I wish. "I don't know, Sam. It just depends. But I will try to see you, maybe on one of your school breaks, okay?"

"Cool." The young girl wrapped her arms around Randi's neck and hugged her tight. "You're the best."

"So are you," Randi whispered, her composure close to shattering. "I love you, Samantha. You take care of your brothers and sister for me, okay?"

Sam pulled back and nodded seriously. "I will. I love you, too." She finally allowed Randi to stand back up. "Mama says that I'm a good sister for baby Sophia," she shared proudly.

"I'm sure you are." Randi touched the top of the girl's head and started for the car. She looked over at Kay, who had just gotten a hug from Todd and Edward. "You ready?"

Kay nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose." She waved to the family and then turned to walk back to the Corvette that was parked on the street. "You have a wonderful family, Randi. Thank you again for today."

"My pleasure, Kay." Randi helped her friend into the car and took the crutches. "I think they were pretty fond of you, too." She closed the door and walked around the back of the car, placing the crutches in the trunk. With a final wave to the group on the front lawn, Randi climbed into the car and drove off into the coming night.

Chapter 16

The ride back to Kay's was quiet, since both women were caught up in their own thoughts and feelings. Randi stared directly ahead, concentrating on the road. Her still face belied the inner turmoil she felt over the impending separation from Kay. Maybe Mom was right. It couldn't hurt to talk to Kay about our relationship. She spared a glance over at her friend as the car pulled into the familiar driveway. "We're here."

Kay jumped slightly at the sound of Randi's voice. "Oh." She unbuckled her seatbelt and waited patiently until her crutches were brought to her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Randi followed Kay up to the house, almost laughing at the excited barking that came from inside. "Sounds like someone missed us."

Laughing as she hobbled up the steps, Kay had to agree. "It sure does. But after being over at your grandmother's, I can see why you left him here."

Randi opened the door and reached down to grab Spike before he could race from the house. "All those kids would have driven him nuts, that's for sure." She pushed the door open further so that Kay could get inside. "Guess I'd better take him for his walk, or he'll never forgive me."

"All right." Kay grabbed the lead from the coffee table and tossed it to Randi. "Mind if I stand on the porch and keep you company?"

"Not at all." After several tries, Randi finally clipped the lead to the bouncing animal's collar. "Come on, psycho-dog." She put him on the ground and almost got the leash jerked out of her hands. "Slow down, Spike."

Kay laughed as she watched the little dog take Randi for a walk. She didn't know who she was going to miss more, Randi, or the animal that had quickly stolen her heart. Don't kid yourself. Randi took your heart before Spike had a chance, and you know it. Kay looked at the woods that surrounded her house. Would I be so unhappy living in Fort Worth? It's not like I have that much to keep me here, other than a new job that I didn't even ask for.

Randi caught the still figure on the porch out of the corner of one eye. She loves it out here. How can I be so selfish as to ask her to leave her home and her family? She shook her head and sighed heavily. "C'mon, Spike. Let's go try to enjoy our last night here. No sense in making Kay miserable, is there?" She bent down and picked him up.

"Do you want anything to drink?" Randi asked Kay as she came back into the house. She put Spike down after unhooking the lead from his collar and shook her head when he immediately jumped up into Kay's lap. The younger woman had just sat down on the sofa and propped her cast on the coffee table.

"No, thank you." Kay picked Spike up and pulled him close to her face. His soft fur smelled like the outdoors, and he quickly started licking her ear. "Oh, honey. I love you too," she murmured quietly, feeling ridiculous for the tears that threatened to fall. Kay waited until Randi sat down next to her before she asked, "will you bring him with you when you come back to visit?"

Randi nodded. "Sure. He'd probably never forgive me if I didn't." When she reached over to pet Spike, her hand touched Kay's and she swallowed hard to keep from crying. "I'm going to miss you, Kay," she whispered, trying to keep her voice from breaking.

"I'll miss you, too," Kay admitted. She slid Spike gently to the other side of her lap and pulled Randi close to her. "These past few weeks have been wonderful."

"Yeah, they have," Randi agreed. Her free hand reached over and caressed the younger woman's face. "But I guess it's back to reality, huh?"

Kay blinked several times to fight off the tears that threatened to fall. "I guess so. Especially since I've got a new job. At least I don't have to worry about money anymore, and I can still save up for a car." She leaned into the touch and closed her eyes. "You mentioned something earlier today about coming back on the weekends?"

I guess that settles it. I know she's independent, so this job offer came at the perfect time. "If you want me to, I can." Randi leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on Kay's lips. "No more talk about leaving, okay? Let's just enjoy tonight."

"That's a great idea." Kay tangled her free hand in Randi's hair and returned her kiss. She felt a gentle tongue tracing the contours of her lips, and quickly opened her mouth to capture it. A warm hand reached underneath Kay's shirt and traced the smooth skin on her back, causing her to moan.

Randi's heart started to pound when Kay touched her breast, squeezing softly. Her own hand was still tracing a pattern on the younger woman's back, until she was pushed onto her back by Kay. Breaking lip contact for an instant, she gasped in surprise when both of Kay's hands found their way under her shirt, pushing the material up. "Wha--"

"Sssh," Kay commanded, laying light kisses on Randi's bare stomach. "I just need to feel your skin," she murmured. She leaned her face against the soft skin and took a deep breath. Fingers combed through her hair and Kay raised her head enough to look up into Randi's eyes. "Please, hold me?" she whispered, her voice breaking on the last word.

Nodding, Randi helped Kay get comfortable beside her, both of them lying on their sides. She wrapped both arms around the smaller woman and buried her face in the blond hair, tears falling silently down her face.

***************

Morning arrived with little fanfare, and much too soon. Kay had fallen asleep scrunched up next to Randi on the sofa, and now she woke up to Spike pulling on her hair. She raised her head from the sleeping woman's chest and looked down at Randi's peaceful face. They hadn't made love last night, but they had come pretty close. Part of her wished that they had, while another part of her was glad that she didn't resort to sex to keep the vet with her. Life sucks, sometimes. A glance at the clock on the wall showed it was almost six-thirty. Nancy would arrive in about an hour to take her to work, so she knew she had to get up and moving around. She traced a light fingertip over the older woman's face. "Randi?"

"Mmm."

"Come on, honey. It's morning." Kay's light tracing turned into a gentle caress, which finally caused the brown eyes to slowly open.

"Morning?" Randi rasped, blinking several times. "What time is it?"

Kay smiled. She's so cute. I could really get used to…cut it out, Kay. You're only making it harder on yourself. "Almost six-thirty. My cousin will be here in an hour to take me to work."

Harsh reality washed away all vestiges of her wonderful dream and slapped Randi in the face. "Oh, yeah." She watched as Kay sat up and rearranged her shirt, which had somehow come unbuttoned the night before. Maybe if we had gone a bit further last night, today would be different.

 

 

"Would you like some breakfast before you go?" Kay asked, reaching for her crutches and climbing to her feet. Her hair was in complete disarray and she had missed a button when closing her shirt.

Randi thought she never looked more beautiful. "No, that's okay. I know you've got a lot to do before you leave this morning - I'd hate to mess that up for you." She sat up and brushed her fingers through her hair, hoping that it looked a bit more normal. "But thanks for the offer."

"You're welcome." Loathe to see Randi leave before it was absolutely necessary, Kay tried another tactic. "Would you mind waiting until I got out of the bath? I'd like to make sure I can do it alone, but without being alone, if you know what I mean."

"Sure, no problem." Randi stood up and picked up Spike in one fluid motion. "Let me just take care of his majesty, and I'll be right here if you need me, all right?"

Kay smiled. "That would be great, thank you." She headed into the bedroom, but stopped and turned around when she got inside the doorway. "I…" Go ahead, say it, you idiot. "I really appreciate everything you've done for me, Randi." Chicken. Tired of arguing with herself, she pushed the bedroom door closed and began to undress. Maybe some time away from each other will be a good thing - be easier to see if our feelings are real, or just the by-product of what we've been through. Turning on the water in the tub, she shook her head. Or maybe I'm just trying to find some way of convincing myself that all of this is for the best, when all I really want to do is grab hold of her and never let her go. She watched as the tears from her face fell and mixed with the bath water.

After bringing Spike back inside the house, Randi went into the kitchen to give him a bit of food before the long drive. She stood with her back against the kitchen counter, watching the tiny dog inhale his food. Looking around the neat room, she realized again how comfortable Kay was in her home. Small prints took up spaces on the walls and homey knickknacks adorned shelves and counter space. While not overly fancy, the kitchen had a relaxed atmosphere that her own apartment was missing. And I was going to take her away from this? "Don't have much in my head for brains, do I, Spike?" A quick look at her watch told Randi it was almost time to leave. "I don't know if I can do this," she lamented to no one in particular. Quit being so selfish, and get yourself together. You can come back to visit next weekend. "This sucks."

"What's that?" Kay asked from the doorway. She was dressed in a sweater and colorful skirt, and her hair had been pulled back away from her face. "Is everything all right?"

Randi took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah, everything's fine." Tell her, while you have the chance. "I lo…like that outfit," she finished. I am such a chickenshit. "You look really nice."

Blushing, Kay ducked her head. "Thanks. I thought I'd try to make a decent impression on my first day of work." Be honest with yourself. You wanted to look nice for Randi, too.

"Well…"

"Yes, well…" Neither woman moved. Kay finally swallowed and held out her arms, careful not to lose the crutches. "Give me a hug?"

 

Definitely. Randi crossed the room in a heartbeat, pulling the smaller woman into her arms and holding her close. She felt Kay's face snuggle into her chest, while she buried her own face in a fragrant neck. Get a grip. It's only for a week. "I'm really gonna miss you," she rasped, trying to soak up as much of Kay's scent as she possibly could.

"Me too," Kay sniffled, unable to keep the tears from staining Randi's shirt. She took several deep breaths before looking up into the anguished face of her friend. "But you'll be back next weekend, right?" God. Could I sound any more pitiful?

"You betcha," Randi agreed. She bent her head and covered Kay's lips with her own.

The honking of a car horn outside caused the women to break apart after several minutes. Kay dropped her head to Randi's chest once again. "That must be my cousin."

"Yeah," Randi agreed. She stepped back and looked at Kay for a long moment. "Guess I'd better go, so that you can leave too, huh?"

Kay nodded. "I guess." She watched as the older woman gathered up Spike's bowls and placed them in the sink after rinsing them out. "Just leave those, I'll take care of them tonight."

"Are you sure?" Randi turned around from the sink. "It won't take me but a minute."

"I'm sure." She adjusted the crutches underneath her arms. "Walk me out?"

Randi blinked several times, then bent down to pick up Spike. "Sure." She quietly followed Kay, grabbing her overnight bag and Spike's lead on the way out of the house. While Kay walked to Nancy's car, Randi quickly tossed her bag in the Corvette, then jogged over to hold the door for her friend. "If you need anything, call me. No matter what time it is, all right?"

"I will," Kay agreed, placing her crutches in the car. She reached over and scratched Spike on top of the head. "You take care of your mommy for me, okay?" she told the dog. His pink tongue reached out and licked her fingertips. Fighting back her tears, Kay looked up into Randi's watery eyes. "That goes for you, too," she whispered.

Unable to speak, Randi nodded. "I'll call you tonight," she promised.

"You'd better," Kay tried to tease. She quickly kissed Randi on the cheek, and got into the car.

Randi closed the door and pulled Spike up to her chest. She waved as Nancy backed out of the driveway, until she could no longer see the car. With a heavy heart, Randi walked over to the Corvette and opened the door. She sat down behind the wheel and buried her face in Spike's coat, finally letting the tears break free.

***************

"You sure made a spectacle of yourself," Nancy chided, driving down the deserted road. She couldn't understand what all the fuss was about, anyway. It's not like she can feel anything real for another woman. I just don't understand my cousin at all.

 

Kay continued to look out her window, wiping the tears from her face. She could hear Nancy speaking, but didn't feel like trying to understand what the other woman was saying. All she could think about was the look on Randi's face as they drove away. She looked so lost and alone - just how I feel. The further they drove, the more she felt like the entire idea was wrong.

"Hey, get yourself together, Katherine. Mama went to a lot of trouble to get you this job, so the least you could do is be a little bit grateful." She reached over and pinched Kay on the arm.

"Ow!" Hazel eyes turned away from the window and glared at Nancy. "What did you do that for?"

Nancy sniffed. "Just trying to help you pull it together, cousin. You act as if you just lost the love of your life, or something."

"Maybe I did," Kay sighed. She was tired of always defending herself against her family. "What are you? Jealous?"

"Of you and that…that woman? Dear Lord, just listen to yourself." Nancy stopped at a red light and turned to look at Kay. "You've always been unnatural, cavorting around with other women like that."

Something in Kay snapped at that last remark. "You are jealous! Well, I have news for you, dear cousin - when women chose other women, they're very picky. You'd never have a chance." She crossed her arms over her chest and stared out through the window again.

"Like I'd even want another woman to look at me like that. It's sick. Maybe that's the real reason your daddy ran off when you were a kid - he knew what a sick pervert you'd grow up to be."

"Bitch," Kay growled.

"Truth hurts, doesn't it, Katherine?" Nancy parked her old car in front of a small building. "Just because we're family, doesn't me I have to like you. I don't know why Mama puts up with your attitude." She watched in satisfaction as Kay struggled to get out of the car. "I might be late picking you up," Nancy yelled, before her cousin closed the car door.

Kay hobbled to the front door of the small building, relieved when Richard Stone appeared and opened the door for her. "Thank you."

"No problem, dear. I'm glad to see you," he assured her. "Come on in and I'll show you where your desk will be." He led her to the rear of the large room that was filled with individual cubicles. Pointing to the last desk before the back door, he smiled. "I hope this will be all right. This door leads to the restrooms and the break room, and I thought with your injury, the closer the better."

"It's just fine, Mr. Stone. Thank you so much." Kay smiled as he assisted her into the large padded chair. "This is very nice."

The older man placed her crutches behind her, but not out of reach. "We're a small business, but fairly prosperous. Most of our employees have been here for many years, and we like to take good care of them." He pointed to the computer on one side of the desk. "That's brand new, so if there are any problems with it, just let me know. I'll go ahead and bring out the paperwork you need to fill out, and you can be taking care of that until Lucy gets here."

"Lucy?"

He had the good grace to be embarrassed. "Yes, I'm sorry. Lucy Whitington. She'll be showing you the ropes, so to speak. And please, call me Richard. We're very informal around here."

Kay nodded. "Oh. Okay, Richard. My friends call me Kay," she smiled at him. "Thank you again for this job opportunity."

"No need to thank me, Kay. When your aunt told me about you, I thought this would be a perfect solution for both our problems." He brushed off the front of his slacks in a nervous gesture and ran one hand across his balding head. "Do you drink coffee? I'll be glad to bring you a cup back when I bring your paperwork."

"Why yes, thank you. I'd love some - but only if it wouldn't be too much trouble." Kay placed her purse in an empty desk drawer.

Richard tapped the side of the cubicle. "No trouble at all. How do you take it?"

"Light cream and sugar, please."

"Fine. I'll be right back," he said, ducking through the door.

Kay leaned back in her chair and looked at her desk. The office was smaller and neater than the law office she had worked in previously, and she had a really good feeling about her boss. Richard really is a nice man. I wonder what he's doing with my aunt. She chuckled at the uncharitable thought and checked her watch. I hope Randi's doing okay. I miss her already.

***************

The miles blurred together as Randi sped along the Interstate. Spike had given up trying to get her attention, and was happily curled in the passenger's seat, fast asleep. When the familiar skyline of Fort Worth welcomed her home, the dark-haired woman angrily wiped the tears from her face. She had cried most of the drive back, and the memory of Kay's excitement over seeing Fort Worth for the first time hit her hard.

Another car cut into her lane, causing Randi to honk the horn. "Watch what you're doing, asshole," she yelled at the driver. A whine beside her made Randi turn to glance down at Spike. "What?"

He cocked his dark head to one side and tentatively wiggled his stumpy tail.

"Don't look at me in that tone of voice," she warned, turning her attention back to the traffic. "Aren't I allowed to be upset?" Spike didn't answer her, but she continued anyway. "Why didn't I tell her I loved her? Do you think that would have made a difference?"

A quick glance over her shoulder, and Randi changed lanes. "She told me that she had stayed with Beth because she didn't have anything better. Do you think that she would do the same with me?"

Spike whined and continued to wag his tail.

"You could be right, boy. I felt like what we have is something special, too. Maybe I'll know more by next weekend." She took her exit and continued along the quiet city streets. "I'm going to just have to wait and see, Spike. I don't want to force Kay into anything she really doesn't want." Randi parked the car in her assigned spot and turned off the engine. She picked the small dog up and pulled him close. His soft fur had a lingering smell of the perfume that Kay wore, which caused her to break into tears again. "I miss her already," she whispered, crying into his coat.

Chapter 17

"Hold on, I'm coming," Randi yelled at the door. She had spent over two hours on the phone with Kay the night before and her eyes still hurt from crying after hanging up. I really need to get a grip on myself, she chastised, rubbing her face and opening the door. "Oh. Hi."

Patricia and Samuel Meyers stood in the doorway, their happy smiles fading when they looked at their daughter. "Are you feeling ill, Randi?" Patricia asked, pushing her way inside the apartment. She reached up to touch her daughter's forehead, but her hand was batted away.

"I'm fine, Mom." Randi waited until her father was inside before she closed the door and looked at them both. "You're a bit early, aren't you? It's barely past noon."

"We decided to get an early start. And by the looks of things, it was a good idea." Patricia bent down to pick up a jumping Spike. "Hello there, handsome. Is she treating you all right?"

Randi took the suitcase from her father's hand. "Here, let me get that. I thought I'd put you in the master bedroom, and I'll take the guestroom for tonight. All I need to do is put clean sheets on your bed." She led him down the hallway, while her mother stayed behind and fussed over Spike.

"I hate to think we're taking your bed," Samuel argued.

"No, that's okay, Dad. Really." Randi didn't want to admit that she didn't sleep in her own bed last night. She could still detect Kay's scent on the guest room sheets and couldn't bring herself to leave the smaller bed.

Samuel glanced into the guestroom and noticed the unmade bed. Uh-huh. She's got it bad, all right. I just hope we can talk some sense into her.

"I'll get the sheets taken care of in a little while," Randi explained. She placed the suitcase on an empty chair and turned around to look at her father. "I'm really glad you're here, Dad."

He crossed the room and took Randi into his arms. "I'm glad we are too, sweetheart." Samuel's heart broke at the sobs that wracked his daughter's body. He continued to stand and hold her until she got herself back under control.

"I'm sorry. It's just been a real rotten couple of days," Randi apologized. She wiped her face with the heel of one hand and took a deep breath.

"Did you ever talk to Kay?" He was afraid that the younger woman had dumped his daughter and broken her heart. No, I don't think she would have done that. I could have sworn she felt something for Randi, too.

Randi shook her head. "No, I didn't."

Patricia stood in the doorway holding Spike in her arms. "Well, why on earth not? That poor girl is probably just as miserable as you are."

"You don't understand, Mom. Things are--"

"Complicated. Yes, you've told me that several times, Randi." Patricia walked into the room and handed Spike to Samuel, who took the dog and the hint, leaving the room. "Sit down, Randi."

Uh-oh. Why do I feel like I'm about to get into trouble? "But--"

"Don't 'but' me, young lady. Now sit down and shut up."

"Yes, ma'am." Randi dropped down onto the bed. Might as well let her get it over with. Lord knows I won't have any peace until she speaks her mind.

Patricia sat down next to her daughter and grasped one of Randi's hands. "Now you know we don't like to interfere in our children's lives," she started, but stopped when an unbelieving snort came out of Randi. She used her spare hand to lightly slap a denim-covered thigh. "Hush. Now, where was I?"

"Not interfering," Randi mumbled sarcastically.

"Right. I know we don't talk about your, um, lifestyle much," Patricia admitted, "but just because I don't exactly understand it, doesn't mean I don't care or love you."

A small smile broke out on Randi's face. "I know, Mom. You and Dad were both a lot better about it than I thought, to tell you the truth."

"Really? How so, honey?"

Why are we getting into this discussion now? I've been out to my parent's for years, and they've never asked. Oh, well. In for a penny…"Well, considering Dad always referred to homosexuals as 'those fruits' or 'fags', I was really scared that when you found out I was gay, you'd disown me."

"Disown you? Why would we do such a thing?" Patricia asked, outraged. "I'll admit it took a while for us to come to terms with it and to stop blaming ourselves, but we love you. How could you even think that we'd do that?"

"It's happened to families closer than ours," Randi explained patiently. "I'd heard all sorts of horror stories about how kids were getting disowned, or beaten by their 'loving' family after telling them they were gay." She looked up into her mother's upset face. "And, as much as I love Dad, sometimes his Texas 'good-old-boy' attitude scared me to death."

Patricia hugged her daughter. "He's not the most progressive man around, but he loves you, dear. All we both want is for our children to be happy, no matter what brings that happiness about."

"I realize that, now," Randi sniffled, fighting back more tears. When am I going to stop crying like a damned baby? This is getting ridiculous.

"Now, back to what I started to say earlier," her mother chided gently. "Why won't you tell that sweet girl how you feel about her? Do you like being so miserable?"

Releasing her hold on her mother, Randi dropped back onto the bed and covered her eyes with her arm. "Kay's a very independent woman, Mom. She has a life in Woodbridge, and just started a new job yesterday. I have a job here with several people depending on me for their livelihood. Neither one of us can just pick up and move on a whim."

"Is that what this is all about? Some warped sense of duty?" The older woman reached over and pushed Randi's arm away from her face. "Do you think that either one of you can be satisfied with a long-distance relationship? If you truly care for Kay, then you're going to have to make some big decisions, Randi."

"I know that, Mom. But it's--"

"If you say complicated one more time, I'm going to paddle your behind," Patricia warned. "Do me a favor, please?"

Randi sat up and wiped at her face. "What?"

Taking both of Randi's hands in hers, Patricia waited until she had her daughter's undivided attention. "Stop and think about how you feel about her, and what she means to you. You might also want to consider how you'd feel if she found someone else, because you were too damned busy being noble."

"I'm not--"

"Hush. Just take a while and think about what makes you happy, Randi. That's all I ask of you."

She's right. I've got some serious thinking to do. "Thanks, Mom. I will." Randi pulled her mother to her and hugged the older woman. "I love you."

"I love you too, stubborn kid of mine," Patricia teased. "Now, let's go see how much trouble your dad and Spike got into while we were in here."

***************

Another pile of papers was dropped onto her desk and Kay looked up to see an apologetic Richard standing nearby. "Gee, thanks."

"I'm sorry, Kay. I'll find someway of making it up to you," he promised.

She laughed. "No, that's all right. I just was hoping to get done fairly early tonight."

"Hot date?" Richard queried. He noticed that she kept no personal pictures on her desk, and whenever he'd catch her in the break room, she never spoke of anyone.

"Not exactly. I'm just expecting a long-distance call tonight and wanted to get home and get a few things done, first." She hated to think what Randi's phone bill was going to look like. The veterinarian would call her every evening, and they'd sometimes spend several hours talking on the phone.

Richard nodding understandingly. "I see. Well, I won't keep you, then." He waved and wandered off, humming to himself.

A dark head poked over Kay's cubicle wall. "Oh, good. You've got the next batch already." Lucy Whitington was the young woman's immediate supervisor, and couldn't believe how quickly Kay had caught on to their system. Married with four children, the forty-two year old woman always looked harried, and rarely stopped for more than a moment. "Wednesday night is Ladies Night at Larson's, and a bunch of us are going to stop by for a quick drink tonight. Do you want to join us?"

Kay shook her head. "No, thank you. I can't."

Skirting around the wall, Lucy pushed some papers out of the way and sat down on the edge of Kay's desk. "Can I tell you something, Kay?"

"Sure. What's the problem?"

"Look. Some of the women in the office have been talking. They say you think you're better than anyone else, and that you're Richard's little pet. I was hoping you'd come with us and show them what I already know - that you're a good person." Lucy's dark eyes softened. She really liked Kay, and wanted her to succeed. "Just come with us for one drink, then I'll take you home. Please?"

What could it hurt? I should still get back in plenty of time to talk to Randi. "All right. That sounds like fun," Kay agreed. "But I do have to be home pretty early tonight, if that's okay."

Lucy smiled widely. "Not a problem at all. I have to get home to the brood, too. But we like to go out as a group every now and then to keep things loose here at work." She tapped the desk and stood up. "You're going to have a great time, Kay. I guarantee it."

"I'm looking forward to it," Kay told the retreating woman. She picked up the phone and dialed a number from memory.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Nancy."

A heavy sigh from the other end of the line expressed Nancy's feelings. "What is it, Katherine? Judge Judy comes on in five minutes, and I haven't seen it before."

What a lazy cow. "I just wanted to let you know that I won't need a ride home from work tonight, that's all. So you can go back to your stupid television show," Kay snapped, practically slamming down the receiver. "I hope it gets preempted," she grumbled.

***************

"Randi? There's a call for you on line two," Christina announced, as the vet walked by her desk. Before she could tell Randi who it was, the younger woman grabbed the phone.

"Hello?"

"Dr. Meyers? This is Anne Crawford. I had spoken to you yesterday about my St. Bernard, Clarice?"

Shaking off her pang of disappointment that the caller wasn't Kay, Randi sat down on the edge of Christina's desk. "Yes, Ms. Crawford, I remember you. Didn't Dr. Wilde take care of Clarice last week?" She gratefully accepted the file from the secretary, quickly glancing through it. "It was just a routine spaying, wasn't it?"

"Yes, it was. But poor Clarice has been getting more and more listless, and just a few moments ago she started throwing up blood. I’m terribly worried about her." The woman's voice was steady, but she did sound upset. "And frankly, I didn't want to talk to that other doctor. He has ignored my calls the last couple of days."

Shit. "Okay. Can you get Clarice up here right away?" Randi exchanged worried glances with the receptionist, who had overheard the entire conversation.

"No, I can't. All I have is a motorcycle, and I can't find anyone that has a car big enough for her. What am I going to do?"

Randi bit her lip in concentration. Think. She looked over at the closed door of Dr. Wilde, and grinned. "Do we have your correct address?"

The woman paused for a moment. "I believe so. Seventeen thirty-six Sycamore. Why?"

"Because I'm on my way over with a nice big car," Randi assured her. "It should only take about ten minutes for me to get there."

"Bless you, Dr. Meyers. We'll be waiting for you." Ms. Crawford hung up the phone in relief.

Christina shook her head. "You're not going to do what I think you are, are you?" She watched as Randi walked over to the coat rack and searched Dr. Wilde's coat pockets. "If he finds out--"

"I don't have time to mess with him, Christina. It may already be too late for that poor dog." Randi pulled the keys out and waved them around. "I'll handle Dr. Asshole when I return." She rushed from the clinic without looking back.

***************

Pulling up in front of a modest home, Randi shook her head. What in the hell was I thinking? I must be losing my mind. "Maybe the lack of sleep these past few days is starting to wear on me," she mumbled as she walked up the steps. Before she reached the door, it opened and a small dark-haired woman greeted her.

"Dr. Meyers?" she asked, looking at Randi. Her blue eyes were red-rimmed, and her shoulder-length brown hair was in disarray. "Thank you so much for coming." She held the door open and ushered the vet into the home.

Randi looked around as she followed the petite woman through the house. The woman looked to be in her late twenties, and the jeans and sweatshirt she wore had several dark stains on them. Probably the dog's blood, poor woman. I hope we can save her. She was led into a kitchen, where the St. Bernard lay panting in one corner on top of a soiled blanket.

"Here she is, doctor," Mrs. Crawford announced unnecessarily. "Clarice, sweetie. This nice lady is going to help you," she told the dog in a soft voice.

As Randi edged closer, baleful brown eyes tracked to her and the dog whined. "I know, girl. Just hang on." She reached down and placed her hand gently near the sutures, feeling the heat emanating from the spot. The hair was already starting to grow back where the incision had been made, and the stitches looked fine. Has to be some sort of internal bleeding. She turned to look at the woman. "We're going to have to take her in."

"How are we going to do that? My brother helped me the last time. I don't think I'm strong enough to slide her across the floor, much less pick her up."

The vet eyed the other woman. She's smaller than Kay, and would probably have trouble picking up Spike. How do I get myself into these things? "Okay, what we're going to have to do is use the blanket as a type of stretcher. Do you think you can manage?"

"I'll try," the woman agreed.

***************

Kay looked around as she followed Lucy and some of the other women into the bar. Round tables surrounded by soft leather chairs filled the main room and a small dance floor took up a tiny amount of one corner. A long bar with mirrors behind it ran along the opposite wall, and there were only two or three tables being used. Nice. Not at all like I expected. She followed the women to the corner away from the dance floor, where they pushed several of the tables together.

"So," one of the women across from Kay addressed her, "what happened to your leg?"

Nosy. Now, what was her name again? Oh, yeah. "I took a tumble down a hill and broke it. Irma, wasn't it?" Kay responded sweetly.

The woman nodded. "Yeah. Do you have a boyfriend?" She looked around the table, as if to get up the nerve to ask something else, but stayed silent.

Lucy walked up to the table with a tray of drinks before Kay could answer. "Irma, why don't you get your own life, so you'll quit worrying about everyone else's?" She handed Kay a glass of white wine.

"Thanks." Kay took the drink and placed it on the table, then looked across at Irma. "To answer your question, no, I don't have a boyfriend."

"Figures," Irma grumbled. She was about to make another snide comment when a large group of people came in from outside, and took up a couple of tables near the bar. One of them said something that caused several to laugh out loud, and another woman at Kay's table shook her head.

"That's the only bad thing about coming in here," she complained. "We have to put up with the likes of them." An older woman, she touched one side of her industrial-strength sprayed hair and glanced around the table. "It's getting so's a decent woman can't go out and have a little fun, without being harassed."