No Boundaries (11 page)

“Yep. That would be her.”

Andi finished tying up the bag of treats and offered one to Churchill. “Here you go, Churchill, one peanut-butter-banana biscotti.”

He snuffled her hand for a moment before taking the crunchy biscuit into his mouth. His big droopy eyes peered up at her thankfully as he smacked his floppy jowls and chewed.

“Looks like that did the trick. Good as new,” Andi said, smiling to Mrs. Peterson.

“Can’t say the same about my shoe,” grumbled Mrs. Peterson, wiggling her toes.

Andi laughed.

“Where’d you say this new girl’s from?”

Andi could see Mrs. Peterson wasn’t quite satisfied with her fishing expedition just yet. “I’m not sure, but I bet you’ll find out soon enough.”

“Fine, you don’t want to talk about it.”

“I’m sure you’ll have plenty of opportunity to talk to her yourself, or maybe the boys at the diner already have the scoop.”

Mrs. Peterson eyed her for a moment before responding. “Well, the church usually sends out a welcoming committee to visit new residents. Perhaps I’ll volunteer. I don’t see why you don’t want to talk about her though.”

Mrs. Peterson brought one of the treats up to her nose and sniffed it before giving it to the dog. “It’s about time you had a visitor. You’d think you were as old as me, the way you stay shut up in that house all the time.”

Mrs. Peterson changed the direction of the conversation so quickly Andi was caught off guard. Andi put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side. “If I didn’t know better, Mrs. Peterson, I’d think you’re worried about me.”

“Well, I suppose I am. And I’m not the only one, you know. We all love the way you look after everyone and take care of things in town. But you’re still young. You need to be with people your own age from time to time. It would be good for you.”

Andi was shocked by the caring and warmth. She hadn’t expected this from Mrs. Peterson.

“Thank you.” Andi laid a hand gently on Mrs. Peterson’s arm. She was touched by the sincerity and caring and knew it was a rare showing for the usually gruff old woman. Andi realized in that moment that she hadn’t been living as isolated a life as she’d thought. She cared about the people of this town, and they were showing her they cared for her too. Perhaps the only walls she had built had been in her own mind. She smiled, realizing Gwen wasn’t the only one who had found a way into her heart.

The old gray eyes peered at her as if looking into her soul. “All right then, let’s go, Churchill.” Mrs. Peterson tugged on the leash, encouraging the stubborn old dog to cooperate. He lumbered out the door ahead of her, his tail swaying contentedly.

Andi smiled as she watched the old pair amble down the sidewalk. She thought about what Mrs. Peterson had said about Gwen, about Andi spending time with people her own age. How about that? If she didn’t know better, she’d say Mrs. Peterson was trying to fix her up.

Gwen sat in her office, mindlessly petting Zeek’s head as she stared at her computer blankly, the data she was supposed to be entering almost forgotten. Every time she tried to work on the boring numbers, her mind would drift to visions of Andi. It was as if she could feel Andi’s lips against her mouth. She squirmed in her chair and shook her head, trying to focus on her work. A forceful knock at the door aroused Zeek from her slumber, and she went bounding down the hall, her booming voice echoing around the house.

Gwen made her way down the hall, her excitement growing. She hoped it was Andi stopping by for another visit. To her surprise and mild disappointment, three women with silver-gray hair stood at her door.

“Hello,” Gwen said, “can I help you?”

“Hello, we’re the welcoming committee from the Baptist church. We just wanted to stop by and welcome you to Norris and of course invite you to join us for services this Sunday.”

Gwen cringed inwardly. She wasn’t much of a church person and wasn’t really sure how she should handle the situation. She knew she had moved into the Bible Belt and hadn’t failed to notice that there were at least five churches in the small town of only 1300 residents. But she hadn’t expected a personal visit. It wasn’t that she wasn’t a spiritual person in her own way, but she wasn’t much into organized religion. Gwen studied the three women curiously. They seemed harmless enough. Gwen smiled to herself, amused by her caution regarding three little old ladies. She would just wing it and see what happened.

“Well, thank you, ladies. Would you like to come in for some tea?”

“Oh no, dear, that’s not necessary. We’re just happy to have you with us. We won’t keep you.” The shortest of the women was obviously acting as the spokesperson for the group. “Here is a small welcoming gift from the church.”

Gwen took the basket, pleased by the warm welcome. “Thank you.” Perhaps her trepidation was unfounded.

The woman pointed to the basket. “It isn’t much really, just some local honey, blueberries from the local farm, a map of the watershed, a list of our church services, some cookies—and I think Iva put in a few dog treats.”

Gwen smiled. “This is wonderful.”

The tallest of the group peered past Gwen into the house and finally spoke. “I see you’ve been hard at work with the house. Have you been able to meet any of the neighbors yet?”

“A few. I’ve ventured to the diner and the grocery. Everyone’s been very kind.”

“That’s quite a dog you have there. I hope you’ve had a chance to visit the Pet Guardian, our local pet-supply store. Andi is just wonderful. She can get you anything you need and she bakes the most wonderful dog treats. My dog can’t live without ’em.”

Gwen smiled at the mention of Andi. “Oh yes. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Andi. She has a wonderful place. She’s rescued Zeek here already. We had our first run-in with a skunk, night before last. I don’t know what we would have done without her help.”

Gwen couldn’t help but feel the woman was looking for something as she seemed to scrutinize her from head to toe. Gwen wasn’t used to neighbors dropping by the house, but she was growing used to the guys at the diner checking up on her and being in everybody’s business.

“Wonderful,” the old woman said with a wry smile.

“Well,” the smallest of the women said, “I’m Margaret Gleeson, this is Evelyn Mathers”—she pointed to the silent woman on her right, who smiled shyly—“and this is Iva Peterson.” She gestured to the tall woman. “If you need anything, please let us know. We do hope you’ll join us at the church sometime.”

“Thank you. It was very sweet of you to drop by like this. I’m Gwen Palmer and this is Zeek.”

Gwen shook hands with each of the women, smiling broadly. She noticed that Mrs. Peterson gripped her hand firmly, holding on to her hand a moment longer than was customary. She met the steel-gray eyes that seemed to look into her soul. She thought she saw something pass behind the woman’s gaze. Was it a question? A judgment? No. It seemed more like she had recognized something and was almost pleased with the revelation.

“Are you sure you won’t come inside?” Gwen said, drawing her hand away.

“Thank you, dear,” Margaret answered for the group. “We’ll be on our way. We still have to prepare the decorations for the single-senior dance this weekend. It was good meeting you, Gwen.”

The three ladies turned and made their way down the walk where they waved good-bye. Gwen couldn’t believe what had happened. She had never lived anywhere like this before. It was just one more thing to love about the town.

She went back to her office and sat down at her computer, determined to get her work done this time. She didn’t want projects piling up and getting in the way of her plans for the weekend. She didn’t want anything stopping her from seeing Andi. It had only been a day since she had seen Andi and it felt like an eternity. All she could think about was their kiss. The idea of having an entire day with Andi was a dream. She felt like she was finally seeing the real Andi, the person she had glimpsed on that first day in Norris. Gwen smiled. She couldn’t wait to know more about Andi. Based on what she had tasted so far, she knew she wanted to know everything.

She glanced at the welcome basket sitting on her desk. She would have to ask Andi about the church group too. Maybe she could shed some light on this mystery.

Still smiling, she pulled the pile of papers closer and went to work.

*

It had been a long week. Andi had stuck to her routine and hadn’t contacted Gwen since the day of the kiss. But the closer it came to Sunday, she found herself growing more anxious. She had questioned everything that had happened between her and Gwen. She hoped the distance of the past couple of days would have helped her get a grip on her feelings, but she’d been wrong. With each passing hour she grew more restless. She found herself thinking about Gwen at the most unusual times, which had resulted in more than one error in her work. Just this morning she realized she had put peanut-butter dog-training treats in Goliath’s food bowl instead of cat food. He hadn’t been amused.

Andi had never taken anyone on the lake with her before, and the thought of going with Gwen made her feel both excited and nervous. She liked wanting to spend time with someone, and being attracted to Gwen made her all the more restless. Despite the nagging feeling that she should limit her time with Gwen and her fear of getting close to someone again, Andi couldn’t help but feel excited. She was tired of feeling lonely. She was tired of pretending she didn’t need anyone. And honestly, Gwen was just so damn irresistible.

She decided she would load the boats on the Jeep when she got home, so she wouldn’t have to worry about it in the morning. She had already planned where they would put the boats in and where she wanted to take Gwen.

Andi jumped, startled by the ringing of the phone. “The Pet Guardian, how can I help you?”

“Hi, Andi, this is Gwen.”

Andi’s heart stopped. This was it. Gwen had come to her senses and was canceling.

“I thought I’d check in and make sure we’re still on for tomorrow.”

“Of course,” Andi answered, trying to hide the tremor in her voice, the flood of relief making her light-headed. “How do you feel about going early, maybe around eight?”

“Sounds great to me. Do you want me to meet you at your place?”

“No. I’ll pick you up. Be dressed to get wet. We’ll be using the sit-on-top kayaks, and water will splash all over you. It also makes it easier if you want to go for a swim.” Andi shivered as she imagined Gwen’s skin wet and glistening in the sun.

“I can’t wait. What do I need to bring?”

“Nothing really, your ID is all you might need. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Wow, you’re really making this easy for me. Is there
anything
I can do?”

Andi thought about the question, images of Gwen’s arms around her making her skin tingle. “Nope, I think I’ve got it covered.”

“Then there is no way I can convince you to see me tonight?”

Andi smiled. She liked knowing Gwen wanted to see her. “I’d like to, but I have a lot of work to do at the store tonight, and I want to make sure I’m ready for tomorrow.”

“Okay, I give. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Tomorrow it is.” Andi hung up the phone. She knew she would be taking Gwen to some of her most treasured places on the lake and was sure to expose things about herself in the process. She sighed. She was nervous, but not afraid. She couldn’t wait. Andi felt more alive knowing she would be sharing something she loved with Gwen. She’d been safe in Norris for three years now. Safe and alone. Surely one day on the lake with Gwen wasn’t too great a risk for them both.

Gwen was standing on the porch clutching a cup of coffee when Andi pulled into her drive at exactly eight o’clock. She had been driving herself crazy, thinking Andi would change her mind. She was beginning to feel Andi could be someone really important in her life, and she feared Andi might not be looking for the same things she was. Andi’s reluctance to spend time with her had further fueled her insecurities. But as soon as she saw Andi, she couldn’t hold back the smile that burst across her face. Relief washed over her, instantly followed by joy, and she bounded down the steps to join Andi.

“Good morning,” Gwen said as she climbed into the Jeep.

“Good morning.”

Andi was quiet and let the Jeep idle as Gwen settled into her seat and buckled her seatbelt.

“Ready,” Gwen said, eager to start their adventure.

Andi put the Jeep in reverse, resting her arm lightly on the back of Gwen’s seat while she backed out of the drive. Gwen watched Andi’s every move. Her excitement was beginning to get the best of her, and she leaned over and placed a kiss on Andi’s cheek. She hadn’t thought about what she was doing—she just had to kiss her.

Andi met Gwen’s gaze for the first time that morning, her green eyes as vibrant as fresh summer grass after a rain. Gwen smiled mischievously.

“Stop it,” Andi said with a laugh.

“Stop what? Gwen said, feigning innocence. “I’m just looking.”

“Uh-huh.”

It was a beautiful clear morning. Faint wisps of fog played along the surface of the water as they put the kayaks into the lake at the marina by the dam. Gwen marveled at the beauty of the scenery surrounding her. Everywhere she looked there was beauty. The mountains seemed to spring up out of the silent misty waters, the sky was a perfect cloudless blue, and the air was clean and crisp. It was perfect.

The water was warm and the air was cool, and Gwen’s skin broke into goose bumps as she waded into the water to get close to a family of ducks playing along the dock, looking for handouts.

“Hey, daydreamer, do you plan on getting in that boat sometime today?”

Gwen pulled her attention from the ducks back to Andi. Her mouth fell open slightly at the sight of Andi in her boat. Long, lean legs extended, their toned muscles tanned by the sun. Her bare arms rippled with her movements as she worked the paddle. A pale blue-and-white tie-dyed scarf covered her head, pulling her hair back from her face. Her PFD covered her chest but left the taut muscles of her stomach exposed.

Gwen was stunned by the picture of Andi, relaxed and beautiful, surrounded by water, rocks, and mountains. The sun seemed to sparkle in her eyes like the glowing embers of a slow-burning fire. Warmth spread through Gwen’s body with a dizzying effect that made her feel intoxicated.

She took a step to climb into her boat and lost her footing. She stumbled, grasping desperately for her boat to catch herself, but fell back into the water as the boat slipped from her fingers. She came to the surface of the water sputtering, still trying to gain her balance. Water dripped from her soaking hair down her face. She finally stopped fighting and allowed herself to float freely in the water as she brushed strands of wet hair back from her face.

The sound of laughter cut through her confusion, and she opened her eyes to see Andi holding her boat, covering her mouth with her free hand, trying not to laugh.

Gwen smiled, and then broke into laughter herself.

“Okay. Not my most graceful moment.”

“Don’t worry. Consider yourself christened,” Andi said. “Now if you’re finished with your swim, would you like to try the kayak?”

“Very funny,” Gwen grumbled and skimmed the palm of her hand across the surface of the lake, spraying Andi with cool drops of water.

Andi squealed as the shower hit her. But before Gwen could get the upper hand, Andi angled her paddle and gave the water a swipe, effectively silencing Gwen’s laughter with a much more significant wave.

“Okay, okay. You win,” Gwen called, her hands held in the air in surrender. She made her way unsteadily to her kayak. Andi held the craft steady as Gwen climbed inside. Her reassuring smile warmed Gwen and she found herself staring—Andi was beautiful, but when she smiled it was as if a bank of clouds had parted, letting the sun shine through, lighting Andi’s eyes with electrifying radiance. Andi wasn’t like anyone Gwen had ever known, and in that moment she felt overwhelmingly grateful for the changes in her life that had led her to this quiet little town.

What?” Andi asked, interrupting Gwen’s reverie.

Gwen grinned and shrugged as she shifted in her boat. “Just really glad to be here.”

Andi quirked an eyebrow at Gwen. “Okay then, let’s see what else we can get into.”

Andi set a slow pace at first. She gave Gwen pointers on how to hold the paddle, techniques for her stroke, and how to use her core muscles so her arms didn’t tire too easily. Gwen was a quick study.

Andi looked at Gwen suspiciously. “Hey, are you sure you haven’t done this before?”

“Well, I didn’t exactly say I hadn’t done it before,” Gwen admitted.

“Okay, smarty-pants, let’s see what you’ve got. I’ll race you to that fallen tree on the other side of the cove.”

Before Gwen could answer, Andi surged forward.

“Hey, no fair,” Gwen called out, then gripped the paddle and made a swift stroke, accepting the challenge. She leaned forward, putting more strength into her stoke. The boat surged forward with each pass of the paddle through the water’s surface, gliding across the water as if skating across ice. She was close enough that she could see the muscles in Andi’s shoulders ripple with each movement of her arms alternately lifting the paddle from the water and pulling through her stroke. Despite her efforts, Gwen couldn’t catch Andi, but as she watched the movements of Andi’s body, she wasn’t disappointed.

Andi’s boat glided beneath the fallen tree and emerged on the other side, just as Gwen coasted up to her. Gwen was having a good time and loved this playful side of Andi.

“About time you showed up, slowpoke.”

Gwen laughed. “You cheated.”

Andi shrugged. “Whatever you need to tell yourself,” she teased, exhilarated by the challenge and enamored with the weightlessness of her heart. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so happy. Andi marveled at the joy permeating her usually impermeable defenses.

The morning passed quickly, and much too soon the sound of motor boats intruded upon their solitude.

“Come on,” Andi said, “the traffic is starting to pick up. Let go somewhere a little less hectic.”

Gwen followed Andi to a secluded cove that the motor boats couldn’t enter due to the narrow, shallow passage. Andi put up her hand, signaling to Gwen to stop. When Gwen’s boat glided up to hers, Andi reached out and grasped the shell. With her paddle nestled in her lap, she lifted her other hand and pointed to an area just inside the foliage.

Gwen gasped, and Andi realized she’d spotted the small fawn. Andi watched Gwen’s face as her eyes widened as the young deer made its way to the water’s edge. Gwen glanced at Andi, the awe at what they were seeing plain in her face, and caught Andi watching her. Gwen jerked her attention back to the deer but gasped and grabbed Andi’s hand when the fawn waded into the water and swam across to the other side. Andi had never seen anything so pure, so innocent, and so wonderful as Gwen’s expression in that moment.

“That was so beautiful,” Gwen whispered.

“Yes, beautiful,” Andi said reverently.

They beached the kayaks on a sandy bank and watched the sun glisten across the water. Andi pulled two water bottles out of the dry pack. She had frozen the water the night before, and it was still cold. She handed a bottle to Gwen, who quickly twisted the cap free and lifted the bottle to her lips, taking a long drink.

Gwen couldn’t draw her eyes way from Andi’s lips as the translucent liquid spilled into her mouth. She remembered how soft Andi’s lips were, and she stifled the urge to reach out and brush a drop of water from the corner of Andi’s mouth. She felt something inside her shift, lifting another barrier in her heart, and she opened a little more to Andi. She tried to shake the sensation by busying herself with her own water bottle, but she could feel an invisible link growing between them. She tried to temper her feelings, reminding herself how easily she could get hurt if Andi sent her away again. But it was well past the time for caution. She wanted Andi. She wanted her in her life. She wanted to love her.

When she was with Andi, the sun seemed brighter and the air fresher than she had remembered, and she felt changed as a result. Her skin tingled with the warmth of the sun as a breeze brushed across her body making her shiver. Maybe the reason she had never mattered to anyone was because she was looking in the wrong places. More than anything, she wanted to be someone who deserved Andi.

Gwen reached out and took Andi’s hand.

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

Andi’s smile was earnest and she glanced away.

“I was really nervous about asking you to come with me. I’ve never brought anyone out on the lake before.”

“Really, why not?”

Andi looked thoughtful as she gazed out over the water.

“This has always been mine. Something that takes me away from everything that goes on in the world. Out here I’m free.”

Gwen waited, feeling there was more that Andi hadn’t said. She watched Andi’s gaze roam from one point to another, and she wished she could read her thoughts. She thought she understood what it had meant for Andi to bring her here, and her heart filled to bursting as she grew more and more enamored by the beauty and complexity of her.

After a few moments of silence, Andi dropped her head and laughed softly. She squeezed Gwen’s hand and glanced up at her. “Besides, I never had anyone I wanted to ask,” she said in a quiet voice.

Gwen smiled. “That’s hard to believe. I imagine there are lots of women who would love to be here with you.”

Andi’s eyes dulled and grew distant. “No. Not for a very long time.”

Gwen could hear the hurt in Andi’s voice and saw the flicker of pain that stole the smile from her lips. Gwen felt the pain, dull in her chest, as if it were her own when she saw Andi’s smile fade as if stolen by a memory. She wanted nothing more than to bring that smile back. Her heart longed for it.

She moved closer and placed her arm around Andi’s waist, pulling her next to her.

“There is no where I would rather be at this moment than here with you.”

Andi turned her face to Gwen, the corner of her mouth curving into a faint smile. “Me too,” she said, pressing her lips to Gwen’s, a gentle brush of soft skin.

Gwen smiled as Andi pulled away. She wanted to pull Andi into her and kiss her back, but she was frozen in place, the sound of her racing heart pulsing in her ears. Instead, Gwen leaned closer, relishing the soft feel of Andi’s skin against her shoulder as she turned her gaze out over the water.

The day was really beginning to heat up, and Gwen reached up and brushed a bead of sweat from Andi’s temple.

Andi smiled at Gwen. “I’m ready for a swim,” she said as she stood and stripped off her PFD, revealing a lean torso with a gentle curve of muscle that ran along her side, framing her flat stomach. Gwen was breathless at the sight of Andi’s body. She stared wordlessly, watching Andi walk into the water until only her head bobbed above the surface. Gwen’s stomach tensed and her insides tingled when Andi leaned back and allowed the water to rush across her head, pulling her bandanna from her hair. Andi captured the wayward fabric in her hand and brushed the water from her face.

Gwen swept her hand across her mouth, her fingers over her lips, wanting the touch to be Andi’s. She watched Andi swim for a long time. It was like watching an angel. She had to make herself sit still so she wouldn’t follow Andi into the water. She wanted to feel Andi’s slick wet skin glide against her own. She wanted to run her fingers through Andi’s hair and kiss the tender exposed skin of her neck.

“You should come in—the water is wonderful,” Andi called out, grinning.

Gwen shuddered, trying to control the urge to go to Andi. Things were going so well. She didn’t want to risk doing anything that might push Andi away again.

“I took my swim this morning, remember?” She hoped Andi couldn’t hear the desire that she knew was thick in her voice.

“I remember,” Andi said with a chuckle. “But the water is much more inviting now that the sun is fully up.”

Gwen hesitated, warring with herself. But Andi had made the invitation, and that was all Gwen needed to rationalize her decision. She stood up and pulled her shirt over her head. She wasn’t about to pass up an invitation to be close to Andi, although she was sure what she was thinking was not what Andi had in mind.

Gwen stretched out her arms in front of her as she walked into the water and pushed herself under in a swift lunge. “This feels wonderful,” she said as her head broke the surface only a few feet away from Andi. “How do you get up and go to work every day when you could be doing this?”

A broad smile broke across Andi’s face and she laughed. “I schedule my days so I can get out here several times a week if I want. It’s one of the perks of being self-employed.”

“No kidding. This is heaven.” Gwen swam a little closer, testing Andi’s limits, wanting to see if Andi would move away. She smiled when Andi didn’t move. Maybe things with Andi could be different. She didn’t want to think that Andi was like all the other women who had seen her as a temporary amusement. And she wanted there to be more between them. She decided to be content with letting things reveal themselves slowly, and she tilted her head back and allowed her body to float to the surface. She closed her eyes and drank in the warmth of the sun on her face and the gentle lap of the water against her skin.

Andi watched Gwen float in the water, mesmerized by the peacefulness she felt. She wondered about her first impression of Gwen as a pushy overconfident player. That image seemed wildly incongruent with the picture of the woman in front of her now. She was beginning to realize there was much more to Gwen Palmer. She had shown kindness and gentleness with a hint of the protectiveness that Andi craved. She sighed deeply and lifted her feet to join Gwen in her worship of the sun.