©2010 R.E. Bradshaw

Chapter One

Harper blinked a few times, letting her eyes adjust from the bright winter sunlight to the interior of the Tarr Barr and Grill. It had been a clear, but crisp February day and the golden sunset was pouring in behind her, as she hesitated at the door. When Harper was sure, she could see in front of her, she took a step toward the bar. The old wooden floor creaked beneath her.

Harper read about this bar in a neighborhood magazine she found, in the Welcome basket, on her doorstep. She was a new resident of Kerrville, which was located just outside of Chapman’s Mill, in the research triangle area of North Carolina. She used the local magazine, as a guide, to get around to restaurants, dry cleaners, Wally World, the hardware store, all the essentials for a new homeowner, in a brand new town. Now, after a week of unpacking boxes, Harper was ready for a drink, even if it was alone.

The Tarr Barr and Grill had been around, in one form or another, since the late 1800’s. The ownership passed from generation to generation, of the Tarr family, and was now in the possession of Jane Tarr, a 61-year-old former Business Professor at the University of Carolina at Chapman’s Mill. She took over the business twenty years ago and built the present manifestation of the bar. A microbrewery, out of an old tobacco warehouse and wood from torn down, flue-cured tobacco, barns. “The atmosphere celebrated the cultivating of tobacco, the heart of the North Carolina farming industry for more than four centuries,” the article stated. A picture of Jane accompanied the article, and Harper was sure the plump woman with short blonde hair, smiling and gesturing to her, was the very Jane herself.

Harper stepped over to the woman and accepted her outstretched hand.

“Welcome to the Tarr Barr. My name is Jane. What can I do for you?”

The words drawled out with the southern charm Harper had learned was the accent of the well-educated southerner she interacted with, in her first few days in North Carolina. She had also experienced the less educated southern charm that was sweet and hospitable, and the put on charm of the southern “gentleman” who openly suggested un-charming things. Jane’s charm seemed genuine. Harper found herself relaxing, in the warmth of her welcome.

“Hi, I read this was the place for a good beer and a great burger.”

Jane ushered Harper to a seat at the bar. “Well, I do hope we live up to our press. Have a seat and I’ll step behind the bar and wait on you, myself.”

While Jane crossed behind the bar, Harper looked around. The place was exactly as the article had described. The faint smell of curing tobacco lingered in the air. All around on the walls were the ephemera of what had once been the “World’s Greatest Tobacco Market.” Harper visited her father’s parent’s tobacco farm every summer in Wilson County, North Carolina, until she turned sixteen. She even harvested tobacco for money, when she was old enough to work on the farm. Harper totally understood the pride and heritage of the now reviled tobacco farmer. In addition, she held the same position her grandfather held; the cigarette companies ruined the tobacco farmer. She wished her grandfather was still alive to see this place, but he passed away of lung cancer three years ago, with a cigarette in his lips. Harper never smoked and never would, but she loved the smell of tobacco curing and this place brought back so many fond memories.

“Hey, where did you go?” Jane was speaking to her.

Harper refocused on the present, “The smell, it reminded me of my grandfather. He was a tobacco farmer.”

“I hope it was a pleasant memory,” Jane smiled at her.

“Yes, m’am, it was,” Harper replied softly.

“Do you need a minute to check out the menu?”

Harper was so tired of making decisions from the move; she sighed and looked at Jane. “Why don’t you fix me up with your favorite, I’m sure it will be delicious.”

“A pork barbecue slaw burger with fries and a frosty mug of golden amber beer, we call Brightleaf. Does that sound good to you?”

“It sounds amazing. Thank you,” Harper answered.

Jane poured the beer and disappeared into the kitchen at the end of the bar. Harper sipped from the icy mug and was pleasantly surprised at the full flavor of the home brew. She studied the objects on the back of the bar. Here and there were pictures of a smiling Jane with Michael Jordan, Dean Smith, Roy Williams and other Carolina players. Tar Heel basketball memorabilia filled in around the pictures. Jane was obviously a fan. The top of the bar back was lined with softball trophies and pictures of women’s teams wearing uniforms with “Tarr Barr” across the chest. Harper studied the pictures, as best she could, from her seat at the bar.

The pictures were in frames with the year prominently displayed on the front. They went back fifteen years, starting in 1994. Some of the players appeared to be the same for a few years then fading back as others took their places. Beginning in 2004 there appeared to be a core group of five women who remained with the team up to the most recent picture. Harper was captivated by the women, who genuinely appeared to be having so much fun together. There was a tall, tanned, dark haired, very pretty woman who was always standing with the cute blonde, with a crooked smile and dimples. Another one was a little stocky, with a smile that seemed to be so welcoming. There was a small one that looked like a young Shirley McClain and the last of the five had to be an elementary school teacher; she just had that look. The women looked to be in their early thirties or late twenties and appeared to be great friends.

Harper was lost in the pictures when Jane returned with the steaming sandwich and fries and a fresh mug of beer. Harper loved Carolina Barbecue and this looked and smelled heavenly. She did not realize how hungry she was until she felt her stomach roll over and growl, at the sight before her.

Jane spoke up, “I hope you like my barbecue. It’s an old family recipe.”

Harper took a bite and chewed slowly, relishing the flavors before she swallowed. She smiled at Jane and gave an approving nod.

“That’s really good. Now I know where I’ll be eating my barbecue,” Harper said after swallowing her first bite.

Jane cocked her head and asked, “Are you just passing through or a student at the University? I can hear a familiar accent and I’d bet money you are from Oklahoma, Southeastern Oklahoma to be exact.”

Harper almost choked. She coughed a little and her eyes watered. It took a minute for her to gather her composure, and then she finally gasped out, “How in the world did you know that?”

Jane chuckled, “One of my girlfriends in college was from Durant and you sound just like her.”

“Well, yes m’am, Boomer Sooner born and bred, about fifty miles northeast of Durant, in Antlers, Oklahoma, USA,” Harper said, smiling brightly through her thickest Okie drawl.

“What in the world are you doing all the way out here?” Jane inquired.

“I’m doing research for my doctorate at UC. My grandmother lives in Wilson and she’s the only family I have left, so I thought I’d spend as much time with her as I can. My name is Harper Lynch, by the way.”

“Jane Tarr, it is a pleasure to meet you Harper. Let me guess, your mother loved To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“Right again. She would have named me Scout, but Daddy wouldn’t let her.”

“Are you living here in Kerrville?”

Harper had taken another bite of her sandwich and only nodded yes.

“Well, welcome to the neighborhood Harper Lynch. I must say, you look rather young to be working on a doctorate.”

Having just dispatched with a fry, Harper began the story she had told so many times, it was a memorized speech. If she just flew through it, the emotions would stay where she had put them, way back in a special place that she visited less and less often, as the years passed.

“The summer between my junior and senior year in high school my parents were killed by a drunk driver. I had enough credits in December to graduate, so I did and started taking courses, at Midwestern Oklahoma, that spring. I played softball and went on full scholarship in the fall, after I turned seventeen. I graduated with a B. A. in Biology with an emphasis in Anatomy, at twenty. I graduated last spring with my Masters in Exercise Physiology. I’ll turn twenty-four in June.”

Jane’s eyes showed deep concern as she said, “That’s a lot to pack into a young life. I know athletes have a tough schedule and to complete all that difficult course work in such a short time is amazing.”

Harper simply answered, “I had the money from the accident, so I just stayed at school during all the breaks and took classes. I am an only child. I had no family to go home to.”

“Well enough of that,” Jane must have sensed the mood shifting and tried to lighten it, “I’m glad you’re here with us now, and you play softball; that is a plus in here as you can tell.” Jane pointed at the trophies.

Harper finished off the sandwich and slid the plate away from her. She looked at the trophies Jane indicated.

“I was admiring your brass, while you were making my sandwich. I would love to get in on a league. I play slow pitch or fast, it doesn’t matter. Can you hook me up?”

Harper was hoping Jane could point her in the right direction. She dearly loved softball and had played since she was four. The last two summers she played on a co-ed, slow pitch traveling team, but now she needed to play in a local league considering the amount of time she would be working. What she really wanted was to play on the Tarr Barr team, she wasn’t sure why, but she suddenly wanted to know the women in the picture.

Jane smiled back at Harper mischievously. “What position do you play, where do you hit in the line-up and what’s your batting average?” Spoken like a true scout.

Harper was proud of her career and stats and spit them out matter-of-factly, “Third and shortstop mostly, bat third, fourth or fifth, and my batting average in slow pitch is around .650 to .750 depending on the competition level and .435 in fast pitch.”

Harper could see Jane’s face light up. The wheels were turning, as she looked up at the picture from last year. Jane turned back to Harper, eyes gleaming, “I think you would fit right into our line-up. Our shortstop is pregnant. Would you consider playing on our team? They’re a great bunch of girls. You can meet some of them tonight. We are having a team meeting before the season starts in April. We practice in March a few times a week. Does that sound like something you might be interested in?”

Harper said yes before she even thought about it. She looked at the pictures again and knew she needed these women in her life. She had no one in this new town and the prospect of meeting new people appealed to her. These women looked like fun and she wanted in on it.

Jane refused to take payment from Harper for her meal, “Call it a welcome to the team meal.”

The team was meeting at nine, which was a few hours away, so Harper excused herself to go home and take care of Jasper, her dog. The other reason she needed to go home was to drop off her car and call a taxi. She never drove when she had more than two beers and tonight Harper thought she might have a few more than two. Harper was hoping tonight would be the beginning of her new life here in Chapman’s Mill, North Carolina.

Chapter Two

Ten minutes after leaving the Tarr Barr, Harper turned into the driveway of her new home. The long curved driveway wound through a wood patch that hid most of the front of the house from the street. The two storied, custom Cedar sided home, sat on four and a half mostly wooded acres. Harper had gotten the foreclosed property for a song because she had a large cash down payment. No one ever lived in the three-year-old home so it was as good as new.

Harper silently thanked her mother’s parents, who had set up her trust fund when she was just a baby. Her mother had been the only child of an oil moneyed, older couple. With her parents’ death, Harper had become a wealthy young woman. If she managed her money right, Harper could live comfortably for the rest of her life. She’d live on bread and water just to have her parents back.

Harper pulled into the two-car garage, which held a well-used ski boat already in the right hand stall. The ski boat was the only big item she kept of her parent’s things. It held so many memories she could never part with it. Up to now, it had been in storage back in Oklahoma. She shipped it here by train, once she had a place to put it. She glanced over now and thought about waxing the hull on the next warm day.

Jasper was already clawing at the utility room door when she stepped up to it.

“Get down,” Harper said, from her side of the door.

Silence followed just long enough for Harper to get the key in the lock and open the door a few inches. Although she had been working with the Dog Whisperer DVD’s, she and Jasper still had a thing or two to work out. Coming home was one of them. He would calm down in ten seconds, but that first ten seconds was intense. Now that he weighed sixty pounds, the eleven-month-old Golden Retriever was beginning to be a handful. The door snapped shut with the weight of the Jasper’s enthusiasm.

“Get down,” Harper said once more.

Again silence. Harper added, “Really, get down on the floor. I can feel you breathing over there.”

Reluctant claws receded away from the door. Harper opened it to find Jasper sitting in his bed, smiling. A major breakthrough was at hand. She forgot all Caesar’s teachings and reacted with excitement.

“Good Boy! Good Boy, Jasper!”

The excitement was contagious and before long Jasper had Harper pinned to the front of the dryer. She couldn’t resist his goofy grin and only rubbed his ears and gave him a big kiss. They’d work on the coming home thing again next time.

“Come on, you goof ball, let’s go outside.”

Harper led Jasper out the door and onto the huge deck. Later she would install a dog door with electronic collar, but until he was used to their new territory, Jasper would have to depend on Harper to let him out. Harper flicked on the exterior lights, illuminating the lush backyard and woods beyond. The area forming the backyard was fenced in, although you could not see the fence, as it weaved its way around the evergreen trees surrounding an open lush grassy area, large enough for a good volleyball court. Jasper was lost in the shadows attempting to mark every tree; this could go on for a while.

Harper stood on the deck, looking up at the two small decks built off the master suite above. When the weather warmed up she would need to get some plants. She looked in through the French doors to the first floor living area. She needed some real furniture, too, she thought. There in the dim light was a Wally World table and chairs surrounded by still more things to be put away. Paintings leaned against walls waiting to be hung. Vases and knick-knacks were here and there, stacked alongside shelving units still in the boxes.

Her grandmother, in Wilson, was moving into assisted living soon. She asked Harper to come down to the farm and pick out the antiques Harper wanted to keep out of the auction. Harper was as attracted to her grandfather’s old tools, as she was the furniture. She grabbed several wood working tools that she wanted to display. After much inner turmoil, she decided to let the living and den furniture go to auction. The smoky smell, of too many cigarettes, would never come out of the stuff. She did select a bookcase, a pine wood desk, the old oak dining table and chairs, and several old oak cabinets she found in the barn. The last two items Harper placed on the list were the pine wardrobe from her grandmother’s room, because she played in it as a child and wanted it to stay in the family. The other was the four-poster bed she always slept on, when she stayed on the farm.

Harper helped move her grandmother to her new home and was having all of the items from the farm delivered on Monday. She would finally have places to put things. Harper had forgone the wait on a bed and had a King size delivered two days ago. Jasper slept with her and he was already out growing the bed they slept on in Oklahoma. She bought a handmade sleigh bed frame and mission style bedroom furniture to go with it. She needed to get up there and take a shower before going out tonight. She turned to the darkness and whistled. The ever-grinning goof ball appeared out of the shadows, galloping toward the house. Harper had to laugh out loud at the pure joy Jasper expressed just being a dog.

Harper brushed Jasper quickly, fed him and got him settled down with a chew toy. She undressed, in her room upstairs and crossed into the bathroom, pausing to look at herself in the mirror. Harper had the taught athletic body of someone who worked at it. Her ripped abdomen came from hours of training.

At 5’ 10”, she was blessed with long graceful limbs and natural speed. Her hair went from sandy blond to straw blond, depending on how much sun she’d had. Her current hairstyle, which changed often, was shoulder length with wispy bangs and a little tapering. Her uncommonly expressive eyes went from deep green/blue to Elizabeth Taylor blue depending on the color Harper was wearing. She’d been told she was beautiful. Harper thought at best she might be cute.

A building excitement accompanied equally by growing nervousness took hold of Harper, while she showered. If Harper walked into a room filled with friends, she was gracious and poised, but put her in a room full of strangers and she hung to the outside, choosing to speak only when spoken to, engaging with the room slowly. Most people that knew her would laugh at the word shy, when used to describe Harper. Most of those people had forgotten how they met and how she acted then. A new town and new people meant overcoming the jumping beans in her belly.

Dressed in worn jeans, white mock turtleneck and favorite gray Midwestern sweatshirt, Harper went downstairs to the kitchen, where she found her laptop bag in a chair. She dug around in the side pocket for a couple of antacids, chewed them up and chased them down with a glass of milk. Bottle of water in hand, she sat down at the little kitchenette. Placing his head in her lap, Jasper assumed the position for an ear rub.

Using her cell phone, because her cable and phone were not hooked up yet, she arranged for a taxi. It was nice to be this isolated in the woods, but still close enough to a city to get a taxi. She settled down to read the News and Observer, the state paper, and waited for the taxi. Unable to focus, on what she was reading, Harper looked at the to-do list on table.

“Jaz, we still have a whole lot to do, before I start work.”

Jasper lifted his head and quizzed her with his eyes.

“Yep, I’m going back to work, but not too soon. We still have two weeks to hang together.”

Jasper lowered his head and Harper resumed rubbing his ears, which was second best only to a belly rub. When the time grew close for the taxi, Harper checked that all the windows and doors were locked. She couldn’t set the alarm, because the company needed to come out and re-do some of the sensors. They discovered early on that Jasper was setting off the alarm when he was in the house alone. The first time the police met her in the driveway, Harper had been scared to death. She didn’t need that tonight.

“Alright young man, guard the forest well. I’ll be back in a couple of hours, maybe more, but not too late.” Harper believed animals liked to know when to expect you back. “You be a good boy.”

Harper patted his golden head, as he escorted her to the front door. She had only waited a few minutes, when the taxi pulled up. She kissed Jasper, stepped on to the porch, locked the door and took a big breath. As she entered the taxi, Harper hoped it would be a good beginning.

Chapter Three

Once again, standing in the doorway of the Tarr Barr, Harper looked around for Jane. The place was hopping with activity. All the tables Harper could see were full. The patrons were three deep at the bar watching a Carolina game on the wide screen. In seconds, Jane appeared from behind the bar with a tray of appetizers. She approached a young woman behind the host stand, pointed at the back of the seating area and handed the tray off to her. Jane then spotted Harper waiting by the door.

“Hey Honey, I’m so glad you made it,” she said, as she hugged Harper like an old friend. “Most of the girls are already in the back. We have a little meeting room off the main floor, so we can hear each other. The music will start up in a few minutes, so it’ll get loud.”

Jane was already leading Harper through the tables. She didn’t stop talking as she waved, slapped backs, and shook hands through the crowd. Around the edges of the room were old-fashioned wooden booths. The center of the room had a large hardwood dance floor, bounded on one side by a small stage. It was set up for what looked like a local band. Old wooden tables and mixed-matched chairs formed the other boundaries. Harper followed Jane through the maze to closed double doors, way in the back. Harper hadn’t realized the full scope of the building this afternoon, because the lights were turned off in most of this section. This place was huge.

Jane opened one of the doors and waved Harper in, “Welcome to my private sanctuary.”

Harper stepped into a dimly lit room. In one corner, a pot bellied stove glowed fire through the little grate on the front. The opposite corner was occupied by a small western style wet bar complete with beer taps and old-fashioned bar lights, dangling from one of the wooden beams lining the ceiling. On one wall was a big flat screen, also tuned to the Carolina game. The rest of the room contained three, six seat poker tables, the center one being occupied by a group of women. A few women stood, leaning on the backs of chairs. Behind the women, four men sat at the far table playing cards. Most of the heads turned when Jane and Harper entered the room.

“Shit, Sandy. That’s the best hand I’ve had all night.” This statement was made by the blond man with a mustache standing up at the table in the back. He had a mug in his hand and started for the bar.

Jane laughed, “Is he whipping your ass again, Ronnie?”

“Hell, yes,” the man replied.

“Hey ya’ll,” Jane said in a way that demanded attention, “I said I had a surprise for you and here she is. This is Harper Lynch, three-year starter at Midwestern Oklahoma. In 2007 she was ranked fourth in the conference for RBI’s and named first team All Conference third baseman. She is now working on her doctorate at UC. Her mother was a Sooner, but her daddy was a Tar Heel, so we can forgive her Midwestern shirt, for the moment.”

Harper felt her face beginning to flush.

“Oh look,” Jane said, hugging Harper to her, “she’s blushing.” Jane whispered in her ear, “I Googled you.” Then once again to the group, “I’ve asked her to join the team and she has consented. So, you girls be nice. She has no idea what she’s gotten herself into.” She turned back to Harper, “What can I get you to drink?”

Harper was still warming from the flush. “The same as this afternoon,” she finally stuttered.

“One Brightleaf, coming up, now get in there and meet the family,” Jane said, while placing a hand firmly in Harper’s back and pushing her forward.

Harper took a step toward the women in the center of the room. They all stood up to meet her. The first to reach her was a tall African American woman, who looked like a runner. She was dark with hair cut very close to her scalp. She was striking with a serious air, but when she smiled her whole face lit up. She extended her hand to Harper and shook it warmly.

“Hi, my name is Alicia. Welcome to the team.” Alicia slid an arm around Harper’s waist and walked her closer to the group. She began to introduce everyone, starting with a short Polynesian looking girl with spiked hair and a rat-tail. The girl was sporting the biggest grin Harper believed she’d ever seen.

“This is Dee, our resident hound dog. Watch out for her,” Alicia added in Harper’s ear.

Dee shook Harper’s hand, “Nice to meet you, Harper.”

“And this is Chita. We call her that, because we can’t say her real name.”

Alicia was indicating a beautiful Latino, with long black hair. Chita stepped up to Harper and shook her hand.

“Ay dios mio,” she said in a thick South American accent, “these women are crazy. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Next in the procession came Lynn, a short blonde, who seemed quite shy and only nodded when she shook Harper’s hand. Then Becky was introduced. She was a bit taller than Harper, with dark good looks that made her attractively androgynous. A perky, slender blonde stepped forward, very excited.

“My name is Ellen, Harper is it?”

Harper nodded, adding, “Nice to meet you, Ellen.”

“The poor loser over there is my husband Ronnie,” Ellen said, pointing to the blonde with the mustache, who was now pouring himself a beer, behind the bar. He raised his hand and nodded.

A very beautiful young woman with startling blue eyes and long blond hair shook Harper’s hand next.

“My name is Jordan and that’s my husband Riley over there.” She indicated a very handsome, fraternity type, with black hair combed perfectly in place. He waved at Harper.

A woman a little shorter than Harper leaned over the table, extending her hand. She seemed older than the rest of the team Harper had met so far. She had dark shoulder length hair and was a bit stocky, but athletic looking. Harper recognized her from the pictures behind the bar.

“This could take forever,” she said. “Let me move this along for you. My name is Abigail, but everyone calls me Abby. I work in the math department at UC. My husband is the card shark, Sandy,” indicating a very tall, slender man at the table with premature graying temples. He smiled at Harper.

“This is Julie.” She pointed at the short, younger version of Shirley McClain, Harper had seen in the pictures.

“This is Billie Jean and that’s her other half, John, at the table,” Abigail finished and sat back down.

Billie Jean was the sweet schoolteacher type from the picture and her husband was sweet looking too. She had shoulder length brown hair, parted down the middle and hazel eyes. She was shorter than Harper and obviously pregnant. Her husband, John, had marine cut blond hair and the build of a linebacker. He smiled and waved at Harper and then began dealing the cards. Abigail offered Harper a seat, which she took just as Jane arrived with a frosty mug and a new pitcher of beer for the table.

“Did you meet everybody?” Jane asked.

“Yes, thank you,” Harper answered, as she took the mug from Jane.

At that moment, the door opened letting the noise, from the main bar, into the room. The band had started to play. A not too bad rendition of George Strait’s, Baby Blue, echoed across the room. “Baby blue, were the color of her eyes…” The blonde, from the picture, stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her. She swung her head to get the hair out of her eyes and smiled at the group, her dimples showing. Harper unconsciously smiled back. The woman had that effect on everyone in the room.

Jane spoke first, “And this is Lauren. Lauren, come meet Harper. She just joined the team.”

The woman stepped over to Harper, hugging a few others on her way.

“Hello, it’s so nice to meet you,” Lauren said to Harper, holding out her hand.

Harper took Lauren’s hand and looked into a face that made her feel warm and welcome. This woman’s eyes were baby blue with a dark blue star burst around her pupils. She had been cute in the pictures. In person she was captivating, a unique beauty. She was about 5’ 7” or 8” from what Harper could tell. Her figure was slim, but curvaceous, in all the right places. Her golden blonde hair hung down to just below her shoulders and was feathered in what Harper knew was a $300 hair cut. She immediately made Harper feel comfortable. She smiled up at Lauren and shook her hand.

“Where is Shelby?” the one named Julie asked.

“She’s coming from the lab, working late again.” Lauren said, while rolling her eyes.

Lauren sat in the empty seat on Harper’s right. An immediate question and answer session concerning Harper began, as the group peppered her with questions. Harper answered all of them patiently and even managed to move through her parent’s death fairly quickly, avoiding the waves of pity that usually followed that pronouncement. When she mentioned that she would be working in the Bio-Med department at UC, Lauren grabbed Harper’s arm.

“Oh, my God, that’s where my partner, Shelby, Dr. Shelby West works. She teaches and administrates some of the grant programs. I’m sure she would be glad to help you get acclimated.”

“That would be great,” Harper replied.

What Harper was thinking was “partner.” It dawned on her that Shelby and Lauren had to be a couple. Now it made sense that the two of them were always together in the pictures. Harper felt wounded for some reason. She was attracted to Lauren. It was a familiar feeling. Harper had a three-year affair in college, with an older teammate. She had been completely straight up until then and since the affair ended, she dated men exclusively. This was not because she rejected her attraction to women, just because she hadn’t felt a strong enough attraction, until now. Oh well, foiled again, she thought. Lauren has a partner. She poured herself another beer.

The conversations turned to other things, as the group began to discuss practice dates, fees and what color uniforms they wanted this year. Of course gossip was passed around about this team and that team and why so and so got kicked off of her team. Jordan talked about her recent wedding with Lynn, while Alicia talked with Ellen about her upcoming 10K. Julie was advising Billie Jean on her pregnancy. Harper learned that Julie was divorced and had two kids of her own. Chita was trying to convince Dee to let her be her personal trainer. Chita worked at a spa.

“Hey Harper, you come to my spa. I show you around. You can come for like a month free,” Chita offered.

Lauren leaned over to get the pitcher, rubbing up against Harper, as she did. Harper flushed with heat almost instantly. Lauren was talking to Harper at the same time.

“Yeah, you should come with us. We have a group that meets twice a week at eight in the morning. Alicia, Ellen, Shelby, Julie and even Abby work out together. Some of us more often than others,” Lauren added, looking at Abigail.

“Well, some of us have real jobs and children,” Abigail shot back.

“We can do it on the weekend, Abby. We can change the time to night, if you want,” Lauren said, very sweetly. “You know I love you and it’s so much more fun when you’re there.”

“So, the fact that I can barely get through the circuit and spend most of an hour in respiratory distress is fun for you,” Abby said, with such dry wit, it was extremely funny to Harper.

“No, it’s all the bitchin’ and moanin’ you do in between breaths that we find so entertaining,” Julie piped in.

“The Queen bitch, ‘don’t talk to me before nine a.m.,’ is commenting on my behavior. I didn’t know your attendance was that much better than mine, anyway,” Abby returned.

It was obvious these women were great friends. The banter went back and forth while Harper listened. She was conscious of Lauren’s laugh above all the others. She could swear she felt the heat from Lauren’s body next to her. She could smell the faintest scent of her perfume. It was a familiar scent, but it had never smelled this good.

Harper was so close, at times; she could see radiance of Lauren’s silky smooth skin, on her tanned face. She had soft full lips that begged to be kissed. Harper realized she’d been lost in her on world when Abby grabbed her arm and pulled her closer.

“She has that effect on everyone, when they first meet her,” Abby said confidentially.

Harper was astounded. She stuttered out, “I…I…I…”

Abby continued, “She’s a lovely person, inside and out. I call her a star child. She sparkles. We’re all in love with her, in some way or another. You can look, but you mustn’t touch. She belongs to Shelby, you’ll see.”

The door opened once again. This time Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Gimme Three Steps” blared through the opening. Harper turned to see the tall beauty from the picture shutting the door behind her. The picture had certainly not done her justice, either. Harper assumed that this was the Shelby everyone was waiting for. This was verified by the assorted greetings from the room. Shelby was uncommonly gorgeous with dark brown, curly hair that hung to just below her shoulders. Her eyes were dark brown and wide. The expression “doe-eyed” floated into Harper’s mind.

Lauren rose to greet Shelby. She slid her chair over and pulled up another, between Harper and herself. Shelby leaned down and kissed Lauren on the cheek. It was the comfortable kiss of two people who had been together for a long time. Shelby smiled sweetly at Lauren and the smile was returned. They were a striking couple.

“Shelby, this is Harper Lynch. She’s just joined the team and she’s quite the player from what I’ve heard,” Lauren told Shelby, as they took their seats.

Shelby shook Harper’s hand, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Harper.”

“The pleasure is mine, Dr. West. I understand I will be working in your department. I’m working on my doctorate there.” The beer was loosening Harper up; she was becoming less reserved by the minute.

“Please, it’s Shelby off campus. So you’re in Bio-Med. What are you researching?”

“I’m working with a company on a new material for engineering knee braces, ankle braces and other rehab apparatus,” Harper answered. “We will be doing a lot of testing on athletes.”

“I’m not involved in that division, but I have heard about your study. It sounds exciting,” Shelby said, while taking the beer Lauren had poured for her.

Lauren smiled, “I told Harper that you could show her around.”

“Absolutely, I would love to be your guide,” Shelby beamed. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Thank you,” Harper replied. “I’m sure I’ll need your help. I start work in two weeks. Right now I need help finding things like dry cleaners, grocery stores, a vet and a good furniture store. My house is empty.”

Abby piped in, “Where do you live, Harper?”

“I just bought a house on Monterey Drive. It’s two stories, with two bedrooms and all I have is a table I bought at Wally World and a bedroom suit. I have some old stuff coming from my grandmother’s in Wilson, but I still need a couch and other things.”

Lauren jumped in, “I would love to take you shopping. I love to spend other people’s money and I know where all the good antique and restoration furniture stores are.”

“She does love spending other people’s money,” Shelby added.

“What are you doing tomorrow morning? That’s the best time to catch the flea markets. You can find some great stuff.” Lauren seemed excited at the prospect of a new shopping buddy.

“I was just going to do some more unpacking and a little yard work, if the weather was good, but I would love to go shopping. Jasper would really like a couch,” Harper smiled.

Lauren cocked her head quizzically, “Is Jasper your boyfriend?”

“No, Jasper is my eleven month old Golden Retriever.”

Shelby leaned in, “Oh, I love Goldens. We have two labs, Wiley and Dixie.”

“We have a great vet,” Lauren exclaimed excitedly, “You will love her.”

“That’s a relief. It’s hard to trust people you don’t know. Jasper needs his next round of shots.”

“I’ll show you her office tomorrow. How about, I pick you up at 8:30? Will you type your info into my phone?” Lauren handed Harper her I-phone.

Harper typed her info into Lauren’s phone. Jane came back in, letting a Willie Nelson song fill the room.

“Okay, girls, what’s the plan?” Jane asked when she reached the table.

Ellen spoke up, “We’re going to practice on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, until the sunset gets a little later. The first practice is this Sunday. Then we’ll practice on Tuesday and Thursday until the games start. Then it’ll be when the schedule permits.” Ellen sounded like she had organized group activities before and everyone deferred to her. “We want dark blue pants and matching blue and white tops. And just for you Jane, Carolina Blue piping and letters.”

Harper wasn’t sure when all this was decided. It must have been, because she was so captivated by Lauren and Shelby. They were stunning and so nice, generous even. Harper’s heart had quickened as soon as she knew she would see Lauren again. She was conscious of her every move throughout the remainder of the evening, especially when Lauren and Julie got into it over the interpretation of a poem. Harper had no idea who the poet was they were discussing, but she was fascinated with Lauren’s speech patterns, her inflexions, her use of metaphor and her passion. Harper was hooked, no doubt.

Shelby got involved in the discussion. Harper was impressed by Shelby’s apparent intelligence. Shelby was not only a scientist, but a well-read scientist. These two people were the perfect couple. Harper thought how easy it would be to fall in love with both of them.

Abby leaned in again to get Harper’s attention. “Honey, I’m so glad you’re going to be around. If you need anything, just call me.” She handed Harper a piece of paper with her number on it. “We’ve got to go. We have to beat the fifteen-year-old home tonight.”

Ellen noticed this exchange, “Oh, Abby here, let me give her our roster with all our numbers on it. You just call anybody, we’ll be glad to help you get settled. I’ll put directions to the practice fields on the back.”

Abby and Sandy went home, after Sandy came over and officially met Harper. He seemed like a nice guy. He was very funny. Their departure started the exodus from the meeting. Some of the girls went out to the bar to listen to the band. The ones with kids were going home. It was only eleven o’clock and Harper didn’t really feel like going home. Soon there was only Alicia, Shelby, Lauren and Harper sitting at the table.

“I should be getting home myself. I have a case to get together before Monday. My boss dropped it on my desk yesterday, the bastard.” Alicia finished her last swallow of what Harper realized was just soda and lemon.

Harper was always conscious of what other people were drinking. The sinking feeling was always there, when an intoxicated person climbed into a car and drove away. She couldn’t stop them all, but she tried when she felt she could make a difference.

“I think I’m going to go too, honey. Are you ready?” Shelby asked Lauren.

“No, I think I’ll stay and have some food before I drive. I’ve had a few too many. I’m a light weight,” Lauren said in Harper’s direction.

“Okay baby, call me when you leave, so I’ll know when to expect you. Harper, I look forward to working and playing with you. Welcome to the family.” Shelby, who had barely touched her beer, kissed Lauren on the cheek again, and then she and Alicia left, leaving Harper and Lauren alone.

“Would you like to order something to eat with me?” Lauren said to Harper, when they were alone.

“Sure, that sounds good. Would you order for me? I’m not familiar with the menu.”

“How about stuffed mushrooms and crab dip with fresh bread?”

“Exactly what I was thinking.” Harper was flirting. She couldn’t help herself.

“Great minds…,” Lauren winked at Harper. “Let me order and then we’ll talk some about what kind of furniture you’re looking for.”

They talked while they waited on the food. Harper told Lauren about the furniture she had coming from her grandmother. She wanted to find things that would go with the old furniture, but not necessarily old, reproductions were okay. When the food arrived they were too occupied with eating to talk. The ice tea Lauren ordered was perfectly sweet and went down so easily. They finished eating and continued talking until an hour had gone by.

“I guess I better call a taxi, if I’m going to be up and ready by eight thirty,” Harper said reaching for her cell phone.

Lauren touched Harper’s hand, saying, “Oh, don’t be silly. I’ll drive you home. That way I’ll know where I’m going in the morning.”

“I don’t want to be a bother,” Harper said, while secretly delighted at spending a few more minutes with Lauren.

“It’s no problem, really. Come on let’s get out of here.” Lauren was already up and heading for the door. Harper followed.

On the way to her house, Harper explained her two-beer limit for driving. Lauren listened quietly and followed Harper’s interspersed directions.

“I’m sure it was tough, having to grow up so fast, but you seem pretty well adjusted to me,” Lauren said, smiling, showing her dimples.

“You can reserve that judgment until you see me at eight thirty in the morning,” Harper said, just as they turned into her driveway.

“Nice house, quite an investment for a twenty-three year old.”

“Like you said, I had to grow up fast.” Harper opened the car door and looked back at Lauren, “Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Eight thirty, I’ll bring coffee.” Lauren paused, adding, “I’m glad Jane found you.”

“You make me sound like a lost puppy.”

“Maybe you were, but you’ve found a home now,” Lauren said smiling, and then she reached over to hug Harper.

Harper responded, after a moment, when she realized Lauren expected her to lean in for the hug. It was only a few seconds, but Harper felt every millisecond. Lauren was soft and warm and she smelled delicious. Harper had to let go before the feelings intensified. She stepped out of the car quickly, almost too quickly. Just before she shut the door she said weakly, “See you in the morning.”

Harper bounded up the steps and unlocked the door. She turned to wave at Lauren, who waited for Harper to get inside. Lauren pulled away. Harper watched her taillights disappear, before closing the door. Jasper was bumping, whining and pawing at her legs, but she ignored him. She put her back on the door and slid down to the floor. Jasper began licking her face.

“Hey buddy, I just met the woman of my dreams. Bad news is she is happily married, so we can only be friends. That’s okay with you isn’t it. I think you’re going to like this team.”

Jasper licked her in the face again.

“Okay, let’s go outside and then get to bed. We have to early up in the morning. I’m going to go buy you a couch.”

Chapter Four

Lauren stood smiling in the doorway holding two paper coffee cups. “I didn’t know how you liked your coffee, so my pockets are filled with all kinds of crèmes and sugars.”

It was only eight fifteen. Harper had gotten up earlier, showered, dressed and taken care of Jaspers needs. She was standing in her socks at the door, looking at the woman who had haunted her dreams last night. She reached out and accepted the coffee from Lauren.

“Thank you. Come on in. I need to put my shoes on. You’re a bit early aren’t you?” Harper started back down the hall toward the great room.

Lauren followed, “Yeah, I’m a little early. I was just so excited for some reason, I couldn’t sleep.”

Harper sat down to put on her shoes. She watched as Lauren took in the house and view out back. Lauren was wearing jeans, a powder blue turtleneck and a royal blue down jacket. All that blue made her eyes even more penetrating.

“This is really a lovely home. Your view is fantastic,” Lauren said, gazing out at the back yard through the French doors. “How many acres do you have?”

“Four and a half. It was what attracted me the most to this place. Jasper has plenty of space to run and explore.” Harper finished tying her shoes and walked into the kitchen. You say you have some sugar and crème?”

Lauren followed Harper into the kitchen and emptied the pockets of her jacket on the counter. She had not exaggerated. Lauren had multiple flavors of crèmes, sugars and sugar substitutes.

“You weren’t kidding.” Harper laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many flavors.”

“I hope I brought something you like,” Lauren smiled and Harper flushed.

Harper pulled her turtleneck and sweater away from her throat. “Wow, I might be a little overdressed for inside.”

“You’ll need it outside; it’s still frosty this morning.” Lauren looked around, sipping her coffee, while Harper fixed hers. “So, where’s this dog you talk about?”

Harper grabbed a towel from the utility room and waved to Lauren, “Follow me.”

Harper opened one of the French doors leading to the deck, allowing Lauren to pass onto the deck first. Harper closed the door and walked over to where Lauren was leaning on the railing, surveying the property. Lauren looked up and saw the upper decks.

“This is truly amazing. I love it,” Lauren beamed. “Shelby and I remodeled an old Victorian from top to bottom, but I love this feeling of new and old brought together and so much glass. I love the light here.”

“My dream home is an old farm house to remodel, but this will do for now, I guess.”

Harper was glad Lauren liked her house. She was mostly glad that Lauren was here, because the hollow feeling that had begun when Harper left her in the driveway last night, had slowly ebbed and ceased with Lauren’s arrival this morning. Harper laughed a little at herself. She hadn’t had a crush like this since high school, even though at the time she didn’t realize what the feelings were.

“What are you grinning at?” Lauren was speaking.

“Oh, I was just…wondering what Jasper is doing out there. I was thinking I should put a wireless camera on him so I can see what he sees.”

“I’m sure it would be very enlightening,” Laurel chuckled.

Harper placed two fingers between her lips and whistled. Out of the very back of the yard a golden head popped into view, ears at attention. Jasper saw Harper and bolted toward the deck. He arrived just seconds later, grinning and breathless. Harper introduced Lauren to Jasper and then Lauren helped Harper dry his legs and paws with the towel, for which she was rewarded with a wet dog kiss. She didn’t seem to mind, but laughed and giggled at Jasper’s attempts to give her many kisses. This made her even more attractive.

“He’s a smoocher,” Harper said.

“I’m used to it, remember we have two labs. They would love this place.”

“You’ll have to bring them over for a play date. Jasper would love it.”

Harper was standing now, looking down at Lauren petting Jasper on the head. Lauren was looking up at her and Harper was sure Lauren held her gaze longer than she intended to, but she didn’t look away.

“We’ll have to make a date,” Lauren simply said, softly and turned her eyes back to Jasper.

Harper was glad to be outside because she felt the flush burning up from her chest. She busied herself with getting Jasper in the house. She went about checking doors and windows. She grabbed a jacket even though, at this rate, with all the flushing she doubted she would need it. Harper was also wondering what in the hell was going on? What just happened on the deck? This woman is married isn’t she? Lauren had been quiet while Harper locked up. She walked around looking in the rooms downstairs.

“Do you have a list of what you are looking for?” Lauren finally broke the silence.

“List? Who needs a stinking list?” Harper was feeling playful.

Lauren feigned disbelieve, “A scientist who does not make list? I don’t believe it.”

“I make lists, but sometimes it’s fun just to go where the day takes you.” Harper opened the front door. “I believe this is one of those days.”

“I like your style, Harper. I think we’re going to get along just fine.”

They had just stepped into the sunlight, when Harper noticed the Tahoe in the driveway.

“That’s not what you brought me home in last night.”

Lauren said, almost apologetically, “I was driving Shelby’s car. This in mine and yes it’s an SUV, but it’s a hybrid so I feel okay about driving it. We have to have something to haul the dogs in. Shelby suggested I bring it, in case we find some things you like.”

“Where is Shelby?” Harper said climbing into the passenger seat.

“She’s at the lab. She’s up against a grant deadline. She’s been really busy lately.” Lauren sighed and cranked the Tahoe. She visibly refocused then turned to Harper and smiled, “I thought we’d start at the fairgrounds, it’s a huge flea market. That sound okay to you?”

“Sounds great, I love flea markets,” Harper said enthusiastically, for she really did love flea markets, thrift stores and estate sales.

On the drive to Raleigh, Harper learned that Lauren had grown up in Chapman’s Mill and graduated from UC with a degree in Fine Arts. She was a successful painter, a published poet and freelance writer. She and Shelby met when Lauren was a senior and Shelby was working on her doctorate. They had been together for six years, bought a Victorian house together in Kerrville, remodeled it and were now in the process of creating a water garden, in the back yard.

“Shelby wants to go very traditional, a mini Victorian Garden with Gazebo,” Lauren continued, “I’m okay with the Gazebo, but I really want a waterfall and koi pond. She doesn’t think the river rock waterfall fits into the design. We’ve been arguing over it for months.”

Lauren paused, “I’m sorry, I’ve been talking forever.”

“It’s okay, I’ve enjoyed listening to you,” Harper smiled. “I would love to read your poetry.”

“You’re just being kind. Scientists don’t enjoy poetry.”

“Maybe the scientists you know, but I happen to like poetry. I fell in love with Byron, Shelly and Keats in college.” Harper recited, “Would that breast were bared before thee, Where thy head so oft hath lain, While that placid sleep came o'er thee, Which thou ne'er canst know again.”

“That’s from ‘Fare Thee Well,’ by Byron, very good.” Lauren grinned at Harper. “You are full of surprises Harper Lynch.”

“You have no idea,” Harper said flirtatiously.

Lauren pulled into the parking lot and put the car in park. She cocked her head and smiled at Harper, “I look forward to finding out.”

Once again they looked into each other’s eyes long enough to make them both uncomfortable. They dropped the gaze and busied themselves with exiting the car. They spent the morning roaming up and down the aisles of the flea market. They stopped at a stall selling sticky buns and coffee. Eating and talking they finished walking the flea market. Harper saw a few pieces that interested her, but didn’t buy them. Lauren insisted Harper buy her first Carolina sweatshirt, which she did, along with a Tar Heel tee shirt and a ball cap. After a few hours of shopping, Harper still had no furniture.

“I just don’t see anything like I’m looking for. I really want mission style. I guess I’m just going to have to bite the bullet and spend some money,” Harper was saying as they walked back through the parking lot.

“I know a furniture store in Durham that has a big collection of mission furniture, but it isn’t cheap,” Lauren said as she pointed the remote opener at the Tahoe.

“I’ve looked online so I know what I’m getting into. The couch I like is thirty-four hundred,” Harper said shutting the door. “I want this furniture to stay with me for a long time, so I want to make sure I like it. I want to sit in it, before I pay that much.”

“I take it money is not an issue?” Lauren said, with one eyebrow cocked.

“I don’t like to talk about it but I have a trust fund and…”

“Say no more, I too am a trust fund baby. You don’t like to tell people, because they change when they know you have money.”

Harper nodded in agreement, “My grandparents started a trust fund for me and left my mother a trust fund, oil money, which passed to me. With the settlement from the accident, I’m doing okay. I’m careful about what I spend, but I really don’t care what this furniture cost, I just want it to be something I can live with for a long time.”

“Mine is from tobacco money,” Lauren said, “My last name is Zachary after all, I am a little ashamed of how the money was obtained, but I don’t mind spending it, when I need it. It has allowed me to be an artist, so at least I use it to add beauty to the world.”

“Well then, let’s go spend some money in Durham,” Harper grinned. “I do have a secret that I need to tell you. Can I trust you not to tell, even Shelby?”

Lauren’s face became serious. Her brow clinched she said, “Harper you can tell me your deepest secrets. You can trust me.”

Harper bowed her head, “I don’t know. It’s pretty serious.”

Lauren reached across the seat and touched Harper on the arm, “What is it? It’s okay, you can tell me.”

Harper looked into Lauren’s eyes, “I…I…I am a closet Dukie.”

Lauren slapped Harper on the arm. “Oh my god, I thought you were sick or something.”

Harper laughed, “I am sick. I secretly love the Duke Blue Devils. How am I going to exist in the Tar Heel nation?” It was getting good to Harper, “You can’t tell anybody, I’ll be shunned.”

Lauren began to laugh and play along. “I won’t tell, unless I find that I can use it to my advantage. I can hold it over you to get what I want.”

Harper still laughing, “And what is it that you want?”

Lauren stopped laughing. She wrinkled her brow and smiled, looking straight ahead as she drove, she said quietly “I don’t know.”

Harper settled down and tried to change the subject. She talked about how she had watched every game Coach K had coached, on TV. She went on about his coaching methods and what she admired about him. She even talked about her other favorite coach Pat Summitt. Harper talked and talked about anything other than the elephant in the room.

Harper could tell Lauren was attracted to her. She could feel it in the looks and the way Lauren put her hand in her back or on her shoulder, when she was showing Harper something. She could also see how hard Lauren was fighting it. If she was feeling the aching yearning that Harper felt, Lauren was fighting hard not to give in to it.

Lauren had a lot to lose. Harper knew that. The part of her brain that was thinking straight reminded Harper that Lauren was in a committed relationship. She could destroy all that. Harper also reminded herself that she did not sleep with married people. She could also ruin any chance of having Lauren as a friend and it would also screw up the new friendships she was trying to forge, with the women she met last night. Harper needed to fight the feelings, as hard as Lauren did, because nothing good could come of an affair, they both knew it.

After about a half an hour drive, they pulled up to the Broadmore Café. Lunch seemed like a good idea before doing anymore shopping. The hostess seated them at a small table in the back of the crowded café. They ordered the Margarita pizza with fire roasted tomatoes, basil pesto and fresh mozzarella at Lauren’s recommendation. Over the pizza, the conversation turned to Harper’s romantic life.

Lauren probed, “So are you in a relationship now. I mean I haven’t heard you mention anyone.”

“No, there’s no one now. I was seeing a guy for the last two years, but it was never serious. We just had fun together. He threw me a huge going away party. He’s a sweet guy,” Harper said and took another bite.

Lauren played with the straw in her drink. “What’s his name?”

“Jeff,” Harper replied trying to swallow first.

“He sounds great. Well, I guess that means you’re on the market,” Lauren teased.

"On the market? What does that mean?” Harper took a drink.

“You know the meat market. You’re new meat. The sharks will be circling,” Lauren continued.

Harper leaned back in her chair, “I guess I better stay out of the ocean then.”

“Oh, you’ve been spotted already. It just depends on which side of the fence you’re on, if you know what I mean.”

Harper leaned in close and stared into Lauren’s eyes, “You want to know if I sleep with women.”

Lauren showed that crooked smile and her dimples, “Well, you mentioned this guy Jeff, but my gaydar says you’re at least bisexual. Am I right?”

Harper flirted shamelessly. She couldn’t help herself. “I don’t like labels. I know that sounds so cliché, but I don’t have a preference, per se, for men or women. I follow my heart, so to answer your question; yes, I have slept with a woman.”

Lauren was intrigued, “A woman, just one?”

Harper sat back again. “Yes just the one, unless you count drunkenly fooling around with a few girls in high school.”

“No, we won’t count those. There would be a whole lot more lesbians, if that counted,” Lauren replied. “I must know about this one woman. Who was she?”

“Her name is Jackie. She was on the softball team with me. She was a junior and I was a freshman. We were together for three years. It was hot, in the beginning, new and exciting, and so secretive. It fell apart slowly. We both cried, but it wasn’t going anywhere. We’re still in touch. She’s with a great girl now and they are very happy.”

Lauren was leaning on her elbows, thoroughly enthralled with Harper’s story. “And then you went back to men?”

“It wasn’t so much going back to men. I met a great guy, J.R. He was on the baseball team and two years younger than me. We just hit it off. We had so much in common. I had a great time with him and I might have even loved him, but he was going in the draft, after his sophomore year, so we knew it wasn’t going to last. He’s in the Bay Sharks farm system now. He’ll be coming through Durham. After he left, I met Jeff and now you know the whole story.”

“That’s so sad,” Lauren said.

“Why do you say that?” Harper leaned in for the answer. They were now face to face and to anyone observing looked like lovers in deep conversation.

Lauren took a deep breath before she started, “You don’t sound like you’ve ever really been in love or had a broken heart. You haven’t ever given your heart and soul to someone.”

Harper answered almost in a whisper, “Maybe I haven’t found the right one yet.”

Again their eyes locked. Harper felt like she was trying to hear what Lauren was saying, but Lauren wasn’t speaking. She stared into the deep blue pools staring back at her. She could hear her heart pounding in her chest.

The moment was brought to a screeching halt when the waiter appeared with the check. Harper insisted on paying and dealt with the bill, while Lauren went out to the car. When Harper approached the Tahoe, she could see that Lauren appeared to be having a conversation with someone, although she was alone in the car. When Harper opened the door, she realized that Lauren was talking to someone on the car phone.

“Here’s Harper now,” Lauren continued. “Say hi, it’s Shelby.”

“Hi Shelby,” Harper said to the roof of the car.

Shelby’s voice came out of car speakers, “Hi Harper, is Lauren helping you find what you need?”

Harper looked at the roof again, “Yes, Lauren’s been very helpful. I wish you could have been with us.”

She added that last part, but did not really mean it, or maybe she did mean it. Maybe if Shelby was here none of this would be happening. She could go on happily with her little crush until it played itself out, like they usually did.

The speakers interrupted her thoughts, “Well you girls have fun. See you tonight honey. I love you.”

Lauren reached for the phone button on the rear view mirror, “I love you, too.”

For the rest of the afternoon, Lauren and Harper acted like old friends. Laughing and giggling their way through all the mission furniture at the Lakeview Galleries. No more intimate moments, just two girlfriends out on the town. They sat on every chair and couch on the showroom floor. Then they went through several gallery books and, after almost four hours, Harper had selected all the furniture she needed and dropped nearly fifteen thousand dollars, so she made sure to get free delivery and set up. It was the least the excited little gay man who took her order could do. Some of the items were coming from the local store on Monday, like the couch and entertainment center. The others would be delivered, when they arrived from the other Galleries.

Harper was happy to have the furniture shopping out of the way. On the way home they stopped at the Tarr Barr for take home, because Harper had no food in the house. Lauren pointed out the Vet’s Office and a great place to get fresh vegetables while they drove. When they arrived in her driveway Harper thanked Lauren for a wonderful day.

“I haven’t laughed that much in a long time. I really enjoyed myself. Thank you so much,” Harper said as she exited the vehicle. “Do you want to come in?”

Lauren smiled, “No, I need to get home. I have to let the dogs out.” She paused and added, “Harper, I enjoyed your company very much. We’ll have to do it again, sometime.”

“Yeah, I’d like that.” Harper kicked at the rocks in the driveway, unable to let go of the door.

“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Lauren said, putting the car in drive.

“Tomorrow?” Harper asked.

“At practice.”

“Yes, yes, at practice. I’ll see you there. Thanks again.”

Harper was able to shut the door, because she knew she would see Lauren again. She stood in the driveway to watch Lauren drive away. Lauren had gone only a few feet when she slammed on the breaks. She opened the door, got out and started toward Harper. Harper’s heart skipped a beat.

“You forgot your sweatshirt,” Lauren said, producing a shopping bag.

“Oh, thanks,” Harper said, trying to hide her disappointment.

“Well, see ya’,” Lauren said, backing toward the car.

“See ya’,” Harper replied, then both women turned away from each other. Harper turned to look, as she reached the top step. Lauren was still sitting in the driveway. Harper waited and just when she thought maybe she should go back down the steps, the rear lights flashed and Lauren put the car in gear and drove away. Harper wondered what was going through Lauren’s mind. She knew what was going through hers and it could never happen. She had to keep telling herself that. What was it that Abby said, “You can look, but don’t touch.” Abby sounded wise right now.

Chapter Five

Harper put away the things, from the rest of the boxes, and cleaned up on Sunday morning, anticipating the furniture deliveries in the morning. It was warm by mid-day, so she left the French doors open, for Jasper to run in and out. He was mostly out, but came to check on her periodically. Once he presented her with a dead mole. Jasper smiled up at her, wagging his tail, his nose covered in black dirt with the mole hanging out of his mouth. Harper disposed of the mole and thanked him generously and he was off again.

She listened to NPR’s Weekend Edition on her Bose radio and then put in a Joan Armatrading CD while she worked. Jackie had introduced the British artist to her during their time together. Harper felt like listening this morning, and when “Love and Affection” came on she danced around in her sock feet, on the hardwood floor, singing along. She had forgotten how much she loved that song. Back at work she unpacked the final box containing her CD’s and DVD’s, which she stacked on the floor near the TV. DVD’s were all she had watched since she moved in. The cable company was really slow. She’d call again in the morning.

After eating lunch Harper dressed for practice. She put on a white Under Amour shirt, a tee shirt with dark blue sweat pants over sliding pants and baggy, long shorts. She added the UC sweatshirt Lauren picked out. At one o’clock Harper loaded Jasper, his travel bag and her ball bag into her Hummer, along with several large coolers. She had taken crap from environmentalists for the Hummer, but she countered with, it was an H3, manual shift, it would go anywhere mountains or beach, it held her dog and camping gear, and to top it all off, she had quite a discount when she bought gas from her grandmother’s oil company. If they ever built one that ran this good without gas, she’d buy it. Until then, fuck global warming.

She drove to the Exxon on the corner in Kerrville where she filled up the coolers with sport drinks, pop and beer. She also bought a bag full of Super Bubble gum. The new player should always be prepared. Harper wasn’t trying to buy friendship; she was just that kind of person. Maybe she’d ask them to come over after practice. She had no food, but that could be remedied. Harper gave the address to the Onstar rep and then followed the directions fed through her radio. She was high with the thrill of playing softball again. This was going to be a great day.

She thought of Lauren fleetingly, but put her away. Harper did not want to get in the middle of any drama. She had talked to herself until she fell asleep last night. She weighed the pros and cons. The cons certainly outweighed the pros. There was no scenario that ended with a happy Harper. The only way Harper and Lauren could ever be together was if Lauren were no longer with Shelby. Harper wanted no part of breaking them up. After all, Shelby worked in Harper’s department. She could ruin Harper’s career. Maybe Lauren slept around. Harper didn’t know her that well. No, she could tell Lauren was having a difficult time, too. Harper decided to avoid being alone with Lauren for a while, let things die down.

Pulling into the parking lot of Cedar Grove Park, Harper looked around for the softball fields and found Abby, Julie and Billie Jean leaning on a fence. The pregnant Billie Jean would have to keep the books this year. Harper was taking her place in the lineup.

Harper pulled up and got out, with Jasper right behind her. He stopped long enough to let her clip his leash, before finding something to hike his leg on. They approached the women on the fence.

“Hi, I guess I’m in the right place,” Harper offered as a way to break the ice.

“What a beautiful dog,” Abby said bending down to get the official Jasper hello, a full lick in the face. “You are a handsome fella.” Abby stood back up, wiping her face with the back of her hand. “Glad you made it. How did the shopping go?”

“Great. I found exactly what I wanted. Some of it’s being delivered tomorrow. Lauren was a big help,” Harper added.

“I see you’ve gotten your first Tar Heel paraphernalia,” Billie Jean said, pointing at Harper’s sweatshirt.

“Lauren insisted I get it, at the flea market,” Harper answered, pulling on the front of her sweatshirt. “We spent the whole morning there.”

Julie spoke up, “Where was Shelby?”

It wasn’t a friendly inquiry. Harper mustered a smile, “She was at the lab. She called while we were out. We talked to her. She sounds so nice. I can’t wait to get to know her.” There, that should settle that, Harper thought.

Other players started to arrive. Everyone got busy putting on cleats and tape. Someone on every team Harper ever played on had to have tape on them somewhere. It was contagious. Soon tape popped up on more players. Harper grabbed her bat bag and Jasper and headed down to the field. Stepping on the grass felt like home to Harper. Softball was the one constant she had in her life, since she was four years old. The field was her church, her sanctuary. The only thing she had to do here, on the grass, was play ball. Every other thought faded away.

Harper let Jasper run a little then tied him up inside one of the dugouts. Everyone arrived and gathered in a huddle around Jane. Harper noticed when Lauren and Shelby arrived, but so far had avoided direct contact. Now they were across from each other, in the huddle. Harper kept her eyes on Jane. Jane instructed them to run two laps around the field, stretch then warm up their arms. The women dropped their gloves and took off running with no hesitation. Good, Harper thought, this is a real team.

Harper fell into step with the lead group of Alicia, Shelby, Dee and Chita. Dee and Chita were talking about what happened at the bar last night. Evidently, Dee hit on some chick with a big girlfriend. Harper laughed along with Shelby and Alicia as the conversation got heated.

In her thick accent, Chita said, “You knew that bitch was hooked up, but you fell for her game like a little girl.”

“She’s hot,” was all Dee would say.

Shelby ran up to Harper’s right, “Dee is our resident Shane.”

“Like on The L Word, yeah, I get it,” Harper nodded.

Shelby, Alicia and Harper ran away from everyone else. They were into their full stretches when the others joined them. Lauren plopped down beside Shelby to stretch.

“Hi, honey. What took you so long,” Shelby said, teasing Lauren.

“I’m not half gazelle like you three,” Lauren shot back.

Shelby leaned over and kissed Lauren sweetly, “That’s okay honey; I’ll always be able to catch you if you run away.”

Harper turned over to stretch in the other direction. She did not feel comfortable watching Shelby with Lauren. She’d have to learn to deal with it. So far she had avoided eye contact.

From behind her came Lauren’s voice, “Did you spend all night deciding where to put your furniture, Harper?”

Harper didn’t roll over; she said over her shoulder, “Yes, I did as a matter of fact. Thank you again for the help.”

“Lauren’s a great shopper. She knows the triangle like the back of her hand,” Harper heard Shelby say.

The run and stretch had warmed Harper up. She took off her sweat pants and put them in her bag. Grabbing her glove she picked up a ball and tossed it to herself until Shelby came over and offered to warm up with her. While they tossed the ball back and forth, Harper learned Shelby was the first baseman. They also talked about the department Harper would soon be joining.

“We’ll have to do lunch this week. I’ll show you around. How does Wednesday, twelve-thirty sound?” Shelby asked.

“I’ll have to check the furniture deliveries, but it sounds good to me. I’ll let you know Monday after I talk with them.” Harper was genuinely appreciative of Shelby’s offer. She already met most of the research team, but not really toured the facility.

Shelby was not only beautiful outside; she seemed to be a beautiful person on the inside as well. Smart, beautiful and charismatic; who wouldn’t be attracted to her. Harper could definitely see why Lauren loved Shelby. Then why was she flirting with me, Harper questioned herself. It didn’t matter. After seeing what kind of person Shelby was, Harper knew she could never be a part of hurting such a beautiful soul.

Throughout practice Harper was able to avoid eye contact with Lauren. It helped that Jane put Harper at shortstop and Lauren in left field. Harper concentrated on playing well. It had been three months since her last game. It appeared that it had been much longer for some of the other players. Errors were made, but by the end of taking infield, the team started to pull together. During a break in practice Harper offered the team the beverages, in the back of her Hummer. She fixed Jasper a bowl of water and gave him a chew toy.

During batting practice Harper showed what she could do with a bat. The rest of the team became very excited. She hit several line drives into left field. She watched as Lauren skillfully tracked them down and threw into second. Harper thought she was graceful, almost elegant in the way she moved. She hit two pop flies before she got Lauren out of her head and blasted the last pitch over the left field fence.

She played different positions, so other players could bat. Inevitably, she ended up standing close to Lauren. The silence was palatable. It was Lauren who finally spoke.

“Jane said you were good, but Jesus.”

Harper answered humbly, “I’ve been playing a long time.”

“That was nice of you to bring drinks,” Lauren said, not taking her eyes off the batter.

“I wanted to make friends.”

“Well, I wouldn’t worry. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble with this group. I like you already,” Lauren said as she dashed off to pick up a ground ball.

When Lauren resumed her position next to her, Harper finally made eye contact. “I like you, too,” she heard herself say.

Harper immediately took a position in the infield. She didn’t talk to Lauren the rest of practice. When it was over Harper asked if anyone wanted to come over, grill some steaks or burgers. She invited the husbands, girlfriends and children too. To her surprise everyone said yes. She gathered information on how many were coming.

Abby said she would make the salad. Billie Jean volunteered to bring the baked potatoes already cooked and all the dressings for them. By the end of the arrangements, Harper only had to supply the steaks, even though most of the women said they would bring their own meat, Harper won them over. Excited about the impromptu party, Harper gathered up Jasper and headed to the Harris Teeter for supplies.

At Harris Teeter she had to ask the butcher to cut more N.Y. strips. She needed eighteen steaks, along with hamburger and hot dogs, in case some of the kids came. She checked out with a cart full of condiments, buns, paper plates and plastic cups, napkins and anything else she could think of you might need at a cook out. Of course she got more beer and ice and the steaks. Thank god, the deck came with a huge stainless steel grill. It was the biggest grill Harper had ever seen, so she was sure the steaks would be no problem. She already replaced the gas bottles, so it was ready to go. She had cooked on it several times and loved the flavor, from the lava rocks.

On the way home from the grocery store, Harper suddenly panicked. “I don’t have eighteen steak knives, Jesus I don’t have any chairs”

The only phone number she had was Lauren’s. The roster with all the names was on the table at home. Harper pulled out her phone and found Lauren’s number in the contacts list. She hit dial and waited as the blue tooth connection allowed her to speak and hear through the radio. Harper was all about driving attentively, hands on the wheel. The phone rang three times before Lauren answered.

“Hello, Harper. Sorry, I’m out of breath. I was in the other room.”

“Hey Lauren, I hate to ask you, but could you lend me some steak knives. I don’t think I can cover eighteen steak eaters.”

“Sure, do you need anything else?”

“Well it would probably be a god idea if everyone brought chairs. I have those built in benches, but I don’t have deck furniture. You’ve seen it. It’s pretty barren.”

“I’ll call Abby; she and Sandy have tons of deck chairs. We’ll bring some too,” Lauren hesitated and then added, “Do you need me to come over early, to help you get ready?”

Harper could hear Lauren breathing all around her, in the car speakers. “Yes, that would be nice. Give me time to get to the house. I need to unload these groceries and take a shower. How about forty-five minutes.”

“Okay, I’ll see you then. Bye.” Click and Lauren was gone.

Harper hung up the phone and stared ahead at the road. She absolutely did not mean to say that out loud. She thought it, but her real brain said no, bad idea. The parts of her brain that controlled desire, said bring it on. Alone again with Lauren, look but don’t touch. This was now Harper’s mantra. She repeated it over and over until she reached the house.

At the house, Harper unloaded and put away everything. She moved the little Wally World table and chairs out to the deck. She lit the grill and set it to warm slowly. She had just cleaned it so it was ready for the meat. Harper found the fire logs she had for the chimineas on the deck. There were two small ones and one big one. She loaded them up and started fires in all of them. She also started the gas fireplace in the Great room, since people would be going in and out.

She fed Jasper and went upstairs to shower. In the shower, she thought about Lauren. She was so hot for her she ached. She washed her hair and soaped her body. Standing under the hot water she began to squeeze her nipples. Her breathing began to change, coming quicker. One hand slid down through her soft blonde pubic hair, parting her lips. Familiar circles quickened her breath. She slid her middle finger inside and in one movement her body exploded into orgasm.

When she regained her breath, she said out loud, “Oh my god, what in the hell was that.”

Leaning against the glass in the shower, Harper thought she heard a voice calling her name. She turned off the water and listened.

“Harper, are you up here.” It was Lauren.

“Yes, I’m just getting out of the shower.” Harper grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her. She grabbed another to dry her hair. She opened the bathroom door and there was Lauren sitting on the edge of her bed with Jasper by her side.

It could have been a dream, but it felt like a nightmare.

Lauren smiled, looking around the room. “I’m a little early. You left the front door unlocked and Jasper showed me where you were.”

“Great guard dog,” Harper said, still standing in the doorway.

“I love this bedroom suit. You have great taste, Harper”

“Thank you. I’ll get dressed and we can go down and start getting dinner ready.”

Harper went to the dresser and got out her clothes. She chose jeans and crimson under amour shirt. She turned to Lauren who remained sitting on the bed. Harper had been naked around countless women. She had no problem getting dressed in locker rooms full of women, but she just couldn’t bring herself to get naked, in front of Lauren. Lauren must have sensed her need for privacy.

“I’ll wait out here on the deck, while you dress.”

Lauren crossed to the doors leading out to the deck. She closed the door behind her, but Harper had no curtains, so she was still exposed. She saw that Lauren was looking away, so she dropped her towel, dried off and started dressing. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and then she saw Lauren’s reflection looking at her, as she dressed. Harper continued, as if she hadn’t seen Lauren looking. When she was finished she stepped up to the dresser to brush her hair. Lauren was still looking. Harper looked back. Lauren appeared, as if in another world, in the mirror. They held each other’s gaze until Harper finished brushing her hair.

Harper broke away from the mirror, grabbed a gray fleece pullover out of the closet, and then went out on the deck with Lauren.

“It’s quite a view you have up here,” Lauren said.

Harper could see that Lauren was blushing. Laurens neck was streaked with red and her cheeks were flushed. Harper’s sex organs took over her brain again.

“I’m so glad you approve. Maybe later we can come up and look some more.”

Lauren looked off into to the darkness before answering, “Maybe we will.”

They stood there quietly listening to the night sounds. After a few minutes, Harper suggested they go downstairs and start to work. They chatted like friends do, as they set up the bar in the kitchen for condiments, paper plates, cups and utensils. Harper opened the gate on the side of the house so she could drive around and unload the coolers. She and Lauren had a time with the heavy coolers, but managed to get them up on the deck. By the time they finished other people started to arrive.

Shelby came in with Abby and Sandy. Lauren helped everyone put the things they brought out on the bar. Harper busied herself with the grill. She started the first steaks and grabbed a beer. By the time all the cooking and eating was done, Harper was into her second six-pack. She could drink with the best of them. She never passed out and she rarely lost control. She would eventually just stop and switch to Dr. Pepper or water usually. This didn’t feel like usually. Harper was tying one on.

There were little groups of people everywhere. Harper visited with as many as she could between cooking. She loosened up under the influence and even danced with Chita to a Marc Anthony song. Jasper made friends with everybody and got fed a lot of treats. Dee introduced her girlfriend, for the evening. She was a cheap looking blonde-haired woman, who looked three sheets in the wind.

The beer was sliding down easy. Occasionally, Harper would catch Lauren looking at her, but she did her best not to be near her. She sat down with Abby, Sandy, Julie, Billie Jean and her husband John. They talked about the house and moving to Chapman’s Mill. When Shelby and Lauren joined them, she excused herself to grab another beer.

Abby walked over to Harper as she was leaning into the cooler.

“Harper, have you eaten?”

“No, I think I forgot to,” Harper said, weaving a little.

“Come on; let’s get some food in you.” Abby led Harper to the bar in the kitchen, where she made her a plate and forced her to eat it.

It didn’t take much force. Harper realized how hungry she was, after the first bite. She ate like a prisoner, fresh off bread and water. When she was finished eating, Abby asked Harper to take a walk with her. They walked out on the deck and down the steps to the yard. Jasper close at hand, the two women walked into the shadows, just beyond the yard lights.

Abby listened as Harper talked about putting up more lights and volleyball net. After a few minutes Abby started to speak.

“Harper, I like you. I think you’re ‘good people.’ I hope you stick around.”

“I think you are all good people, too. I hope we’ll be great friends.”

Abby said, nonchalantly, “Well, you’ve certainly won over Shelby and Lauren. They think you’re fabulous.”

Harper felt the conversation turning. “I like them too, they’ve been very helpful.”

“They are a beautiful couple. They have been a model of what most people wish they had,” Abby stopped and turned to Harper. “Honey, I am a very observant person. I’m going to be honest. I can see you are caught up in something here. I don’t know what’s going on with Shelby and Lauren, but I see the way Lauren looks at you. I’m telling you don’t get involved. Something’s been up between those two for a while. It’s going to be ugly; you don’t want to be in the middle when this shit blows up.”

Harper didn’t know why but she instantly trusted this woman. It could have been the beer. She desperately needed to talk to someone, so she said the first thing that came to mind, “God damn, she’s beautiful isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is. They both are,” Abby said, patting Harper on the back.

“I don’t want to get in the middle of anything, but you see the way she looks at me. I look at her, too,” Harper giggled.

Abby pulled Harper’s head up and looked her straight in the eyes, “I’m going to talk to Lauren, but you have to be strong. Let them work this out. It will be better in the end. You know I’m right.”

Harper stopped walking and looked at Abby, the beer having taken full effect, she slurred out, “I remembered what you said Abby, I looked, but I didn’t touch.”

Harper leaned heavily on Abby all the way back to the deck. Abby changed the conversation to this afternoon’s practice. This animated Harper and distracted her, at the same time. Most of the people had gone home by the time they returned from their walk. Lauren met them at the steps and helped Abby get Harper upstairs to her bed. Abby took off her shoes, while Lauren worked the fleece over Harper’s head.

Harper peaked out of the top of the fleece and giggled, “Are you trying to get me naked?”

Lauren laughed, “Just lay down Casanova. Get some sleep. I’ll lock up.”

Harper was already asleep when Abby pulled the covers over her.

Chapter Six

The next morning Harper awoke to a terrific headache and her phone ringing on the bedside table. She grabbed the phone and managed a scratchy “hello.”

It was the delivery guys, and they were on their way. Harper confirmed the delivery address and hung up the phone. It was eight o’clock; they would be here in thirty minutes. She grabbed both sides of her head and tried to clear the fog. After a few minutes, with no luck, she climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Jasper followed.

“Me first,” she said to him through the open door.

Once Harper was sure she could make it down the stairs, she held onto the walls and descended to the first floor. She was surprised to see that the place was spotless. She let Jasper out and went to the refrigerator. First, she downed a whole Dr. Pepper, in what felt like one gulp. She threw the empty bottle in the trash and grabbed a bottle of water. She went to the cabinet over the sink to get some Ibuprofen. That’s when she saw the note on the bar. It read:

“Hope you feel okay in the morning. We stayed and put everything away. Thank you for having us over. Call us, if you need anything. Shelby and Lauren.”

Harper read the note twice, then swallowed the Ibuprofen and downed the water bottle. She left the back door open and went upstairs for a shower. The shower helped immensely. Freshly dressed, she went back downstairs. Looking in the fridge, she found a steak and a potato wrapped on a plate. She took the plate out and threw it in the microwave. It wasn’t exactly breakfast food, but she needed something on her stomach. She would have to go running this afternoon to get the alcohol out of her system. She ate a few bites of potato and steak, then covered the dish and put it back in the refrigerator.

The delivery guys were right on schedule. They set up the entertainment system and hooked up all her electronics. Jasper made a home on the couch, as soon as it was put in place. They cleaned up all their mess and carted off all the packaging. Harper was pleased enough to give both men a pretty big tip. She called the furniture store to check on the other deliveries. The little man said, he thought they could have it all to her by Thursday morning, Friday at the latest. Harper told him to call when he had it all ready for one delivery.

Next she called the cable company and finally spoke with a supervisor that promised to have a technician at her house between three and seven p.m. tonight. Okay, she would soon be able to watch the news and sports. Things were looking good. She threw in her favorite Feist CD, plopped down on the couch and read the paper, she brought in from outside. She hadn’t ordered a paper. It was just there every morning. She figured some kid would come to collect sooner or later.

Her cell phone rang. She absentmindedly picked it up off the floor and answered it without looking to see who it was.

“Hello.”

“Well, good morning sunshine,” Lauren’s voice rang through the phone.

Harper was glad to hear Lauren’s voice. “Good morning to you. Hey, thank you guys for staying and cleaning up. I guess I had a little too much beer and not enough food.”

“It happens to all of us from time to time. Don’t sweat it. I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“Oh, I’m okay. I’m young we snap back faster,” Harper teased Lauren.

“I’m only five years older than you, and I tell you recovery time is definitely proportional to age. I used to party till dawn and go to work later the same day. Now I would need a two-day recovery period.”

“Don’t crawl in the grave yet, Lauren. I bet you’ve still got quite a bit of party left in you.”

“Oh, you do, do ya’? You think I still have a few wild oats to sew?” Lauren said, apparently enjoying the flirting.

“Let me ask you this,” Harper continued, “Have you ever stood on a table and sung at the top of your lungs to some Motown tune with your buddies? You aren’t allowed to pass into adulthood until you’ve done that. At least that’s what my momma told me.”

“You mother was a wise woman. What else did she tell you? Did she mention anything about playing with fire?”

“She said, I was the kind of kid that just had to get burned before I believed,” Harper tried to keep her tone light, wondering where Lauren was taking this conversation.

“Just a minute, Shelby’s just walked in.”

Harper heard Lauren tell her who she was talking to. Harper heard Shelby in the background.

“Shelby says thank you for a lovely evening and she hopes you feel okay.”

“Tell her thank you for cleaning up and I apologize for passing out like that.”

“I’m telling you we have all done that. What are friends for, if not to put you to bed, when you’ve had a few too many?”

“Well, thanks anyway, I owe you guys one.”

After a brief pause, Lauren said, “What are you doing today?”

“Well, right now Jasper and I are lying on our new couch, reading the paper.”

“I forgot that was this morning. They’ve already been there?”

“Yep, the entertainment center is set up and this couch is really comfortable. The rest will be here on Thursday or Friday.”

“I was wondering if you would like to go with me, to my studio. I just rented the space and I’m moving a few things in today.” Lauren sounded hopeful.

Harper said, “Yes, I would love to…Shit, I can’t. The cable company is coming out sometime between three and seven and the delivery of my grandmother’s furniture is scheduled this afternoon.”

Lauren didn’t give in, she asked, “Are you dressed?”

“No, I just let two men into my house while I paraded around naked on the deck, doing my morning Thai Chi.”

Lauren laughed, “I bet you got great service.”

Harper replied in her best smoky voice, “Oh, yes the service was divine.”

They both laughed then Lauren said, “Okay, you know what I mean. Are you ready to go out now? I can have you back by three so you can meet the cable guy or you might get lucky and get that hot chick that comes out to work on our cable.”

“Wow, a hot cable chick. It sounds like a porn movie.” Harper was giggling.

“Well, you never know.” Lauren added, “Are you coming or not?”

Harper sat up on the couch. Of course she would go. She really had no choice anymore. She really wanted to be with Lauren. “Yes, come get me, I’m ready.”

Harper hung up and darted up the stairs. Suddenly her hangover faded to the background. She brushed her hair and decided to wear the Tar Heel hat she had purchased on Saturday. She had on her most comfortable pair of jeans with the worn knees and butt, with holes near the front pockets. She decided if they were just going to Lauren’s studio, she’d keep them on. She never wore a bra unless she had to.

She almost always wore a mock turtleneck, because she loved the way they felt. She bought the kinds that were almost thick tee shirt material; they had to be one hundred percent cotton. She grabbed the old white favorite that was worn and stained, but she loved it just the same. Harper put on her favorite L.L. Bean hoodie with the fleece lining and cotton blue outer shell. She stopped to put on lotion and some ‘Play’ perfume. She was dressed and comfortable and feeling kind of giddy.

She locked all the doors and windows, a ritual any single woman should go through every time she leaves. She fed Jasper and gave him fresh water. Harper went into the hall closet and pulled out a worn quilt.

“Here’s your blanket big boy.” She placed the quilt on the couch with a chew toy. Jasper was on it, in a flash. He loved his blanket.

Once Jasper was settled and she was sure everything was secure, she went out the backdoor, locking it behind her. She checked the chimineas for left over fire and everything looked okay. All the trash from last night was bagged and sitting by the steps. The Hummer had been left in the back yard after the coolers were removed. She hopped in and returned it to the garage bay. She was just stepping out of the garage, as the roll down door closed, when Lauren turned into her driveway. Harper waved and put on the sunglasses she had retrieved from the Hummer. The glasses helped with the headache that ebbed and waned.

Lauren was in the Tahoe again, but this time it was loaded down with artist’s stuff. That’s how Harper would have described it. There were paintings in various states of the creative process. There was a large paint stained easel, and boxes of paint and rags, just artist’s stuff. Harper jumped in, smiling back at the grinning Lauren.

“The last time I saw you, you asked me if I was trying to get you naked,” Lauren said, when Harper shut the door.

Harper put on her best Southern Belle accent, “I apologize if my behavior was less than lady like, but as my mother always said, ‘No, I don’t remember what I said and it’s rude of you to remind me.”

Lauren responded, assuming the Belle that came so naturally, “Why, I do declare, Harper Lynch. I believe your mother was a very clever woman. I apologize for my rudeness. Will you forgive me?”

“Alright, I’ll forgive you this time, but only if you’ll find me the very best cup of coffee in this town. I need a bit of a pick me up this morning.” Harper was serious about needing the pick me up.

“Your wish is my command,” Lauren said as she headed the Tahoe toward Kerrville. “You know you are quiet dramatic. You should have been in theatre.”

“My mother was the theatrical one in the family. I guess a little of it rubbed off on me,” Harper replied. “She had a degree in theatre, but you can imagine in a town like Antlers, population about twenty four hundred, there wasn’t a lot of theatre. She organized a community theatre group and church plays. Of course I was drug around to rehearsals and had to be in quite a few actual performances, but it really wasn’t my thing.”

“Oh, that sounds like so much fun. Your mother must have been wonderful.” Lauren paused then added softly, “I know you miss her.”

Harper looked out the window, “Yeah, everyday.”

They rode quietly for the few more miles to the coffee shop. Harper got her coffee and a bottle of water. She had to rehydrate and the caffeine was not going to help. Lauren ordered coffee, too and when the order was done they got back in the SUV.

Lauren spoke first, “I’m sorry I brought up you missing your mother.”

Harper looked at Lauren, “No, I’m glad you brought it up. I have avoided talking about my parents for so long. It’s good to talk. I need to talk about them. If I don’t, I’m afraid I will forget them.”

A single tear slid down Harper’s face. Lauren reached out and wiped it away. “You can talk to me, I’ll listen.”

She looked Lauren in the eye, holding her gaze. “Thank you,” was all she could manage to say.

The moment passed and the two headed for Lauren’s new studio. She talked excitedly about the new space. She had finally convinced Shelby, that the extra bedroom was not an art studio. It was small and cramped. She wanted space, so she started looking for a loft or a warehouse. A space opened up in January in one of her uncle’s old warehouses in Durham. She snatched it up. She was excited about the bay door she could drive right into and the four thousand square feet of space.

“It’s only a twenty five minute drive and I use that time to wind down and focus before I get to the studio. On the way home it gives me time to refocus on Shelby, so I’m not distracted. When the art was in the house, I would become so involved in the piece; I wouldn’t even hear her when she spoke to me.”

“I’m like that with a project. If I’m in the room with the research or drawings, I have to be working on it.” Harper added, “I get in that zone and I don’t want to be disturbed. That’s why I try to leave work at work. You have to have time for other things or you become so one dimensional.”

“I still have a little easel at home and a few paints. It helps me get through the long nights when I am alone, while Shelby works at the lab. Now, I have a place to go, so I don’t sit home. I’ll still be alone, but it feels different. I’m in my own space, so it’s not so lonely. Do you know what I mean?”

“I think so,” was all Harper could say, but she didn’t sound convincing.

Lauren explained, “It’s like at the house it should be Shelby and me. That is our space together. When one of us is missing it doesn’t feel right. The studio, it’s my space. Shelby isn’t an integral part of what makes it feel like mine. I belong there. It just doesn’t feel so lonely without her.”

“You’ve been together six years and you still get lonely for her when she works late. That’s true love,” Harper commented.

“No, it’s human nature,” Lauren sounded bitter. “You leave someone alone long enough and they’ll get lonely. It’s entirely possible to sit in the same room with another person and still be lonely.”

Harper let that go and rode in silence for a few minutes before changing the subject, “Hey is this warehouse near the Durham Bats Stadium?”

Lauren answered, “It’s not far. We’ll drive by it.”

True to her word they drove by the stadium. They chatted some about going to some Bulls games to see J.R., Harper’s baseball friend. Lauren said they went with the softball team and all the families a few years back. They had a blast. Abby had her number called to run around the bases during the seventh inning stretch and got drunk enough to do it. It was hilarious. The Bull mascot kept butting her with his horns. By the time Lauren finished telling the story, she and Harper were both in tears and laughing uncontrollably. It felt good to laugh like that.

When they arrived at the warehouse, Lauren hit a garage door opener on her visor causing the rolling aluminum door to rise up in front of them. Lauren drove into the huge space and hit the remote again to close the door behind them. Sunlight poured through the east facing windows high up on the walls. Some of the windows were made of old green glass, changing the shadows they cast to different colors. Lauren got out of the car, walked over to a support column hitting switches that lit the room from end to end.

Lauren had set up in one corner near what appeared to be an office with a pay window. She already had two large artist’s tables, a desk, a drawing table, and lights placed around in the space. Against the wall facing the street she had set up a table with a microwave and a small refrigerator. A large coffee pot sat next to the microwave. Near the end of the table, a half-eaten loaf of bread lay on top of a chopping block. Next to the table was one of those double chaise lounges with a blanket and pillow thrown on it. A small space heater stood beside the bed next to a tall reading light that hung over the lounge.

“Wow, this is a fantastic space, Lauren. I can see why you love it.”

Harper helped Lauren unload the car. She followed her instructions placing the items as directed. She enjoyed watching Lauren, as she decided where to put things. Certain paintings had to go in the right stacks. She had a system, although Harper quit trying to guess what it was. Lauren would wrinkle her brow and lean her head to one side while she thought the process through. The bad part for Harper was Lauren looked so cute; the good part was Lauren was all business, when it came to her art and her studio. There were no longing glances, no touching, no innuendo-laced conversations, just work. Harper began to sweat and it felt good. She was clearing her body of the toxins from the alcohol. Eventually she had to pee.

“Lauren, is there a restroom in here?”

“Go into the office. It’s on your left.”

Harper left Lauren looking at two paintings. She had no idea what Lauren was looking at, but Harper thought both paintings were very well done. She entered the office through a metal door containing a window, with the glass crosshatched with wire. The room was small, but clean. Some of Lauren’s clothes hung on a small iron rack in the corner and there were boxes Harper assumed held more. There were several kinds of shoes, from dress to tennis shoes. When she opened the bathroom door she realized it was a full bath with a shower. There was a toothbrush on the sink and various makeup and hair products on a small table, near the shower.

Harper opened the cabinet doors, under the tabletop. Inside were towels and washcloths, extra toilet paper and cleaning products. Behind the door was a thin, tall corner shelf unit made out of rattan and painted white. A hair dryer, cotton balls, and some lotion were visible on the shelves. The bottom compartment contained tampons and pads. Lauren was setting up house.

When Harper stepped out of the bathroom she could see it now. Lauren had taken large and medium size canvases and suspended them from wire she had run in a rectangle space about half the size of the warehouse floor. She was creating walls with her art. There she was on a cherry picker, that had come from God knows where, hanging a painting twice as tall as she was.

Harper rushed over to help. “Where in the hell did this come from? You didn’t paint this at your house.”

Lauren tried to answer but she had a piece of wire sandwiched between her lips. Once the painting was hung, Lauren came down out of the cherry picker. She backed up and looked at the painting.

“These are things I had in storage. I painted most of these in college. I had forgotten how much I liked this one.”

They were looking at a ten-foot tall naked woman, sleeping on her side. She was painted all in different color blues, greens and coppers marbled together and appearing to be running out of the woman’s foot and off the canvas. She was painted on a canvas that appeared solid black, but if you moved to the side you could see the word ‘Promises’ repeated in the background.

Harper looked at Lauren who was smiling at her quizzical look. “How did you do that?”

“It’s the texture and pigment of the lettering paint. It’s like when you brush suede with the grain and then run your finger in the opposite direction on the same spot.”

Harper was enthralled, “It’s amazing. Why haven’t you sold it?”

“I need to keep this one. It has special meaning to me,” Lauren said softly, still gazing at the painting.

“My God, Lauren. Who hurt you that much?”

“Shelby. Nine months after we started dating, in March of my senior year, she decided that I should keep my promise to my grandmother and go live in Europe for a year, after I graduated. She didn’t want to be the reason I didn’t go. She wanted me to go experience the world as a free young woman loose in Europe. She was setting me free.”

“What did you do?” Harper asked Lauren, who was still staring at the painting, hands now on her hips.

“I cried and threw a fit like the child I was. I stomped out and did not see her for a month. I avoided her calls and when I did finally see her, I showed my ass with a beautiful blonde cheerleader at the bar. When I finally calmed down and started to become more rational, I went to see her. I had a key to her apartment, so I let myself in. I shouldn’t have. It’s so cliché. I found her in bed with an old girlfriend. I left her apartment. Two days later, I was on a flight to Paris. I painted this the night I found her.”

“Fuck! How did you two recover from that?” Harper was eating it up like a soap opera.

“She came to Paris and found me. She left her work and followed me. That was the most romantic thing she could have done. You don’t know Shelby like I do. She takes her work very seriously. I didn’t need to hear about why she slept with that woman. I knew right then that I was the one she loved. We stayed in a little bed and breakfast for a week. We barely saw any of Paris. I flew home with her and I’ve been with her since then.”

Lauren dropped her gaze from the canvas and turned to Harper, her eyes moist, “She’s the love of my life.”

Harper swallowed. Her mouth was dry. “That…tha…,” she cleared her throat. “That’s a sad, but beautiful story. At least there was a happy ending. Shit, I need some water.”

Harper would have said anything to get off this subject.

Lauren pointed at the little refrigerator, “There are some water bottles, in the frig.”

Harper bolted for the other side of the room. She took one bottle out of the refrigerator. She stood in one spot and drank the bottle down. She reached in and took another bottle and one for Lauren, then went back over to find Lauren, hoping she had moved on to a happier painting. Harper spotted her on the floor wiring a series of paintings together to form another vertical panel. She brought the water to Lauren who took it gratefully. They went to work together, wiring canvases and hanging them. It was one o’clock when they finally stopped. It was time for lunch and Harper had to get home.

They stopped at the Java Café for subs and iced tea. They kept the conversation light. Harper asked Lauren about growing up in Chapman’s Mill. Lauren told her about tailgate parties and going to basketball games at UC. She described her mother and her complete dedication to her charitable causes. She talked about her distant banker, lawyer father, who never really had time for his kids. Lauren had only one brother, but many aunts, uncles and cousins. They spent summers together at the family compound on Kerr Lake. All in all she had a blessed childhood.

Harper told Lauren about growing up with her outdoor loving father, who was a geologist, and her theatrical mom. They hauled Harper to every historical site they could. She had hiked along the Appalachian Trail, seen Broadway shows, been cave diving in Mexico, walked on a glacier in Alaska and been to every building in the Smithsonian. Her parents believed in a well-rounded education. All of their vacations had educational value. Her father had been in the oil business and had even taken Harper with him on a trip to the Middle East.

By the time they finished lunch it was two o’clock. They had talked for an hour. Lauren was so easy to talk to. She really listened. You could see it in her eyes and expressions. She gave Harper all of her attention. Harper on the other hand listened to Lauren just as closely. Harper loved the way the words lilted out of Lauren’s mouth. It wasn’t thickly southern, like Holly Hunter, it was a soft accent heard only here and there. Lauren was so animated, talking with her hands, her face so expressive.

They managed to make it through lunch without getting near the subject of their undeniable attraction to each other. Shelby called while they were on the way to Harper’s house. She chatted with both Harper and Lauren. She wanted to know how the space was coming and if they had gotten much done.

“Thank you so much Harper. It means a lot to me. I know how badly Lauren wants to get this studio up and running. I’m just sorry I can’t be of more help,” Shelby said sincerely.

Lauren smiled at Harper. Harper replied to the roof of the car, “I had a great time. I saw some really nice pieces. She’s quite an artist. I know you must be proud of her.”

“Yes, I am. The reason I called is it looks like ten or eleven tonight, before I can get out of here. We’ve had a major malfunction with one of the machines and the data is going crazy. I have a technician on the way, but still, it will take hours to straighten this out. You two should go out, Lauren take her to a bar, and not the Tarr Barr. She’s not going to meet anybody in there. Oh, they’re waving at me. Got to go. See you tonight, love you.”

Click the phone went dead. Lauren hit the phone button on the mirror. “Your call has ended. Thank you for using Onstar,” blared out of the speakers.

Lauren stared straight ahead and said nothing. Harper turned up the radio and they listened to a James Taylor CD in silence until they reached Kerrville.

“So you want to go out on the town with me tonight. It’s Monday, but I know a bar that does Karaoke. It might be fun,” Lauren winked at Harper.

“I hate to tell you, but I’m a Karaoke fiend. I can’t resist singing. Do you think you can stand it?”

Lauren showed her dimples, “I think I can handle it.”

“Okay, it’s your fault, if we get thrown out.”

“I except full responsibility, I’ll pick you up at nine.”

“Hey, how about you meet me here and we take a taxi. I really have this thing about drinking and driving,” Harper said kicking at the rocks in the driveway.

“So, you think I’m going to get drunk?” Lauren smiled crookedly.

“I was kinda hoping so,” Harper flirted.

“Okay taxi it is. Order one for nine o’clock and I’ll be here with bells on.”

Lauren drove away when Harper reached the door. Harper watched her leave again. Jasper met her at the door. As she petted him, she whispered in his ear, “Momma has a date tonight, little man.”

Chapter Seven

The Tar Heel taxi pulled up at exactly nine o’clock with Lauren hot on its heels. Harper shut and locked the front door. She bounded down the steps just in time to open the taxi door for Lauren. Lauren smiled and slid into the taxi. Harper climbed in and Lauren gave the driver the address. They sat back in the seat as the taxi pulled out of the driveway.

Harper had napped on the couch until the cable guy showed up. It wasn’t the girl Lauren told her about; it was a hairy bear of a man. He hooked up her DVR box and wireless router. When he went outside for a few minutes, Harper opened the French doors to get the man smell out. He came back in, made sure everything worked properly, and then he was gone. It took all of twenty-five minutes.

Just as the cable guy was leaving, the delivery truck with the furniture from the farm arrived. More extremely odorous men trampled in and out. Once all the furniture was in place, she tipped the men and opened up every window in the house and a few doors too. After a good airing out, she shut the downstairs doors and windows and locked them. Harper did not want a repeat of yesterday’s little interruption, while she was in the shower.

She showered and shaved her legs and pits. It wasn’t that she thought she might have sex, it was just time. Out of the shower she covered her body in lotion. She chose to wear a little makeup. She never wore heavy makeup. Harper liked the healthy natural farm girl look, but the winter had done away with her tan, and all she had were wind burned cheeks from running, and raccoon eyes from the sunglasses she always wore. A little base, blush, some eye color, mascara and liner did the trick. Perfume and the white gold and diamond, horseshoe earrings her mother gave her and she was ready for clothes.

She went to the walk-in closet. Harper’s clothes were divided into sports, casual, business, and formal. What category did Karaoke fit in? She decided on casual, leaning toward the nice restaurant casual. She chose an Eddie Bauer white shirt with rows of ruffles down the front and cuffs, her tightest pair of Rockies and the black leather belt with the big oval sterling silver buckle. She added her black big-stitch waffle cardigan. She left the shirt unbuttoned enough at the bottom to show the belt buckle and a little skin. The finishing touch was her gray elk skin boots. They were her favorite shoes, except for her cleats. The boots made her taller and completed the outfit perfectly. Harper looked in the full-length mirror. Not bad, she thought.

When she headed out the door, she stopped to get her wool duffel coat, because the weatherman said it was going to turn colder and she needed the pockets to carry her stuff. Her cell phone would definitely not fit in her jean’s pockets.

Harper was pleased by the way Lauren looked at her, when she came down the front steps. Harper checked Lauren out, too. Lauren was wearing black pants, a black turtleneck and wool poncho, in a colorful Jacquard design. Her hair was wispy and perfect the way it fell across her forehead. Her makeup was flawless. She was gorgeous, Harper thought, and now she was riding in the back of a taxi with this gorgeous woman by her side. Life was good.

Then Lauren’s phone rang. It was Chita. Lauren put her on speakerphone, so Harper could hear. Chita talked so fast, sometimes Lauren had to interpret. When Chita finished, Harper and Lauren just stared at each other. The gist of the conversation was Chita called Dee, who talked to Shelby. Shelby told Dee, that Lauren and Harper were going to WINKS for Karaoke night. Dee told Chita, Chita called Alicia. Alicia called Abby, Abby called Julie, then Julie called Chita, who by then invited Becky and Ellen, and now they were all coming to the bar.

Lauren hung up the phone. She smiled over at Harper, so much for Harper and Lauren being alone. It was probably for the best. They didn’t speak. Both women turned their heads to look out the side windows. In a moment, Harper felt Lauren take her hand. They rode quietly like this all the way to the bar, lost in each other’s thoughts.

When they arrived at the bar, Harper paid the taxi. He was a nice older gentleman, named Max, who said yes, m’am. She liked him. She asked if he was on duty the rest of the night. He was, so she got his direct cell number. She promised him a big tip, if he would be available for them all night. That settled she stepped up beside Lauren and offered her arm.

“Shall we?” she said.

They entered a one-story brick building with a silver awning. A small sign on the wall outside said simply WINKS. It was a member’s only club, but evidently Lauren was a member. The crowd was already in full Karaoke mode. A short balding man with a beer belly was belting out a popular Garth Brooks song, quite unsuccessfully, but the crowd was singing along, so it helped.

Lauren took Harper’s hand and led her to the bar. Harper noticed that all heads in the bar turned when they walked in. She was proud to be with Lauren. She could see from the looks they were getting that they too, made a stunning couple. Lauren spoke with the bartender who called over a waitress. In a few minutes, the staff put together enough tables so that the other eight people coming could all sit with them.

Harper took the seat at one end, Lauren the seat directly to her left. They had a good view of the stage. The waitress came and Harper ordered two shots of tequila for each of them and two Corona’s. She ordered, because Lauren had not said a word since they sat down. When the shots arrived they slammed them both in succession. Lauren sighed deeply then looked at Harper.

“I was really looking forward to being alone with you tonight. I was ready to cut loose and have some fun.” Lauren took a drink from her beer.

“Why can’t you do that with the rest of them here?”

Lauren fiddled with the lime in the top of her bottle. “I don’t know. I feel different around you. I don’t have a past with you. I don’t have anything to live down or live up to. To them, I’m sweet little Lauren, Shelby’s wife, one half of the perfect couple.”

“I think we’re going to need more tequila.” Harper signaled the waitress for another round of the same.

“Do you think getting me drunk is going to help my mood,” Lauren winked at Harper.

“I don’t know, but it’s sure going to help mine,” Harper winked back.

Someone slapped Harper on the shoulder. “Hey, you got started without us,” Chita’s thick accent arrived before she did. Harper looked up to see the whole crowd filing in one by one. She and Lauren stood to exchange hugs and pecks on the cheek.

Chita spread Harper’s arms out and looked her up and down. “Damn girl, you clean up good. Too bad I’m into men this week or I would be all over your Okie ass.”

“Thanks, I think.” Harper said, shyly.

The women meandering around the table burst into laughter, at the exchange, while they found their seats.

Abby sat next to Lauren. She leaned in and spoke over the new Karaoke singer, “We had to come. We heard you could sing. Might I add, you have made a fabulous recovery from last evening. You look lovely, you too, Lauren. You both look radiant.”

Julie piped in, “You better be careful, people will say you’re in love.”

Harper was mortified and sure her expression showed it.

Julie added dryly, “Don’t get your panties in a wad, I was just kidding.”

Harper tried to ignore Julie. She turned her attention back to Abby, “Who told you I could sing?”

Abby thought for a minute, “I think Chita told Alicia and Alicia told me. I don’t know who told Chita.”

Harper turned on Lauren, “What did you tell Shelby?”

“She said you probably wouldn’t like Karaoke night and I told her just what you told me, that you liked it,” Lauren said defensively.

“I did say I liked it, but I did not say I could sing,” Harper reiterated.

Abby laughed, “It’s too late now. Put up or shut up, Okie.”

Harper and Lauren’s tequilas arrived. Harper picked one of the shot glasses up and said, “To liquid courage.” She downed the shot and got up to look at the Karaoke book and pick out her song.

Harper looked through the selections, occasionally looking back at the table. Everyone was engrossed in conversations. She wondered how many of them were about her. Her selection made and her name added to the list, she resumed her seat at the end of the table. Lauren, Abby and Julie were in a deep, very animated conversation that ceased when Harper sat down. That answered her question, because she was sure she had been the topic of that conversation. Lauren was flushed. She looked a little angry.

Harper tapped Lauren on the knee to get her attention. They had to put their heads together because the next singer was belting out “You’re Gonna Love Me” from Dreamgirls.

Harper whispered in Lauren’s ear, “I was just checking to see how sturdy these tables are. Remember, momma said you haven’t lived till you’ve danced on a table and sung a Motown tune with your friends. My momma was a wise woman.”

Lauren sat back in her chair and laughed. She took a shot with Harper and they ordered another round, only this time Harper ordered just two, one for each, double Kamikazes and two bottles of water. This was going to be a wild night. Harper made sure to eat well, before leaving the house; she wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. She nibbled on pretzel sticks just in case. She watched as Lauren began to loosen up. Lauren dropped her head back in an all out laugh, at something Abby said.

Harper strained to hear over the newest rendition of the latest Adam Lambert hit. Abby seemed to be telling a story about catching her fifteen year old climbing out her bedroom window. Harper leaned in closer and Abby spoke up so she could hear.

“I sat down on the edge of her bed. Annie still had one foot on the floor, sitting in the windowsill, like a demented owl. Looking at me, looking out the window, trying to decide whether it was better to try and make a getaway or sit there and take what was coming to her.”

“I said, ‘Annie, you have a decision to make. You can climb out that window and get caught, just like I did. You can sit home for a month with no phone and no computer, no communication devices of any kind, let me make that clear. You can make it through a month, no sweat, hell it’s worth the risk. You can then continue to sneak out until the cops bring you home one night, just like happened to me.”

Julie piped in, “That summer was a bitch.”

Abby continued, “You then will lose any privileges you ever even dreamed of having for an unspecified amount of time, during which you will become the Siamese twin your father and I never had. You will eat with us, watch TV with us, do your homework with us, and sleep on a mattress in our room. By the end of this horrific experience you will have submitted and it will all have been a huge waste of time or you can crawl back in that window and we will pretend this did not happen.”

“How fast did she get back in bed?” Lauren cackled.

“She didn’t even take her shoes off,” Abby said, laughing with all of them.

The water and Kamikazes arrived. Harper set the alcohol aside for a minute. Lauren was still nursing her beer and Harper needed to drink lots of water, if she was going to sing. Alcohol dried your vocal chords out, especially beer, in Harper’s case. She could drink tequila and sing into the wee hours, but beer really wrecked her voice. She had been challenged and her Oklahoma pride was at stake. Harper’s mother taught her to sing. Her mother told Harper that she was a perfect mimic. She could hear certain singers and nail their style perfectly, but mimics don’t make money, scientists do.

Harper finished the second bottle of water by chasing pretzel sticks down, after knocking the salt off them. She excused herself to the restroom. It was difficult to sing with a full bladder. Just as she started to wash her hands, Dee burst into the bathroom.

“You gotta hurry; they’re calling your name.”

Harper’s heart jumped into her throat. She finished washing and drying, ran her fingers through her hair and stepped back into the bar. Some hanky-panky had been going on while she was gone, because the next thing she heard was an announcer type voice.

“And now ladies and gentlemen and you bitches over there. Yes, you bitches over there. You know who you are. Anyhoo, here all the way from Antlers, Oklahoma, a brand new country bumpkin fresh off the farm, let’s give it up for Harper Lynch.”

Harper flushed uncontrollably, but bit the bullet and took the stage. She knew this was the hardest part. Once she started singing the music took over and her nerves disappeared. She knew she just had to get through getting started. The rest would take care of itself, because once she was on, she was on. She could entertain with the best of them. She had rocked the armory back home more than once and she couldn’t remember how many solos she sang in church and school.

The music started and the words began to roll by. She sang the first verse, of the Smokey Robinson hit.

“People say I’m the life of the party, cause I tell a joke or two.”

The crowd began to sway and Lauren had a wicked grin on her face. Harper invited the crowd in on the chorus and pretty soon the whole bar was singing the entire song. Harper was leading because she had the microphone, but the bar was taking over. After the first, “I need you, I need you,” Harper jumped off the stage. She continued to sing making her way over to where Lauren was standing and singing with everyone else.

Lauren was watching Harper approach as she sang, “Since you left me if you see me with another girl, seeming like I’m having fun.”

The wicked grin was turning into an all out smile. Lauren was radiant. Harper reached her, held out her hand and Lauren stepped right up on the chair seat and onto the table. Harper encouraged the other members of the team to join Lauren. Before the end of the song they were all in chairs and on the tables, including Harper, singing Motown with their friends, at the top of their lungs.

The crowd roared when it was over. Everyone climbed down off the furniture, but they continued to shout and clap. A cheer of encore started in the back of the bar and made its way loudly to the stage where Harper was replacing the microphone in the stand. The chant grew so loud she finally said yes.

“It’s got to be a little slower this time. I don’t think I have another one like that in me,” she said into the microphone.

She stepped back to the guy running the machine. They talked for a few seconds. He nodded yes and Harper headed back to center stage, where she pulled up a stool. “This is one of my new all time favorites. I hope you like it. It has to be one of the best videos I’ve ever seen. God Bless Sugarland”

“I love your accent,” some drunken chick yelled from the back of the room.

“Well, bless your heart. I like yours, too,” Harper had them in the palm of her hand, now could she keep them.

The music started. Harper made quick eye contact with Lauren and instantly knew it was the wrong thing to do. Harper would never make it through this song if she looked at her. She looked away. The words came clear and strong from her throat. Harper lost herself in the emotion of the song and the audience melted away. She played the scene out in front of them, like it was happening for the first time and they were witnesses.

“I've been sitting here staring at the clock on the wall”

A spattering of applause and whistles grew, as the crowd recognized the song, “Stay,” followed by shushes from the ones who wanted to hear. Jennifer Nettles wrote the song from the point of view of the other woman, something Harper was beginning to understand more intensely.

Harper sang the song as if she had written it, because of something personal in her own life. She’d never had an affair, but she was as close as she had ever been to having one now. She went on through the verses begging her lover not to go home to the wife.

She still hadn’t looked at Lauren. She looked over the top of the heads in front of her, at her imaginary lover, until she reached the next lines. For some reason she turned and looked right at Lauren, who was staring at Harper in disbelief.

“You keep telling me, baby, there will come a time
When you will leave her arms and forever be in mine”

Harper almost lost it. The emotion bubbled up in her voice. It worked for the song. Harper finished strong on the last chorus when the woman tells the lover she will not wait anymore.

“Baby, why don’t you stay…?”

The crowd roared again. Harper’s team was giving her a standing ovation. She stepped off the stage took a bow and went straight for the Kamikazes on her table. She grabbed one and slammed it back. She sat down and let out a deep sigh. She was so glad that was over.

“God Damn! Girl you can sing,” Abby said, reaching for a high five.

The girls yelled celebratory salutes at Harper, she smiled and nodded and was extremely glad when the next singer started and she too could sing. The crowd quieted to hear her sing Carrie Underwood’s version of “I Told You So.”

Harper finally looked at Lauren, who was staring at her with her mouth open. “Shit, Harper. I had no idea.” Lauren grabbed Harper’s knee. “You are amazing.”

Harper leaned in so Lauren could hear her, “Thanks for bringing me, I’m having fun. How about you? Having fun yet?”

“Yes!” Lauren shouted, throwing her arms up in the air, which got everybody’s attention at the table.

Harper laughed, shouting over the music, “I just asked her if she was having fun.”

Abby leaned over to say they were leaving. She told Harper how much she enjoyed her singing again. Julie and Alicia left with Abby, but not before Abby whispered, “Be careful.” Dee and Chita decided to go to a bar with a younger crowd. Ellen and Becky said their goodbyes and once again Lauren and Harper were alone, just like that.

“Harper,” Lauren grabbed her hand, “you want to get out of here?”

“Yeah, I do. Let me call my man, Max, the Tar Heel taxi driver and we’ll be on our way.”

Harper waited to call until they came outside. It was easier to hear. It had gotten colder, but Harper was so warm, from all the singing, she put her coat around Lauren’s shoulders.

“Why you are quite the Sir Galahad, Harper.”

Harper grinned, “It’s the cowboy way.”

“Well what are you in the mood for now? It’s your night out on the town.”

“To tell you the truth, I’d like to go home and get out of these tight ass jeans,” Harper said honestly.

“Then home it is. Sure I can’t talk you into going dancing. Those jeans do look really nice on you,” Lauren teased.

“Nope, you can’t flatter me now. It’s too late.”

The taxi pulled up with the beaming Max, at the wheel. “Was that quick enough for ya’?”

Harper opened the door again for Lauren. She wasn’t emulating a man. She just felt like treating Lauren like a lady. It came natural to her. She watched her father treat her mother that way. On the way home, they talked about dancing on the table and how much fun it had been. Harper didn’t ask what Abby and Julie had been talking to Lauren about.

Lauren wanted Harper to sing to her before they made it home. Lauren was fading fast. The heat in the taxi was taking its toll. When they pulled in the driveway, Harper had her arm around Lauren, with her head resting on Harper’s shoulder. She reached into the coat that Lauren was wearing to get money to pay Max. Lauren was asleep in la, la land and began to snuggle against Harper’s neck.

“That’s a beauty you got there. You’re lucky,” Max added, “my wife is twin to a sow, but sweet as the day is long. You need some help getting her in the house.”

“Yes, Max, I would be eternally grateful if you could help me,” Harper said relieved to have the help.

Max helped her get Lauren in the door. Harper tipped him again. He told her to call him anytime. He knew a good customer when he saw one. Harper shut and locked the door, while holding Lauren up with one hand against the wall. When she put her arms under Lauren’s to help her walk toward the couch, Lauren put her arms around Harper’s neck and started kissing her face. Soon her mouth was locked on Harper’s. They kissed desperately for what seemed like minutes, but could have only been seconds. Harper pulled away first. She put her hands on Lauren’s chest and pushed her back against the wall, tenderly.

“Lauren, you don’t want to do this. I don’t want to do this.”

Lauren mumbled, “I don’t know what I want.” Then she crumpled to the floor, in a waterfall of tears, tears that had been a long time coming.

All Harper could do was sit beside her and hold her while Lauren purged, her body shook and she keened out soul-deep pain. They didn’t speak. Harper just let her cry. When the crying eventually subsided, Harper moved Lauren to the couch, where she took off the duffle coat and Lauren’s poncho. Harper went upstairs to get her a blanket and pillow. Lauren sniffled and lay down like an obedient child. She was out within seconds.

Jasper finally got to go out. Harper thought she should call Shelby and let her know where she could find her wife. She tried Shelby’s cell number. She got voice mail and left a message. She checked the contact info Lauren had programmed in her phone. There was a home number, so she tried it. She got voice mail, again. She listened to the message.

Shelby’s voice was so professional, “Hi, you’ve reached Shelby and Lauren. We’re not able to answer your call at the present. Please leave a message.”

“Shelby, this is Harper. Lauren had too much to drink and I couldn’t send her home in a taxi, alone like that. She’s asleep on my couch. You can come get her if you want, but she’s fine on the couch. Call to let me know you got this message. Call anyBEEEEEEP.”

Harper looked at Lauren, after she hung up.

“That’s the story of your life, isn’t it?”

Chapter 8

“You’re the reason God made Oklahoma…,” blared out of her alarm clock. Harper downloaded the song and created her own ring tone, on her clock. Her daddy used to sing her that song. He came in every morning, of every day that he was at home to wake her. He would pull up the blinds to let the sunshine in and sing the song until Harper got out of bed. Sometimes she acted awful to him, but he just smiled and sang.

She let herself remember their faces, smiling at her, waving goodbye, as she trotted away to join the team on the bus. She told her parents, she wanted to stay with the team, because all the girls were riding the bus. They had just won the tournament, in their division. It was time to rock the bus. She loved those kinds of trips home. The bus her team traveled on was custom made for them, so it was more comfortable than the average car. Harper could stretch out and walk around.

She climbed on the bus, turning to wave one last time. Later that night, her parents were killed on 69 North just south of Durant, when a drunk driver, going over one hundred miles an hour, lost control of his car, crossed the grass median and went airborne, crashing into her parent’s car. When the bus passed the scene hours later, they were still cleaning it up. Harper didn’t recognize her parent’s car, the model of it indistinguishable, in the mass of crumpled steel.

“You’re the reason God made Oklahoma…,” blared out again, when the snooze timer went off. Harper locked away the memories and turned the alarm off. She climbed out of bed in her flannel pajamas. She went to the bathroom, while Jasper went downstairs. She splashed cold water on her face to help wake up. Why had she set the alarm for eight thirty? She couldn’t remember. There was movement downstairs; she heard one of the backdoor’s dead bolts slide out and a door opened.

“Shit, Lauren was downstairs. Harper dried her face and hopped down the stairs two at a time. She ran into the wall, making the turn at the bottom of the stairs, when her momentum carried her across the hardwood hall floor. Her white cotton socks had no grip. She bounced off the wall and shuffle/slid down the hallway toward the Great Room. Harper found the couch empty, with the blanket folded neatly, the pillow laid on top. Lauren had been up longer than Harper that was obvious.

Harper located Lauren, on the deck, holding her poncho close to her body. It was freaking cold outside. There was frost on the pumpkin, so to speak.

“I told you we all drink a little too much, once in a while,” Lauren said.

She must have heard Harper coming, because she kept her eyes on Jasper doing his morning rounds. He started peeing on the first tree every day, and then he went to the next and so on. He never had enough to make it all the way around. Still, he started on the same tree, every day. Harper wondered if he would ever figure it out.

“How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?” Harper said, as she came to the railing beside Lauren.

“Well, you can answer a question for me.” Lauren still had not taken her eyes off Jasper. “Did I kiss you or did I dream that?”

Harper thought carefully before she answered, “Yes, you really kissed me, but…”

Lauren cut her off, “So, I really kissed you? Then why the fuck did I wake up on the couch?”

Harper relaxed. Lauren was smiling. They were going to laugh it off, like it never happened. That was fine with Harper. She didn’t have to keep it a secret, if it didn’t happen. When Lauren turned to face Harper, Harper grimaced. Lauren’s eyelids were purple and swollen from crying.

“Come in the house, we need to get some ice on your eyes. I think I have a cucumber in the vegetable bin.”

Harper led Lauren by the arm back to the couch. Lauren appeared broken to Harper, she moved ghostlike, a shell of herself. It worried Harper so much that she hunted around for the team roster. She followed down the list of names until she found the one she needed. She punched the number into her phone and pressed dial.

A groggy female voice answered on the other end, “This better be a life or death emergency. It’s my day off.”

“Abby, it’s Harper. I have a problem. Lauren is here. She’s been here all night.”

“Jesus, Harper. I told you not to get in the middle of those two.”

“No, no, no. It’s not like that.” Harper tried to get the words out before Abby could interrupt. “She had too much to drink. She passed out in the taxi. I couldn’t send her home alone, in that condition; with a taxi driver I didn’t know. She kind of had a break down, a meltdown really, after I got her inside. I left a message for Shelby, but I haven’t heard back from her. Lauren slept on the couch. But this morning, I don’t know, I think there’s something wrong.”

“Keep her there. I’m on my way.” Click and Abby was gone.

For the next twenty minutes, she did everything she could to make Lauren, who was now weeping quietly under the cold compress, comfortable. She made Lauren take some Ibuprofen and drink some orange juice. She also tried to get her to drink a sport drink to help balance her electrolytes and replace fluids. It was amazing how much water alcohol could suck out of your body. Harper drank a G2, and then a bottle of water. She put some soft jazz in the CD player. When she couldn’t think of anything else to do, she simply sat and held Lauren’s hand.

The doorbell rang. Lauren jumped.

“It’s okay. I know who it is. It’s okay,” Harper said, squeezing Lauren’s hand.

Harper left Lauren on the couch and went to the door. She could see Abby and somebody else through the beveled glass. She opened the door. Somehow Abby had managed to pick up Julie and make it here in record time.

“Where is she?” Abby said in a hushed tone.

“Down the hall. On the couch.” Harper said, hanging up their coats in the hall closet.

Abby and Julie left Harper and charged down the hall. Harper followed close behind. When Abby sat down, Lauren lifted the compress.

“Oh Abby, my life is so fucked up.” Lauren started to cry harder and fell into Abby’s arms.

Julie reached in her purse and pulled out a prescription bottle. Harper watched her intently. Julie pulled out two pills and handed them to Abby.

“It’s Zanex. It’ll calm her down.” Julie said to Harper, as an afterthought.

Abby pulled Lauren’s chin up. “Here, sweetheart, take these. It will help.”

Lauren took the pills without hesitation then returned to rocking and crying in Abby’s embrace. Harper wanted to hold her. She wanted to make it all go away. Maybe she should have slept with Lauren last night. She did the right thing and look what happened.

Julie motioned for Harper to follow her into the kitchen. In a whisper, Julie asked Harper to tell her everything that happened, after they left the bar. Harper relayed the events of the evening in great detail, but left out the kiss. Julie looked skeptical.

“You’re not having an affair with Lauren, are you?”

Harper tried to sound offended, “No, she’s been a great friend. That is all. Look, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out Lauren and Shelby’s relationship is in trouble. I’ve only known them three days and I figured it out. You don’t have to worry. I won’t be the reason they split up.”

“Who said they are splitting up?” Julie was relentless.

“Well, where is she? Where is Shelby? I called her cell. I left a message on the home phone. She has made no attempt to contact her.”

“I’m sure there is a rational explanation for Shelby’s actions.” Julie whispered through clinched teeth.

It was like one of those great Shirley McClain scenes, only Harper was the object of her wrath.

Harper would not give her the satisfaction of backing down. “Well, if she was mine, I would sure the hell know where she was.”

Julie pounced, “She’s not yours. You need to remember that. In fact, it would probably be best if you kept your contact with Lauren to team functions only.”

Harper was really offended now, “What the fuck? Lauren’s a grown woman and for that matter so am I. I’ll see who I want, when I want and so will Lauren. She’ll decide if she sees me or not, not you.”

Julie backed off and tried a different approach, “Harper, I like you, but you have no idea how much damage you will do if you get in the middle of this. Lauren’s looking for a way out. Do you want to be her excuse? That’s all you’ll be. You know that in your heart, but it’s your pussy that’s doing most of the thinking lately. I’m just trying to save you heartache. Let her heal. Take the temptation away. She needs to be strong and find her own path. There’s still a chance that she and Shelby will work things out. Let her be.”

Harper stood there, absorbing what Julie was saying. She looked toward the couch, but she couldn’t see Lauren. She brushed by Julie, heading for the couch. Julie followed close behind. When Harper came around to the front of the couch she saw Lauren in the fetal position with her head in Abby’s lap. Abby was gently brushing the hair from Lauren’s forehead with her fingers and softly humming. Harper picked up the blanket and covered Lauren. She stood looking at Lauren sleeping for a few seconds then mouthed to the two other women that she was going to take a shower. She left her cell phone with them, in case Shelby called.

Upstairs she found Jasper on the bed. “Too much drama for you, huh boy.” He rolled over for a belly rub. “Not now, I have to get dressed. Later when everyone is gone, I promise I will love on you.”

Jasper cocked his head from side to side listening to her every word. Harper was sure he understood more than he let on. Harper showered and dressed fairly quickly. She was sitting on the bed, tying her shoes, when she heard Abby’s voice floating up the stairway. With not much furniture and no rugs, the sound reverberated off the walls and traveled all over the house.

Abby was saying, “I don’t care if the fucking President of the United States wants to have a meeting with you. If you give one damn about this girl, you will walk out of that lab right now and get your ass over here.”

There was a pause, while Abby listened to Shelby.

“Yes, at Harper’s house… I’ll explain it all when you get here…. Okay, twenty minutes. Don’t speed. Just get here… I love you, Shel.”

Harper finished tying her shoes. She heard Abby coming up the stairs. Abby appeared in the doorway. She stopped and leaned on the frame.

“I’m sorry she chose to fall apart at your house. You don’t deserve this. I’ll make sure Shelby knows this has nothing to do with you. You just happened to be here to catch her when she fell.”

“Abby, what’s happening to Lauren. She was so happy just a few hours ago.” Harper was fighting back unexpected tears.

Abby came into the room, sitting beside Harper on the bed, she thought carefully before she spoke, “I think it’s precisely because she was so happy that it hit her so hard. You showed her part of the life she gave up when she committed to her relationship with Shelby. Lauren is a romantic, she’s an artist, and she can’t help it. She is finding out that Shelby is not the perfect romantic lover and happily ever after may not be true, in this case. Then you show up. Her attraction to you has just proven to her that she can have feelings for someone else. Everything she has believed in for the last six years is falling down around her. ”

“Julie told me to stay away from Lauren. She said I should only see her during team events. What do you think?”

“I think you and Lauren are both women with great character. I know you’ll do the right thing.” Abby hugged her, “Welcome to the family, Harper Lynch.”

They went downstairs to await Shelby’s arrival. Harper could swear she could hear the ticking of a clock, but all her clocks were digital. Time crept by, as the three women watched Lauren sleep. Harper turned on the gas logs, in the fireplace, to take the chill out of the air. She paced from the kitchen to the dining room windows, to look out front, and back again. Finally the little silver Lexus, Lauren had taken her home, in that first night, pulled into the driveway.

Harper opened the front door before Shelby hit the first step up to the front porch. Shelby passed by her without a word, her face hard with worry. As she passed she said, “Where is she?”

Harper followed her up the hallway. “On the couch,” she said, but Shelby really wasn’t listening.

Shelby knelt down beside the couch. She rubbed Lauren’s back and smoothed the hair from her face. She said so sweetly, so softly, “Baby… Baby, it’s Shel honey, wake up. Lauren, honey, wake up.”

Julie spoke up, “She’s had two Zanex. She might be out.”

Shelby stood up, “You gave her Zanex?”

Abby stepped in, “Look, Shelby, you didn’t see her. I gave her the Zanex. She needed it. It certainly won’t hurt her.”

Lauren stirred on the couch, “Shel?”

Shelby went to her immediately. “Baby, are you alright? What happened?”

Lauren was out of it. She reached for Shelby, “Shel, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you.”

“I’m right here honey. Come on, let’s go home. Do you want to go home?” Shelby had tears slowly rolling down her cheeks.

“Yes, take me home. I want to get in our bed. Will you hold me while I sleep?” Lauren was slowly rising from the couch as she talked.

“Anything you want, baby. Come on let’s get you home.” Shelby helped Lauren stand.

It was all too much for Harper. She had to leave so she went out onto the deck. She stayed outside until Abby came to tell her Lauren was gone. Tears streaked Harper’s face.

“Jesus, that was heartbreaking,” Harper managed to say.

“Yes it was,” Abby said quietly. She gave Harper a hug. “Remember, this isn’t about you. Now, I have to leave. Julie drove the Tahoe home for Shelby. She’ll be pissed if she has to wait long, for me to pick her up.”

After Abby left, Harper locked the house up tight. She needed to feel safe. Jasper joined her on the couch. She found a Thin Man Movie on the TV. She laid her head down on the pillow and covered up with the blanket. She was on her side so Jasper could lie in the crook of her legs, his preferred nap position. She burrowed her face in the pillow and could smell Lauren’s scent. The scene between Shelby and Lauren played out in her head.

Shelby really loved Lauren. It was so sweet the way she treated Lauren so delicately. Harper genuinely hoped they worked things out. Harper was convinced her crush on Lauren would pass, that’s all it was really. It was a mad crush to be sure, but like a straight girl crush, it would go nowhere. God she hoped Lauren was alright. Harper wanted so desperately to see Lauren smile at her with the crooked smile and dimples. Images of Lauren smiling, laughing, singing on the table flashed through her mind. She was so happy.

Two hours later Harper woke herself up screaming Lauren’s name. She had been dreaming. They were driving, laughing, and then out of nowhere, a car came flying through the air at them. Somehow, Harper survived the accident intact, but she was walking through the wreckage screaming Lauren’s name. It terrified her. It took a few minutes for Harper to gather her thoughts.

She was standing in front of the refrigerator, with the door open, trying to decide if she would cook pancakes for lunch or go to the grocery store, when her cell phone rang. She picked it up, checking the caller ID. The readout read Shelby West. Oh shit, what was this going to be about?

“Hello,” Harper said cautiously.

“Harper, this is Shelby. I didn’t get a chance to tell you thank you for taking care of Lauren. I’m so sorry that I didn’t check my messages. I slept at the lab. I called and left a message on Lauren’s cell, but of course you would not have known that.”

“How is she?” Harper wanted to know.

“She’s sleeping now. I haven’t really had a chance to talk to her. You wouldn’t happen to know what set her off. Did something happen at the bar?”

“No, nothing, in fact she had a great time,” Harper said with pride.

“Well, I guess I’ll find out when she wakes up. Thanks again. I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Consider us even,” Harper replied. “Tell her I asked about her when she wakes up, will you?”

“Oh, by the way, I will have to put our luncheon off tomorrow. I’ve taken the day off. I think Lauren and I need to spend some time together.”

Harper was secretly relieved, “I understand, we’ll have to reschedule. Hey, listen I need to go. Take care.”

She hung up. The last thing she wanted to listen to was how Shelby was going to rescue her relationship with Lauren. Harper wished them well, but she didn’t want to know the details. She ran upstairs put on her jogging clothes and grabbed Jasper. She was in desperate need of a run. It would clear her head. When Harper returned to the house, she had a plan. She decided to go to the grocery store, stock up on food and hibernate in her house, for the next three days.

Chapter Nine

Wednesday came and went without incident. Harper worked inside the house until mid-morning. Later she and Jasper found the dog park, nearest to the house, and spent the afternoon playing and running until they were both exhausted. Sleep came easily for them and Harper was glad for it. She hadn’t slept well the night before.

On Thursday morning, the furniture man called to report her order would be delivered that afternoon. Harper was pleased when the men left and her furniture was all in place. It was beginning to feel much more like a home. She placed her grandfather’s tools around and put away all the remaining things she had collected over the years. She made lists of things she still needed. She remembered seeing some deck furniture at the flea market last weekend. Maybe she would go back Saturday morning and check it out.

She spent the evening paying bills and answering long overdue emails. Jackie loved the pictures Harper emailed of the new house. She couldn’t wait to come for a visit. Harper did not intend to, but she ended up writing to Jackie everything that had happened with Lauren. Harper didn’t ask for advice, she just needed someone to listen to her. She hesitated before pushing send, but in the end she sent it anyway.

J.R., her baseball player, checked in and was excited she would be in Chapman’s Mill. He had just found out he would be in Durham with the Bulls, at least at the beginning of the season. He was doing rehab, from shoulder surgery, on his way back up to the big leagues. He didn’t know how long he would be in Durham, but he was excited about seeing Harper. Harper wrote back that she couldn’t wait and gave him her new contact information.

Her grandmother, whom Harper had set up with a wireless notebook and trained to search the internet and send email, wrote that she loved the assisted living center. She didn’t remember being so busy in her life. Grandma said the only problems were the old men on Viagra sniffing around every widow in the place. Harper sent back pictures of the new house and furniture and promised to come and get her for the weekend, as soon as she had the guest room set up.

There were a couple of emails from old teammates, checking in and tons of junk mail to delete. An email from Dr. Bell, the head of her research project was basically a welcome to Chapman’s Mill with some information about the grant program she was working on and orientation information concerning parking, nametags, etc. She saw Dr. Shelby West’s information in the administration section of the facility guide. Shelby had impeccable credentials and her meteoric shot up the ladder of academia was impressive. Still Harper knew the price Shelby was paying for all that work.

Harper had not heard from Lauren. She didn’t know why she expected to. Lauren owed her no explanations. Harper had known these women less than a week. She was a bit player in the drama that played out here, Tuesday morning. Harper had no great stake involved. She actually hoped the whole thing would blow over, she could play ball, start her new job and get on with her life. At least, that’s what she kept trying to tell herself. She and Jasper fell asleep watching TV on the couch. Sometime in the night she turned off the lights and went upstairs to bed.

Harper awoke on Friday feeling refreshed for the first time in a week. She put on her jogging clothes, which greatly excited Jasper. While she ate a power bar on the back deck, Jasper made another desperate attempt to pee on every tree in the back yard. He returned to the deck defeated again.

“Maybe tomorrow big guy,” Harper said, patting his big head.

Jasper was old enough now to run at pace with Harper more than the few miles she had taken him, so far. She decided to go for it today and take him on his first ten-mile run. She wanted to finish the run in less than ninety minutes. She found Jasper’s backpack in the garage. It had reflector tape for safety and a pocket on each side for water bottles. She dressed him and loaded his backpack with a water bottle for each of them.

Harper had run some without Jasper and found a post road, a dirt road running through the woods, exactly one mile from her house. She hated running on tracks. If she ran down to the other state road and back, the circuit was three miles. Today they would run it three times, with a mile to cool down on the way back to the house; it would be a really good run. The longest run Harper had done, in at least two weeks. Harper stretched and warmed up, in the back yard, and then off they went.

After the first mile, she stopped wondering, if Jasper could hang, and started wondering, if she would. The weather was beautiful and it had warmed up considerably from the last two days of frigid temperatures. It felt good to push and by the end of the last circuit she picked it up and finished in good time. She slowed to a light jog and cruised back toward the house. Jasper it seems had been ready for the run and did really well staying focused.

They rounded back on to Mountain Valley Drive, just in time to fall in step with another runner. She smiled with bright white teeth through a face obviously artificially tanned. She wore her blonde hair in a ponytail. She was smaller than Harper, and extremely fit. Her tight pink running suit left nothing to the imagination. If her breasts were not augmented, Harper would have been surprised. She sported an enormous diamond wedding ring on her finger and several diamond tennis bracelets on her wrists.

Jogging with her, Harper learned her name was Jen. She was a newlywed and didn’t know anybody in the neighborhood. Jen was glad to find Harper ran here too. They talked about the weather and Harper being from Oklahoma. Jen loved Jasper and wanted to get a puppy to keep her company. Her lawyer husband was trying to make partner and spent a lot of time at work. When they reached Harper’s house, Jen stopped at the end of the driveway to program Harper’s phone number into her cell. Harper did not carry a phone when she ran.

“Call me,” Harper said. “We’ll run sometime.”

“I’d like that. It was nice to meet you, Harper Lynch.” Jen shook Harper’s hand. She looked past Harper up the driveway. “I think you have company.”

Harper turned around in time to see the brake lights on Lauren’s Tahoe flash, as the vehicle began to move slowly forward and out of sight, circling out to the other end of the driveway.

“It was nice to meet you Jen, but I need to get this,” Harper said, already in mid-stride toward Lauren’s car, now peeking out the other end of the driveway.

“Okay, sure,” she heard Jen say, as she ran to stop Lauren.

Harper didn’t turn around to see where Jen went. She was totally trained on the woman sitting in the Tahoe staring back at her. She had tried so hard not to think about Lauren. Emotions rushed at her from all angles. A knot formed in her throat. She slowed her pace to get control. When she reached the vehicle, Lauren remained behind the rolled up glass. She would not make eye contact with Harper. Harper finally tapped on the glass. The window game down slowly and Lauren finally looked at her.

“Hey,” was all Harper could manage.

“Hey,” Lauren replied weakly.

“We’ve been running.”

“I saw. Looks like you made a new friend.”

“What?” Harper had forgotten all about Jen. “Oh, her, no, we just ran into her, so to speak.”

“She’s pretty.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Harper said, kicking at the rocks on the ground.

It was quiet for a moment and then they both tried to speak at once.

“Look, I just…,” Lauren started.

“You wanna come in?” Harper interrupted.

Lauran continued, “I just came by to drop off a fruit basket and tell you how sorry I am for melting down on you like that.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

Lauren sighed. “Yes, I do.”

Harper ached for her. She asked again, “Come in. We’ll have some coffee and talk.”

Lauren agreed cautiously, as if she wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. Harper got her keys out of Jasper’s bag and waited at the door, while Lauren parked the car. When she entered carrying a large fruit basket, Lauren paused to take in all the new furniture and the work Harper had done, in the last two days. She walked around touching things and looking at pictures while Harper got Jasper out of his harness and put it away. She fed and watered him, then started the coffee.

She realized how sweaty she was and excused herself to freshen up. Once up stairs Harper stripped down in the bathroom and hopped in the shower just long enough to wash the sweat away. She toweled off quickly and threw on a sweatshirt and jeans. Back downstairs she found Lauren sitting at the new artist table that had taken the place of the old Wally World set. Lauren had already poured the coffee. The fruit basket sat in the middle of the table.

Lauren looked back to normal. There were no traces of the dark circles and tear streaked cheeks Harper had last seen. She was once again the picture of radiance, only her stars weren’t shining quite as bright. There was an air of seriousness not present before. She smiled when Harper entered the room.

“This table is gorgeous. The pictures didn’t do it justice. I know you have to be pleased,” she said wiping her hand across the cherry wood stain.

“I really like it. Thanks again for helping me pick it out.” Harper sat down across from Lauren.

“I didn’t do much. You knew what you wanted. Everything looks like it’s been here all along, like it belongs. Even the old things blend in so well. You have a good eye, Harper.”

Harper sipped her coffee, which Lauren had made perfectly, and looked around the room. When the silence lasted long enough to become awkward, Lauren cleared her throat. Harper shifted her focus to Lauren.

“Harper, I think I owe you an explanation.”

Harper started to interrupt, but Lauren put her hand up to stop her.

“Please let me say this while I have the nerve. First of all, that little melt down was a long time coming.”

“I wouldn’t call it little,” Harper interjected.

Lauren smiled weakly at Harper. “No, I guess you wouldn’t.” She continued, “I haven’t been happy for a long time. When Shelby took on this new job in administration last year, I was supportive. She was so happy; her dream career was coming true. Then I found myself alone more and more. Plans were constantly being cancelled. She worked on the weekends. Even when she was at home, she worked.”

Jasper came in and put his head in Lauren’s lap, like he knew she needed support.

“I tried to get busy writing and painting, but the loneliness consumed me. I mean, I know we are way passed the new love, can’t keep your hands off each other, phase, but we started going weeks, then months without sex. Shelby and I started arguing more and more. She said I depended on her too much, that I let my world revolve around her. She had a point.”

Harper thought of course Shelby would try to be rational, but she stayed quiet and let Lauren continue.

“So, I opened my studio space and buried myself in getting it up and running. It made me happier, but I could feel myself pulling away from Shelby. I tried making sure I was always home when she was and that I made myself available when she wanted to do something, but after too many dinners left on the table, I gave up. I couldn’t help asking myself, ‘Is this it?’ Is this all there is? Is this what being married is supposed to feel like?”

Lauren was getting more animated now. “And don’t think I didn’t talk to Shelby, about how I felt. I talked and talked, until I felt like I was nagging. She never really got what I was saying. She’d try harder for a day or two, but when she thought I had been satisfied for the moment, we went right back to where we were. We were stuck in a cycle; and I was beginning to see it, as the future I had chosen for myself. Where was I going? Shelby is the love of my life. This is who she is. If I want to be with her, then this is how it’s going to be.”

Harper wanted to say so many things, like, “No, you don’t have to settle for that,” or any number of things that began with, “If you were mine…” However, silence was the better part of valor in this situation, so she remained quiet.

Lauren’s crooked grin and dimples crept onto her face. She pinned Harper with her eyes. “And then Harper, fucking Lynch walked into my life.”

“Of all the gin joints in all the world…,” Harper couldn’t resist.

It was the first time she had seen Lauren laugh, since Monday night.

“Harper, that’s one of the things I like about you, your irreverence.”

“That’s one of the things I like about you, you get my jokes.” Harper couldn’t help flirting with this woman. Harper was a flirt, but not an overt one, not the way she was with Lauren.

Lauren leaned in and took Harper’s hand, from around her mug. She held it, while she held Harper breathless with her eyes.

“I felt more alive in the first three days of knowing you, Harper, than I had in years. I started to question my life, the choices I’d made. I found myself becoming more and more attracted to you. I guess all that emotion just exploded Monday night.”

“So what do we do now?” Harper said, still holding on to Lauren’s hand.

Lauren took a long time to answer. She turned away from Harper and stared out the windows in the French doors. Harper could see Lauren swallowing repeatedly; working up to what she had to say next.

It felt like minutes passed before she spoke, “I have to try to work through this with Shelby. I scared her. She promised to spend time on our relationship.”

“Shelby loves you.”

“I know she loves me, I’ve never doubted it.”

Harper slid her hand back away from Lauren’s. She stood up with her mug in her hand, “You guys will work this out. You want some more coffee?” Harper’s self-defenses were kicking in.

Lauren didn’t answer and Harper didn’t wait to see if she would. She reached the coffee maker, just as she heard Lauren’s chair scrape across the hardwood floor. Harper didn’t turn around when she heard Lauren coming up behind her.

“Harper, I can’t see you outside of things we do with the team. I need to focus on my relationship with Shelby and I can’t do that and be around you. Maybe when I get my life back together we can hang out more, but you scare me Harper.”

Harper was still stirring her coffee, not turning around to look at Lauren.

“Please, say something,” Lauren whispered.

Harper was backed into a corner, figuratively and literally. She turned around, leaning back, hands on the counter on either side of her. “Lauren, what do you want from me?”

Lauren looked down at the floor, shaking her head. She was barely audible, when she said, “I don’t know.”

Harper ached inside. She wanted so desperately to take this woman in her arms. More desperately than any attraction she had ever felt in her life. It hurt. From the hurt, anger started to well up inside. Lauren was standing there telling Harper she wanted her and in the same breath, saying she needed to fix her relationship with Shelby. Lauren needed to make up her fucking mind what she wanted.

Harper’s anger was apparent in her tone, “Hey, I’m not going to have an affair with you. I don’t have affairs with married people. You need to go home and fix your shit. I’ll be just fine with playing on the same team, but if it’s a problem, I’ll find another one.”

Lauren looked up at Harper, taken back by the edge in Harper’s voice. “I don’t want to have an affair with you. I’d never cheat on Shelby. But you…you could be the end of us.”

Tears welled in Lauren’s eyes, “What if you’re the one, not Shelby? Everything I’ve built my life around for the last six years has been based on the belief that I would be with Shelby for the rest of my life. You make me question that belief and I don’t know what to do with that.”

Harper spoke, softer this time, “Lauren, I won’t be your excuse to leave Shelby. I couldn’t live with that. You were lonely and you felt attracted to me. You panicked. Go home; give her a chance to fix it.”

“I know. That’s what I’m going to do. I just wanted you to know, so you wouldn’t think you had done anything wrong, if I didn’t come around anymore.” Lauren wiped the tears from her cheeks with her hand, staring at the floor again.

Harper stepped toward the paper towel dispenser to get Lauren something to dry her eyes. She brushed past Lauren. Their hands touched and grabbed for each other. Harper froze. She closed her eyes as Lauren squeezed her hand. Harper turned back slowly, dropping Lauren’s hand, she placed her hands on Lauren’s face, pulling her close.

Harper brushed Lauren’s lips with her own. She kissed her cheeks and forehead. Lauren parted her lips to meet Harper’s. They kissed tenderly, deeply, longingly, their bodies melding together. Harper’s hands in Lauren’s hair, Lauren caressing Harper’s face. Harper’s body responded to Lauren with every nerve ending. Her heart pounded in her chest.

They had to break the kiss to catch their breaths. Harper hugged Lauren close to her. She buried her face in Lauren’s hair and breathed in her scent. They held each other like that for minutes, not saying anything.

“I couldn’t go the rest of my life not knowing what kissing you felt like,” Lauren whispered.

Harper whispered back, “You’ve kissed me before.”

“I was drunk,” Lauren said, and laughed.

They finally broke away from their embrace. Harper took a step back. They stood there looking at each other.

Lauren broke the stare, “I have to give my relationship with Shelby a chance to heal. I owe her that.”

“I know,” Harper said, then added wistfully, “Maybe in another life.”

“Yeah, maybe in another life,” Lauren echoed.

Harper escorted Lauren to the door. They said nothing else. What was there to say? Lauren kissed Harper on the cheek at the door and left. Harper stood on the porch and watched Lauren drive away. A hole opened up inside her when the Tahoe vanished from sight. How in the hell was she supposed to pretend she didn’t feel this way?

Her mother used to tell Harper when her childhood heart was broken, “You have to know pain to know love. You’ll know what I mean when you’re older.”

Harper knew in that moment what her mother meant.

Chapter Ten

For the remainder of Friday, Harper stayed busy. She went to U-Rent Center and rented a tiller. She drove over to hardware store and bought a tree trimmer and gardening tools. She grabbed a few flats of flowers and grasses to plant, in the front and around the deck, and forty bags of garden soil. She also picked up some hanging baskets for the upstairs decks.

Harper worked in the yard, until it was too dark to see, even with the lights on. She took a hot shower, ate a salad and crawled into bed, with some research material she had been meaning to read. The flat screen on the wall was tuned to a basketball game, but the volume was turned way down. Eventually, fatigue took over and Harper fell to sleep.

Jasper woke Harper up early the next morning. He evidently was ready to go for a run. Harper obliged. They ran only half of what they had done the day before. She had practice at one o’clock and didn’t want to be too tired. Her muscles ached from all the shoveling and toting she did yesterday. She worked out on the weight machine, in the master bedroom. It helped work the soreness out.

By the time she cleaned up and ran a dust mop over the hardwood floors, it was time for lunch. She fixed a salad and read the newspaper, while she ate. After lunch, she got dressed for practice and loaded Jasper up.

Harper sat in the driver’s seat without starting the car. She had to go pretend she didn’t care anything about Lauren. She wasn’t sure she could do it. Jasper pawed at her shoulder from the backseat.

“I know it’s time to go, just give me a minute.”

Harper took a deep breath and started the car. She laughed to herself, “Momma said there’d be days like this.”

Harper pulled up next to Abby’s, at the park. Most of the team was already there. The rest came in right after Harper. Shelby was there with Lauren. Shelby had her arm around Lauren’s waist talking to Abby. They were all laughing. They looked happy. Harper steeled herself and mustered a smile.

Chita called out, as Harper walked up, “Hey, the entertainment is here.”

Harper blushed.

“I heard I missed it the other night,” Jane said, as the women came together. “Apparently they teach ya’ll how to sing out in Oklahoma.

“I missed it, too.” It was Shelby speaking, “Lauren said you were amazing. We’ll have to all go together sometime.”

Dee piped in, “You any kin to Reba McIntire?”

Harper answered, “Not that I know of.”

“Leave her alone guys. Can’t you see you are embarrassing her?” Lauren said, coming to Harper’s rescue.

Harper made eye contact with Lauren just long enough to know not to do it again. Jane started practice much to Harper’s relief. The first hour went by quickly. Batting practice dragged by unmercifully. When Harper got up to bat, she took all the frustration she had been feeling for a week and pounded on the ball. Balls flew off her bat with viciousness. Most of the balls flew over Lauren’s head, line drives over the left field fence.

Jane walked up to Harper while she was wiping down her bat and putting it back in the bag. “If you hit too many balls over the fence, they won’t pitch to you.”

“I know, I just needed to get it out of my system,” Harper said.

Jane looked concerned, “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s great.” Harper said, grabbing her glove and heading back to the field.

After practice, it was decided the team would go to the Tarr Barr, for some food and beer. When Harper said she couldn’t, because she had to take Jasper home, Jane said it was okay if Jasper came. They would sit in the back room anyway. Harper agreed to come for a little while.

Once settled into the back room with food served family style and even a dish for Jasper, the women talked all at once. Some of the conversations were about Harper singing. Some were about Lauren dancing on the table. Some were about how Harper hit the ball that afternoon. They were excited to have her on the team. She was the surprise they were going to spring on the league. Harper was glad when the group stopped talking about her and started other conversations.

“So Chica, you going out tonight,” Chita said to Harper.

“I hadn’t really thought about it.”

“Come on out with me and Dee.” She squeezed the shy Lynn’s shoulder. “We’re taking Lynn out to find her a woman. She’s too shy to find one on her on. Come on out with us, you might see something you like.”

Dee added, “Yeah, you come out with us. We’ll take you to the best clubs and dance all night with some hot chicks.”

Alicia said, “Don’t do it Harper, these bitches are crazy.”

Billie Jean piped in, “Guys you don’t know that Harper’s gay. She doesn’t look gay to me.”

Shelby laughed, “And what pray tell does gay look like, B.J.?”

Chita butted in, “Oh she’s gay, the way she was looking at Lau….”

Dee elbowed Chita in the side.

“Why don’t you just ask her?” Judy said to B.J.

B.J. immediately turned to Harper, “Are you gay?”

“Jesus, guys. You’re like a pack of wolves,” Lauren was coming to Harper’s aid again.

Harper decided the best thing to do was answer the question. “I have dated both men and women in the past, well, actually one woman. I am currently not seeing anyone. So my options are open.”

Shelby was curious, “You’ve only been with one woman?”

“Yes, in undergrad. It lasted three years. She’s a good friend now.”

Shelby simply said, “Interesting.”

Abby pulled Harper’s arm, “If you don’t want to go out with the children, you can come over to my house and play with the adults. We generally sit around and drink beer, but it’s good company. Speaking of that, I need to get going. I’ve got to pick up some beer and ice.”

“Thanks, maybe I will.” Harper said. She didn’t want to sit home alone again tonight.

“My address is on the roster sheet. Come on over,” Abby said to Harper as she stood up.

“Okay Chica, when you get tired of playing with the old fogies you call me.”

“Thanks Chita, I’ll keep that in mind.”

The team dispersed, after thanking Jane for the meal. Harper went home and took a shower. Part of her knew Lauren was going to be at Abby’s, but if they were going to be around each other, she was going to have to get used to it. She dressed casually in jeans and a tight white tee shirt. She put an old blue sweater on over the top of the tee shirt. Jasper stared at her from the bed, questioning her with his eyebrows.

“I know, it’s a bad idea, but sometimes you just gotta touch the fire.”

Harper went downstairs to give Max, the taxi driver, a call. Luckily he was on duty. He said he was just dropping off his current fare, putting him at Harper’s in twenty minutes. She took Jasper out one last time, checking his food and water while he was outside. She settled Jasper down on the couch with his blanket and a chew toy. Of course he followed her, but was already on his way back to the couch, before she shut and locked the door behind her. She was waiting on Max when he pulled into the driveway.

Max got out and opened the door for her. He smiled at Harper. “Hey, where’s your lady friend?”

“She doesn’t live here,” Harper said, hoping Max would let it drop.

Max did not let it drop. “She is very pretty. You two make a nice couple. Very pretty ladies.”

Harper shifted in the seat, “Thanks, but we’re not a couple.”

Max got into the front seat. He laughed conspiratorially, “You sure looked like a couple the other night. Did something happen?”

“Max, I really don’t want to talk about it, okay,” Harper blurted out.

Max nodded his head, “Sure, sure. Love it’s a crazy business. So, where can I take you this evening?”

Harper told Max the address. She sat quietly, in the backseat, thinking about what Max said. She and Lauren did make a stunning couple. It wasn’t going to happen again; Harper had to be resigned to that. That one night and one kiss was all she would ever have of Lauren. Every time she thought of the kiss, she got that feeling in her stomach, like the one you feel at the apex of a swing, just before you come back down.

When the taxi pulled up to Abby’s, Harper was astonished. The house looked like something you would see in Tahoe or Aspen. It could have been on the cover of Architectural Digest. It was a huge log home with a cathedral ceiling over the foyer. A giant chandelier glowed through the windows over the front entrance. Wow! Abby’s husband, Sandy, could build a house.

She paid Max and walked to the door. Abby met her and showed her around the house. The interior was just as amazing as the exterior.

“Everyone’s in the pool house,” Abby said, indicating the large building in the backyard.

Abby took Harper out to the pool house. It was a square log building with one wall made of stone. An old-fashioned, cooking fireplace was built into the stonewall, complete with cast iron pots on the hearth. A small kitchenette occupied the opposite corner, where the stone met the far wall, from the entrance, where Harper was standing with Abby. The walls were lined with tall windows on three sides. A pool table filled the space, at the center of the room.

Chairs, love seats and couches were set up in conversational groups around the walls of the room. Harper thought there were twenty-five or thirty people in the room. Harper was still taking it all in, when she noticed Shelby coming toward her. She stiffened unconsciously.

“Come sit with us,” Shelby said pointing to a corner grouping, where Harper could clearly see Lauren, Julie and Alicia. She didn’t recognize the other people.

“Let me grab a beer,” Harper said, in an attempt to lose herself in the crowd.

Abby followed Harper through the crowd to the kitchenette, where the beer coolers were. “I have somebody I want you to meet,” Abby said pulling on Harper’s arm.

Harper grabbed a beer and followed Abby to some women standing directly in front of Lauren’s grouping. Abby pulled one of the women aside.

“Leah, this is Harper Lynch. Harper, this is Leah Hill. Leah is a T. A. in my department and is also doing her doctorial work.”

Leah appeared to be just a little older than Harper. She was shorter than Harper, but not by much. She had shoulder length brunette hair and was quite cute. Harper and Leah exchanged pleasantries. Abby excused herself to take care of some imaginary problem. She obviously wanted the two of them to spend some time alone.

“So what department are you in?” Leah asked.

“Bio-Med.”

“Oh, you’re in the building with Shelby West. Have you met her? She’s fabulous.”

“Yes, I know Shelby. We are on the same softball team,” Harper said, trying to hide how uncomfortable this conversation was making her.

Leah looked over at Lauren and Shelby and waved. Lauren, who was definitely watching them, waved back and smiled. Harper smiled, but looked away quickly.

Leah was talking again. “Don’t you think Shelby and Lauren make such a perfect couple? They are so beautiful together.”

Harper had to get away. She said quickly, “Yes, they are beautiful together. I need another beer. Can I get you anything?”

Leah looked a little surprised, “Sure, I’ll take a Natural Light.”

Harper headed for the coolers. She retrieved the beers and went back to find Leah. She really wasn’t interested in Leah at all. Harper was just being polite. When she returned to the place she left Leah, she didn’t see her. She looked around the room before spotting her, standing in front of Shelby and Lauren, having a conversation. Shit, here we go, Harper thought.

“Here’s your beer,” Harper said when she was close enough to Leah.

“Thank you, Harper. Shelby and Lauren have been telling me all about you,” Leah said, smiling seductively, “Come sit with me.”

Leah looped her arm around Harper’s, dragging her to the loveseat across from Lauren and Shelby. This put Harper eye to eye with Lauren. Shelby had her arm around Lauren’s shoulders. She appeared to be very attentive and madly in love with Lauren. Leah scooted right up next to Harper and put her hand casually on Harper’s thigh.

“These two tell me you’re smart, artistically gifted, an exceptional athlete and I say you’re damn good looking. Why aren’t you taken?”

Harper thought carefully before she answered, “I guess I haven’t found the right one yet.”

Shelby chimed in, “What qualities are you looking for in this elusive ‘one’.”

Harper was really not comfortable with this conversation. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll find out when it happens.”

Lauren finally said something, “Ignore them Harper. They want to know, so they can set you up.”

Leah jumped in, “I don’t want to set her up. I might want her for myself.” Leah squeezed Harper’s thigh and giggled.

Harper turned up her bottle and finished off her beer. She stood up. “I need a beer. Can I get anyone anything?”

Leah looked down at her half full beer mystified. She moved her head slowly back and forth indicating she didn’t need one. Shelby and Lauren didn’t need anything either. Harper was glad. She wanted away from Leah, in the worst way. Not to mention how excruciating it was sitting across from Lauren, watching Shelby try to make her happy.

Harper wandered to the coolers, then stopped to watch the ongoing pool game. She was in no hurry to find Leah again. A very handsome young man, about Harper’s age, approached her.

“Hi, my name is Steven. I work with Sandy.”

Harper smiled at him. He was tall and dark, with crystal blue eyes, a gorgeous man.

“My name is Harper. I play on Abby’s softball team.”

“I thought you were one of her grad students or something,” Steven said, smiling at Harper with perfect teeth.

“Well, actually I am a grad student. I’m working on my doctorate in Bio-Med.” Harper was enjoying the attention.

Steven stepped a little closer, “Wow! Smart and pretty too, your Daddy must be proud.”

Harper covered up the stab in her heart, “I’m sure he is.”

“I hope you don’t mind talking to a lowly BA in computer science,” Steven flirted.

Harper gave him her standard answer when people made a fuss over her doctorate studies, but she was laughing when she said it, “It doesn’t mean that I’m smarter than you. It just means I’ve been to school longer.”

Steven was coming on to her with body language and eye contact. Harper found him charming, in a frat boy kind of way. She responded to his advances in turn. At least, it was putting Lauren in the back of her mind; instead of smack dap in her face.

“I like your accent. Where are you from, Harper?”

“I was born and bred in Antlers, Oklahoma, USA,” Harper said proudly.

“They shoot pool out in Antlers, Oklahoma?” Steven asked teasingly.

“They sure do.”

Steven was now standing right beside her, almost touching her. She could smell his cologne. He not only looked good enough to eat, he smelled that way, too.

“I have next game and I would sure appreciate it if you would be my partner against those two over there.” He pointed at a young couple on the other side of the pool table.

Harper accepted the offer, “I’d be happy to be your partner.”

Harper spent the next forty-five minutes completely focused on pool. She was able to relax and laugh with Steven and the other couple. Harper was no pool shark, but she could hold her own. Steven and Harper won two out of three. Relinquishing the table, the four of them found a place to sit together. Harper drank a few beers with them and really enjoyed the company. Steven was witty and charming. Even though she was having fun, her brain was saying, this guy is too perfect. There has to be something wrong with him. She’d have to ask Abby.

Harper excused herself to the restroom. She had been sitting with her back turned to Lauren. She didn’t see Lauren or Shelby, when she passed the couch where they had been sitting. Maybe they were gone. Good, she could relax and enjoy the rest of the evening. If she could get the images of Shelby making love to Lauren, out of her mind.

There was a line at the lady’s’ room, as usual. Harper had to wait in a small hallway, for someone to leave the restroom. She was next in line to enter when Shelby and Lauren came out the door together.

Lauren smirked at Harper, “Well, if it isn’t Harper Lynch, the new switch hitting phenomenon.”

Lauren said it with just enough venom to attract Shelby’s attention. She looked back and forth between Harper and Lauren, whose faces were inches away from each other in the cramped hallway. Harper was a few beers past caring what Shelby thought.

“Well, if it isn’t Lauren and Shelby, the perfect couple.” Harper smiled to cover the spite, but it hit home with a bullet.

Lauren tore down the hall, with Shelby hot on her tail. Abby appeared at just that moment. She looked at Harper and then at the retreating couple.

“Shit, Harper. What did you do?”

The drunken woman behind Harper said, “I don’t think she did anything. She just said they were the perfect couple.” The woman screwed up her face in confusion, “Are they gay?”

Abby grabbed Harper by the arm and drug her back down the hallway, “I need to talk to you.”

“But I have to pee.”

“You can pee in my bathroom,” Abby said, still moving with a purpose through the partiers, with Harper in tow.

Abby whisked Harper out of the pool house and into the main house. Abby took Harper to her master bedroom and pointed out the bathroom. Harper nearly wet her pants, before she could get them down and sit on the toilet. Abby followed her and sat down on the edge of the bathtub, big enough for two people. Harper peed like a racehorse, for God knows how long. She finally took a deep breath and let out a sigh.

“Feel better?” Abby asked.

“Oh God, yes!” Harper exclaimed. She made no move to stand up.

“Harper what in the hell just happened in there?” Abby asked quietly-

The pleasure of the moment was passing and reality was zooming right back into focus. The memory of what just transpired in that little hallway replayed itself, in Harper’s mind. She cocked her head at Abby, who was sitting on her left.

“You know Abby; I’m not really sure what happened.”

“You must have done something. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lauren so angry. And Shelby looked like a deer in the headlights.”

Abby stood up and began to pace the bathroom floor. Harper finished her business and walked to the sink to wash her hands.

“Look, Lauren asked me to leave her alone, so she could work things out with Shelby and that is exactly what I have been trying to do.” Harper was getting defensive.

Abby stopped pacing and looked at Harper through the mirror on the wall. “Just tell me exactly what happened. I’m not judging you.”

Harper told Abby exactly what was said, who said it and even mimicked the way it was said perfectly. Abby’s mouth dropped open.

Harper said, just like a child in school, “Well, she started it.”

Abby started pacing again. She was in deep thought when Julie entered the room. She was followed quickly by B.J, Ellen, Becky and Alicia. Jesus, did someone sound the intruder alert. Harper was surrounded. She was the new girl and this was going to be a beat down, she was sure of it. It was quiet for a second then they all started talking at once, except Abby who kept pacing.

“What in the fuck is going on?” Julie asked, above the fray.

Ellen stepped forward, “Lauren and Shelby just tore out of here like bats out of hell.”

Becky added, “Lauren didn’t wait for Shelby. I could hear her calling Lauren’s name all the way down the driveway.”

“Shit you guys, this is going to be some serious drama.” Alicia added to the discussion.

“I heard that drunk broad from Sandy’s office say something about them being told they were a perfect couple. She was asking everybody if they were gay.”

Julie was the first to zero in on Harper, “What did you do?”

Everyone stopped talking at once. All the heads in the room turned to look at Harper. Harper was getting her back up. After all, she had done just what Lauren asked, ignored her.

“I haven’t done a fucking thing. You need to ask your friend Lauren what’s going on,” Harper’s growing anger was evident in her delivery.

Again they all started talking at once. Harper stood there trying to figure out how she was going to get passed these women and escape the bathroom. She was pretty sure she could take them all except for Alicia and Becky. Especially Becky, she just might have a boot knife.

Abby finally raised her hand in the air, “Ladies, Ladies!”

The room became silent.

Abby began, “Ladies, this has nothing to do with Harper. We’ve all seen this coming for a long time. What we have to do now is prepare for the divorce.”

B.J. gasped, “Oh God, no!”

Julie glared at Harper, even though Abby said it had nothing to do with her.

Abby continued, “What we have to do is struggle against taking sides. We have to be supportive, but above all, not take sides.”

Ellen spoke up, “We’ve been through divorces before, Julie’s on her third one now.”

“Yeah, but this is two of us, not a man to blame in sight,” Alicia reminded Ellen.

Harper felt like she was in an episode of The L Word, everybody up in everybody’s business. At least, they were not all focused on Harper. Harper understood their dilemma. Anytime she had been on a team or in a group of just women, a lesbian couple break-up involved a fight over the friends. She had seen it tear teams apart. Even straight friends did it when their friends split up. It was so hard to resist taking sides. Harper didn’t have to worry about taking sides, because she was right smack dab in the middle of this one.

Abby decided they should all go back to the party. They would have to wait to see what happened next. As a group they promised not to take sides, even though it was obvious to Harper, Julie blamed her. They all left except Abby and Harper.

Harper had to ask, “So what’s the story on Steven.”

“You mean ‘pretty boy.’ Oh, he’s so far in the closet, he can’t see the door. Sandy caught him bare backing with one of the construction workers.”

“I knew he was too pretty.”

Chapter Eleven

The day broke on a beautiful, clear, Carolina blue sky. Jasper rose with the chickens as usual. Harper determined to get that dog door installed, as soon as possible, while she stumbled down the stairs to let him out. After she let him out, she went to the kitchen for ibuprofen and a bottle of water. She left the door open and went back to bed. Harper was definitely not ready for her day to begin. She had gotten in bed about two a. m., just four hours ago. She needed sleep.

At ten, Jasper decided Harper had slept long enough. He pawed and whined at her until she got up. Deciding a jog might help, she dressed, descended the stairs, ate a power bar, drank another bottle of water and went out the door with Jasper, who was ready to run. Running was out of the question. All Harper thought she could manage was a light jog.

She had been drinking quite a bit more than she usually did and it was taking its toll. Harper really needed to find a different way to deal with Lauren. She couldn’t stay drunk, until Lauren got her shit together. She’d be an alcoholic, in no time. No, drinking was definitely not the answer.

As she jogged she thought about last night. She wondered what happened when Shelby finally caught up with Lauren, after she stormed out. Was Abby right? Was this the end of the perfect couple? What did all this mean to Harper? She’d probably find out at practice this afternoon.

After the jog, which was much too short for Jasper, she threw his tennis ball until he was exhausted. She ate a quick lunch of soup and a turkey sandwich. Harper wasn’t sure what was going down at practice today, so she decided to leave Jasper at home. He was very disappointed, and pouted, at the door, when she left.

At one thirty, Harper pulled into the parking lot, at the field. She did not see Lauren’s Tahoe or Shelby’s Lexus. All the other players were on the field huddled in a full-blown gossip session. Harper was pretty sure she knew the subject at hand. They quieted when Harper walked up.

Abby was the first to speak, “How are you, today?”

“Fine, I think,” Harper said truthfully, because she really wasn’t sure how this drama was going to play out.

Dee poked Chita and pointed toward the parking lot. Shelby’s car was pulling to a stop right beside Harper’s Hummer. Shelby got out alone. She slowly made her way toward the group. Harper actually felt sorry for her. It was like watching the fox run directly into the hounds. Shelby looked worn and tired with large dark circles under her puffy eyes. She’d been through hell. There was no hiding it.

Abby met Shelby and hugged her, because she looked like she needed one. Shelby forced a smile and faced the silent women in front of her.

“So I don’t have to talk about this, I am going to say what I have to say and I would greatly appreciate it, if we did not discuss it any further,” Shelby said, with a heartfelt plea.

The team all nodded in unison, agreeing to Shelby’s request, at least until she was out of earshot.

Shelby took a deep breath and continued, “Lauren has moved into her studio in Durham. She will not be here today and I’m not sure when she’s coming back. We are separating, for the time being. That’s all. Now can we just play ball.”

Harper had seen this coming. The way Lauren had the studio set up; it was obvious she was planning this for a while. It had been just a matter of time. Shelby should have seen that. Their relationship was in trouble, long before Harper came into the picture. She told herself she had nothing to do with this breakup. Whether she believed that or not was the question.

Jane honored Shelby’s request by starting practice immediately. Harper never had to speak to Shelby; she never was close enough to have to. The way Shelby threw the ball to Harper during infield, said all she had to say. Harper thought about burning it back to her, but restrained herself. She felt bad for Shelby. She looked so broken. Shelby’s world was crashing down around her. Harper guessed she came to practice so she didn’t have to watch Lauren move out.

On the other hand, Harper couldn’t help thinking about what this break-up meant to her personally. What would happen next? Harper knew Lauren was angry with her, considering their brief exchange before Lauren stormed out. Above all, she hoped Lauren did not tell Shelby about her feelings for Harper. That would definitely make a bad situation worse. Harper still had to go work in the same department, in the same building, with Shelby.

Practice went well and Harper thanked the Lord there was no drama, as she walked to the Hummer. Harper thought she might actually make it out of there without having to talk to Shelby, but it wasn’t to be. Just as she hit the remote to unlock the doors, she heard Shelby call her name. The rest of the team, in the process of getting in their cars, all stopped to see what was about to happen. Abby put an end to that when she told them all to go home.

Harper opened the back door and put her bat bag in the seat. She closed the door and leaned back on it, waiting for Shelby to have her say. Harper had known this was going to happen sooner or later, so she might as well take it now and get it over with. Shelby rounded the front of her car, coming to stand just a few feet away from Harper.

Shelby cleared her throat, looking down at the ground, “Harper I don’t know what went on between you and Lauren. She says nothing happened. I’d be a fool to believe that, after the little scene you two had last night.”

Harper backed Lauren’s story, “Lauren’s right, nothing happened.”

“I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. I hoped it was just a crush that would pass.”

“Look, Shelby, I won’t deny that I am attracted to Lauren. I’m sure I’m not the first person ever to feel that way, during your relationship. My God, she’s beautiful.”

Shelby looked at Harper, “You’re the first one that ever scared me.”

Harper didn’t know what Shelby wanted from her. She wanted this conversation to end in the worse way.

“Shelby, I have not and will not interfere with your relationship with Lauren. I’m sure, if you really think about this, you’ll know your problems started a long time ago. She’s known me less than a week and she was leaving you, way before I came into the picture.”

Anger flashed across Shelby’s face, “What makes you say that?”

“I listened to her, something you might try,” Harper snapped back.

“Don’t patronize me,” Shelby said, now with an edge to her voice, “I’m not someone you want to play games with.”

“Then what do you want from me?” Harper was becoming equally defensive.

Shelby stepped just a little closer to Harper. At least six feet tall, she was one of the few women Harper had to look up to. Shelby’s eyes were dark brown, almost black. That made them even more intimidating, when she locked eyes with Harper.

“Stay away from Lauren. Let her have this time alone to clear her head. Give us time to fix this relationship. You’re just here for the ride, I’m here for the long run. Don’t fuck this up,” Shelby finished pointedly.

There were so many things Harper wanted to say, but all she said was, “I will not contact Lauren, but I need you to know something.” Harper stretched up as tall as she could, while she thought carefully about what she said next.

She glared back at Shelby with a wicked grin on her face. “When Lauren at last breaks free of you, and you can be sure it will not be because of anything I’ve done, I won’t turn her away when comes to me, in the end.”

Shelby’s unrelenting glare was matched by Harper’s. Her nostrils flared with anger, but Shelby gathered herself and said, “Just stay away from her. I hope I’ve made myself clear.”

Harper didn’t like being talked to like a child, but she also did not want to piss Shelby off, anymore than she already was. She managed to say, without too much sarcasm, “Crystal.”

The two women continued to glare at each other for a minute, before Shelby brushed past her, got in the Lexus and left Harper standing in the parking lot.

Harper got in the driver’s seat and slammed the door, “Shit, I need a beer.”

She threw the Hummer in reverse and squealed out of her parking space. By the time Harper reached the Tarr Barr, she had calmed down considerably. She whipped into the parking lot and almost hit the white Tahoe barreling out the other way. The two vehicles came to a stop inches away from each other. Behind the wheel of the Tahoe, Lauren stared back at Harper.

At first, Harper was so surprised to see her there that she didn’t recognize Lauren under the baseball cap and sunglasses. Harper’s heart leapt to her throat. She had just told Shelby she wouldn’t see Lauren, but now here she was face to face with her. The Tahoe slowly rolled back so Harper could get the rear end of the Hummer out of the road. Once Harper was safely in the parking lot, she pulled up beside the Tahoe, so that their driver’s side windows were facing each other.

Lauren stared straight ahead, but she didn’t leave. Finally she turned to look at Harper. Neither of them rolled their windows down. They stayed like that, just staring. Harper wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but it felt like forever. She couldn’t read the expression on Lauren’s face. She was thinking either, “I hate you, look what you made me do,” or “What in the world am I going to do about you?” Harper wasn’t going to find out which, because Lauren put her vehicle in drive and pulled away.

Okay, round one was over. Harper parked and entered the crowed bar. Evidently, Sunday supper at the Tarr Barr, was a local tradition. She found a stool, at the bar, and ordered a Brightleaf and an order of fries. She wasn’t really hungry, her stomach was tied in knots, but she had to eat if she was drinking. Harper had just taken her first sip of cold beer when an arm appeared around her shoulder. It was Abby.

“Don’t feel like hanging with the girls right now?” Abby said when Harper turned around.

Harper was so lost in thoughts of Lauren, in the parking lot that she had not looked around for any of her teammate’s cars.

“To tell you the truth, Abs, I hadn’t even thought about it. I’m a little pre-occupied.”

“I presume you saw Lauren,” Abby said in a way of understanding.

“Oh yeah, I almost ran over her, but I didn’t talk to her. She just drove away.” Harper took another sip of beer.

“She came by to talk to Jane about playing on the team. She wanted us to know if we needed to replace her, she would understand. Of course we said no, but then she and Julie got into it a tiny bit and she left a little angry,” Abby said, while at the same time signaling the bartender for a refill of her mug.

“What did Julie say to her?” Harper could only imagine.

“Well, you will come to find out, if you haven’t already, that Julie basically says what she’s thinking. She and B.J. have been my best friends since second grade, so I’m used to it. Sometimes it’s even refreshing to have someone around who just says it like it is, but even I think she crossed the line this time. The rest of the girls are in the back giving her hell right now.”

Harper turned on the bar stool, so she was facing Abby, “Jesus Christ, what did she say?”

Abby wrinkled up her face, like she didn’t really want to say, but she gave in, “She said, ‘When you get done fucking Harper, do you expect Shelby will still be waiting for you?”

“Fuck!” Harper said, a little too loudly, drawing attention from a few other patrons. Then another thought occurred to Harper, “Is Shelby back there?”

“No, thank God,” Abby said, accepting her beer from the bartender.

“Why would she say that? That was just mean,” Harper visualized the whole event in her mind. No wonder Lauren didn’t speak to her.

“Julie is a bitch. You either love her or hate her, there is no gray area,” Abby explained.

“I know she’s your friend, but I’m leaning toward the hate side right this minute.”

Abby laughed, “I’m used to it.”

Harper’s fries arrived and she ordered another beer. She and Abby moved to a small table near the entrance.

“So, how did it go with Shelby? I don’t see any obvious injuries,” Abby snickered.

“She told me to leave Lauren alone, give them a chance to work it out.” Harper nibbled on the French fries. Her stomach rolled.

Abby leaned in closer, “Well, what are you going to do?”

“I told her I wouldn’t interfere, that I would stay away from Lauren,” Harper said matter-of-factly.

Abby was skeptical, “Just like that. You’re walking away.”

Harper hesitated to tell Abby the whole truth of what she had said, but she figured Shelby would tell her anyway, “Well, I did add that I wouldn’t turn Lauren away, if she came to me in the end.”

Abby sat back, “And how did Shelby take that.”

“Fairly well, I thought,” Harper grinned, “She didn’t get violent or anything.”

“No, she wouldn’t do that, but I wouldn’t fuck with her. You do have to work in her department.”

Harper threw a fry back down on the plate and pushed it away, “Believe me that is a fact that I am very aware of.”

Abby laughed, “So, Harper, how do you like Chapman’s Mill so far?”

Harper nearly spit the beer she had just put in her mouth, across the table. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and laughed along with Abby.

When the laughing subsided, Abby turned serious again, “Harper, do you really think you could turn Lauren away, if she came to you right now, before they’ve had a chance to salvage their relationship. I’ve seen you two together. You’re like magnets. You’re bound to come together sooner or later.”

Harper thought about it for a minute then she said, “Abby, I might only be twenty-three years old, but I’ve had to grow up fast. I see exactly what’s going on here. Shelby left Lauren alone too much. Lauren got lonely and bored, then angry and resentful. Thinking I had anything to do with this breakup is attacking a symptom, not the disease. Do you agree?”

Abby nodded, “Yes, I agree, but you didn’t answer my question.”

Harper waved her hand, “I’m getting to it. Looking at this objectively, which you can appreciate, being a former fifth grade science teacher.”

Abby looked surprised that Harper knew so much about her.

“Lauren told me. Anyway, objectively, Lauren went from home, to the sorority house, to an apartment and roommates and then straight to Shelby. She’s never had to be on her own. She’s never had to live without considering someone else’s expectations or needs. She needs to be on her own. Find out what she wants, what she needs.”

“That’s a very astute observation. You are wise beyond your years.” Abby toasted Harper and took a drink.

“She’ll either find her own path or run back to Shelby, for shelter,” Harper continued. “But if Lauren winds up standing on her own two feet and it’s really over with Shelby, and she is still interested in me, then, well anything can happen. Until then, I’d be a fool to get in the middle of this.”

Abby smiled, “That’s very rational, but I’ve known some really rational people do some really fucked up things.”

Harper held her mug up in a toast, “Here’s to not fucking up.”

Chapter Twelve

The next week crawled by so slowly. It rained most of the week and when it wasn’t raining it was too wet and cold to do anything outside. Harper worked on finishing up the guest bedroom. She found the perfect dresser and mirror, to go with the old four-poster bed, at a thrift store. She had her grandmother’s quilt trunk, full of quilts, which she placed at the foot of the bed. Now all she needed was a set of mattresses.

The only furniture store she had visited was the one Lauren had taken her to. She found the address on her invoice. Harper didn’t want to buy a mattress over the phone or internet, without at least sitting on it first, so on Wednesday she drove over to Durham. Lauren’s warehouse was nowhere near Lakeview Galleries so she didn’t expect to see her, but she looked in every white SUV she passed.

This being rational was agonizing. Lauren was constantly on her mind, no matter how hard she tried not to think about her. Tuesday night she lost her mind and sent a text to Lauren, “I’m sorry.” When she didn’t hear back from Lauren she was relieved, well sort of relieved.

Harper was relieved that she didn’t have to explain what she was sorry for, because she wasn’t sure. Was she sorry Lauren and Shelby were separated? Was she sorry for what she said outside the bathroom? Was she sorry for what Lauren was going through? On the other hand, the part of her, which was becoming all of her, that craved Lauren like nothing she had ever felt in her life, wanted Lauren to know she was thinking of her. Bad girl!

The furniture shopping was not nearly as much fun, without Lauren. She quickly settled on a pillow top and scheduled delivery. She didn’t look around the store, because it reminded her of Lauren. She drove out of Durham feeling lonely. Harper had been alone more than most people her age. Loneliness was not something she felt often, after the first year. She filled her life with activity, friends, and an occasional love interest. Today she was lonely and the weather did not help, it sucked.

The phone in the car rang. It was Abby. She wanted to know if Harper wanted to come over for dinner. Harper was lonely, but she didn’t want to be around other people. She made an excuse, but promised to come over Saturday, after practice. All the way home she couldn’t help but look for white SUV’s. Once she thought it might be her, but it turned out to be someone who looked like Laurel Holloman from The L Word, she used to live in Chapman’s Mill, after all. Harper ended up at home with Jasper on the couch watching “The L Word” DVD’s till she fell asleep.

On Thursday the mattresses were delivered and that was the highlight of the day. The rest of the week wasn’t much better and when it was still raining on Saturday morning Harper rolled over in bed and moaned. She hated being cooped up, in the house. There would be no softball today she was sure. She sulked around the house all morning cleaning and doing laundry. When Jane called saying they’d have to try again tomorrow, she collapsed on the couch in udder disappointment. Jasper even had the blues.

When the phone rang again she picked it up absent mindedly, “Hello.”

There was silence on the other end, only the soft sound of someone taking a breath, as if they were about to say something, then the call ended. Harper checked the calls received list. It was Lauren’s number. She thought about calling back, but decided not to. Lauren obviously didn’t know what to say. Harper sat there looking at the phone so long she jumped when it rang again. She checked the I.D. this time. It was Abby.

“Hey, Abby,” she said, sounding a little disappointed evidently.

“Geeze, you sound disappointed. Expecting somebody else,” Abby said, through the phone.

Harper walked into the kitchen for a bottle of water, “No, I’m just so damn tired of being cooped up in this house. I can’t wait to start work Monday.”

“Well, get out of the house. Come over tonight.”

“Is Lauren going to be there?” Harper asked cautiously.

“No, she isn’t coming and Shelby said she probably wouldn’t either, so I think the coast is clear.”

“Is Julie going to glare at me all night?” Harper said, back on the couch.

“Probably, but don’t let her scare you, Harper. If she gets too bad, just tell her off again. She secretly loves that. She likes you, because you don’t let her intimidate you, but don’t tell her I told you,” Abby added quickly.

Harper laughed and because she would go crazy if she didn’t get out of the house, she agreed to come over about eight o’clock and thanked Abby for inviting her. She called to see if Max would be available tonight and when he was, she scheduled her pick up. It warmed up and stopped raining that afternoon, so she took Jasper and herself for a much-needed run. She had been working out on the weight machine like a fiend all week, but nothing felt as good as a run.

That night she dressed in jeans, tee shirt and her favorite blue denim shirt with the cowboy snap pearl buttons. It was old and worn out, but it was one of the pieces of comfort clothing she hung on to; it had been her mother’s.

Max arrived on time and tried to bring up Lauren again, but Harper ignored him. She changed the subject to Tar Heel basketball and he quickly forgot about her. He rambled on about the young team and how good they were going to be next year the whole way to Abby’s house.

Harper recognized several cars in the driveway and knew most of her teammates were here. She found them in the corner of the pool house. Alicia, Becky, Ellen, B.J., Julie, Shy Lynn, and even Dee and Chita were sitting with Abby. Everyone seemed happy to see her, except of course Julie who glared just like Harper knew she would. The room was less crowded with people this evening. Harper discovered later, with the exception of the team and their husbands, most of the partygoers were Sandy’s friends.

Harper thought she’d break the ice, “This isn’t an intervention is it?”

That cracked the women up and set the mood for the evening. For the first time nobody asked Harper questions about her past or tried to fix her up with someone. She was just one of the girls, swapping stories and bullshitting the night away.

Harper actually relaxed and only thought of Lauren when the conversations lulled. She and Becky took on Dee and Chita at pool. Becky was a very good pool player. While they played, Becky told Harper she had been in love with Ellen for years. She saw other women, but she was just waiting Ellen out. She figured Ellen would give in eventually.

When no one else could hear, Becky, said, “Don’t let Lauren get away, if you think she’s the one. The way she was looking at you, when you sang that Sugarland song, she never looked at Shelby like that. Lauren has fallen for you. She’s just scared to admit it.”

Harper didn’t say anything. She just swallowed hard and excused herself to the bathroom. Becky had said what Harper had been thinking all along. She had fallen for Lauren too, but Harper was scared to admit it, as well. It seemed to Harper, everyone failed to see that she had as much to lose as Lauren and Shelby.

Harper did not let herself be loved very often and she tried not to love anyone, too much. It could all go away so fast. It took her forever to get a dog, because she knew it would die before she did. Jasper was a real commitment for her. The fact that she might have fallen in love with Lauren frightened the shit out of her. Harper felt like she had one chance to get this right. Make the wrong move and it could all end in disaster.

When she got back from the bathroom most of Sandy’s friends were gone. Soon the husbands retired to the TV, in the main house, leaving the women on their own. Dee and Chita pulled a cooler over to the corner, so the beer would be closer. Harper laughed and joked and probably talked more than she ever had, in front of this group of women. Somebody pulled out a joint, which got passed around the circle. Harper didn’t usually smoke pot, but an occasional buzz never hurt anyone, she thought. The pot animated the group even more. Even Julie started smiling.

Harper was in the middle of telling how she had stood in line, as a kid, to get Pat Summitt’s autograph, at one of the coaches many Final Four appearances. Just when she was to get her poster autographed Pat stood up. Harper was so into the story she stood up to act it out.

“There I was about three feet tall and Pat Summitt, my idol, unfolded herself right in front of me. I stood there staring up, at what looked like this giant woman. She sat back down and asked me my name. My mom had to tell her because my mouth was still hanging open and I was unable to move or speak.”

Her teammates, who had been laughing, looked passed Harper to the door behind her. Harper heard the door close and was afraid to turn around. If the look on Chita’s face was any indication, this couldn’t be good.

“That’s a charming story, from such a charming young lady,” Shelby said, with a hint of bourbon in her lilt.

Harper sat down without turning around, her back to Shelby.

“Now, now, don’t be so shy. Please continue enthralling my friends with the tales of the amazing and talented, Harper Lynch.”

Harper stared straight ahead. She could see Shelby’s reflection, in the windows in front of her, holding a bourbon glass in her hand and getting closer, finally rounding the end of the loveseat to stand right beside her. Shelby put her hand on Harper’s shoulder.

“Tell me Harper, since you’re so intelligent, and you are,” Shelby leaned down and whispered loudly, bourbon definitely on her breath, “I looked in your personal file. Shh, don’t report me.” Shelby straightened back up and weaved a little. “It seems you were one of the most sought after research candidates, in the country. Her idea is exceptional, by the way. Why pray tell did you decide to come to our fair city?”

The devil crawled onto Harper’s shoulder and whispered the answer in her ear, which Harper immediately repeated, “Because I couldn’t get into Duke.”

This brought snickers from some of the women in the room. It brought the glare back to Julie’s face. Shelby wasn’t finished.

“Orphaned at sixteen, graduated early, full ride scholarship and more accolades than I can remember for athletics and academia. Did you know she graduated top of her class in undergrad and graduate school, which she finished in record time, and now she is in search of her doctorate, at our prestigious research facility. Lauren was right. You are a phenom...me…non,” she stumbled over the word, but kept going, “I’ll have to be sure to be on your doctoral committee, so I can say I knew you when.”

At that, Abby stood up, “Come on Shelby, let’s go get some coffee.”

Shelby was having none of it. She continued to provoke Harper. “Speaking of Lauren, have you seen her? She’s doing quite well, actually. She loves living in her studio warehouse. You know I don’t even think she misses me.”

Shelby laughed, but no one else thought it was funny. Her hand remained on Harper’s shoulder, steadying herself. Harper could feel Shelby weaving, as her fingers dug into her shoulder. Things were flying through Harper’s mind so fast she couldn’t keep up. She would have to move, she would have to find another research program, because Shelby was going to make Harper’s life hell, if she stayed.

“Come on Harper, sing us a song. My wife, I mean my ex-wife, said you were, now what were her exact words, ‘fucking incredible,’ I think it was.”

Abby moved toward Shelby. Shelby put her hand up to stop her.

“No, I want to see this modern day Renaissance man, or woman should I say, perform. Maybe I’ll want to get in line to fuck her, too.”

Harper stood up too quickly. She unbalanced the already teetering Shelby and she toppled over, bourbon glass still intact. Abby and Dee rushed to Shelby and finally successfully stood her back up. They stayed under her armpits to keep her upright. The couch emptied and Shelby was laid out, her bourbon glass finally removed from her hand.

She started to say something else, but burst into tears and agonizing moans. It was tragic to watch. It was too much for Harper. She grabbed her coat and headed for the door. Shelby was being attended to by B.J. and Ellen. The more they tried to comfort her the louder her wails got. Abby stopped Harper, just outside the door.

“Harper, I’m so sorry. I know you don’t want to be caught in the middle of this.” Abby hugged Harper, “Maybe it will be dry enough to practice tomorrow. I’ll see you then okay.”

“Yeah, maybe,” Harper wasn’t talking about the rain.

She called Max from the driveway. She didn’t want to wait in the house. Harper heard someone coming out the front door, behind her. It was Chita and Dee.

Chita was the first to speak, “Yo, Harper. Man that was some fucked up shit. You alright?”

Dee added, “Shit man, I don’t know if I could have sat there and taken that bullshit. I mighta had to pop her one.”

Harper said quietly, “She doesn’t deserve that. Her heart is broken. She doesn’t know what she’s doing.”

Dee wouldn’t let up, “I don’t know man. She was harsh. Do you think she’s really going to fuck up your school shit?”

“I don’t know,” and Harper really didn’t

“Well, you’re good people Harper. Don’t worry about it. She probably won’t remember any of this anyway,” Chita said, trying to make Harper feel better.

Dee was unsympathetic, “If Shelby had taken care of her shit at home, she wouldn’t be in this mess. Damn if I would’ve left a fox like Lauren alone, as much as she did. If you ask me, Shelby’s got nobody to blame but herself, for this. She’s the one that fucked it up. You’re just the one who reaped the benefits.”

Harper flashed angry, “I am not fucking Lauren! Nothing happened between us, nothing.”

Chita chastised Dee, “Shut up man… you never know when to shut up, do you?”

Dee dropped her chin to her chest like a scolded child, “I’m sorry.”

Harper calmed down, “It’s okay. I’m just a little uptight right now, I hope you understand.”

Max’s headlights flashed into the driveway. Harper had never been so happy to see a taxi in her life.

“See you tomorrow, at practice,” Harper said, getting into the taxi.

She shut the door and laid her head back in seat. She sighed so deeply, Max turned around.

“You okay, Miss Lynch?” He sounded genuinely concerned.

“No Max, my life is one big fucked up mess and I don’t know how it happened,” Harper said, not raising her head.

Max tried to cheer her, “Oh no, you’re young and beautiful. What could be so wrong?”

Harper covered her face with her hands, “Everything. Everything is fucked up.”

Max gave up and put the car in gear. He didn’t ask where she wanted to go. He just took her home.

Chapter Thirteen

Harper didn’t go to practice on Sunday, even though the sun was shining for the first time in a week. She called Jane with the excuse that she needed to go see her grandmother. She didn’t really. She had planned to go down and take Grandma to her old church next Sunday, because it was Homecoming. Instead, she and Jasper went for a drive. They drove south out of the county and let the winding roads just take them away. Away from Chapman’s Mill and the mess Harper found herself in.

Four hours later, they ended up at Caswell Beach on the coast. She took Jasper out to see the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. The water was cold, but it didn’t bother Jasper. He played and splashed, biting at the waves, for hours. He and Harper combed the beach for shells and found a few worthy of taking home. Even though she was thoroughly enjoying Jasper’s antics, her problems back in Chapman’s Mill were never far from her mind.

Harper was fucked any way she looked at it. If Shelby got it in her head that Harper was the cause of all her problems, she could make big trouble. There wouldn’t be anything right about it, but Harper would get fucked just the same. She’d seen it happen before. If a dean or professor decided to railroad you, you were done. Harper had worked so hard to get this research grant through this facility and it was about to all go up in smoke. If Shelby decided to blackball Harper, no university would touch her.

The real bitch was that she had done the right thing. She hadn’t taken advantage of Lauren when she was drunk, which would have been so easy, but so wrong. Harper had been the southern gentleman, for lack of a better term. She hadn’t tried to see Lauren. She had only sent that one text message. What in the hell had set Shelby off? That was the real question. What had gone on this past week between Shelby and Lauren? How could Harper know? She had stayed away like Shelby asked.

When the sun started going down it began to get colder. Harper decided it was time to leave at four o’clock. They stopped for burgers and then Harper let the navigation system take them back to Kerrville. It only took a little more than three hours to get back. It was eight o’clock when Harper finally sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. A few minutes later, there was a knock on her front door.

Harper couldn’t imagine who it could be, but she feared the worst and her fears were answered. There on the other side of the beveled glass stood Shelby. Harper thought for a second about not letting her in, but opened the door anyway.

“I’m sorry to bother you, but I think we need to talk and I didn’t want to do it over the phone,” Shelby, said when the door opened.

Harper stepped aside, “Come in.”

When they were seated in the great room, Shelby began, “Harper, I am truly sorry for my behavior last night. I’ve been told I was extremely rude to you, although I don’t remember much. That’s not an excuse, just a fact. I was mortified when I woke up and found out what I had done.”

She waited for Harper to say something, but getting no response, she continued, “We have to work together or at least in the same department. I just wanted to assure you that I will be completely professional when it comes to our interactions.”

It was Harper’s turn again to speak and this time she did, “Shelby, I have done exactly as you asked. I stayed away from Lauren.”

“I know, she told me,” Shelby said sheepishly.

“Then what was all that about?” Harper asked, even though she knew Shelby had no answer.

“I should never drink hard liquor when something is bothering me,” was the only thing Shelby could come up with.

Harper had to agree, if last night was any indication of what happened, when she did. She kept that to herself though and simply said, “No, that’s never a good thing.”

They had run out of things to say to each other. Shelby looked around at all the new furniture. It wasn’t there the last time she was here. Harper watched as Shelby’s eye traveled around the great room.

“The new furniture is so beautiful. You have great taste,” she focused on Harper again. “I hope you will accept my apology. I truly am sorry.”

“I’m sorry, too,” Harper said.

“What are you sorry for? From what I heard, you handled the whole thing much better than I would have, in the same situation.”

Harper answered her truthfully, “I’m sorry you have to go through this. I can’t imagine how much pain you’re in. Believe me when I say I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.”

“No, I don’t think you would. You’re a good person Harper. I wish we had met under different circumstances.”

Harper stood up, “Yeah, I do too.” She started for the door.

They had said all that needed to be said. Shelby followed Harper to the door. At the door, the two women said their goodbyes through forced smiles. Harper stood at the door watching Shelby drive away.

“Jasper, this shit just keeps getting more and more bazaar.”

Harper went to bed at nine o’clock. She wanted to be fresh tomorrow for her first day of work. She had almost nodded off, when the cell phone rang on the bedside table. She picked it up and checked the caller I.D. It was Lauren.

She answered, “Hello.”

Nothing, but soft breathing came through the earpiece. Harper sat there, listening. She said nothing and neither did Lauren.

After a moment, Harper said very softly, “Goodnight, Lauren.”

Lauren hung up. Harper lay there in the bed, staring at the ceiling. Part of her so desperately wanted to call Lauren back and beg her to come over; the other part knew Lauren wasn’t ready. She’d only been on her own a week. She was probably just lonely. Harper closed her eyes and relived the kiss, in the kitchen. It only made the aching worse. She snuggled up to Jasper and tried to sleep.

Sometime later, sleep caught up with her. She dreamed all night of Lauren, Lauren running on the beach, Lauren painting in the studio, Lauren flirting, laughing, and teasing. Lauren made love to Harper, while Harper explored Lauren’s body. She woke tired and unsettled. Her dreams haunted her through breakfast, getting dressed, driving to work. It wasn’t until she was with her research team and focused on testing the athletes, that her dreams began to fade away.

A new material was developed for military and police protection several years ago. It was a liquid that became a solid when you tried to puncture it, then relaxed back into a liquid. Harper was studying the use of this material in knee braces, to protect the athlete from injury. They now had to test hundreds of subjects to get the design correctly formulated. Harper’s whole dissertation was based on the studies she would be conducting. Her class work had been done mostly at Midwestern, so she didn’t have to attend as many classes, as other doctorial students, giving her time to complete her research.

Harper called Sandy on Monday, after she came home to desperate Jasper, about to burst his bladder. Harper left a key on the back deck and Sandy came over with one of his workers, after Harper went to work on Tuesday. She came home to an extremely happy Jasper, with his very own doggie door.

When she called to thank Sandy, he told her he stayed long enough to teach Jasper how to get in and out. He commented on how smart Jasper was and how quickly he took to the door. Harper was a proud parent, when she hung up the phone. She ran with Jasper every morning before work, even in the rain. By the end of the week, they were both falling into the routine.

She never saw Shelby. They worked on opposite sides of the building. Shelby was rarely in the labs anymore, because of her other duties, Harper found out. Abby came over Wednesday and took her out to lunch, in the student center. Harper was glad to see a friendly face. They spent lunch talking about Harper’s job and the campus. Abby never mentioned Shelby or Lauren, and Harper was grateful. Abby said some of the team were concerned that Harper would quit and they really wanted her to stay. Harper promised to come to practice on Saturday, then they said goodbye.

Harper didn’t tell Abby that Lauren called her every night, never saying anything, hanging up just after Harper said goodnight. Strangely enough, Harper waited for her call every night. It wasn’t much, but it was something anyway. Harper still wasn’t sure at all how this was going to turn out. For all she knew, Lauren was doing the same thing to Shelby. Harper really hoped she wasn’t.

When the weekend rolled around Harper was looking forward to relaxing. She spent Saturday morning cleaning house, doing laundry and answering mail and email she had ignored all week. Jackie, her old lover, wrote, “Stay out of the dyke drama.” Harper replied with only two words, “Too Late!”

J.R. was supposed to get to Durham today; he would call her, as soon as he could. His first game would be an exhibition next Saturday, at three p.m., against the Bay Sharks, the parent team. He hoped she could come. He would go ahead and leave two tickets for her at the box office. She wrote back, “Please call, need to see you ASAP.”

Harper marked the game on her wall calendar, stuck on the front of the refrigerator. She couldn’t wait to see J.R., a person that loved her and wanted nothing from her in return. She needed that right now. She hoped he’d call tonight so she could find out when she could see him. She wanted to feel his big arms around her, to feel safe, if only for a few minutes.

J. R. had always made Harper feel like he would never let anything bad happen to her. She wished that she loved him, like he loved her, but she just didn’t. She could have, maybe one day, but now there was Lauren and there was no going back. At least he would be a distraction from this excruciating aching that now had settled into Harper’s chest.

Grandma sent an email making sure Harper remembered to come to Wilson to take her to church Sunday morning. Homecoming was a big deal to Grandma. She said she hoped she’d win the prize for the oldest one still living, but thought maybe she’d have to wait till next year. She was eighty-seven this year. She had Harper’s father very late in life after all her other children were grown. Grandma heard that Lucy Bell went and dragged some old aunt out of Virginia, so she probably wouldn’t win this year.

Grandma was still a feisty old woman and would expect Harper to be on time. Wilson was an hour and a half away. She’d have to leave at seven thirty in the morning to make it. She wrote back that she would be there by nine a.m. and stay as long as she could, but she had to be back in Kerrville, by ten p.m. at the latest.

She and Jasper jogged around the forested neighborhood, following roads, as far as they went, then backtracking to find another one. They did this for an hour then went home and cleaned up the yard, from all the wind and rain. Jasper followed Harper everywhere she went. She spent half of the time trying to get to the trash that had blown in, before Jasper could snatch it. Once he figured out she wanted the little bits of wet paper and plastic, the war was on. It was fun for a while, but after an hour, Harper gave up and went in to fix lunch.

When she showered and dashed off to practice, Jasper stayed behind, content with his trash and doggie door. The first car Harper saw was the Lexus Shelby drove. A large white SUV made her heart skip a beat, but it wasn’t a Tahoe. Harper had a secret she couldn’t tell anybody. Lauren was calling her. She wasn’t talking to Harper, but she was calling her. What that meant was anybody’s guess, but it was all she had for now. Harper was afraid that, if she told someone, it would stop.

Shelby was the first to speak to Harper. She was smiling and looked, pretty much, back to normal. She asked Harper about her first week at work. Shelby was really trying to make the best of a bad situation. Harper appreciated the effort.

Jane handed out uniforms. Harper had so many uniforms; from all the teams she had played on, that she had been forced to throw some away, when she moved. There was still a box full in the garage. So, Harper wasn’t as excited as the others were. She enjoyed watching their faces, as they checked out their new look. Chita and Dee went in one of the dugouts to put on the uniforms. They came out and modeled like they were on a runway. Chita did look hot.

It was good to see Shelby laughing again. Everyone seemed so much more relaxed than they had in a while. Practice went very well. They were really starting to click together. There was no drama and everyone was leaving smiling. Harper reminded Jane that she had to go to Grandma’s tomorrow.

Just as they were leaving, Abby asked if Harper was coming over for the usual Saturday night fling.

“I don’t know. I’m waiting for a call from a friend of mine, who plays for the Durham Bats. He gets into town today,” Harper said putting her bag in the back seat.

This perked up the ears around them.

Shy Lynn shocked everybody by saying, “I love baseball players.”

Abby said, “Bring him with you. The boys will be so impressed.”

Harper opened her door, “I’ll see what he says, but if I don’t see you tonight, I’ll make sure the boys get to meet him soon.”

Harper saw a big blue duffel bag on her porch when she got home. She parked in the garage and cautiously entered the house through the utility room. She crept through the kitchen and started into the great room, when she heard something in the back yard. She was hoping Jasper was out there and not in here, with the mass murderer that was about to stab her to death. Then she looked out the French doors. A grin grew into an immense smile when she saw that strawberry blonde hair under the ball cap, worn by the man throwing a baseball to her dog.

Harper burst out the back door and ran into J.R.’s arms. He hugged her tight in return.

“Good Lord girl, you’re about to squeeze me to death.” J.R. pulled her back and placed his hands on Harper’s shoulders. He bent his six four frame down and looked deep into her eyes. “Harper, what’s happened? Is your Grandma alright?”

“No, Grandma’s okay.” Suddenly Harper fell into his chest and began to sob. She hadn’t meant to do this. It was the first time she had really let it all out, since this whole mess began and once she started, it took a while for her to stop. J.R. didn’t say a word. He sat down on a bench and pulled Harper up into his lap. He held her there until the heaving sobs subsided and her breathing returned to normal.

Harper stood up, taking J.R.’s hand, leading him into the house. While he went to get his bag off the porch, Harper went into the downstairs bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Once she was sure she had it together, she came out into the Great Room where J.R. was starting the gas logs in the fireplace. They climbed onto the couch facing each other, Harper holding his big hand in hers.

“Okay, tell me what’s going on, Harper. You’re scaring me. I’ve never seen you like that.”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that was going to happen.” Harper looked down at the couch and played with a string on Jasper’s blanket. “I guess I’ve been holding a lot in, lately.”

“I think that is an understatement,” J.R. was really worried.

“Jay, I really fucked up this time,” Harper said, still very quiet.

“Harper, you know I love you and you can tell me anything, no matter what it is.”

Harper took a deep breath. “Well, first of all, I need to tell you something that might surprise you. I’ve fallen in love with a woman.”

J.R. didn’t even blink, “Do you really think that surprises me?”

Harper was taken by surprise herself, “Well, I thought it might.”

“Harper, I know you better than you know yourself. You’re gay. I hoped you might change your mind. But when I realized, that’s who you were and that was why we just couldn’t make it work, I decided I’d rather be in your life, as your friend, than not have you in my life, at all.”

“Do you know how much I love you, Jay?” Harper said leaning up to kiss him on the cheek.

“I would like to have the first dance, if you change your mind though,” J.R. said, tickling her sides, till she begged him to stop.

“Okay, now tell me about this woman, who has broken your heart and fucked up your life.”

Harper told J.R. the whole story from beginning to end, leaving out no details. When she finished, Harper felt like a giant weight had been lifted from her shoulders. The ache in her chest was still there, but she felt tons better.

J. R. looked puzzled, “What’s stopping you from telling Lauren how you feel? She’s obviously moved on from this other woman, what’s her name?”

“Shelby. I want Lauren to be sure of what she wants. I want her to know that she wants me and not because I came along when she was lonely and hurt. Do you know what I mean?” Harper asked.

“Darlin’, you are thinking too much. You better tell her how you feel, before she finds somebody else. You’ll hate yourself, if you let her get away. You know what your problem is?”

Harper was curious as to what J.R. thought her problem was, “No, please tell me.”

“You are afraid of getting hurt. You’re afraid she’ll change her mind and go back to that other woman. Come on Harper, you’re going to have to really love somebody sometime and you might get hurt, but that’s the chance you have to take.”

Harper put her head down again. He was so right. She was terrified of losing someone she really loved, ever again. How could she love somebody unconditionally, without being afraid that one day they would be gone, with no warning?

J. R. placed his fingers under her chin and lifted her head, “You have to do it, eventually.”

“I know,” was all Harper could say.

They got up and fixed spaghetti together like old times. Harper put on some music and they danced, bumping and brushing up against each other as they worked. Harper was having so much fun she had forgotten to ask him why he was at her house.

“How did you get to my house?” Harper asked him, as he tossed the salad.

“I called a taxi. I had your address from your last email. When I got off the plane, I checked my email and saw your message. You weren’t here when I got here, so I jumped the fence into the backyard and found ol’ Jasper. That’s a real guard dog you got there.”

“We’re working on that, but I think it’s a lost cause. He might lick a robber to death, though. When do you have to report to the team?” Harper asked.

“I don’t have to be there until tomorrow afternoon, so I was wondering, could I stay here tonight?” J.R. raised a questioning eyebrow.

Harper did not hesitate, “Of course you can, anytime. I’ll even make you a key if you want.”

“I’d like that very much,” J.R. smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

Harper remembered Abby’s party, “Hey, how would you like to meet all these people I’ve been talking about? It would get me points with the boys if I bring a real life Durham Bat.”

J.R. was intrigued, “Will this Lauren be there?”

Harper shook her head, “No, she doesn’t come around anymore, but her ex, Shelby, will be.”

“Count me in. I’ll drive, because I can’t drink. I have a physical tomorrow. Alcohol doesn’t look good in a blood test to the boys in the bigs, with all the shit they have to deal with now.”

“Then it’s a date.” Harper was excited. She wanted her new friends to meet J.R. “I’ll call Abby and tell her we’re coming.” She hugged him again. He really was her best friend.

Chapter Fourteen

They spent the rest of the evening catching up. Jasper followed J.R. everywhere. He was in love with the man who gave him the baseball. Jasper carried the ball everywhere he went. He didn’t chew on it; he just wanted it with him and he wanted to be with the man. J.R. had that effect on people and dogs as well. He was just a good old boy, with a brain and a rifle for an arm. He hadn’t changed a bit.

Harper picked out J.R.’s clothes from what he brought with him. Most of his stuff was what he had been wearing in Florida, which didn’t quite match the weather they were having. She settled on a tight fitting blue Under Amour long-sleeved shirt, and a worn pair of jeans. He had a tight body and Harper thought he should show it off. He had his Sharks jacket with him, so that would work when they were outside.

Harper decided to dress up for J.R. He always loved it when she looked good by his side. He said it made him so proud that men looked at him with envy, when they walked by. Harper thought the guys probably envied J.R.’s ripped body, but she played along. She chose a pair of black slacks that made her ass look good. She found the sexy silk see-through black top, in the back of the closet, put on her black camisole and added some black heels for effect.

She was careful with her makeup wearing more than usual and spent time on her hair. She added gold hoop earrings with one topaz stone threaded on each and a gold necklace and bracelet set. When she had finished, Harper looked the best she’d taken the time to look in a while. In fact, when she saw herself in the mirror, she even thought she looked hot.

J.R., who was standing by the fire, whistled when she came down the hall towards him. He grabbed his cell phone out of his pocket. “I have to have a picture of this for my boys.” He aimed the camera at her and Harper struck a sexy pose. “Hey, if you ever meet my boys, don’t tell them you’re gay, it will spoil the illusion.”

Harper laughed, “I’ll tell them you’re the only man I will ever love. It won’t be a lie”

“Let’s get you to that party, so I can show you off.” He popped her on the butt, as he went by, on the way to the garage. He turned around and walked backwards, in front of her, laughing. “You do have full coverage on the Hummer, in case you get drunk and we go four wheelin’?”

“There is always that possibility. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.” They laughed and headed off to the party. Harper was so happy J.R. had shown up.

A big fuss was made, at the door of the pool house, when they arrived. Everyone crowded in to shake J.R.’s hand and welcome him to the Durham Bats. Jay had skipped the Bats, on the way to the Big Show, his first time through. He was a left-handed middle reliever, from the bigs, and all the men were ecstatic. The straight women and even a few of the gay ones told Harper how gorgeous he was. Harper just smiled and watched J.R. work the crowd. He was definitely a charmer.

Chita slipped up behind her, “Chica, you are full of surprises and looking damn fine this evening.”

Harper grinned at Chita, “I might be gay, but I do know a fine man when, I see one.”

Chita shot back, “He may be fine, but I’d take you over him any day, and I do men, too, you know.”

Shelby came up to them and touched Harper on the arm, “You look amazing. That blouse is exquisite.” Shelby was being genuinely nice.

It made Harper feel good. She looked good and she felt better than she had, since Lauren crashed at her house. Maybe it was time to make that move, like J.R. said. She would hate herself if Lauren ended up with someone else, other than Shelby. If she went back to Shelby, Harper could live with that, but another woman would devastate her.

The party progressed and Harper found herself sitting with the girls, while the boys talked and played pool. Of course they talked about what a hot body J.R. had.

Alicia said, “Come on girl, get up off them details. You know you had some of that. I don’t care if you are gay, that man is fine.”

They hounded Harper until she finally said, “He is a very gentle and thoughtful lover, and yes he’s quite well proportioned, and that is all I am going to say.”

The women around her hooted and hollered. Alicia gave Harper a high five. Julie was absolutely drooling over J.R., which made Harper warm and fuzzy inside. “Take that bitch,” she thought. After several more rounds were in the girls, they put on a Motown’s greatest hits CD and started to dance and sing. The boys joined in occasionally, but it was the girls that were throwing down. When Smokey Robinson started singing Tracks of My Tears, they sang the whole thing in unison standing on every piece of furniture they could find.

In the middle of all the up-tempo songs, Lionel Richie and Diana Ross began to sing “Endless Love.” J.R. sauntered over to Harper and asked her if she wanted to dance. She’d had enough to drink to think it was a wonderful idea. He pulled her close to him and started slow two-stepping her around the pool table. He was a wonderful dancer; she had forgotten how good it felt to let him lead her around, so gracefully. The room was lowly lit this evening, the only bright light came from the pool table light and the roaring fire.

Harper was unaware that the whole room was watching them. She had her head on his chest and her eyes closed, totally engrossed in the swaying of their bodies. He felt so strong and sure of himself and he smelled heavenly. He was a good lover. She knew that from experience. God, why couldn’t she love him? He was perfect. He was going to make some woman a hell of a husband. The song ended, but she held on just a minute longer.

Then she heard one pair of hands clapping slowly. She opened her eyes to see Lauren standing by the door. She was the one clapping. The look on her face made Harper let go of J.R. immediately. The Supremes began from the CD player. “Baby, Baby, Baby, Where did our love go?” Lauren stopped clapping. Harper’s mind was racing. She looked at Shelby, who was looking at Lauren.

J.R. whispered, “Is that her?”

Harper only nodded yes.

J.R. pushed her toward Lauren, “Well, now’s your chance. Cowgirl up!”

It all happened so fast. Lauren turned around and walked back out the door. She wasn’t moving like she was the first time Harper saw her leave the pool house. Lauren’s shoulders were slumped and she looked like the air had been let out of her sails. Shelby was the first to reach the door, but when J.R. said, “Cowgirl up,” Harper had started moving too, so she was right behind Shelby.

They said in unison, “Lauren!” then stopped and stared at each other.

Lauren stopped. She turned around slowly and looked at the two women, who were still staring at each other.

“Well, which one of you is going to piss on the tree first?” Lauren said sarcastically.

Shelby broke the standoff with Harper. She turned to Lauren, “I guess that depends on you.”

“No, I don’t think so. Shelby, you and I have already discussed this and I think you know exactly how I feel. I did not come here to see you. I came to see Harper, but as she is obviously otherwise engaged, I’ll be going now.”

Harper had enough of this shit, she spoke up, and this time not like a twenty three year old girl, but the woman wise beyond her years, who thought someone should take control of this calamity.

“Hey, you know you jump to conclusions pretty quickly, Lauren. Things aren’t always what they seem. And you, Shelby, I don’t care if you fuck up my entire research project, hell go for it. I’ve been cooperative up until now. I stayed away from Lauren, just like you asked.”

Lauren was incensed. She came at Shelby. “You told her to stay away from me or you would screw up her research project? You’re on a bigger ego trip than I thought you were, Shelby. How dare you!”

“How dare I?” Shelby screamed, she was as mad as Lauren now and they were both ignoring Harper.

Harper glanced back at the pool house. Every available space in the windows was taken up by the partygoers, who had now become party peepers.

Shelby was in full voice, “I was fighting to get my life back. This little girl walks in here and you lose your mind, and how dare I try to save the life we had together. I thought, at the time, it was worth fighting for.”

“And I have made it quite clear that it is not!” Lauren shouted topping Shelby’s volume.

The air became still. Lauren’s voice echoed through the trees. Shelby glared at Lauren. Love turned to spite right then and there. Shelby turned to Harper, “You can have her.”

With those words, Shelby turned on her heels and went back inside the pool house. Lauren and Harper were alone now. Well, alone as you can be with twenty-six eyes spying on you through the windows. Harper lost consciousness of the others’ presence. She was so focused on Lauren; everything else vanished from her mind. This was it. The moment was now. She needed to say something, but she didn’t know what.

Finally, after taking a deep breath she decided on, “Lauren, can we please go somewhere and talk, someplace private.”

“I’d like that,” Lauren said, surprising Harper.

That was easier than Harper thought it would be. She took a step toward Lauren and then stopped saying, “Wait a minute. There’s somebody I want you to meet.”

She motioned to J.R., who was looking through the window, just like everyone else. He got the message and joined the two women outside.

“Lauren, this is J.R., the baseball player I told you about. He just arrived this afternoon and I was introducing him to everyone.”

“Nice to meet you J.R., you’re quite the dancer,” Lauren smiled and extended her hand for him to shake.

J.R. took her hand gently, “It’s nice to finally meet you, too. Harper has told me all about you. I think she’s infatuated.”

God, J.R. was smooth, Harper thought. He was charming Lauren into a dimpled grin, that adorable dimpled grin.

“Jay, can you get back to the house on your own? The house key is on the Hummer key ring.”

“Yeah, sure, no problem, that’s what a navigation system is for. Should I leave the door unlocked for you?” he said, with a wink.

“I’ve got a hide-a-key rock, so go ahead and lock up.” Harper winked back at him.

Harper turned back to Lauren, holding out her hand gesturing toward the driveway, “After you.”

They walked silently to the Tahoe. Harper was cold, because she left her coat in the pool house. She figured Shelby was back there about to tie one on. It was probably going to get ugly. Harper hoped J.R. would leave, before it got too bad.

Lauren was out in front, purse in the crook of her arm, her blonde hair blowing in the breeze as she walked. One of the tails of the turquoise silk scarf around Lauren’s neck fluttered behind her. Harper heard the “beep beep” of the remote as the locks on the Tahoe popped open and the parking lights flashed. Harper got into the cold seat. The thin material of her top added no insulation.

Lauren noticed Harper’s predicament, “You must be freezing. Here take my coat. I have a sweater on.”

Lauren took off her coat and handed it to Harper. She put it on gratefully. It was warm and smelled of Lauren’s perfume. Lauren cranked the Tahoe and backed out of the driveway. Harper heard Joan Armatrading coming from the speakers. She smiled to herself.

Harper told Lauren about the British musician being one of her favorites, in one of their previous conversations. Joan was singing “The Weakness in Me,” how appropriate. Lauren turned the heat on, when they were a few miles down the road. Harper began to thaw and relax back into the seat.

Lauren didn’t say anything, as she concentrated on driving. Harper glanced at her occasionally, but Lauren stayed focused on the road ahead. Twenty-five minutes later they pulled into the warehouse studio. The garage door lowered behind them. Lauren had recently installed security lights and an alarm system. She got out and went to the alarm panel under a bare light bulb, punching in a code. She hit some switches and a few lights blinked on. Harper exited the vehicle and waited for Lauren to lead the way, even though she knew where to go.

Lauren had added more furniture and hung more paintings. Harper was impressed with the way the hanging walls created a maze into Lauren’s living space. A small table sat to the side with four kitchen chairs. A real stove and large refrigerator now stood against one wall. Cabinets had been installed creating counter space and Lauren now had a real kitchen sink.

Lauren went to the coffee pot on the counter, turning to Harper, “I’m going to make some coffee, is that okay, or do you want a beer?”

“No, coffee’s fine, but could I have some water first?” Harper’s throat was so dry it felt like she was in the desert.

Lauren added coffee and water to the coffee maker and pushed the ‘on’ button. She went to the refrigerator, retrieving a bottle of water. She walked to the table where Harper had already taken a seat. Harper stood, removing the coat and offering it to Lauren. She took the water bottle and had nearly downed it all, before Lauren returned from putting her coat away. Lauren went back to the counter to prepare the coffee. Soft jazz started to play from the Bose radio on the counter.

Lauren turned to Harper, “Still cream and sugar?”

“Yes, that would be fine.”

The air in the room was still. Harper could hear every click of Lauren’s shoes on the hard concrete floor. Harper’s mind was racing. She played the scene, back at Abby’s, over in her mind. Lauren had said she made it clear that she and Shelby were finished. What did Lauren want to talk about? Was she here so Lauren could tell her she was done with her, too? Harper didn’t think so. Why had Lauren continued to call her every night, if she didn’t want something from her? The suspense was killing her.

Finally Lauren brought two coffee mugs to the table, placing one in front of Harper, and sitting down across from her. This was the first time Harper got a good look at Lauren. She looked better than ever, if that was possible. The part of Lauren that seemed unsure of herself was gone. Lauren realized Harper was studying her face. She finally smiled that crooked smile, her dimples revealing themselves. Harper reacted by smiling back, she had no control. Lauren had her, hook line and sinker and Harper was helpless.

The silence broke when they both started to speak at the same time. They laughed at each other. The silence followed again.

Finally Lauren cleared her throat. She must have had the same lump in her throat as Harper. “Harper, I… I don’t know if… I don’t know…”

Harper didn’t know either. She didn’t know where this journey was going to take her. All she knew was she wanted to take it. Harper reached across the table, taking Lauren’s hand, but she didn’t or couldn’t speak. She had no idea what to say.

Lauren began again, “I’ve been thinking a lot lately. The time on my own has been good for me. It’s the first time I’ve had to be self-sufficient in my life. I learned some things about myself. I learned to make decisions without someone else’s input. I feel like, I am now on the road to living the life I have chosen for myself, not one that is chosen for me. I’ve started to feel so free.”

Harper, who had been on her own since she was sixteen, knew that freedom. “I’m happy for you, Lauren” She still held Lauren’s hand.

“The night we left the party, I told Shelby we were through. You were right; the perfect couple was a sham. I love Shelby. I always will. But…I’m not in love with her and I haven’t been for a long time. You made me see the lie we were living”

“You already knew it, Lauren. I just came along when you were ready to deal with it.” Harper didn’t want credit for bringing Lauren and Shelby to an end.

“I’m glad that you did,” Lauren smiled and squeezed Harper’s hand.

They looked into each other’s eyes. The tension was palatable in the room. Harper’s breathing was coming faster. Her heart was thumping in her chest. She stayed lost in Lauren’s gaze until Lauren looked down at her coffee cup. She wasn’t finished.

“The thing is I don’t want to walk back into another relationship, but…I do want to see you.” She paused looking back at Harper. “Would you be interested in dating me?”

Harper let go of Lauren’s hand. She stood up and rounded the table. She put her hand out for Lauren to take. Once they were standing face to face, Harper pulled Lauren closer, “I will do whatever you want, because I can’t get you out of my fucking mind”

They were too close together. It was bound to happen. Lauren reached up with her free hand and brushed Harper’s hair back from her face. Her hand moved to Harper’s neck. She began to pull Harper’s mouth to her. Harper needed no further prodding. She placed her hand in the small of Lauren’s back and pulled Lauren into her arms. Their lips met in a slow deep kiss, which gradually grew into a frantic need. A moan came from deep inside Harper. Her hands began to explore Lauren’s body. Lauren started unbuttoning Harper’s shirt. Harper ran her hands under Lauren’s sweater.

Lauren breathed into Harper’s ear, “You look so hot tonight.”

Harper had never heard a woman’s voice sound so sexy.

Harper felt Lauren’s hands under her shirt, on her bare skin. She trembled. She wanted Lauren all over her bare skin. Lauren slid Harper’s shirt off her shoulders. She ran her hands under the camisole, so Harper raised her arms and let Lauren pull it over her head. Lauren’s lips found one of Harper’s nipples. She arched her head back and another moan left her throat. Harper pulled Lauren’s face to hers. She kissed her hard, a kiss filled with all the craving Harper had built up, since the first time she ever laid eyes on Lauren.

Breathlessly she said, “I’ve wanted to sleep with you since the first time I saw you.”

Lauren whispered back, “I’ve wanted you to fuck me since the first time I saw you.”

Oh, my God, she was going to talk dirty to her, too. Harper could feel the warm wetness between her legs spread as Lauren whispered in her ear. Lauren pulled away from Harper and took her by the hand. She led Harper through the maze of paintings. They entered another walled off area, containing a beautiful antique spindle bed covered in a thick, down filled, white lace duvet.

Lauren hit a button on the brick wall and all the lights went out except for a floor lamp, glowing amber in the corner. No words passed between them, as Lauren pushed Harper down on the bed and slowly peeled away her own clothes, while standing between Harper’s legs. With each layer, Harper’s heart quickened. When Lauren was totally naked in front of her, she thought her heart was going to jump out of her chest.

Lauren’s breasts were perfect, small, but full and round. She was slim, with curves that created the ideal silhouette on the painted wall behind her. Harper reached for her. Lauren fell into Harper’s arms pressing Harper back onto the bed. She straddled Harper and Harper’s hands began to tremble. She could barely breathe.

Lauren continued to undress Harper. When she was finished, she lay her body down on top of Harper, their bodies moving in a slow rhythm, as they kissed. Lauren left Harper’s lips and slid down her body. She took one of Harper’s nipples in her mouth, while she caressed the other with her hand.

Harper’s back arched off the bed again. She ran her fingers through Lauren’s hair. Lauren’s lips left Harper’s nipple, she kissed down her body until she reached Harper’s small mound of blonde hair. Harper spread her legs. When Lauren’s tongue touched her, Harper began to lose any control she still had. She came quickly and hard.

She pulled Lauren up to her, rolling over on top of her. Her hand slipped between Lauren’s legs. She was wet and ready when Harper’s finger’s entered her. They began moving in unison, quickening their movements until Harper placed her hand in Lauren’s back and pulled her tightly to her, as she curved off the bed. Lauren moaned from deep in her soul. When it was over they lay quietly in each other’s arms for a moment, each trying to catch her breath. It had all happened so quickly, the pent up sexual tension between the two women had been too overwhelming to slow down.

Lauren looked into Harper’s eyes, smoothing the hair from her face, “I do believe that was worth waiting for.”

Harper smiled and kissed her. “It’s a hell of a first date, anyway.”

They spent the night making love. Sometime in the wee hours of the morning they fell asleep, after Harper set the alarm. She still had to go take Grandma to church. Before they fell asleep, Harper asked Lauren to go with her tomorrow. She said yes. Harper fell asleep holding Lauren tight, spooning her from behind.

She thought to herself, just before she fell asleep, “Yes, m’am, that was definitely worth waiting for.”

Chapter Fifteen

Harper had only three hours of sleep when the alarm sounded, but she was energized, as she and Lauren drove to her house. Lauren had simply grabbed some clothes and thrown them in a bag; she would dress at Harper’s. They held hands and flirted all the way to Kerrville.

J.R. was asleep in the guest room. Jasper met them at the door, lying about being alone all night, because Harper knew he had just come out of J.R.’s room. No occupied bed would go without a visit from Jasper. He was a bed potato.

Harper pointed Lauren up the stairs and went to the kitchen to get the coffee started. It would be much needed later, of that she was sure. She was high on life right now, but the crash was bound to come and today was going to be a long day. She grabbed two water bottles and headed upstairs. She heard the water running in the shower. Harper looked at the clock, smiled and thought she had time.

She slipped off her clothes and entered the bathroom. She could see, through the glass enclosure that Lauren was washing her hair with her back turned to the door. Harper opened the door and stepped in. She took over washing Lauren’s hair. One thing led to another and by the time they left the shower, they had to dress quickly.

Lauren put on a gray-blue, scooped neck, sweater dress with three quarter sleeves and beaded neckline. It clung to her curves and was very flattering. Harper chose her standard black sleeveless dress with scoop neck front and back and gently tiered drop waist skirt. Harper found her black, Jimmy Choo heels in the back of the closet. They were the most expensive piece of clothing she owned and she rarely wore them. She fell for them when she was at Midwestern and the OU women’s basketball coach, Sherri Coale, started wearing them on the sidelines. She figured if Coach Coale could walk in them on a basketball court; Harper could manage them on a sidewalk.

Lauren wore black leggings with a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, which they both stopped to admire. Harper even tried them on. Then they realized how much time they had left, which was not much. Lauren receded to the bathroom to put on her makeup. Harper put on her black hose, which she loathed and went downstairs to fix some coffee. She returned from the kitchen in time to see Lauren step out of the bathroom. Harper couldn’t believe how beautiful she was. Every time she saw her, Lauren took Harper’s breath away.

Harper quickly applied her makeup and fixed her hair. She added her mother’s pearls and a thin black sweater to the outfit. When she returned to the bedroom Lauren smiled, “Wow. For a tomboy, you clean up good.” Downstairs, Harper wrote a note for Jay and left an extra key to the house. She grabbed her wool walker coat and a silk scarf from the hall closet. They had been flying around the house for the last forty-five minutes.

Lauren stopped Harper at the door and kissed her sweetly, “I’m so glad I met you, Harper Lynch.”

Harper smiled broadly, “Wait till you meet Grandma, she’ll steal your heart.”

They drove the Tahoe, because it would be easier for her Grandmother to get in and out of. On the hour and a half drive to Wilson, the two women talked non-stop. Harper was enthralled by everything Lauren. She wanted to know all about her. Harper listened as Lauren answered questions about her life. Lauren was just as interested in Harper’s story and peppered her with questions in between answering her own.

Harper told Lauren all about her grandmother. Grandma was eighty-seven years old. She had lost all of her children. Harper’s father was the youngest. Two of his brothers were killed in Vietnam, the only girl died as a child from the measles. Harper was the only grandchild. Grandma had been a tall statuesque woman, now shortened and bowed with age. Her once long black hair had turned snow white. She was still quite active and only left the farm, because it was too much for one person to upkeep. The only thing she told Harper she missed about the farm, were her daily trips to the pond to fish.

Harper and Lauren kissed at every opportunity, the heat between them drawing them together. Church was going to be a trip, because what Harper was thinking about was in no way what her grandmother would assume she was thinking about. Occasionally, on the drive, Harper would slide her hand up Lauren’s thigh, under her dress. To which, Lauren would slap her hand and say she couldn’t drive with Harper’s hands on her. Harper enjoyed this little bit of power and couldn’t resist. Besides she was so horny, she thought she would burst. She didn’t think she could make it all day. Harper was trying to remember all the good hiding places in the church, from her vacation bible school days, when they pulled up to the assisted living center.

Her grandmother was waiting just inside the door in the lobby. Harper saw her white head as they pulled under the covered entrance. She got out and helped her grandmother into the front seat. Lauren moved to the back so that Harper could drive. They decided it was a better alternative to the point and holler method of giving directions. Harper introduced her grandmother who was as gracious as Harper knew she would be and Lauren was a true southern lady, raised in the best of homes, who could talk to an old farmer’s wife with ease.

Sunday school, which they had to attend, dragged by so slowly. Her grandmother had insisted that two beautiful young women should be in the young people’s class and not with her and the seniors. Harper spent the hour watching the men in the room watch them, especially Lauren. They were enamored with the beautiful blond, from the big city. Lauren looked like money, old money; she couldn’t hide it. It showed in the way she carried herself and how she cared for the old folks, at the church dinner.

Harper’s grandmother was rosy cheeked with pride. She may not win for the oldest person there, but she brought the prettiest girls. Harper and Lauren did anything her grandmother wanted, after leaving the church. She wanted to go by the grocery store, the drug store and Parker’s Barbecue for a takeout bag. Harper ordered some Barbecue and sides to take back to Kerrville. She had loved Parker’s, since she and her parents used to come here, to have family style with her grandparents.

They settled grandma back into her rooms, at the assisted living center. With the auction and sale of the farm, her grandmother could live here until she could no longer be cared for with light supervision, then she would move next door to full time care. She should have enough money to last her, but if she didn’t Harper would make sure she was taken care of. Harper kissed her grandmother goodbye and promised to come back soon and spend more time, maybe take her fishing. Her grandmother was beaming and chewing on a cornbread stick, in front of her TV, when they left her.

Harper drove back to Kerrville. Lauren fell asleep holding her hand just after leaving Wilson. Harper did not wake her until they turned into the driveway. The two women climbed the steps to the front door tiredly. Jasper met them with his baseball in his mouth. He wagged his way down the hall, in front of them, until they collapsed together on the couch. They sat there together, Lauren leaning on Harper’s shoulder, until Harper said she could take no more of the pantyhose. They went upstairs to change.

When she reached the bedroom, Harper was already half way out of the hose. She fell back on the bed and pulled them off. Lauren was behind her, “You really don’t like those things do you?”

“Oh, my god, I hate them. They had to have been invented by a man,” Harper said, throwing the panty hose, across the room, towards the bathroom and the hamper.

Harper sat up on the edge of the bed. Lauren slid one leg between Harper’s thighs. Harper ran her hands under Lauren’s dress. Lauren’s head fell back in pleasure. She raised her head and pierced Harper’s heart, with a look of desire she had never seen on a lover’s face. Lauren put her hands on Harper’s shoulders and climbed on the bed, she stood on her knees straddling Harper. Two hours later, Harper woke up naked lying on her stomach with Lauren asleep, her head in the small of Harper’s back.

She rolled over waking Lauren. Harper leaned on one elbow looking down, at Lauren lying underneath her. She kissed her, because she had to, she could kiss this woman for the rest of her life. Lauren finally came up for air saying, “I’m so hungry.” Downstairs they found a note on the counter, from J.R., making her promise to call and reminding her that her shower was over the guest bedroom and not soundproof.

They ate standing in the kitchen, wearing nothing but two of Harper’s old tee shirts. Harper made Barbecue sandwiches with slaw. They drank sweet iced tea, which Harper didn’t seem to able to get enough of. It was a southern thing she could get to like. They laughed and giggled like teenage girls standing in the refrigerator doorway, feeding each other pieces of fruit. Jasper loved it, because they kept dropping things.

Later they made love unhurriedly, not so desperately as before. They explored each other’s bodies for hours until Harper drifted to sleep, with Lauren in her arms. Just before she fell away into dreamland, Harper whispered into Lauren’s ear, “Do you consider this our second date?”

Lauren answered, sleepily, “Has the first one ended yet?”

Chapter Sixteen

Monday morning Harper made love to Lauren instead of running when the alarm went off at six thirty. It started, because when the alarm blared out, “You’re the reason God made Oklahoma,” Lauren bolted upright in bed. Harper usually turned it down and listened to the rest of the song before she rose, so that’s what she did on reflex. Lauren was sitting up looking at her, still dazed from the unfamiliar alarm, when Harper laid her head back on the pillow.

Harper had one arm behind her head; she reached for Lauren with the other hand. Lauren smiled at her with dimples showing. She slid up on to Harper’s chest, “So, you’re the reason God made Oklahoma?”

“That’s what my daddy told me,” Harper answered, brushing the hair out of Lauren’s eyes.

“That is so incredibly sweet,” Lauren said, beginning to kiss Harper on her chest.

“My dad used to sing this song to me every morning until I would get out of bed. I kind of got used to it.” Harper began to squirm under Lauren’s lips.

Jasper got off the bed and went downstairs. He couldn’t watch, evidently, because he always left the room and came back later.

Lauren was not to be deterred. She kissed Harper’s body all over until Harper could lie there no longer. She pulled Lauren to her mouth and melted into her. She rolled over bringing Lauren with her until they were on their knees facing each other. She straddled one of Lauren’s thighs, drawing her close to her and at the same time sliding her hand between Lauren’s legs. Lauren found Harper hot and wet when she slid inside her.

They rocked in unison, kissing until their breathing became so short they both gasped for air. Harper could hear and feel Lauren reaching her climax and she could feel herself doing the same. Lauren threw her head back in ecstasy and then a jolt pulled them together, as they came in waves of orgasm, until the vibrations finally subsided.

They moved to the shower where Lauren stood with her back to Harper, hands pressed against the side of the shower, Harper close behind her. Harper had one hand full of Lauren’s breast, while she reached around with the other hand and slid it between Lauren’s legs. Harper had never been so sexually aroused and free with a lover. When Lauren came this time it was so intense that Harper came with her, even though Lauren wasn’t touching her.

Harper finally had to peel herself away from Lauren and go to work. She left Lauren naked, satiated and drowsy, in the bed with Jasper. Harper promised to call her later to wake her up and placed Lauren’s cell phone on the bedside table, so she could hear it. She kissed her goodbye and went off to work, so happy she fairly floated over the floor. Harper nearly missed her turn, because she was having sex with Lauren in her mind, replaying the events of the last forty-eight hours. She made it to the lab just in time.

Harper floated through the day accomplishing a great deal of work to her surprise. Her mood brought several comments from her colleagues. She called Lauren at nine thirty to wake her. It soon became evident that she made the mistake of doing this in the lab where other people could hear her. Lauren said some things that Harper could only respond to by smiling and laughing into the phone. The little femme Asian grad assistant said under his breath, as he walked by, “Ooo, girl done got her some, yes she did.”

Although she felt fantastic all day long, Harper was relieved when the clock finally struck five. When she reached her vehicle, she called Lauren.

“I was calling to see if you wanted to go out with me,” Harper said, when Lauren answered the phone.

“I’m already out with you,” was the reply.

Harper grinned, “What do you mean? I’m in the parking lot of the lab. Where are you?”

“I’m on your back deck painting and drinking a Mojito.”

“I don’t have the stuff to make Mojitos,” Harper thought out loud.

“Well, you do now,” Lauren chuckled.

“I guess you’re staying for dinner?” Harper said, in her most seductive voice.

“There are steaks and salads in the fridge and the potatoes are in the oven.” Lauren was feeling proud of herself.

“You sound like you have everything covered. Should I bring anything?” Harper started the car.

“An appetite.”

Harper laughed, “Well, you can believe I have one of those, but it isn’t food I’m craving.”

She heard Lauren laugh on the other end of the phone. “I think I have that covered, too.”

Harper drove home and was met at the door by a beautiful woman, a loyal dog and a Mojito. Life was good. Lauren had been painting a picture of Harper’s backyard with Jasper running through it. Harper couldn’t tell from the canvas, but was sure it would be wonderful in the end. After dinner was done and the dishes were washed and put away the two women retired to the couch, where they watched TV huddled under a blanket and talked until time to go to bed.

After making love, they lay in each other’s arms face to face. Harper couldn’t believe this was happening. It was too easy. Something had to go wrong. She smiled at Lauren, “This is too good to be true.”

Lauren pinched her butt producing a yelp from Harper. “I just wanted you to know you weren’t dreaming,” Lauren grinned.

Harper laughed and then turned serious, “This has been the best three days of my life, but we’ve been isolated. What happens tomorrow when we have to go to practice?”

Harper could see Lauren giving this some thought, before she said, “I don’t think we should rub this in Shelby’s face. Softball is the one thing she does outside of her job. You know she played in college. I don’t want to take that away from her.”

Harper hadn’t known that about Shelby. “Do you think I should quit?” She asked Lauren.

“No, they need you, but they don’t need me, so I will step back…at least until Shelby’s had time to adjust to us.”

Harper thought this was probably a good idea, although it meant spending time away from Lauren. She knew Shelby needed to heal and their friends needed time to adjust to the new dynamic. She also still had in the back of her mind that Shelby could make life difficult for her and she had at least two years and a doctorate to get through before she could leave UC. Lauren and Shelby still had six years of life to dismantle. Harper prayed silently the divorce would go well.

They decided to play it by ear. Lauren would not go to practice, but would call Jane to explain why and make herself available, if needed. There was a team function, the annual season kickoff party, after the first game on Thursday. They would wait to see how things were going before deciding whether to go. Harper didn’t want to cause a rift in the team either. She liked them and wanted them to like her, but for the first time in her life, if she had to choose between a lover and softball, the lover would win hands down. No questions asked. Harper had fallen madly in love with the pretty blonde, in her arms, and she didn’t intend to let go anytime soon.

Work went by quickly on Tuesday. Harper was so busy she didn’t eat lunch. She got several texts from Lauren over the day. Lauren was back at her studio. She had taken Jasper with her, so Harper could go straight to practice from work. Lauren would meet Harper at the house, after practice, if that was alright? Harper sent a text back that Jasper had to be home by dark, adding a little smiley face.

Lauren said she had wanted to date Harper, but so far they were doing the normal, lesbian move in with each other until the fire wears off, thing. Harper may have had only one female lover before, but she had been around enough lesbians to recognize the behavior. Right now she couldn’t imagine spending a night alone, without Lauren. She hoped it wouldn’t happen anytime soon.

Harper ran into Abby in the parking lot at the field first. Abby looked her up and down and grinned at her, “You have been getting laid, a lot, from the look on your face.”

Harper stiffened, “Does it show?”

“Well, it probably wouldn’t be so obvious, if you took that shit eating grin off your face,” Abby answered, laughing at Harper’s predicament.

“Shit, I knew this was a bad idea. Lauren made me come,” Harper said. “I don’t want to rub this in Shelby’s face.”

Abby looked at Harper, more serious now, “What’s wrong with you two being happy? Lauren hasn’t been happy in years. Shelby made her bed, now she’ll lie in it.”

Harper squirmed, “Yeah, but you guys have been friends a long time. I don’t want to cause any problems.”

Abby was compassionate, but honest, “Shelby and Lauren met us as a package. Our loyalties are to both of them not individually. Now they’re not a couple, and though I hope sides won’t be taken, they will be. That would have happened, if you were here or not.”

“You keep saying that, but it’s human nature to blame someone else and I have a feeling Shelby and at least Julie are blaming me.” Harper was not one who enjoyed controversy and here she was in a lesbian drama without even trying.

“Shit yeah, Shelby blames you. Of course she does. If she didn’t, she’d have to admit it was her fault. I wouldn’t worry, she’s a big girl, she’ll be okay. Besides you’re a better player than she is, so we’d kick her off first,” Abby laughed, “to hell with loyalty, we want to win.”

The two women laughed, as they made their way onto the field. Shelby showed up, apologizing for being tardy, after they were already taking infield. Because practice went by so fast, with the sun’s waning pressuring them to hurry, Harper had no personal interaction with Shelby. She left practice quickly, one to avoid Shelby, and two to get home to Lauren. A great wave of relief washed over her when she was able to escape without any confrontations.

Lauren had grilled chicken breast prepared when she got home. Not only was she beautiful, but she could cook. Harper showered before dinner and smiled when she saw the overnight bag in the corner of the bedroom and the new toothbrush in the holder on the sink. She came downstairs and kissed Lauren so passionately they almost didn’t make it to the dinner table, but Lauren insisted they eat while the food was hot. After dinner they watched a Duke Basketball game, which Duke won, much to Lauren’s displeasure. She was a Carolina fan through and through.

They were just getting in bed when Lauren’s phone rang. She looked at the caller I.D. and screwed up her face in a frown. She pressed the answer button and put the receiver to her ear. Harper knew it was Shelby on the other end.

Lauren said, into the phone, “Hello.” She paused, listening.

“Yes, that’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow. Six o’clock…okay, bye.”

Harper waited for Lauren to talk. Lauren hung up the phone and snuggled into Harper’s side.

“Shelby wants to talk. She’s ready for me to get my things out of the house and settle up our lives together,” Lauren said into Harper’s neck

Harper hugged Lauren closer, “How do you feel about that?”

Lauren said in a smoky, sexy voice, “I’ll show you.”

Lauren assured Harper that she wasn’t looking back. She assured her until they passed out, spent and satisfied. Harper fell asleep, with Lauren spooned into her body, knowing without a doubt where Lauren stood on the Shelby issue. They were done.

Wednesday dawned cold and wet. Harper left Jasper in the bed with Lauren. The three of them were settling into a routine. Harper went to work; Lauren and Jasper spent the day together. They sent texts back and forth throughout the day, Lauren reminding Harper she had to meet Shelby at six. When she got home, Harper was surprised at how empty the house felt without Lauren there to meet her. She made herself some dinner and sat down at the table. She brought some work home to keep busy while Lauren was with Shelby. She didn’t want to think about what was happening over there.

By nine o’clock, she was growing anxious. She put away her work and answered email. Grandma wanted to know if she was coming for Easter Sunday. Harper hadn’t made any plans yet, she wanted to talk to Lauren first. She put Grandma off for another day. J.R. checked in to make sure she was coming to the game on Saturday. She said yes, and apologized for not calling. She’d been busy, she said, adding a winking smiley face. She shot Jackie an email saying only, “Dyke drama continues, but I got the girl.” She hoped she had, but was really starting to worry when Lauren finally walked through the door.

She looked tired and had a box in her arms, which Harper took from her.

Lauren collapsed on the couch still in her coat. “Oh my God, I am so drained.”

Harper sat the box on the table. “Is everything okay?”

Lauren patted the couch beside her and when Harper sat down she wrapped her arms around Harper, saying, “Kiss me.”

Harper complied. She helped get Lauren out of her coat, hung it up in the closet and came back to the room where Lauren was taking off her shoes.

“You know, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was so happy to see the dogs. I’m really going to miss them, but Shelby said I could come get them whenever I want to. Of course Shelby isn’t happy about how things ended, but she seems to be handling it well. She’s going to buy me out of my half of the house and we split up the furniture. I think it’s going to be okay. She even said I should come back and join the team.”

Harper was ecstatic to hear Shelby was being amicable. She had hoped that things would go well and it sounded like Lauren was relieved too.

“So are you going to come back and play?” Harper asked.

“No, not yet. Let me come with you to the game tomorrow. I’ll sit in the stands and go to the party afterward. If everything goes well, then maybe.” Lauren was still cautious.

Harper agreed that was wise. She glanced at the table, “Hey, what’s in the box?”

“Some art glass pieces, I didn’t want to leave them to the movers.” Lauren said. “I’m going to go over while Shelby is at work and pack up the rest of my things, and then have the movers take it to the studio.”

Harper was ready for the conversation about Shelby to end and was glad when Lauren said she was hungry. The snacked and went to bed. Lauren was physically and emotionally exhausted. For the first time since they started sleeping together they just held each other and went to sleep. That was fine with Harper. Just holding Lauren was good enough for her.

Thursday morning Harper packed her ball bag and uniform into the Hummer. There would be no time to come home. The game started at six. She was excited to play in her first league game. She would now have a chance to check out the competition. Harper was a competitor no matter what she was playing and she liked to win. When Lauren sent a text saying she would be in the stands with the kids and husbands, Harper had to laugh. She watched the clock tick by slowly until it was time to change and leave for the game.

Harper arrived at the park, which was filling with families of all shapes and sizes. Evidently softball was a draw in Chapman’s Mill, too. She had wondered if softball would be as popular here, as it was in Oklahoma, after all, the Softball Hall of Fame was in Oklahoma City. It appeared from the crowd that it was. She found the Tarr Barr girls warming up on the field. Slowly the entire team trickled in. Harper smiled back at Shelby, who managed a weak smile when she walked up. At least she was making an effort; Harper had to give her that.

The game was tied, in the bottom of the seventh, twelve all. Both teams were hitting well and fielding pretty good, for a first game. Shelby stood on third base, with two outs and Harper up to bat. Jane signaled time out, calling Harper up the line to her. Shelby joined them in the huddle.

“Harper, this field is deeper than the one we practice on. Can you still get it out of here?” She didn’t wait for Harper to answer and went on, “We score here and we go home. We don’t score and we have to go through their third, fourth and fifth hitters. Our next batters are not likely to score. Whatever you do, I don’t want them to have a play on the ball, okay. Let’s end it here.”

Harper walked back to the plate, glancing into the stands. She saw Lauren standing with the rest of the fans, cheering. Harper winked at Lauren. Lauren showed her most wicked grin and winked back. It only took one pitch. Harper pasted the ball over the left field fence with room to spare. She was the hero of the moment and it felt good. She was actually looking forward to the party afterward. She met Lauren in the parking lot and without thinking picked her up and twirled her around. Lauren kissed her and hugged her neck.

They heard her voice before they saw her, “You two really do make a lovely couple.”

It was Shelby. She brushed by and went to her car. Lauren looked at Harper with her hand over her mouth, but she was grinning under her fingers. She shrugged, raising her eyebrows and said, “Oops.” Harper smiled back at her, Shelby was going to have to get over it. Lauren had, it seemed.

Lauren followed Harper to the house. Harper wanted to shower and change. Lauren, who wasn’t going to drink, would drive them to the party, because she wanted Harper to have a good time. They were later than they wanted to be.

Harper started taking her uniform off in the laundry room. Lauren had her own key by now and came in through the front door. She found a half-naked Harper in the laundry room. She started kissing Harper as soon as she reached her.

“Baby, I’m sweaty and stinky,” Harper said, though she wasn’t really resisting.

“I don’t care,” Lauren said, breathlessly, shoving her hand into the front of Harper’s pants. “You looked so hot on the field; your ass fits in those pants like a glove.”

“I’m glad you approve,” Harper said, picking Lauren up and putting her down on top of the dryer. Harper was turned on too, by the game and the woman she was now undressing in front of her. She yanked Lauren’s pants and the way sexy underwear off and onto the floor. She pulled Lauren to the edge of the drier so she could reach between her legs. Lauren desperately clawed at her shirt buttons finally throwing the shirt over Harper’s head to the floor. Harper unsnapped Lauren’s bra freeing her nipples, already hard and seeking Harper’s mouth.

Harper’s face was level with Lauren’s breasts and she took full advantage of her vantage point. Her mouth stayed busy while her right hand worked between Lauren’s legs. Lauren laid her head back against the cabinet over the appliances and bore down on Harper’s hand as she banged her right there on the dryer.

Her hands on Harper’s shoulders for leverage, Lauren screamed out, “Oh, my fucking god!”

They were the last to arrive at the Tarr Barr. Harper knew everyone would know what they had been doing, because she could see that Lauren was glowing and assumed she was too. From the slaps on the back and winks from her teammates it was obvious she had been correct. A long banquet table had been set up in the center of the playroom. The poker tables had been pushed off to the side. They sat at the opposite end of the table from Shelby.

Jane made a speech about the team and how much she enjoyed coaching and sponsoring every year. Then the buffet opened up with eastern North Carolina specialties, from Barbecue to peeled shrimp. The teammates laughed and joked for two hours then, it being a school night, soon dispersed to their homes. Harper was holding Lauren’s hand as they walked through the parking lot, laughing. It wasn’t until they reached the Tahoe that Harper saw Shelby.

Lauren didn’t see her until Harper froze. She followed Harper’s gaze to Shelby.

Lauren became very serious, “What do you want, Shelby?”

“I just need to know two things and then I’ll leave you alone. First, if Harper hadn’t come along, would we still be together?”

“No,” was all Lauren said.

“Second, that is your Tahoe at Harper’s every night, isn’t it?”

Lauren was incensed, “Are you stalking me?”

“I guess that’s my answer.” Shelby left them alone. She never said another thing, just got in her car and drove away.

Lauren said, optimistically, “God, I hope that is the end of that.”

Harper hoped so, too.

Chapter Seventeen

On Friday morning Harper asked Lauren to go on a real date with her. She would pick Lauren up at the studio at seven tonight and she needed to dress for dinner. When she got to work she asked people in the lab for suggestions for a date, which included a romantic dinner. They gave her so many suggestions she turned to the internet and found the Ferrell House, a five star restaurant in a romantic farmhouse setting with dining rooms furnished with antiques and art. The restaurant was located in the original historic Ferrell homestead in Pineboro, not far away. She was lucky to be able to make a reservation for two.

She saw Shelby, in the hall, coming back from lunch. They simply nodded at each other. Good, Harper thought. She could play it that way. Harper could understand how Shelby felt. Now that she had Lauren, it would tear her apart to lose her and it would kill her to have to watch her with someone else. She wasn’t sure she was as strong as Shelby.

When Harper got home from work, she took care of Jasper’s needs then showered quickly. She was careful with her makeup and wore more than usual, but she wanted to look as pretty as possible for Lauren. She put on her sexiest black underwear, but decided no on the matching bra.

Harper had one vice, expensive designer clothes. She didn’t have a lot, but the ones she had were top of the line. Tonight she chose her black, silk Armani suit with full leg, high waist pants and tunic length mandarin collar jacket. She wore her form fitting Armani tank top with the sexy cut out detail on the back. She felt comfortable and elegant, a hard combination to find sometimes.

Harper checked the clock; she was running out of time. She grabbed a black purse for her personal items and checked her makeup, in the mirror. She dabbed some perfume on her neck and wrists and was at the front door running a hair remover on her jacket when Max pulled up at six fifteen, in a shiny black town car. She had called him earlier in the day and asked him to bring his best ride. He was happy to hear the blonde lady was back in her life. Harper kissed Jasper and headed out for her date.

Max’s taxi wasn’t the only arrangement she had made on this night. In addition to the dinner reservations and the taxi, Harper called Chita and got the scoop on the clubs. Chita recommended Blue Nights in Durham. It was a member’s only club, but Chita said she would be there and get them in. She thought Lauren had a membership, but it could have been under Shelby’s name. Harper didn’t care if Shelby and Lauren had gone to the club; she figured they’d been a lot of places she and Lauren would go.

When Lauren opened the garage door at the studio, after Harper called to let her know she was there, Harper was dazzled. Lauren had on a navy blue sleeveless dress, with one strap in the middle of her chest that split and connected behind her neck. It had an empire waist and short hem that combined with her matching pumps showed leg for days. A necklace of large colorful beads accented her neckline and she looked so beautiful even Max whistled. Harper got out to let Lauren in the backseat and kissed her on the cheek as she passed.

“It’s good to see you back with my friend here. She was not happy when you were gone,” Max said.

Lauren smiled and squeezed Harper’s hand. They drove to Pineboro, with Max doing most of the talking. Lauren and Harper smiled and laughed at his non-stop gabbing. Lauren was surprised and delighted that they were at the Ferrell House. She had loved this place, when she and her family visited years ago, but had not been back in sometime. This made Harper smile inside. Evidently, she picked a place Shelby never took Lauren. Score one for the home team.

They were seated at a romantic table for two, in the corner, by the long wall of windows that looked out onto the lawn. Harper and Lauren enjoyed a four-course meal with complimentary wines, recommended by the steward. They talked about anything and everything. Harper and Lauren could talk for hours and never grow tired of each other. When they were silent their eyes were speaking loudly and clearly. Anyone watching knew these two were seriously romantically involved.

Harper was beginning to feel like she had known Lauren forever, maybe in a former life. They finished each other’s sentences. Lauren knew what Harper was thinking before she said it. They fit together like a glove. If Harper had dreamed up a lover, she could never have dreamed of someone she felt so in tune with. Lauren was Harper’s missing piece. Harper’s mother had given her the book, The Missing Piece, when she was younger, and now she truly understood what Shel Silverstein was saying.

Harper also realized that the walls she had up, to keep anyone from getting too close, were crumbling brick by brick as she sat across from Lauren, absorbed in her grin and dimples. Lauren talked about the new feeling of expression she was feeling in her art. The light was filtering back into her hues and tones. Lauren found new joy in the world around her, like she had been wearing dark glasses for too long. She was even fascinated by the many layers of gold in Jasper’s coat.

“Have you ever really looked at his fur? I’ve had a hard time capturing the way it glows in the sunlight,” Lauren said sipping her wine.

“I’ve always wanted to try and dye my hair like that, with all the layers of blonde, but I’m not sure that orange-gold layer on top would look too good,” Harper laughed.

“It’s just, I feel…I feel so free,” Lauren said and then leaned in to the center of the table, “Thank you for helping me find my way back to me. I’m not all the way there yet, but I’m well on my way.”

Harper held Lauren’s hand, “I’m happy I could help you with that, but I think you were finding your own way back before I came along.”

“You know what else,” Lauren whispered with that crooked smile that made Harper weak in the knees, “the sex is mind blowing.”

Harper flushed, which delighted Lauren who teased her mercilessly until Harper pointed out the redness of Lauren’s own neck and cheeks. They finished the fabulous meal and then strolled around the lighted garden, to help with the stuffed feeling. Max waited in the parking lot, because Harper had arranged to have his services all night. She could have rented a limo, but that seemed a little over the top. Besides, she trusted Max. He had become sort of a surrogate grandfather, the way he looked out for Harper.

It was a forty-minute drive from the restaurant to the Blue Nights club, in Durham. Harper had her arm around Lauren and they cuddled and kissed while Max played soft music on the radio. He seemed to sense that his dialogue was not needed. Harper called Chita when they were close to arriving. They left their overcoats and purses with Max. Harper only needed an I.D., a little cash and a credit card in the club, which she put in her pocket along with Lauren’s I.D. Chita was waiting outside when Harper and Lauren walked up.

“Oh shit, you guys are smokin’,” Chita said, as she checked them out.

Lauren kissed Chita on the cheek, and then hooted, “Let’s party.”

They entered the bar. It was already hopping. There were men and women of all kinds, dressed from casual to elegant. There was no doubt Lauren and Harper were stunning together, considering the looks and comments Harper heard, while following Chita to the table she had reserved for them.

Harper leaned over Lauren’s shoulder, as she followed her through the crowd, “I guess you’re used to that.”

“Used to what?” Lauren shouted over the music.

“People looking at you,” Harper shouted back.

“Don’t be silly, they’re checking out the new meat, I’m old news around here,” Lauren said, as they took their seats.

“Oh, you’ve been here a lot?” Harper already knew she came here because of what Chita said.

“Well, we used to come here, before we stopped going out to clubs.” Lauren realized Harper might not be comfortable with that, because she added, “I’m glad you brought me here. I really want to dance with you.”

Harper relaxed, even though she hadn’t known she was so tense. “Okay, but remember I’m a country girl and the two step is my specialty.”

“I seem to recall quite an exhibition of your dancing skills a week ago.”

“Yes, but J.R. was leading, so don’t expect too much,” Harper grinned and led Lauren out on the dance floor for the first of many dances.

It was warm in the club so Harper removed her jacket. Harper had worked hard on her body and it showed, in her athletic lean build. She was trim and cut tight. The muscle structure of her arms showed that she had hardly any body fat. The tank top clung to her torso so tightly, the ridges of her abdominal muscles showed through it. Harper’s body was the kind women dream of.

Lauren appreciated Harper’s body. It was apparent in the way Lauren couldn’t seem to keep her hands off of Harper. They were rarely more than two inches apart on the dance floor. They took breaks for drinks and air, but for the most part, they danced all night long.

While they were dancing to a slow song, Lauren said, into Harper’s neck, “You are the sexiest thing in the room and I am so lucky that you’re here with me.”

Harper pulled Lauren closer and kissed her hard, with the passion of all the emotions she was feeling. She had fallen in love. She couldn’t help it. Lauren was proving to be all Harper had ever dreamed of and more. She never thought she would give her heart so freely to anyone. She was exhilarated and full of fear, at the same time.

From somewhere deep inside Harper’s soul, and without her permission, she heard herself whisper into Lauren’s ear, “Please don’t break my heart.”

Lauren stopped dancing and looked up into Harper’s eyes, “I have every intention of loving you for the rest of my life.”

“Are you sure? It’s so soon aft…,”

Lauren cut her off by placing a finger on Harper’s lips. They were still in the middle of the dance floor, but all time had stopped for Harper. She could only see and hear Lauren when she said, “Harper Lynch, I’ve known since the day we went to the flea market. I’ve fallen in love with you and I assure you, I’ve thought about this carefully and I know what I’m saying.”

Harper was unable to speak. She only looked into Lauren’s eyes, as if trying to see the truth buried in them.

Lauren hit her on the arm, “Well, say something!”

Harper cracked a wicked grin, “Does this mean you don’t want to just date me anymore, because I was really enjoying your idea of a date.”

They rode home in the back of Max’s taxi, Harper holding Lauren while they both fell asleep. Harper woke up when she heard the gravel crunch of the driveway under the taxi wheels. She paid Max a healthy sum and thanked him for his hospitality. He winked at her and motioned for her to follow Lauren, who was almost in the house.

The nap had refreshed them and Harper’s Armani suit jacket hit the floor, in the foyer. She tugged at Lauren’s dress and finally managed to get the dress over her head. Frantically undressing each other they made it to the rug in the Great Room where Harper hit the remote on the CD player and the gas logs in the fireplace. They made love on the floor in front of the fire for hours, retiring sometime in the early morning to the bed.

Just before she closed her eyes Harper whispered, “I love you, too.”

Saturday, they slept in until nine. Lauren rolled over to face Harper. Harper didn’t see her do this. She felt her; because she still had her eyes closed and was thinking how grateful she was for the doggie door. Lauren began to kiss her on her neck and sang softly, “You’re the reason God made Oklahoma.”

Harper opened her eyes, smiling. Lauren was awake and sparkling. Harper reached over and bonked her on the head lightly.

“What was that for?” Lauren asked, laughing.

“I was hitting the snooze,” Harper said, with her eyes closed again.

“Wake up, I want to run.” Lauren tickled Harper until she opened her eyes.

“Okay, but I didn’t know you ran. I get up every morning and run while you sleep. You never asked to go.”

“That’s because you exhausted me the night before, and I do remember one morning when you didn’t run and an incident in the shower,” Lauren teased.

“Let’s do that again instead,” Harper said, pulling Lauren closer and reaching for her breast.

“Stop that,” Lauren reacted with a grin, while she held Harper’s fingers away from her nipple. “I used to run every day until about a month ago when all the shit started going down with Shelby. Remember I told you some of the girls and I used to meet every Tuesday and Thursday at Chita’s health spa.” She pulled the covers off of them and stood up in the bed bouncing Harper, giggling like a schoolgirl. “Come on, I want to show you the trails, they connect from here to Chapman’s Mill. It’s a beautiful run. Jasper wants to go to.”

Jasper saw the game of get Mom up, as something he needed to join in on. He jumped on the bed and bounced up and down with Lauren, barking at Harper. Harper was defeated. She got up; they dressed, ate power bars and loaded Jasper, in his vest stuffed with water bottles and power bars, into the Hummer for the short ride to the trailhead in Kerrville. Lauren had been right. It was a beautiful run. Lauren couldn’t keep up with Harper and Jasper, so the two of them slowed down to her pace. She promised to get back up to speed and even try to run at Harper’s pace within a couple of weeks. She was amazed at how much her body had changed in just one month. She asked Harper to help her on the weight machine, too, so she could build her upper body.

“I want… to look like… you did in… that tank top… last night,” Lauren gasped out, between breaths.

“Okay, but that means you can’t lie around in the bed when I get up,” Harper said, much more in control of her breathing.

“Well, then… if you’re… going to… fuck my brains… out every night…, we’re going… to have to… go to bed… earlier.”

Harper laughed, “I definitely don’t see an end coming to that soon, so we’ll go to bed earlier.”

They finished the run and then went by the Webber Street Market, a co-op offering local meats and produce among other things, where Lauren grabbed some fresh vegetables. They had pie and coffee for brunch. Jasper enjoyed a few bites of pie, too. After walking around the market for a while, they went home, showered and changed to go to J.R.’s game. The game didn’t start until three, but he wanted them to come early.

They dressed casually, but sexy so J.R. could show them off. It was a special request he texted this morning. Lauren and Harper had laughed at the message. It was going to be hard for these testosterone-overloaded athletes to tell these two gorgeous women were not only gay, but fucking each other. It would never cross their minds. They were counting on this, because they enjoyed the game J.R. was playing with his teammates. He had not only one, but two hot chicks in the stands.

Harper thought Lauren would look good in a paper sack. She was especially cute in her white tank top and pink striped over shirt. Her jeans were worn, in just the right places, and accentuated her superior ass. Lauren couldn’t hide her beauty even when she dressed down, but it wasn’t a “wow” kind of beauty, it was a “cute as a button” kind of beauty, that made people want to know her. Harper saw that at the market. People were enamored with Lauren, men and women. Harper was so proud that Lauren was hers.

Lauren swung her bangs out of her eyes and caught the image of Harper in the mirror, watching her, as she brushed her hair. She turned around, approaching Harper who was sitting on the overstuffed chair in the corner. Lauren placed her hands on Harper’s shoulders and moved in close, so that Harper was looking up at her. Harper wrapped her arms around Lauren’s waist.

“Harper Lee Lynch, if you keep looking at me like that, we will not make it to the game on time.”

“I’ll try to stop, but your ass looks so good in those jeans, it’s going to be hard.”

“Well try. I don’t want to disappoint J.R.,” and with that she turned and walked out of the room, shaking her ass just for Harper’s benefit.

Harper called out, “Tease!”

They successfully got out of the house without any delays and arrived at the stadium, in time for batting practice. They found their seats just behind the home team dug out. J.R. had arranged for them to sit with other families and girlfriends of players. It was apparent to Harper that the women in the stands assumed they were baseball whores who slept with players. Once Harper explained that she and J.R. had dated in Oklahoma the wives accepted them into the fold. J.R. called them down to the fence.

“Hey, you two look great. Thanks for coming,” he said, thrilled for them to be there. I don’t know if I’ll get to play or not. I’ll be in the bull pen.”

“Do you think we came to watch you? We came to watch all the other guys in tight white pants,” Harper teased.

“I don’t know about that, but they’re sure checking you girls out. Hey, you wanna have a beer after the game?” J.R. sounded hopeful. “Some of the guys are going out, they’re girlfriends and wives are coming, too. I just thought you could come for a little while.”

“You’re not going to make me pose, as your girlfriend?” Harper said, teasing him some more.

“No, but I’d thought I’d ask your hot friend here, if she would?” J.R. wasn’t to be gotten the best of.

Lauren simply smiled and said, “I’m taken.”

They all laughed and J.R. returned to stretching. Lauren said she didn’t mind having a beer after the game and Harper knew her two beer limit would shorten the evening anyway. They ate hot dogs and junk food and cheered for the Bats, to no avail. The parent club waxed them as they should have, and J.R. didn’t get in the game, but they had a great time and promised the wives they would come back again.

After the game, Harper and Lauren joined J.R. at the restaurant, located beyond the left field wall, next to the ballpark. The restaurant had an outdoor deck that was heated in the winter and cooled in the summer. J.R. had a blast introducing Harper and Lauren to his boys. The boys practically drooled and Harper and Lauren played along, flirting and hanging on J.R. Lauren ran her hand across Harper’s ass, which sent chills down Harper’s spine. She looked at Lauren with a “don’t do that look,” because the boys might be drooling for totally different reasons, if she kept it up. Lauren tried to feign innocence.

After two beers they called it quits, kissed J.R. on the cheek and left him at the bar, pleased with their performance. He had no idea how hard it was for Harper, not to say to his boys, “Go ahead look, but she’s all mine.”

There was a new emotion growing in Harper. The one that wanted to shout from the rooftops she’s mine. Luckily Chapman’s Mill is a very liberal, accepting town. It’s still in the south, but Harper had no fear of losing her job, when people found out about Lauren at work. Unfortunately, most of those people would also know that Lauren was formerly Shelby’s partner for six years. There would be a bit of a scandal, until a new rumor came along. Harper didn’t care. She wanted everyone to know that Lauren belonged to her. They would soon find out, at the Bio-Med Dinner she had to attend Monday night.

Shit, she forgot to ask Lauren if she would go with her. She had considered that Lauren might say no, because of Shelby, but it didn’t hurt to ask. They had just arrived at Lauren’s studio when Harper thought to ask about the dinner.

“Lauren, would you consider going to the Bio-Med Dinner with me, Monday night? I wouldn’t go, but they want to officially award the grant to me.”

“I know. It’s on my calendar. I went every year with Shelby.”

“Lauren, I know you don’t want to hurt Shelby, but I’d really like you to be there. We can leave early, right after the award ceremony.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to hurt Shelby. I don’t want us to be the scandal of the evening.”

“Look, we’ll put on our glamour clothes and high heels and pretend there is no one there, but us. People are going to talk about us. We can do it now and get it over with, so they can move on to the next big topic and we’ll become old news.” Harper added quickly, “Shelby will have a guest too, probably. Maybe her date will be more scandalous than mine.”

Lauren smiled, “Do you really want me to go?”

Harper put on her best puppy-dog face, “Yes, I’d be bored to tears without you.”

“Okay, but you make sure we’re not seated with or near Shelby,” Lauren said seriously. “I don’t want a scene.”

“There won’t be. She’s too professional for that.”

Lauren shook her head, “You’ve only known her a month. She can be nasty if she wants to be.”

“Look, if she was going to drag this in to work, she would have already done it. I haven’t heard a peep about the split from anyone. I don’t think anybody knows.”

“Well, this will be a hell of a way for them to find out, don’t you think?” Lauren was still concerned.

“I’m not trying to embarrass Shelby. I just want you with me. But, I’ll understand if you think it’s a bad idea,” Harper answered.

Lauren thought about it for a minute, “I know I’m going to regret this, but yes, I will go with you.”

Harper kissed her and they got out of the car. They had come to pick up Lauren’s Tahoe and some clothes because Lauren had to go to her mother and father’s for Easter Sunday dinner tomorrow. Harper had to go take her Grandmother to church and lunch, afterward. Harper was amazed at what Lauren had done in a week, while she was at the lab. Lauren had been painting on a huge canvas leaning against a wall near the office.

It was full of the bright colors missing from Lauren’s recent paintings. She was using more of the colors she had used in college. Lauren’s work hung all around Harper, so it was easy to trace her emotions during different time periods in her life. The canvas on the wall had bright reds and greens, with a variety of gold and blues, in wide heavy brush strokes, splashed across its front. The image took no recognizable form, but was quite interesting, as it was.

Lauren saw Harper looking at the painting, “it’s just a start. I’m not sure what it will turn out to be. It’s something I can’t quite see yet.”

“It’s so colorful, it makes me feel warm,” Harper said, still looking at the painting. “It contrasts so vividly with these over here.” Harper pointed at the painting of the sad blue woman.

Lauren moved in behind her and put her hands around Harper’s waist. “I have warmer things to think about now.”

Harper spun in Lauren’s arms. She bent her head to Lauren’s and kissed her sweetly. Lauren pulled out of her arms, “I have something for you.”

She started toward the bedroom area, Harper started to follow. Lauren put her hand up, “No, wait right there.”

Harper was a little disappointed, but mostly curious, as to what Lauren had for her. Lauren reappeared holding a framed painting, the image turned away from Harper, so she couldn’t see. When she revealed the painting, Harper was thrilled. Lauren was holding the painting of Jasper that she had been working on. Lauren painted Jasper from the side, standing in the grass, with trees in the background. His head was turned toward the viewer with that goofy grin and his baseball hanging out of his mouth. It was beautiful and captured Jasper’s personality perfectly.

Harper hugged Lauren, “Oh my god, it’s so beautiful. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Lauren winked at Harper, “You’re welcome. Now, let’s go hang it up at your house and cuddle on the couch.”

Harper was already headed for the Hummer, painting in hand, “If you’re waitin’ on me, you’re backin’ up.”

Chapter Eighteen

Lauren and Harper parted early Sunday morning, Harper off to Wilson and Lauren off to see her parents. Lauren’s parents lived on Pineview Drive over-looking the Chapman’s Mill Country Club ponds, in a very pretentious two point five million dollar monstrosity. Lauren admitted she enjoyed the money her parents and grandparents had bestowed on her, but it was the pompousness of the people her parents interacted with that made her sick.

“And the worst part about today is I have to tell my mother why Shelby isn’t with me,” Lauren said, over breakfast.

“Shelby went with you to your parents?” Harper asked.

Lauren sipped her coffee, “Shelby doesn’t have any family here. They all live far away and Shelby pretty much cut them off when her parents reacted badly to her being gay.”

“And your parents are okay with you being a lesbian?”

“Oh, not at first, but it became popular to have a lesbian daughter so my mother came around. Dad is so into himself, he doesn’t really care,” Lauren continued. “I don’t know how she’ll take the lesbian divorce.”

“Wait till you tell her about the new cowgirl from Oklahoma,” Harper said, kissing Lauren goodbye and rushing off. She had much further to go than Lauren and had to leave before her.

Grandma was in good spirits and health. Harper sat through church and lunch afterward, counting the minutes until she could go back home. She loved her grandmother, but she was unable to shake the need to be back in Lauren’s presence. She rushed through the visit as quickly as possible and actually beat Lauren back to the house. Lauren came home about thirty minutes after Harper. She changed clothes and joined Harper downstairs.

Lauren sat down in Harper’s lap on the couch. She laid her head on Harper’s shoulder and sighed deeply.

Harper hugged her tightly to her, “What’s the matter, baby?”

Lauren lay still for a moment then raised her head. She stood up suddenly and started pacing in front of Harper. Finally she said, “I am so mad at Shelby, I could kill her.”

Harper sat up, “Why, what did she do?”

“She went to see my mother. She told her about our break up and you.” Lauren was on a roll now, she continued pacing, “Of course she took no responsibility for our relationship falling apart and to top it all off she said and I quote, ‘She’s lost her mind and run off with a twenty-three year old grad student.’ I hate her.”

Harper stood up and stopped Lauren from pacing, “I take it your mother was not happy?”

“Oh, she was okay, by the time I left, though she’s still on Shelby’s side. I just didn’t want to discuss the reasons Shelby and I split up. Then I had to explain you and I wasn’t ready for that. It shocked me, that’s all,” Lauren said, falling into Harper’s chest.

Harper could only say, “I’m sorry.”

Lauren remained on Harper’s chest, but she wasn’t done, “Damn Shelby, I told you she could be a bitch.”

“Honey, she’s just grasping at straws. She doesn’t want to lose you. I can understand that.”

“No, this is spite and anger. She knows we’re done. She doesn’t want me back; she just wants to hurt me.” Lauren let go of Harper and fell into the big chair in the corner.

“Lauren, you had to know she wasn’t going to just walk away from you, without a fight.”

“That’s why our relationship drug on so long, when it was over a year ago. I didn’t know how she would react.” Lauren stared at the floor.

“So, let’s look at the situation rationally.” When Harper said this, Lauren rolled her eyes. “No, now don’t tune out on me. Shelby told your mother her bazaar version of what’s happened. You talked to your mother and she’s okay now, although still pulling for Shelby, so no harm done.”

Lauren looked at Harper with her mouth hanging open.

Harper wasn’t exactly sure how to read this reaction. She was about to speak again, when Lauren said, “How did you get to be so wise at your age?”

Harper answered plainly, “I don’t know, it just doesn’t make sense to waste energy being angry over something that really doesn’t matter in the long run. It’s done, let’s move on.”

Lauren stood up and put her arms around Harper’s neck, “That’s why I love you; you can make me smile no matter what.”

Harper hugged Lauren close, “I missed you today.”

All day Monday, Harper couldn’t get what Shelby had done out of her mind. Even though she told Lauren not to worry about Shelby’s attempts to hurt her, Harper was still angry at Shelby’s behavior. It was the act of a desperate woman. How many more desperate acts did Shelby have up her sleeve? It was like anticipating fireworks. You know it is going to explode, but you still jump when it happens. Harper and Lauren were going to the department dinner together. Harper hoped that Shelby wasn’t going to blow up tonight.

Everyone left the lab early to get ready for the dinner. Harper saw Shelby in the parking lot, but kept going, avoiding a confrontation with her. She thought the less time she was around Shelby, the less opportunity Shelby had to go off on her. Harper wanted Shelby to face the facts and move on, but Harper was too smart to think that Shelby would walk away, without confronting her at least once. Shelby had the look of a woman scorned and it seemed to grow more prevalent every time Harper saw her.

When they walked into the party many heads turned and Harper actually saw someone point, then cover her mouth in shock. Lauren and Harper both wore their simple black dresses, Harper accessorizing with pearls and Lauren a beautiful tropically colored, silk, flowered scarf. In the parking lot, just before they went in, Harper squeezed Lauren’s hand and asked, “Are you ready for this?”

Lauren held onto Harper’s hand tightly, “Just don’t leave me alone in there.”

Harper kissed her on the cheek and then gently rubbed the lipstick smudge off Lauren’s face with her thumb, “Now why would anyone leave a beautiful woman like you alone?”

So, Harper held tightly to Lauren’s hand as they entered. They mingled and drank champagne, Harper ever on the lookout for Shelby. She finally saw her, over by the champagne fountain refilling her glass. There did not seem to be anyone with her, as she moved easily through the crowd.

Shelby was striking and all the men and most of the women noticed her. Lauren knew a lot of the people there. She was charming and gracious as she introduced Harper to more of the Bio-Med faculty. No one came right out and said, why are you with Harper and not Shelby, but you could see the questions on their faces.

On one hand, the stares and questions bothered Harper only because they were the center of attention and she really didn’t like the spotlight. On the other hand, she was proud to be with Lauren. She wanted everyone to know, this lovely woman is with me. It made her feel good, not jealous, when the men checked Lauren out. Abby’s words rang in her head, “You can look, but don’t touch.” Nevertheless, Harper did touch. She not only touched it, she took it and she was damn proud of it.

Harper could see that Shelby was getting closer to them. She tried to move Lauren along, but she was engrossed in some woman’s baby pictures. Lauren had known these people a long time and had many friends among them. She kept stopping to talk to people on the way to their table and Shelby was coming up right behind them. Harper had called to request a seat far away from Dr. West, but she was certainly walking their way.

Shelby stopped three feet away from Harper to talk to one of the people Lauren had just introduced Harper to. It was a Dr. somebody who worked with Shelby. To Harper’s dismay, Shelby walked past them to her table, located only three tables away from where Harper and Lauren were seated. The seating was arranged in such a way that it put Shelby looking straight at their table. Could it get any worse?

Harper tried to listen to the conversation at her table. Lauren knew everyone there, so she talked with ease amongst them. You would never have known she was in a tight situation, if you didn’t know the score. What Harper began to notice was the number of times Shelby had the server bring her mixed drinks from the bar. Harper could tell she was drinking martinis by the shape of the glass. Shelby was becoming more animated as she talked to the other diners at her table.

Lauren turned to Harper, “You’re not listening, are you?”

Harper snapped back to the table, “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

Lauren indicated a man in a tux with a plaid bow tie, “Bill asked how you liked Chapman’s Mill so far.”

Lauren squeezed Harper’s knee under the table. Harper smiled broadly, “I think I’ve found a new home. I really like it here. Everybody has been so welcoming.”

Lauren slid her hand a little bit further up Harper’s leg. She leaned over and whispered in Harper’s ear, so no one else could hear, “Do I have your attention now?”

Harper trembled a little. This kind of sexual seduction in public was stimulating in ways Harper had never felt before. She stopped Lauren’s hand from rising any higher. “Yes m’am you have my full attention,” Harper whispered back.

Lauren was talking with only Harper now, in hushed tones, while the others at the table continued their own conversations. “Where were you? I had to touch you to get your attention.”

“You never told me Shelby was a big drinker,” Harper said quietly.

“She isn’t. Her mother is an alcoholic so she’s very careful about how she drinks. Why?” Lauren looked over at Shelby’s table.

“Because she’s putting away Martinis like there is no tomorrow.” Harper looked back over at Shelby, “I saw her drunk on bourbon and it wasn’t pretty.”

“Let’s just get your award and excuse ourselves. She won’t come after us. It would make a scene. She won’t do that at work. Just relax.” Now, Lauren was the calm one and Harper wanted to get up and pace.

Dinner was finally served and the speeches got started. There were lots of grant recipients to recognize. Shelby was mentioned many times. As part of her new job, Shelby had helped quite a few grant recipients complete the grant process. Shelby had been very busy. Lauren and Harper clapped politely when Shelby was asked to stand up. Harper did notice Shelby had a little trouble sitting back down. As the evening wore on, Harper noticed that Shelby had begun to glare at them occasionally and a few times she was just sitting there blatantly staring at them, when Harper looked over at her.

Harper heard her name being called and she walked up to the head table to receive a worthless piece of paper that confirmed what she already knew, her grant was the largest corporate grant received, thus far, in this academic year. The speaker went on to praise Harper’s academic record and honors, telling the room full of her colleagues how lucky they were that Harper chose UC over that school in Durham. It had been a tight race, but UC won out.

Harper was completely embarrassed by all the attention. She was a good student, because her parents expected it of her and she enjoyed school. She chose UC because they offered her a better salary and benefits package. There had been no luck involved. As far as the grant went, once she approached the corporation about branching out into sports medicine, it was a done deal. Sports medicine is one of the few investments still rising in profits. It was a no brainer. The government even pitched in some research money from the stimulus package. Harper thought that was ridiculous, but took the money anyway.

So here she was in front of this applauding crowd expected to say something, which nobody warned her she might have to do. “Thank you. Thank you for your hospitality and warm response. I’m truly honored by my reception here. As you can tell, by my accent, I am not a native of North Carolina.” The audience chuckled. “I really appreciate the way you all have made me feel welcome here. I look forward to many years in my new home in Chapman’s Mill.”

Then it was over. Her pounding heart began to slow down as she exited the podium. She shook a few hands and accepted a few kisses on the cheek, on the way back to the table. Harper was looking at Lauren, as she approached her seat. Lauren was beaming with pride, which swelled Harper’s heart with delight. She was going to walk passed Shelby’s table and not make eye contact. She was almost home free, when Harper felt someone grab her arm.

She turned to see it was Shelby, pulling her down to say something in her ear. Shelby smiled so no one at the table would suspect what she was really about to say, “Are you enjoying fucking my wife?”

Harper stood up and smiled at Shelby. Harper could play this game too. “Why, yes I am. Thank you so much for asking. I’m really enjoying it.”

She patted Shelby’s hand, the one still gripping her arm. Shelby was seething, but remained smiling and composed, as she said, “Well, you can use it a little longer, but I’m going to want it back pretty soon.”

Harper pulled away gently, so it wouldn’t show how much force Shelby was using on her arm. She backed away from the table, smiling, leaving Shelby with this to chew on, “I’m sorry. I thought you said you were through with it. I’ve already written in the margins and I really don’t think I can give it back. I’ll keep this one and see about finding you a new one.”

Harper turned around to see Lauren standing up. Shock projected from her whole body. She had grown quite pale and could not take her eyes off Harper. Harper kept smiling, as though nothing had happened. She signaled Lauren to meet her at the end of the table. Lauren read her mind, grabbed their purses, excused herself from the table and joined Harper in the crowded walkway. Harper indicated for Lauren to go ahead of her.

Harper whispered through clinched teeth and her ‘isn’t this great’ smile, “Just keep moving. I’ll explain when we get in the car.”

When they reached the parking garage, they thought they had escaped. Suddenly, Harper heard the clicking of high heels on the concrete behind them. Shelby was bearing down on them with a look of pure loathing. For some reason Lauren stepped in front of Harper, shielding her from this crazy woman coming at her, with a full head of steam.

Lauren put her hand up in an attempt to stop Shelby. It didn’t work. Shelby slapped Lauren’s hand out of the way, her anger aimed at Harper. This enraged Harper. She wasn’t going to duke it out in the parking garage, that was such childish and typical lesbian behavior, but she wasn’t going to stand by and let Shelby get physical with Lauren either. There was no doubt in Harper’s mind that she could whip Shelby’s ass, because among the things she did, before she lost her parents, was taekwondo. She was a blue belt about to test for her brown, but she lost interest after her father died, because they took classes together.

She stepped around Lauren and faced off with Shelby. Harper tried to keep Lauren behind her, but Lauren kept trying to get back in front, she kept saying, “Shelby, what’s wrong with you?”

Shelby glared into Harper’s eyes and the glare was returned in kind. Harper was not easily intimidated by anyone.

“How dare you?” Shelby finally screeched at Harper.

Harper was ready, “How dare you? I believe you’re the one that wanted to know if I enjoyed fucking your wife. I just answered you truthfully. And by the way, I don’t see a ring on her hand do you?”

Lauren pulled on Harper’s arm, “Let’s go. Don’t bait her. She’s obviously drunk.”

Harper held her ground. No way do you turn your back on an enemy, especially when they’re angry. She watched as Shelby groped for something to say. Shelby switched her attention to Lauren.

“Lauren, what are you doing with this twenty-three-year-old grad student? You know you are just doing this to hurt me, to get back at me. I left you alone too much. I know that now. We can start over, forget this ever happened.”

Lauren continued to pull Harper back toward the Tahoe. “Come on Harper, please let’s just go.”

Harper complied, but did not turn her back on Shelby until she was a safe distance away. They left Shelby where she was. Just as they drove away, Harper looked in the side mirror, back to where Shelby was standing. She saw Shelby fall to her knees.

Shelby screamed, “Lauren, please!”

Lauren acted as if she did not hear her. When they were safely on the road, Lauren asked, “What did she say to you when she whispered in your ear?”

Harper related the whole story word for word. Lauren was quiet for a moment. Harper was worried Lauren would be mad at her for fucking with Shelby like that. She didn’t have to worry long. Lauren burst out laughing.

“You know, you had better be careful that mouth of yours doesn’t write out a check, your ass can’t cash,” Lauren said, between bouts of laughter.

Harper kissed Lauren on the cheek, “I’m not worried. You’ve got my back, right?”

Chapter Nineteen

Tuesday went by smoothly. There were no confrontations with Shelby at work. In fact, Harper never saw Shelby and by the end of the day she and Lauren had ceased to be the topic of conversation everywhere she went. Many people commented on how happy Lauren looked. Harper swelled with pride each time.

Lauren sent Harper a text. Jane had called and asked her to play in the game tonight. Shelby would not be there. This made Harper extremely happy. A whole day with no Shelby would be a good day. Harper felt for Shelby. She knew the pain of loss all too well. Harper saw it in Shelby’s face when she fell on her knees last night. You couldn’t be human and not feel some empathy. Harper never intended to be a part of hurting Shelby, but it was clear Shelby was still blaming Harper for her predicament. Lauren also made it clear there was no going back.

The softball game was so much fun. The whole team seemed to have a cloud lifted from them. Harper hadn’t realized how much the tension between she and Shelby had affected the whole team. They won handily. Abby, Julie, Alicia, Lauren and Harper decided to go to the Tarr Barr for food, before going home.

On the way to the bar, Lauren called Harper from the Tahoe trailing the Hummer. “If I’m going to keep playing, I might have to move to right field,” Lauren was saying.

“Why?” Harper asked.

“Because, I can’t concentrate on the batter with you shaking your ass in my face the whole game,” Lauren laughed.

”I can’t help that you can’t keep your hands off me, you know,” Harper said, playing along.

“Maybe you should get baggier pants.” Lauren teased.

They joined the girls in the back room. When they sat down, Lauren nonchalantly kissed Harper on the cheek.

“Oh, please! Get a room,” Julie commented.

Lauren didn’t miss a beat, smiling at Julie, “Get over it Julie. It’s not like I’m the first person, at this table, to get a divorce and find someone else. At least I didn’t have an affair before the divorce.”

The arrow hit home. Julie, who was never at a loss for words, was speechless. The table sat quietly for a moment then Alicia and Abby burst into laughter.

“She got you on that one,” Abby said.

Julie regained her voice, “Don’t you feel like we owe Shelby some loyalty?”

Abby replied, “Yes, as her friend, I feel I should support her while she gets back on her feet, but Lauren is our friend, too. You don’t think Lauren deserves loyalty, because she’s happy now?”

Julie stared at Abby, but conceded, “I guess you’re right, it just feels wrong to me.”

Lauren tilted her head and scrunched up her brow, “Would you feel the same if Shelby was the one sitting here and not me?”

Alicia finally spoke up, “It’s always sad when a relationship comes to an end. I see it every day in the divorces I deal with. You end up dividing everything including your friends. I hope that doesn’t happen here.”

Lauren was still looking at Julie, waiting for her to answer, “Well, Julie, what’s it going to be? Do we sit here and have a nice friendly meal or are you going to be the hard ass you usually are, standing your ground, even though you know you are wrong?”

“I just want to know, were you sleeping with Harper before you left Shelby?” Julie was undeterred.

Harper and Lauren answered at the same time, “No!”

Lauren added, “But what if I was, who are you to judge?”

“I’m not judging you,” Julie finally smiled, “I just wanted you not to be so god damned perfect.”

They all laughed and enjoyed the rest of the evening. The conversation never drifted back to Shelby. Lauren talked about how she was really enjoying her art again. Abby asked how Harper was getting along at work and Alicia intrigued them with talk of her latest political activism on the part of homeless women. They all promised to come to the women’s center on Saturday to help paint. All in all, it was a very pleasant evening and Harper left feeling at ease with her new friends.

Lauren had basically moved in with Harper and Jasper. Harper cleared out space in a few drawers and made room in the closet for Lauren’s things. They never really talked about it, but since Harper had Jasper, most nights were spent at her house to begin with and then they just fell into a routine. Lauren, true to her word, rose every morning with Harper to run and work out. While Harper was at work, Lauren would go to her studio to paint and often took Jasper. Lauren was always at the house, waiting when Harper got home from work.

They cooked together usually, unless Lauren made something special that day. Then they would crawl on the couch, Harper usually reading or working on something from work, while Lauren laid her head in Harper’s lap and sketched or wrote in her journal. Harper always checked with Lauren before she got things out of her briefcase to work on. She didn’t want to make the same mistakes Shelby had. Harper gave her plenty of reassuring pats and kisses to let Lauren know she was never far from her mind. Lauren appeared to be fine with the way things were going.

They still couldn’t keep their hands off each other and often went from sitting quietly on the couch to having passionate sex all over the house. They were young and in love and totally infatuated with each other’s bodies. Lauren’s tongue did things to Harper’s body no one else had ever done. Sometimes Harper was afraid when she orgasmed her twat was going to blow off. Harper’s favorite time was after the sex, when Lauren would lie on top of her and close her eyes, not moving, not speaking, just lying as one with Harper. To Harper, this was the way it was supposed to be, her missing piece was missing no more.

Harper was feeling high on life, when she stepped into the elevator at work, Wednesday morning. She didn’t see Shelby at first, not until she saw the reflection of the tall dark woman. Shelby’s eyes stared back from the stainless steel door, in front of Harper. The elevator car was quieter than usual, as many of the people in the car were acutely aware of the animosity between the two women. Harper just wanted the car to get to her floor, as quickly as possible.

The doors opened several floors below Harper’s and she considered getting off right there and using the stairs, but the traffic out of the elevator pushed her back until there was no one left, but Shelby and a younger looking student. Harper hoped Shelby would maintain some civility. It didn’t dawn on Harper that Shelby should have gotten off when the doors opened. When Harper glanced at Shelby, she realized how terrible she looked. Maybe Shelby was sick. She hadn’t been at the game yesterday, so she might have come down with something.

It wasn’t long before Harper realized it was a hangover that Shelby was struggling with. Shelby took one long step toward Harper and from her breath; Harper knew Shelby had been drinking.

Harper tried to head her off, “Shelby, you really don’t want to do this here.”

“Why not, everybody fucking knows. I’m the laughing stock of the department. Poor Shelby, she lost Lauren to a grad student.”

“You didn’t lose her to me. You lost her all by yourself.” Harper looked apologetically at the young student, who was backing away to the other side of the car.

When the doors opened the student shot out of there like a bullet. Harper followed, with Shelby hot on her heels. “Stop right there Miss Lynch, I’m not done with you.”

Harper stopped just outside of her lab. The people in the lab became aware of the excitement in the hall and started watching. Harper was beyond embarrassed, which was quickly turning to anger.

Harper turned to Shelby, “Dr. West, I have nothing further to say to you. If you care to discuss this matter we will do so, but not here and not now.”

Shelby came closer and lowered her voice, “Little girl, you have no idea what you’re playing at.”

Harper stiffened at the “little girl” comment, but let Shelby continue. If she wanted to ruin her career by making an ass out of herself at work, then Harper was going to let her.

“Lauren and I did not have an affair, we had a marriage. When she’s done with you, she’ll be back.”

Harper reached for the door handle, “You keep telling yourself that, if it helps you sleep at night.”

Shelby grabbed Harper and spun her around. “You little bitch,” she shouted.

At just that moment, the young student from the elevator reappeared with a security guard. He approached Shelby, “Dr. West, can I help you?”

Shelby released Harper’s arm. She turned to the security guard all smiles, “No, everything is fine, John, just a misunderstanding.”

Shelby glared at Harper one more time before she exited down the hall. Harper entered the lab where she was immediately surrounded by her lab mates. She told them it was nothing and tried to go on with her work, but couldn’t get the image of the drunken, haggard Shelby out of her mind. Harper didn’t text or call Lauren, and didn’t mention the incident to her, until she was safely at home that evening.

Lauren was astounded that Shelby was drinking so much. Shelby had been adamant about not becoming an alcoholic or even a heavy drinker, considering she grew up in an alcoholic home. Lauren assured Harper again that she was done with Shelby, but she didn’t like seeing her bottom out like this.

“Who knows,” she said, playing with her salad, “she might snap out of it soon. I hope so. I don’t want to see her ruin her career.”

Harper swallowed a forkful of salad before adding, “I don’t want to see her ruin mine.”

Lauren comforted Harper, “If she tries anything now, it will be obvious to everyone what her ulterior motives are, besides, you are the star of the department right now. They don’t want to lose your research project.”

“You’d think she would consider that, since her job is to get grants for the department,” Harper said as she rose to put their plates in the sink.

Lauren came up behind Harper at the sink and placed her arms around Harper’s waist. “She’s just mad right now, she’ll get over it. She’ll have to, because you have captured my heart and soul.”

Harper turned around to face Lauren. Lauren leaned her body on Harper’s. That was really all it took. The dishes would have to wait. Harper forgot all about Shelby. They were half-naked before they made it to the stairs.

Lauren ran in front of Harper, as she called out, “Come on. I have a twenty three year old grad student I want to lose my mind with.”

Harper took the steps two at a time, “I’ve already lost mine.”

They ended up having to put the dishes in the dishwasher the next morning. Harper arrived at work taking the stairs to the lab. She wanted no more confrontations with Shelby and she was going to work hard to keep it from happening. She had no reason to interact with Shelby except for the softball team and Harper planned on limiting her exposure to Shelby’s rage.

Today was the day Lauren had scheduled to remove her property, from the home she had shared with Shelby. She was going to pack in the morning and meet the movers around noon. There wasn’t much to pack, because Lauren said she didn’t want most of what was there anyway. Just some clothes and some antique furniture that had been in her family for years. Shelby could have the rest. Hopefully she would be out of the house before Shelby came home. Lauren had seemed anxious to get this part over with when she kissed Harper goodbye in the driveway. Harper felt uneasy too.

Harper grabbed Lauren’s hand, stopping her just as she turned away, “Lauren, I know we haven’t been together very long, but you know I’m really in love with you, don’t you?”

Lauren pulled her hand away and gently touched Harper’s cheek, looking up at her, peering into Harper’s eyes, “Don’t be scared, baby. I’m not going to break your heart, I promise.”

Harper relaxed a little and kissed her goodbye again. The uneasiness remained just below the surface all day. She kept in touch with Lauren through texts. The movers arrived on time and she was able to be out of the house by four o’clock. There had been no sign of Shelby, for that Harper thanked the Lord. Lauren said she would probably be able to make it to the game at seven, on time.

Harper went home, fed Jasper and played ball with him in the back yard for a half an hour and then dressed for the game. She arrived at the park very aware that she now had to face a Shelby, who had come home from work to find Lauren removed from her life. When Lauren arrived before Shelby, with a smile on her face and a lightness to her step, a feeling of relief washed over Harper. It had to be hard to separate from the past six years of your life. There was no sign that the day had dampened Lauren’s feelings for Harper at all.

She skipped up and planted a kiss on Harper’s cheek, “How ya’ doin’ gorgeous?”

“Better, now that you’re here,” Harper smiled.

Shelby made her entrance during the second inning, while the team was playing defense on the field. Harper noticed her talking to Jane, while she waited for another batter. She turned to see that Lauren had seen her too. In fact, the entire team was more interested in the animated conversation, between the two women in the dugout, than the batter at the plate. They gave up two runs, before getting the last batter out, and headed in from the field. Harper hung back and waited for Lauren to come in from left field. If there was to be a conflict, they would face Shelby together this time.

Abby was speaking to Shelby when Lauren and Harper entered the dugout. Harper heard Abby say, “Shelby, you need to get your shit together.”

Shelby looked past Abby, at Lauren, slurring out, “Well, it’s my ex and her new flavor of the month.”

Harper ignored her, walked to the end of the dugout, got her bat and went to the on-deck circle. Lauren sat down by Dee and Chita, as if Shelby wasn’t there.

Abby said to Shelby, “You’re making a fool of yourself.”

Julie even added, “Shelby, have some fucking self-respect.”

Shelby, undeterred, focused on Lauren, “Did you enjoy dismantling the last six years of our lives today?”

Lauren did not stand up. She leaned forward to see around Dee and Chita and then smiling at Shelby said, “Yes, I did as a matter of fact.” Lauren had clearly had enough of the Shelby show and so had Jane, evidently.

Jane walked over to the dugout, from the third base coaching box. She squared up with Shelby and said, “Shelby, if you can’t leave your personal shit off the field, then I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

Shelby shot back, “I’ve been on this team for six years, make her leave,” pointing at Harper.

Abby stepped in, “Shelby, you’re drunk. Let me get Sandy to take you home.”

Shelby said nothing else. She stormed out of the dugout and left the field. With the drama over for now, they got back to playing softball. Harper took her frustrations out on the first pitch she saw, after Shelby left. She nearly took the pitcher’s head off with a line drive up the middle. The game went back and forth for a few innings until Harper’s team eventually won by five runs. They were undefeated, even with all the drama going on.

Lauren and Harper went straight home, after the game. Once safely inside they relaxed and tried to forget about Shelby’s antics. Later, when they had just gotten in bed, Lauren told Harper she wanted to set up the studio during the upcoming weekend. Harper agreed to help her, but she wanted to take Lauren to the Alvin Ailey dancer’s performance on Sunday afternoon.

“Oh, I love them. They’re so beautiful and graceful,” Lauren said.

Harper added, “And don’t forget sexy.”

“Lauren, do you want me to come over, after work tomorrow? We can stay at the studio tomorrow night. Just take Jasper with you when you leave in the morning.” Lauren already had food and bowls for Jasper, at the studio.

Lauren thought that was a great idea, “That will give us plenty of time to work on the studio, and then go help Alicia with the painting at the shelter, in the afternoon. We can come back here Saturday night and go to the ballet on Sunday. Do you want to go to Abby’s Saturday night? We don’t have to, but I haven’t been in awhile. Alicia told me Shelby hasn’t been going either.”

“I’ll do whatever you want to do,” Harper said, but she was distracted by Lauren’s naked body next to her.

Lauren chuckled at Harper, as Harper started to kiss her neck, “And what is it you want to do right now?”

Harper said nothing. She just dove under the covers.

Chapter Twenty

By morning, Harper had decided to take a personal day. She called in, after breakfast, leaving instructions for her assistants. This totally amazed Lauren. She told Harper, Shelby would never have taken a personal day to help her in the studio. Harper needed a break. With all the crap going down in her personal life, her first three weeks of work had been truly stressful. She looked forward to some manual labor.

And that’s what it was. She and Lauren hung paintings to create more walls and moved Lauren’s furniture into place. By Friday evening, they were exhausted and fell into bed after showering together and slept the sleep of babies, until Jasper woke them in the morning to be taken for a walk outside. Harper took Jasper out, while Lauren made them breakfast. There were a few more things to do before they left for the Women’s shelter. They finished up just before lunchtime.

After loading Jasper into the Hummer, Harper pulled out of the warehouse with Lauren following behind her in the Tahoe. Lauren went to Sally’s Drugstore on Benjamin St. to grab burgers for lunch. She would meet Harper at the shelter. Sally’s burgers were legendary, but Harper had yet to have one. Lauren met Harper at the shelter. She brought cheeseburgers, with tomato and lettuce, and the burgers were simply, intensely satisfying.

They ate the burgers, sitting on the tailgate of the Hummer, with Jasper close at hand begging for a nibble. Alicia was there and waved to them. She had white house paint smeared across her face making her look like she was painted up for a ceremony. It appeared she had forgotten she had paint on her hands and wiped something off each cheek, applying the paint to her skin. Harper and Lauren pointed at her and laughed.

Soon Abby, Julie, Ellen, Becky, Jordan, Shy Lynn and even Dee and Chita were painting the shelter alongside Harper and Lauren. The husbands were left at home, because some of the women in the shelter might feel uncomfortable around men. B.J. was just too pregnant to come.

The women painted the entire outside and some of the rooms on the inside of the shelter. They played music and shook their butts to the rhythm, as they painted the afternoon away. By six o’clock, there was a small band of women, with matching white paint smeared on their smiling faces. Everyone agreed to meet at Abby’s at eight. Laughing and waving at each other, they exited the shelter driveway.

At home, Harper and Lauren washed the paint off each other and dressed casually to go to Abby’s later. Lauren fixed salads and sandwiches for them while Harper threw the baseball with Jasper. After they finished eating, J.R. called to check in and find out when they were ready to see another game. He even asked Harper to bring her grandmother to a game. He met her when Harper first started dating him and she was visiting Oklahoma. Checking her email box, Harper found a note from Jackie reading, “Glad you got the girl. She must be extra special because Harper Lynch doesn’t do drama. She must be hot. Congratulations! Send pictures.”

“Jackie says you must be hot. She wants pictures,” she told Lauren.

Lauren leaned over Harper’s shoulder and read the email. “So, you don’t do drama? What does she mean?”

“I’m known for my non-confrontational personality. I usually walk away when things get too dramatic,” Harper said, pulling Lauren down onto her lap, so she could look her in the face.

“I’m surprised you’ve lasted this long then, things have been rather dramatic around here,” questioning Harper with her brow, her mouth pulled to one side in a forced smile.

“I said I usually walk away; like Jackie said, you must be extra special.” Harper swept the bangs from Lauren’s forehead and kissed her there.

Lauren laid her head on Harper’s shoulder and let Harper just hold her. They remained there for a few minutes when Lauren said, “I’m sorry I didn’t meet you sooner. I feel like I wasted so much time when I could have loved you.”

Harper kissed the top of Lauren’s head, “We’ll make up the time. It already feels like I’ve loved you forever.”

Lauren sat up. With pleading eyes, she said, “Please don’t let Shelby’s crap scare you away. Sooner or later she’ll get that I’m not available to her anymore.”

Harper grinned, “Like Bette said, on The L Word, ‘some lesbians you have to break up with twice.”

They arrived at Abby’s around eight fifteen. Only the team and their significant others were present tonight. It was quieter and much more laid back this evening. James Taylor sang from the CD player, “Going to Carolina in my mind…” The song had new meaning to Harper now, since she was in Carolina. She sat with Lauren, in a love seat pulled near the others, making a conversation pit for the women. The entire team was there except for Shelby, a fact that made Harper extremely happy.

Late into the evening, the conversation eventually turned to Shelby’s recent behavior.

Chita said it best, “Man, that chick is out of her mind.”

Abby defended Shelby, “She’s hurt and she’s angry. Don’t pass judgment, until you think about how you would behave, in her position.”

Dee quipped, “I’d probably be fucking someone else by now, but that’s just me.”

Harper had to stifle a giggle.

Jordan, who had been quietly listening, said, “I feel sorry for her, no offense Lauren, but I don’t know what I would do if Riley left me.”

“You’d survive,” Julie interjected dryly.

“I know it must be hard on her to see you so happy Lauren,” Ellen added.

Lauren sighed, “Look, we know it’s hard on her to see us together, but we only see her at softball and that will be over soon.”

“Yes, but what about us, as friends. Do we have to not see you in order to see Shelby?” Alicia asked.

Harper spoke up, “That’s entirely up to Shelby. If and when she stops attacking us, every time she sees us, then we’ll come around.”

Lauren added on, “Yeah, and eventually this will seem like it never happened.”

“Don’t most lesbian couples break up and then become best friends?” B. J. asked.

“I don’t see that happening in this case,” Julie said, dryly.

Abby looked concerned, “I’m worried about her driving and drinking, so much.”

Harper squirmed in her seat and set her jaw. She hated people who drank and drove. She hated them to the core of her being. That’s why Max had driven them tonight and every other night she drank. It was the responsible thing to do. Lauren must have felt Harper’s anxiety. She placed her hand on Harper’s thigh and patted it.

B.J. said, without thinking of Harper’s story, “She’s going to kill herself or worse, somebody else.”

Lauren squeezed Harper’s thigh. It suddenly dawned on everybody how uncomfortable they were making Harper. They all looked at her in silence. Finally, Abby said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t think.”

Harper sat up a little on the loveseat, “It’s alright, really.”

Down the sidewalk they all heard, at the same time, Shelby coming, with Leah, the T.A. from Abby’s department, on her arm. They were obviously drunk, weaving and giggling, as they made their way toward the door of the pool house. The team stared out the windows toward the couple, all except Lauren and Harper, who were looking at each other.

“Do you want to go?” Lauren asked Harper.

“Yeah, let them get in here and then we’ll beg off, okay,” Harper said, taking Lauren’s hand. Harper took a deep breath, steeling herself, against the coming storm.

“Hey, girls,” Shelby said, entering the room. “You remember Leah, don’t you?”

Abby spoke to Shelby, “Come in. Have a seat. We’re just chatting.”

Shelby moved to the couch near Lauren and Harper. Some of the women said they were happy to see Shelby, even if they weren’t sure they meant it at the moment. Harper and Lauren remained silent.

“Please continue, or were you talking about me?” Shelby said, causing the drunken Leah to giggle uncontrollably.

“What were we talking about?” Ellen said brightly, trying to ease the tension.

Nobody said anything.

“Well, I walk in and find a room full of my friends, with the exception of two people that shall go unnamed, and the room falls silent. What am I to think?” Shelby went on.

Julie wasn’t the kind of woman to back down from a challenge, “As a matter of fact Shelby, we were talking about you. We were talking about what a drunken ass you’re making of yourself.”

“Of course it would be you Julie, who told the truth, how refreshing.” Shelby laughed.

Lauren stood up, Harper following close behind. “I think we’re going to go now, thank you for a lovely evening.”

“Oh, don’t leave on my account. I’d love to hear what insights you have on my drunken ass.”

Lauren turned to her, “Shelby, you know you shouldn’t drink this much.”

“I think you’ve lost the privilege to tell me what to do,” Shelby shot back, standing to face Lauren.

Abby joined in, at that point, “Shelby, I think Lauren has a point. You’ve been drinking too much. You’re turning into another person and it isn’t a nice person.”

Leah giggled, “I think she’s a very nice person.”

“Shut the fuck up, Leah,” Julie said, with venom.

Leah sat back and shut up. Even drunk she could tell she was way out of her league.

Shelby looked over at Abby and then surveyed the room. “So you’ve decided I’m not a nice person. Tell me Abby, how exactly would you act, if Sandy walked out on you?”

“She’d probably cut his dick off,” Julie said, seriously.

The others laughed uneasily.

Abby answered Shelby, “Honestly, I don’t know what I would do. I might end up in the bottle just like you, but I would hope my friends would tell me how fucked up I was and help me get through it.”

Shelby took her seat, with a wicked grin on her face. She looked into the faces of her teammates, and then said, “So, you all want to help me get through this. Well, in that case, let’s have another drink and talk about what an ass I’ve been and how wonderful it is that Lauren has found someone else… so quickly. So quickly, in fact, that it’s hard to believe she and Harper weren’t getting it on before she left me.”

The entire team answered at once, “No, they weren’t.”

Lauren and Harper had remained standing during the previous exchange. Harper wanted to leave but Lauren was focused on Shelby, so Harper remained by her side anticipating the explosion that was about to occur. She could feel it in Lauren’s grip as she squeezed Harper’s hand tighter and tighter. The men in the room all filed out the door, heading for the house. They wanted no part of the catfight they saw coming.

“I see, so you’re all sure that she wasn’t fucking this gold digging country bumpkin before she left me. Did you know she slept with me the night before she left? How does that make you feel Harper? Sloppy seconds, I believe they call it.” Shelby was not going to let it go.

Anger flashed like lightning through Harper. She squeezed Lauren’s hand tighter. Shelby had turned into a witch, one without a soul. There was no telling what she was going to say next. Harper needed out of that room, in the worst way.

Ellen, ever the peacemaker, said, “Shelby, let’s go in the house and get some coffee.”

“I don’t want any fucking coffee. I want another drink. Leah, go find us a bottle at the bar.”

Leah obediently went to the bar. She was met by Becky, who took the bottle from her hand and escorted her back to her seat. Leah was truly intimidated by Becky’s size and obeyed without any comment.

Shelby continued to attack Lauren and Harper, not noticing that Leah returned without the bottle. “Come on, Harper, don’t you have anything to say for yourself. You waltz in to Chapman’s Mill; take my wife and now my friends. Don’t you have anything to say?”

Harper’s anger showed in the way her jaw was set and in the tone she used when she answered Shelby. In a low, calm and steely voice, she said, “Shelby, if you want to discuss this, I would be happy to, but not while you’re drunk and, may I add, not at work.”

“Oh, I think I hit a nerve. Little Harper is getting angry,” Shelby laughed. Leah joined Shelby’s laughter; until she saw the look Becky was giving her and stopped abruptly.

Dee whispered to Chita, but Harper heard her, “Little Harper might kick her ass, if she keeps it up.”

Evidently Shelby heard her too. “Is that right, Harper? Do you want to kick my ass? Isn’t that how you rednecks settle your differences?”

In the same steely voice as before, Harper glared at Shelby saying, “No, actually Shelby, I feel sorry for you.”

Shelby shot up off the couch. She took two steps toward Harper, before throwing the booze, left in her glass, into Harper’s face. Everyone was up on their feet in seconds, waiting for Harper’s reaction. Harper wiped her face, with her hand and glared at Shelby. She had never hit anyone outside of taekwondo classes, but she really wanted to hit this woman. She didn’t get a chance. Lauren stepped in front of Harper and slapped Shelby, hard across the face. Shelby’s bourbon glass shattered on the floor.

Lauren was red with anger, “Shelby, you have no right to do this. If you think I would still be with you, if Harper hadn’t come along, you’re mistaken. I’ve been leaving you for a year and you were too self-absorbed to see it. Ask your friends, they saw it coming.”

Heads around the room nodded in concurrence.

Lauren kept going, “So blame me for falling out of love with you, if you want to, but Harper is not the one responsible for our relationship collapsing.”

Shelby was still holding her face where Lauren had slapped her. Her blood shot dark eyes reflected the flames from the fireplace and the pure rage boiling inside her, “So the trust fund baby got bored and bought a new toy. Does mother approve?”

Harper saw Lauren visibly stiffen, as she stood close behind her. Harper thought it best to let Lauren have her say. Maybe this would finally be the end of it.

Abby stepped a little closer to the standoff, in the center of the group of women, “Shelby, back off. That’s enough.”

Ellen tried in vain to break up the altercation, “Sit back down everybody. Let’s just calm down and try to talk this out like ladies.”

“Fat fucking chance of that happening,” Julie said, flatly.

“I don’t want to sit down,” Shelby shouted, becoming even more out of control, she shrieked at Lauren, “Did you ever love me?”

“I thought I did,” Lauren said coolly.

“You thought you did? What, now you know what real love is, is that it?” Shelby would not back down.

Lauren never hesitated, “Yes, Shelby, if you want to know if I’m in love with Harper, the answer is yes. And if you want to know if what I feel for her is more than I ever felt for you, the answer is yes again. I never wanted to hurt you like this, but you didn’t give me a choice. You’re being a bitch and this harassment has got to stop.”

“Fuck you, Lauren. And don’t think I’m through with you either, Harper. You have no idea the world of shit I can bring down on you,” Shelby seethed.

“Shelby, you’re going too far. Shut up before you end up in a law suit,” Abby tried to reason with her.

“Do you think I’m afraid of this girl, this rube, fresh off the farm?” Shelby hissed.

Harper was thinking, Shelby was about to get a kick to the face, if she kept it up, but her training told her to remain calm. It was getting harder and harder to do that. She really wanted to knock the living shit out of this bitch and leave. The better part of valor was losing its appeal, but this was Lauren’s problem to deal with. She needed to let her do it.

Lauren grabbed Shelby’s arm to get her attention, “You should be scared. Harper’s not as innocent as you think and she has access to her own money, more money than you’ll make in a lifetime. She could bury you in lawyers. Wake up Shelby, it’s over and done with, we’re completely and irrevocably finished. Move on.”

Harper caught Shelby’s arm in mid air as she swung at Lauren. She held it there and glared into Shelby’s eyes, “There will be none of that. Now, Lauren has made it clear where she stands. I suggest you call a taxi and go home. I hope we don’t have to do this again. My redneck might start to show.”

There was no doubt in anybody’s mind that Harper was not making a threat, but a promise. The sinister grin she had on her face was enough to let them know, Harper’s patience had worn thin. She released Shelby’s arm, only after she felt Shelby submit to her strength. Shelby left with no further incident. She simply turned to the door and walked out, defeated.

Leah was right behind Shelby. Harper heard her say as they went out the door, “Does this mean we’re not going to have sex?”

“I’m going to take her keys and have Sandy to take her home,” Abby said, following Shelby out the door.

“Harper, man, you got more patience than me,” Chita said, when they all sat back down, trying to absorb what had just unfolded in front of them.

Harper wasn’t paying any attention to Chita; she concentrated on Lauren, who was sitting with her head in her hands. “Are you okay?” Harper asked rubbing Lauren’s back.

“I just hope she finally gets it,” Lauren said, through her fingers.

Julie’s dry wit announced itself again, “You basically told her the last six years of her life was a lie. I think it will probably sink in this time.”

Lauren sat back under Harper’s shoulder. “Oh god, Julie, I didn’t want to say that to her. She forced me.”

Jordan added her two cents, “Yeah, that was kind of harsh.”

Dee added, “Shit man, you know some lesbians don’t get it when you try to let them down easy. They get all emotional and shit. I think Lauren did the right thing. Shelby shouldn’t have asked the question, if she wasn’t ready for the answer, you know?”

“Turn off your cell phones and lock your doors, when you get home,” Shy Lynn said, surprising everyone. One, because she spoke and two, because she acted like she knew what she was talking about.

Abby returned with a frown on her face, “She told me to fuck off and shot gravel at me, as she floored it out of the driveway.”

They all agreed they hoped she made it home okay and then Harper and Lauren went home. Harper had enough excitement for one evening. Taking Lynn’s advice, she unplugged the house phone and turned off their cell phones, after securing the house. She even put the lock on Jasper’s doggie door. Harper was taking no chances that her sleep would be interrupted, by a knife wielding crazy bitch with a grudge. Damn, she needed to get the alarm company out right away.

Lauren was too wound up to sleep. She paced the floor and made herself busy around the room, folding and refolding Jasper’s blanket while he waited for her to put it down on the end of the couch. Harper finally got up, took the blanket from Lauren. Harper grasped Lauren’s shoulders, making Lauren look her in the eyes.

“You did what Shelby forced you to do. Don’t feel guilty about it.”

Lauren’s eyes welled with tears, “I never wanted to hurt her like that.”

Harper hugged Lauren to her, “I know baby, I know.”

Lauren said into Harper’s neck, “It’s true.”

“What is?” Harper brushed Lauren’s hair back, so she could see her face.

“That I only thought I was in love with Shelby.”

Harper smiled down at Lauren, “I’m glad I could help you out with that.”

Lauren laughed and hit Harper on the chest, “You can never be serious.”

“I am being serious. If I hadn’t gotten here when I did you might have found someone else,” Harper said, squeezing Lauren tighter, teasing her. “And I’m glad I got to see you mad, so I’ll remember not to piss you off.”

Lauren pulled back, grinning and showing her dimples, “I can’t believe I slapped her.”

“I can’t either. It was quite shocking actually. I didn’t know you were prone to violence.” Harper laughed.

“I was defending your honor, you ass,” she said, but Lauren was laughing too.

“That’s right; I’m an innocent rube that needs to be taken care of. Exactly how much money do you have anyway?”

“Enough, and don’t play the innocent rube with me, I’ve slept with you.” Lauren said, her eyes getting that smoky sexy look Harper recognized.

Harper unlocked Jasper’s door, because on second thought she really didn’t want to get up and let him out. This was going to be a late night.

Chapter Twenty-One

They slept in Sunday morning, waking up just in time to go for a run with Jasper and then dress for the ballet. They planned to eat lunch, before going to the performance hall, on campus. Lauren recommended the sautéed North Carolina flounder at The Patio on Benjamin Street. Lunch was relaxed and pleasant, with no mention of the incident from the night before.

Lauren looked beautiful in a dark blue, flowing silk pants suit. Harper wore black pants with a black and white silk top. They walked from the restaurant to the theater, enjoying the warm spring day. The trees and flowers were beginning to bloom around them, as they walked hand in hand up the sidewalk.

The program, performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, took Lauren and Harper on a tour through the swinging glory of the Harlem Renaissance era in the first suite called Uptown. The second, Dancing Spirit, paid tribute to Judith Jamison’s influence set to music by Duke Ellington, Winton Marsalis and more. The last suite was filled with African-American traditional spirituals as they moved effortlessly through grief and joy.

Harper and Lauren talked all the way back to the car about the ballet and how graceful the dancers were. They linked arms and sang a spiritual, gaining them looks from passersby. Harper didn’t care. She loved doing crazy things and she was finding out doing them with Lauren was even more fun. They were laughing when they got into the Tahoe. Lauren absentmindedly reached in her purse and pulled out her phone to check for messages.

“Oh shit, I forgot we turned off our phones,” she said, staring at the phone, while it powered up.

Harper reached for hers and then remembered she hadn’t brought it with her. Lauren’s phone started to beep and buzz, vibrating repeatedly in her hand.

“Jesus, what in the hell is going on. I’ve got fifteen calls from Abby and a bunch of texts. She didn’t take time to read the texts or listen to the messages, she hit the speed dial for Abby and listened as the Bluetooth took over and transferred the call to the speakers in the car. The phone rang only once.

“Goddamn Lauren, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you everywhere. I even sent Sandy to the studio.” Abby was breathless.

“We were at the ballet. We turned off our phones last night. What’s happened, what’s the matter?” Lauren asked, with fear in her voice.

Abby sputtered out, “It’s Shelby…she’s…she’s in the hospital…there was an accident, Leah’s dead.”

“Oh, my God,” Lauren gasped.

Harper felt a sharp pain in her chest. She echoed Lauren, in a whispered breath, “Oh, my God.”

Abby’s voice came back over the speaker, “Alicia said she drew up papers for you and Shelby, giving you each medical power of attorney over the other. Do you still have that? There are decisions to be made and no one knows anything about Shelby’s family.”

Lauren thought a second, “I don’t know. I guess so. I had forgotten all about that. I’m sure she would have gone to Alicia to change it, she should know.”

“Alicia said she didn’t and is waiting in Critical Care at the hospital, with copies from her office.” Abby paused, “It’s bad Lauren, real bad. She might not make it.”

Harper answered for Lauren, “We’re on our way.”

On the way to the hospital, a short drive away, Harper held Lauren’s hand, listening as Lauren went from fear to anger to guilt and back again. How could she have let Shelby drive away drunk like that? How injured was she? Shelby had only herself to blame. All the different thoughts, cascading through her mind came tumbling out. Harper listened, knowing that was all Lauren needed her to do right now. Outside of the hospital doorway, Harper stopped Lauren.

She looked into Lauren’s worried face, “Lauren, do what you need to do. I’ll be here when you need me.”

Lauren hugged Harper whispering, “I love you,” in her ear.

When they rounded the corner, on the Critical Care Unit hall, Alicia saw them and headed straight for Lauren, “Thank God, you’re here. The doctor needs to talk to you. There are some things that have to be decided about Shelby’s care.”

“Alicia, how bad is it? Is she dying?” Lauren had to sit down.

“No, not now, anyway. They were able to stop the bleeding and patch her up inside. She has a head injury, broken leg and arm and a fractured pelvis. The pelvis is the biggest worry.”

Lauren fell into Harper. Harper put her arm around her for support. Harper asked, “Is she conscious?”

“No, and she will not be for a few days. They put her in a coma to deal with the pain and swelling in her brain.” Alicia saw how devastated Lauren was. She knelt down in front of Lauren, “Oh baby, I’m so sorry. I know this is a lot to lay on you, but you were all Shelby had. She told me so. If you want me to try and find her family I will, but right now you have to make these decisions.”

Lauren sat up, sniffling, “No, don’t contact her family. She would hate that. I’ll do it. Just give us a minute here.”

Alicia stepped away. Lauren’s eyes filled with tears and slid down her face, when she turned her head up to Harper. “I don’t really have a choice here, do I?”

Harper wiped the tears, from Lauren’s cheeks, with her thumbs, “No, you don’t.”

Lauren shuddered from the crying. “Will you stay with me?”

Harper kissed Lauren on the lips lightly, “I will never leave you. You’re stuck with me. You couldn’t beat me off with a stick.”

Lauren smiled at Harper, “I meant right now, will you stay with me. You might understand the doctor better than I can.”

Harper looked sheepish, “Oh, yeah, sure, I’ll stay with you.”

They stood up together and made their way down the hall to Alicia, who was standing at the nurses’ station. Lauren winked at Harper, “With a stick, huh?”

Alicia, Harper and Lauren met with the doctors together. There was more than one, considering the number of injuries to Shelby’s body. Lauren gave them Shelby’s medical history, as best she knew it, and the name of Shelby’s family medicine doctor. Harper listened to the doctors, as they described Shelby’s injuries. She was very lucky to be alive. Lauren asked Alicia and Harper’s advice on every decision. Harper knew Lauren didn’t want to bear this burden alone.

After leaving Abby’s last night, Shelby had flipped her car several times on Hwy. 15/501. She had been travelling at a high raid of speed when she hit the guardrail and became air born. No other cars were involved, but Leah had been killed when she was ejected from the car. She wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, but Shelby had been. It saved her life.

The cops showed up later to inform Alicia, as Shelby’s lawyer, that Shelby was going to be charged with driving while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter, if she survived. The cops made this announcement in the waiting room that was now crowded with most of Shelby’s teammates. Ellen took offense at the “if she survives” part of their statement.

“If she survives…Get those negative thoughts out of here, just get!” Ellen chased them out of the room, where they lingered in the hall.

The friends huddled around Lauren and Harper, in the corner of the waiting room. Lauren gave them all the information she had concerning Shelby’s injuries and prognosis. It would be touch and go for a few days, but the doctors said she was strong and would probably pull through. The worst part would be the rehabilitation associated with her broken limbs and pelvis. She would need around the clock care for at least several months, until her arm healed enough to become useful and the fixator to stabilize her pelvis had been removed. She had a stable fracture that would eventually heal, and once they were able to manage the bleeding, the real concerns were nerve and blood vessel damage.

Always the downer, Julie added, “And then she’s going to go to prison.”

Alicia shot back, “We don’t know that.”

B.J. chimed in, “She’s lucky only one person died. I’m so sad for Leah’s family. My god, one day you have a kid and then one day you don’t.” B.J.’s pregnant belly was popping out much more these days and the hormones were too. She added quickly, “Sorry, Harper.”

Harper didn’t want this to go on every time the topic of alcohol and death came up together, “Everyone present is aware of how my parents died. This is not about me, so quit treating it like the elephant in the room.”

Harper walked to the door outside the critical care unit. They were going to let Lauren see Shelby for a moment. Harper stayed outside the doors waiting for Lauren’s return. So many things were going through her mind, her parents’ accident, the last time she saw the drunken Shelby, Leah’s face the night she tried to pick Harper up, and how Lauren would handle all this? The entire cacophony of sound and emotion was crashing around inside her head. Lauren finally came through the doors and straight into Harper’s arms.

“She looks awful Harper. Her face is so swollen,” Lauren cried, into Harper’s shoulder.

The only thing Harper could think to say was, “She’s alive. Just remember that, she’s alive.”

Harper held Lauren while she cried, until she regained her composure. Lauren told the anxious women in the waiting room what she had seen. Shelby was in a drug-induced coma and connected to so many machines Lauren couldn’t count them all. Tubes ran everywhere and she was on a ventilator, for now. Her vital signs were stable according to the nurse and she should not be feeling any pain. They just had to wait now and give her body a chance to help itself heal.

Harper’s main concern was Lauren. She offered to go home and get Lauren some more comfortable clothes and necessities, while Abby could stay at the hospital with her. The team made a schedule of when they could be there to relieve Lauren. Only no one left. They sat about on the furniture and talked quietly amongst each other. Dee and Chita left to get sandwiches and coffee for everyone. They took Shy Lynn to help carry the cups. Becky and Ellen volunteered to take Harper home so she could bring back her vehicle and leave Lauren the Tahoe.

The first thing Harper did when she got home was take off the high heels she had been wearing all day. She put on her most comfortable pair of jeans, a tee shirt and pulled a sweatshirt over her head. She grabbed her overnight bag putting in clothes for work tomorrow and a few personal items. Lauren had decided to stay until Shelby woke up, so Shelby would know someone was there with her. This might be three or four days, at least, so Harper packed Lauren’s overnight bag with what she thought she would need. She found an old backpack in the garage and put Lauren’s sketchpads, her pencil case and journals inside. Before she added the last sketchpad, she opened it up and wrote, “You’re the reason God made Carolina,” on the first blank page.

Harper waved to Becky and Ellen on the back porch. They were throwing the ball with Jasper under the outdoor lights. All three joined Harper in the house. The two women volunteered to come over and play with Jasper, while Harper was tied up at the hospital. Ellen and Becky left to go by Shelby’s and pick up the dogs. Becky would take care of them until Shelby came home. She was their regular baby sitter and had several labs herself. Harper would meet them back at the hospital. Jasper sat on his blanket on the couch and Harper left the TV on for him. She didn’t know if that made a difference to him or not, but she wouldn’t want to be in the house all alone for hours with no noise. She patted Jasper and told him she would be back as soon as she could.

Harper arrived back in the waiting room, just in time to see the women in the corner burst out laughing. She understood when she sat down that they were telling funny Shelby stories like people do when someone is dead or gravely injured. Harper didn’t have any funny Shelby stories, so she followed Lauren to the bathroom and helped her change in the big handicapped stall. Lauren was exhausted. The crying and the stress had taken a toll on her. Lauren was quiet while Harper dressed her like a child.

Lauren sat on the toilet while Harper tied her tennis shoes. She wrapped her arms around Harper’s neck and kissed her on the top of the head. Harper looked up and Lauren kissed her, Lauren’s tongue parting Harper’s lips, in a slow, sweet, gentle kiss. When she pulled away, Lauren smiled that smile, the one that melted Harper’s heart.

“You’re too good to be true,” she said.

“Nope, that’s my line and if I remember correctly you pinched me, so I’d know I wasn’t dreaming,” Harper said, finishing tying Lauren’s shoe.

Lauren and Harper stood up. “Kiss me again, so I know you’re real,” Lauren said.

Harper kissed Lauren long and deeply, holding her body against hers, as tightly as she could. She wanted Lauren to feel how Harper felt about her, not just hear her say it. This kiss wasn’t sexual, it was passionate and slow, still a small moan escaped Lauren’s throat. That moan made Harper weak in the knees. God, she loved this woman. She would do anything to make her happy, anything. The journey they were about to embark on wasn’t going to be easy, but she was going to stand by Lauren, no matter what. Harper could never imagine going another day, without loving Lauren.

Harper and Lauren returned to the waiting room. The others were losing their enthusiasm for the hospital furniture, and since Harper was staying with Lauren, they were all going home. Jordan was scheduled to be the first to come back for a shift with Lauren, at six a.m., just a few hours away. Harper and Lauren settled on the couch in the corner. They fell asleep leaning on each other with Harper’s arm around Lauren.

The next morning, Shelby’s condition had not changed. Harper left at six when Jordan came and even though she had her bag with clothes for work, she went home to spend some time with Jasper. He had never spent a night alone before. She took him on a short run and played ball with him until she had to take a shower and head to work. She ate a power bar on the way to the lab. She needed the energy more than the food.

The lab was abuzz with stories of Shelby’s crash. The quantity and versions of what had happened astounded her. Harper wondered how these people got along without someone or something to gossip about. Only the people, in her own lab, asked her what happened right out. The rest just stared and whispered, as Harper walked by.

There was a sign in the lounge indicating where to send donations for Leah’s family, even though she worked in Abby’s department. The word had spread all over campus. A faculty member had killed a grad student in a drunk-driving accident. Shelby’s career was ruined. She faced months of rehabilitation and these people were gloating at her fall from grace. They made Harper sick to her stomach.

Although she kept in touch with Lauren through texts, during the day, Harper rushed to get back to the hospital, as soon as possible. When she entered the waiting room, Lauren stood up immediately and practically ran into Harper’s arms. She kissed Harper on the cheek and held her hand on the way back to the corner. Ellen was waiting there, having relieved Jordan at noon. They were joined soon by Abby and Julie, who were scheduled to sit with Lauren next. They convinced Lauren to let Harper take her home for a little while. Abby promised to stay until midnight and call if anything happened.

Harper took Lauren home, where Jasper nearly knocked them down with excitement. He had gotten used to Lauren staying with him during the day and had missed her, evidently. He followed them closely as they walked up the stairs, where Harper undressed the exhausted Lauren and placed her in a hot steaming shower. Harper went downstairs to make soup and salads and had the table set when Lauren came down from the shower.

Lauren ate sparingly. Harper could see how exhausted she was. Lauren finally asked, if they could just go lie down in the bed and sleep. She wanted Harper to hold her while she slept and Harper complied, setting the alarm for eleven. They were asleep in moments with Jasper spooning Lauren on one side and Harper on the other. They slept hard and were surprised when the alarm went off. They dressed again and went back to the hospital, Harper telling Jasper she would be back soon. She left the TV on again, just in case it made him less lonely.

On the way back to the hospital, Lauren wanted to know, “Are you okay with this? I mean this is a hell of a way to start a relationship, taking care of your new lover’s ex. “

Harper didn’t want Lauren to worry about her, “I wouldn’t have you do anything else. Shelby needs you right now and you need me to be strong for you, so we’ve both got a job to do.”

“I found your note on the sketch pad,” Lauren said showing her dimples. “I love you, too.”

They exchanged a kiss, before leaving the car and walked hand in hand into the hospital, taking the elevator up to the waiting room. They found Abby and Julie, both engrossed in novels, still sitting in the corner. Leftovers from the Tarr Barr littered the table in front of them and were scattered about the room.

Abby answered Harper’s questioning look, “Jane came by, with B.J. and Ronnie in tow, carrying enough food to feed a small army. We shared with everyone in the room and there is still some down in the refrigerator at the nurses’ station. Dee, Chita and Shy Lynn dropped by for a couple of hours.”

Harper started cleaning up and Julie helped her. Other waiting people joined in to clear away the trash. Harper just couldn’t sit still. Waiting rooms were not one of her favorite things, having sat in the hospital in Oklahoma City, while her grandmother died a slow death from cancer. Abby and Lauren talked about Shelby and what needed to happen in the next few days.

Lauren was finishing up when Harper and Julie came back to sit down, “So, she isn’t as critical as she was. This afternoon, the neuro guy said he was going to bring her out of the coma tomorrow to check for brain damage. She had a few more scans and x-rays today. They seem to be amazed at how well she is doing, considering what she’s been through.”

Julie had some more practical things to bring up, “What happens when she leaves the hospital? Are you going to hire someone to take care of her?”

Lauren looked at Harper and then said to Julie, “We haven’t had a chance to talk about long term care, yet.”

Harper spoke without hesitation, “Yes, we will hire a nurse, or two, if that’s what it takes. If Lauren wants to take care of Shelby, then it’s what we’ll do, but the nurses are necessary. I don’t want Lauren to have to do it all by herself. I can only help so much and we still don’t know how Shelby is going to feel about me being around to help, anyway.” Lauren smiled, pleased with Harper’s response.

“I don’t think that’s fair to Lauren or you,” Julie said, completely shocking Harper. “Shelby is not Lauren’s responsibility anymore.”

Abby agreed, “We’re all a little responsible for Shelby, in our own way. She would definitely do the same for any of us.”

Julie continued her positive input, “Then maybe we should meet here after the game tomorrow night and figure out what days each of us could be available and what nights, too. Then Lauren and Harper won’t have to bear the brunt of Shelby’s care.”

“Well, it only makes sense that I take most of the daycare, because I don’t have a job, per se,” Lauren said.

“Every day for months will get old fast. You’re going to need breaks. You and Harper have lives to live to,” Julie countered. It appeared to Harper that Julie might have a heart, after all.

“Okay, but in the beginning, I think I should be there most of the time, until she gets settled into a routine,” Lauren answered.

Abby yawned, “We’ll work it out tomorrow. I’ll tell everyone to bring their calendars with them.” She had early classes, so she and Julie said goodbye.

Lauren was summoned by the nurse for her nightly visit to Shelby’s side. She was gone for twenty minutes. After the first five minutes, Harper had to do something so she called J.R. Luckily he was awake and able to talk. She told him everything that had happened with Shelby. He told her that he was not on the roster this week and was spending the time in Durham rehabbing his shoulder in the training room. The team was going out of town in the morning, so he could stay at her house at night when she wasn’t there. He too didn’t like the fact that Jasper had to stay alone so much. He had a key and a rental car, so transportation was not a problem, in fact he would go out to the house right now. He was such a good friend. Harper felt tons better when she hung up with him.

When Lauren came back to the waiting room, Harper told her about J.R., which relieved Lauren, too. She already loved Jasper as much as Harper and hated him being alone all night.

“I have to say you have good taste in men, Harper.” Lauren laughed.

“How’s Shelby?”

“The same, as far as I can tell, but the nurse thinks she’s doing much better,” Lauren said, as she fell back onto the couch. “She said they would probably upgrade her from critical to intensive care in the morning. It’s a small step, but it’s a step forward anyway.”

Harper had spent the day at work thinking about how she could help Lauren. She sat back with Lauren and held her hand. “I’m going to talk to Dr. Bell in the morning. He’s my direct supervisor. I’ll explain the situation. I’m not required in the lab every day or even every minute of the day. I can do much of my work on my laptop, communicating with the lab through email. I’ll be able to stay with you more, so you don’t have to do this alone.”

Lauren turned her whole body, pulling her knee up on the couch, to face Harper, “Are you sure? I don’t want you to mess up your grant.”

“All they want from me is data and I can give them that from anywhere. I’ve trained my lab assistants to collect the data. I’m not involved in that aspect anymore. I just crunch numbers now,” Harper answered.

“Thank you. I hate sitting here watching the clock until you come back. The girls are good company, but you’re my rock. I hope I don’t lean on you too hard.” Lauren moved under Harper’s arm, leaning her head on Harper’s shoulder.

Harper sang a little bit of “Lean on Me” quietly, so only Lauren could hear. Harper got the blanket and pillow they brought from home and covered them up. They read a magazine together before sleep took over and once again they slept in the waiting room. Thirty feet away, Shelby fought for her life.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Harper called the lab in the morning to tell them she would be in late. She wanted to be with Lauren when they brought Shelby out of the coma. At eight a.m. the doctor came in and started the process of slowly waking Shelby up. He said it could be awhile before she woke up, so Harper went to the lab and talked to Dr. Bell. Harper knew, from their interactions at the department dinner, that he was receptive of Lauren as Harper’s partner, and not a homophobe. He agreed that Lauren needed her. He knew Shelby and Lauren well and sent his best wishes. Harper could do her work away from the lab, for the most part. She would check in frequently and stay in almost constant contact online.

Lauren texted Harper, around lunchtime, that Shelby may be coming out from under the sedation. She had not been placed in a deep coma and was responding well. Lauren would not be allowed in until the doctors and nurses were finished with their tests. Harper brought lunch and they ate it, while waiting edgily. Harper worked on her laptop and Lauren sketched on a pad. Finally, a nurse came for Lauren, late in the afternoon. The doctor met them in the hallway, outside of the waiting room. Lauren had to be anxious. Harper could tell by the way Lauren squeezed her hand.

“Lauren,” the doctor and Lauren were on a first name basis by now, “Shelby is awake. She is in a lot of pain, but we are getting that under control. She is still very foggy from the meds. She has no apparent brain damage, at this point, but her memory is a little shaky.”

Lauren wrinkled her brow, “Does she have amnesia?”

“No, but she’s got some holes in her memory. She doesn’t remember the wreck. The last thing she remembers is driving to somebody named Abby’s house. These memory lapses may or may not come back, but she is very lucky and should recover fully in four to six months.” The doctor patted Lauren’s shoulder, “You can go in now.”

Lauren hesitated. She looked up at Harper, who smiled at her, “Go on, and let her know you’re here.”

Lauren came back ten minutes later. She had tears on her face. Harper waited until she was ready to talk. After a few minutes, Lauren gathered herself on the couch.

“She’s in so much pain. She could barely speak, but all she wanted to say was she was sorry she wrecked the car. Then she went back to sleep. She’s not really here yet, but at least she knows who I am.”

“That’s a good sign. I think she’s through the most critical part. Are you okay?” Harper asked Lauren, who was staring at the far wall.

“We shouldn’t tell her about Leah, for a few days.” Lauren turned to Harper, “She has surgery scheduled tomorrow on her pelvis. She should get through that first.”

B.J. walked in just then, for her shift sitting with Lauren. Since she was pregnant and not playing softball this season, she was the obvious choice for the time slot. They caught B.J. up on Shelby’s condition and chatted for a few minutes, before Harper had to leave.

“I hate to go, but we’re down two players already. Will you be okay?” Harper said, as she and Lauren said goodbye at the elevator.

Lauren grinned at her, “Hit me a homerun and hurry back.” She kissed Harper sweetly and when Harper got on the elevator, she stayed to watch the doors close.

Harper went home to change. She could tell that J.R. had been there, because his bag was in the downstairs bedroom. Harper decided to take Jasper with her to the ballpark. She’d seen other dogs out there and she really needed to spend some time with him. He was only a year old now and still a puppy. The conversation upon her arrival was all about Shelby’s accident and how she was doing. Harper was glad when they started playing the game. She could finally concentrate on something else.

Harper hit a homerun the first time she came to bat. It was okay with Jane, because there were two runners on, but after that the other team walked Harper every at bat. They ended up losing by two runs, but it didn’t seem to bother anybody. They had other things on their minds. Shelby’s predicament had made it to the ballpark and as they shook hands with the other team, several players said they hoped she got better soon. The fact that she had killed someone was unspoken, but apparent in the players’ eyes on both teams.

It struck Harper as odd how everyone, including her, had put Leah’s death on the back burner for now. Shelby’s recovery was the focus. What Shelby faced afterward was going to be bad enough when it happened. Harper thought worrying about it now only lengthened the time they would have to deal with it. Shelby didn’t even know Leah was dead, yet.

The entire team including Jane and the husbands all gathered in the waiting room outside the critical care unit. Everyone had out a calendar or phone checking availability for sitting with Shelby. After an hour, Ellen announced she had enough information to take home and put on a spreadsheet. She would have a schedule in no time and no one doubted it.

Abby didn’t have any classes on Wednesday so she volunteered to stay at the hospital overnight. She went home to take a shower and grab some things. Besides Lauren, Abby was the closest friend Shelby had. If she woke up, she would be glad to see Abby. This would give Lauren and Harper a night off, which was desperately needed. Lauren would come back at eight o’clock when Harper came to check in with the lab.

Before Alicia left, Lauren pulled her to the side in the hallway. Harper was standing there holding all of the things Lauren had accumulated at the hospital. She could barely see Lauren over the pillow she balanced in front of her face.

“Alicia,” Lauren began, “I want Shelby taken off my medical power of attorney. Change it to Harper, okay.”

“Sure, if that’s what you want,” Alicia said.

“And is there anything else I’ve forgotten?” Lauren asked.

“There are your wills, and life insurance and the sale of your half of the property to Shelby. That was already in the works before the accident. Shelby came to see me,” she added, as a way of explaining.

“This can’t come back to me can it? I mean Leah’s family can’t come after me. The Zachary money is very attractive. Do I need to get the Mother’s lawyers involved?” Lauren paused, “I know this may sound selfish right now, but I need to sever all ties with Shelby, do you understand?”

“Of course I understand. Look, gay unions aren’t recognized in this state. I don’t think you have anything to worry about, but I’ll go through your files and sever all ties. You’ll have to come in and sign the documents, once I’ve made the changes. Who will be your beneficiary?” Alicia was making notes on a pad.

“Harper,” Lauren said, like Alicia should have known.

Alicia looked up surprised, “It’s none of my business, but isn’t it a little soon to make this big a step?”

Lauren smiled at Alicia, “It might be soon, but I know I’m spending the rest of my life with Harper, isn’t that right honey.” Lauren pulled the pillow from in front of Harper’s face.

Harper grinned at her, “Yep, that’s right.”

Alicia laughed at them, “Well, I guess you two know what you’re doing.”

They arrived home to find J.R. and Jasper on the couch eating popcorn and watching baseball. They chatted with Jay for a few minutes, had a snack and excused themselves for the evening. It was after they were upstairs that Harper asked Lauren about what she said to Alicia.

“Did you mean that about spending the rest of your life with me?”

Lauren was pulling off her clothes, “I haven’t scared you off have I? I know you have commitment issues.”

Harper, who was also getting undressed, offered, “I don’t have commitment issues, I haven’t found anyone I wanted to commit to…until now.”

“If that pause had taken any longer I would have had to cut you off,” Lauren said, now standing naked in front of Harper, grinning.

Harper rushed her and gathered her up in her arms, “Oh, please don’t cut me off. It’s only been two days and I’m already starving.”

“Oh, well we can’t have you starve. You up for a shower with me,” Lauren laughed and wiggled out of Harper’s arms.

Lauren led the way this time. She moved in behind Harper rubbing her wet body on Harper’s back. Her hands slid up and down Harper’s torso driving Harper insane. She moved around to face Harper while Harper still had her hands braced against the glass wall of the shower. Lauren’s tongue danced around Harper’s nipples and then slid down between her legs. Harper wasn’t sure she would be able to stand up much longer, when Lauren slid back up her body. Harper could contain herself no more. She wrapped Lauren in her arms and kissed her from her soul.

She pressed Lauren up against the glass and lifted her into her arms. Lauren wrapped her legs around Harper while Harper slid her fingers inside her. When they orgasmed together Lauren’s head was leaning back and she let out a moan from deep inside. Harper’s own moan slipped from her mouth as she buried her head between Lauren’s breasts.

Lauren caught her breath, “If you’re going to do that to me every time we don’t have sex for two days, then maybe I should put you on a schedule.”

“I’m of the thought that repetition makes a skill second nature. The more you do it the better you get at it,” Harper smiled, moving her hand that was still between Lauren’s legs.

Lauren shivered. “Let’s go to bed,” she said looking deep into Harper’s eyes.

“I need to wash my hair,” Harper answered.

“It can wait.” Lauren said, with her hand already on the shower door.

Harper followed obediently. Their stress of the last few days melted away in each other’s arms. Two hours later, Harper left Lauren asleep in the bed and crept downstairs. Jasper had been waiting outside her bedroom door. She fed him a treat, as he followed her through the kitchen. Harper took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and leaned on the counter as she drank it.

“Jasper, would it be okay with you if Lauren moved in here with us? I know it hasn’t been that long, but I’m sure about this. I’m going to ask her to marry me, you good with that?”

Jasper rotated his head from side to side as she spoke to him.

“Yeah, I know we have this Shelby mess to deal with, but we’ll get through it… She loves me you know. Yes, she loves you too.” Harper petted the big dog, ruffling his hair along his back.

She took another bottle of water with her as she and Jasper climbed the stairs and joined their new love in the bed. The three of them slept soundly until the alarm rang at six. They went for a run with J.R. tagging along. By eight o’clock Harper was dropping Lauren off at the main entrance to the hospital.

“I’ll be back in a few hours. Call me if you need me sooner.” Harper said, letting go of Lauren’s hand reluctantly, “I love you.”

Lauren pecked her on the cheek, “I think you know after last night how I feel about you.”

Harper grinned at Lauren, “Don’t remind me, I won’t be able to concentrate at the lab.”

Lauren laughed when she exited the vehicle and said over her shoulder, “I’m still considering that two day schedule.” She shut the door and went inside.

Harper laughed then stopped abruptly, “God, I hope she’s not serious.”

On the run and on the way in to the hospital they talked about what Shelby was going to need when she got out of the hospital. Lauren said she would talk to the nurses on the floor. Maybe they could help her find home care nurses and help with what Shelby would need at home. Harper said she would call around and find out about renting a hospital bed. Lauren needed to find out about Shelby’s insurance and if she had long-term care benefits. She would have to call the personnel office or maybe Alicia would have to do it. Lauren was not Shelby’s family, under North Carolina law. If they were a man and a woman couple, things would be so much easier.

Harper needed to call her own lawyer. She had a lot of loose ends to tie up from the move and the house purchase. Shelby’s accident had also made her think about what would happen to her if suddenly she was unable to make decisions for herself. Harper decided to get Lauren assigned her medical power of attorney and make Lauren her beneficiary. She also wanted Lauren to have power of attorney to make financial decisions, in case Harper was unable to. The only way for a gay woman to get married in this state was to assign your partner rights that the law would have to recognize, rights automatically bestowed to married spouses.

Lauren called to say that she had seen Shelby, who was still foggy, but more alert than yesterday. She still faded in and out, because of the pain medication. Ellen was back to stay with Lauren. She told Harper to stay at the lab, as long as she needed to. Shelby’s pelvic surgery with the orthopedist was scheduled for two in the afternoon.

Harper was glad for the time in the lab. Harper could see from the data she needed to make an adjustment to the measurements. She worked with the lab assistants on the changes all morning and left at lunch feeling good about the work they were getting done. She stopped to pick up lunch for them, because the hospital food was good, but had gotten old. She found Lauren alone reading another book, this one a Nicholas Sparks and she was crying.

“Oh, god, I had to stop reading his books. He kept breaking my heart. That’s the one where the dog dies isn’t it?” Harper said when she sat down beside Lauren.

Through tears Lauren said, “Yes, I can’t believe he let the dog die. I don’t even want to read the rest.” She threw the book down on the table, wiped her eyes with the Kleenex she had balled up in her hand and blew her nose. “What’s for lunch?”

“Grilled chicken Cobb salads. Sound good?” Harper looked around, “Where’s Ellen?”

Lauren dug into the bag for the salads. “She had to go. Jordan’s coming at six and Shy Lynn is relieving her at midnight. We’re back on at eight.” She shoved a mouthful of salad in her mouth.

“Damn, Ellen should get a job organizing things. She’s amazing.” Harper started on her salad.

They ate silently, neither aware of how hungry they had been. Harper thought it must be all the calories she was burning from the sex. Maybe she ought to start eating a snack between meals before she started dropping weight. She was about as trim as she wanted to be. She knew that was a blessing, because she had seen friends struggle with weight, but Harper worked hard to have this hard body, it was a source of pride for her. She told Lauren what she was thinking between bites.

Lauren giggled, “I like that hard body, too.” She winked.

The Orthopedist came to talk to them about the upcoming surgery. The biggest concern was bleeding, but the break was manageable and Shelby had a good chance of recovering full mobility with few long-term problems. Of course, it would require months of physical therapy and she would be under his care for at least six months. They asked about her other injuries. The break in her arm was clean and would heal fairly quickly. Her leg break was near the top of her tibia, but was not very serious and they would reset it while she was under for the pelvic surgery. Shelby also had a few broken ribs that were healing already.

The neuro surgeon came by a few minutes before they took Shelby back for surgery. He told Lauren the swelling was receding in Shelby’s brain. He expected a full recovery. He reminded Lauren that Shelby’s recuperation would be a slow process. Sometimes it took days or months for patients to regain consciousness fully. He agreed they should not tell her the details of the accident and about Leah’s death. He would prevent the police from speaking with her until he felt she could process the information and it not be detrimental to her healing. He suggested Lauren have Shelby’s lawyer communicate this to the police.

Two hospital employees wheeled Shelby passed Lauren and Harper, on the way to surgery. Shelby was awake, well kind of awake. She saw Lauren and lifted her one good arm a few inches off the bed.

“Baby, where are they taking me?” Shelby said weakly.

Lauren asked the orderlies to stop, “Honey, you’re going to surgery. I’ll be here when you get back. It’s okay, just relax.”

Shelby closed her eyes, “I love you.”

Lauren kissed her on the cheek, “I love you, too.”

The staff moved off down the hall with Shelby, leaving Harper and Lauren alone in the hall. Lauren turned back to Harper. Harper’s face must have shown what she was feeling. She knew Lauren was just helping Shelby get through this, but it hurt just the same.

Lauren put her hands on Harper’s waist. She looked up at Harper, “She doesn’t seem to remember we’re not together. Or maybe she does, I don’t know. I’m just playing this by ear, but don’t you doubt for one minute how in love with you I am.”

Harper looked down into Lauren’s eyes, looking for the reassurance she suddenly needed. It was there. She would have to keep her jealousy, which was a new feeling since she had never loved anybody like Lauren, in check. “Sorry, just got a little jealous there for a second.”

Lauren got playful, “Jealous, ooh I think I like that.”

“If you keep looking at me like that, we’re going to end up in a broom closet.” Harper grinned.

“I like the sound of that, too,” Lauren winked.

“Jesus,” slipped out of Harper’s mouth as Lauren rubbed up against her then walked past her leaving Harper standing alone in the hall.

She followed Lauren like a puppy. Harper was literally in heat. Lauren was an addiction and she could not quell her desire for her. She could drink from that bottle and never have enough. Harper had tunnel vision and right now she was focused on Lauren’s ass, as they walked into the waiting room.

Later that afternoon the doctor stopped by to say the surgery went well. Shelby was in recovery and would be back in her room, any minute. They did crossword puzzles together until Shelby was brought back down the hall. Lauren went out to greet her. Harper followed, but hung back so Shelby couldn’t see her.

“Hey Shel, how are you feeling,” Lauren asked softly.

“I want to go home.” Shelby said, her eyes filling with tears.

“I know, baby. We’ll go home soon.” Lauren’s eyes filled with tears, too.

A nurse came out of the critical care unit, hitting a square silver button on the wall, which opened both doors for the orderlies. Shelby disappeared behind the doors, as they closed. Lauren needed Harper to hug her while she cried. Shelby was a strikingly beautiful woman in Harper’s memory. It was difficult now for Harper to see Shelby with her face so swollen, black and blue. Shelby needed Lauren now. She was helpless. It was heartbreaking. Harper understood this and held Lauren as long as she needed. This was going to be a long recuperation. There would be many moments like this.

Jordan showed up at six, so they could leave. Lauren saw Shelby one more time before leaving. She told Shelby that Jordan was going to be there, but Lauren didn’t think it registered with her what she said. Harper drove them home, stopping on the way to pick up dinner, at the Tarr Barr. Neither of them felt like cooking. J.R. was there when they got home. All three ate dinner together then retired to the couch and chair to watch a baseball game, Jasper not far away. Harper checked her email, sending replies to her grandmother and one of the lab assistants. Then Lauren laid her head in her lap and fell asleep.

The next thing Harper knew, J.R. was shaking her shoulder.

“Wake up, Harper. Why don’t you two go to bed?”

Harper woke Lauren and they crawled sleepily up the stairs and into bed. There would be no sex tonight. They desperately needed sleep. Jasper assumed his position at the end of the bed and Harper cradled Lauren in her arms. She fell peacefully asleep.

They were awakened at three in the morning by Lauren’s cell phone. It was Shy Lynn. Shelby was awake and agitated. She kept asking for Lauren. Lauren told her she would be right there. Since Harper drove them home, Lauren’s Tahoe was at the hospital. Harper had to drive her. They dressed quickly and rushed out the door. Harper stopped just long enough to tell J.R., who was now also awake from the noise they were making, what was going on.

Lauren went in to see Shelby immediately when they arrived. Shy Lynn came out and talked to Harper in the hall.

“What’s going on in there,” Harper asked.

“Shelby really wanted to see Lauren for some reason. I mean, she really wanted to see Lauren.”

They waited there in the hall until Lauren came out. Lauren looked really upset, but she managed to smile at Harper, “She’s started remembering things. She remembers our last fight, the one when I left her for good. It frightened her.”

Harper thought, of all the things Shelby could have remembered. She asked Lauren, “What did you say to her?”

“I told her the truth, but I told her I would stand by her while she healed. They sedated her to calm her down.” Lauren was understandably upset. “I didn’t know what else to do. I wasn’t going to lie to her.”

Shy Lynn hugged Lauren, “You did the right thing.”

Lauren moved over to Harper letting Harper enfold her in her arms. “She’ll be alright, baby. Shelby’s strong. She’ll make it through this. You can’t feel guilty. It’s not your fault.”

“I know, but she’s so hurt. You didn’t see her face,” Lauren said into Harper’s chest.

“Don’t go back to her out of pity, she’d hate that when she realized what you were doing,” Shy Lynn said, surprising them both.

“I am not going back to Shelby. Trust me that’s the last thing on my mind,” Lauren assured her.

They moved back into the waiting room. They were too keyed up to sleep, so they sat and talked quietly while other people slept or paced around the room.

Shy Lynn was not so shy in a small group. She was actually quite insightful. “Maybe you shouldn’t be the one taking care of Shelby. It might be easier for her not to see you.”

Lauren thought about it a second then said, “She’ll feel more comfortable with me at first. Shelby’s really a private person.”

Lynn continued, “You should distance yourself from her, as soon as you can. Make her stand on her own two feet, no pun intended. She needs to heal her body and her heart.”

Harper had been quiet for most of the conversation. Lauren looked at her, “What do you think, Harper?”

“I don’t know, really. I’ve been sitting here trying to decide what’s best for all three of us and I can’t make a decision. Maybe we should talk to a professional, get advice from the doctors or something.” Harper couldn’t make a decision because she wanted Lauren to herself. It was an honest feeling. What was best for all of them was completely out of her grasp.

Harper left the hospital before sunlight. Even though she was tired, she ran with Jasper anyway. It actually made her feel better. She looked out the windows overlooking the deck while she drank a cup of coffee. In the back yard, J.R. was throwing the ball to Jasper. Harper longed for the days when she and Lauren could relax again. For now she was heading back to campus on the roller coaster that had become her life.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Thursday went pretty much like the day before. Harper stopped by the hospital that morning to bring Lauren some breakfast. Shelby had been asleep for nearly four hours, so Lauren had not had to deal with any more drama. Harper spent the morning at the lab and the afternoon with Lauren in the waiting room. Shelby was moved to a room where Lauren was able to sit with her, around three, so Harper went home to hang out with Jasper. She didn’t feel comfortable being in Shelby’s room, even though she was asleep most of the time. Sooner or later she was going to remember Harper, too.

She called Lauren at six and begged her to come to the game. She didn’t have to play, but Harper thought she at least needed to get out and do something, besides sit at the hospital or home. Lauren was finally persuaded by B.J. who came to relieve her, so she joined Harper and her teammates at the field. She actually came dressed to play and appeared happy to be out and among friends. Again they lost by only two runs. The other team walked Harper every time she came up to bat. Her reputation had preceded her. Harper hated to lose, but somehow Shelby’s accident had put it all in perspective for the team. They took the loss in stride and met again at the hospital.

Everyone was allowed in to see Shelby a few at a time. She recognized them and stayed awake longer than she had before. Tonight would be Julie’s night to stay with Shelby. She brought several books to read out loud to her, hoping she would like one of them. They settled on Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fanny Flagg. Lauren said that was one of Shelby’s favorites. Harper hung back outside the open door. She could hear, but not see what was happening in the room.

“Shelby, I’m going home now, Julie is going to stay with you,” Lauren said.

Shelby replied weakly, “Don’t leave me.”

Lauren answered calmly, “I’ll be back in the morning, and Julie will be here with you tonight.”

Harper could barely hear Shelby, “You know what I mean, don’t leave me. What am I going to do without you?” She was crying openly now.

Lauren’s voice became different, like she was talking to a child, “We’ll worry about that later. Right now you have to get well. You’ll see. It will all be alright… Goodnight Shelby.”

Lauren appeared in the doorway where Harper waited. They both heard Shelby cry out, “Lauren, I love you.”

Lauren didn’t turn around, she didn’t reply vocally, she simply grabbed Harper’s hand and started for the elevator. Harper had no choice, but to follow. Once inside the elevator Lauren visibly relaxed. At home, they found a note from J.R. He went back to his apartment in Durham. He promised to come back when he could next week, if they needed him. Lauren fixed breakfast food as a quick late dinner. Afterward, they sat on the deck wrapped in a blanket staring up at the stars. The conversation turned to Shelby eventually.

“She may not remember much, but she’s already trying to manipulate me into feeling sorry enough for her to come back,” Lauren said, surprising Harper. “I know her and I see the signs.”

Harper was pragmatic, “Wouldn’t you in her place?”

Lauren agreed, “Probably. I guess she’s trying to hold on to the only thing that is normal right now. Her life is in turmoil. I don’t know what she’ll do when the police charge her.”

Being realistic again, Harper said, “She will have to pay the price. The sentence is up to fifteen years, that’s what Alicia said the D.A. wanted. She won’t serve the whole time. She’ll get out in a few years and start over.”

Lauren pulled back from Harper, to look at her, “You sound almost like you hope she gets fifteen years.”

“She killed somebody Lauren. She was drinking and driving and she killed someone. Shelby has to pay for that.” Harper had no doubt about that.

“We don’t know what happened. I’ve been with Shelby when she drove, even drunk she was so careful. I know that irritates you that she drove drunk. Hell, we’ve all done it. I’m not proud of it and I won’t do it again, because of you, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to condemn Shelby, before I’ve heard her side of the story.” Lauren was a little red in the face. This was their first disagreement.

Harper acquiesced, “You’re right. Shelby should tell her side, before we judge her. What if she doesn’t remember?”

“We’ll have to help her remember. I want to go to the crash site tomorrow. I want to see the car, too. We should take pictures.” Lauren had a mission now, and Harper had to help whether she wanted to or not. In no way did Harper think Shelby should get off scot free, but if Lauren wanted to find out what happened, she could help with that. Harper had taken a class in accident reconstruction in order to understand trauma to the body better for her research.

She hugged Lauren to her, “I’ll help you, baby. Whatever you want to do, but after Shelby is back on her feet, you have to promise me that we’ll go away together to a tropical island and just sit on the beach.”

Lauren was smiling now, “How about a gay cruise? We could go on one of those environmentally aware cruises with that new agency, Sweet.”

Harper was so enchanted by this beauty under her arm, “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go. I just want to make you happy for the rest of your life.”

“You know what would make me happy right now?” Lauren said with a wicked grin. She reached between Harper’s legs. “I’d like to fuck you right out here under the stars.”

“I’m all for that,” and that was all that was said for the next forty-five minutes.

Friday started the way every day this week started, get up, run, shower, dress, grab a quick breakfast and go to work with Lauren going to the hospital. Harper went to the lab and stayed most of the day. Lauren texted that Chita brought lunch, so Harper didn’t have to worry about her. Harper worked through lunch, so that she could take time off. She had fallen behind even though she had tried to stay on top of things. The extra time made her feel better about not being in the lab so much. She could now be guilt free for the weekend. Off to the hospital she went.

Lauren was in the room with Shelby alone. Chita, Harper could see, was at the nurses’ station hitting on a young R.N. Harper stopped outside the open door, unsure of whether to enter or not. The answer came clearly from the room.

It was Lauren’s voice, “Shelby, I moved out five weeks ago. I love you, but I am not in love with you and haven’t been for a long time. I will help you get well, but I’m with Harper now and you’ll have to face that. She has been here almost as much as I have. I’m going to need her help.”

Shelby shot back, “I don’t want her help!” Evidently, she was feeling better. She was feisty today.

“Okay, she won’t help you, but she’s going to help me take care of you. Stop whining, Shelby. It’s not attractive. Our relationship is over and has been for a long time. Let’s move on from that, okay,” Lauren was trying to reason with Shelby.

Shelby sounded defeated. Round one to Lauren. “Lauren, it’s just that in my memories you still love me. It’s going to take some time.”

“Yes, it will. I didn’t want you to have any false hope, that’s all. Just concentrate on getting well, okay,” Lauren said sweetly.

Harper heard footsteps coming toward the door. It was Lauren coming out to see what had happened to Chita. She was pleasantly surprised when she found Harper instead.

Harper hugged her. “I heard what you two were talking about.”

“Oh, I just finally had to put the pieces together for her. I didn’t want to give her the impression that there was a chance to get back together. She needs to concentrate on getting well.”

Harper was compassionate, “I can’t imagine what that feels like, waking up, having to relive the shock of losing you. It must be so painful.”

“I had to get really blunt with her. She just kept saying it wasn’t true and then when Chita came in it triggered a memory of you. I had to explain everything to Shelby. She finally gets it, I think.” Lauren said, still with her arms draped around Harper’s neck.

“Who’s on the schedule tonight?” Harper wanted to get going.

Lauren went back in the room. She came back out with an excel spreadsheet, no doubt generated by Ellen. Lauren read, “Chita is here until six. Abby and Julie are six to midnight. Ellen and Becky are on until six, six to noon is Dee, Shy Lynn from noon to six, then...” Lauren ran her finger across the page, “Let’s see, we’re not back on until Monday morning. That’s really sweet.”

“Monday morning? Are you sure?” Harper couldn’t believe it. She took the paper from Lauren.

“See, Monday morning.” Lauren pointed at the spreadsheet. “Of course I’ll want to stay in touch, should something happen and they need me.”

“We get our lives back for two days.” Harper hugged Lauren in excitement.

The moment was stolen by a cry of “Lauren!” from inside the room.

Lauren rolled her eyes and went back inside. Harper walked down to the nurses’ station to tell Chita they were leaving.

Chita winked at the nurse, who was blushing, “I’ll see you later, I’m here till six,” Chita said, as she retreated back down the hall with Harper.

She looked at Harper very closely, “Man, how you holdin’ up? This sharing your woman ain’t fucking you up is it?”

“No, I’m alright. I’m just staying busy and taking care of Lauren. That’s all I can do right now.”

“Well, don’t be afraid to tell Shelby off, just because she wrecked herself doesn’t give her the right to take Lauren back. Stay strong, man,” Chita said, just before disappearing into Shelby’s room.

“Take Lauren back.” That wasn’t going to happen, but Shelby was going to be much a bigger part of their lives than Harper had planned, that’s for sure.

Alicia entered the hallway, her heels clicking on the tile floor. She was carrying a brief case and looking very professional, in a black suit and silk white blouse. The look on Alicia’s face concerned Harper. Lauren came out of Shelby’s room, just as Alicia walked up.

“I’m glad I caught you,” she said, immediately, when she saw Lauren. “It’s the D.A. He’s going to file the charges today. Shelby will be notified tomorrow. The doctor has cleared her to hear it.”

Lauren covered her mouth in shock, “Oh my god, so soon?”

“Yes, the newspapers are after him. He feels he has no choice, but to make a public announcement. It’s about to get ugly.”

“They’re going to try her in the media,” Lauren said, sitting down in one of the metal chairs, in the hall.

Alicia wasn’t finished. She dug around in the side pocket of her briefcase, producing a business card. “Lauren, Shelby needs a better attorney than me. This case is going to be too big. My firm doesn’t have the resources to handle this kind of litigation, but this woman does. Her name is Molly Kincaid. I’ve already talked to her on your behalf. She’ll be here in the morning to meet the police, when the charges are read to Shelby.”

“Molly Kincaid,” Lauren said, trying to remember something. “Her name sounds so familiar.”

“She handled that case on the coast, with the two lesbians that were beaten and then charged with murder,” Alicia informed her.

“Oh, yeah, she’s amazing from what I read,” Lauren recalled.

“We were lucky to get her, but she was intrigued by the case. She wants to make sure Shelby isn’t tried for being a lesbian. We are still in the bible belt, even if Chapman’s Mill is more enlightened,” Alicia added.

“What time in the morning?” Harper inquired knowing their two days off had now been shattered.

“Ms. Kincaid is coming at nine and has arranged to meet the detectives here at ten. I think Lauren should be here to meet her and help Shelby with the process,” Alicia answered.

Lauren was in deep thought. Harper knelt down in front of her so she could see her face. “What are you thinking about?”

“I think we should wait until Abby and Julie get here. Then Alicia and I will explain the situation to Shelby. It will help if she knows people here aren’t judging her.” Lauren looked to Alicia for conformation.

Alicia agreed. They moved to the waiting room where they all could sit down. Alicia went in, for a moment, just to say hi to Shelby. She returned and fell back in a chair, near Harper.

“I have to be honest with you, Lauren. I’ve spent all day trying to find one thing that could help Shelby, but I just see no way out of jail time.”

“We were going to go out to the accident site, before you came in, so I can get a visual on what happened,” Lauren said.

“I’ve seen the pictures the cops took. Shelby is so lucky to be alive. I can’t figure what made her swerve right into the guardrail like that. The marks on the pavement look like she turned into it on purpose,” Alicia informed them. This was new information to both of them.

Lauren became very curious, “Now we have to go. Tomorrow after the lawyer leaves. Is that okay, Harper?”

“Sure, we’ll take pictures for the lawyer,” Harper said, trying to sound helpful.

Abby and Julie arrived. Lauren caught them, before they got to Shelby’s room, and pulled them into the waiting room. She told them what they were about to do. Each woman steeled herself, and then they entered the room, together. Harper stayed outside where she could hear, but not be seen. Harper heard the general greetings of old friends. Then she heard Lauren’s voice in hushed tones. She was unable to make out exactly what was being said, but she heard enough to know Lauren was telling Shelby that Leah had been killed in the accident.

From inside the room came a howl, “Noooooooo!” Shelby cried out, over and over, “No, this can’t be happening.”

Voices tried to calm her. Chita left to get a nurse. The nurse came back with a shot to settle Shelby down. It wasn’t until she finally passed out, from the drugs, that Lauren was able to leave the room. Shelby left red marks where she had held Lauren’s hand so tightly.

Harper and Lauren walked slowly toward the elevator, arm in arm. They didn’t speak, because there was nothing to say. Shelby was in big trouble and they could only stand by and watch it happen to her. Neither said it, but they both thought it, Harper was sure. Would this have happened if Harper and Lauren hadn’t gotten together, so soon after Lauren left Shelby? Could anyone have done anything to stop this from happening?

No one had discussed the fact that the whole team was going to have to testify against Shelby. They had seen how drunk she was. The whole fight between Lauren and Shelby would surely come up. Then Abby would have to tell how she tried to take Shelby’s keys and she sped off. Unless Shelby took a plea, Harper and Lauren’s relationship would be seen as the catalyst, the driving force in Shelby’s downward spiral, causing her to lose control of herself and drink too much. Harper could see the headlines in the paper now. Lesbian Love Triangle, Cause of Deadly Accident. It could go national if the tabloids got a whiff of it. Lesbians make great lead stories.

They grabbed a veggie pizza to take home and then drove there in virtual silence. Lauren was lost out the window. Harper left her alone and listened to Sugarland, on the CD player.

Harper finally broke the silence, “Lauren, if we survive this, we’ll be able to survive anything.”

Lauren took her hand, “We will survive. I’m counting on that cruise.”

This broke the mood and for the rest of the evening they tried not to mention Shelby. It came up a few times, but was put away just as quickly. They watched the entire season six of The L Word, fast-forwarding through all the Jenny scenes they didn’t want to see, before retiring to the bedroom. Neither one of them liked the way the series ended; they were still talking about it when they drifted off to sleep. The last thing Harper heard Lauren say was, “I liked the fifth season, Bette and Tina had more hot sex scenes.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Molly Kincaid was everything Alicia said she was. While Harper waited for Lauren to make breakfast, she looked Molly up on the web and found her firm’s webpage. Molly looked like Jodie Foster in “The Panic Room.” She had to be in her early forties, but she looked much younger. The main office for Kincaid & Co. was a bright yellow fully restored Victorian with white trim. Molly also had an office in downtown Durham, near the courthouse. Her webpage boasted Kincaid & Co. possessed the latest electronic technology, making it possible to have a lawyer in your living room. Molly Kincaid was very successful, very lesbian, and very proud of it. Harper could get behind that.

Molly was standing outside Shelby’s room with Alicia, when Harper and Lauren arrived. She was wearing a very expensive suit and looked amazing in person. Harper was impressed. Alicia introduced everyone.

“This is Lauren, Shelby’s ex and this is Harper, Lauren’s new partner.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Kincaid,” Lauren said, shaking Molly’s hand.

“Please call me Molly.”

Harper shook her hand, “Nice to meet you, Molly.”

“Let me get this straight,” Molly said, in the cutest Southern drawl, “you’re the ex and the new lover and you’re here to help out Shelby. That’s interesting.”

“Shelby and I were together for six years. We just separated and we hadn’t thought to change some legal things. I have her medical power of attorney still, but I would have come anyway. I still care what happens to her, six years is a long time.” Lauren replied.

“Alicia told me a little of what happened the night of the accident. You were the ones Shelby was fighting with, before she left the party,” Molly said to Harper and Lauren.

Harper simply answered, “Yes.”

“We’ll need to talk later.” Molly picked up her briefcase and indicated the door, “After you.”

Lauren and Alicia entered the room. Harper hung back. Molly questioned her with her expression.

Harper said, “I don’t think she wants to see me.”

Molly nodded her head, “I understand.” She followed Alicia and Lauren into the room and shut the door. Harper found a seat in the waiting room. She flipped through several magazines, but saw nothing that interested her. She sat there with her hands folded on top of her head, looking around the room. People watching could be fun. She made up stories for all the people in the room. Who they were, who they were waiting for and why, and little things like that. The time clicked by slowly, until Lauren emerged from Shelby’s room.

Harper stood up to meet her. Lauren motioned with her hand for Harper to sit back down. She came over to the couch and sat beside Harper. She was followed out of the room by Ellen and Becky, who were scheduled to sit with Shelby until noon. They followed Lauren’s path to the corner of the room that had become Shelby’s friends’ unofficial area. Before they had time to strike up a conversation, two detectives arrived, their badges shown prominently on their breast pockets.

One was a small older woman with salt and pepper gray hair pulled back tightly in a bun. She wore the typical flats of a policewoman and a dark blue pants suit. The other detective was much younger. He wore a tan wool sport coat and brown pants. His hair was cut short on the sides with a little longer dark brown hair on top. He had a military bearing in his step and posture. A nurse was leading them to Shelby’s room.

Everyone stood, including Harper, as the detectives knocked on Shelby’s closed door and were let in by Molly. As she was shaking their hands, she shut the door again. Harper’s party sat back down.

Ellen started in first, “I had no idea this was going to happen, so fast.”

“We just found out last night,” Lauren said.

Becky was a little more practical, “You knew it was going to happen sooner or later. No sense in putting it off. That lawyer seems pretty tough. She’s well put together.”

Lauren agreed, “I think she made Shelby feel better, anyway.”

“I just feel so bad for Shelby,” Ellen said. “She has so much to get through, healing from the wreck, healing from losing Lauren and now being arrested for manslaughter. How is she going to get through it all?”

Harper had to say something, “Have any of you thought about Leah? What do you think her family is going through?”

Lauren turned to look at Harper, “Yes, I have thought of them, but I can’t help them. I can help Shelby. She certainly didn’t mean for this to happen.”

That hit Harper the wrong way, “Nobody means for it to happen, but when you get behind the wheel of a car drunk, you are a loaded gun. Unfortunately for Leah, the gun went off.”

Ellen came to Shelby’s defense, “In the five years I’ve know Shelby, I have never seen her drunk until recently. You don’t take any responsibility for causing her behavior?” She was focused on Harper.

“I know that my relationship with Lauren had a direct effect on Shelby’s behavior, but she got in that car even after Abby tried to take her keys. At that point any effect I may have had is negated. She made the decision to drive while she was drunk, not me.”

Harper was getting hot. All the anger from her parents’ wreck was rising out of the secret place and opening up for all to see. How could they blame her? Her entire world was changed by a man who chose to drink and drive.

Lauren replied, “And I’ve made the decision to not judge Shelby. All I want to do is get her well enough to handle this on her own, but right now she needs me. I thought you understood that.”

Harper’s anger began to recede, because of the way Lauren was looking at her, like she didn’t know her. She answered, “I do understand that, but I also see it from Leah’s family’s side. I just don’t want her to be forgotten in all this.”

Lauren put her hand on Harper’s knee. Her voice soft and caring began, “I know this is hard for you. I’m so sorry this happened, but it did. You have been my rock. I can’t imagine the emotions this must be recalling for you.”

Ellen added, “I’m sorry too, Harper. I didn’t mean I thought you were responsible for Shelby’s accident.”

“I just need to get some air. I hate hospitals,” Harper said standing to leave.

“Wait, I’ll come with you. I just need…” Lauren was saying when Harper cut her off.

“Stay here. Talk to Molly and Alicia when they come out. I’ll wait down in the car.”

With her brow wrinkled in worry, Lauren asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, do what you have to do, I’ll be waiting,” Harper said flatly.

She was really having trouble controlling her emotions and needed to get away from these people, including Lauren. Harper was experienced in hiding her emotions. She had to hide them, because she never trusted anyone enough to let them see how or what she really felt. Harper let Lauren inside walls she had never let down, until now. But Lauren had not been allowed in the secret place, the place where she wasn’t strong, where she wept openly and screamed out in anger at the man who took them from her. Her parents had done nothing wrong, but be on the highway with a man who was drunk, just like Shelby.

The cool spring air felt good on her face, as Harper made her way to the car. She hopped into the front seat of the Hummer, dialed in XM channel 27 and listened to soft rock with the windows down. She adjusted the seat so she could lean back and closed her eyes. Harper used meditation exercises learned in Taekwondo to calm her spirit. She wasn’t sure what had triggered that outburst. Maybe it was all the stress she was under she thought. She decided to hit the weights and work out some tonight.

Becky found her in the parking lot. She leaned in the window, “I think you are an extremely strong person to handle this the way you have, Harper. Not many people would be as generous as you are.”

“I don’t have much of a choice, do I?” Harper said, “If I want to keep Lauren, I have to let her do what she thinks she needs to. What would you do?”

“Me, I don’t know. I’ve been chasing the same piece of tail for ten years now, so who am I to ask?” Becky grinned broadly.

They both laughed.

Becky slapped Harper on the arm, “Ya’ll go have a good weekend now. Lauren will be down in a minute.”

Becky walked back toward the hospital entrance where Lauren was just coming out. They stopped to talk for a second and then Lauren saw Harper and waved. She started toward her. Most of the angst Harper had been feeling drifted away, as the smiling Lauren made her way to her. Lauren slid into the passenger seat. She grabbed Harper’s face with both her hands and kissed her, before pulling away to say, “I love you.” Lauren released Harper and sat back in her seat.

“What was that for?” Harper asked. “I don’t think my recent behavior warranted that greeting.”

“I don’t want you to think I take it for granted that you’re okay with me taking care of Shelby. I don’t. I don’t want you to think I have dismissed Shelby’s culpability in Leah’s death. I haven’t. I don’t want you to think I will put Shelby’s needs before ours. I won’t. And I don’t want you to think that I could live without you, because I can’t.” When she was finished, she stared at Harper for a reaction.

Harper looked down at the gearshift, “I’m sorry about losing control of my emotions, I usually try to keep how I feel about drunk driving to myself, outside of speaking to high school kids. I’ll try to keep it in check.”

Lauren cocked her head, “But I don’t want you to have to keep it in check. I want to know how you feel. It’s what makes you who you are. We’re not always going to agree on everything, but we can’t work out those differences, if we don’t talk about them.”

Harper looked out the windshield. “You’re right, but I don’t have to be so righteous. I hate it when I do that.”

Lauren smiled at her, showing only the glimpse of one dimple, “Let’s go get some lunch. I think we could both use a good long sit down lunch with casual conversation and footsy under the table.”

Harper cranked the Hummer and put it in gear. “Where to?”

Lauren pointed toward Benjamin Street, “It’s early; I bet we can beat the crowd to The Sandwich Shop. It’s really good, but not a quiet conversation place. We can get them to go and take them to a park, if you like.”

“Okay, to the Sandwich Shop it is and then a nice spot of grass. I even have a blanket in the back.” Harper left the hospital and Shelby behind for the next forty-five hours…she hoped.

They headed north on Columbus to Benjamin, where they found the shop and ordered two meatloaf sandwiches to go. They traveled east on Benjamin to Herring, where they parked. Harper and Lauren ate their lunch on the grass between Old East and Old West dorms on the UC campus.

A couple of guys were throwing a Frisbee and a small group of ‘would be’ football stars threw a ball, in the large grassy area filled with ancient trees. There were couples scattered about on the grass around them. The sandwiches lived up to their reputation. Harper gobbled hers like she hadn’t eaten in days. They kept the conversation light, but eventually they began to talk about Molly and the detectives.

“Molly sure seems to be on the ball,” Harper said out of the blue.

“Yes, she is. Alicia said that Molly let them read the charges and then dismissed the detectives immediately. She wouldn’t allow them to question Shelby at all.” Lauren wiped her mouth and added, “She came out and talked to us about what is going to happen next and what she needs from us. She is very intelligent, cunning, and thorough, and it’s all covered with that cute southern drawl.”

Harper continued to eat her sandwich, but got in before another bite, “What does she need from us?”

“Well, everyone, at Abby’s the night of the accident, will be served with a subpoena and deposed by the prosecution as well as the defense. She also asked us to gather character witness information for Shelby. She liked the idea of us going to the accident site and taking pictures this afternoon.” Lauren was on a roll, she had a quest, “Of course she will be sending an accident investigator, but she’d like us to email the shots to her today.”

Harper informed Lauren, “I took a class in accident reconstruction. I’ll be able to take the kind of pictures that she needs.”

“Damn, you are handy to have around,” Lauren said, laughing and knocking Harper onto her back. She lay across Harper’s chest, her chin resting on her hands. She smiled the smile that made Harper weak, “I learn something new about you every day. You fascinate me.”

“I hope I’m interesting enough to keep you fascinated, once you’ve learned my secrets,” Harper grinned back.

“Oh, I think I will be fascinated for a very long time,” Lauren said, raising her eyebrows in a sexy gesture.

“Don’t do that, if you really want to go to the accident site,” Harper warned.

“Okay, but later you and me and a bottle of wine on the upstairs deck, naked, wrapped in a blanket. Keep that image when all the Shelby shit gets to you. That’s what I do,” she laughed and sat up.

“What Shelby shit gets to you?” Harper was really curious.

“You know, when she tries to use her condition to get to me. She doesn’t think I can see the games she plays. I don’t blame her for trying, but I just wish she would get it. It’s over. If this accident doesn’t prove it to her, then I don’t know what will.” Lauren started picking up the lunch leftovers.

Harper folded the blanket. “What do you mean? I don’t understand.”

Lauren cocked her head, like she was prone to do when she was making a point, “If I was going to go back to her, don’t you think this accident would have done it?”

Harper thought for a minute, then started smiling broadly. Lauren was right; if she was going to leave Harper, she probably would have left when Shelby needed her the most. She was still with her, even though they were taking care of Shelby, Lauren was with Harper, no doubt.

“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Harper finally replied.

“Race you to the car,” she said and then Lauren was gone. Harper took off after her.

Harper won easily and they were laughing and enjoying each other’s company, even if they were on a mission to save Lauren’s ex. Harper didn’t care most of the time and when she started to think about the DUI, she would try to put it away. Lauren was making a great effort to ease any tension Harper might have over the situation. Harper could at least try to help Lauren get through this so they could get on with their lives.

The accident happened on US 15/501, just as it joined South Columbus. It was an odd place to be traveling at a high rate of speed and to turn into the oncoming traffic lanes. Coming from Abby’s house, Shelby turned right onto 15/501 from Old Church Road, approaching an intersection. After leaving the intersection, where she may have had to stop, she then crossed an overpass, heading north, approaching stoplights, traveling just one tenth of a mile to the crash site. The car hit the guardrail on the southbound side of the road and flipped down an embankment, coming to rest against a tree.

After retracing Shelby’s path, Harper and Lauren pulled off the exit ramp and onto the grass, just a few yards from where Shelby’s car had landed. Making their way down the hill, they stepped over small pieces of Shelby’s car and its contents left behind by the wrecker service. Harper took pictures and measurements of the area from every angle. They scoured the ground for anything of importance. At the very outer limits of the articles that had obviously thrown from Shelby’s car, Harper knelt down to pick up a silver rectangle under some pine needles.

“Hey Lauren, is this Shelby’s I-phone?”

Lauren joined her. “Let me see.” She looked the phone over. “Yes, I think it is. It would help if I could turn it on, but I think it is. The screens smashed.”

Harper took the phone back and put it in her back pocket. “I’ll look at it when we get home, maybe I can get it working.” She looked around. “I think I have everything we need down here. Let’s go up and take pictures of the tire tracks.”

They climbed back up the embankment and onto the side of the road, at the busy intersection. Harper took pictures of the skid marks from every angle. She took pictures of the guardrail damage, the damage to the trees and then leaned over to get shots of the landing area from above. Leah had been thrown from the car as it impacted the guardrail, her body landing thirty feet from where the car landed. This was a violent accident.

Lauren stood on the side of the road with her hands on her hips staring at the skid marks. She was shaking her head as Harper approached, “I just can’t understand why Shelby would accelerate so rapidly, then slam on brakes, swerve to the right then turn left nearly ninety degrees and go off over there. It’s like she saw something in the road or blew a tire. I don’t know. It just doesn’t make sense.”

They made their way down to the car lot where Shelby’s car had been towed. Harper took pictures of the totaled Lexus from every angle. There were obvious bloodstains, everywhere inside the car. It was hard to imagine anyone lived through this crash. Lauren was unable to look at the car for very long and went to the Hummer to wait for Harper.

“We’ll have a better idea of what happened when I build the reenactment on the computer,” Harper said, when she joined Lauren. “You’ll be able to see what occurred pretty closely. At least I will be able to tell you what the car did. I can’t help you with what the reasons were outside of how the car behaved. I mean, I can tell you that the brake was applied here or there, but not why.”

“I guess outside of being in that car we may never know what happened, if Shelby doesn’t remember,” Lauren said a little dejected.

Harper lifted Lauren’s chin up with her hand, “Keep your head up. Remember the doctor said she could remember everything tomorrow, little bits at a time or never. That’s two out of three that sound good, okay.”

Lauren smiled, “You’re right. Now, what are we going to do?”

Harper grabbed her hand and they ran across the road and back down to the Hummer. When they were safely inside, Harper said, “Let’s go do something fun and not think about Shelby or the accident for awhile.”

Lauren thought for a minute and then asked, “Did they teach you girls out in Antlers how to ride horses?”

“Why, yes m’am, they did. I even tried barrel racing when I wanted to grow up just like Reba McEntire. So, I know my way around quarter horses anyway. You’re not talking about where they wear the black helmet and strut their stuff are you?”

“No, although my mother would have been happier. I want to go to the stables and get two of the horses. Then I want to go to Humbler Park and trail ride. We can even camp out if you want to.”

Harper looked at Lauren with a bit of disbelief, “What do you mean the stables? I take it your family has horses?”

Lauren went on like it was no big deal, “Yes, but I don’t ride like I used to. There are these two old quarter horses that I love to trail ride. They’ll be perfect. I can call out and have all their supplies and the horses loaded up, by the time we get there. All we need is a tent and Jasper, well and all the camping stuff, but it will be fun.”

Lauren was so excited about the prospect of camping and riding horses, Harper just went along. They stopped on the way to Harper’s house to pick up food items and a few other things at Wally World. Lauren called the stables and had two days of feed and water and the horses loaded up. They quickly packed all of Harper’s camping gear in the back of the Hummer. Lauren packed the cooler with the food they bought and iced it down.

Jasper was ready to go anytime the car door was opened for him. His leashes were loaded, meaning he was going on a trip. He ran in and out of the garage, following one woman then the other, as they loaded clothing and essentials into the back of the Hummer. All the doors were open, so Jasper jumped in every time one of the women got near the vehicle and then back out again following the women back in to the house. To Jasper’s great delight Harper came out of the house the last time wearing jeans, boots and her cowboy hat. Jasper had been around horses with Harper and knew what the hat meant. They were going riding.

Harper loved horses and had grown up riding first her own then other’s, after her parents died. She was in college almost immediately after their deaths, so she sold off her horse and only rode when invited by someone. It broke her heart to sell Smokey, but she didn’t have time to take care of him or ride him, so she sold him to two little girls, who lived next door and would love him as much as she did. She still owned her parents’ home in Antlers and made arrangements, with the family who rented it, to allow Smokey to stay in the stable where the girls could take care of him. She even sent money every month to make sure he saw a vet and was fed properly.

The closer they got to the horses the more excited Harper got. She told Lauren she couldn’t think of anything she’d rather do than trail ride with her and camp out under the stars. Lauren directed Harper to a horse barn outside of Chapman’s Mill, where she explained several family members kept their horses. A full time staff took care of the horses and made them available to the family when needed. Harper thought Lauren must be loaded. Lo..oa…ded like Ron White said of his in-laws.

A large white barn with green trim loomed up behind a grove of long leaf pine trees. The accompanying corral was occupied by a young girl in a black helmet on a large black horse and a trainer in the center of the ring. Lauren directed Harper to a small barn to the right where a white and green trimmed double horse trailer waited. The Hummer had a towing package so the load was no problem. Harper peeked into the trailer to see a solid black horse, she learned was named Jimmy and a chestnut colored quarter horse, named Dawn, nibbling on hay. They were loaded and on their way in less than fifteen minutes. Jasper had gotten out and peed on everything in sight. Harper said it was penis envy.

About forty-five minutes later they pulled up to the bridal trail head to register. Harper took care of business while Lauren checked on the horses. Harper came back to the rear of the trailer where Lauren was, “The campsites are first come first serve and a group of campers already scooped us.”

Lauren looked so let down, Harper thought quickly, and then added, “Look we have at least four good hours of day light. We’ll unload and ride here and then we’ll take the horses back to my house and camp in the back yard. It’s really thick back toward the back of the property.” Harper was trying to sell her idea, “We can build a fire. There’s a riverbed behind the house about two tenths of a mile through some trees. We can ride back there tomorrow, all day.”

Lauren finally smiled and lifted her downtrodden head. She hugged Harper and said, “That’s why I love you. You can find the sunshine in any rainy day.”

Harper put the park pass in her breast pocket and reached for the latch on the trailer door, “It’s practice from a lifetime of rainy days.” When it left her mouth, Harper had no idea where it came from. It was just what her brain supplied to her mouth to say, she had not control over it.

Lauren stopped to look at Harper, already unloading the first horse, “Wow, that’s a sad way to remember your life.”

Harper stayed quiet hoping Lauren would drop it. She couldn’t see Harper’s face hidden on the other side of the horse. Lauren took Jimmy to the hitching post there in the parking lot designed for equestrian parking. Harper removed Dawn and walked over to the tie up. Lauren waited for her there.

Lauren wasn’t going to drop it, “Harper, how can you be so nonchalant about the sadness in your life? How thick is that skin you’re wearing?”

Harper tried to be funny, “Oh, it’s about like a Spiderman suit. It can be penetrated if the wearer isn’t paying attention. It’s my ‘spidey’ senses that keep bad things away.” She finished with a laugh, pulling on tan leather riding gloves. “Hey, this is supposed to be a fun day. No serious conversations allowed.”

Lauren started saddling Jimmy, while Harper saddled Dawn. She wasn’t ready to be put off, “I wasn’t aware we were having a conversation. I ask you a question and you deflect it with humor. How is that a conversation?”

Harper stepped around the front of Dawn to look at Lauren, who was between the two horses, pulling on a strap. Harper called her to her, “Hey you, come here.” When Lauren was close enough so that Harper could slip her arm around Lauren’s waist, she did and whispered in her ear, “There will be enough time for you to explore every deeply buried secret, fear and emotion from my past, but today can we just ride horses?”

Lauren kissed Harper on the cheek, “Yes, darling we can leave your psychoanalysis for another day.”

Lauren rode Jimmy while Harper rode Dawn, with Jasper tethered on a long leash trailing behind. He learned his lesson as a puppy not to get too close, when a horse Harper was riding knocked him down. He wasn’t hurt, but he definitely got the message. Harper was just glad the horse hadn’t kicked him too hard. He could have killed him. She only had him on a leash, because of park rules. He would never leave her side for anything. He might see a squirrel or dear and alert, but he would not run after it, unless he was released by Harper. At least she had taught him that.

The three of them followed the trails through the woods around the heavily wooded park. There were thirteen miles of trails in the park and they rode them all, returning to the trailer just before the sun went down. The hours were spent laughing and telling funny stories to each other. Harper loved to hear about Lauren, she wanted to know everything about her. Lauren seemed as interested in Harper and avoided asking questions that would cause Harper to think about her parents. It was a great day and they had the whole day tomorrow to be disconnected from the world. It was just them with nothing to do, but be with each other. Harper tried to ignore the cell phone Lauren kept checking for messages.

When they got back to Harper’s house she didn’t open the garage door, but opened the gate to the back yard. Once through the gate she shut and locked it, then drove the Hummer as far back on her property as she could. They unloaded the horsed and tied them out to graze. They removed the five gallon buckets of water and bales of hay out of the trailer; setting them out for the horses. Harper fixed a fire pit with the shovel she brought, and then she gathered wood with Jasper. There were plenty of dried limbs needing to be burned lying around.

Lauren took the tent out of the Hummer and started setting it up. Harper came back with an armload of wood, with Jasper on her heels dragging a log. He evidently understood what they were doing or he thought it was a game. Who knew? Harper helped with the tent and went back for more wood while Lauren put the sleeping bags in the tent and finished setting up camp. The way they were situated in the trees it appeared they were in the wilderness, except for the glow of streetlights back toward the house.

Harper got the fire going and then set up the hibachi grill. They brought pre-made salad in a bag and some French bread to eat with the steaks Harper was about to cook. Jasper chowed down on a bowl of dog food and then drank out of the horses’ water. He went off to survey the area while Harper and Lauren sat in lawn chairs and watched the steaks on the grill. Lauren opened a bottle of red wine and they drank it out of paper cups. Jasper arrived back at camp just when the steaks were done. He watched as his two women ate, drooling by the fire. Soon he was rewarded with the scraps, which he did away with in seconds. Dinner done and the moon high in the sky, the two women sat in lawn chairs and roasted marshmallows.

“This is wonderful,” Lauren said, leaning her head on Harper’s shoulder. Just then her marshmallow caught on fire. She blew it out and waited for it to cool.

Harper the marshmallow expert said, “The trick is to just brown it all the way around.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I kind of like the burnt part,” Lauren said between blowing on her black mound of what used to be a marshmallow.

Lauren’s phone alerted her to a text message. She took it out and read the message out loud, “It’s from Shy Lynn. She says Shelby wants to see me.” She looked at Harper and without saying anything she typed and sent a text back.

Harper started to stand up, before Lauren’s hand stopped her. “I told her unless it’s a matter of life or death, I would be back on Monday morning.”

Her phone buzzed again. She read, “She’s not dying, she’s just whining.” Lauren laughed. Harper was relieved.

Lauren poured more wine. Harper grinned at her, “Are you trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me?”

Lauren, showing her dimples, replied, “Yes, yes I am.”

They sat quietly for a while looking up at the stars, arm in arm. When the first bottle of wine was gone Lauren opened another while Harper plugged the CD player into the back of the Hummer starting a CD of soft music she made a couple of years back. It was a mix of artists like Rosemary Clooney, Carol King, Bette Midler, Emmy Lou Harris, Reba and Joan Armatrading, a mix of music she loved all her life.

Lauren brought out cheese and crackers with some grapes on a plate. Harper laid a blanket down on the grass by the fire, where the two of them lay with another blanket over their legs and the sleeping bags rolled up for pillows. It was a warm night for spring, but there was still a chill in the air. They snuggled there under the stars drinking wine into the evening.

Harper broke one of the long silences, where they just watched the stars above, “Thank you for not going to the hospital. I know that was hard for you.”

Lauren rose up so she could look Harper in the eyes, “No actually it wasn’t. It would have been harder to disappoint you.”

“Really?” Harper said, truly amazed.

“Yes, really. I know how much this time alone means to you. It means a lot to me, too. I met every one of Shelby’s needs for the last six years.” Lauren went on, “She has to learn to deal with this without me being there every minute. She’ll get used to it. It’s tough love.”

Harper balled up her paper cup wine glass and tossed it into the fire. She pulled Lauren to her, taking Lauren’s wine cup, which met the same fate, wine and all. Silently Harper’s lips found Lauren’s. She ran her fingers through Lauren’s hair and down the neck of her jacket. Lauren slid her arms out of the jacket and threw it aside. Harper’s jacket was the next piece of clothing to go. Soon Harper hands were inside Lauren’s shirt where her fingers danced across Lauren’s smooth soft skin.

That’s what Harper liked about women. They were soft and warm and they seemed to melt into you. But no woman had ever melted into Harper like Lauren. Their kisses were long and deep, their lips coming together again and again, tangling their tongues and sparking little moans of pleasure from both women. Lauren helped Harper pull her sweatshirt and tee shirt up over her head, until her breasts were exposed, then she quit helping and took one of Harper’s nipples in her mouth.

Once free of her shirts, Harper wanted Lauren naked and she proceeded on the mission by removing her shirt then unbuttoning and unzipping Lauren’s jeans. Harper put her hands inside the back of Lauren’s jeans and pulled down. Lauren got the message and wriggled out of her jeans, while Harper disposed of hers. Now they were both completely naked. Harper placed the slender Lauren on top of her body.

Lauren moved up and down Harper’s body, her tongue and lips moving slowly over Harper’s skin. Harper spread her legs so that Lauren could move between them. Lauren began to move her pelvis against Harper, which made Harper’s pelvis grind against Lauren’s. Harper moved with her until they were both ready to explode. Harper got up on her knees and moved Lauren onto her lap. She ran one hand between Lauren’s legs. Harper’s other hand in the small of Lauren’s back was holding her up.

Lauren rose on her knees, in her own rhythm against Harper’s hand. Harper ran her mouth over Lauren’s body, until Lauren grabbed her on both sides of her head, leaning down to kiss her breathlessly craving Harper’s mouth on hers. Lauren came violently and loudly as she jerked forward then threw her head back, letting Harper hold her from the small of her back. When she caught her breath she rose back up and then leaned down and kissed Harper long and hard.

“Oh god, you are going to cause me to have a heart attack,” Lauren said breathlessly. “That was the best orgasm ever, no question. Are you sure you’ve only been with one woman?”

Harper pulled her to her so her head was on Lauren’s chest. She said, in between kisses to Lauren’s breast, “I watched a lot of The L Word.”

“You learned how to do that by watching The L Word? Maybe I should have paid better attention to the sex scenes,” Lauren said, pulling away from Harper and pushing Harper down on her back.

“Jackie and I did the generic lesbian mutual masturbation during our relationship, I do you then you do me kind of thing. The L Word was my real coming out party,” Harper added, while Lauren began to kiss her skin again.

They both stopped talking as Lauren slowly licked and kissed her way to the wet spot between Harper’s legs. Harper was so hot for Lauren she arched her back off the blanket and moaned the moment Lauren’s tongue touched her. Lauren made circles with her tongue that drove Harper crazy. She grabbed the grass above her head for leverage and rocked with Lauren’s head between her legs. She didn’t have to rock long, because she came in waves that crashed into the walls of her vagina over and over until finally receding into occasional muscle spasms of pleasure.

Lauren crawled back up on top of Harper and they lay quietly in the warmth of the afterglow, with the blanket pulled up over them. Their fingers were the only thing moving as they entwined over and over. Harper wanted the world to stop right here, this was her heaven.

“I could stay like this forever,” Harper said, after a few minutes passed.

“Me too,” came the reply.

Jasper decided it was time for some attention so he licked them both in the face. Lauren fell to the side of Harper and into the shelter of her shoulder, laughing. Jasper had obviously gone to the house to get his baseball and laid it on the blanket beside Harper. She pulled Lauren close to her with one hand and threw the wet baseball with the other. Jasper dashed after the ball and they were safe again.

They redressed, tied the horses to nearby trees and secured the campsite for the night. There was no wind to speak of except for a light breeze, but Lauren knocked the fire down to coals anyway, before climbing in the tent. Harper zipped the two sleeping bags together to make one big bag. Undressing again, they dove into the bag and into each other’s arms. Jasper entered the tent sometime later, but Harper barely noticed. She and Lauren made love until they exhausted each other. Lauren curled into Harper’s chest and fell soundly to sleep.

At that moment, Harper was as happy as she could ever remember in her entire life.

Chapter Twenty-Five

They awoke at dawn to a slow steady rain. Harper quickly loaded the horses in the trailer, while Lauren closed up the campsite. Harper helped with the tent and, with the Hummer repacked, the two lovers and Jasper rode to the house. All three were soaking wet by the time they opened the garage door. They entered through the utility room and dropped off their wet clothes. Once inside, they realized how cold they were, so they went upstairs to take a hot shower.

They actually showered and dressed this time with no hanky-panky in between. Lauren wanted to get the horses back to be rubbed down and brushed. She wasn’t sure how long they had been standing in the cold rain and Jimmy, being older, needed to be rubbed down well, after a ride. Jasper was left at home this time. The trip to the stables did not take long and they were back at home in no time.

Harper decided she wanted to upload the accident site pictures to Molly’s office. She also wanted to start putting numbers into her accident reenactment program, which could take pictures and measurements and turn them into 3D moving images. It was expensive software a highway patrol investigator had given her, on the sly, when she took his class. He had investigated the death of Harper’s parents and always kept up with her, so when she wanted to take a class in reenactment he was the logical choice.

Lauren sat beside her at the dining room table where she spread out copies of all the pictures and measurements and started loading them into the program. The hard copy pictures were for reference only as she loaded the digitized pictures straight into the 3D rendering program. The measurements made it possible to use math in order to grasp what happened and how the car behaved, because of it. It took the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon for Harper to load all the requested information and let the program do its thing.

Lauren hopped up and down, bringing drinks and food to Harper while she worked. Harper explained what she was doing and why the program was asking this question or that. Lauren was fascinated by the whole process and generally hovered over Harper the whole time she was at the computer. Harper finally gave her the job of taping the smaller pictures into a larger montage of the accident site on the wall across from the table. Harper hadn’t hung any artwork except for the painting of Jasper in the other room and a few things she brought with her, so the big wall was perfect for their crime scene photos. The dining room was beginning to look like the conference room on Criminal Minds, the TV show.

Lauren had a copy of the original police report that Alicia had given her yesterday morning. Harper used some of the information to draw a map of the accident, on a large tablet she found in the garage. She saved some things from her undergrad days that just came in handy at times.

“You know you’re right. See the acceleration and the sudden jerk to the right then back to the left, either Shelby saw something in the road and overreacted or something happened inside that car we don’t know about,” Harper said, looking at the diagram.

Harper suffered from just enough attention deficit disorder to be great when focused, but easily distracted. Lauren stood staring at the montage, in front of her. Harper looked at Lauren from behind, silhouetted there against the accident site pictures on the wall. The way she cocked her head to one side when she was thinking, the way her hair had just enough wave for the highlights to blend like liquid, the curve of her waist, all of it was a major distraction.

Harper put down the ruler she was holding and walked around to the side of the table Lauren was on. She took her in her arms and said rapidly, pleading her case, “Why don’t you just move in with me. You’re practically living here now. Go get your clothes and essentials and leave the rest at the studio. I’ll make room for anything you want to bring. You can work at the studio and if you want to work late, we’ll stay over there. Just bring your U-haul lezzie and let’s do the normal lesbian thing. Actually I think we’ve known each other longer than most lesbi….”

“Shut up and kiss me, you had me at move in with me.” Lauren smiled up at Harper and then accepted a sweet kiss to seal the deal.

Harper said, when she let Lauren go, “I guess this means I have to find a place to put the boat.”

“My Harper,” Lauren said, in her best southern drawl, “but you do say such romantic things.”

About three o’clock, Harper was ready to show the rendering of the accident to Lauren. They were both shocked by the violence of the crash. The car was still accelerating when the brakes were applied, indicating either a malfunction in the accelerator line or Shelby had a foot on the accelerator and one on the brake, at the same time. It would be important to the investigation that both possibilities were checked out.

Right after the braking began, the steering wheel was jerked sharply to the right and then immediately it was jerked back the other way with enough force to cause the car to capsize and then flip twice more, after hitting the guardrail. Shelby was driving a sports car. They just don’t flip without tremendous side force. Harper looked for signs of another car, but there were none.

Harper sent all the information they had gathered to Molly and then remembered the I-Phone. She located it in the glove compartment of the Hummer. When she came back in with it she plugged it in to her I-Phone charger, waited a few seconds then hit the power button. The phone did not respond. She and Lauren tried to find the closest Apple store to Kerrville. It was the Apple store at Northpoint on the Parkway in Durham. Their hours were noon to seven on Sunday, so they took a drive over to the store.

Lauren dropped Harper off at the Apple store, while she drove over to her studio to load up a few things, mainly the clothes she liked to wear. Harper told her to wait and they would go together, but she insisted on going ahead and said, “Just call me when you’re through.”

The kid behind the counter in the Apple store said, “What’cha do, run over it with a car?” when Harper handed him the phone.

“Kinda,” Harper replied.

The kid looked at the screen, “Does it power up?”

Harper said no. She told him she just wanted the videos and images off the phone, if possible. Harper seemed to remember that Leah was holding a phone just like this one at Abby’s house. She even thought she was taking a video of the fight they were having. She wasn’t really paying all that much attention to Leah at the time. Harper wanted to see what was on the phone. She didn’t want to lose any information in a data transfer and she wasn’t sure how damaged the phone was.

The kid told her it would be at least two weeks before the phone would be back, because he had to send it somewhere else. Harper was afraid to let the phone go for that long. Plus the company would probably just recommend throwing this one away. There had to be a faster way to get the files off the phone.

She asked about other options. The clerk looked around, in a conspiratorial way, then when he was sure no one was listening, he said that his buddy could probably get the files off the phone and have them back to her tomorrow for $150.00. Harper agreed to the price. Harper wrote all the kid’s personal information down, just in case he was pulling a fast one, but the kid assured her it was a legit deal.

With that accomplished Harper called Lauren, who was still getting things together to put in her car. Harper told her to take her time and she would just walk around the mall until Lauren called saying she was coming to pick her up. Some of the boutique stores were not open on Sunday, but she found a Bath store and bought some bath salts, shower gels, natural sea sponges, air freshener and candles for the house. She could spend all day in the store. She loved all the different smells.

Harper then wandered around until she found herself standing in front of Little’s Jewelers looking at their selection of anniversary rings. She liked the classic two-carat diamond anniversary style ring with the princess cut diamonds, set in Platinum. The discounted price was $1800.00 and they had multiple sizes.

She truly had lost her mind. Harper never spent money like this spontaneously, but here she was about to buy a diamond ring for a woman she had known less than two months. She didn’t even know what size ring Lauren wore so she guessed. She bought two matching rings, one in her own size. Harper didn’t know when she would give the ring to Lauren. She guessed she would know when the time was right.

Harper wanted to put a ring on Lauren’s left hand so people, men and women alike, would know that she was taken. It wasn’t a possession thing. It was a pride thing. That’s my girl, is what she wanted to say. Harper finished up the sale and had the clerk’s assurance that if the ring did not fit, she could have it sized anytime for free.

She stuffed the jewelry bag inside the Bath store bag, so Lauren couldn’t see where she had been. Lauren called a few minutes later to say she was on her way. Harper made her way to the arranged meeting spot in front of the Apple Store, glad that it had stopped raining.

Lauren pulled up to where Harper was standing and got out of the driver’s seat so Harper could drive. Harper opened the back door and stuck the bag she was holding behind her seat. She looked over the backseat to see Lauren had loaded the rear of the Hummer. She could see a very sexy negligee hanging over an even sexier camisole. She reached over the seat and held it up so Lauren could see it.

“You’ve been holding out on me,” she said with a wicked grin.

“If you noticed Miss Harper you haven’t given me a chance to dress up for you. It’s dressed and undressed, no in between with you,” Lauren said, amused at Harper’s reaction to the lingerie.

“Well honey, if you have any more of this stuff, I’ll give you time to put it on,” Harper laughed, putting the garment down.

Harper got behind the wheel and started out of the parking lot. She explained about the phone and was almost to the street when Lauren said, “What did you buy at Bath store?”

It happened in slow motion for Harper. Lauren reached inside bag and pulled out the jewelry store bag, before Harper could stop her. She turned her head to look at Harper. Harper could feel her face flush. What could she say? Lauren pulled the identical boxes out of the bag and stared at them.

“I guess I wasn’t supposed to see these,” Lauren finally said.

Harper pulled the Hummer into a parking place. She took the boxes from Lauren’s hands. “I did something really crazy. There was this mega sale and I couldn’t resist.”

“Well what’s in the boxes?” Lauren said excitedly.

“This isn’t the way I pictured this happening, not in a mall parking lot on a Sunday afternoon.” Harper said, sounding dejected.

Lauren was like a kid at Christmas, “I have to know what it is. Don’t make me wait. The suspense will kill me.”

Harper opened the boxes, “They’re matching anniversary rings, and I know we haven’t had an anniversary, but I don’t like the big single diamond engagement rings.”

“Harper, is that some backhanded way of asking me to marry you?”

“I guess it is, I wanted it to be special, you know, romantic,” Harper wished it had been over a romantic dinner or starlit deck.

“Yes, I’ll marry you and that was the best marriage proposal I’ve ever received,” Lauren smiled.

“Oh, have you had many?” Harper asked.

“Enough to know you are the sweetest person alive and I love you. You’re the only one I ever said yes to,” Lauren answered.

“Not even Shelby?”

“No, not even Shelby, she never asked, because she said it wasn’t legal anyway. We wore commitment rings, but that’s all.”

Harper leaned over the console and touched Lauren’s face with her hand. She kissed her sweetly then took the ring out of the box and placed it on her left ring finger. Miracle of miracles it fit. Harper took her ring out and let Lauren slide it on her finger.

Harper had tears in her eyes, which was highly unusual. She looked deeply into Lauren’s eyes and said, “When this mess is over with Shelby, you and I are going to go to whatever state or country you choose, where I can marry you in front of our friends and families. I love you Lauren and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

By now, Lauren had tears streaming down her face. She looked at Harper so tenderly, Harper felt her heart flop over and she had to catch her breath. Lauren at last said, “I will spend every day of the rest of my life loving you, I promise. I am so lucky you found me. I can’t imagine now, what my life would have been like, if I had never known you.”

They kissed and held each other for a long few minutes, when Lauren whispered in Harper’s ear, “Take me home and I’ll model all my sexy lingerie for you.”

Harper put the H3 in gear and made it from Durham to her house in record time. They were coming through the utility room door laughing over the piles of clothes they had stretched across their arms when Lauren’s phone rang. She dropped her armload on the table by the bar and answered the phone. Harper could only hear Lauren’s side of the conversation, but she got the gist of what was going on.

“Hello, Chita… Yeah well, she’s been saying that for two days... No, put her on the phone…” Lauren rolled her eyes so Harper could see. “Hi Shel… I understand. Why don’t you ask the nurse for more painkillers, if you are in that much pain? … Yes, she will listen to you. You are the patient… No, I’m not coming tonight. I’ll be there in the morning… No. There is nothing I could do that Chita cannot also do, so either talk to the nurse yourself and start becoming more responsible for your own care or lie there and suffer. It’s your choice.”

There was a longer pause and then Lauren continued, “Hey Chita, go talk to the nurse for her. Tell her she’s in pain and she can’t sleep….Yeah, I know you don’t mind talking to the nurses….I don’t care if she’s crying. She has to stop depending on me so much….Yeah, tough love. Hey speaking of love, Harper just gave me what looks and feels like a two-carat band of diamonds and asked me to marry her….Yeah, love at first sight, that’s right….Okay, thanks. Have a good night…I will.”

Lauren looked at Harper, smiling, “Well, I told the first person, so you can’t take it back.”

Harper’s answer was probably not what Lauren was expecting, “You don’t think Chita will tell Shelby do you?”

Lauren realized the possibility of that happening was very likely, she took a breath then said, “Well, she’ll probably see the ring tomorrow and ask about it anyway.”

“I hadn’t thought about what you’d say to her. I don’t want to hurt her anymore than we have already,” Harper said, finally dropping the armload of clothes on the back of the couch.

“Well, I’m not taking it off and keeping it a secret from Shelby. If she asks, I’ll say that my girlfriend gave it to me, when she asked me to marry her and I said yes.”

Harper grinned, “You do know she knows that I’m your girlfriend and we’ve only been dating like five weeks.”

Lauren slipped her hands around Harper’s waist, while Harper leaned on the back of the couch, “You do know that I don’t care,” Lauren said.

“You won’t be cruel will you?” Harper asked, with genuine concern for Shelby’s welfare.

“Honey, cruel would be letting her think that if she gets well, I’ll take her back. This way she has to get well, because she wants to, not because of me. Who knows, maybe she’ll use her anger at us as a catalyst to make a full recovery.”

Harper wasn’t buying it, “Or she’ll sink into depression and complicate her situation.”

Lauren smiled up at her, “Don’t worry, they have drugs for that. They can make her happy even if she doesn’t want to be.” Lauren started laughing.

“Okay, okay, I’ll let you handle it. That’s what you want, isn’t it?” Harper said. She couldn’t help laughing at Lauren. Her laughter was contagious.

“Yes, that’s what I want. You let me worry about Shelby and you worry about keeping me happy. Like right now I am starving,” Lauren complained rubbing her stomach.

Harper gathered her armload of clothes from the back of the couch, starting for the stairs and saying over her shoulder, “I’ll take these up then come back down and fix us some crab cakes. I have some in the freezer from my last trip to Cape Hatteras, just before I met you as a matter of fact.”

“Oh I love Hatteras, my family has a cottage in Nags Head,” Lauren said, following her with her own armload.

“Now why does that not surprise me,” Harper said, sarcastically. “And all this money comes from tobacco. My granddad was in the wrong end of that business.”

Lauren explained, “Now, not all of our money is tobacco money. My branch of the Zachary family made its original fortune from tobacco, but sold out to relatives and went into the money end of the tobacco market, the banking end. My father’s family is ‘richer than two feet up a mule’s ass,’ as my mother has been heard to say, when she’s had too much brandy.”

They reached the bed and threw the clothes down on top of it.

Lauren pecked Harper on the cheek, “Go, and make food. I’ll put all this up and finish getting the things out of the car.”

Harper ran down the stairs two at a time. She went into the utility room and retrieved the crab cakes from the freezer. She threw the sealed freezer bag into the sink with some cold water and turned the oven on preheat to 375 degrees, which she would later switch to broil. She always had the cook in Frisco, not completely cook the cakes she took home with her. They would finish thawing and cooking at the same time.

Harper decided to cut sweet potatoes into French fries, she used low olive oil so the damage wouldn’t be too bad. Harper didn’t eat a lot of fried food. She added a salad on the side to complete the meal. While Harper chopped and cooked, Lauren made several trips out to the garage and back, stopping for a kiss each time. Harper always thought couples who acted like this were so sugary sweet that it was sickening. Now she couldn’t help herself.

Lauren completed her unpacking and putting away just when Harper finished dinner. Jasper, who had followed Lauren all over the house, lay down on the rug near the table, when Lauren sat down. Harper brought their plates to the table and a bottle of white wine. She poured the wine and made a toast.

“To Sooners and Tar Heels, may they be happy forever.” Harper leaned over to kiss the beaming Lauren and then they clinked their classes and took a sip. Harper added quickly after swallowing, “That wasn’t too corny was it?”

Lauren stifled a giggle, “Oh no, it was perfect.” Taking her first bit of the crab cake, she added, “Umm, that’s good.”

“I know, isn’t it? These are the best crab cakes I have found.”

“It’s delicious,” Lauren said, looking around the big room, “I have figured out your real motive for having me move in with you.”

“Oh yeah,” Harper said, “and what is that?”

“You need art work for the walls in this place,” Lauren said, then

Harper smiled, “Yes, you have found me out. I only love you for your artwork.”

They continued to drink wine and talk about which pieces of Lauren’s art would look good here and there, long after their plates were empty. Lauren wanted to add a few of her antiques to the furniture, which Harper thought was a great idea. They both agreed some of the rooms in the house did not look finished. Harper wanted Lauren to take over the decorating duties, since she had such a good eye for it.

“Honey, you do whatever you want to the house, it’s yours now too. I bow to your art degree on this one.” Harper said, clearing away the dishes.

Lauren followed her into the kitchen with the rest of the dishes, “I want it to be our home, so you need to come over to the studio and help me pick out the pieces.”

Harper enveloped Lauren in her long arms, “I like the sound of that, our home.”

“Oh, I forgot about the fashion show.” Lauren tore out of Harper’s arms. She was at the entrance to the hallway when she turned to Harper, “Well, are you coming.”

“Not yet, but I bet I will be soon,” Harper whispered to herself and then she took off for the stairs, Jasper hot on her heels.

It wasn’t long before Jasper descended the stairs, found his baseball and climbed on his blanket on the couch. His girls were at it again and he couldn’t bear to watch.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Monday morning the sky was blue again and the trees were alive with flowers and buds. The flowers Harper planted out front were stretching up to reach the sunlight when she and Lauren drove away. A low mist hung over the tips of the grass on the sides of the road. Harper was having a hard time waking up this morning, because they skipped the run and slept in. Her restful weekend had taken its toll both physically and mentally. She had made some life changing decisions in less than 48 hours. She wasn’t sorry she had made them; she was just shocked at herself for doing it. Harper was usually so thoughtful and cautious, but with Lauren she just didn’t care about the consequences.

“What are you thinking about so hard this morning?” Lauren said, sighing into a stretch and yawn. She wasn’t much more awake than Harper.

Harper replied, “Just trying to wake up. Man, I’m tired.”

Lauren, finishing her stretch, managed to squeak out, “Me, too.”

Harper opened the console between them and handed Lauren a small box with a tiny pink bow on top.

“Harper you can’t keep buying me stuff,” but Lauren was tearing the paper as she spoke. “When did you have time to wrap this?”

Harper didn’t tell her it was one of two boxes that came with the house. She let Lauren think she wrapped it just for her. This little white lie was harmless, she’d tell her the truth later.

“It’s my own set of keys and a garage door opener, how sweet.” Lauren kissed Harper on the cheek. “Now you can have your spare back.”

They rode quietly the rest of the way to the hospital, kissed each other goodbye and went off to their separate duties. Harper worked through lunch again, so she could leave early to pick up the I-phone in Durham. Lauren was going to bring her Tahoe back to the house, which meant she had to move the boat before Lauren got home. It had a cover, although it needed a new one, so she could park it in the back yard by the gate. She made it back from Durham in time to beat Lauren home from the hospital at 5:30. Harper moved the boat and was just plugging the I-phone into her laptop when she saw headlights and heard the garage door opening, meaning Lauren was home.

Lauren entered the utility room with both arms holding sacks of food. Harper took them from her and placed them on the kitchen counter. Although they kept in touch all day through text messages it was so good to see her at home. Harper helped her with her coat and scarf and then kissed her passionately, before she could get two steps into the house.

“Is it me or the spaghetti sauce I’m about to make that has you so excited?” Lauren teased Harper.

Harper kissed her neck, “It’s definitely you, but I am hungry.”

“Well, get out of my way and let me cook. Go… get out of the kitchen,” Lauren said, swatting Harper with a dishtowel.

“Okay, I’m going. I was just about to see what, if anything is left on Shelby’s phone when you pulled in.” Harper was already in the dining room by the time she finished her sentence. She popped her head back around the corner to ask, “Are you sure you don’t need help chopping or something?”

“No, I won’t get anything done with you in here. You can’t keep your hands off me,” Lauren laughed as she spoke, peeking around the cabinet door at Harper.

Harper came back around the corner and leaned on the archway, “And that’s a bad thing, how?”

Lauren was enjoying the banter and kept it up, “It’s not a bad thing, it’s just that when you help you are so easily distracted by the least little thing.”

“You mean like the fact I can see that your nipples are hard through your tee shirt, that kind of thing.” Harper’s grin was growing to a broad naughty smile.

Lauren kept moving about the kitchen, but continued the conversation with Harper, “Exactly that kind of thing. You might lose focus checking out my tits and cut a finger off.”

“And you would like for me to keep all my fingers?”

“Yes, I think that I would, now scat.” Lauren needed to focus on the sauce and officially dismissed Harper with a wave.

The smell of sautéing onion began to waft through the house. Harper sat back down at the crowded dining room table. They never ate in here anyway. While she absentmindedly started the program to download the images from the I-Phone, she looked up at the wall where the photos had been taped. Something about this accident did not fit.

Harper heard an alert from the laptop and saw the I-Phone was recognized by her computer. That was a good sign. “Hey honey, this is Shelby’s phone. It has her listed as the owner.”

“That’s good. I’m sure she’ll want it back, if just for the contact info alone,” Lauren answered, from the kitchen.

Harper thought to ask, “Hey, did she see your ring?”

Lauren called back, “No, it never came up. Call me if you find something on the phone you think might be useful. I’d like to see it.”

Harper transferred the photo and video files to her laptop and unplugged Shelby’s phone from her computer. She took it to the old farm desk where both she and Lauren’s chargers were and placed the phone in one. Harper didn’t expect to find anything when she started going through the photo files. The first two folders were labeled Vacation and Home. Harper had no need to look in those. There were several photos of Lauren, Lauren and the dogs, Lauren at their house and various sites around campus, in a miscellaneous folder. Then she found what she was looking for.

There were still shots of Shelby and Lauren at Abby’s with Harper standing in the background. Most were shot at odd angles casting dark shadows on the faces in the pictures. It made everyone look mean and angry. There was also a picture of Shelby’s shattered bourbon glass on the floor.

There were no more interesting shots, so Harper moved on to the video folder. There were only two videos located there and both had the same date as the accident. The first video began as Shelby was screaming out of Abby’s driveway. Leah was obviously the photographer. She never appeared on the screen, but Harper could hear her voice. She listened carefully through the headset, as what happened when Shelby left Abby’s unfolded in front of her.

Shelby’s image could barely be seen because the only light came from the instrument panel. She looked at the camera and said, “Put that damn thing down.”

The sound of the car engine indicated that Shelby had slowed the car very soon after leaving Abby’s. She appeared to be focused and concentrating on driving, although she did look very angry. The video moved away from Shelby and passed over the dashboard and refocused on the radio. Leah’s disembodied hand reached out to turn up the volume.

Shelby’s voice could be heard above the now loud music, “Turn that down and I said put my phone up.” A hand closes over the phone and the video goes black, but the sound is still playing.

Leah’s voice says, “Damn, we were having fun and then you had to go see your ex. Total buzz kill. Forget her, let me…”

The video suddenly stopped.

Harper took a minute to process what she had seen and heard. Shelby appeared focused and was obviously not driving out of control. She was driving drunk, but she just didn’t seem reckless. Harper clicked on the next video. Immediately there was chaos, although Harper couldn’t see anything but changes in light, she could hear Shelby’s voice in a panic.

“Get off me. You’re pushing my foot down on the gas. Get off!”

“You know you want me,” Leah’s voice said.

“You’re going to kill us both, get off me now!” Shelby shrieked.

“No, you’re not taking me home,” again it was Leah’s voice, only scarier.

Tires squealed in the background, as Shelby applied the brake and at the same time the engine kept accelerating. Shelby was screaming in terror now, “Let go of the wheel, let go!”

Then the awful sound of the tires laying deep dark skid marks on the pavement, then another screech of the tires and then except for Shelby screaming, the sound of silence, as the wheels left contact with the road. The loud crash of the car flipping onto its top made Harper jump. Then there was a skid, the sound of the car hitting the guardrail and then silence again as the car started to flip into the air.

Images flipped by on the screen too quickly to recognize them. The last sounds were of the phone smacking around in the car and then landing under the pine needles. Harper realized her chest was heaving from the adrenaline coursing through her body. She just heard Shelby’s massive car crash live and on video tape and it could possibly clear Shelby of manslaughter charges.

When she looked up, Harper realized Lauren was standing in the archway, drying her hands on a towel. Harper stood up, removed her earphones and started toward Lauren talking very fast, “Cut off the sauce, I mean call Molly first then cut off the sauce. We have to go to Durham.”

“Harper, what’s going on? I’ve been trying to get your attention. What’s happened? What did you find?”

Harper was a buzz of movement, unplugging her laptop and shoving it in its case. Then she grabbed Shelby’s phone and her own out of the chargers. She put Shelby’s phone in her laptop bag and her own phone in the front pocket of her ragged, lying around the house jeans.

Harper looked down at her pants and the threadbare tee shirt she was wearing, “I can’t go to Molly Kincaid’s office dressed like this.”

Lauren stopped Harper by grabbing both of her arms, forcing her to look at Lauren, “Harper, what is it, what did you see?”

“Shelby might be guilty of driving under the influence, but Leah caused the accident and we have proof,” Harper answered, breathlessly.

Lauren became all business, “Okay, throw a sweatshirt over that and you’re fine. You tennis shoes are on the back porch. You can put them on in the car. I’ll do the kitchen, you lock up and I’ll call Molly on the way.” Lauren could be very organized and in control if she had to be. That was nice to know.

Lauren was already in the Tahoe, engine running, with the garage door up, when Harper closed and locked the utility room door behind her. Lauren appeared to be in an adamant conversation with someone over the car phone. When Harper opened the door she heard a young woman politely telling Lauren she would have to wait until tomorrow to speak with Ms. Kincaid. Harper wanted to speak out and warn the young woman that Lauren was on a mission from God and would not be stopped. At least that’s the impression Harper had of the situation, as she climbed into the passenger seat, sliding her laptop case behind Lauren’s seat for the trip.

Lauren smelled like spaghetti sauce. It made Harper’s stomach growl. Harper knew it would be a while before she saw food and opted to drink the water bottle, she had thought to grab on the way out. Lauren fixed her eyes on the rear view mirror, where it appeared she focused the face of the young woman, on the other end of the phone.

“M’am, I don’t usually like to do this, but like my momma said, if you can’t throw that name around what else is it good for?” Lauren was speaking in the voice Harper had come to know as her Ms. Zachary voice. “My name is Lauren Zachary…Yes, that’s right, Zachary. Do you recognize that name? You are in downtown Durham aren’t you? Then look out a window honey, I’m sure you’ll see it on the side of a building somewhere.”

Lauren was really getting into the character she had taken on and Harper was enjoying the show, leaning back on the passenger side door. They were still in the garage. Thank goodness the door was open.

“Yes, that Zachary, now you get on your blackberry and you find Ms. Kincaid and you give her this message. I’m headed for her Victorian office. I have evidence that will blow the Shelby West case out of the water… Yes, she can call me at this number… and you have a good evening, too.”

Harper clapped and whistled. Lauren backed the Tahoe out of the garage saying to Harper, “Oh, shut up. I hate to do that.”

“Oh, I think your mother would have been proud of that performance. I’d give it a 9.5”

Lauren wrinkled her brow, “Why only a 9.5?”

Harper kissed her on the neck, “Only, because you didn’t say, ‘as God is my witness,’ or threaten her first born son.”

Lauren began to relax visibly and settle back in her seat, she turned to Harper, “What do you know about putting on airs Ms. Lynch? Oklahoma isn’t in the real South.”

“You have never been to a gala given by the Oil Men’s Club. There may never be more blue hair and diamonds in one room. My mother’s mother used to drag me around to this ball and that and of course I had to debut, as I’m sure you did. She would roll over in her grave, if she knew about you.” Harper wasn’t joking. Her grandmother might just haunt her, if she found out her only granddaughter was one of those lezzies, as she preferred to call some of Harper’s teammates.

They continued the conversation, as Lauren drove, “The difference out here is there is old money and new money. Oil money is new money at least to the Native Americans you come from. Old money carries a social status new money can never reach. Bill Gates would be snubbed by these people.”

“Oh yeah, I know. There’s a difference between Tulsa oil money and Oklahoma City oil money because Tulsa had their money first,” Harper replied.

Lauren’s face turned serious, “So, why are we driving to Durham. What did you see in the files?”

Harper sat up, getting excited again, “The entire accident is on video. You can’t see anything, but you can hear everything, but wait I’m getting ahead of myself.”

“There is an audio recording from inside the car of the entire accident, and you think Leah caused it?”

“Wait, let me tell you. I found two videos from that night. The first one started when Shelby flew out of Abby’s driveway. It shows that Shelby slowed down immediately and was not driving or acting recklessly. She was obviously very angry and Leah was getting on her nerves.”

Lauren was nodding as she listened processing the affect the information had on Shelby’s case. Harper continued, “The next video must have been started when Leah climbed over the gear shift to fuck with Shelby. It had to have been lying there and gotten turned on somehow.”

Lauren didn’t care how the device was turned on; she wanted to know what was on the tape, which was evident when she said a little too anxiously, “What the fuck was on the tape?”

Harper was taken out of her distraction of trying to figure out how the camera was turned on by Lauren’s tone, she answered quickly, “Leah was mashing down on Shelby’s leg, pinning her knee, which in turn pinned her foot on the accelerator. Shelby yells at her to get off, but then Leah starts saying Shelby is not taking her home in a really weird voice. The next thing you hear is Shelby screaming for Leah to let go of the wheel and then the crash. It’s pretty hard to listen to.”

“Play it. I want to hear it.” Lauren didn’t so much ask Harper to do it, as tell her what was going to happen.

“Are you sure you want to listen to it while you are driving?” Harper asked concerned.

“Yes, I want to hear it before Molly does. I don’t want to be taken by surprise in her office.”

Lauren was resigned to hearing the audio from the video, so Harper played both videos for her on the laptop. While she played the second video, Lauren covered her mouth, as the terror in Shelby’s voice grew and grew. The sound of the car landing on its roof made her jump, like it had Harper the first time she listened.

As Harper listened this time, she heard things she didn’t hear before. She could hear Shelby trying physically to push Leah off of her. It sounded like what Harper thought a rape would sound like, as Shelby tried to regain control of the car and get this crazy woman off her. She also heard Leah whispering, “You said we were going to fuck.” Leah’s voice sent shivers down Harper’s spine.

When the video ended with the thud of the device hitting the ground, Harper remained silent, letting Lauren take in what she had heard. Lauren continued to drive in silence for several minutes, before she at last spoke.

“Did you hear how horrified Shelby was?”

Harper knew what she meant, “Yes, it’s shocking to listen to.”

Then Lauren got angry, “That little bitch caused all of this and they have crucified Shelby in the paper. I do hope someone will play that for her family, after all the horrible things they have said about Shelby.” She was crying now, in a fury, “I know I shouldn’t wish that on them, but how they made Shelby some pariah taking advantage of their good Christian girl, makes me sick.”

Harper let Lauren rage, because she needed to get it out. She had been holding it, because she thought her fury belonged to Shelby, and she couldn’t at rage her in her condition. Now that she had a new target, her wrath had no boundaries.

Lauren carried on, “I was so mad at Shelby. Part of me even thought she wrecked the car on purpose to get me to come back. I mean, I never thought she meant to kill anybody, but now, I am so fucking mad and I want to choke Leah, but she’s already dead. How sick is that?”

Harper convinced Lauren to pull over, so she could drive and Lauren could continue to rant if she wanted to, but by the time she got in the passenger seat Lauren had calmed down considerably. Harper held Lauren’s left hand, while she wiped her face with Kleenex with the other. She didn’t have anything else to say and concentrated on composing herself, before Onstar told them they had arrived at their destination.

When they knocked on the door, it was Molly that opened it. She ushered them into her office and shut the door. The place was impeccably restored, in its original Victorian brilliance, yet blended with modern technology so seamlessly. There were flat screens and digital monitors everywhere, but built into the architecture with no visible wiring. Harper was so busy looking around, she almost didn’t make it into the office with the other two women.

Molly sat down behind her desk and smiled at them. She addressed Lauren first, “I understand from my staff that you have something very important to tell me, Ms. Zachary.” Molly emphasized the Ms.

Lauren was humble in her reply, “Look, I didn’t want to do that, but I really think you need to see what we have. It changes everything.”

Molly turned to Harper, who was still standing with the laptop bag over her shoulder. She realized they were staring at her so she started talking and unpacking her computer. “In my email on Sunday, I told you we found, what we thought was, Shelby’s cell phone. It turned out to be hers and I found some very interesting video, or actually audio from the video, that we think will help Shelby’s case.”

Molly rose from behind the desk and joined Harper and Lauren, by the laptop Harper had set up on a nearby table. Harper played the first video, which Molly agreed showed Shelby driving carefully. She pointed out that the video in no way cleared Shelby from the DUI charge, just because she appeared to be careful.

The second video however, interested Molly immensely. She too was shocked, by the terror in Shelby’s voice. Molly immediately asked for the phone and a copy of the videos off of Harper’s computer. She had the two women sit down and write out exactly how they found the phone and what they had done with it from that point. She needed the name of the Apple store worker who had helped get the screen fixed and anyone else who may have come in contact with the phone.

Molly asked if Shelby knew about the video. Lauren answered, “No one knows, except the three of us.”

“That’s good,” Molly said. “I’ll show this to the DA, in the morning. If he does what I think he’ll do, since this is an election year and he’s going to look like shit on this, he will drop the manslaughter charge and only charge her with DUI. While the accident may have been caused by Miss Hill’s actions, it does not negate the fact that Shelby was driving the car while intoxicated. She can’t fight that, but it’s her first offense, so I think she will get off with a light suspended sentence and probation, with community service and driving school mandated.”

“Do you think she’ll keep her job?” Lauren asked.

“If she doesn’t, tell her to come see me. Those boys over at UC have a lot of skeletons they don’t want on the street. She’ll be alright,” Molly said, as she was showing them to the door. “Leah’s family may file a civil suit, but we will deal with that when the time comes.”

“Thank you so much, Molly,” Lauren said, shaking her hand.

“Don’t thank me till you get my bill, I understand it’s you who will be paying.”

“Yes, I didn’t think Shelby could pay her medical bills and you too,” Lauren replied.

They were now outside, on the steps to the door. Molly put her hand on Harper’s shoulder, “I hope you two have a wonderful life together, when all this settles itself out. You make a lovely couple.”

Molly went back inside and the two lovers almost skipped to the Tahoe. They were heroes. They had solved the mystery. Harper lifted Lauren into her arms and twirled her around before setting her down by the SUV.

“I’m proud of you, Lauren. You are loyal to a fault and I am so lucky to have you.”

Lauren kissed her softly on the lips and whispered, “No, I’m the lucky one. You are one of a kind.”

“You know what kind I am?” Harper asked.

Lauren looked puzzled, “No, what kind are you?”

“The hungry kind. Let’s go eat spaghetti.”

They drove away from Molly’s office feeling like part of a huge weight had been lifted. They still had to get Shelby on her feet, but at least now she might not be going to prison. Harper was able to toss away the image she had conjured of the two of them visiting Shelby in jail, every weekend for the next ten years. It was an image involving Shelby and a bedpan that she was struggling with now.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Tuesday morning the Lynch-Zachary household got back into a routine of running, breakfast and then off to the UC campus, where Harper went to the lab and Lauren to the hospital. Harper felt great this morning, a fact noticed by her fellow lab mates, who commented on her elevated mood. She had hoped that all the stress from the past weeks hadn’t shown at work, but it obviously had. Harper really wanted to tell the people what she and Lauren had uncovered about the accident, but she had to wait until Molly said she could.

Harper had liked Shelby, before she became involved with Lauren. She guessed she would still like her if she hadn’t acted like such an ass, when Lauren left her. Harper couldn’t say that she would have acted any differently, had she been the one losing Lauren. Still, she didn’t want Shelby taking all the blame for Leah’s death, when Leah had been the one to cause the accident. That didn’t dismiss Shelby’s drinking and driving, but that’s different from manslaughter.

About mid-morning, she called J.R. and left a message for him to call when he got back in town. She also called her grandmother and by the end of the conversation had promised to visit very soon. When she hung up she checked her text messages and found one from Lauren that she must have not heard come in. It read only, “SHIT, MY MOTHER IS HERE!” It had arrived while she was out in the lab area where phones were not allowed. Harper had not noticed it, when she called J.R. The message arrived nearly an hour ago.

Harper texted Lauren, “What can I do?”

She waited and soon received, “Lay low.”

Harper shut the door to the little rectangle she called an office. She collapsed into the chair and stared into space. Loving Lauren had to be the most complicated thing she had ever done in her life. Harper didn’t have complicated relationships. Her relationships never interfered with her life before. With Lauren it was one hurdle after another. It was exhausting. And just when she thought it was getting better, another mountain rose up in the form of Lauren’s mother, Martha Anne Zachary.

Harper was sitting with her head in her hands, elbows on the desk, just trying to gather up strength for the storm, she was sure was going to hit any minute, when a light tap on the glass of her office door startled her. It was quite a surprise to see Abby standing there. Abby turned the handle and opened the door.

Harper stood up, “I’d ask you to come in, but there really isn’t an in, so to speak. It’s really a rectangular fish bowl, so you Doctors can watch us lowly grad students sweat.”

“You looked a little preoccupied. Is everything okay?” Abby remained in the hallway, leaning on the doorframe.

“Yeah, yeah everything’s okay, just trying to wrap some numbers around my brain,” Harper said, sitting back down. “What brings you to my world, Dr. Sandbourne?”

“I have been sent on a mission,” Abby smiled mischievously.

“And who sent you on this mission?” Harper grinned back at her.

“Well, it seems that Lauren has been kidnapped by her mother, who swept into the hospital this morning demanding to take charge of Shelby’s care and chastising her daughter, for not having called her back from her European vacation.”

“So what is the plan? I take it there is a plan,” Harper stood and removed her lab coat.

Abby continued, “All of this was witnessed by Julie, who stopped to drop off a book for Shelby. Julie is waiting for us now, at the Hill brewery, and she’ll fill us in.

Abby and Harper found Julie at a window table at the Hill Restaurant and Brewery. The early lunch crowd was just coming in. Julie looked about to burst with the news of what had transpired at the hospital that morning. Harper was beginning to take this a little more seriously than she had earlier. She thought it wouldn’t be that big a deal to meet Lauren’s mother, until she saw the text message and now everyone’s reaction was making her nervous.

“Damn, it took you long enough,” Julie said, before they got all the way to the table.

“Calm down, gossip girl, we’re almost there.” Abby reprimanded her.

Harper barely had time to say, “Hi Julie,” when Julie began, speaking in hushed tones, as if they were trading national secrets.

“Martha Anne showed up this morning in her fur cape with assistants in tow. She swept in like the Navy Seals and commandeered the place, you should have seen it.”

“We didn’t, so please go on,” Abby encouraged her.

“She threw around some names and the doctors and nurses started scurrying like rats. She engulfed Shelby’s room like it was a stage and her long lost daughter had been found alive. It was disgusting. Lauren was stunned stupid for a few minutes. I tried not to be a target and hung back behind the main action.”

Abby leaned up in her chair, “What did Shelby do?”

“Oh my god, that’s the worst part. Shelby did an ‘Oh, momma, I’ve missed you so’ routine that would have won an Oscar.” Julie grew more animated, as she told the story. “I think that’s what sent Lauren over the top.”

Harper sat up now, “Why, what did she do?”

“First she cleared the room, so I only heard what made it through the walls. I heard several loud ‘Lauren Annes’ being shouted and a few ‘damn it, Mothers, and at least one ‘cut you off.’ It didn’t sound good.”

Harper said it, but they all felt that way, “Oh, shit!”

“The next thing, Lauren was following her mother down the hall toward the elevators. She turned around and mouthed, ‘get Harper.’ So I called Abby and here we are.”

Just then Harper’s phone rang.

It was Lauren. When she answered Lauren said, “Where are you?”

“The Hill,” Harper replied.

“I’ll be there in a minute.” Then she hung up.

Harper told Abby and Julie, “That was Lauren. She’ll be here in a minute.”

Abby laughed, “So she escaped from Cruella’s clutches.”

Harper looked from one woman to the other, “Who is this woman?”

Abby explained, “Martha Anne Zachary is a force to be reckoned with, if she sets her mind on something. She’s really not all that bad and has indulged her daughter’s many whims, but when she pulls on the purse strings, she expects to be listened to. It’s her way of maintaining control over Lauren.”

“Lauren seems so independent, I can’t imagine that going over very well,” Harper interjected.

Abby continued, “They work out their differences like most well bred Southern ladies, they stop speaking for awhile and then one gives in and they compromise. Their compromise on Lauren being a lesbian was Shelby. For some reason Martha Anne took to Shelby, at least that’s what Lauren told me.”

Julie added, “That all happened before they met us.”

Lauren appeared at the table. Harper, intent on the conversation at the table, hadn’t notice Lauren approach. The waiter arrived with Lauren and was told to fetch four sweet teas and make it quick. Lauren sat down and gathered herself, before she leaned over and kissed Harper on the cheek.

“Hi sweetie,” Lauren said, “how’s your morning been?”

The women all looked at each other and then burst into laughter, which eased the tension considerably.

Harper said, “I hear you’ve been busy,” when the laughter subsided.

“My mother is a piece of work, no doubt about it. She has decided that Shelby will have the best private care, at her expense. Which is fine by me, but she insists that I move back into the house with Shelby, until she is able to care for herself, which is not fine by me.”

“Me either,” Harper said, quickly.

“Don’t worry honey, that’s not going to happen,” Lauren said, taking the tea from the waiter, before he could get it off his tray, almost causing the tray to topple.

Julie wasn’t buying it, “What did you say to Martha Anne?”

“I told her she could move in with Shelby, if she felt so passionately about her not being taken care of by strangers. This, from a woman who just returned from a Swedish spa, where she depended on strangers to do exactly that.”

“And she just accepted that as your answer? I don’t believe that,” Julie was unmoved.

“I’d say she’s at the country club having a good stiff drink and mulling it over,” Lauren answered.

“That doesn’t bode well for the home team,” Abby chimed in.

“Look I’m new here, so may I just say, what the fuck!” Harper didn’t like feeling clueless and she needed more data to access this situation. She looked at Lauren, “You said your mother was okay with you and Shelby splitting, after you explained it to her.”

“She was, but then her heightened since of drama makes her think that I should go back to Shelby, while she is in ‘her time of need’,” Lauren mimicked her mother.

“Lauren, just how much power does your mother have over you?” Abby asked, adding, “You are a grown woman.”

“Oh, not nearly as much as she thinks she does. I have my own money, daddy saw to that long ago, so it’s really a matter of how much crap I can take, while she tries to bend me to her will.”

Julie was like a dog with a bone, “Then what did she mean by ‘cut you off’?”

“Cut me off socially, cut me off from family, cut off what little bit of money she still thinks she has control of, whatever it takes to make me miserable. It worked when I was a child, but not anymore, which I explained to her this morning. She did not take it very well. She is now just angry out of spite and nothing more.”

Harper asked about what concerned her the most, “So how does this affect you and Shelby?”

Lauren looked at Harper and seemed to realize how anxious she had become, “Not at all. It only means Shelby has an ally, who will listen to only her side.”

Lauren reached out with her left hand to touch Harper. That’s when Harper saw it.

“Then where’s your ring?”

Abby and Julie looked at each other. This was more drama than they originally thought it’d be and it was getting better. Harper stared at Lauren, while Lauren reacted by digging in her purse and producing the ring from a side pocket. She slipped it back on, as if by doing so the memory of its absence could be erased. She looked back up at Harper and must have known Harper wasn’t pleased.

“Harper, I chickened out. I didn’t wear it yesterday or today at the hospital, because I do not want to deal with Shelby’s reaction right now. I just want her ass out of that hospital, so I can get on with my life.”

Abby broke the moment with, “Oh, my god. Look at that ring.” Then she saw Harper’s, “You have one, too. Damn, they’re beautiful.”

Julie grabbed Lauren’s hand and Abby grabbed Harper’s. They examined the rings, while Harper and Lauren stared at each other. Harper was fighting an anger she didn’t want to expose.

Harper slid her chair back, “Well, since there doesn’t seem to be a real emergency, I really need to get back to work. I’ll see you at home tonight, okay.”

Julie, who had not been looking at the faces across the table from her, chided them with, “Oh, at ‘home.’ You two have moved in together?”

Lauren stopped Harper from standing, by placing a hand on her leg, “Don’t be mad, please.”

Harper managed a smile, “I’m not mad. I think you have a lot to catch your friends up on. I’ll see you tonight.”

Abby tried to stop her, “Harper, you haven’t eaten yet and if you’ll remember you rode with me.”

Harper stood and kissed Lauren on the cheek, “I’m not hungry, really and I could use the walk, clear my head, before I tackle those numbers again.”

Lauren started to stand, “I’ll walk you out.”

Harper stopped her, “No don’t, stay here, really I’m fine. I’ll see you two at the game tonight, if the weather holds out.”

Harper hit the outside air and took in a big breath. She walked briskly away from the restaurant knowing Lauren could see her from the window above. How much more did Lauren want from her? How much more would she be asked to endure, for the sake of Shelby, for the sake of Lauren’s mother? She took out her cell phone and called the lab to let them know that she would not be back today and to email all the afternoon data to her at home. She found the Hummer in the parking lot and eighteen minutes later she walked in the utility room door at home.

Jasper was ecstatic at her arrival. He was even happier when she came back down the stairs in exercise apparel and let him into the garage with her. She loaded his pack with water bottles and fastened it to his back. She found the paw protectors for running on asphalt and put them on Jasper. Harper took her mountain bike off the rack on the wall and strapped on her helmet. She put her keys in Jasper’s pack, after they exited and closed the garage door.

Harper and Jasper went riding in the country, far away from Lauren and all the problems she brought with her. The two of them rode up and down two lane roads with names like Old Road and Ridge Trail. Occasionally, when they came upon a place to rest, they would fall down on the grass together sharing water and companionship. That’s what Harper loved about Jasper, his needs were not many and his love was unconditional.

Harper needed to talk and since he was the only one around, she spoke to him, “Jasper,” he perked his ears and cocked his head to one side, “what kind of mess have I gotten myself into this time? Was I thinking with the wrong end? Jesus, how could I trust her that fast? My brain is so jumbled up. I don’t know if this is for real or if I just want it to be.”

Jasper moved his head from side to side as she spoke. When she paused, he put his big paw in her lap.

“Yeah, I know, you like her. I do to. I was pretty sure I loved her, but I can’t help it. I’m pissed about the ring thing. She said she was going to tell Shelby if she asked and then she hid it from her, so she wouldn’t have to deal with it. What the fuck? I’m dealing with it every day. If I had known there was going to be this much drama, I might have passed on the whole thing.”

Jasper lifted and plopped his paw down again in her lap.

“I know, I know, she had me the moment she looked at me, too. Let’s go home. Maybe we’ll think of an answer to our problems on the way back.”

They arrived back at the house nearly three hours after leaving. As soon as they turned into the driveway, Jasper started barking hello at the woman sitting on the top step of the front porch. It was Lauren. Harper released his leash and Jasper bounded up the stairs to her. He evidently had no problem with the ring thing. Harper parked the bike and climbed the steps to sit beside Lauren at the top. She looked angry.

Lauren didn’t give Harper time to speak, “I called you, I texted you, I even went to the lab, I came home and you weren’t here. I thought something had happened or you ran away. Then I realized Jasper was gone and so was your bike, so I sat here and got mad.”

Harper tried to speak, but Lauren put up her hand.

“I am twenty-eight years old, soon to be twenty-nine and that means I’m supposed to handle my problems like an adult. And although you are five years younger, I expect you to be more mature than to run off on your bike when we should be talking about what is bothering you. Now, that I’ve said that, I hope we won’t have this problem in the future.”

Harper was in a testy mood herself and proved it by answering, “So we have a future, are you sure, or is that something you really don’t want to deal with?”

“Well, I guess I know what’s bothering you.”

“It wouldn’t bother you? I’ve taken a backseat to Shelby’s needs from day one. Don’t make Shelby mad. Try to understand. Give her time. Bullshit! Maybe it’s time for Shelby to grow up and take it like a big girl.” Harper was raising her voice, something she tried never to do.

It meant a lack of control and Harper had always been in control, but not with this one. Lauren was different. Lauren got inside and made her feel things. Things she didn’t want to feel like love, and loss, and anger and jealously. On cue, the darkening sky opened up and began to pour rain almost instantly.

Harper reached in Jasper’s pack for the garage door opener. She pushed the button and took the bike inside closing the door behind her. The garage now contained both their vehicles so the path to the bike rack was a little tighter. The door was so noisy she didn’t realize that Jasper and Lauren had followed her. She turned to see a very wet Lauren standing in front of the Tahoe, with one hand on her hip.

Talking with her other hand, the one not on her hip, Lauren indicated for Harper to continue, “Please, I’m sure there’s more. Get it all out while you’re in the mood. I mean, honestly Harper, I’m surprised it took you this long to get your bucket full.”

A jolt of anger flew into Harper, “What do you want from me? Do you want a lackey to stand by you while you martyr yourself to the cause of rehabilitating Dr. Shelby West?”

Lauren shot back, “I didn’t ask for this, if you recall. She put me on that damn piece of paper. I had no choice.”

“She’s awake now and quite capable of making decisions about her care, but you’re still there every day. Even when you’re with me, she calls all the time, or has somebody else call,” Harper continued to escalate the fight.

“You never complained. You said do what I had to do. I thought you supported me in this,” Lauren started to cry.

Now, Harper was angry, that was true, but when Lauren started to cry and Harper was the cause of it, something broke in her chest. She did not want to hurt Lauren. It was these damn emotions that were so new to her. They scared Harper, so she lashed out, but she never meant to make Lauren cry. And if this is the way that made her feel, she would never make Lauren cry again. Harper stopped arguing and stepped toward Lauren.

“Hey, hey don’t cry. I’m sorry. Please don’t cry.”

Harper held out her arms and Lauren fell into them. Harper repeated, “I’m sorry.”

“I know I’ve asked so much of you,” Lauren said, into Harper’s chest. “I don’t blame you for being angry. I just wish you’d talk to me and not hold it all in, until you burst.”

“Lauren, to be honest with you I didn’t know I felt that way, until I saw you weren’t wearing your ring and it just all flooded in on me at once. I didn’t know what to do with it so I went for a ride,” Harper said, trying to explain.

“I’m sorry I was mad when you came home. I got scared.” Lauren looked up at Harper, “I couldn’t find you and I got scared.”

She had stopped crying, but the tears were still on her skin. Harper wiped the moisture from Lauren’s cheeks and kissed her, pulling her close and tight. Lauren wrapped her arms around Harper’s neck and kissed her back, with a desperation she had not felt from Lauren before.

Lauren pulled her head back and whispered against Harper’s lips, “Please don’t leave me.”

Harper whispered back, “I’m not going anywhere.”

There was no softball game that night. It was just as well, the Tarr Bar left fielder and shortstop would have been late anyway, because they were busy working out their communication issues in the shower upstairs.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

If it is true that April showers bring May flowers, then April was trying to insure the flowers were sufficiently showered upon. It continued to rain all night and into early Wednesday morning. Harper and Lauren opted for a work out on the weights, instead of their usual run. Harper had locked Jasper’s dog door earlier when he dove in the bed, soaking wet. So after the workout, she donned her rain gear and took him for a walk, while Lauren made them breakfast.

After a hot shower, Harper dressed and made it downstairs before her egg whites were too cold. Lauren joined her at the table with a fresh cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice. If nothing else she was eating well these days. Lauren stirred her coffee, lost in thought.

Harper touched the ring on Lauren’s hand, “A penny for your thoughts.”

“I was just thinking; I’m scheduled to meet with Shelby and her many physical therapists this morning. I’m supposed to learn how to take care of her, how to get her up and down and into a wheelchair or on the toilet. If Mother is hiring private care nurses, shouldn’t she hire people who already know all this stuff?”

“I would assume so,” Harper answered after swallowing a bite of toast.

“Well then, I’ll call the hospital and cancel. Then I’ll text the suggestion to Mother that she be sure these private care people know all this stuff, because I no longer am responsible for Shelby’s care. Mother loves to get texts now that her grandson taught her how.”

“Lauren, don’t taunt her.”

“I won’t, although I’d love to. I’ll call her and talk rationally to her. Now, whether or not she listens will be another story. Anyway, I am out of the Shelby care business, except my regular shift as one of her friends.”

“How do you think Shelby is going to react to that?” Harper pushed her plate away, suddenly not hungry anymore.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s clear that my involvement with her bothers you, so it’s done. I won’t lose you to make her feel better,” Lauren spoke with a new assurance in her voice.

“Wow. That’s a big step from yesterday.”

“Harper, you were right, even if you didn’t know how to say it. Shelby had me right back where I used to be, taking care of Shelby and her needs first. I’m finished with all of that. Today, I’d like to go get my dogs and introduce them to Jasper, if that’s okay with you?”

“Yeah, sure, but who’s going to tell Shelby?”

“I’ll deal with that, too,” and then Lauren dismissed the subject for good. “Does Jasper like other dogs at his house?”

“He’s great with other dogs, how about yours?” Harper decided to let Lauren do what Lauren wanted to do, which is what Shelby never did.

“If everything goes well, I’d like to keep them here till Shelby can take them back. They’re outdoor dogs mostly, I’ll have to move their houses and get some temporary pins put in, before they can stay. They’re kennel trained in the house but, Shelby hated it when I let them in.”

“Whatever you want to do, honey.” Harper stood up, she needed to get to work. She started to pick up her plate, but Lauren stopped her.

“Leave it. I’ll do the dishes, after you’re gone,” she said, standing to hug Harper and kiss her goodbye.

Harper was puzzled, “What, you’re not going to the hospital?”

Lauren smiled up at Harper with those dimples showing, she cocked her head that cute way she did and Harper swooned, “Harper, honey, haven’t you been listening? I’m done with being Shelby’s nurse.”

Harper would have kissed her, just because she was so damn cute, but she kissed her, because she finally felt like she was all hers and hers alone. No more sharing. She considered staying home with Lauren, but in the end she left for work, leaving a happy Jasper and Lauren waving goodbye on the porch. She hatched a plan on the way to work and called the lab to tell them she would be about an hour late.

Onstar located the farm supply store and directed her straight to their doors. The good ol’ boys inside were happy to see such a good-looking female come into their store. They fell over themselves to help the young woman, needing a double kennel built and she needed them right away. She paid extra, so the store manager would call in two boys, on their off day. They would follow Harper back to the house this afternoon at one o’clock. Now she just had to get rid of Lauren.

She dialed Becky’s cell number from outside the farm supply. She arranged to have Becky tell Lauren, she would meet her at one o’clock at her house to introduce Jasper to her dogs. Becky was to convince her it was better to do it that way, than to just thrust two strange dogs into Jasper’s territory. Harper would back this up when Lauren called her to tell her what Becky said. Then Becky was to keep Lauren there until she got the text from Harper, with the all clear. Becky was excited to be in on the secret and promised to do a good job on selling it to Lauren.

Harper was stoked for the remainder of the morning. She flew through her duties at the lab and even got a little ahead of her assistants. She sent an email to her advisor from Midwestern, in response to his inquiry about her research. Harper did much of her doctorial class work at Midwestern, but completed enough online and correspondence courses, at UC, to finish her thesis there. Special dispensation was made in Harper’s case, because of the nature of her research and the corporate stipulations on her grant, in which they insisted the remainder of the testing be done in Research Triangle Park, near their headquarters.

Just as she thought, Lauren called her about mid-morning, explaining what Becky had told her about the dogs meeting at her house. Harper agreed wholeheartedly that Becky was correct. She said she felt better that Becky would be there with Lauren when the dogs met, just in case something went wrong. The plan was working, now Harper had to finish work and get back to the farm supply by one.

Harper was a little ahead of schedule, but so were the two guys that were going to help her with the kennels. Their names were Jake and Billy and they were your typical young buck types, eager to please. They already had their truck loaded and ready to go. They followed Harper to the house, where she opened the gate so they could drive their load into the back yard. Harper showed the boys where she wanted the kennel placed and the two young bucks went to work. She promised them an extra hundred each, if they could get it done in less than an hour.

While they were working Harper went into the house, changed her clothes and then out to the garage. She dug around in a box under the workbench and came up with her dad’s old wood burning tool. She found two small pieces of pressure treated two by six under the deck and had one of the boys cut them to the same length with his circular saw. She could have done it, but he was there already with a saw in his hand.

Harper burnt the names Wiley and Dixie into the wood pieces. Then she drilled holes, found some rope in the garage and was back outside with the nameplates, just as the boys finished up the kennel. They made it in under an hour so Harper paid up, she didn’t mind. Jake and Billy did a really nice job and cleaned up after themselves. That was a rare combination these days. She hung the nameplates and sent the all clear text to Becky.

After Jake and Billy were gone, Harper sent a text to Lauren that she was getting off early and heading home. She received a text back saying Lauren was just about to leave Becky’s. She waited in the house until she heard Lauren’s Tahoe pull up to the side gate. Harper walked out onto the back deck to watch Lauren’s reaction. Lauren never saw the kennels, at least not at first.

Lauren pulled through the gate and then got out to close it behind her. She saw Harper on the deck and walked to the passenger side of the Tahoe, smiling she said, “Here they come.”

With that, she opened the back door of the vehicle and out popped three very excited dogs. Jasper ran around the two labs, frantically trying to get their attention. They were too busy smelling everything to notice. Then Jasper saw Harper and came to tell her about his new friends. He barked in excitement.

Harper rubbed his head, cooing, “Yeah, you got some new buddies, huh, good boy, yeah.”

Lauren walked up on the deck, looking back at her two dogs, “They are in heaven, new territory to smell. I’m glad you’re home early.” Lauren hugged Harper around the waist. “You smell like burning wood. What have you been doing?”

“Turn around.” Harper aimed Lauren at the big kennel, she had never seen, even though she stopped her car not ten feet from them.

“Harper, when you did…how did…” She stopped sputtering and turned back to Harper. She threw her arms around Harper’s neck and smiled up at her, “I love you. Did I tell you that today?”

Harper grinned, “No, I don’t think you did.”

Lauren introduced Harper to Wiley and Dixie and before too long, Harper had all three dogs chasing tennis balls she hit with a tennis racket. The new family, stepchildren and all, played together until the dogs were completely exhausted. Harper introduced them to their new kennel, which they gratefully retired to. Lauren and Harper fed and watered the new charges and then went inside with Jasper, who collapsed on the couch and began snoring in a few short minutes.

Lauren laughed, “All the children are asleep.”

Harper grabbed her hand, “Then I guess it’s time for the parents to play, come with me, I need a shower.”

“No, first we need to talk.” Lauren looked serious, so Harper sat down at the table. Lauren took the seat across from her.

Lauren began, “I did talk to Shelby this morning. I explained how the new schedule was going to work and that my mother was who she should call if she needed anything. She wasn’t pleased and I’m sure I haven’t heard the end of it, but I wanted to let you know exactly what I said and where things with Shelby stand.”

Harper took Lauren’s hand, “Lauren you don’t have to report to me. I don’t want this.”

“I know. I don’t have to report to you, I just need you to know, okay.”

“Okay, now I know. Since we’re having a family discussion, do you think my stepchildren are angry about the bio-child sleeping in the house?” Harper hated serious discussions.

“No, I think they prefer it outside, for now anyway.”

Harper stood up, “Then time for a shower, I smell like burnt wood and wet dogs.”

Lauren stood after her, saying, “I guess this discussion is over?”

“Yep, are you coming with me?” Harper asked, as she started for the shower.

Lauren stood her ground, “What’s in it for me?”

“Oh, I don’t know…what fantasies do you need to be fulfilled?” Harper started stripping and throwing her clothes at Lauren’s feet.

“None that I can think of at the moment,” Lauren broke into a run, “but I bet I can think of some before you get to the top of those stairs.”

Harper shot up the stairs laughing so hard she fell and Lauren passed her, giggling, as she climbed over Harper’s prone body, saying, “I win, you have to bow to my will.”

Harper just lay there and laughed, “Oh, I bowed to your will weeks ago, honey. We’re way past that.”

“Then get naked and make all my dreams come true, before the kids wake up.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Thursday was a beautiful spring day, with not a cloud in the sky. Lauren, Harper and the three dogs went for a run. It had been a while, at least six weeks, since Lauren had taken the labs for a run so they were a bit of a handful. Harper stretched it out with them leaving Jasper behind with Lauren. Harper could tell where Lauren was by the constant barking from Jasper, encouraging her to run faster. Harper had to turn back, just to make him stop.

They turned the dogs out in the backyard, while they went inside to shower and dress. Harper could hear Lauren downstairs laughing, while she dressed in the bedroom. When Harper came down Lauren explained that Jasper made the mistake of taking his baseball outside, and now he had to chase the labs, who were playing keep away. Harper drank her coffee and watched the shenanigans in the yard. She decided she would have to buy Jasper more baseballs, so he wouldn’t be so protective of them. She would probably have to have J.R. rub them all down to make Jasper happy.

Harper sat down at the table and opened the local paper she brought in from the porch. Splashed across the front page was this headline, D.A. DROPS MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE AGAINST UC PROFESSOR.

Harper froze for a second then called Lauren away from the window, “Baby, I think your mother has been busy.” She turned the paper, so Lauren could see the headline.

Lauren snatched the paper from Harper’s hand and began to read out loud, “The Orange County D.A.’s office released a statement late last night claiming that, after a thorough investigation by the Orange County Sherriff’s department, the manslaughter charges filed over a week ago against Dr. Shelby West are being dropped. Dr. West was found to be not at fault, in what the press release called, simply a tragic accident. Dr. West was also charged with DUI, which has been dropped to impaired driving, after it was discovered that a new medication she was taking could cause a false reading on the alcohol blood test. The tragic accident resulted in the death of UC graduate student, Leah Hill. The Hill family had no comment concerning the news of Dr. West being cleared of all serious charges.”

Harper said what she felt, “Unbelievable.”

“Mother must have had the Zachary family attorneys burning the midnight oil on this one. Somebody just got a very large campaign contribution, I’m sure,” Lauren said sounding disgusted.

Harper added, “I bet she paid off the Hill family, too.”

“When Molly’s bill comes I’m sending it to Mother,” Lauren snipped.

Harper laughed at her, “I should send her flowers. She’s taking care of Shelby now, not you.”

Lauren smiled and put the paper down, “You know you’re right. I should send her a thank you card.”

They laughed together and ate the breakfast Lauren insisted on cooking every morning, before Harper went to work. Harper hadn’t always eaten breakfast, but she was learning to get used to it. Harper and Lauren then went out back together to lock up the labs, which were used to being kenneled during the day unless someone was home. Lauren wasn’t comfortable leaving them out at the new house and she was going to the studio today. She would take Jasper so he wouldn’t be able to taunt the labs with his freedom.

Harper was glad Lauren was getting back to her artwork. She seemed happiest when she was covered in paint. Harper kissed Lauren goodbye at the utility room door.

“You and Jasper have a nice day. I love you.”

“We love you, too. See you at the game,” Lauren said, blowing her one more kiss.

It was good to be Harper Lee Lynch today. The rest of Harper’s day went just as well. Work flew by and it was lunch before she knew it. Harper had nothing else to do so she strolled over to the hospital. She found Ellen in the waiting room outside Shelby’s lair, as Harper like to think of it these days.

“Hey Ellen, what’s going on? Where’s Shelby?”

“Harper, it’s good to see you. They took Shelby to therapy, so I’m just in here looking for a book or magazine, I haven’t already read. I finished the one I was reading earlier.”

“I guess Shelby’s happy about being cleared of all the serious charges.” Harper was curious. Did Shelby know that Lauren made it all possible, well at least the dropping of the manslaughter charge?

Ellen was glad to report on Shelby’s reaction. “Oh yes, she was so happy to see it in the paper. She thinks Lauren’s mother walks on water. People have been calling all morning. Before today they acted like she was a pariah. Her boss even called to congratulate her. It was the first she had heard from him, since the accident, except for a flower the office sent.”

“Lauren and I are very happy for her,” Harper told a little white lie, because she didn’t think Shelby should walk away from this scot-free.

“Speaking of you and Lauren, I hear there are rings. Let me see.” Ellen reached for Harper’s hand.

Harper showed Ellen the ring and listened while Ellen cooed over it. Ellen didn’t hear Shelby coming, but Harper did. She also made eye contact with Shelby for the first time, since the Saturday night of the wreck. Now able to sit up in a wheelchair, Shelby stopped bitching at the nurse when she saw Harper and glared at her through the glass. Harper held her stare and did not look away until Shelby had been wheeled into her room.

“Ellen, I think Shelby’s back in her room.” Harper said nothing about the exchange between them. It was something she would keep private, but Shelby needed to know Harper was not intimidated by her and never would be.

Harper had not intended to see Shelby. She wasn’t even sure what drove her to the hospital. She just wanted to know Shelby’s reaction to being freed of her responsibility in the death of a young woman. She had seen Shelby and it gave her all the information she needed. Shelby still blamed Harper for Lauren leaving her. From what Ellen said, Shelby believed Lauren’s mother had saved her and she saw no signs of remorse.

Shelby was still the narcissist Harper had come to believe she was. No, they had not heard the last of Miss Shelby, but Harper didn’t care. She felt absolutely certain of where Lauren stood and Shelby would one day have to face it. Lauren belonged to Harper and she was never, ever going back. She left the hospital and returned to work with an extra spring in her step.

Harper sent Lauren a text when she got back to the office, “How’s the paint flying?”

She received back, “Your dog has blue spots.”

At four o’clock, Harper left the lab and headed for the ballpark. She grabbed a turkey sandwich at the deli down the street and ate it on the way. The Tarr Barr girls had the first game and Harper was hoping she could use the field to run and stretch a little longer than usual. She hadn’t played or touched a ball in seven days. She sent out a text to all the team members telling them she was already at the park, looking for a warm-up partner. Then she put the phone in her bag and walked down to the field.

The ground crew was there working on her field, so she asked if she could run in the outfield. There was a cute, young, androgynous girl working on the crew and checking Harper out. Harper smiled at her, but that was all. She began to run in the outfield, which she did for about ten minutes, at a fairly good pace. Every time she faced the ground crew, in her running pattern, the young girl was watching her. This chick was so obvious it was painful to watch. Harper wondered if this technique worked with other women and decided it probably did.

She was sweaty and warm when she lay down in the outfield to stretch. The sun was bright and helped to warm her muscles as she soaked up the rays. She was on her back stretching her legs to her chest when a shadow appeared blocking out the sun.

“Do you need any help with your stretch?”

It wasn’t a familiar voice. The shadow knelt down close to her and that’s when Harper saw the girl’s face beaming back at her. It startled her into sitting up, which actually made her closer to the chick than she was when she was lying down. She quickly fell back away from the intruder onto her back again.

Harper managed to say, “No, I’m fine. I don’t need any help, but thank you.”

A familiar voice said, “No honey, she’s got all the help she can handle right now.”

The girl stood up immediately. Harper scrambled to her feet to see Lauren standing in front of her. Harper smiled broadly. Her woman was staking a claim. The chick, who had a moment ago been trying to pick Harper up, was now stunned by Lauren who was glowing in her role as the jealous wife. Lauren took Harper’s hand and pulled her over to her, then slid her arm around her waist. Harper thought to herself that she was probably enjoying this way too much, but she couldn’t help it.

The young thing finally spoke, “Well, I see you’re well taken care of, so I’ll get back to work.”

Lauren wasn’t through with the child yet. She enjoyed toying with her like a cat, teasing a soon to be eaten mouse, “Sweetheart, be careful who you hit on. Some married women aren’t as nice as I am.”

The little girl turned back to Lauren with a grin, “You can’t blame me for trying, look at her.”

Lauren came back swiftly, “Believe me, I look at her every chance I get and it is as amazing as you can imagine.”

That finally cracked Harper up. She lost it and so did Lauren. The girl just shook her head and walked off. Harper hugged Lauren and gave her a kiss.

“You make me laugh,” Harper said, after the kiss.

“I’m glad I can be of service. I got this pathetic text saying you were here all alone, so I rushed to your aid and I find you getting hit on by a teenager,” Lauren poked her in the ribs.

“Hey, I did not have anything to do with that. She’s a bold little thing, I’ll give her that,” Harper laughed. “I think you stunned her for a second.”

Lauren nodded her head, “That was the effect I was going for.”

Several other team members arrived and soon the whole team was there warming up and having fun. The pall that had hung over the group the last two games seemed to have lifted. It showed in their play during the game and they came away winners in the fifth inning, ten runs to none. Harper actually got to bat once and was able to hit a line drive into center field. They walked her after that. After the game, the team headed for the Tarr Barr for their traditional post game meal.

Harper opted for sweet tea instead of beer and the majority of the team followed suit. Only the people who were not driving consumed alcohol. This did not go unnoticed by Abby, who stood to get everyone’s attention.

“I think it’s worth noting that Harper has had a positive effect on this group, by helping us realize our responsibility, as adults, to not to drink and drive. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that Shelby’s accident had an effect on all of us. I don’t want to see any more of us in the hospital or dead and I for one will not be behind the wheel of a car ever again, after consuming more than two beers.”

The entire team stood and clinked their glasses in an unspoken pact to take care of each other and themselves, because they were more than teammates, they were true and loyal friends.

Abby was not finished, “And I also think it is worth bringing to everyone’s attention that Lauren and Harper have exchanged rings and are going to be married somewhere it is legal and we are all invited. I’m pushing for a warm beach.”

The team clapped and sent best wishes to the happy couple. Harper finally got them all to sit down and caught up in the moment she began to speak, “I just wanted to say how welcome you’ve made me feel from the moment I met you, except of course Julie” This caused a ripple of laughter through the group.

“I also wanted to thank you for the support you’ve shown Lauren and I. In another group of women, our coming together could have split this team into factions, but what I’ve seen is you rally around both Lauren and Shelby with love and support when they needed you. I am proud to call you my friends.”

Harper sat down quite surprised at herself for expressing that much emotion in front of a group of people. Lauren knew how hard that was for her and kissed her on the cheek. She whispered, “I love you” in Harper’s ear. Harper turned to say something to Lauren when the door opened and in walked a well-dressed young man carrying a briefcase.

“I need to speak with Lauren Zachary.”

Harper figured it was one of Lauren’s mother’s lawyers with some paper Lauren had to sign.

“I’m Lauren Zachary,” Lauren said, raising her hand.

The young man placed his briefcase on the bar and removed a stack of light blue folded papers that Harper recognized as official court documents. She still didn’t get the significance of these documents until the young man handed the one on top of the stack to Lauren saying, “You’ve been served.” He continued around the room calling each team member’s name, until at last he called Harper’s, slapping the remaining document in her hand, repeating, “You’ve been served.”

Silence engulfed the room, as the young man shut his briefcase and exited the way he came in. Everyone was busy reading the document they had been handed when Julie broke the silence, “Well isn’t this a bitch.”

Exactly what Harper was thinking. The subpoena in her hand stated that Lauren and Harper were being sued by Shelby for causing her the stress and anxiety that drove her to have to take the medication, which mixed with alcohol contributed to her accident. Namely, that their affair broke up a six year union driving Shelby to take medication and drink, even though Lauren knew her family history and what alcohol could do to Shelby. All Harper could do was stare at the paper in front of her. Lauren grabbed her arm to get her attention.

“Harper, I’m going to fix this, I swear. Don’t panic. None of you panic. I’m going to fix this.”

Nobody believed Lauren, particularly Harper. Lauren couldn’t fix this. Shelby was out for blood and somebody was going to pay. Harper took out her cell phone. She located a number in her contact list and hit dial. Lauren just stared at her, so did everyone else. When the voice on the other end of the phone answered, Harper spoke for the first time, since being handed the blue piece of paper.

“This is Harper Lynch…Yes, I remember you, Michelle. I need to retain Ms. Kincaid officially to defend me in a civil suit…Yes; Shelby West is suing me… Yes, that’s right… Do you need a credit card number or something to make this official? …Okay, then I’ll wait for her call, thank you.”

She hung up the phone and looked at Lauren. Without saying a word she handed the phone to Lauren. Lauren hit redial and another phase of the Shelby/Lauren saga commenced.

Chapter Thirty

“I honestly think I could kill her right now,” Lauren was saying when they came through the utility room door.

“You better watch who you say that around; she might end up dead. There were at least nine other women there tonight thinking the same thing.” Harper was just being cautious.

Lauren and Harper went out back and let the labs out to run. Jasper was so happy that his friends were out of jail that he brought them his baseball to play with. Harper got a beer out of the fridge for each of them and they sat down on the deck outside. They watched the dogs fading in and out of the backyard lights, just sipping their beers, both lost in thought.

Lauren spoke first, “I just can’t believe this. It’s totally surreal.”

“Surreal is not the word that comes to my mind,” Harper commented. “I think ‘fucked up’ is more appropriate.”

“That’s kind of what surreal means.” Lauren added absentmindedly, already thinking of something else. “Does she really think she can get away with this?”

“Apparently so, she hired a lawyer who thinks she can,” Harper observed.

“I left her everything we bought together, I only asked for the minimum on the buyout of the house. I tried to make this as easy as possible on her and she turns into this vindictive bitch, I don’t even recognize. Damn, I should have left her years ago.” Lauren was beating herself up.

Harper reminded her, “If that had happened, I probably would never have met you.”

“You’re probably sorry you did by now.”

Harper sat up and looked Lauren in the eye, “No, I am not. I’m not letting Shelby ever make me sorry I met you. I won’t let her win that way. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me and you better not forget that, no matter how bad it gets.”

Lauren looked deep into Harper’s eyes, “You really mean that don’t you?”

“Yes Lauren, I really mean that. We have to stick together. She can’t break us, as long as we stick together.”

“Okay, let’s not talk about it anymore tonight. I promise not to bring it up again,” Lauren pledged.

Harper agreed. They drank a couple of more beers while they watched the dogs play. No more mention of Shelby’s latest stunt. They talked about the piece Lauren was working on and how the data collection at the lab was going. About ten thirty, they shut the labs in the kennel and went upstairs to take a shower and go to bed. They really only took a shower and crashed into the bed. Too tired to talk and too stressed to sleep, Harper lay holding Lauren, for what felt like hours, until she finally dropped off. Her last thought was, “I know how you feel, honey. I could kill her, too.”

Chapter Thirty-One

When they returned from another frantic run with the dogs, the next morning, both of their cell phones were ringing. It was barely seven o’clock, but the world was alive and well and trying to contact them. Molly Kincaid was requesting the presence of everyone served last night, in her conference room, at the Victorian. The meeting was set for eleven this morning and she was encouraging everyone to clear their schedules and attend. Lunch would be served.

The next hour was spent on the phone with various team members, as the news spread about the meeting. Harper called her lab as soon as she felt someone would be available to answer the phone. She explained that she wasn’t coming in today and just to send any data straight to her email account. Lauren was on the deck drinking coffee, watching the dogs, when Harper hung up with the lab tech. Harper joined her there.

Harper walked up behind Lauren, casually placing an arm across her shoulders, she said, “You know when I was little and I had fallen or hurt myself someway, usually not too bad, but you know when you’re a kid you cry pretty easily. My dad would always laugh, not at me, but with me while I cried until it changed from tears to laughter. He would say you might as well laugh as cry, it’s over now.”

Lauren looked up at her, “Your dad sounds like a smart man. I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet him.”

Harper smiled down at Lauren’s upturned face, “He would have loved you.”

Lauren slid her arm around Harper’s waist. “What advice do you think he would give us today?”

“One time, I came home from school and I was fit to be tied. I was so mad at this little gaggle of girls. They had been selected to take down the names of any kids who talked in the library. My name was written down, although I had not said a word. I had to write, I will not talk in the library, like 200 times or something. Daddy said, Harper Lee, did you do anything wrong to have to write those sentences? Well, if you didn’t then don’t write them. Stand up for yourself tomorrow and tell that teacher why you didn’t write the sentences. You don’t have to be righteous about it, just tell the truth.”

“What happened the next day?”

“Oh, I got sent to the principal and Daddy had to come down to the school, but I never wrote those sentences,” Harper smiled. “There was however, a policy change prohibiting children from ‘taking names’ anymore.”

“So you recommend we tell the truth and face the consequences?”

“That’s what I plan to do,” Harper turned Lauren to her, “do you have a problem with that?”

“No, it’s just that if they ask me if I had any feelings for you before I left Shelby, I’m going to have to say yes. I fell for you that first night you came to the Tarr Barr.”

“That’s okay, I was undressing you with my eyes the moment I saw you,” Harper laughed at how worried Lauren was. “Honey, we didn’t do anything until after you and Shelby were separated. That should count for something.”

Lauren lightened up, “Like Jimmy Carter, I only strayed in my mind’s eye.”

Harper laughed and hugged Lauren, “Yeah, something like that.”

Molly Kincaid’s conference room held a twelve-seat table that looked like it was constructed inside the room. Around the table sat the entire Tarr Barr team including the coach, Jane. In front of each woman was a china and crystal lunch setting, with grilled chicken cob salads for everyone. They were just beginning to eat, as instructed by one of the office aides, when Molly joined them at the head of the table. Everyone stopped eating when she entered the room, some out of respect, and some like Dee and Chita, who were getting their first look at Molly, were stunned in her presence.

“Please continue,” Molly said. “I think I’ll join you.”

Molly sat down with Harper to her right. “It’s nice to see you again, Harper and you Lauren. I’m sure you would rather it be under different circumstances.”

Lauren peeked around Harper, “Yes, I’d rather eat glass than have to put everyone through this.”

Molly smiled, which really made her look like Jodie Foster, “They don’t have much to worry about,” indicating the other women at the table, who were all involved in their own conversations. “They have all been called just as witnesses to be deposed, it’s you two who are named in the civil suits.”

Harper interjected, “I know they’re only witnesses, but if they feel like they need representation would you consider a group rate and of course Lauren and I will cover any legal expenses…”

Molly raised her hand, “Say no more, it’s a done deal. Each woman will sign a contract with me today and give me one dollar. That is all I need from them and I will represent anyone of them who feels they need me with them during the deposition and the trial, if there is one.”

Abby, who sat to Molly’s immediate left and had been listening, chimed in, “You’re not going to settle with that bitch are you?”

Harper thought Shelby had shit on her friends and they were pissed about it. She had probably alienated every real friend she had with this little adventure. The room had fallen silent because Abby had raised her voice a bit when she asked Molly the question.

Molly realized she could put the women off no longer. She rose to a standing position and addressed the table, “Ladies, I assume by now you all know that I am Molly Kincaid. You are all here, because Dr. Shelby West’s lawyer has subpoenaed each of you in a civil action against Harper Lynch and Lauren Zachary. I don’t see any reason why any of you should need legal representation, but if you do I will represent you for the fee of one dollar. You will sign a contract with me today and I must advise you not to speak to the media or anyone from Dr. West’s attorney’s office. Direct all such inquiries to my office and we will handle them for you.”

Harper thought it was interesting how Molly was already dehumanizing Shelby by calling her Dr. West. Harper glanced around to see every eye trained on Molly, as she continued.

“When you are finished with your meal, if you will see the young man at the desk, just outside this door,” indicating the door behind her, “before you leave, he will get your information and that dollar, if you don’t mind.”

The tension in the room relaxed, as Molly made them all laugh and retook her seat. The rest of the luncheon was spent listening to the teammates tell their own version of how the sparks flew between Harper and Lauren, the moment they stepped into the room together. The more they talked the further down in her seat Harper slid. She wasn’t embarrassed, she was even amused at some of the stories, but with every story they proved Shelby’s case and they didn’t realize it.

Their teammates filed out one and two at a time, wishing them luck and promising to see them at the poker party tomorrow night, at the bar. When the room was cleared, Lauren and Harper followed Molly to her private office and seated themselves in the two wing backed chairs that faced her desk.

When they were all comfortable and had been served fresh coffee, in matching china cups, Molly began, “This case is what I call a Twinkie case. A case where someone blames another party for their own actions, like if I eat this Twinkie I’ll get fat and it’s your fault for making it. You get the right kind of jury and Shelby might win. I’ve seen it happen.”

“How can it be our fault that Shelby wrecked a car and killed someone?” Lauren asked.

“I’ll get to that,” Molly said and continued, “What her lawyer is citing is a rarely used statute called ‘criminal conversation,’ which basically means the defendant's malicious conduct contributed to or caused the plaintiff to be injured.”

Harper squirmed in her seat, “Well, that’s a little vague.”

Molly said, “Yes, it is,” agreeing with her. “It basically opens the door to any act on your part that may have caused Dr. West to require medication and caused her to give in to a pre-existing condition, mainly her pre-disposition to alcoholism. I have to ask this, and it will not leave this room, but were you and Lauren romantically involved before the separation?”

Harper grinned, because that’s what she did when she was nervous, “I’m kind of like Clinton on this one, I mean it depends on what you mean by involved?”

Molly nodded and gave Harper a look that let Harper know she appreciated her honesty. “Harper, were you and Lauren having sex, before the separation?”

Harper answered with self-assurance, “No, we were not.”

Molly continued to pepper Harper with one question followed by another, “Did you spend a lot of time together alone, before the separation?”

“Yes, we did, but almost always at Shelby’s suggestion.”

“Did Lauren ever spend the night at your house, prior to the separation?”

Harper’s self-assurance was fading, “Yes, but I tried to contact Shelby to come get her because she was drunk and I couldn’t send her home in a taxi like that…”

Molly cut her off, “Just yes or no will do, unless I ask you for the details, okay.”

Harper nodded that she understood. Lauren put her hand out for Harper to hold in an act of solidarity and yes, Harper could see it in her eyes, pity.

“Harper, did you ever kiss Lauren before the separation?”

Harper sank into the armchair, “Yes.”

“Approximately how many times did you kiss Lauren from the time you first met her and the separation?”

Harper sat up a little, “Only twice, the first time she was drunk…” Molly tried to stop her. “No, I need to tell you this. The first time, she was very drunk and very angry with Shelby, who made her go out on a date with me and the second time was when she came to tell me she couldn’t see me anymore, because she was going to try and save her relationship with Shelby. I think I showed real restraint here, I mean look at her.”

Molly laughed at Harper, that knowing laugh of the forty-something woman who remembers her younger days when she too would have gone for it. “Yes Harper, I think you showed exemplary character in controlling yourself. Very mature for a twenty-three year old I might add.”

Harper laughed nervously, and then Molly asked, “When you and Lauren first consummated your relationship, what was your impression of Shelby and Lauren’s relationship? You can expound here, if you like.”

Harper thought carefully before answering, “I was told by Shelby that she and Lauren were separated, I think about two weeks before we started seeing each other. She asked me not to see or speak to Lauren, well; she threatened my graduate research if I did, so I did not contact Lauren.”

Molly interrupted, “She threatened your research project?”

Lauren spoke up here, “Yes, and she illegally accessed Harper’s personal records and spouted private information at a party for everyone to hear.”

Molly nodded her head and made notes on her pad. She gestured for Harper to continue, “I did text that I was sorry for something I said at a party, but that was it. When Lauren came to me, it was on her own and might I add, she reminded Shelby that they were done, right there in front of the whole team. So, I was positive that their relationship was over, before we ever slept together.”

Molly asked one more question, “When did you fall in love with Lauren?”

Harper took a deep breath, “I assume you want me to tell the truth, so here it is; I fell in love with Lauren the first time she made eye contact with me. It was unfucking real, excuse my language, but that is how I have to describe it. I had never felt like that in my entire life, it was like I found my missing piece and I had to have it.”

Molly smiled and put her pen down, “I think I’ll have to coach you on that answer, if this goes as far as depositions.” She paused. “Lauren, I’m assuming it was the same for you?”

Lauren said sheepishly, “Yes, pretty much.”

Molly was now focused on Lauren, “Would you tell me why you separated from Dr. West?”

Lauren had been ready for anyone to ask her this question, “For over a year, I had been thinking about leaving. Shelby’s work consumed her. She had no time for me. I spent all of my efforts meeting Shelby’s needs and none of my own.”

Molly interrupted, “You felt abandoned?”

Lauren nodded, “Yes and I began to miss my life, my art. In an attempt to save our relationship, I arranged to have a studio space in one of my uncle’s warehouses. I thought if I could paint, I could fall in love again. It only made it worse, because the freedom made me want to leave even more.”

Lauren took a deep breath, “I was already moving my things into the studio and had slept there alone on more than one occasion. When I finally broke down at Harper’s house that night, it was because I knew it was over and I was grieving. Shelby tried for a few days to be the woman I wanted, but she couldn’t do it, so I left.”

“And you don’t think Harper had any effect on your decision to leave?” Molly inquired.

“Harper was only the straw that broke the camel’s back. I realized I could feel things for another woman, I felt alive with her. She helped me see I had to break away from Shelby, so I could live the life I dreamed of. I left Shelby emotionally long before I ever met Harper; she just helped me leave physically.”

“The big money she’s going for is the future earnings she will lose, because of the harm the accident did to her career and she is seeking damages for emotional and physical trauma caused by your abandonment. Her lawyer is trying to tap that Zachary trust fund. I have to ask, how does your mother feel about all this?”

“I forgot, you probably met her during your brief representation of Shelby, before she swooped in and covered everything up. She’s Shelby’s ally not mine. I haven’t told her about the lawsuit.”

Molly put her pen down again and stood up. She came around to the front of the desk and leaned on it, facing her clients. “You might consider discussing this with your mother. I have a feeling when she finds out that Dr. West is suing you and trying to get money out of the Zachary pot of gold; her charity towards Dr. West will dry up.”

Lauren thought for a second then said, “You have a point. There are two things Mother cannot abide; the family’s dirty laundry aired in public and a gold-digger.”

Harper added, “Well, you’re two for two on this one.”

Molly got back to business, “Okay, what I need from you is financial statements for the last five years. Your tax returns will do. If you have money hidden away, I don’t want to know about it.”

Harper hadn’t thought of hiding her money. She would have to look into that.

Molly continued, “And listen, I don’t think this is going to amount to much other than some scandalous news articles about the lesbian divorce, if the media gets wind of this. That’s why I would prefer no one talk to the media. If it comes to that, we will make a statement denying all the allegations.”

“In the meantime, I will file my own brief asking that the suit be thrown out of court on the basis that they have no law to back their case. If gay marriage isn’t recognized in this state then you two were roommates, period, with no legal claims on one another. They can’t have it both ways. This should blow over fairly quickly.”

She let that sink in then asked, “I have to know, do you want to leave Dr. West with nothing? What I mean is do you want her to pay for causing you the stress associated with this suit? We could take everything she owns, if you like?”

Harper could tell Molly was serious. That prospect had not occurred to Harper. From the look on her face, it had not occurred to Lauren either. They looked at each other, then Lauren answered for them, “We just want her to leave us alone, that’s all.”

Molly clapped her hands and stood up, “Well, that should be no problem. I doubt after I get through with her she will ever contact you again.”

Lauren looked down at the floor. Harper noticed, “What’s the matter, honey?”

“It’s just so sad. I never wanted to hurt Shelby. I guess I didn’t know her like I thought I did.”

Molly started for the door to show them out, she said over her shoulder, “We rarely know anyone, as well as we think we do. You two, though, I think you know each other very well. You are lucky to have found that trust, I’m envious.”

Harper smiled and took Lauren’s hand, helping her from the chair, “Believe me I know how lucky I am. I’m sure you’re wondering if all this drama has been worth the reward, and I have to tell you I would do it all over again, as long as I get the girl.”

Lauren squeezed her hand, “Well, you definitely got the girl.”

Molly laughed, as she showed them out, “Please send me an invitation to the wedding. I wouldn’t want to miss it.”

Harper smiled back at Molly. “You know it will not be in this state, right?”

“Call me; we’ll all fly to wherever, in my private jet.”

When they got into the Tahoe, Lauren and Harper looked at each other then said simultaneously, “She has a jet!”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Harper and Lauren arrived back in the sanctuary they called home a little after one. The rest of the afternoon was theirs to do with as they pleased. Harper looked out at the backyard through the French doors.

“So what do you want to do for the rest of the day?”

Lauren was pacing in front of the couch, “I’m plotting the downfall of Dr. West. What do you want to do?”

“Not that,” Harper surprised Lauren. She could tell by the look on Lauren’s face.

“You’re not angry?” Lauren put her hands on her hips.

“Lauren, I refuse to give Shelby another thought. She’s taken up enough of my time. If you want to continue to allow her to interfere in your life, then go ahead.”

Lauren looked at Harper with her head cocked and her brow wrinkled, “I… I … oh hell, you’re right.”

“So, what do you want to do?” Harper sidled over to Lauren and started rubbing her neck.

“That feels so good. Hey,” Lauren turned around quickly, “let’s get massages and have our hair done.”

“Okay, but you usually need an appointment.” Harper could use a massage.

“Let me make a call. I can think I can get us in.” Lauren started dialing on her cell phone.

“I’m going to send an email to my accountant to have my records sent to Molly.”

Harper went to the dining room. She really had to think about finding an office space in the house. She had planned on using the extra space in the master bedroom, because it took up the entire top floor, but the dining room was more convenient. Maybe she should just change this space into an office. They never ate in the dining room anyway. While Harper thought about changing the room out, Lauren bounded into the dining room with a big grin on her face.

We have appointments in thirty minutes at Day Spa 2.5.5., where William will be doing our hair and Kim will arrange our massages. She slapped Harper on the ass, “So get a move on little doggie.”

They left all the dogs out and locked the doggie door so the labs couldn’t wander into the house unsupervised. They were great dogs, but had been kenneled without regular exercise and training too long. Harper and Lauren had to retrain them Dog Whisperer style and it would take time and lots of patience. They could already tell the regular exercise was helping calm them down.

The Spa was located inside Peak Fitness, but it was not just a room on the side, it was a real spa. Lauren and Harper were taken to the massage area where Kim was waiting with another professional masseuse. Harper faded away after the first five minutes. She let the woman manipulate her body at will. Harper hadn’t realized how tight she was until this very moment. Soft music combined with waves crashing on the beach peacefully played in the background. The only sounds were the soft moans from Lauren and Harper as the masseuses worked their muscles through a deep tissue massage.

The tranquility of the moment was shattered by a voice Harper could only describe as a cross between Scarlett O’Hara and Paula Deen.

“Lauren Anne Zachary, I know you are in here somewhere.”

Lauren moaned and this time it wasn’t from pleasure. She sighed loudly then answered the voice, “Yes Mother, I’m in here.”

Harper, who was helplessly naked, lying on her stomach with only a sheet pulled over her lower body, raised her head slightly and just in time to see Martha Anne Zachary whip a decorative fabric wall divider out of the way and thrust herself into the room. Everything about this woman was exquisite.

Her sandy blonde hair was perfectly coiffed without a strand out of place. Her makeup looked professionally done, but let her natural beauty show through. Lauren resembled her mother very much. They both had the Carolina blue eyes that could hold you with a glance.

Martha Anne was wearing a white pants suit that must have cost a fortune. The floral pattern silk blouse beneath with the long full bow probably cost as much as Harper’s couch. In other words, she was a well put together package that turned heads in any room she entered. Martha Anne wore fifty-something really well.

Martha Anne focused on her daughter to Harper’s great relief, “There you are. I have been calling you for an hour.”

“Obviously Mother, I am not carrying my phone,” Lauren answered flatly.

“Well, just imagine my delight when I learned you were actually here in the spa. I was having William touch up my roots. How do I look?” Martha Anne posed.

“You look fabulous as always.” Lauren was leaning up on her elbows, her chin in her hands.

“Thank you, darling. And is this your new, what do you call it these days, ‘hook-up,’ I believe it is.”

Martha Anne had now zeroed in on Harper. Harper had never felt so vulnerable in her life. She started to sit up and wrap the sheet around her, but she would be exposed, if only for a second, and that was a second longer than Harper wanted to be naked in front of Lauren’s mother. Harper decided to remain in her beached walrus position, unable to move anything more than her head. She raised her chin as far as she dared and made eye contact with Martha Anne.

“Mother, this is Harper Lynch. Harper, this is the infamous Martha Anne Zachary,” Lauren said, as she sat up and covered herself with a sheet. Harper was instantly jealous of her seated status.

Martha Anne shot a glance at her daughter, “Now, don’t be catty Lauren. Mind your manners.” Martha Anne smiled and approached Harper with her hand extended. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet the woman who charmed my daughter away from Shelby. I’ve heard so much about you, Harper. Of course most of it came from your rival, so it wasn’t very good.”

Harper was forced to move her left arm to shake Martha Anne’s hand. It was all quite awkward. Harper had to speak, so she thought about her oil baron grandmother and responded to Lauren’s mother as her grandmother would. Harper was so glad she was a talented mimic.

Through a forced smile, Harper said, “I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage, Mrs. Zachary. Kim, would you please fetch Lauren and I some robes so that I can have a proper introduction. I would love to sit and have tea in the lounge, so I might have an opportunity to change your opinion of me. If you’ll excuse us, we’ll join you there momentarily.”

Mrs. Zachary was so taken aback by Harper’s manner and invitation she stopped in her tracks. She wrinkled her brow, just like Lauren, and then smiled in acceptance, “I would love to have tea with you and my daughter. I will be waiting in the lounge.”

Martha Anne turned and nodded at her daughter. Harper couldn’t see her face, so she wasn’t sure what she was communicating to Lauren. Martha Anne left the two of them alone, exiting through the cloth dividers. Lauren’s mouth was hanging open and her head was cocked to one side. She stared at Harper like she didn’t know her. Harper sat up quickly and hopped off the table. Kim appeared with two thick white terry cloth robes. Harper grabbed the garment and put it on quickly, so glad not to be naked anymore.

She turned back to Lauren, “I had to say something. I certainly didn’t want to lie there anymore, bare ass naked.”

Lauren finally spoke, “Where did that voice come from? Were you channeling Martha Stewart or something?”

Harper shot back, “I was imitating my rich grandmother. Your mother appears to be one of her kind.”

Lauren took the remaining robe from Kim. “Thank you Kim, I guess we’re going to have to reschedule.”

The spa staff left them alone. Harper looked at Lauren, “What do you think she wants?”

“I’m assuming it has something to do with Shelby,” Lauren replied.

Harper nodded, “That’s a safe bet.”

The two of them put on the terry cloth slippers provided by the staff and shuffled off to the lounge to meet Lauren’s mother. Martha Anne had taken over a corner table and was having fresh muffins and orange juice delivered to the table. Lauren led the way and took a seat on her mother’s right. The way the table was set up, she was sure by Martha Anne, Harper had to take the seat on the left across from Lauren and next to the woman Abby called “Cruella.”

Martha Anne smiled at them, “I am sorry for interrupting your massages, but I really do need to talk to both of you.”

Lauren was not a happy camper, “What is it that couldn’t wait until I returned your call?”

Lauren’s mother remained smiling, but Harper felt it was a decoration like the inviting look of a deadly plant. Plants that are so pretty you want to touch them, but if you do, you die some horrible gasping death from poison.

“I have just been informed that the two of you are the defendants in a civil case brought by Shelby West and, quite frankly, I would have preferred to be informed by my daughter and not some reporter from a local rag.”

Lauren rolled her eyes, “Jesus, the media has the story?”

“Yes dear, a fact that may have been avoided had you called me when this nonsense started.”

“Molly Kincaid is taking care of it. I didn’t think you would want to be bothered, since you’re so busy taking care of the person who filed the suit against us,” Lauren shot back.

“Well, at least you had the sense to get a good lawyer. Now, Harper, I want to know more about you. Let’s cut to the chase, shall we. Do you mind giving me a brief bio so I can compare notes from previous descriptions of you?” Martha Anne was digging for information and quite blatant about it.

Harper gathered her courage and proceeded, “My name is Harper Lee Lynch as you probably know, and yes my mother was a To Kill a Mockingbird fan. She was a stay at home mom with a love of the arts that drove her to support them through charity work. My mother was from Oklahoma and my father from Wilson, North Carolina. My father was a geologist for the Phillips Oil Company. They raised me in Antlers, Oklahoma until they were killed in a car accident when I was sixteen.”

Lauren interrupted her, “Harper, you don’t have to do this.”

Harper said, “It’s okay, your mother just wants to know what kind of person her daughter is living with. And as you said,” Harper addressed Lauren’s mother, “let’s cut to the chase. I have a bachelors and masters degree from the University of Oklahoma and am in the process of completing my Doctoral Thesis here at UC. With the money I received from my parents’ accident, a trust fund and oil stocks that came to me through my mother’s parents, I am able to live a comfortable life and do not need your daughter’s money.”

“Very impressive, Miss Lynch. You are intelligent and intuitive, a nice combination. I hear there are rings. May I see?”

Harper and Lauren surrendered their left hands to be examined.

Martha Anne looked at the rings, then looked at Harper, “Very nice taste as well.”

“Okay, Mother. What do you want from us?” Lauren was growing impatient.

“What I want darling, is for whomever you are fucking not to be making headlines.” Martha Anne was honest if nothing else.

Lauren had learned from the best and shot back, “I think you should talk to your newly adopted daughter Shelby about that.”

Martha Anne slid her chair back, “That is exactly what I was thinking. I would like the three of us to speak with Shelby together. I’ll be waiting in the car for you to dress and we will ride together.” And with that Lauren’s mother excused herself.

Harper thought this was a bad idea. “Lauren, we can’t talk to Shelby, Molly would kill us.”

They hurried back to the dressing room where they left their cell phones. Harper dressed while Lauren called Molly’s private number. Molly had given it to her after she made the little office worker cry. Fortunately, Molly answered. Lauren put her on speakerphone so Harper could hear, and dressed as they talked to Molly.

Lauren spoke first, “Molly, my mother is about to kidnap us and take us to talk to Shelby.”

Molly laughed, which surprised both Lauren and Harper. When she finished laughing she said, “I spoke with Martha Anne earlier today. I have an idea what she is about to do and I agree with her. Go ahead, I think this whole mess is about to go away.”

Harper was not sure about this, “I don’t think I should talk to Shelby. I mean she really hates me.”

Molly assured Harper, “I think you’re in good hands. I have to go, the judge is back.”

Lauren and Harper said, “Thank you,” at the same time, then Molly was gone.

Harper looked at Lauren and shrugged, “I guess we better get going.”

They exited the spa and found Mrs. Zachary and her driver waiting in a black Mercedes. Lauren sat in the middle as they drove the short distance to the hospital. Martha Anne wanted to know if Harper was enjoying her time here in Chapman’s Mill.

Harper remembered her manners, “Yes m’am. I really like it here.”

“Are you planning to stay after you’ve finished your research?” Martha Anne was probing once again.

Harper was actually growing more comfortable with Lauren’s mother, she was nosey, but for the right reasons. She was protecting Lauren. Harper answered, “The Corporation I am working with is based here in Research Triangle Park, so I’m sure I’ll be calling Chapman’s Mill home for a long time.”

“That’s wonderful, too many of our young and bright move away after graduation.” She paused, and then added, “If I may be so bold, there are a few things I’d like to know before we see Shelby. Lauren dear, were you having an affair with Harper, before you separated from Shelby?”

Lauren glared at her mother, “No, I was not.”

Martha Anne leaned up so she could see Harper’s face, “And you Harper, are you in this for the long haul. I don’t think I could take another lesbian divorce, they’re incredibly messy.”

Harper couldn’t help smiling, “Yes m’am, I’m in it for the long haul.”

Martha Anne smiled back at Harper, “Well then, welcome to the family. I’ve always thought the Zachary clan should get into the oil business.”

Lauren was as shocked as Harper, but only winked at her and grabbed her hand. They arrived at the hospital and followed Lauren’s mother to Shelby’s room. Martha Anne knocked once and entered the room. Lauren and Harper close behind. Shelby was sitting up in the hospital bed reading. Harper had no idea what to expect. She hung behind Lauren and waited for the fireworks.

“Martha Anne, I wasn’t expecting you…” Shelby began then stopped when she saw the other two invaders. “What are you doing here?” She was focused on Lauren and Harper.

Martha Anne took over, “They’re with me. It seems you forgot to mention your little law suit the last time we talked.”

Shelby tried to interrupt, “I was going...”

Martha Anne was having none of it, “Save it. Shelby, did you honestly think that I would continue the promised support and care my money can provide while you were trying to steal money from my daughter? As of this moment, all the handicapped accessorizing of your home has stopped. There will be no private nurses and you will be doomed to the care your state health insurance can provide.”

Shelby was stunned, “It was the only thing I could think of that might shock Lauren out of this infatuation with this child who only wants her money.”

Martha Anne was not impressed, “I am going to consider the fact that you have had a traumatic brain injury and are on god knows how many pain killers, to explain how you could think that this scheme would work. I assure you it won’t. Lauren is happy, Shelby, and the country bumpkin, as you referred to her, happens to be a very refined, intelligent young woman who loves my daughter and puts her needs ahead of her own, something you never did, I understand.”

Shelby began to lose her composure, “Lauren is happy for the moment, but she’ll get bored with her, too. That’s her M. O. I’m the only one who’ll stick with her through these… whimsies. Martha Anne you know I’m right, she’s not stable.”

“Not stable?” Lauren stepped forward, “Shelby, I don’t even recognize the person I fell in love with in you. I guess I didn’t know this side of you, until I finally said, no, enough. Now I only feel pity for you and I’m as rock steady as I’ve ever been in my life.”

Shelby tried pleading, “You can’t leave me now. I need you. I can’t do this without you.”

Lauren answered calmly, “I didn’t leave you when you needed me. I’ve been right here all the time, Harper too. Your friends all rallied around you so you would feel safe, but you have destroyed all that because your ego can’t abide someone saying no to you.”

Shelby lost it, “No, what I can’t abide is you fucking around with some cowgirl and ruining our lives.”

Lauren was frustrated, “For the last time, I left you before I became involved with Harper. It’s over, Shelby. Move on!”

“I’ll ruin her, and then we’ll see how attractive she is, with no job and no future, living off of your money,” Shelby said, turning nastier.

Harper couldn’t stand it any longer, for some reason Shelby’s ranting mad her laugh. She burst out laughing causing everyone in the room to turn and look at her.

Harper gathered herself and addressed Shelby with a huge grin on her face, “I’m sorry, it’s just so pathetic. I couldn’t write soap opera dialogue better than that.” She mimicked Shelby, “I’m going to ruin her… Please Shelby, you’ve become a caricature of the once great Dr. Shelby West. It’s sad really. Even if Lauren wanted to go back to you, there’s nothing left of the woman she once loved. You did that with no help from me.”

Shelby tried to swing a crutch at Harper, but came very close to hitting Lauren before Harper caught it in midair, removed it from Shelby’s hand and placed it gently against the wall. Harper got very close to Shelby and in a cold steely voice she said, “Family is the most important thing to me and that’s my family standing over there. You can threaten me all you like, but if you go near my family again I will destroy you and that, Dr. West, is no threat.”

Martha Anne spoke from behind Harper, “You see Shelby, your involvement with this family is over and if you continue to pursue these frivolous lawsuits, I will be forced to bring all the force and fury down on you that my money can provide. That includes releasing the Hill family from their agreement not to sue you for wrongful death, because as Harper says, family is everything.” She let that sink in then signaled the other two women, “Let’s go girls, I think we should go to the club and have a drink. I’d like to get to know my new daughter-in-law better.”

Shelby tried one more time, “We’re not done, Lauren.”

Martha Anne didn’t miss a beat, she wheeled around on Shelby, “Oh, but my dear, I do believe you’ve missed the point. You and my daughter are most definitely done.”

The last sound Shelby would ever hear of her relationship with Lauren was the click of Martha Anne Zachary’s high heels echoing down the hallway.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Two very drunk and giggling women stumbled out of the back seat of a black Mercedes sedan, still in possession of a bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal, about to make their way up the front porch steps of Harper’s house. Lauren thanked the old driver with a hug when he came around to shut the door. They had a history. He drove her to her senior prom.

It was only eight o’clock and the sun was just setting but Harper and Lauren were calling it a night. The afternoon spent drinking and chatting with Martha Anne and some of the club ladies had been an absolute blast. Those old broads sure know how to party and then they go home and play hostess to a dinner party. Lauren said it was because the ladies who lunched were already pickled. Harper could never keep up. She was too much of a lightweight.

They made their way inside and shut the door behind them. Lauren started immediately pulling on Harper’s clothes. Harper had the Cristal bottle in one hand and a mass of Lauren’s hair in the other. This longing had been building all afternoon and neither could wait another moment. They bounced off the walls in the hallway heading for the great room at a high rate of speed.

Lauren pushed Harper up against the back of the couch. They toppled over onto the couch and sliding off onto the floor in front of the fireplace. The coffee table was pushed out of the way to clear more space on the rug. Harper’s breathing was coming hard and fast. She couldn’t get Lauren’s clothes off of her fast enough and Lauren seemed to be having the same trouble with Harper’s.

They kissed each other frantically and finally managed to get each other naked. They faced each other on their knees Harper’s hand finding its way between Lauren’s legs until Lauren moaned wrapping her arms around Harper’s neck, moving in unison with her. Lauren lowered one hand, tracing Harper’s body, stopping briefly at a nipple, then following the curve of her body to the waiting heat between Harper’s legs. They came together in a rush, both of their chests heaving, as they clasped each other, awaiting the subsiding of the waves of pleasure before either could move.

They finally relaxed into the floor, their heads protruding past the end of the couch. Harper turned her head toward the glass windows in the doors then tapped Lauren on the shoulder to get her attention. “Look,” she pointed at the windows. There sitting on the porch looking back at them were all three dogs lined up according to height.

Lauren giggled, “I think we need to feed the children, before we continue this.”

Harper started putting her clothes back on, “Okay, I’ll feed the dogs. You make us a tray with some grapes and cheese and crackers, because I intend to drink that bottle of Cristal and I don’t want to pass out before it’s done.”

Harper went outside, fed the dogs, let Jasper into the house and kenneled the other two. When she came back in Lauren was not anywhere on the bottom floor. Harper started noticing items of Lauren’s clothing leading up the stairs and then she heard the shower running. A huge grin crossed her face and she took the stairs two at a time.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Saturday morning Harper awoke to a pounding on the door downstairs and Jasper barking. Her head was pounding with every beat of her heart. As Harper climbed down the stars, she bent down to see if she could see through the glass around the door and realized that was a bad idea immediately. She straightened up too fast, which made her woozy.

The pounding continued in both her head and on the door until she reached the bottom step. The person could see her coming and stopped the ungodly noise. That’s when she heard the voice and knew who it was. She unlocked the door to let J.R. in. She was mildly pissed.

“Where is your fucking key?” Harper said heading for the kitchen. She needed fluids. She grabbed a water bottle and a Gatorade and drank them while J.R. rambled on about how he left the key in a rental car and he hadn’t gone by to pick it up and blah, blah, blah. It all just sounded like noise to Harper. Her head hurt in ways she never dreamed possible.

Lauren joined them with her hair all matted up and sticking out in an interesting arrangement. Harper wondered what her own hair must look like and tried to see in her reflection on the refrigerator. All she could make out was a strange shaped silhouette staring back at her. Lauren shuffled along in her big fluffy slippers and merely waved at J.R. as she passed.

J.R. stopped talking for a second, and then he stated the obvious, “You two got drunk and fucked all night and now you are hung over as hell.”

They both looked at him like they were trying to decide who was going to kill him.

J.R. put up his hands and said, “Alright, I know what to do. You guys sit here on the couch and I will take care of you. Harper, where do you keep your vodka?”

“No, no alcohol,” Harper thought she was going to be sick just from the mention of the name vodka.

“Don’t you remember? I make the best Bloody Marys. You only need one and I’m going to make you a breakfast that will pep you right up. You know no grease and crap, just food that feeds your body and your brain. One of my buddies came up with the hangover diet plan, so we could recover to play afternoon games.”

Harper conceded, “Vodka, cabinet over the bar.”

Lauren regained her ability to speak, “How do you know we have the stuff you need?”

J.R. laughed, “We’re ball players, not gourmet cooks, I’m sure you have what I need.”

Harper and Lauren shuffled over to the couch and let J.R. take care of them. It was nice to be pampered for a change. Lauren curled up next to Harper, pulled the blanket off the back of the couch, and wrapped it around them. Harper started remembering the night before. She began to see flashes of Lauren on the floor in front of the couch, Lauren naked standing in the light from the refrigerator door, Lauren soaking wet with her hands pressed against the glass…

“Where were you?” Lauren asked, interrupting her thoughts.

Harper hugged Lauren tight to her, whispering in her ear, “I was having sex with you all over the house. I am remembering that as reality, not a dream, right?”

“No, honey, you weren’t dreaming.” Lauren kissed Harper’s cheek.

J.R. arrived with the Bloody Marys complete with lime slice and celery stick. He was right they were delicious and Harper started to feel better the more she drank. When she was finished with the drink, Harper went upstairs to change into sweatpants and a tee shirt so she could let the dogs out. She went out in her bare feet. The cool wet grass felt good against her skin that was hot and dehydrated.

Harper reentered the house to find Lauren, now dressed, and J.R. seated at the table, drinking coffee. A pot on the stove steamed and a few pots with lids simmered on the other burners. There was a mixture of tomato sauce, onions and oranges in the air. Harper could only imagine what they were about to be served. She kept the pantry stocked with the basics so he could be making almost anything. She could see that he was making use of the left over grilled chicken from last night.

That’s right. They grilled chicken breasts at like two in the morning. They ended up not eating very much of it and Harper remembered putting it away. She also remembered Lauren naked on the deck. She wished she could remember more detail because evidently she had quite a lot of fun last night.

J.R. served pasta, steamed and then sautéed in a very light butter covered in fresh roasted tomatoes and a light garlic sauce. The chicken was cut up in a green salad with mandarin oranges and a sweet vinegar dressing. This man was going to make a wonderful husband.

Lauren had a mouth full of salad when she asked, “You found all this in our kitchen?”

“My buddy says you have to eat a green thing, an orange thing, a red thing, and some pasta with some protein. He swears by it. I just look for the colors and see what I can come up with,” J.R. said proudly.

Harper was actually starting to feel human again. She wasn’t sure if it was really the meal or the gallons of water she must have consumed by now. She finally thought to ask an obvious question, “Why are you here on a Saturday, in the middle of your season?”

J.R. reacted by jumping up to get a letter from his jacket pocket. He handed it to Harper, “I’m going back to the show. The team is in Kansas City. I’m meeting up with them in Seattle on Tuesday so I came to party with my girls one more time before I go.”

Lauren grinned at him, “So that’s why you’re trying to get us moving, so we can be your play toys for the evening.”

J.R., his face plastered with his best charming farm boy grin, said “Why, yes m’am, you’d be correct.”

Harper suggested they go on a run while J.R. was around to help with the labs and they needed to sweat the alcohol out of their bodies, if they were ever going to feel good enough to party. They hooked up the dogs and ran for an hour before returning home. They filled J.R. in on all the recent events and showed off their rings.

J.R. stayed up late and watched reruns of the Dog Whisperer, so he worked hard to get the labs to understand their role in the pack. He was trying to help Lauren learn to control them. In the middle of a failed attempt to have the dogs sit while another dog ran by, Lauren said, “Why does Jasper do what he’s told to do? He’s not even on a lead.”

Harper answered, “Because he’s not a dog, he’s a boy.”

J.R. had a different reason, “Because Harper has had that dog by her side since he was six weeks old. He learned his boundaries and expectations early and he knows his role in the pack, Harper is his leader.”

Lauren bent over to catch her breath, “Okay, I’m a terrible parent. I have neglected my role as the pack leader.”

Harper tried to help, but was having a hard time not laughing, “Lauren, you have to feel empowered. They have to know you are in charge and they should just relax and wait for the pack leader to determine how they should respond to things.”

Lauren looked at Harper like she was crazy, “They outweigh me by at least a hundred pounds. You be their pack leader!”

J.R. took the leads from Lauren. He said, “I’ll be right back,” and took off with all three dogs.

Lauren and Harper took a water break. Lauren smiled up at Harper, squinting her eyes against the sun, “Oh, my god, my twat is still vibrating from last night. It’s like it woke up while we were running and is taking a trip down memory lane without me.”

Harper grinned at Lauren, “I know what you mean. I need a cold shower.”

Lauren laughed, “I have never had this much sex in my life and I could have more. This is so unlike me. I’m used to once every two months or so.”

Harper laughed, “If I’m only having sex with you every two months you need to check my pulse.”

Lauren laughed with Harper, “Is that a promise?”

“Yes, I don’t think we’ll need any sex therapy.” Harper began to stretch; they’d been standing in one spot too long.

“What about kids? We haven’t talked about kids,” Lauren’s voice had grown serious.

Harper stopped bouncing on her toes, “I would love to have children with you, but I’d like to be at least thirty before we have them. That would make you thirty-five. Can you wait that long?”

J.R. was drawing near with the dogs running at full speed. Lauren turned to Harper, “I think that’s a grand idea and I know who I want the donor to be.” She looked at J.R.

Harper said, “Excellent choice, but we better get the goods now before some woman latches on to him and doesn’t want him to share his boys.”

The labs were much easier for Lauren to control on the way home. She made progress in her relationship to the dogs. They were beginning to get it. Harper kept smiling at J.R. and he finally said, “What?”

Harper just said, “You’re a good friend and I love you.”

Lauren’s phone was ringing when they entered the house. J.R. put the labs outside and made sure they had food and water. All three dogs were so tired; they lay on the deck and panted after they drank water like they hadn’t had any in days. Harper listened as Lauren spoke on the phone. She heard Lauren say, “Hello Molly.”

Lauren spoke again, “That is great news. I guess you spoke with my Mother.”

Harper knew the lawsuits had been dropped without being told. Shelby bowed to the wrath of Martha Anne. Harper thought she would have too.

She listened as Lauren said, “I’m sorry, but we have plans tonight, it’s our annual poker party. It’s a blast. You should come. We wear western costumes and party like its 1875… It’s at the Tarr Barr in the back room. Just say you’re looking for Jane, they’ll send you back…Please do come, bring a friend; I know you would have a good time… I hope you come. Bye.”

Harper waited for Lauren to hang up the phone, but only a split second, “The lawsuits went away, didn’t they?”

Lauren shook her head up and down, indicating yes, and jumped into Harper’s arms.

J.R. who came in on the tail end of the phone conversation said, “That’s cool!”

Harper pulled back from her hug with Lauren so she could see her face, “When were you going to tell me this was a costume party?”

“I thought I did,” Lauren said. “I’m sorry honey; I thought you probably had some western wear, being from Oklahoma.”

“Yes, I do, but I feel like shopping.” Harper was ecstatic that she no longer had to deal with Shelby and her bullshit.

Freshly showered and dressed, the three friends headed for Northgate Mall in Durham where they found a western store. Harper bought a white pleated western dress shirt, added a silk and lace cravat, a paisley dark blue and black vest and a black ankle length rifle frock coat, like Wyatt Earp would have worn. She had black jeans and boots at home. J.R. bought a dark blue side button western dress shirt, new boots and a coat just like Harper’s. They also both bought black old west style felt hats.

Lauren approved of their purchases and laughed as they modeled different selections. Harper finally asked Lauren what she was going to wear. She just smiled and said, “You’ll see.”

After returning from shopping, they cooked steaks on the grill and played with the dogs until it was time to dress for the party. Lauren requested that Harper dress first because she wanted to surprise her when she came down the steps in her party clothes. J.R. slipped into the guest room to shower and change. Harper went upstairs, showered, and dressed. She did her makeup quickly, fixed her hair and headed downstairs. She and J.R. emerged at the same time to raucous applause from Lauren and barks from Jasper, who got excited because Lauren did.

Lauren smiled broadly, taking them both in, “You guys look great. I can’t wait to see you with the coats and hats on.”

Lauren left the two cowboys downstairs and went upstairs. Harper called Max, arranging for a pickup and then she and J.R. went out on the deck to wait for Lauren. The sun was setting and the sky was turning shades of reds and purples.

“So, how’s the arm?” Harper asked.

“It feels better than it has ever felt. I probably should have had the surgery a long time ago,” J.R. said moving his arm in a big circle. “I’ve got more speed and control.”

“I’m so happy for you. I know how hard you rehabbed.” Harper grinned at J.R., “Don’t you go off to the bigs and forget us little people.”

“Harper, I have a feeling we’ll be friends forever,” J.R. engulfed her in a bear hug.

Harper heard the French doors open behind her. When she turned toward the sound she saw something totally amazing. Lauren was standing there, or maybe it was some alter ego from the past, but the woman posing in the doorway was spectacular. Harper’s father had loved “Gunsmoke” and bought the series on VHF, so she had watched many episodes. She recognized the red dress Lauren was wearing as something Miss Kitty would have worn. Only, Miss Kitty never looked this good in it. Lauren had her hair up with a large black feather jutting out the top of the twist. The fitted red jacket trimmed in black lace and the full length bustled skirt looked absolutely authentic on Lauren. She even added the painted on black mole Miss Kitty always wore. She was gorgeous.

J.R. said it best, “Wow!”

Lauren twirled, “Isn’t it great! I found it at an estate sale. The lady had all these costumes and I saw this and had to have it.”

Harper was still speechless. Lauren stopped twirling and looked at her, “Honey, are you struck dumb?”

Harper managed to get out, “You look fantastic.”

Lauren twirled some more, “I’m glad you approve.”

J.R. repeated, “Wow!”

Lauren laughed at the two of them gawking at her, “Come on cowboys, close your mouths and get going. Max is waiting out front.”

J.R. and Harper put on their coats and hats and out the door the three went. When Max saw them he took a step back, “On no, Wyatt Earp and his gang.”

Harper chuckled at him, “Don’t worry Max, Wyatt Earp was a good guy.”

“Oh, okay. You going to a costume party?” Max inquired.

Harper resisted a smart-ass answer and just said, “Yes, at the Tarr Barr.”

The sign on the Tarr Barr door said, “Private Party.” Tonight only Jane’s closest friends and family were allowed in. J.R. opened the door for Harper and Lauren. The entered into the foyer and immediately saw that the decorations had been altered with a purely western flair. There were brass spittoons at the bar and the bartenders were wearing white shirts with rounded tab collars, complete with garters on their arms and suspenders.

All the waitresses were in multicolored can-can girl costumes. There were ropes and saddles and bales of hay scattered about. The band was playing “San Antonio Rose” and the female singer was pretty good. The twin fiddles made the authentic Bob Wills sounds resonate through the bar. Everyone appeared to be having a magnificent time.

Harper didn’t see anyone that she knew although Lauren did. She waved at a few people, but kept her left arm tucked tightly in the crook of Harper’s arm as they made their way toward the back room. The double doors to the back room were propped open so they entered, all three of them, arm in arm. It had the desired effect. The room broke into hoots and hollers with a few whistles thrown in.

Jane was the first person to meet them. She was dressed in jeans and a blue plaid western shirt with a yellow bandana tied around her neck. She grabbed Harper’s arm, “I’ll be damned if you three don’t look like you stepped off a movie set. Lauren, where did you get that dress?”

Lauren shouted over the band starting up another song, “Estate sale.”

“And who is this handsome man?” Jane said, looking up at J.R.

Harper did the introductions as best she could over the rendition of “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.” They hung up their coats and moved further into the room where it was easier to hear. The whole team, their husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends and other friends of Jane’s were all packed into the poker room. More tables had been added and the seats were all occupied. When one player fell out another would buy in. That way everyone would get a shot at playing if they wanted to.

Abby and Sandy had on matching plaid shirts with western pearl buttons, jeans and cowboy boots. Julie went for the parlor girl look and it worked for her, she pulled off the high-class whore really well. Alicia, Dee, Chita, Shy Lynn and Becky dressed in the same type of costume Harper was wearing, the basic differences being shirt color and the style of tie. Jordan and Ellen had on more lady-like apparel resembling Laura Ingalls more than bar girls. B.J. was too pregnant to be in costume and looked about to bust. Their husbands were in standard cowboy attire.

Lauren’s dress was definitely the talk of the party. Harper was so proud to be with her. Of course, the single ladies in the room were checking out J.R., who made his way over to the guys and put his name in for a seat at a table. Harper looked around the room at all the different kinds of people Jane had assembled. There were straight, gay and lesbian folks in a rainbow of colors; all mingled together in the bar and everyone was having a great time. A waitress came by with mugs of beer and Harper grabbed one for both she and Lauren.

Harper handed the mug to Lauren and whispered in her ear, “You’re the most beautiful woman in the room.”

Lauren’s dimples showed, as she looked at Harper, “Thank you, honey. I’m glad you think so.”

Julie walked over to them, “Hey, hey, get over the honeymoon, why don’t you.”

Lauren stepped in front of Harper and leaned against her. Harper put her arms around Lauren’s waist. Lauren replied to Julie, “We haven’t even had the wedding yet, so it’s okay if we coo over each other in public a little longer.”

“I’m putting my vote in for Vermont or Massachusetts in the fall so we can see the leaves change,” Julie said flatly, as if it didn’t really matter, it was just a statement.

Harper taunted her, but was really serious, “I’m partial to Nova Scotia.”

Lauren turned her head to look at Harper, “I thought you wanted to go to Mexico.”

Harper had spent some time on the internet since she decided to ask Lauren to marry her and had discovered, “Mexico declared only a few days this past March for gays to marry, so Canada looks good or Sweden.”

“We’ll talk and get back to you, Julie, and your suggestions will be considered.” Lauren said with a smile.

“Alright, but don’t take too long. I have to clear my calendar,” Julie added in her monotone voice. Harper knew she pretended not to care, but this was Julie’s way of saying congratulations.

Lauren told Jane she needed to tell the team something important, so Jane called a break for the poker players and slowly cleared out the non-team members. Then she shut the doors to drown out the music so they could all hear what Lauren had to say.

When everyone was quiet Lauren started, “I know that my break up with Shelby caused a lot of turmoil in the last couple of months and I’m sorry for any problems it may have caused you individually. However, I do have good news. All of the lawsuits filed by Shelby have been dropped.”

There was a general round of applause and high fives, and then somebody yelled, “Let’s get this party started.” The doors were reopened, the poker resumed, the band played “Poncho and Lefty” and the beer flowed freely.

Lauren stood on her tiptoes, because Harper’s boots made her taller, and kissed Harper. She smiled at her and then with her sideways grin and dimples melting Harper’s heart, she said, “Do you think that band knows, ‘You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma’?”

“I don’t know.” Harper grinned.

At that moment, a scream came from the other side of the room. Everyone looked at B.J. She stood with a hand on her mouth looking down at the floor. Her water had broken. Once it dawned on everybody what had happened, the room flew into action. Her contractions timed, she was whisked away to the hospital.

Of course the entire team had to follow her to the hospital, including J.R. and three hours later little Carolina Abigail Hunt was born. The newest member of the Tarr Barr softball team had arrived.

Lauren and Harper peered through the nursery window, smiling down at the new baby. Then they looked at each other and turned to J.R.

Harper smiled at him and said, “Hey, we have a favor to ask.”

The plans for another sweet Carolina baby were hatched right then and there.