Coming Home: A Lesbian Romance Read online

  “Thank you.” Sam returned her hug.

  “Should I go change before we go to Amy and Ray’s house?” Catherine asked.

  Sam looked down at the light blue tank top and dark blue shorts. “You look great. Why would you want to change?”

  “I wanted to make sure you were all right with this outfit.” Catherine couldn’t stop the wink she gave Sam.

  “Cate, you always look nice when I’ve seen you.” A smirk appeared on Sam’s lips. “You certainly rocked that robe you had on yesterday,” Sam stepped away from the swat that Catherine threw her way.

  “You’re bad, Sam. How did Robin put up with you?” Catherine asked with a laugh.

  “Robin liked my sense of humor.” Sam couldn’t believe that she was talking about Robin without feeling the tightness in her chest.

  “She must have really loved you,” Catherine said pointing her finger.

  “She did.”

  Catherine lost her smile and sat down. “I loved Alan, but I never felt the kind of love that makes you feel giddy when they walk into a room. I don’t know if that kind of love really exists.”

  Sam sat next to Catherine. “It does, Cate. I had that kind of love. I don’t know if I’ll ever find it again, but at least I know what it feels like to be so in love with someone else that it squeezes your heart with delight.”

  “Come on, let’s go next door,” Catherine said taking Sam’s hand.

  Amy opened the door the moment they stepped onto the porch. “Hello, you two. Come on inside.” Amy first hugged Catherine and then she lightly hugged Sam.

  “Thanks for inviting us, Amy,” Catherine said as they followed Amy outside. “Hey, Ray.” Catherine greeted him with a hug.

  Sam stuck her hand out and shook Ray’s hand. “Thanks for the invite.”

  “It’s our pleasure,” Ray said looking at his wife. “Sit down and pour yourself a glass of wine.”

  Sam reached for the bottle and poured Catherine wine and then she poured one for herself. As she sat down, she looked at Amy who was watching her closely.

  “Did you do an open house today?” Catherine asked.

  “Yes, and it was very slow.” Amy chuckled. “I did finish the book I was reading.”

  Sam stood up. “Excuse me. I’m going to use your bathroom.”

  “You know where it is, Sam.” Amy motioned with her hand. Once Sam closed the door behind her, Amy began, “What’s going on with the two of you?”

  Catherine frowned, “Are we back to this again?”

  “She treats you like you’re her girlfriend. She pours your wine, she puts her hand in the small of your back when you’re walking. The way she looks at you.” Amy’s hand came up in frustration. “Do you even realize what’s going on here?”

  “Amy, it is Cate’s business. Not yours,” Ray said firmly.

  “Amy, Ray’s right. It is my business. I enjoy Sam’s company. We’re not lovers, we’re friends.”

  “Keep telling yourself that,” Amy said sarcastically.

  Sam opened the sliding glass door and the conversation stopped.

  “Is everything okay out here?” Sam asked as she looked around the table.

  “Everything is fine, Sam. Have a seat.” Those are the words that left Catherine’s mouth, but she knew that her relationship with Amy would never be the same again.

  Catherine and Sam left the moment they were finished with dinner. Sam waited until they walked into her house before she started asking questions.

  “What happened when I went to the bathroom?”

  “Nothing,” Catherine said not looking at her.

  “I don’t believe you. I know something happened because the tension was so thick when I came back. What did Amy say this time?”

  Catherine looked at Sam. Her mouth opened, but the words wouldn’t come out. How could she tell her what Amy said? Catherine knew if she told her, Sam would pull away from her. That was something she didn’t want to happen. “It was just Amy being Amy. She has to stick her nose into everyone’s business.”

  Sam knew there was more than Catherine was admitting. She just didn’t know how deep Amy had hurt Catherine.

  ****

  The moment Sam got home from work, she went outside to see if Ray was out there. He was sitting reading the paper on the back deck.

  “Hey, Ray,” Sam called over the fence.

  “Hi, Sam. How are you?” Ray asked.

  “Is Amy at home?”

  Ray shook his head. Sam opened the gate and walked into his yard.

  “What happened yesterday?” Sam asked sitting next to him.

  Ray shrugged. “Didn’t Cate tell you?”

  “I didn’t believe what she said. I think she was trying to spare my feelings.”

  “Amy would kill me,” Ray said in a whisper.

  “I’m not going to tell her.”

  So Ray relayed what happened. Sam sat back in her chair listening, but wouldn’t comment until he was finished.

  “There is nothing going on between Cate and myself,” Sam let out a deep breath. “If there was, it is none of her business.”

  “I told her the same thing last night,” Ray said softly.

  “What did she say?” Sam asked.

  “She said she didn’t want Cate to make another mistake in life. I told her it was Cate’s life. Not hers.” Ray touched Sam’s leg. “I’m glad to see you happy again. Don’t let Amy’s interference change your mind.”

  “Change my mind?” Sam asked.

  “Yeah, if you like her and she likes you,” Ray shrugged. “Go for it.”

  “Thanks, Ray. You’re a good friend.”

  “You two look good together,” Ray said with a wave as Sam stepped off the deck.

  Sam went back into her house and thought about what Ray had said. Did she like Catherine as more than a friend? If she admitted the truth to herself, she would have to say it had been growing with each day. More importantly, was Catherine feeling the same way? She knew one thing, Catherine would have to make the first move. Sam picked up her cellphone.

  “Hey,” Catherine said as she answered the phone.

  “Hey, yourself. How was your day?”

  “Good. I spent most of it on the beach.”

  “Want to meet me on the boardwalk and take a walk?” Sam asked.

  “Sure. See you in a few.” Catherine disconnected the call and reached for her keys.

  Sam waited for Catherine on the boardwalk. She looked down the street and saw Catherine walking up the block. Catherine smiled when she was near Sam.

  “You beat me,” Catherine said as she hugged Sam.

  “Not too close,” Sam chuckled. “I haven’t showered yet.”

  “Don’t be silly. You smell fine.” Catherine said feeling suddenly shy. How does this woman do this to me? One minute I’m fine and then Sam is near me and I feel like a school girl. “Which way?”

  Sam pointed and they began their walk. “So you spent the day on the beach. Have you met any people since you go there often?”

  “Are you asking if I’ve met any men?” Catherine asked with her hand on her hip.

  Sam chuckled. “No. I mean people. Someone nice for you to talk with.”

  “Oh. Sorry. I usually just read and mind my own business.”

  “A loner, huh?” Sam nudged with her arm.

  “Sometimes,” Catherine answered softly.

  As they walked, Sam took notice of the dark clouds that were moving in over the ocean. The wind began to pick up and she knew they were in trouble.

  “I think we’d better make a run for my house. That sky doesn’t look good,” Sam said pointing over the ocean.

  “Oh, shit. You’re right.”

  Sam grabbed Catherine’s arm and they began to run, but as they got to Sam’s street, the skies opened. By the time they reached her porch, they were both soaked through. They were laughing as they stepped onto Sam’s porch.

  Sam tried to get the key out of her front pocket, but her cl
othes were so wet, she couldn’t get her hand inside. “I can’t get the key.”

  “Let me get it,” Catherine said as she used her left hand to open the pocket and her right hand reached inside.

  “Easy there,” Sam said as Catherine’s fingers moved around. She was standing so close to Sam that she could smell her coconut shampoo. The key came out of the pocket and Catherine held it up like a prize.

  “Got it.” Catherine opened the front door and they stepped inside.

  “Come on upstairs and I’ll get you some dry clothes and a towel. I’ll throw your things into the dryer to dry.” Sam walked into the master bedroom and reached for a pair of cotton shorts and a t-shirt. She handed the clothes to Catherine and then took a towel out of the linen closet. “If you want to take a shower, go ahead.” Sam turned on the light in the guest bathroom.

  “Thanks,” Catherine said closing the door.

  Sam went back to the master bedroom, stripped off her clothes and jumped in the shower. When she came back down the stairs, Catherine was in the kitchen making a pot of coffee.

  “I hope you don’t mind?” she said holding the bag of coffee.

  “No, that’s a good idea.” Sam stood there and watched her make the coffee. When Catherine turned around, her eyes almost popped out of her head. The white shirt was pressed against her chest and her taut nipples were straining against the fabric. Sam turned away. “I’ll just put our clothes in the dryer.”

  Catherine saw the blush on Sam’s face. She looked down at the t-shirt and chuckled. Catherine’s bra was just as wet as the rest of her clothes and she had no choice. The look on Sam’s face had been priceless and she chuckled again softly.

  When Sam finally came out of the laundry room, her eyes looked everywhere, but at Catherine. “It shouldn’t take too long to dry your clothes.”

  “I’m comfortable. No hurry.” Catherine couldn’t help but grin. She poured them each a cup of coffee and went over to the refrigerator for the cream. Walking over to the table, she saw Sam glance at her and then look away.

  “It’s raining awfully hard out there.” As Sam said that, the lights went off. “Don’t move, I’ll get a flashlight.” Sam found the flashlight and went in search of her emergency lantern. She walked back into the kitchen carrying the light. “That’s better,” she said placing the lamp on the table.

  “I don’t think I even have a flashlight at my house,” Catherine said in the dim light.

  Sam sat back in her chair and was no longer afraid to look Catherine’s way. She could still see the outline of her breasts, but the dim light hid her staring.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t check the weather before I called you,” Sam said apologizing.

  “Don’t worry about it. We’re here safe and out of the rain. That’s all that matters.”

  “Do you want another cup before it cools down?” Sam asked as she stood up.

  “No thanks. I’m fine.”

  Sam went over to the coffee pot and poured herself another cup. “Would you like me to take you home?”

  “Not right now, Sam. It’s raining very hard and pitch dark out there,” Catherine offered with a wave of her hand.

  “You can stay over if you want,” Sam said quietly.

  “That might be a good idea at this point, but I don’t want to put you out.”

  Sam grinned. “You’re not putting me out. I’ve got plenty of room.” Her smile widened. “Let me hang up the clothes since the dryer’s off.” Sam hung up the undergarments and put the shorts and shirts on hangers. As she came out of the laundry room, Catherine was rinsing out her coffee cup.

  Catherine turned when Sam came back into the room. “Can we go sit in the living room?”

  “Of course, Cate.” Sam picked up her coffee cup and the lantern and went to sit on the couch.

  The lantern gave a soft glow to the living room and the two women sat there quietly.

  Catherine saw a small book shelf in the corner of the room and got up. “Do you mind if I borrow this for a second?” she asked pointing at the lantern.

  “Go ahead, but I don’t think you’ll have any interest in those books. They were Robin’s. She loved lesbian romance novels. Those books are some of her favorite authors.”

  Catherine knelt down and looked through the books. She read the backs of the books and settled on one. She picked up the lantern and walked back to the couch.

  Sam got up and walked into the kitchen. She came back with a book light. “The batteries still work,” she said handing the small light to Catherine.

  “Thanks. This is perfect.” Then Catherine turned and looked at Sam. “Will I be rude if I sit here and read?”

  Sam laughed. “No go ahead. How about I make us something to eat?”

  Catherine started to get up. “I can help.”

  Sam motioned with her hand. “You stay and relax. I’ll take care of it, but I do need the lantern.”

  “I’m fine with my light. Call me if you need any help.” Catherine went back to her book.

  Sam began to cut up vegetables. As she threw the vegetables in a pan, she scrambled eggs in a bowl. Now the tricky part, lighting the oven. She took a match and surprisingly it lit quickly. “Thank God for gas appliances,” she whispered. Sam poured the eggs into the pan with vegetables. After the mixture set, she took the pan and put it in the oven.

  Catherine continued reading about a forty year old woman who never knew she was gay until she met Harper Mars. Is that even possible? Catherine’s mind screamed. How could someone not realize she was attracted to women until the age of forty or was it because of one woman? She laid the book down on her lap and looked around the room. If she were truthful with herself, Sam had caused her stomach to do flips more than once. Could she even fathom being with a woman intimately? What do women even do? She chuckled. If you keep reading, you’ll find out. She went back to reading.

  Sam walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray that had two plates and the lantern. “Dinner, my lady,” Sam said handing the plate to Catherine. She placed a napkin on her lap and handed her a fork. “Something to drink, Cate?”

  “No, I’m fine.” Catherine leaned down and took a whiff of the wonderful aroma. She cut into the frittata and took a bite. “This is a wonderful way to clean out your frig. I’ll have to remember that.”

  “Do you like it?” Sam asked.

  “I love it.”

  “How’s your book?” Sam asked glancing at Catherine.

  “It’s about a supposed straight woman who falls for a lesbian.”

  “Typical story,” Sam said.

  “Is it really? How can you go through half your life and not realize you’re attracted to women?”

  “Sometimes it’s not all women, but just one. Some people walk the straight and narrow because that’s what expected of them. It’s later in life they find the courage to be who they are and not what others expect them to be.”

  “Do you know people like that?” Catherine asked leaning toward Sam.

  “Of course. I have friends that were once married and now they’ve been with a woman during the second half of their lives.”

  “Well, I guess I’ll have to keep reading to find out about this woman’s story.”

  They finished their meal and Catherine went back to reading while Sam insisted on cleaning up. Sam came back into the living room and picked up her iPad. At least she could play a game while Catherine read.

  At ten o’clock, they decided to turn in. “Let me know if you need anything,” Sam said before she walked into her room.

  “Good night, Sam. Thank you again.”

  Catherine read until the book lamp started to dim. She had just finished the love scene that seemed to go on for pages and pages. She had no idea what time it was when she put the book down. Lying in the dark she began to wonder if making love with a woman was really like that. The two women had made love all night and it was one endless orgasm. Catherine couldn’t wait to continue reading their story.


  ****

  The sun was shining brightly when Catherine opened her eyes. She needed the bathroom. When she walked in, she saw her clothes neatly piled on the counter of the vanity. Catherine turned on the shower and then got dressed. She went downstairs and saw that it was nine thirty. She went into the kitchen in search of Sam.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead,” Sam said with a chuckle.

  “Good morning. Sorry, I slept so late.”

  “Apparently, you needed to rest or was it the book that kept you up?” Sam pointed to the book in Catherine’s hand.

  Catherine chuckled and held up the book. “It was the book and if the batteries in the light weren’t draining, I probably would still be sleeping.”

  “I guess you like it?”

  “It’s very enlightening,” Catherine smiled. “What time did the power come back on?”

  Sam shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

  “I’ll go in later.” Sam got up and poured Catherine a cup of coffee. “I went to the bakery. How about a croissant?”

  “Yes, please.” Catherine took a seat and sipped her coffee. “I could get used to this.” Catherine looked at the plate in front of her.

  “Oh, you like being taken care of?”

  Catherine nodded. “No one has ever done it for me,” she said biting into the bread.

  “Not even your mother?” Sam asked.

  “Maybe when I was young, but once I reached a certain age...” she shrugged, “I was on my own.”

  “What about your husband? He never made you breakfast?”

  Catherine laughed too loud. “Sorry. No, Alan never did anything that nice for me and maybe I never let him,” she shrugged.

  After Catherine finished eating, Sam commented, “I’ll take you home so I can get to work.”

  “Sure. I’m sorry for making you late.”

  “Cate, its fine. Remember, I’m the boss,” she said wearing a big smile.

  “Come to dinner tonight at my house,” Catherine said standing.

  “Are you sure?”

  Catherine frowned. “Of course. Say six?”

  “Sure.” Sam picked up Catherine’s book. “Don’t forget your book.”

  “Thank you. I have to know how it ends.” Catherine clutched the book to her.