~ Finding Your Heart ~
by planetsolin
Disclaimers: see part one.
CHAPTER SEVEN
(conclusion)
Eden followed the route markers, occasionally glancing at the map spread out on the seat beside her to ensure that she was still heading the correct way. She had been confident that she would be able to find the location of the farm when she had first received the directions but now she was less certain. She checked the small compass that was hanging from her rear view mirror just to make certain she was at least pointed in the right direction.
She felt a sense of elation and some anxiety when she reached the small town that was the last distinguishable marker on the map. She took a deep breath as she turned off the paved highway onto a narrow gravel road. According to her directions she was only four miles from her final destination.
Briefly she allowed her thoughts to drift to the woman who awaited her arrival. She did not know what type of reception would be waiting. In spite of the fact that they had been corresponding for more then four months they were still strangers.
She took a deep breath and shook her head in an attempt to dispel any negative thoughts. She had connected with the small marine and was curious to see where it went. They had already formed the foundation of a good friendship and a friend was something that Eden didn't have many of and needed. She was tired of being alone.
Annie watched through the kitchen window as her eldest daughter paced anxiously up and down the length of the porch. Even though Halley would deny the truth, she was nervous about her friends visit. Her daughter was usually so calm and confident that it was a pleasure for the older woman to see that the simple things in life could unnerve the girl like the rest of them.
Halley glanced at her watch and silently calculated the time in her head. When she took all the factors into consideration she knew that the flier should have arrived. It was only a six hour drive from where the pilot had spent the night, and she worried that the woman had gotten lost. She was just about to head into the house to call the woman's cell phone when a dusty jeep turned into the drive and came to a halt in front of the house.
The blond swallowed the lump in her throat, wiping her sweaty palms on her shorts, before picking up her cane and hobbling down the steps to greet her visitor. She was able to walk now with the cast that was on her leg but it was cumbersome and the cane added the extra support she needed.
"Hey," Eden greeted her hostess awkwardly as she stepped out of the jeep and stretched her stiff and sore muscles.
"Hey," Halley replied shyly, her green eyes taking in the rumpled appearance of her guest. "Long ride?"
"Well, by the time I hit Wyoming I was beginning to wonder if this was such a good idea," the tall woman flashed a quick smile. She turned her head and slowly surveyed her surroundings. "So, this is the farm?"
"Yep," the blonde nodded. "This is it, with the exception of the cattle which we keep at the south pasture. My parents were never fond of the smell of cows."
"I think I understand why," Eden laughed easily, finding herself relax in the other woman's presence. "I am certain I passed several cattle farms on the way and the smell certainly wasn't pleasant."
"Welcome to the real world," Halley grinned.
"Somehow from your letters I expected it to be busier."
"Usually it is but my dad and Joe are working on the south section and storing the grain at Joe's place. You are not to late though to see the last of the harvest."
"Great," the flier was genuine. "I have never been on a farm. I haven't a clue what goes on here."
"Good, then I will have to show you everything," Halley said her green eyes taking in the tall straight form of the woman standing in front of her. "It's nice to see you up and around."
"It was great to finally get out of that hospital bed," Eden conceded and motioned to the damaged leg. "I see you haven't been as fortunate."
"No such luck," the small woman agreed with a shrug. "I get this thing off next week if all goes well. The doctor says that I will need to wear a fitted brace for a few months afterwards but when all is said and done I should only have a slight limp."
"I'm glad," Eden sighed and then panicked when she realized how that sounded. "I mean I'm not glad that you will have a limp but glad that you are getting better."
Halley laughed. "I understood what you meant. Come on why don't we get your stuff into the house. I know my mom is dying to meet you."
"Are you sure it's all right that I stay here?" the dark haired woman asked with a hint of uncertainty. The idea of meeting this woman's family made her nervous. "I don't want to impose."
"You are not imposing," the small blond smiled. "My parents love having guests."
Mollified, Eden grabbed two bags from the back of her jeep, refusing the smaller woman's offer of help. She had learned to pack efficiently while in the military, often living for days out of a small carryall she took along in the cockpit with her on cross country training flights.
Halley led the tall woman up the path to the house, awkwardly traversing the stairs before heading for the kitchen door.
"This usually isn't as easy as it looks," she quipped over her shoulder. "But King our dog is out with Dad in the truck. Usually he is underfoot creating havoc. He's sent me flying on more then one occasion."
Eden merely nodded her head, wondering what it would be like to have a pet. There had never been a time or place for her while she was growing up and once she went into the military she was moving around too much to set up any kind of permanent living arrangement that things like pets required. She stepped through the door and into a large yet cozy kitchen. The older woman sitting at a table stood and stepped forward with her hand extended in greeting.
"Hello, you must be Eden," Annie smiled warmly at their guest.
"Yes, ma'am," the tall flier nodded putting down her bags to accept the handshake.
"Eden, this is my mom, Annie Braeden," Halley hastily introduced the women.
"It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am, and I appreciate you allowing me to stay here during my visit."
"Think nothing of it," Annie smiled immediately impressed by the tall woman's polite and respectfully manners. "We enjoy company and I would like you to call me Annie."
"Yes, ma'am," Eden acknowledged and then grinned shyly. "Yes, Annie."
The older woman laughed good-naturedly. "How was your drive?"
"Longer then I expected," the tall woman answered immediately feeling relaxed.
"We were going to stow her stuff in the spare room upstairs and then I was going to show her around the place," Halley injected.
"Maybe Eden would like to have a nap first," Annie suggested even though she could see her daughter was eager to spend time with this woman. "She might be tired from all that driving."
"Oh, yeah," the small woman realized her mother was right and she flushed with embarrassment.
"That's all right," Eden quickly interjected. "I took my time driving and what I really need is a good walk to loosen up all the kinks in my muscles."
"Does your injury still bother you?" Halley asked a few minutes later when they were in the upstairs guestroom. She had helped put the tall woman's few belongings in the empty dresser drawers.
"Some times," Eden confessed. "When I am overtired or have over used my muscles they ache. The doctors say that they will keep giving me some problems for awhile."
"Can you fly?"
"Yes," the dark haired woman nodded and then added in a quiet voice. "But not jets. I asked for a discharge from the Navy because I will never be a hundred per cent again. I thought I would let myself heal for a few months and then see what was out there in the private sector. The medicals for flying privately aren't as rigid as they are for the military."
"I hope you forgive me for saying this but I am glad that you can't fly," Halley said quietly her words startling the other woman into looking at her.
"Why would you say that?" Eden didn't immediately understand and felt a measure of hurt at the words.
"Because then you would be on some boat right now instead of here," the small blond was honest. She turned and headed for the door. "I'm sure you would like to freshen up. The bathroom is at the end of the hall and there are fresh towels in the linen closet. If you need anything else just call. I'll be in the kitchen when you are ready for the nickel tour."
With that the blond woman left the room and Eden was left alone to contemplate what had been said. She knew that she was interested in the smaller woman and was pleased to know that the sentiment was returned. They had connected on a personal level and it was up to them to see where it went. Whatever was between them she wanted to take it slow.
Halley sat at the kitchen table and watched as her mom quietly puttered around the room. She silently berated herself for what had slipped from her mouth. She was interested in the tall woman. They had forged a bond in the most unusual way and she didn't want to do or say anything that would upset the tender friendship that they were building.
It was more then twenty minutes later when Eden returned downstairs. She had not only washed up but changed into a fresh set of clothing, donning a pair of blue jeans to go with her loose black t-shirt. Because she had difficulty walking great distances with the cast, Halley kept the tour short, taking the tall woman out to the machine shed and granaries before winding up the tour at the horse paddock.
"This is Gray," Halley introduced her companion to the gray coloured mare that came to the fence looking for a treat. She pointed to another brown horse that approached more tentatively. "And that shy one is Roger."
Eden gently pet the animals, taking the carrots the small woman passed her and holding them out to the large creatures. Halley held out her own hand which contained several sugar cubes which the horses eagerly lapped up with their tongues.
"They aren't champion stock and would probably never win a race," the blond explained as she affectionately rubbed their wet noses. "But they think they are fast. Don't you girls?"
The women laughed when both horses snorted and bobbed their heads in agreement.
"What do you think so far?" Halley asked curious to know what her companion was thinking. It was important to her that the tall woman liked the place. She leaned heavily on the cane.
"It's nice," Eden didn't know how to describe what she was feeling. She hadn't been any place where it was so relaxed. "I can certainly see why you like it. It's so quiet and peaceful."
"Yeah," Halley nodded. "Are you hungry?"
"I could use a snack," the pilot agreed, not yet aware that it was the fresh clean air that was making her hungry. She had stopped for something to eat at the last large town she had driven through several hours earlier.
"Good, we'll have a bite to eat now," the small woman explained as they walked back towards the house. "Dinner time at our house isn't usually until late."
Halley went on to explain that the meals on the farm usually followed the men's work schedule. When they returned to the house it was to find the kitchen empty. The note placed next to the plate of sandwiches on the table informed them that Annie had taken a mid-afternoon snack out to the men in the field.
"What's your pleasure to drink?" Halley asked hobbling to the refrigerator.
"Water will be fine," Eden replied and then had to think quickly in order to catch the bottle of water that was tossed in her direction.
"Mom and dad drink right from the tap, but since I've been away I haven't been able to drink it, so mom always keeps the fridge stocked with bottled water."
"What's wrong with the water?"
"It's from our own well and had lots of iron in it," the small former marine explained as she dropped into a chair across the table from her companion and snagged a sandwich from the pile on the plate. "There is nothing wrong with it but it's got a different taste, an acquired taste. They have a purifier on the pump but it still takes a lot to get used to."
Eden listened with interest as her small companion explained the differences between the water they had out on the farm and the water most city dwellers used. It was an interesting lesson, one of many she knew she would learn from the woman.
They were still chatting at the kitchen table when Annie returned with an empty urn of coffee. It wasn't long before the older woman joined them and Eden marveled at the comfortable atmosphere that surrounded them. She had known her grandparents all her life yet had never felt as relaxed as she felt in the company that afternoon. By the time eight o'clock rolled around the tall woman found herself unable to stifle the yawns.
The two girls were sitting outside on the porch. They had finished eating a light supper earlier and Annie had chased them outdoors while she cleaned up her kitchen. Halley's father had yet to return from the fields and a plate of roasted potatoes and beef sat warming in the oven. It was still early but the long days of traveling had finally gotten to the dark haired woman.
"You should go to bed," Halley said when she caught the other woman trying to stop another yawn.
"But you were going to build a fire," Eden reminded the woman of an earlier promise.
"We can do that on another night," the former marine smiled at her friend.
"But I should stay up and meet your father."
"It could be hours yet before he gets in," Halley marveled at how cute the dark haired woman was.
"Do they always work this late?" Eden felt her resistance die as she thought of climbing into the soft comfort of a bed.
"Only in spring and fall," the blond replied. "We are having nice weather and at this time of year that could change on a moments notice. It's necessary to work as late as possible to get as much done while the weather stays nice."
"You like this kind of life?"
"In some ways it's only a little different then the marines, long and boring days followed by periods of intense activity that leaves a person exhausted," Halley drew the analogy for the woman. "In reality I always felt better working the land because here on the farm you have a sense of accomplishment. You can see what all your hard work has done. It's not always that way in the marines. You can feel a sense of accomplishment but you don't always see how your actions affect anything."
Eden felt a sense of loss and disappointment coming from the younger woman. She had been fortunate never having to witness the destruction she brought from her pedestal in the sky. Halley had lived it on the ground seeing first hand the carnage that war brought.
There was an edge of sadness and despair in the corners of the green eyes and red lips. She wanted to reach out and wipe the slate clean, to make the smaller woman forget what she had seen, but she knew that was impossible. In stead she stood up and shoved her hands into her pockets.
"I guess I will go to bed if you don't think it's too impolite."
"Nonsense," the blond assured her with a smile. "Treat this place like home. We don't stand on formalities here."
"Thank you," Eden grinned and then did not curb the impulse to lean down and place an innocent kiss on the small woman's cheek. "Goodnight."
"Good....night," Halley barely managed to mumble. The skin on her cheek burned from the kiss and the temperature of her body rose several degrees. She was wearing a goofy grin when she finally followed the taller woman into the house.
Annie glanced up from her seat where she was shelling peas that she had picked from the garden earlier that day. She noticed the look on her daughters face and realized that she had never seen the girl smile as much as she had done in the last few weeks. Halley had always been pleasant of nature but was never as openly happy as she seemed now. The older woman watched with an amused smile as the girl flopped into a chair.
"Your friend retired early," she commented and the younger woman nodded.
"She was exhausted from all the driving," there was a long pause. "What do you think of her?"
"She seems nice enough," Annie knew this was her daughter's clandestine way of seeking approval.
"She is a very polite young woman. Hardly see that any more."
"She had a rather strict upbringing," Halley supplied not willing to say too much. "Her parents died when she was quite young so she was raised by her grandparents."
"Well, it looks to me like they did a fine job," the older woman said not pausing in her chore. "What are you two planning to get up to tomorrow?"
"I thought I would take her around the area and out to where dad and Joe are working. She's never been on a farm before so I think she might like to see how some of the machinery works."
"Well, be careful, you both are just recovering from injuries, I don't want either of you to get hurt again."
"We will mom," the girl smiled at her mother. She was an adult yet sometimes she was still a little girl to her mother.
It was after ten in the evening when John Braeden finally walked into the house. He took time to wash his face and hands before sitting down at the kitchen table for dinner. He was hungry and tired yet curious about the owner of the unfamiliar vehicle parked in his driveway.
"What's she like?"
"Eden is a very nice young woman," Annie replied putting a cold glass of milk down on the table before sitting down to keep her husband company. "Very polite and respectful. From a very high society family back east is my understanding from the little she said."
"I can't imagine Hal taking up with a society girl," John grunted. He was a little jealous, as most fathers were when their eldest daughter had someone special in their lives.
"Eden isn't anything like that," the woman smiled and patted her husband's hand. "I think you are going to like her. Seems like the strong silent type to me. Someone Halley will be able to rely on."
"Hmpf," the man wasn't as ready to accept this interloper into his daughter's life. He didn't want anyone to take his daughter away when he had just gotten her back after fifteen years. He wanted more time with her to re-establish their bond.
Annie only smiled to herself, understanding her husband's reluctance. Halley had always been special to the man because she had always been willing to help out on the farm, being the son that they had not had. The girl had been a natural tomboy more willing to help outside then to do housework. The older woman had never minded and been happy for the special bond that existed between them. She had expected and prepared herself for this sort of reaction. She only hoped that her daughter would not be upset if her father was a little reluctant in his acceptance.
She would find out the answer to her question the next morning when Halley ambled into the kitchen still dressed in her sleep wear. John was just finishing his breakfast when the girl dropped into a chair, accepting a cup of coffee from her mom.
"I see your friend arrived safely," the man commented after the usual morning pleasantries.
"Yeah," the woman nodded her blond head. "She wanted to wait up to meet you but she was exhausted from her trip. I was hoping it would be all right if I brought her out to the field to see how everything works. She's really interested in seeing what all goes on here."
"Well, sure," the man agreed, practically beaming at the knowledge that this stranger would be interested in what he did. Annie hid her smile by taking a sip of her coffee, knowing that her daughter had said all the right things.
That night Eden had slept better then she had in a long time. She had left the window open a crack to allow some of the fresh night air into the room and had dropped off to sleep the moment that her head hit the pillow.
It was a dreamless sleep and when she woke late the next morning she was completely rejuvenated without the aches and pains that she had been experiencing on a normal basis since her ejection. After a shower she was ready to face the world. She found Halley and her mother lingering over their morning coffee while John Braeden had already left for the day of work.
"Good morning," the pair greeted the latecomer in unison. Annie rose from the table.
"What can I get you for breakfast?"
"Good morning," Eden said feeling somewhat guilty for sleeping so late. "Sorry, I'm late for breakfast, you should have woken me."
"Nonsense," the older woman brushed aside the suggestion. "There is no reason for you to get up, now what would you like for breakfast?"
"Coffee and juice will be fine," the taller woman said as Annie moved towards the oven.
"I hope you're hungrier for more then that," the older woman shook her head as she fetched a plate from the oven and placed it in front of her house guest.
Eden stared with wide eyes at the platter of eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. She didn't think she would make much of a dent in the pile but she already knew that she would have to try. The women kept her company while she eat and she listened to the conversation that flowed between the two women, marveling at the easy relationship.
She knew she would never have been able to have the same type of relationship with her grand-mother and wondered what type of relationship she would have had with her own mom if she had lived. She hoped that it would have mimicked what these two women shared.
After breakfast had been eaten and the dishes washed up Halley took the taller woman out for the day. Later that night Eden would marvel at all she had seen and done throughout the day but she was determined to experience and enjoy as much as she could.
They started off the morning by going out to the fields to watch the men work and when the combine stopped to unload its full hopper into the truck, Halley insisted the flier hop abroad and take a ride with her father who was operating the machine. After a hasty introduction the tall pilot followed the older man into the cab while the blond stood next to her brother-in-law by the truck and watched the machine go back to work.
"Damn it girl she is a looker," Joe sighed once they were alone. Knowing that her companion would be with her father for awhile Halley decided to go with her brother-in-law back to the yard to dump the load of grain in the holding bins.
"She is, isn't she," the blonde allowed a cocky grin to spread across her face.
"So are you together?" the man was as blunt as good friends and family could be.
"No," Halley was honest. "We are just friends."
"But you want to be more?" the man prodded, aware of how private his sister-in-law was with her affairs.
"Yeah, I guess so."
"You guess so?" the man snorted in disbelief.
"Okay, okay," Halley sighed knowing that she wouldn't be left alone until she told the truth. "There is something about her that draws me to her. We're not dating or anything. I think we both just want to spend time together and see if we like each other."
Joe snorted again as he guided the truck into his farm yard and headed for the grain bins where the auger was set up. "I think everyone can see that you like each other. I don't know why you're wasting time, you aren't getting any younger."
"No," the woman shook her head thinking carefully for a moment so that she could articulate her answer so that the man could understand.
"We both haven't been in any serious relationships before because of our lives in the military, and we are at an age where we don't want to play around. You are right I'm not getting any younger, but I don't want to be like so many other women who just latch onto someone so they don't have to be alone. If something does come of our friendship I want it to be solid so that it will last not for a few years but for a lifetime."
"I understand sis, I really do," Joe said sincerely.
Any fears Eden had about meeting Halley's father quickly dissipated as the he put the giant machine into gear. The tall woman stared in fascination at the equipment, listening intently as the man explained the process of how the machine plucked the rows of grain from the ground and then circulated it through the machine until only the kernels came out onto the hopper bin at the back of the cab.
"What you like to give it a spin?" John asked his passenger after then had done one pass of the field.
Eden looked at the man with wide eyes. "Are you sure I could do it?"
"You have flown jet fighters from what I am told," the man laughed. "I am sure you can handle this."
"Okay," the tall woman grinned shyly and switched seats while the machine was still moving down the field.
"See, it's easy," John explained with a smile, placing his hand on a small lever next to the driver's wheel. "This stick raises and lowers the header of the pick-up. When you see the pick-up getting to full you raise it a little and stop the combine for a minute."
Eden did as the man instructed amazed at the feeling of accomplishment she felt at succeeding at such a small task. By the time Halley and her brother-in-law returned to the field that combine's hopper was ready to be emptied and there was a broad smile on the tall woman's face.
"Your dad let me drive the combine," Eden greeted her hostess unable to hide her excitement.
Halley glanced over to her father who was beaming. She had worried that the two would not get along but it was obvious that their time alone had been well spent. She turned her attention back to the tall woman seeing the glee in her brilliant blue eyes.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," she smiled infected by the woman's enthusiasm.
From there they drove over to the north section where the hired man Dave Harrison was tilling the fields. Once again Halley insisted that the tall pilot take a trip down the field and she waited in the truck while Eden climbed aboard the four wheel drive tractor and rode down the field. Like his employer the man allowed the woman a chance at the wheel and the dark haired woman was thrilled at being able to operate the equipment. It wasn't as difficult as flying a fighter jet but she still needed to keep her attention on the small details and her eye on the machinery.
By the time she returned to the smaller woman in the truck her face was covered in the fine dust that invaded the cab. Halley laughed for the pilot seemed like a kid at Christmas eager to open another wrapped package. As arranged they drove to her sister Janice's house for lunch.
"It's a beautiful day so I thought we would eat outside on the picnic table," Halley's younger sister suggested. Eden immediately offered to help carry out the dishes and food as her friend entertained her four year old niece.
"So Eden tell me about yourself," Janice said bluntly once they were sitting down at the bench and eating.
"Janice!" Halley was perturbed by her sister. She knew how blunt her family could be and was certain that the tall woman was not used to such openness.
"It's all right," Eden assured the ex-marine. "What would you like to know?"
"Everything," Janice was honest. "How old you are? Where you live? What your intentions for my sister are?"
"Janice!" Halley groaned, wondering why she had accepted her sister's lunch invitation. It was because she had forgotten her sister's tendency to embarrass her, was why, she reminded herself.
"What?" the other woman pretended to be clueless. "She asked me what I wanted to know."
Eden laughed, amused by the sibling's interaction, and not unaware of the light colouring that had flooded the former marines features. In spite of the sharp retorts between them, the pilot could see the love that existed between the two sisters. Fortunately their continued friendly bickering saved the older woman from answering the questions.
After eating they took a drive through the countryside. It was the middle of September and the leaves on the trees were already in the middle of turning the brilliant shades that marked the fall season. Eden marveled at the beautiful landscapes and was awed by the view at their destination.
Halley had taken them down a narrow bush road to a small meadow at the top of a ridge. Below in a narrow valley was a slow moving river of dirty brown water. The landscape was a rich blanket of golden fields and bright yellow and red trees.
"This is beautiful," the tall woman gushed, sucking in the crisp fall air and savoring the flavor.
"Yeah," the small blond nodded her head in agreement. "If I didn't have this bum leg I would take you down to the river." She pointed down the ridge to a narrow path that disappeared into the trees that covered the valley walls.
"There is a path that leads through the bush down to the river edge. It's a good hike. My parents usually come out here in summer because there are hundreds of blueberry bushes and my mom makes the best pies from them."
Eden could well imagine. The little she had tasted of the older woman's cooking told her that Annie Braeden's culinary skills was as good as any she had ever tasted.
They followed the trip to the valley with a drive down to the river where Halley explained that once there had been a ferry that was used to cross the water. It had been abandoned several years earlier and now everyone made the extra ten mile drive to the new bridge that had been built to span the water crossing.
From the river they drove to the post office. It was located at the back of the small general grocery in the tiny village several miles from the Braedens' farm. There was also a church, a grade school and a curling rink in the town. By the time they finally returned to the farmhouse Eden was exhausted, tired out from the fresh air and the activity of the day.
That evening Halley built a fire in the pit by the grove of fruit trees that stood next to the gardens. The two women sat silently beneath the dark sky and stared up at the bejeweled sky and the clear silver autumn moon. Halley sighed happy for the peace that surrounded.
"Penny for your thoughts," Eden remarked breaking the silence between them.
"They aren't worth that much," the smaller woman flashed a contented smile at her companion. "Did you have a good day?"
"It was a great day," the dark haired woman enthused. "Thank you. I've done things today that I never imagined I would ever do."
"I'm glad," Halley said unable to make her gaze retreat from the woman's animated face.
"Sorry about what happened at my sister's."
"There's nothing to be sorry for," Eden noticed the blush on the younger woman's face in spite of darkness. "It must be nice to have someone care for you enough to be concerned."
"Yeah well, I'm not sure it's concern, more then it is just being nosy," the blond woman laughed somewhat self-consciously.
"I can see why you would want to come back to this place." The pilot diverted the conversation not wanting to embarrass the other woman.
"Yeah," the blond nodded, summoning the courage to say more. She was more afraid then she had ever been while in the Marines. She took a deep breath. "Do you think you could live in a place like this?"
"In a heartbeat," the taller woman was sincere.
"You wouldn't miss your grandparents?"
"No," Eden shook her head and blue eyes looked up from the dancing orange flames.
There was a serious expression on her face. "I don't have the same kind of relationship with them as you have with your family. It's a whole different world and I never really fit in. I think that was one of the reasons I joined the Navy."
"What were the others?"
"I wanted to be like my dad," the tall woman admitted for the first time. There were certain things about her life that she had not shared with anyone yet she found herself opening up to this woman.
"He was a pilot in the Navy," she continued. "He was shot down over Vietnam in 1970. We never saw or heard from him again. I was seven years old at the time and I guess I wanted to know what his life was like. How he felt. I thought perhaps it would bring some closure to the feelings I had about him."
"Did it?"
"In some ways," Eden admitted. "I can understand now how he must have felt." There was another pause. "If it hadn't been for you I would have ended up like him, lost and buried in a foreign land. Only I wouldn't have had anyone left to mourn me."
"I'm sure your grandparents would have mourned," Halley objected.
"But they are old," the pilot sighed. "As it is my grandmother will never forgive me for having to eject. For a few days they lived the same terror that they had gone through once already. They never wanted to go through that again."
"But you survived."
"It doesn't matter. They weren't anything like your parents."
Halley was quiet not understanding how this woman's family could do anything but rejoice over the fact that their grand-daughter had survived. She thought of her own parents love and support and knew that she would never have managed to survive and accept what she did if it hadn't been for their unconditional love.
"My mom and dad were more worried than they let on," Halley shook her head. "I know I caused them more than a few sleepless nights, especially my dad. He was among the first Marines that landed in Vietnam in '65 so he knew what I faced. He was proud of his service and his country but he never wanted his children to have to go through that. There was a lot of strained moments when I first signed up."
"What did they think when you joined this new program?"
"I didn't tell them much about it," the former marine confessed. "I thought the less they knew the better, but somehow my dad knew that I had been in danger. The first leave I had after my first assignment, I came home because I wanted to be as far away from the military as possible. Without saying anything they understood. They never asked any questions, they just let me be, sitting quietly beside me just in case I wanted to talk."
"I couldn't imagine my grandparents doing that," Eden sighed. "They would for the most part ignore me. But it wasn't their entire fault. I never tried to talk to them."
"Well, you know you can talk to me about anything," Halley said.
"I know," the tall woman nodded. "And I hope you feel the same way."
"I do," the small smiled. "Thank you."
The rest of the week followed in much of the same fashion as their first day. Eden made herself available and before long the older couple were treating her much the same as they did with the rest of their family. She found herself helping Halley dig the carrots and potatoes out of the garden. She rode along with the small woman when she brought coffee and lunch out to the field. They even tried horseback riding after they figured out a safe way for Halley to mount the animal wearing her cast.
It was a pleasant ride as the ex-marine took them down trails that lead through the bush and across the rolling meadows that made up the surrounding landscape. They ended up at a small creek alongside an abandoned rail line. A beaver dam marked the forward edge of the water shed and all around the waters edge, evidence of the beavers diligent work could be seen.
"On hot days during the summer my sisters and I would sneak away from our chores and come here to swim," Halley told her companion once they had dismounted and were sitting on the edge of the bank. The water was right below them and they leisurely tossed small pebbles into its murky depths causing ripples across it's placid surface.
"In winter time we would come out here and skate on a Sunday afternoon family outing. Dad would build a fire nearby where we could go to warm up when we got cold. On many occasions we were joined by our neighbours."
"Sounds like fun," Eden said truthfully.
"What do you remember most about your childhood?"
"Not allot," the tall woman sighed. "I was never a brave one so I never got into trouble at boarding school. My grandparents were firm believers in following rules so I spent most of my time reading in the library when the other girls were out plotting some misadventure."
"Were you into sports?"
"I played field hockey and soccer," the dark haired woman said. "I was tall at quite a young age so everywhere I went they tried to get me to play basketball but I never enjoyed the sport."
"I was on the softball and volleyball teams," Halley replied. "I remember we had some fun team trips."
The two women talked long into the afternoon, sharing events of their lives growing up in two different parts of the continent. Halley could understand why her friend didn't have a close relationship with her grandparents and though she didn't say it she felt sorry for the rather sterile upbringing the dark haired woman had. It was starting to get late when they reluctantly decided it was time to head back to the farm.
Halley waited for the other woman to fetch the horses that were grazing nearby. At the sounds of hooves nearby she made to stand up but immediately the dirt and pebbles beneath her began to give way. Eden could see what was happening and dropped the reins in an attempt to grab the smaller woman. But she was caught off balance and the momentum was too much. Both women tumbled down the bank head first into the water below. The loud splash frightened the horses which took off in a gallop back home.
"Son of a bitch," Halley sputtered as she surfaced, her feet becoming stuck in the muddy bottom.
Eden surfaced spitting and coughing in an attempt to exercise the foul tasting water from her mouth. She struggled to find firm ground so that she could pull herself up. Halley splashed nearby cursing violently as she tried to loosen the heavy cast that had become weighted down in the mud.
"Wait," the tall woman cautioned her companion finding a secure foothold before leaning forward to pull the smaller woman out. After much tugging Halley's leg came free and she landed in a heap on the other woman. They lay there for a long moment panting and shivering as the chilly air breathed against their damp clothing.
Green eyes looked up and met blue and there was silence for a long moment before they both burst out laughing at each others bedraggled appearance. It was a long moment before they regained control of their senses.
"This isn't really funny," Eden remarked as they struggled back up the side of the steep bank, nearly slipping back down.
"I know, but think of it as another adventure on the farm," the small woman grinned, obviously to the piece of soggy weed that was trapped in her wet hair.
"You mean misadventure," the tall woman corrected with an equally broad smile, her dark hair plastered to her head. She glanced around but there were no horses in sight. "Looks like we get to walk."
It was more then a mile back to the farm and the air was steadily becoming chillier as the sun began it's late afternoon descent. Halley hobbled along gamely, leaning on her companion for support. She winced at the slimy sensation that rippled up and down between her leg and cast with each step, mumbling and cursing the entire way. Eden would have laughed at the predicament that they found themselves in but she could feel the shivers rack through the smaller woman's body.
She glanced down at her companion. She could see that the woman was cold and in pain. They were about halfway back when they reached a small knoll of trees. It was then that Eden decided a change of tactics was in order. They had stopped to rest and one look at the smaller woman's pale face and she knew she had to do something fast or they would both catch pneumonia.
"Here," Eden slipped off her jacket and placed it around the other woman's shoulders.
"No, you'll freeze," Halley managed to protest between chattering teeth.
"Not if I run," Eden said. She didn't want to leave the small woman but knew that they would both get sick if she didn't go for help quickly. "Just sit here. I'll run back to the farm and get a truck."
Halley wanted to protest some more but she knew that this was no time to allow her pride to get in the way. She merely nodded and pointed in a northwesterly direction.
"If you keep going straight that way it will be faster then following the trail."
Eden nodded and impulsively leaned forward and planted a kiss on cold cheek before turning and starting off in a trot. She had not done any serious running since the accident and felt immediately the pull of her muscles. She dismissed the pain and discomfort, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, spurred by thoughts of the smaller woman in distress.
It seemed like forever before she finally reached the farm yard. Her side was aching, her body shivering from the cold and her stomach was nauseous. She saw Annie standing on the porch, concern etched across her face. The two horses had made it back home and were tired to a post at the edge of the porch, contentedly grazing on the lawn grass.
"What happened? Where is Halley?" The older woman hurried to meet the tall woman who was bent over and gasping for breath. She was unable to hide her concern. The younger woman's features were pale and her clothing was damp. She knew something happened and she was afraid for her daughter.
"We had an accident and fell into the creek," Eden managed to gasp, ignoring the throbbing pain that engulfed her. "The horses took off so we had to walk but it was getting cold so I left Halley by some trees because it was faster to run here then to try and help her back here."
The words were a jumble but somehow Annie understood. She was only partially placated. She had lived for fifteen years with the fear of losing her daughter and when the horses had returned without their riders she had tried not to panic. Only just now her heart was starting to slow down.
"Wait here while I get the truck keys," the older woman ordered before turning and hurrying back into the house.
Erin did as she was told and moments later Annie was back. A thin blanket was thrown over her shoulders and another shoved into her hands as they hurried to the pick-up truck by the shed. Once underway it wasn't long before they came to where Eden had left Halley.
"Sorry mom," Halley automatically apologized.
"Not to worry," the older woman brushed aside the apology. Now that she knew neither of the girls were hurt she could think sensibly again. She bundled the second blanket around her daughter's shoulders. "When the horses came back alone I figured you'd have some sort of adventure. Good thing your friend was here to help you."
"You're not kidding," the blond managed a crooked smile. "Otherwise I would still be stuck in the mud in the creek, unless I could have convinced one of the beavers to chew this dang cast off."
Eden marveled at the smaller woman's good humour and after a slight struggle they were bundled into the truck and on their way home. Once back at the farm house, Annie sent both women to separate bathrooms for a long hot soak. While they were in the tubs she boiled up some broth.
"What's with the horses out front?" John asked his wife when he stepped into the kitchen. Annie quickly filled him in on the afternoon's events. He was chuckling by the time he stepped outside to take care of the two creatures. As Eden would learn later it wasn't unusual for the smaller woman to get herself into some predicament.
"I'm putting you both into the same room," Annie announced when both young women were back in the warmth of the kitchen. She had felt both their foreheads before putting a steaming bowl of soup in front of them. Green and blue eyes met across the table. "That way I will be able to keep an eye on the both of you at the same time."
Neither woman protested much when the older woman sent them off to bed immediately following their supper. They were exhausted and their muscles ached from the day's exertion. Halley was particularly uncomfortable. The leg that was in a cast was damp and scratchy.
"Halley are you awake?"
"Hmm," the blond shifted her body so that she could look at her companion. They were both lying on their backs trying to sleep.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry."
"Why what did you do?" the blond was confused.
"I left you by the trees."
"Oh god, Eden, you did the best thing," Halley was stunned that the small incident bothered the dark haired woman. "If you hadn't run ahead we would still be struggling to get home."
"Maybe, but I still didn't like leaving you."
"I understand," and strangely Halley did.
In spite of the older woman's ministrations both girls came down with a cold and a fever. Neither of the young women were in the mood for company but strangely they both were comforted by the others presence. Because Annie refused to allow them out of bed except to wash and change their night clothes, they spent their days in their pajamas alternating between playing cards or board games or reading. In the evening they watched television.
Though neither woman was used to sleeping with someone they felt natural with each other. By the third day they were feeling much better though they were reluctant to break the routine they had established. The few days they had been together had strengthened the bond that was growing between them.
"Do you think we should tell mom that we're better?" Halley asked the morning when they both woke to find themselves feeling better. "It's been kind of nice...having her wait on me."
"Yeah," Eden sighed. "But it wouldn't be very nice."
The last thing the tall dark haired woman wanted to do was to leave the warm comfort of the bed she had shared for the last three nights with the small blond. They had naturally gravitated towards each other in their sleep and had woken up with their limbs entwined.
The first morning there had been a few awkward moments but later they had simply accepted their bodies attraction to each other even if both women were to afraid to acknowledge it with words.
"No, I guess not," Halley sighed with mock disappointment but then brightened. "Maybe we could go riding to the creek again."
Eden merely picked up a pillow and slammed it against the small woman's head. That started a pillow fight which ended only when both women tumbled out of bed. Annie rushed to the room to find out what all the commotion was about and was amused to find both women on the floor, their limbs tangled in the bedding and feathers floating in the air. She merely sighed, rolled her eyes and headed back to the kitchen, wondering again how old her daughter really was. The women couldn't help the round of laughter that broke over them at the older woman's expression.
"Halley?"
"Yeah?"
"Were you serious when you said you would travel to Australia with me?" Eden had been afraid to address this situation before now but she felt a level of comfort with the small blond that she had never felt with anyone before.
"Were you serious with your invitation?"
"When you know me better, you will realize I never offer an invitation I don't want."
"Then the answer is yes," Halley answered promptly. These last few days had shown her that they would be able to get along as traveling companions. Somehow she had already known that. "When do you want to go?"
"How long until you are ready to go?" Eden asked moving unconsciously to sit on her hands. She had the sudden urge to reach out and touch the smaller woman.
"In a few weeks," the blond answered her stomach suddenly quivering with excitement and something she had never felt before. "As much as I love this place I won't miss the cold weather."
"Good," the tall woman smiled and then fell silent as her eyes were captured by sparkling green orbs.
The smile faded from her face as a trembling took hold of her stomach. She was nervous, about her growing feelings for the smaller woman and the desires that she was starting to feel throughout her body. But more then that she was worried that her bulging feelings weren't being returned. She could tell that the blond woman liked her but there was a different ways of liking someone. She took a deep breath, realizing that she needed to say something before her feelings grew beyond her control.
"Halley, I think there is something we have to talk about before we make any more plans," Eden averted her eyes, afraid of what she might see in the green gaze.
"Oh?" Halley had felt the atmosphere in the room change. Her heart sank, wondering if the taller woman had sensed her blossoming emotions. Their time together had been nearly perfect and she hoped that she had not done anything to spoil it.
"Yeah," the taller woman nodded her dark head, swallowing the lump in her throat and rushed ahead before her courage failed. "You know that question that your sister asked the other day, about what my intentions with you were. Well, I like you."
"I like you too," the blond woman replied, biting her lower lip, worried by the fact that her companion could not meet her gaze.
"No, I mean I really like you," Eden said so softly that her words were barely audible. "In the way that guys like girls."
"Oh," Halley was only able to say, her heart doing a happy dance in chest. "That could be a problem."
The dark woman felt her heart plummet in her chest. She stared silently at the crumpled blankets pooled around her legs, her face flushing with heat as she silently cursed herself for reading the signals wrong and speaking out.
"That could be a problem," the blond woman repeated as she pushed herself closer to the tall woman. A small hand reached over and lifted the other woman's chin so that blue and green eyes could meet once again. "But fortunately it isn't, cause I really like you in that way as well."
Eden was momentarily confused until the words penetrated her fears. There was a smile in the sparkling green eyes and an even wider smile on the small lips that had somehow moved so close.
"You mean?"
"Yeah," Halley grinned.
"You brat," the pilot sputtered grabbing a nearby pillow and slamming it against her companion. The former marine laughed as she was pummeled, making no attempt to defend herself, giddy with happiness. Suddenly the pillow was gone and she opened her eyes to see the taller woman leaning over her.
"I thought...," Eden didn't know what else to say.
"I'm sorry," Halley was immediately contrite. She reached up and combed an errant strand of dark hair away from the other woman's face.
"I haven't had much experience," the taller woman confessed quietly. "None at all when it comes to relationships, but I feel something for you that I haven't felt for anyone else. I want to take it slow with you, one step at a time. I want to learn if it can be forever with you."
The smaller woman's heart pounded in her chest. The softly spoken words were so sincere and honest that she thought that her heart would burst. She looked up into blue eyes and knew in that moment that she wanted it to be forever with this woman. Without a word she reached her arms around the other woman and brought her entire body down.
Their first kiss was soft and sweet, a gentle caress. But no sooner had they broken apart when they met for a second more passionate embrace that left them both breathless when they finally broke apart minutes later.
"Wow," Halley breathed.
"Yeah, wow," Eden agreed, flopping back down on the floor next to the other woman. "I guess that doesn't leave us any questions about how much we like each other."
"Nope," the smaller woman grinned the butterflies in her stomach gone.
Before either woman could say anything more there was a knock on the door and Annie stuck her head in the room. She was amazed to find the two younger women still laying on the floor, the bed sheets tangled around them. She didn't miss the happy look on her daughters face and she had a suspicious idea of what they had been doing since her last visit.
"All right ladies, it's time for you to get dressed," she announced stepping into the room and bending to collect a couple of pillows that were lying on the floor by the doorway.
"We need to get moving. You have your doctor's appointment this afternoon Halley."
"Yippee!!" the blond woman exclaimed. "I get this thing off today."
She turned green orbs on her companion and smiled broadly. It was going to be a really good day.
THE END
What! the end? Stay tuned cause I don't think these girls are finished yet.
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