Read Online Lexington Connection by M. E. Logan - Free Book Online Page A

“Honey, I’m so sorry it turned out so badly.”
    “I felt like I didn’t have time to devote to anyone else.”
    “And you’re still waiting for Julie,” Diana said with sudden realization.
    “I guess so.”
    “Ohhhh.” Well that explains a lot, Diana thought. “Honey, how long has it been since you’ve seen Julie?”
    Jessie stopped to think. “Well, let’s see, Nicki was eight, maybe nine. She had just started the new school so I was having more time. That was, oh, maybe four years ago, maybe five.”
    “Honey, that’s a long time to wait.”
    Jessie shrugged in helplessness. “I still love her,” she said sorrowfully. “Every time I think I’m over her, something happens and it hurts all over again, like it happened yesterday.” She buried her face in her hands.
    Diana moved close to put her arms around Jessie. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry you’re still hurting.” Here she had thought her Romeo was so self-sufficient and instead she was a woman hiding a broken heart. It didn’t put her off that Jessie was crying on her shoulder; it only endeared her more.
    “I didn’t want to abandon her,” Jessie protested. “Mom, Dad, they all needed me.”
    “And you didn’t fail them,” Diana soothed. “Families are important, they need our loyalty, our love. I’m so sorry Julie didn’t understand that. That’s not a failing on your part; it’s a good trait, an admirable trait. And you can only do so much. Jessie, you did what you had to do.”
    Jessie closed her eyes, took a deep breath.
    Diana turned Jessie’s face up to her. “You showed strength and resiliency and responsibility when the majority of us are still trying to figure out what life is about. You took on responsibilities beyond your years. You’re a good person. I can never see you abandoning anyone when they need you. You’ve got character.”
    Jessie flushed and looked away. “Now you’re just trying to flatter me.”
    And now it’s time to let go
. Diana released Jessie. “No, just calling it the way I see it.” She sat back, watching Jessie gather herself together, put her shell back on. “I’m very flattered you let me see that part of you.”
    “Well,” Jessie said casually as she poured another glass of wine. “As you said, you’re here today, gone tomorrow.”
    “That does make it easier.” She decided it was time to change the subject, let Jessie out carefully. “Did your dad make a good recovery?”
    “Yeah, he’s fine now. He took weight off and exercises more and has regular checkups but his last checkup was fine. And Nicki’s doing great in school.” She looked up at Diana with her usual cocky grin. “And I get around all right.”
    “Oh, yes you do,” Diana agreed. She guessed the disclosures were finished for the day. “A terror to the community and unstable relationships.”
    “Well, it’s gotten much better since you’ve been in the picture,” Jessie said. “You know, a nice distraction. All the insecure women breathe easier when they see you in town; we seem to have become somewhat of an item in certain circles.”
    That’s not good
.
    “Then there are those who think you’re just a cover; and some who even doubt your existence. They just know something has occupied me for the weekend.”
    “Well, I’m so glad I can aid the insecure,” Diana drawled back. She met Jessie’s smiling eyes. “I can well imagine what Jessie on the prowl does for them.”
    “I know,” Jessie breathed, moving in on Diana. “I’m terrifying.”
    “A big pussy cat.”
    “Tiger pussy cat.”
    “Oh, is it safe to have felines on a horse farm?”
    Jessie put Diana on her back, straddled her, looked down into her face. “The horses are safe,” she said in a husky voice. “Can’t speak for other life forms.”
    Diana shivered, laughed as she looked up at her lover. “I’m terrified.” She watched Jessie lower herself to bring their lips together. Oh, what was it about this woman who could just