Gun Brooke - Course of Action

"You know, that's what Jem told me after the luncheon. You were looking at me the entire time. Even then?"

"Even then."

Carolyn let her body slide back, ending up against the armrest of the couch, taking Annelie with her. "Why don't we just relax until Margo gets here? She's a smart lady, and she loves you."

"Okay." Annelie moved to the side and wrapped an arm and a leg around Carolyn, as if she needed as much contact as possible. "I'm so glad you're here. When do you need to go back to the studio?"

"Not till tomorrow."

Annelie sighed and relaxed more into her lover. "Good."

Carolyn closed her eyes. Annelie's soft lemony scent surrounded her, reminding her of Florida, and had the circumstances been different, nothing could have prevented her from making love to her.

***

Annelie inhaled Carolyn's musky scent, remembering how she first became aware of the soft perfume when Carolyn tried to kiss her at the luncheon weeks ago. It seemed longer than that; so many things had happened since then. Her heart was still hammering painfully, as if trying to break free from her rib cage. Every breath was hard, and she hated how the hurt of what her father had done seemed to permeate her body.

Carolyn had soothed her, helped her get the initial panic under control. Annelie was glad her lover had been the one to break the news to her. Falling apart was horrible, but doing it in front of Carolyn wasn't so bad. Realizing the implications of this thought, Annelie turned her head and kissed the soft cheek next to her on the cushion.

"What's that for?" Carolyn sounded drowsy.

"Because you're here."

Smiling with her eyes still closed, Carolyn turned her head and pressed her lips against Annelie's. "Yes, I am, and I'm not going anywhere."

The sound of Carolyn's throaty voice was reassuring. It wrapped around Annelie's heart like armor, and for a moment, she instinctively knew as long as Carolyn was there to love her, nothing could really pierce it.

The doorbell made her jump and sit up so quickly she almost shoved Carolyn onto the floor. "That must be Margo."

"How long was I asleep?" Carolyn asked, clutching at Annelie so she wouldn't fall off the couch. "Hey, easy there, she'll wait for you."

Annelie helped Carolyn regain her balance. "You slept an hour or so. I thought you were awake earlier. You talked to me."

"I did? What did I say?"

Turning her head over her shoulder as she walked toward the hallway, Annelie smiled softly. "Mushy stuff. Should've known you weren't quite lucid."

"Oh, funny," Carolyn muttered, winking at her. "Liar."

Margo strode in and wrapped Annelie up in a long, firm embrace.

"I've got you covered, girlie," she said, her Irish accent more noticeable than usual. "I have the best people setting the record straight. Don't you worry." She pulled back and gazed at Annelie. "Have I ever failed you?"

"Not for a second." Annelie swallowed. "It's just…"

"It hurts."

"Badly."

"Come on. Let's sit down and I'll fill you in."

They walked into the living room, Margo greeting Carolyn with a firm handshake. "Thank you for giving me the information so quickly. I'm in your debt."

"When it's about Annelie, I'll do just about anything to keep her safe and happy." Carolyn looked serious. "I was so angry I was ready to…I just knew you were the one to call—and that I needed to come home. I mean, back here." Seemingly not fazed in the least by her slip, Carolyn motioned toward the seat. "Why don't you go ahead and talk? I'll make some coffee."

"Thanks. Coffee's a given at this point." Margo grinned.

Margo's expression softened as Carolyn disappeared toward the kitchen. They sat down, Margo in the armchair and Annelie on the couch.

"She loves you."

It wasn't a question but Annelie replied, "Yes, she does. Fiercely."

"I'd have to be blind not to notice. I like her sense of loyalty. Anyway, let me give you some details. As you realize, Stuart Clint has surfaced in Los Angeles claiming you've neglected him all these years. He's trying to make you out to be a callous daughter who wants a halo for saving the masses instead of caring for an aging, loving father."

Annelie felt the blood drain from her face. "Oh, God."

"Don't worry, girlie. This bullshit isn't going to fly. Sorry for my language. I'm so furious, I'm losing my manners. Stuart hasn't given a damn about you for the last twenty-seven years—not one sign, word, or card from him—and now this. You know the private investigator we sometimes use at the firm? I called him, and this case is now his only priority until we have what we need. I should have all the papers we need from Chicago and California in a day or two."

Carolyn returned with a tray and placed it on the coffee table.

After handing the women on the couch a mug of steaming coffee each, she turned to walk out of the room.

"No, Carolyn, please stay. This concerns you too."

"Yes, stay," Annelie echoed, extending a hand.

"Sure, let me just grab my mug." Carolyn returned with her coffee and sat down next to Annelie. "I overheard the last part. So it's just a matter of keeping our cool for a couple of days, Margo?"

"Yes. I know it's hard on you, Annie, and I can only begin to fathom how you must hate this. He's making an even bigger idiot of himself, since there's no way he can prove anything he's saying."

"I have a theory about that," Carolyn said. "He's hoping Annelie will pay him off to keep him quiet. He's counting on her not having the balls to stand her ground and call his bluff."

Annelie's eyes widened at her lover's choice of words, as Carolyn's vehement tone revealed her fury.

"I couldn't have phrased it any better myself," Margo agreed. "This is a quick, ill-planned scheme for money, and nothing else."

Annelie put the mug down after a quick sip, shuddering as she leaned back against the couch. "I just hate how this affects my charities." Her voice broke and she swallowed twice to try and clear it. "Just the thought of people believing him…thinking such things about me…"

Carolyn moved closer and put an arm around her shoulders. "Now, don't let this get to you. People will find out the truth. The ones you count on would never believe him. In a few days we'll have it all sorted out, and he'll regret he ever tried this."

"He's my father," Annelie whispered. "How can he do this to his child, even if he left me…I just don't get it." Turning to Carolyn, she couldn't hold back the tears.

***

Annelie cried almost soundlessly against Carolyn's shoulder, making Carolyn and Margo exchange glances of sympathy and concern.

"You're going to be okay, honey," Margo promised. "Just let us do the job. You don't have to make a statement. I'll handle all that."

Annelie looked up, reaching for a box of Kleenex. "I can't ask you to…"

"Sure you can! I thought I'd make a statement to the press as soon as I have all the information I need, challenging this bastard to present any evidence of his accusations."

Carolyn was impressed with Margo's clear-thinking strategy. "For what it's worth, I think you're dead-on," she said. "Annelie should make a personal statement only when we have the proof."

"Exactly." Margo smirked.

"All right," Annelie said, blowing her nose. "Enough of these tears. I'm hungry."

"And I'm running late." Margo jumped up. "Have something to eat, ladies. I'll see myself out. Call you later, girlie." She waved and was out the front door.

"She's an Energizer bunny come alive." Carolyn smiled. "With her taking care of things, you'll be okay, love."

Annelie nodded. "I hope so."

"Why don't you make yourself comfortable? I'll see what's in the freezer."

"You're going to cook?"