The Road to Glory (34 page)

"Absolutely." She nodded. "I’ve spent the last few months trying to forget and trying to convince myself otherwise, but it can’t be done. I’ve tried to play by the rules and forget what I shouldn’t crave. But I can’t! She has my heart, boys. And it’s time she knew that."

"Then I wish you all the luck in the world," Patrick said seriously.

"You’re going to need it," Liam warned.

Patrick flicked his cigarette at his brother. "Be quiet, shit for brains. She’s made up her mind. Have you ever known her not to get her way eventually once that’s happened?"

Liam happily picked up the cigarette and took a long drag. "No," he admitted finally. "I guess I haven’t."

Patrick looked smug. "If she means that much to RJ, then they should be together."

"And we will be," RJ said firmly. "We will."

*  *  *

The rain came down in steady, endless sheets as Leigh’s truck speed toward Fitz’s diner. The rhythmic swaying of the windshield wipers were only making it harder for Leigh to stay awake.

After a few hours of the most restful sleep she’d had in months, Leigh had kissed Judith on her cheek and said her goodbyes. Properly this time. She’d said she’d stop by again sometime, for a burger and some conversation. And Judith had nodded; though in her heart she didn’t think she’d be seeing this particular woman again, she had long ago learned to never say never.

That morning seemed far away to Leigh as she slowed her rig for a slow-moving car. She felt drained, but hopeful. Hopeful that she could talk RJ into giving them another chance, hopeful that her destiny was in her own hands and not someone else’s.

Leigh had replayed their last moments together endlessly since she’d driven away from the diner. At first, she couldn’t see beyond her own anger and pain. But last night as she told Judith what had happened, for the first time, she could look beyond her own emotions and focus on RJ. Not only on the words that had broken her heart. But on the taller woman’s face. On her eyes. On the slight quiver of her chin and the way she ducked her head as she spoke. These were all clues that helped her wade through her confusion and resentment. She hadn’t read RJ wrong. The woman was in love with her. Leigh could see it in those soulful green eyes, feel it whenever they touched. Now all she had to do was make RJ see it too. Nothing was going to stop her.

In her lap sat the small black bear. She lifted it to her lips and kissed it softly as her eyes grew impossibly heavy.
The turnoff for the diner and Glory are around here somewhere.
She yawned.
I know it.
Her thoughts began to drift to RJ and finding her. And her eyelids fluttered shut.

Then she was floating and dreaming.

*  *  *

Leigh trudged up a small hill, running her palms along the tops of the tall, wet grass as she walked. The sun was shining and a cool breeze gently washed over her. Every step was hard, but she knew down deep inside that if she could just make it over the hill …

At the top, she shielded her eyes from the sun with the back of her hand and peered down the other side. It was the edge of a town, quaint and clean. "Glory," she said excitedly. "It has to be."

In a far-off way she realized she was dreaming, that none of this was real. But she didn’t care. It simply didn’t matter as she ran as fast as she could down the long, gradually flattening terrain, teddy bear clutched tightly in her hand. The air smelled like summer blossoms and the wind was at her back, pushing her toward her destination.

Finally, panting, she stepped onto the damp sidewalk and slowed her pace. Spinning in a circle she looked around at the neat rows of houses and lush trees that lined both sides of the street. She could hear the faint music of an ice cream truck and the sound of children laughing and Leigh laughed.
It’s a Stepford town
, she thought wryly, deciding instantly that she really didn’t mind.

A tiny weathered-looking woman approached her, shuffling along in the opposite direction. "Well," Mrs. Amos stopped and smiled at Leigh. "It’s about time you got here."

Leigh blinked. "What do you–"

"Never mind, dear." Mrs. Amos patted her arm gently. "You’re here now and that’s all that matters."

Leigh shook her head a little. "Is … is this Glory?"

"Of course. And we had all our potholes filled last spring," she finished proudly. In her estimation it never hurt to show off that little fact.

Leigh stared at the woman. "Uh … okay. Glad to hear it. By any chance you don’t know a –"

"She’ll be in the park about now. I’m certain." Mrs. Amos extended her arm and pointed a gnarled finger in the direction Leigh had been heading. "It’s in the very center of town. You can’t miss it. There’s a lovely fountain right in the middle." She gave Leigh a little shove. "Go on now. I can’t stand the thought of her moping another second. It’s only a block or so away."

Leigh grinned and took off running. When she rounded the corner she could see RJ and Pete sitting on a shaded bench, talking. She froze, suddenly unsure of what she was going to say. Thankfully, she was spared too long to worry over it because as soon as she came into view, RJ’s head snapped up and their eyes locked. RJ shot to her feet and she could see her gesture wildly and say something nasty to Pete, who flinched.

"Okay." Leigh licked her lips nervously. "Now or never." As fast as her feet would carry her, she closed the remaining distance between them.

RJ opened her arms and Leigh flew into them, her impact knocking the taller woman back into the damp grass. Each woman’s lips frantically sought the other’s and they kissed deeply.

"Leigh," RJ breathed, backing away just enough to kiss the trucker’s chin and cheeks. "What are you doing here, lass? God, you can’t be here." She was shaking. "You can’t."

Leigh kissed her again. "I am here. And I’m not going anywhere." The bear fell forgotten on the soft grass alongside RJ, and she pinned the larger woman with strong arms. "Get used to it, RJ. You’re stuck with me."

RJ shook her head wildly. "Dammit! No!" She pried Leigh’s hands from her shirt and jumped to her feet to square off against Pete, who was trying his best to blend in with the background. "What the hell is this, Pete! She does not belong here." The words were nearly spat, and Pete couldn’t help but back off a step.

"I belong with you," Leigh protested.

RJ grabbed Leigh’s shoulders and gave them a desperate shake. "You don’t understand! You don’t know what you’re saying."

Leigh’s eyes flashed. "I do know."

"RJ," Pete held both hands up in surrender. "She does belong here. She’s right. You’re meant to be together.

RJ advanced a step, her eyes daring Pete to retreat another inch. "Not like this. She’s got a lifetime to live. No, Peter. You can undo this. You fix this!" she shouted.

Leigh’s head was snapping back and forth between them.
Why should Pete care one way or the other?

"There’s nothing to fix," Pete said firmly.

RJ closed her eyes and tilted her head back as she growled out in frustration.

Leigh’s gentle touch on her face drew her attention downward. "I don’t understand," she said honestly. "I know you love me. Why won’t you let us be together?"

RJ’s heart clenched at the words. "You don’t truly understand, Leigh. Or you wouldn’t be here."

"But I want us to be together." Leigh stamped her foot furiously. "Why is that so hard to understand?"

RJ pulled her close. "You have to go back."

"She can’t," Pete interrupted. His eyes softened as he spoke to his old friend. Flea, who had been watching the scene from her lounging spot under the large oak tree, jumped up onto Peter’s shoulder and rubbed her face against his cheek. "She’s been on the road to Glory for a while now, Fitz." He spread his hands out in entreaty. "Now is the right time, for you both. Accept it."

"I won’t!"

"You don’t have a choice."

RJ shot Pete an evil look and focused her attention on Leigh. "Lass, you need to listen to me. And listen good." She cupped her cheek, stroking Leigh’s cheekbones with her thumbs. She looked tired and thin, and RJ ached for the pain they’d both already endured. "You can’t be with me. You’d have to give up too much."

"I’ll give up anything," came the immediate answer.

"Your friends? Your job? Your whole life?"

"Yes." Her voice was resolute.

"You can’t! We cannot be together." RJ felt tears well up in her eyes. "Not in this place. Not now."

"But why?"

RJ pressed two fingers against Leigh’s lips to quiet her. "Because it’s not your time. This place is beyond the life you know. Beyond everything you know."

"I can do Mayberry!" Leigh protested.

"Why does everyone keep calling it that?" Pete whispered to Flea.

The cat meowed grumpily.

RJ let out a frustrated breath. But when she opened her mouth speak, it was Pete’s stern words that broke the silence.

"Ask her, RJ."

"Damn you, Peter. Don’t you say that! I don’t have to do that yet. She’s not ready."

Pete smiled sadly. Why did Fitz always have to be such a pain in the ass? "Ask her," he repeated patiently.

"You don’t need to ask me anything," Leigh broke in. "I need to stay here. I need to be with you. I don’t have a life on the road. I want
you
to be my family. Families should be together."

Hot tears spilled down RJ’s cheeks, and Leigh reached up and tenderly wiped them away. She bent over and retrieved the bear, pressing it into RJ’s hands. "You’re my heart’s desire, RJ. I love you and we were meant to be together. No matter what."

The words were still hanging when Leigh gasped and clutched her chest. Her legs felt wobbly, and it suddenly seemed as though she couldn’t breathe.

RJ wrapped long arms tightly around Leigh, and the younger woman buried her face against RJ’s chest.

"Hang on, lass." She squeezed Leigh as close to her as she could, melding their bodies together and feeling Leigh’s pounding heartbeat begin to fade …

*  *  *

"C’mon! Hurry."

"Done." The fireman lifted his welder’s mask as he moved out of the way and a young paramedic scooted around him, dropping herself into Leigh’s partially crushed cab. The rain cooled his sweaty skin and after a moment he called down to the woman. "Is she alive?" He glanced past the milling fire, police and ambulance crew at the highway.

"Barely."

Tossing his wet mask aside, he peered down past the deflated airbag and the twisted pieces of metal. He spoke conversationally as the paramedic worked frantically. There was only room for one in the cab with Leigh so there was nothing he could do. "No skid marks. She didn’t touch the brakes. Booze, do you think?"

"Doubtful," the woman answered as she fumbled for a chest tube in her bag. "Last trucker I worked on like this had me sitting on a mountain of beer cans. She probably just fell asleep."

"Little thing for such a big rig." He squinted and imagined her face without the blood. "Young and pretty too." He shook his head. "Damn shame." There was no answer but he didn’t take offense. The paramedic was focusing on her patient.

"Shit. She’s coding." The woman reached around the mangled steering wheel and pressed harder into Leigh’s throat, trying to find a pulse. "We’ve got to get her out of here now!"

Two other men joined the fireman at her words. "Paddles?"

"I can’t." She tossed her bag straight up and it was plucked out the air by one of the waiting fireman. "Can’t get the right angle. Now, Steve." Her voice had a renewed urgency. "Or it’s not going to matter."

*  *  *

"That’s it," RJ continued to hang onto Leigh, supporting nearly all of her weight. "It’s almost over, love."

Leigh suddenly gasped. Her eyes popped open as cool, clean air tinged with the scent of her lover’s skin filled her senses and the pressure on her chest began to ease. "RJ?" she questioned weakly, trying to put some weight back on her own two feet.

"I’m here. Relax against me." A small smile touched her lips when Leigh instantly did just that.

"What –" she paused and swallowed, slowly pushing away from RJ’s protective arms. "What happened?" Leigh looked around with wide eyes. Her senses all seemed magnified, and she could feel the breeze caress the downy hair that covered her skin. Then she glanced up into eyes that had always called to her and fell all over again into their endless affection and warm devotion.

RJ thought for a moment about how to say this and then decided to simply be blunt. If ever there was a woman who appreciated blunt, it was Leigh Matthews. "You died."

Leigh’s eyes widened and her mouth formed a tiny ‘O.’

RJ reached out to steady her, but she didn’t falter.

Finally, Leigh muttered, "Wow."

Leigh ran a hand through her hair. "Oh, man. Oh, man. Are you sure I’m not just insane? I’m not going to wake up hungover someplace?"

"No, darlin’. You’re really here." RJ’s gaze slid sideways to Pete. She saw the question in his eyes and nodded quietly. It wasn’t what she wanted for Leigh. But there was no way on earth she was going to give her back now.

Pete smiled and reached up to pet Flea, grateful that he wasn’t going to have to find a new place to live. RJ was not the sort of person you wanted pissed off at you for an eternity.

The pilot let Leigh have a moment to at least scratch the surface of a process that would take a while, knowing she’d have a million and one questions but hoping to convey the most important stuff first. She had half-expected Leigh to freak out. That hadn’t exactly happened yet, and somehow RJ found that infinitely scarier. "Are you all right?"

"I … um …" Leigh took stock of her body. She felt lighter and stronger than ever, though a quick look at her body confirmed that she now had back the weight she’d lost over the past three months. A bird flew overhead and his call sounded sweet and pristine. It was as though she had been viewing the world through a light fog and now the fog was simply gone. Every last bit of her, at least physically, felt fabulous. "Yeah. I don’t know how that’s possible. She pinched herself. "Ouch."