Winds of Heaven (25 page)

Skye screamed with delight. Liz hid her eyes as she adjusted her daughter on her hip. “I can’t believe she’s doing this...” she mumbled and looked through her fingers.

Casey spit in both hands and rubbed them together as she winked at Liz and Skye. She then heaved the heavy sledgehammer and took a mighty swing. It only rose halfway; so much for her ego. However, she was undaunted.

Liz gave her a smug grin and Skye laughed. “’Gen,
Cafey
, ’gen.”

Casey frowned, her pride now on the line. She tossed a few dollars on the stand and the man let out a wicked laugh. “You’re not gonna do it. One in a thousand...” he said in a challenging voice and Casey glared at him.

“Casey, you’re going to hurt yourself.”

Casey ignored her. “One in a thousand, huh?” She grunted and heaved the hammer over her head.

Skye was sleeping in the backseat, holding on to as many stuffed animals as she could. Liz was smiling slightly, her fingers caressing the gold charm that hung around her neck. Casey’s green cat eyes danced wickedly as she sported an arrogant grin.

“One in a thousand… Ha!” She let out a self-satisfied grunt as she pulled up next to the cabin.

Liz laughed out loud as Casey took Skye out of her seat, handing the sleeping bundle to Liz.

Casey collected all the winnings for the day and dumped them onto the couch. “I’m going to need another room for all this.”

“You’re our hero,” Liz said as she set the sleeping child in the bed.

“She needs her own bed. Don’t you think?” Casey asked.

Liz nodded. “You only have one room, though, and I really don’t want her to sleep in the loft.”

“No, that’s no good,” Casey whispered, then took her by the arm and walked out.

Liz sat on the couch while Casey started a fire. “Autumn is finally here. It’s getting a bit chilly. Coffee?” she asked and Liz scrunched her nose in disapproval.

Casey gave her an enticing smile. “Hot chocolate?”

Liz grinned. “Marshmallows?”

“I’ll be right back, turtle woman.”

They sat on the couch drinking hot chocolate. Liz had her feet up on an ottoman, warming them by the fire, the cup resting on her large stomach.

“You know, when we come back from Chicago, I could make the room here I use for my music into a small bedroom. It’s across the hall from our…from the bedroom and Skye could sleep there. Then when the baby comes, she can sleep in the room with you,” she said and cursed inwardly for slipping up.

She recovered quickly. “That way, Skye can have her own room, you can sleep with the baby, and when I’m here, I’ll still have the couch. Or by then, maybe I can get a bed up in the loft and sleep there.”

“The baby and I can sleep in the loft. You shouldn’t be put out any longer, Casey. It is your bedroom after all, and by the spring, I’ll start thinking about getting a place of my own...” Her voice trailed off.

Casey’s heart sank at the thought of them not being around anymore. “Or we can stay in Chicago,” she offered in a hesitant voice, then quickly continued, “We’ve plenty of time to think about that. Let’s just concentrate on the present. I don’t want you worrying about anything but having your baby.”

Liz looked at her and smiled. “Thank you. I can’t believe how lucky Skye and I are. She…she loves you very much,” Liz said in a soft whisper.

“I love Skye, too. She’s in my heart, Liz,” she said and took the chance of a lifetime. “And so are you.”
 

Liz said nothing as she stared at the flames.

“Liz,” she started and stopped.

“Yes?”

“Nothing. I…nothing,” she said and felt like an idiot.

“I’m very grateful for all you’ve done, Casey, eternally grateful,” Liz said in a soft voice.

Casey shrugged. “It was easier to do than I ever imagined.” She laughed then and continued, “Like falling off a swing.”

Liz smiled and reached for her hand. “You’ve been very kind.”

“It’s not just out of kindness.”

She glanced at Liz, who stared at their hands. “What was it then?”
 

What was it then? Casey asked herself as she caressed Liz’s warm hand. Usually, Casey was sure of herself and confident with women. However, she never felt this way for any other woman, and she knew it was more than the physical attraction. However, make no mistake, the physical attraction was definitely there. Was she falling in love; had she already? Liz was a good woman, with a family and a future. Why in the world would Liz want anything to do with her?

“What are you thinking, Casey?”

Casey looked into the blue eyes and took the leap. “I was thinking how I’m floundering here. Usually, with a beautiful woman, I’m very…”

“Arrogant?” Liz offered with a grin.

Casey let out an embarrassed laugh. “I guess.”

They sat in silence for a moment. “I don’t feel so beautiful right now.”

“Oh, Liz. You are, believe me. You may not feel it, but you are.” She was stunned to see the tears well in Liz’s eyes. “I’m worried that I might be falling in love with you.”

“W-worried?”

Casey nodded. “I have no idea what love is, really. And now I find myself caring for you deeply…and Skye.”

When Liz sighed deeply, Casey glanced over, giving her a worried look. “Is something wrong? You shouldn’t have eaten two caramel apples. Damn it, Liz. It was probably that stinking cotton candy. I told you,” she scolded in a worried voice. This was much easier to deal with than the “what was it then” scenario. “How about I make some tea or maybe you should take a hot bath? Wait, no, no baths, you can’t. I forgot. How about...”

Liz rolled her eyes, then reached over, took Casey’s face between her hands, and kissed her... Right there on the couch.

Casey was shocked and gasped openly as she felt Liz’s warm lips against her own. Inexplicably, she pulled Liz closer and returned her kiss. Their lips blended in a soft, tender kiss that was amazing to say the least. The electricity sparked between them as their lips moved easily against one another; Casey reluctantly pulled back.

Liz smiled. “That was a kiss,” she exclaimed.

Casey immediately stood and paced. Her heart and mind were racing. “Hold on now. I don’t, I mean, this is…we need to. Okay, will you let me finish?” she said nervously.

Liz smiled and watched her sputtering.

“What did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything,” Liz answered and smiled.

“Oh. I thought you said something. Well, anyway. Look, Liz. I, you…”

“Casey?” Liz asked in a quiet reassuring voice. “Come here and sit down.”

Casey frowned deeply. She was completely out of control here and she loved it. She obediently sat next to Liz, who took her hand.

“It was just a kiss,” Liz said.

Casey shot her an incredulous look. “It was not just a kiss, Liz. I-I…”

“What?” Liz held on to her hand.

Casey groaned. “Oh, I have no idea.”

Liz patted her hand. She felt Casey studying her. “Why did you kiss me?” Casey asked.

Liz laughed nervously. “I have no idea.”

It was Casey’s turn to laugh. “Well, at least we both have no idea.”

“Casey, there’s a lot going on here, and I won’t deny I’ve grown fond of you.”

“I thought I was arrogant and pompous.”

Liz looked up. “Oh, don’t get me wrong. You are.”

Casey didn’t know if she should be indignant or laugh; she chose the latter. Liz joined her while they held hands like teenagers.

“I think it’s time for bed,” Liz said, looking at their hands.

“Would it be…?”

Liz looked up then. “Yes.”

Casey grinned and let out a sigh of relief.

They lay in bed, with Skye between them; Casey rolled onto her side and looked at Liz. In the shadowy moonlight, she studied Liz’s profile. “You’re beautiful,” she whispered.

With her eyes closed, Liz smiled. “Thank you.”

After a few wonderful moments of gazing at Liz and listening to her own heartbeat, she heard Liz ask, “What are you thinking?” Liz opened her eyes and looked at her.

“I was thinking of the day you read that poem. It has been running through my mind ever since.
Winds of Heaven
…That’s what I think of when I think of you. I-I don’t know why exactly.” She stopped and smiled. “How did it start? The winds of heaven mix forever with a sweet emotion.
Those winds brought you here, you and Skye.”

Liz sniffed and placed her hands on her stomach. “Don’t leave out this one. They say the baby can hear things.”

With that, Casey got out of bed and walked around to Liz, who was wide-eyed. Casey sat on the side of the bed and placed her hands on Liz’s stomach. “Can you hear me?” she asked as she leaned down. “You’re gonna be a happy baby. You have a big sister who’ll look out for you and a mom who loves you.”

Casey looked up to see tears welling in Liz’s eyes. Without breaking eye contact, Casey smiled and whispered, “I envy you that.” She then lightly kissed the back of Liz’s hand as it lay on her stomach.

Liz gasped and tried to swallow; she said nothing as Casey kissed her other hand, then walked around the bed, slipping under the sheet, careful not to wake Skye.

Liz looked as if she were in shock. “That was incredibly romantic, Casey.”

Casey closed her eyes; a wide grin spread across her face. “We leave for Chicago on Saturday. You need to get some sleep.”

“Yes, Casey,” Liz said with a deep sigh.

“Wench.”

“Don’t push it.”

Chapter 16

“I’ve never been to Chicago,” Liz said as she looked out the window at the tall buildings. “It’s impressive.”

“Nah, they’re just buildings,” Casey assured her. Then she drove farther east down the Congress Expressway and touched Liz’s arm. “That’s impressive,” she said firmly and nodded straight ahead.

Liz’s eyes widened at the sight of Lake Michigan bursting into view. “Sweet pea, look, a huge lake,” she exclaimed.

Skye strained in her car seat and saw the water. “I
fim
,
Cafey
,” Skye said, and both women laughed.

“In the summer,” Casey reminded her as she looked in the rearview mirror and saw the disappointed look.

They took the elevator to Casey’s tenth-floor apartment.

“I can’t believe you live here.” Liz sighed as the elevator doors opened.

Skye clung to Casey’s neck as they walked across the hall. Casey opened the door and walked in, followed by Liz, who looked around the huge living room.

“My God, it’s as big as your entire cabin.”

“I know. I’m trying to sell it. However, for the time being, it’s home. So do whatever you like.” She set Skye down.

Liz looked around the expansive living room. By the big window overlooking Lake Michigan stood a huge piano. The opposite wall was all fireplace with a huge couch comfortably placed in front of it. A dining area was off in the back, and the kitchen was to the right. All open, it looked like one huge studio apartment.