I Love You Again (18 page)

Roz gently pulled her hand away as she kissed Kit. “I love you, Kit,” she whispered. “Never stopped.”

Kit sighed. “I can’t move. They’re going to find us on this cold boulder in the morning, aren’t they?”

Roz laughed and pulled back. “No. Let’s go back. The fire is still going, we’ll be warm.”

“Good luck getting both of us up.”

Roz groaned and slid off the boulder, flexing her knee. She offered her hand, which Kit took, and she climbed down without too much difficulty. “There, that wasn’t so bad.” Roz put her arm around Kit’s shoulder.

“It could have been worse,” Kit agreed.

The room was indeed still warm. Roz put more wood in the kiva fireplace. “We can stay here tonight,” she said over her shoulder. When Kit did not answer, she turned around. “I said…”

Kit was lying on her side under the quilt. She grinned and pulled the cover back. “We’re definitely staying here tonight.”

Roz walked up to the bed and took off her sweater, then her shirt. She disrobed completely before sliding in next to Kit. They both sighed when their bodies touched for the first time in two years. “I know we’ve said this, but man, I’ve missed this,” Roz said, pulling Kit into her arms.

“It’s like a part of me was missing,” Kit said.

They lay facing each other, neither saying a word. Roz gently pulled the quilt back, exposing Kit’s body. When Kit seemed hesitant, Roz leaned in and tenderly placed a kiss against her lips. “It’s me, Kit. It’s us. We’ve seen each other in every possible way. We’ve been through so much together and apart.”

Kit nodded. She reached over and ran her fingers across the top of her breasts, remembering every inch, every line, every freckle. “I need to touch you. Lie still, let me do this.”

Roz swallowed and rolled onto her back; she parted her legs, offering herself to the woman she would always love. It was an overwhelming sight to Kit. “I remember this scar,” she said, tracing her fingertips along the thin white line on her shoulder.

Roz grinned. “Got stuck in that thorn bush. It about tore me to pieces.”

“That’s because you were impatient and wouldn’t wait for help.” Kit kissed the area, then the top of her breast.

“I wanted to do it myself.” Roz groaned as Kit flicked her tongue around the hardened nipple.

“Yeah, yeah,” Kit mumbled against her breast. “But who had to come out and pull your ass out of there?”

“You did, honey.” Roz sighed and moaned as Kit’s kisses traveled down her torso.

She looked up. “No more talking.” Kit then ran her fingers down her belly and across her hips. She tried to be patient, but the need to feel Roz was overpowering. She quickly slid her fingers between her legs, reveling in the soft warmth.

Roz’s back arched off the bed. “This is gonna be quick,” she said breathlessly. “Sorry…”

“Don’t be,” Kit said, kissing her breast once again. “Let it go, Roz. For me.”

That was it. When Roz heard that, she came hard, writhing beneath Kit. “God, Kit.” She bucked her hips, trying to make as much contact as possible. Then her body tensed, then quivered uncontrollably.

Kit kept loving her until Roz pushed her hand away and pulled her into her arms. “Holy crap,” Roz said breathlessly as she held on to Kit.

Kit pulled the quilt over them when she rolled onto her back, taking Roz with her. Roz sighed happily as she laid her head on Kit’s chest. She reached up and cupped Kit’s breast. “I’ve missed the girls.”

Kit laughed out loud. “And boy, have they missed you. And I give you fair warning. My libido is off the charts.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Remind me to tell you about the spin cycle on the washing machine.”

Roz laughed and cuddled closer. Kit kissed the top of her head, then looked out the window. “You really have a wonderful view when the moon is full.”

“It is beautiful,” Roz said sleepily. “Sometimes I sleep out here. I look at the moon, and I always think of you.” She looked up. “I’m ashamed of myself that I didn’t come back.”

“I know the feeling, sweetie. I feel the same way. We took a vow, and we almost threw away something very precious. Over what?”

“Pride, anger, insecurity. We really are lucky,” Roz said, holding her close. “I don’t ever want to let you go.”

“Never again, Roz,” Kit said, looking out the window. “Never again.”

********

Kit woke when the sunlight flooded the room. She cuddled against Roz, who was on her back and sleeping peacefully. Kit winced slightly as she moved, the night’s sexual gymnastics taking their toll on her muscles. She watched Roz in her sleep, gently tracing her fingernail along her jaw and up to her cheek.

She slid her hand under the quilt and sighed when she felt Roz’s warm, soft breasts. Feeling very naughty, she watched Roz’s face as her hand wandered farther across her stomach and down between her legs.

In her sleep, Roz moaned helplessly, as if she were dreaming. Then her eyes flew open, and after a moment of being disoriented and Kit laughing, Roz realized where she was.

“Good grief. Are you trying to kill me?” Roz asked and pulled her closer.

Kit laughed and snuggled. “I wanted to have my way with you before you woke up.”

“Honey, I may be old, but I doubt I could sleep through that. Not after last night. Where’s the bottle of Aleve anyway?”

Kit laughed again. “It’s back at the lodge probably. Unless you have some in your bathroom here.”

“Speaking of which, what time is it? We should get a move on.”

Kit groaned and held on to Roz. “I don’t want to.”

“No pouting. I have things to take care of back at the lodge.” She cleared her throat. “And I have two guests,” she said quietly.

It was then Kit realized. “Oh, my God, Dale. I have to talk to her.”

“Well, hopefully, Sandy stayed the night, and you won’t have to do much talking.”

“I hope she feels better. I feel terrible she got stung by that wasp.”

Roz reached down and slapped her bottom. “C’mon. We better face the music. Your mother included.”

“Last night seems light years away.” Kit sat up with a big smile.

Roz put her hands behind her head. “What are you grinning at?”

“I loved every minute of last night.”

“You did? Good. Me too.” Roz yawned. “And you woke me up in the middle of the night to explain the meaning of hot monkey sex.”

Kit let out a seductive laugh. “And you showed me very well.”

Roz raised an eyebrow. “Look, young lady, my body cannot take that type of gymnastics very often.”

“
Ya
old poop,” Kit said.

Roz put her arms around her and pulled her on top of her. “I’ll show you old poop.” She rolled over, taking Kit with her.

“Rolling me over in the clover, eh?” Kit asked.

“Forever,” Roz said. “If my back doesn’t give out.”

Chapter 18

“They look like two teenagers.” Helen shook her head as she watched Roz and Kit walk up the path hand in hand.

Stella laughed. “Young love.”

“Any love,” Helen said wistfully.

Dale walked up behind them and grunted as she watched. Helen turned and tried not to laugh. Poor Dale’s upper lip was slightly swollen and her eyes a bit puffy. The images of the previous night would stay with Helen for a long time.

“How are you feeling, dear?” Helen asked.

Dale tore her gaze away from Roz and Kit. “I’m fine, I guess.”

Helen patted her cheek. “You can’t win them all. And you gave it your best shot. You just can’t beat love.”

“I know. That’s what Sandy said, too.”

“How is she this morning?”

“She had to get back to the jump site early. I wanted to help her, but I have to get back.” She regarded Helen. “How did you know this would work? You took a big chance.”

“One day, young woman, you will meet the girl of your dreams. You’ll fall in love and wonder how in the world you took a breath before her. When that happens, you’ll understand I really took no chance at all. Kit and Roz were meant to be together. But we’re all human, and we make mistakes. And sometimes, you need a nudge. In their case, they needed a bulldozer.”

“And that’s where you come in?” Dale asked.

“Precisely. And since we’re on the topic, did you ever wonder why Sandy came to dinner last night?”

Dale blushed and shrugged.

“And you know you were rude to her,” Helen said.

“I know.”

“And did you apologize for your rudeness?”

“No. But she—”

Helen held up her hand. “I have two words for you, dear. Grow up and stop jumping out of planes to find your thrill in life. Get your feet on the ground and tell that woman you’re sorry.”

Dale pulled a face. “That was more than two words.”

Helen laughed and patted her on the cheek. “Very good.”

“She probably thinks I’m an idiot.”

“Don’t be silly. You are an idiot. So was Kit, and so was Roz. Learn from the older ones, kiddo. Look at what they almost threw away. For what? Pride? Fear?”

Kit and Roz walked into the dining room, greeted by three sets of inquisitive eyes.

“Good morning,” Roz said cautiously.

“How was your night?” Helen asked sweetly.

Kit shook her head. “Fine, Mother.” She looked at Dale. “Good morning. How are you feeling?”

Dale shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”

“Where’s Sandy?”

“She had to get back.”

“Can we talk?” Kit asked. When Dale glanced at Roz, she quickly went on. “Please.”

“Sure.”

Dale followed her out to the patio. Kit leaned against the railing, while Dale sat gloomily at the table.

“Some weekend,” Kit said with a slight grin.

Dale did laugh then. “Did you have fun at least?”

“Well, besides the deception, the arguing, wasp stings, sarcastic jabs. Yeah, I had a pretty good time.”

“I’m glad,” Dale said. “So you and Roz are back together?”

“Yes, we are. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s not like you planned it.” She chuckled in spite of the situation. “Your mother did that.”

“True. I’m not sure what you’re feeling…”

“Hey, no harm, no foul,” Dale said lightly.

“Don’t,” Kit said quickly. “Don’t do that.”

“I’m not belittling you,” she said.

“I know. You’re belittling yourself.” She stopped and looked up when Roz walked out onto the patio. She was holding a fishing rod. Kit smiled gratefully when Roz winked.

“How about a little fishing?”

Dale looked from Roz to Kit. “I
dunno
...”

“When’s your flight?”

“Not till later this afternoon.”

Roz nodded. “C’mon. You have plenty of time, and you have to hone your skill. You’ve got a lot to learn.”

Dale grunted and took the rod. “So I’ve been told.”

“Helen?” Roz asked.

“Who else?”

“She can be annoying. But she’s usually right, which makes it all the more annoying.”

Kit walked up to Dale and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks, Dale.”

“For what?” she asked, toying with the fishing rod.

“For making me feel young again. It meant a great deal to me.”

Roz fought back the tears as she watched in silence.

“I did that for you?”

Kit nodded, wiping a tear off her cheek. She caught her breath when she saw the look of pride and affection in Roz’s teary eyes.

Dale nodded proudly. “Then the weekend wasn’t such a bust.” She flexed the rod back and forth. “Okay, Roz.”

Roz watched Dale walk off the patio before she tenderly kissed Kit.

“Thank you,” Kit whispered, kissing her again.

“My pleasure. Can’t blame the kid for falling. I was a little older than her when I fell for you.”

“And I’m so glad you did. Have fun.”

Kit watched Roz catch up to Dale. Roz gently patted Dale on the back as they walked side by side down the path to the creek.

“Well, that was a Hallmark moment.”

Kit laughed when Bess walked onto the patio with two cups of coffee. She handed one to Kit. “Hmm. Thanks.”

“So give.”

Kit grinned over her cup. “What?”

“Don’t give me that. You two had wild sex last night. I can see it in your face.” Bess grinned as she took a drink. “You have that FFL.”

“What does that mean?”

“Freshly fucked look…”

“Oh,
geesh
. Leave it to you.” Kit shook her head, but she then giggled. “It was wonderful,” Kit said, sitting at the table. “Like we were never apart.”

“I knew it would be like that. You two are very lucky, you know. Love doesn’t come around a second time to most.”

“I know,” Kit said. “We talked last night about it. And we have a lot more to do. We know that. But we’ll do it together.”

They sat in silence until they heard the patio door open. Helen’s smiling face appeared. “May I join you?”

“Why not?” Bess said, waving her out.

Helen sat at the table and reached for Kit’s hand. “So it’s all good?”

“It’s all wonderful.”

“And you had sex?”

Kit cringed and nodded. “And no, I will not give you the details.”

“I don’t want them,” Helen said indignantly. “Besides, Bess will tell me later.”

“Hey,” Kit said. “Where’s my present?”

“Oh, you little materialistic thing,” Helen said. She looked at Bess, who shrugged.

Kit watched them. “Okay, what’s going on? What did you do?”

Helen let out an evil laugh. “We’ll wait for Roz. It concerns you both.”

Kit sat back. “Oh, I don’t like the sound of this.”

Helen laughed outright now. “Oh, you’ll probably hate it!”

********

Dale left to catch her plane but not before promising to stop by and talk to Sandy. There was nothing said, but Kit and Roz knew there might be a friendship blossoming between the older and younger women. It was a nice thing to have come out of this nightmare of a weekend.

Bess and Helen had a flight to catch the next morning. Helen sat by the fire while Kit played the piano.

Roz leaned against it, watching her as she played. “Man, I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed this, honey.”

Kit grinned sarcastically as she played. “Well, maybe you’ll invite me back someday.”

Roz frowned and stepped back. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I have to get home. Why?”

“Nothing…I just thought you’d…”

“I’d what?” Kit asked.

While Roz floundered, Kit continued playing.

Bess walked into the room. It was then Roz realized she was missing. “Where were you?”

“I had to go into Steamboat Springs, if you must know.” She looked at Roz’s frowning expression. “What’s the matter? Trouble in paradise already? Don’t tell me you’re arguing again.”

Helen met her at the piano. “Yes, they are.”

“What is it this time?” Bess shook her head. “Oh, you two.”

Kit shrugged as she played but said nothing. Roz said nothing, as well.

“Well, let’s see,” Helen started. “Roz told Kit how she missed her playing the piano. And Kit said maybe Roz will invite her back her someday…”

“Oh, I can see where this is going,” Bess said.

Roz hid her grin but still said nothing. Kit looked up from the keyboard. “What? It was a normal question.”

Helen ignored her. “Then Roz asked what she meant, and Kit said she has to go home…” She laughed quietly. “Don’t you want to know what I got you for your birthday?”

“Sure,” Kit said, running her fingers across the keys. She couldn’t even tell what song she was playing. She was enjoying the flustered look on Roz’s face.

“It’s really for both of you.”

Roz and Kit exchanged worried glances. Helen held out her hand to Bess, who smiled happily and handed her an envelope. “You didn’t have any trouble?”

“Not at all. It was right there. He was very nice.”

“Okay,” Roz said. “What’s going on?”

Helen handed the envelope to Roz, who gingerly opened it. “It’s not a letter bomb, is it?” She pulled out what looked like a cashier’s check for… “One hundred eighty thousand dollars? Made out to both of us.” She numbly handed the check to Kit, who had jumped up from the piano.

Kit blinked several times. “What is this?”

Helen cleared her throat. “I…um…I sold your house.”

“You did what?” Kit asked, as if not hearing her.

“What?” Roz asked. “Why?”

“Remember that woman with two young children whose husband was in the military?”

Kit gave her a cautious look. “Yes. Judy and her husband, Sam, who’s overseas. Oh, God. Mother…”

“Well, you said you wanted to find them a good home.”

“Well, yes. But not ours,” Kit said, totally confused. “How…? That was six months ago.”

“I know. We’ve been in negotiations ever since. Thanks to Bess.”

Roz and Kit looked at Bess, who smiled sheepishly.

“And why not yours? You said yourself you didn’t want to live in it anymore without Roz.”

Roz immediately looked at Kit. “You said that?”

“Well, yes. But, well…” Kit stammered helplessly. “It’s too big to ramble around in alone. And I hadn’t felt right living there since you left.” She looked down and ran her fingers over the piano keys. She then looked up at her mother. “But it was still our house, for god’s sakes. When will this be finalized?”

“It already is,” Helen said.

“What?” Kit exclaimed.

“She’s probably moving in today. Her husband will be home next month.”

“But we didn’t sign any papers,” Kit said.

“They’re on the way here. Should be here in the morning.”

“Here?” Kit sounded incredulous.

“Well, of course here. Where else would I have them sent?” Helen asked.

Roz chuckled and shook her head. “Helen, Helen,” she said with a sigh.

“How can… What about… Where are…?”

Helen held her hand up. “Before you have a birthday stroke, Bess finalized the deal a week ago. I planned on taking you away for your birthday, so we told her she could move in this weekend.”

“Mother,” Kit said calmly. “What about the furniture and everything?”

“Oh, please. You said yourself if you had to stay in the house, you needed all new furniture. There were too many memories. So all you really needed was your clothes and personal items. I figured you didn’t want your shampoo and bath mats…”

“Wait a minute,” Roz said. “What about the things we bought on vacations? That painting we bought in Connecticut?”

 
“Oh, remember that?” Kit sighed dreamily. “We stood there for hours staring at it.”

“And what about my stuffed parrot I bought in Florida?” Roz asked helplessly.

“That dirty thing?” Kit looked at her mother. “Tell me you threw it away.”

Roz looked horrified. “Don’t tell me you threw that away.”

“No,” Helen said. “I thought about it, but no, I didn’t. Everything that was special between you two is safe.”

“Even the parrot?” Roz asked.

“Even the parrot,” Helen assured Roz, who sighed with relief.

Kit gave her a disturbed look. She remembered Roz haggling with that old street merchant, who saw Roz coming a mile away.

“The rest stayed and was negotiated in the selling price,” Helen informed them.

Kit looked at the check once again. “Where is everything?”