Page 22 of Always Another Sunset

Rarely drinkingon evenings when she had to get up early for work the next day, JC decided tonight was an exception. The first beer went down fast as she processed the random phone call from her ex-girlfriend while at the same time trying to read Bella’s body language. Bella’s words sounded surprisingly indifferent, as if the entire event of Chris’s unexpected visit didn’t faze her at all. Unfortunately, her attitude was only more confusing because JC’s first impression when she brought the subject up was that Bella was anxious about it.But that reaction doesn’t make much sense to me either, JC thought as she rinsed out the beer bottle before setting it aside for recycling. The temptation to grab another made her pause.And why am I in the mood to get a buzz on?

“Do you want to eat on the patio again tonight?” Bella asked as she tossed the salad. “It’s not the grandest of dinners, I’m afraid.”

“Actually,” JC said, moving to the refrigerator. “Let me put some shrimp in a skillet to add to the top. There’s a dozen I was defrosting to make into something tonight.”

Bella turned from the counter, smiling. “Of course, you were,” she said. “You’re always thinking ahead.” Opening the door, JC wondered if that was why Chris’s call had her so out of sorts. She liked things planned and could admit one of her flaws was a lack of spontaneity. Not that she wasn’t romantic or original, but JC preferred to operate on a schedule. She liked to have a plan. The funny thing was that Chris knew that about her, and they had at times discussed JC’s inability to let things simply happen.She had to know that showing up at my house would not go well, she thought.Whether I was home or not.

With the raw shrimp and a second beer in hand, JC nudged the refrigerator door closed with her elbow and moved to the stove. “Mind if I add a little heat to these?” she asked, thinking some Cajun seasoning might be a nice twist tonight. When Bella didn’t answer immediately, JC glanced at her. The woman leaned against the counter studying JC, but her face was impossible to read. JC paused what she was doing. “What are you thinking, Bella?”

Bella tilted her head. “Only that I’m extremely lucky,” she said. “That I picked the brochure for your kayaking adventure company from the dozens of other activities.” She shook her head. “And that I went through with it and got on the van. I tried to chicken out a half dozen times before seeing you.”

Appreciating the change to a lighter mood, JC grinned as she dumped the shrimp into a frypan. “You never told me that part,” she said but didn’t have any trouble imagining Bella wavering. She could easily remember Bella’s face full of concern when JC explained the plan to paddle to the island. “But I think I am the lucky one.”

“Hmm...” Bella murmured as she slipped closer until she against the cupboards beside the stove. “We will see. But seriously, JC, you are amazing. Kind, sexy, a wonderful cook…” She paused, looking at the floor as if trying to make up her mind. Finally, she sighed. “You don’t have to answer if it’s not my business, but why did you and Chris not work out?”

After adding a few shakes of seasoning and turning the heat down on the shrimp, JC faced Bella. “It’s not a secret,” she said. “And I want you to feel like you can ask me anything.” She took the woman’s hands in hers. “But the problem came down to her wanting to go to school on the mainland.”

Bella slowly nodded. “I see,” she said softly. “And, of course, you wanted to stay here.” Neither said a word as the reality of the situation between them seemed to fill the room. At some point and not too far away, Bella would leave for the mainland too. Before JC could comment, Bella leaned in to give her a quick peck on the lips. “But you’ve had a long day, and we don’t have to talk about any of this tonight.”

For a moment, JC thought about resisting Bella’s deflection, but she was right that her day was long and there was nothing urgent that needed to be discussed. “Thank you,” she said. “Let me turn these shrimp a couple of times and then we can enjoy some dinner.”

“Perfect,” Bella said with a smile, as she moved to the cupboard that held the dinner plates. “Let me set the table, and then we can eat and relax.”

JC liked the sound of that, especially as she realized she was more tired than she first thought. “Would you be up for taking it easy with a movie after dinner?” she asked.

Bella walked by her with plates and silverware on the way to the patio. “That sounds nice,” she said over her shoulder. “I’m happy with whatever you want to do.”

JC watched the woman go out the door for a moment. Even though Bella appeared to be normal, something felt off.It has to be over Chris, she thought with a sigh.But tonight, I think I’ll let that go.She simply didn’t have the desire to talk about the past, or even more, about the future.

22

Coffee cup in hand, Bella leaned back in her chair to study the screen for a moment. She had gotten up when she heard JC in the kitchen, filled with a new idea for her book. After a quick but very nice breakfast and goodbye kiss with her new roommate, she had settled down to write. Finally, the chapter was finished, and she let her eyes scan what she wrote. Then, with a fist pump at her accomplishment, Bella let out a loud “yes.” When Roxie moved on her bed beside the table, Bella leaned to look at her. Her head raised, the dog’s warm eyes held a quizzical expression. Bella smiled. “Sorry, but I’m excited about this one. Big plot twist to end act two.”

After a beat, Roxie yawned, lowering her muzzle back to her paws. With a laugh, Bella stood. “Oh, I see. Well, you’re new to this, so I forgive you,” she said, picking up the small bag of chewy dog snacks from the corner of the table. “I bet you will get excited if I offer you a treat though.” Roxie’s head popped back up, her eyes bright. “That’s what I thought.”

She fished a nugget from the bag while Roxie sat up and studied her. Bella continued to be impressed. There was no hint of begging or other antics trying to convince her to pass over the treat. Bella had an idea, and she held the snack higher. “Can you catch?” she asked, and Roxie’s eyes didn’t waver. Not sure if all dogs could catch or not, Bella tossed a soft lob in the dog’s direction. Moving only her head, Roxie snapped the treat out of the air, chewed for a moment, swallowed with a gulp, and then refocused on Bella. “Well, you made that look easy.” Bella tilted her head. “I wonder how many tricks you know.” She picked out another treat. “Lay down?”

Roxie gently lowered her body, her focus never wavering. Impressed, Bella gave her the reward before running a hand over the animal’s soft, furry head. “When you’re feeling one hundred percent better, I think the three of us need to find a place outside and check out your other talents.” She guessed JC would have some fun ideas to try, and thinking of the woman, she thought back to the evening before. Although lacking the passion of their other evenings so far, the night had been sweet as they wrapped up in a blanket on the couch and watched most of a movie together. JC had surprised her by falling asleep partway through the film and the woman had apologized profusely over it, but Bella took it as a good sign. She liked knowing that JC was comfortable around her.

Setting down the treats, Bella was about to go to the kitchen when her cellphone rang. Seeing Joanie, her editor’s name, on the screen, she scooped it up before making her way to grab another cup of coffee. “I’ve had the best writing morning,” she answered without even a hello. “You’re going to love it.”

“Well, I won’t say no to that,” Joanie said with a laugh. “And aloha to you too.”

Bella laughed too. “Sorry,” she said, opening the refrigerator and finding the creamer. “I’m excited. My writing has never been better.”

After a beat, Joanie cleared her throat. “About that,” she said. “What is your plan, Bella?”

Bella bit her lip. She knew things couldn’t go on like they were forever, and understood she needed to figure out a plan. But that was easier said than done. “I am not sure,” she finally answered. “But I’m not ready to leave yet.” Then, JC’s ex-girlfriend’s face came to mind, and she was even more sure she wasn’t ready to go. Not until she learned about what the woman wanted from JC. “I promise, I will come up with a timeline soon.”

“That’s the thing,” Joanie said. “You’re scheduled to speak at a literary conference in Albuquerque at the end of the month.”

Pausing mid-pour, Bella realized she had forgotten all about the summer literary conference. “Oh no!” she said. “That slipped my mind. When exactly is that?” she asked, wondering if getting out of it was possible.

“It’s too late for you to cancel on them,” Joanie said as if reading her mind. “And if you fly straight there, you have ten days.”

But that’s way too soon,Bella thought, filling the rest of her mug.There’s not only JC, but now Roxie. I have to take care of her.Still, Bella was not the type of person who walked away from commitments. The organizer of the conference counted on her, and her readers would be disappointed. “Crap,” was all she could get out, a surprising burn of tears in her eyes. The fantasy life she had been living was about to end.

After helpingthe last pair of kayaks launch from the small Moku island, JC pushed off her own kayak and hopped in. She caught up to the others in a few quick strokes, and the group glided over the ocean water toward home. The weather was perfect, the waves gentle, and overall, a beautiful day. Only she couldn’t stop thinking about Bella and the strangeness in the kitchen last night, followed by her falling asleep on the couch. The short conversation about JC’s ex-girlfriend seemed to lead to a sort of resignation in Bella as if she recognized their time was short and accepted it. Accepting it was not something JC wanted. Not by a longshot.

---