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of her heart, she was her heart. That was why when Denise called and said she needed her, Randa hadn't questioned the why, just the when. It was Derek
who had questioned everything else.
"Randa, you are my best friend and one of the best nurses I've had the pleasure to work with on the Brightwood Network but you only just got back to
working full-time two months ago. Brightwood is generous with their time off but you barely have anything accrued to use. If you go this time, you have to
go on a leave without pay," he had said. "You're sure you want to do that? I know you love DJ, but I also know you've got a lot of pride. You're going to be
dependent on her if you don't have an income. Is that going to sit all right with you?"
Randa had thought about it for a minute. She had enough money back in the bank to cover a month or two of mortgage payments on the house, but after
that she would be dependent on Denise totally if they had to stay in England longer. The nurse's pride was stung a little but overriding that sting was her
love for Denise. There had been no choice.
"She needs me, Derek. It's as simple as that. If she needs me then I'm there. I don't have an option anymore; she'll always be the first choice for me. I
know I'll be more vulnerable than I've ever been, but I trust and love Denise. We can take care of any problem as long as we do it together." She heard
Derek sniff over the phone.
"Derek, what is it? What's wrong?"
"Not a damn thing, girlfriend, not a damn thing. I only hope to one day be a tiny percent as happy as you are. Look, I can't give you paid time, but I can hold
your spot for you. The person taking your shifts will always be temporary until you say differently. Now, do you need a ride to the airport?"
So Randa had once again made arrangements for the care of her property as Denise made arrangements for her journey. Note to self she thought. Give
Denise an extra thank you for making those arragements first class. She returned her crystal juice glass to the flight attendant as she straightened the very
comfortable seatback in preparation for landing at East Midlands airport. Denise felt flying directly into Derbyshire would eliminate a lot of the driving time
and hassle of getting in and out of London.
After the plane landed and taxied to the gate, Randa thought she could make out Denise's tall form in the windows facing the plane. Gathering her single
carry-on bag she left the plane quickly, thanking the flight attendant for the excellent service. Making her way up the ramp the nurse felt her pulse pick up in
anticipation. It was all she could do not to break into a run at the sight of her dark haired lover inside the terminal. She knew the wide smile on Denise's
face was reflected on her own and she walked into waiting arms.
"God, Randa, I've missed you," Denise husked. "Let's get your baggage quickly because I want to kiss you senseless and I don't want to do it in front of all
these people."
The nurse smiled against Denise's denim jacket. She knew it would tax her last bit of restraint, but East Midlands probably wasn't San Francisco in its
tolerance so she stepped back and took the poet's hand.
"Yeah, baggage first, kiss senseless after," she agreed. Denise shouldered the nurse's carry-on and they moved toward the baggage claim area.
Randa looked over briefly at Denise as they walked and said, "Jennifer? Justine?"
"Sorry?" her partner said as a look of bewilderment crossed her features.
"Your middle name. Is it Jennifer or Justine? You have a great technique for changing the subject but don't think I've forgotten I asked you about it. You
never did answer me either, you just changed the subject."
"I did? I don't recall that at all. No, it's not Jennifer or Justine. It's...baggage claim."
Now it was Randa's turn to be confused. "What did you say?"
"I said baggage claim. We're here; so let me have the claim checks so I can get yours. Did you bring the duffel again?" Denise inquired as she held her
hand out.
"Two of them actually. I thought you might like a few more things from home if we needed to stay much longer and... Hey! You're doing it again. You're
changing the subject." She handed the two small tickets to the poet.
"I'm not changing the subject, love," Denise whispered as she leaned in close. "I just don't want us to be late for that business appointment. I believe there
is a bit of kissing we are scheduled for followed by a fast drive home and then I intend to be 'in conference' with you for the rest of the day and well into the
evening."
The nurse shivered a little with anticipation as she spied her two duffel bags on the carousel. Grabbing one as Denise hefted the other, she let herself be
led toward the parking facilities and Denise's sleek black car. Placing the bags in the trunk they hurried to climb inside where they clung together in a
series of heated kisses.
Finally pulling back for some much needed air, Randa sighed in happiness. "Home, James, and don't spare the horses." Hesitating a moment, she said,
"It isn't James, is it? You didn't get saddled with a man's name as your middle name, did you?"
Denise let out a short laugh and she managed a "No, love" as her mouth met Randa's once again and the play of tongues commenced. Both women were
a little breathless as they broke apart again. Randa felt the flames of desire licking at her intensely.
"Just drive, Denise whatever-the-heck-your-middle-name-is, and make it fast."
"Yes, madam, whatever the madam desires," Denise teased as she turned the key and brought the engine to life.
"You're going to find out what the madam desires right here and now if you don't start driving immediately," the nurse returned.
Denise saw the hunger in the nurse's eyes and knew her hunger was a match for it.
Denise drove.
***
"So, do you believe her story?" Randa asked as they drove into Bakewell.
"A big part of me wants to say no, that Sara never could have kept a thing like that from me, but there's something about the woman and the way she talks
that makes another part of me believe she's telling the truth."
"Did you ask Diane?"
"I did. She wouldn't tell me the story on the phone; she said she wanted to do it in person. That scared me a little, Randa. If Diane was going to deny it she
could have done that over the telephone easily enough. Suddenly I knew whatever the truth was I didn't want to hear it without you at my side."
The nurse reached out and laid a comforting hand on Denise's arm. "I'm here and I'm going to stay with you as long as you need me."
Denise guided the car to a smooth stop in front of the Jennings home. Turning off the engine she glanced over at Randa. "Plan on staying with me forever
then."
The blonde smiled at her partner. "When is Diane going to tell us the story?"
"I've asked her to come round in the morning. I wanted to give you enough time to recover from your jet lag and anything else that might cause you undue
exhaustion." The poet punctuated the last statement with a wink.
"Tomorrow will be soon enough for me," Randa said as she left the car. She helped Denise with the bags and walked to the front door. "It's strange. I know
I just left my home yet I feel like I've come home again too. I guess it could be the company."
The poet took Randa's hand and brought it to her lips. "It's the company most definitely for me. Shall we go in? I believe we spoke of a conference earlier."
"After you, love," the blonde said with a small curtsy as Denise unlocked the door and stepped into the house that held so many memories for them both.
"Jacqueline? Jane?" the blonde asked as Denise gave an exasperated groan and closed the door behind them. Further conversation would wait until [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]