara suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotions, or she was having some sort of seizure. Her hands shook horribly.

  “Cara,” Morgan said. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Everything. I don’t know.” She took a big gulp, then put the glass down using both hands.

  She turned to Morgan. “What are we going to do?”

  “About what?”

  Cara let out a desperate groan. “About us!”

  “Oh. Well.” Morgan scratched the back of her neck. “I think we’re falling for each other. If we haven’t already. I know it’s only been a couple weeks or so. Right?”

  Cara wasn’t sure where she was going with this. “Right,” she said slowly.

  “Then we have a wonderful time getting to know each other better.”

  “Okay.”

  “You don’t sound sure.”

  “Morgan,” Cara said with as much logic as her brain would allow, “we live in different states. It’s almost ten hours driving time.”

  Morgan grinned. “But…I have a plane. I am a pilot, you know.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  Morgan nodded. “I get it now.”

  “What do you get?”

  “You need more assurance that this will work.”

  “Well, you did leave without a word.”

  “You’re right.”

  When Morgan walked down the hall, Cara didn’t know what to think.

  “I hope she’s coming back,” she whispered to the empty hallway.

  Morgan returned, sitting next to her. Cara noticed something in her hand. Morgan handed it to her.

  “It’s a plane ticket,” Cara whispered. It was to Chicago. She looked up at Morgan, who smiled. “You were coming to Chicago?”

  “Yep. I was miserable. I couldn’t do a thing, and I didn’t want to. Jean finally told me what an idiot I was.”

  “Jean?”

  “We were seeing each other all week because she has this idea to partner with Parks and Recreation to better care for the wildlife in the boundary waters. She wanted my input, and as we talked, she asked about you, and after some lengthy conversation, that’s when she told me I was an idiot. So, I realized she was right, and I was going to leave tomorrow.” She laughed nervously. “I had no idea what I was going to say to you.”

  “But you were coming after me anyway?”

  “Yeah. I was a coward to leave you like that.”

  “No. I understand why you did. I was a coward not to admit I was falling in love with you. And I can’t believe I said that out loud.”

  Morgan took her hand. “I thought after what you said in Chicago, I was the only one.”

  Cara leaned in with the intention of kissing Morgan silly.

  “Hello! Hello! This is Mother Hen! Over!” Betty’s voice called out from the radio.

  Morgan and Cara leaned into each other.

  “I should have turned that damned thing off,” Morgan said. She quickly kissed Cara.

  “You’d better answer her.”

  “Hello! Hello!”

  Morgan let out an angry groan, then grabbed the receiver. “Hello, Mom.”

  Nothing…

  “Mom, let go of the button.”

  “What, Chuck? Oh, oh. Hello?”

  “Hello, you crazy…”

  “There you are. How are you two getting along?”

  Cara picked up her wineglass and laughed.

  “Remind me to kill you.”

  “I’ll make a note of it. Chuck, write it down.” Betty laughed evilly. “You’re not mad at me, really?”

  Morgan looked at Cara, who raised her glass. “No. I suppose we should thank you. But you didn’t have to take my car, Mom.”

  “Well, I didn’t want to leave anything to chance. And no way out. You two need time alone without any interference.”

  “From you? That will never happen.”

  Betty laughed so hard, she started coughing.

  “Well, I’ll... Oh, wait. How did the bread turn out?”

  “It was delicious.” Morgan looked at Cara.

  “Go ahead, tell her.”

  Morgan laughed. “Cara thinks she added too much yeast, and it, well…”

  “Oh, dear. I can imagine. The recipe called for one packet. What happened?”

  “She accidentally spilled all three packets in.”

  Betty just laughed and laughed. “The poor child. Well, I’ll let you go. If this snow stops, we’ll chat tomorrow.”

  “Good night, Mom.”

  “I love you…both of you.”

  “I love you too, Betty,” Cara called out.

  When Morgan didn’t sit down, Cara looked up.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing is wrong. Did you know this fireplace is see-through?”

  “It is?” Cara looked into the fireplace, and for the first time, she noticed there was no brick behind it. “I never noticed it. What room is on the other side?”

  “My bedroom. Would you like to see?”

  “I would.” Cara took Morgan’s offered hand. “I, um, haven’t made dinner.”

  “I’m not hungry.” Morgan put her arms around her waist. “Are you?”

  Cara ran her fingers through Morgan’s hair. “Not in the least.”

  Morgan led her to the bedroom. The fireplace offered a soft glow that was sensual and inviting. Morgan pulled the covers back, then turned to Cara.

  As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Cara walked into her open arms and never wanted to leave.

  Chapter 28

  Cara woke slowly. She felt warm and cozy. When she opened her eyes, she saw Morgan, lying on her back, sound asleep.

  She smiled remembering the night before. They tried to go slow, but that didn’t work, which was obvious by their clothes strewn all over the room. Cara turned onto her side, pulling the quilt with her to face Morgan. She looked out the window, and through the open blinds, she saw the gray skies and the snow still blowing. They may truly be snowed in—and it didn’t bother her at all.

  She ran her fingers along Morgan’s jaw, down her neck. Morgan mov
ed but didn’t wake, until Cara’s fingertips traveled beneath the quilt and across her breast.

  Morgan’s eyes flew open then. She blinked several times before noticing Cara. Her lazy smile melted Cara’s heart.

  “Morning,” Morgan whispered.

  “Good morning,” Cara said. “You have the warmest body.”

  Morgan lifted her arm, so Cara sidled closer, lying her head on Morgan’s chest

  “Did we make love last night?” she asked, kissing the top of her breast.

  Morgan sighed. “And early into the morning. I’m not sure I can move.”

  “I’ll make sure you can’t.”

  “It’s still snowing. We may be stuck here for a while.” Morgan ran her fingertips across her bare shoulder. “You have the softest skin.”

  Cara laughed. “Expensive moisturizers.”

  “Hmm. I use whatever’s at CVS.”

  Cara laughed again, cuddling closer. Morgan turned on her side to mirror Cara.

  She reached in, cupping Cara’s breast. Cara let out a deep sigh.

  “I could stay here all day,” Morgan whispered against her lips. “I wonder what time it is.”

  “I don’t care. I’m on vacation.”

  “Is it wrong to hope that vacation lasts a long, long time?”

  Cara smiled. “I don’t think so.”

  “You notice how I didn’t say forever and scare the hell out of you?”

  Cara laughed while kissing her. “The best things in life, right here,” she whispered.

  Morgan sighed, pulling her closer, if possible. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Suddenly, Cara’s stomach announced how hungry she was.

  “We didn’t have dinner last night.” Morgan laughed. “How about I make us a nice huge breakfast?”

  “In a minute.” Cara ran her fingertips across her hips.

  Right in the middle of a groping session, they heard the radio go off. It sounded like Andy, and he sounded worried.

  Cara groaned in mid-grope. “Don’t answer it.”

  “I have to, sweetie. I’m sorry.” Morgan kissed her deeply, then scooted out of bed.

  “Dang, it’s freezing.” Morgan slipped into her flannel robe and tossed a few logs on the fire. “Stay right there.” Then she ran out of the room.

  “This can’t be good.”

  Morgan walked back into the room, looking apologetic.

  “What’s happened?”

  Morgan sat on the edge of the bed. “Barry called. Power’s out on the other side of the lake. Andy and I have to go check on them. Andy’s coming to get me in an hour. He’s got the plow. I’m sorry, I have to go.”

  “I know you do.”

  Morgan laughed. “I’m glad you sound disappointed.” She kissed her once more before grabbing her clothes.

  “Those are my jeans.”

  “They are?” Morgan laughed. “We got a little carried away.”

  Cara laughed and snuggled a pillow. “We certainly did.”

  “And we will again, I promise. I have to shower.”

  Morgan ran out of the room before she could respond.

  Morgan took the only robe, so Cara dressed and made coffee. Though she wasn’t sure how, she figured it had to be the same as a coffeemaker. She was proud of herself as the pot started to percolate.

  “I feel like a caveman finding fire for the first time.”

  She ran to the front door when she heard several knocks. The wind still whipped around with Andy standing there, along with Betty and Chuck.

  “Well, good morning. Get in here.” Cara stepped back when they all ran in. “Morgan’s in the shower.”

  Betty looked appalled. “And you’re not with her?”

  “It’s way too early, Betty.”

  Betty laughed, slipping out of her coat.

  “Smart snowsuit, Chuck,” Cara said, nodding.

  “It’s warm. I can’t believe how much snow we got this early. Do I smell coffee?”

  “You do. I made it and did not burn myself.”

  “Good for you,” Chuck said, kissing her cheek. “Are you happy? You look happy.”

  Cara couldn’t help the grin. “I am, very.”

  “Even though that woman in there manipulated the entire thing?”

  “Don’t tell her I said this, Chuck,” Cara leaned in, “but I’ve never been so happy to be manipulated.”

  “Your secret is safe with me, sweetie.”

  Betty already had bacon sizzling in a pan. “Come and get some coffee.”

  Morgan appeared in the hallway in an adorable black snowsuit with a lime green Nike logo on the hip. The pants had suspenders, and she wore a thick thermal top.

  “I like that,” Cara said. “Very fashionable.”

  Morgan looked down. “It is? It’s what I always wear. It’s toasty warm.”

  “Sit down. I’ll get you some coffee.”

  Cara saw the smile from both father and daughter.

  “Thanks.” Morgan caressed Cara’s hand after she set the mug in front of her.

  “I hope everyone is hungry,” Betty said over her shoulder while cracking an entire carton of eggs into a bowl. “Hey, do you have any bread left over?”

  Morgan hid her grin in the coffee mug. Cara retrieved the loaf, wrapped in foil. When she unveiled it, Betty let out a hearty laugh.

  “It doesn’t look that bad, kind of. Better luck next time.” Betty winked at Cara, while wagging the whisk in her direction.

  Andy held up his coffee mug. “So, you came back,” he said to Cara. “Couldn’t stay away, huh?”

  Cara held hands with Morgan. “Nope. But it took a buttinski to show me.”

  Betty laughed and laughed. “You’re darned right.”

  “We’d better get going.” Chuck drank the last of his coffee.

  “I’ll go start the truck.” Andy snagged a piece of toast.

  “I’ll stay here with Cara.”

  Morgan then disappeared down the hall.

  “Bathroom break,” Betty said with a shrug.

  She returned holding a pair of heavy boots, gloves, and a light blue snowsuit. She held it out to Cara.

  “It’s Jean’s, but I think it’ll fit. I don’t think it’s a designer suit, though.”

  Cara beamed. “You want me to go with you?”

  “If you want to. But you can stay here and be warm. I wouldn’t blame you.”

  Cara quickly struggled into the suit, then the boots. Morgan put the wool hat on her head.

  “Keep this on. Don’t want you to catch cold.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Cara gladly pulled on the hat covering her ears. “Are you sure?”

  The tears that welled in Morgan’s eyes stunned Cara.

  “I’m very sure,” Morgan whispered. She reached up, cupped her cheek, then planted a soft kiss against her lips.

  Cara staggered back for a moment. “Well, if you’re sure.”

  “I did this!” Betty announced, holding her hand to her heart.

  Chuck rolled his eyes. He unzipped his heavy jacket. “I’ve been waiting for this day. I’ll stay here with the Titanic.” He motioned to Betty. “You kids go freeze your butts off now. We’ll sit here by the fire and wait for you.”

  Betty sighed happily, then glared at Chuck. “The Titanic?”

  Morgan pulled the collar of Cara’s jacket up around her neck.

  “This is not how I wanted to spend our first day.” She caressed her cheek. “The best things in life?”

  Cara nodded, firmly holding her hand. “Let’s find out.”

  About the author

  Kate Sweeney, a 2010 Alice B. Medal winner, was the 2007 recipient of the Golden Crown Literary Society award for Debut Author for She Waits, the first in the Kate Ryan Mystery series. The series also includes A Nice Clean Murder, The Trouble with Murder, a 2008 Golden Crown Award winner for Mystery, Who’ll Be Dead for Christmas? a 2009 Golden Crown Award winner for Mystery, Of Course It’s Murder, What Happened in Malinmore, A Near Myth M
urder, It’s Not Always Murder, Recalculated Murder, Dead in the Water, Married to Mayhem, It’s Murder, Dude, and Stranger Than Murder.

  Other novels include Away from the Dawn, Survive the Dawn, Before the Dawn, Residual Moon, a 2008 Golden Crown Award winner for Speculative Fiction, Liar’s Moon, The O’Malley Legacy, Winds of Heaven, Moonbeams and Skye, Sea of Grass, Paradise, Love at Last, Someday I’ll Find You, Moon Through the Magnolia, Stone Walls, Second Time Around, Love in E Flat, One Night in Paris, I Love You Again, Buoyed out on the Foam of the Sea, Build Me a Dream, Mistress of Peacock Walk, Who Wouldn’t Love Me, Hypotenuse of Love, Crosse My Heart, The Right Window, Miles to Go, Evelyn’s Whimsy, Lilac Time, Autumn Waltz, and The Ladies on Carrick Road.

  Born in Chicago, Kate moved to South Carolina, and this Yankee doubts she’ll ever get used to saying y’all. Humor is deeply embedded in Kate’s DNA. She sincerely hopes you will see this when you read her novels, short stories, and other works. Email Kate at ksweeney22@aol.com.