Danielle Engle - Lavender Excursions

When Taryn leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips, Lisa thought certain she'd died and gone to heaven. Either that or she'd just been awarded the million dollar sweepstakes. Her eyes misted and she smiled lovingly at Taryn. "Let me get you something warm to drink," she said. When Taryn started to protest, she pressed her finger over her lips. "Ssh," she told her. "I'll be back in a sec."

The room was heating up rather quickly. Taryn wondered how Lisa would feel about her spending the night. Debbie was certain to find out where she lived and Taryn didn't want to be there when she showed up. Debbie Gaylen had a very mean temper.

"Here you go," Lisa said. She leaned down and placed a mug of hot tea in Taryn's hand. "I added some honey and lemon for your throat," she told her.

Taryn gave her a puzzled look as she sipped the soothing liquid.

"You sound hoarse," Lisa explained, sitting down beside her. She, too, had a cup of tea. "Gosh, I figured everyone must have had a grandmother or a great aunt who gave them honey and lemon for a sore throat."

"You are so sweet," Taryn said, gazing intently into the other woman's face. She wondered at her innocence, the way she trusted Taryn so completely and unquestioningly. She made a mental note to do something special for her. "I've got a slight problem," she rushed on. "I need a place to stay for the next day or so and I loathe hotel rooms. Think you can put up with me if I promise to stay out from under your feet?"

Lisa's eyes brightened at the thought of Taryn spending time with her. How often she'd dreamed and fantasized of such an event! "Well of course," she said. "I've got a spare bedroom and a couch that rolls out. Take your pick."

Taryn felt relieved that Lisa didn't expect them to sleep together.

"Wow, I really appreciate this, Lisa. I'll need to do some work here as well, so I suppose I should stay in the guest room." She took another sip of tea, then stood. It was her signal that she didn't want to talk about why she was there.

Lisa understood and she, too, got to her feet. "I'll get fresh linen and towels for you. There's a second bathroom right across the hall from where you'll be sleeping."

Taryn nodded and followed Lisa into the kitchen. They deposited their cups in the sink, Lisa slapping Taryn's hand away when she started to turn on the tap. "I'll take care of it in the morning, silly.

Now come on and let's get you ready for bed."

Her face blushing for not the first time that night, Taryn felt shy and had no idea why. Then she remembered all that they'd done together and it made sense. Taryn, who was always cool and in

control, was suddenly asking someone else for help. She smiled and shrugged. "Lead the way," she said.

Lisa busied herself making the bed and searching for clothes that might fit Taryn. She spotted a couple of her brother's T-shirts and a pair of his Levi's. "Perfect," she said. "Thank you, big brother." She laid the clothes on the bed and went to check on Taryn. "Finding everything you need?" she asked.

Taryn pulled back the shower curtain and leaned out. "Shampoo?"

she asked, sheepishly. "My hair smells like cigarette smoke."

"Coming right up," Lisa replied. She went to the linen closet and pulled out an extra bottle of shampoo and conditioner. Wondering why Taryn's hair smelled like smoke, but afraid to ask, she handed her the shampoo and asked, "Is this okay?"

Taryn slipped her wet hand out to take the bottles. "Perfect," she said, smiling at her young hostess. "Do you give everyone such special attention?"

Lisa's heart fluttered and butterflies danced in her stomach. "Not everyone," she said. "Just the special ones." She winked at Taryn, turned and left the room before she had a chance to reply. Everything was ready and she needed to go back to bed, but Lisa was too wound up now. She decided to check her e-mail, answer a couple of letters, then hopefully be tired enough to go to sleep.

The sound of fingers pecking on a keyboard told Taryn that Lisa was still up. A towel wrapped around her, she knocked softly on Lisa's bedroom door. "Am I keeping you up?" she asked, a fretful look on her face.

Lisa smiled and shook her head. "No, I just thought I'd catch up on some correspondence. Late evening is a good time to sign on and send e-mail. The Internet is so busy during the day and early evening, I wait and log on late at night. I'm seriously considering cable service instead of modem."

"Oh," Taryn said. She was towel drying her hair, the soft curls bouncing lightly against her face and on her bare shoulders. She shivered when the cold air came into contact with her skin. "I see I'm not the only one who sleeps with the window open in the dead of winter," she said, pointing to Lisa's window.

"As long as I live at least two stories above ground, I figure it's safe," Lisa replied. "Even the windy city has better air quality in the winter." She grinned when Taryn scowled at her.

"Hey, don't go putting Chicago down." Taryn hated it when people from out of state moved to her adopted city, then grumbled about the cold, the crime rates and various other esoteric things people like to complain about. However, she was glad Lisa had relaxed enough to raze her about it. She tousled Lisa's hair and kissed her softly on the cheek. "Night," she whispered. "And thanks again for letting me stay here."

"No problem," Lisa replied. When the door closed, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. She touched her cheek where Taryn had kissed her, thinking how many different sides there were to this mysterious woman. She smiled and closed her e-mail. Maybe she would sleep well after all.

For Taryn, sleep seemed next to impossible. As she lay in bed, she realized for the first time how much she'd taken for granted. Who would have thought she'd ever question the choices she had made in her life three years ago? She'd been so infatuated with Debbie that she was convinced she wanted to be just like her. Now she wondered if this was no longer true. Was her initial role in Debbie's life indicative of the role best suited for her? Did she need someone else to be strong and controlling, make all the decisions in her life? Was she searching for that someone now?

"I hope not," Taryn whispered into the dark. She rolled onto her side and stared out into the evening sky. She thought of the woman in the other room, knowing that Lisa would probably do anything she asked. Then she thought about Kimberly, the strong-willed woman who was getting her first taste of another world, a lifestyle far different from any she'd ever known. She wondered what Kimberly would tell Mark. Would she lie to him? Tell him the truth? Or ignore him altogether? And what about Mark? Would he let Kimberly go without a fight? What about Camarin? Would she let go of Kimberly? Did Taryn want her to? She groaned and pulled the covers over her head. Too many complicating factors to be considered.

When the alarm went off at six o'clock that morning, Taryn was sleeping very soundly. "Figures," she grumbled. "I finally get to sleep and it's time to get up." Wearily, she made her way across the hall to the bathroom.

Lisa heard Taryn taking a shower. She went into the kitchen and flipped the switch on the coffeemaker. She'd prepared it the night before, using some of the new coffee beans she purchased. She'd ordered coffee for their staff meetings often enough to know Taryn's preferences. Mocha Java rated high on her list. Lisa couldn't help wondering, Did I purchase the coffee based on some premonition that this might happen ? She giggled to herself. "Wishful thinking, Lisa.

Just wishful thinking," she said aloud.

"What's wishful thinking?" Taryn asked. She was standing in the doorway with only a bath towel wrapped around her Lisa was startled by Taryn's sudden appearance. She smiled and walked over to where Taryn was standing. Leaning on her tiptoes, she kissed her softly on the mouth. It was all she could do to keep her hands off the bath towel.