Return To The Shore: Lesbian Romance (The Jersey Girls Book 4) Read online

  RETURN TO THE SHORE

  By

  Lydia Rose

  Edited By Holly Schneider

  FOR LINDA ALWAYS

  CHAPTER 1

  Erin Walters was walking into the house she called home for the last two years smiling. The house belonged to her wife’s grandmother, but when Erin and Jane decided they wanted to live together, Abby invited them to make her house their home. Abby even turned over the master bedroom to them and chose to sleep in one of the smaller rooms on the first floor. Erin’s life had completely changed when she met the green-eyed beauty at a car accident that Jane had had. Erin went from no family to enjoying Jane’s family. She now had a grandmother and a mother and father in-law. They had taken one look into each other’s eyes and both were taken. Grant you, it took Jane a little longer to get on board with her feelings. Jane always knew she was a lesbian, but she had never been with anyone in her thirty-three years. It took Erin’s love to break down those walls and now they were living in wedded bliss. Jane’s food store was doing well and she and her business partner Denny still had a cooking show on the Food Network. Erin had gone from police officer in this little beach town to detective after her undercover work with the FBI to take down a drug lord.

  Erin walked into the kitchen knowing she’d find Abby in her usual place at this time of the day. “Hi, Abby,” Erin said kissing her cheek as she stirred something in a pot.

  “Hi, dear. How was your day?”

  “I was busier when I was a cop. Now I sit around an office waiting for something to happen,” Erin said with a laugh.

  “I’m sorry, but I won’t wish for something serious to happen so you will have to investigate,” Abby pointed with her wooden spoon to emphasize her words.

  “That’s okay, Abby. I’m going to look into some cold cases to keep myself busy.” Erin stole a carrot from the salad.

  “Hey,” Abby said, swiping her hand at Erin. “Go get washed up and changed. Jane will be here shortly.”

  “I can take a hint.” Erin kissed her cheek again before she left the kitchen.

  A few minutes later, Jane came in the front door. “Hello,” Jane called out.

  Abby stepped out of the kitchen. “Go get washed up. Dinner will be ready shortly.”

  Erin turned for the stairs.

  “Don’t you two get started with something you can’t finish,” Abby scolded before Jane was halfway up the stairs.

  Jane was still laughing as she walked into the bedroom.

  “What’s so funny?” Erin asked, coming out the bathroom dressed in a pair of shorts and t-shirt.

  “My grandmother,” Jane answered as she kissed Erin with a deep kiss.

  “What a kiss,” Erin said holding tightly to Jane. “So what did Abby say?”

  “Not to start something we couldn’t finish.” Jane came back for another kiss.

  When they broke apart, Erin said, “She knows us too well.”

  “Girls,” Abby called from the bottom of the stairs.

  Erin patted Jane’s butt. “Go get washed up and I’ll go down.”

  “You better before I won’t let you out of this room,” Jane said with a wink.

  Erin came down the stairs quickly and went into the kitchen.

  “Where is Jane?” Abby asked.

  “She’ll be right down, Abby.” Erin helped put the food on the table.

  The dinner conversation was light and happy. Both women shared their day and Abby just watched as the two women interacted with each other. She was so happy that they had accepted her offer to move in. Her days would have been lonely if Jane had left to live with Erin. Her daughter who retired to Florida with her husband only spent a month during the summer in New Jersey. Yes, it would have been a lonely time for Abby without Erin and Jane. Their conversation brought her out of her thoughts.

  “Sandy and Ginger invited us to a barbecue on Sunday. You aren’t working are you?” Erin asked Jane.

  “I was, but I’m sure I can change some things around. Who else is coming?”

  “Casey and whoever she is dating, Susan, Carol, Jen, Reese, Kelly and Kate.”

  “You are getting better, honey,” Jane said laughing. “At least this way I know how many will be there so I can bring something.”

  “Sandy already said for you not to bring anything. She knows you and they are taking care of everything.”

  “It will be nice for Jen and Reese to have a day away from the kids.”

  Jennifer and Reese have a daughter seven and a son five, and since Erin moved into the house, the four women had become good friends.

  “I’m sure they don’t feel the same way,” Abby said with a wave of her hand. “Those two women love those kids.”

  “Of course they do, Gran. But sometimes it’s nice to have an adult conversation. Reese has admitted that to me. They are both lucky that her parents live next door.”

  “I know,” Abby said. “Carol and Richard are thrilled with their grandchildren. Your own mother and grandmother would be thrilled if there were little ones running around this house.”

  Erin choked on her water.

  “Don’t get upset, honey. It’s not like you can get me accidently pregnant.” Jane was laughing, but somehow it seemed forced. She and Erin had talked about kids before they got married, but always said that discussion was best left for the future. Now at thirty-five and Erin thirty-seven, the future was creeping up on them.

  Erin wiped her mouth and looked at Jane. She had laughed at Abby’s statement, but there was something there that she hadn’t seen before. Under the table, she squeezed Jane’s knee. Their eyes met and Erin smiled at her.

  CHAPTER 2

  Jane and Erin walked into the backyard of their friends Sandy and Ginger. Jane insisted they come early to see if she could be of any help since Sandy wouldn’t let her bring anything to the barbecue. Erin had called Sandy this morning to warn her of Jane’s plan.

  “My helpers are here,” Sandy said walking over. “How are you two?” she asked grabbing each of them in a hug.

  “Fine, honey,” Jane answered. “The yard looks great. What can I do to help?”

  Erin stood behind Jane and rolled her eyes. Sandy and Erin met years ago at a party similar to this one. Her dark hair and blue eyes made most women take a second look at her, but Sandy’s heart belonged to her wife Ginger. Ginger had blond hair and dark eyes, and she only had eyes for Sandy. They were both in their middle forties and had been together almost twenty years. The two women fell in love with Jane from the moment Erin introduced them.

  “You can make that famous dressing of yours for the salad. I just hope I have everything that you’ll need to make it.”

  Jane put her arm through Sandy’s and they walked toward the patio door.

  The women greeted Ginger as they walked into the house. “Erin, you can help me fill the coolers with drinks.”

  “So what do you need for the dressing?” Sandy asked ready to retrieve the ingredients.

  Jane went through the list and they both brought what was needed to the center island. Sandy now watched closely as Jane made the salad dressing. She pulled one item out of her purse. “I knew you might not have this item.”

  “It looks so easy, but I never would have figured you put anchovies in there.”

  Jane giggled. “Don’t tell Erin. She thinks she doesn’t like anchovies, but she loves this dressing. It’s the only way I can get her to eat a salad or fresh vegetables.”

  “Your secret is safe with me. I think I might have to keep this from Ginger too, because she hates anchovies.” They both laughed as
the patio door opened.

  “What’s so funny?” Erin asked.

  “Nothing. Just girl talk,” Sandy answered waving her hand.

  Ginger and Erin grabbed a couple cases of beer and some bottles of wine and returned outside.

  “Have you and Ginger ever thought about having kids?” Jane asked quietly.

  “We talked about it, but it never went further than that. We both work hard and enjoy what we do. Besides, it’s too late now. We’re older than you two.” Sandy moved closer to Jane. “Are you two talking about having kids?”

  “No, not really, but my grandmother was talking about Jen and Reese’s kids the other day and said she would love for kids to be running around her house.”

  “She got you thinking?” Sandy asked touching Jane’s hand.

  “Yeah.” Jane didn’t want to admit that she had been thinking about children for a long while now.

  “Have you talked to Erin about this?”

  “No. She nearly spit her water across the table when my grandmother talked about kids.”

  “You know that girl would do anything for you.” Sandy emphasized with a hug.

  “I wouldn’t want her to do it for me. Knowing her, she’d run off and go undercover again just to get away from me.” Jane tried to laugh, but instead her throat constricted. Erin had almost lost her life when she went undercover. Erin said it was nothing, but Jane knew that she put herself in harm’s way to save her FBI partner.

  Sandy squeezed Jane again and kissed her forehead.

  Erin chose that moment to come back inside. “Hey, that’s my girl.”

  Sandy and Jane laughed as they separated.

  “You mean I can’t take her for a test drive?” Sandy asked, trying to allow Jane time to get her emotions under control.

  “Not a chance. Do you want me to tell your wife you’re looking for a new model?” Erin teased.

  “Go ahead,” Sandy said, sticking out her tongue.

  Erin looked at Jane who wasn’t laughing. She had a smile on her face, but Erin knew her well enough to know that smile was forced.

  Ginger poked her head in the door and said the rest of the guests had arrived. Sandy headed for the door leaving the two women alone.

  “Are you okay?” Erin asked, holding Jane around her waist.

  Jane smiled again. “Fine.”

  “You’re not going to tell me what you two were talking about are you?” Erin asked taking Jane’s hand for a moment.

  “Nothing to tell, honey. Let’s go outside and join the party.” She took Erin’s hand and led her out the door.

  All the women sat at a banquet-style round table so no one would be left out of the conversation.

  Jane looked at Reese and asked, “How are the kids?”

  “Elizabeth is tormenting her brother at the moment. Noah wants to be wherever Elizabeth is and that is not sitting well with our daughter,” Reese said taking Jen’s hand. “She doesn’t want him near her toys,” Reese laughed. “She won’t let him into her room.”

  Erin chuckled. “I don’t know how you two do it.”

  “Who are you kidding, Erin. Every time you are in the backyard you hop over the fence to play with the kids.”

  “Yes, but the difference is once they’ve exhausted me, I hop right back to my side and take a nap on the couch.”

  Everyone laughed except Jane. Sandy’s eyes followed Jane as she got up and threw her plate into the garbage can.

  Jennifer and Reese didn’t miss Jane’s sad eyes as Erin spoke. They had seen it before with friends. One spouse wanted a child and the other didn’t. The sad thing was Erin was oblivious to what Jane was feeling.

  The women were now sitting around joking and having a good time. Jennifer leaned toward Erin and whispered, “Come out front with me for a minute.”

  Erin looked at her not understanding, but followed. “We’ll be right back,” Erin said with a shrug.

  Once out front, Jennifer asked, “So how are things going with you and Jane?”

  “Fantastic. I never thought I would be this happy, Jen,” Erin grinned. “I always envied Sandy and Susan when they found loving partners.” Erin’s grin widened. “Now I’m part of that group along with you and Reese.” Then she looked at Jennifer seriously. “Why? Has Jane said something to Reese that she wasn’t happy?”

  Jennifer laughed, “No, you idiot, but you should listen more to your wife. Even when she isn’t saying something.”

  “I do,” Erin said rolling her eyes. “What do you mean?”

  Jennifer just shook her head and they walked back into the yard.

  When they went back into the backyard, Kelly was sitting on Kate’s lap laughing. Erin stood back watching the scene in front of her. She hadn’t spent a lot of time with this couple, but the love they had for one another was evident in their playful banter. The two women had been together for the last seven years and were kissing each other like newlyweds. Kate was older than Kelly by five years, but it didn’t seem to matter to the two women. Their light brown hair was similar to each other and it was only the eye color that was different. Kate’s eyes were blue and Kelly’s green. There was no doubt when you looked at these two women how much they loved each other.

  “Is this about to turn into an orgy?” Erin asked as she approached the rest of the group.

  “Yeah,” Sandy said. “Do you want to join in?”

  “Not particularly. I’m like Elizabeth,” Erin said looking at Reese. “I don’t like sharing my toys.”

  Jane patted her lap. “So I’m one of your toys now?” she asked as Erin took a seat across Jane’s lap.

  “My favorite toy in the world,” she said before stealing a kiss.

  Casey and her date were the only ones not participating in the fun banter. She had told Erin that her relationship with Karen was nearing its end. Erin wanted nothing more than for her best friend to be as happy as the rest of the group. Erin got off Jane’s lap.

  “I don’t want to break your tiny little legs,” she said as she stood.

  Jane slapped Erin’s bottom. “I’m stronger than you think,” she said with a pout.

  “Oh, I know just how strong you are,” Erin said with a private grin. Just the night before Jane had flipped Erin over on her back with such force she thought she was about to be thrown off the bed. Their passion for each other grew every day that they were together. Just thinking about making love with Jane caused her heart to constrict with passion. She couldn’t wait to get home and make love to Jane.

  Jane recognized that look and whispered, “Later, honey.”

  Jennifer and Reese were the first to stand. “Ladies, we’ve had a great time, but it’s getting late.”

  “Miss your kids?” Erin asked.

  “Reese’s parents are keeping them for the night,” she said with a wink.

  “Oh, it’s alone time for the two moms,” Erin said giggling.

  “Wait until you have kids, you’ll be thankful you have a night alone with your wife.”

  “Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about alone time with my wife,” Erin said, but caught the look on Jane’s face. Now she wondered what she had done wrong.

  Jane stood up too anxious to end the evening. She went over to the other women and hugged them all. When she got to Sandy, Erin watched as she whispered something into Jane’s ear. Erin couldn’t hear what was said, but she watched as Jane’s head nodded up and down.

  “Good night and thanks for a great day,” Erin said taking Jane’s hand.

  Once in the car, Erin turned to Jane. “Are you all right?”

  Jane nodded, but didn’t speak.

  “Are you sure I didn’t do anything wrong?” Erin went over in her head what she could have possibly done to make Jane so sad. She wondered if someone had said something hurtful to her.

  “Everything is fine,” Jane said unconvincingly.

  “Did someone say something to you?” Erin was grasping at straws trying to figure out what had happened.

/>   “Erin, I’m fine. Let’s go home.”

  The few blocks to their house passed in silence. Abby was in the living room watching TV as they walked into the house.

  “Good night, Gran,” Jane said, already on the stairs.

  Somehow Erin knew that she should leave Jane alone for a while. She sat down on the couch next to Abby.

  “Is everything okay, Erin?” Abby asked concerned.

  Erin shrugged before she answered, “Jane’s seemed off these last few days and today even more so. I don’t know if I did something wrong,” she sighed loudly. “Jane said I didn’t, but somehow I don’t believe her.”

  Abby remained quiet and allowed Erin to continue talking.

  “Even Jen asked me if Jane was happy.”

  “Why did she ask you that?” Abby asked furrowing her eyebrows in question.

  “I don’t know. We were talking about their two kids and then she wanted to talk to me alone,” Erin said as her voice showed how frightened she was of losing Jane.

  “Did anyone make a comment about Elizabeth and Noah?” Abby asked hoping for some answers.

  “No. I did say I don’t know how they do it.”

  “Do what?” Abby asked.

  “Chase two kids around the house. Anytime I’ve played with them, they have worn me out in no time.” Erin laughed at her own statement.

  “Did you really say that?” Abby asked and slapped Erin’s arm.

  “Yeah, something like that.” Erin rested her head on the back cushion.

  “What else was said about kids?” Abby knew she was getting somewhere.

  Erin shrugged. “Jen did say wait until you have kids,” she grumbled. “I said something about no way.”

  Abby chuckled. “For a detective, you are clueless.”

  “Huh?” Erin asked.

  Abby tilted her head and looked at Erin.

  “You think Jane wants to have a baby?” The fear was evident in Erin’s face as she asked. They had talked about that years ago, but they always said that was for the future. Was the future here now?

  “There is only one way to find out,” Abby answered, patting Erin’s hand. “Suppose she says yes?”

  Erin sat there for a moment thinking. “I never really thought about it much, Abby. I grew up in a house that had no love. My parents were always fighting and I don’t think they loved each other. I’m afraid I’d make a terrible parent.”