Part 33 (1/2)

”Oh, most a.s.suredly, especially with those who waste their time being possessive. I try to take people as they wish to be received. It requires too much energy otherwise.”

Liddy tried not to ask, but she had to. ”Is this going to bother Marian?”

Carrie regarded her curiously. ”Does it matter to you if it does?”

Liddy colored. ”Yes.”

”Marian will roll with it. She's learning. Give her time.”

”I'm supposed leave at the end of July.”

Carrie touched Liddy's wrist for just a moment. ”I became happy when I let go of asupposed to.'”

”You sound like Sensei Kerry.”

Carrie grinned. ”If you mean that wonderful man Kerry at the Golden Dragon, I'm honored.”

They chatted about a variety of topics, and it was some time before Liddy realized the afternoon was slipping away. ”I'm really sorry, but I should get some work done today. But I have enjoyed talking, a lot.”

”So have I, dear. You're a welcome change of pace, even if you do leave us again. Say h.e.l.lo to Marian for me.”

”How do you know I'll see her?”

202.

Carrie abruptly looked smug. ”She kicked your car. The best part is-after your happiness, of course-I win the pool.”

”Pool? There was a bet on who would end up with me?”

”Horrid, isn't it?”

”Yes,” Liddy said indignantly. ”I think it is. I'm a woman, not a horse.”

”I couldn't agree more, but it's so rare we get fresh meat in the summer that I had to join in.” Carrie blinked innocently.

”Well, I'm glad you won at least.” Slowly, a smile took over. ”But I'm the one who really won. At least I will, if I work at it.”

Jersey had been a mess, not that either Marian or Ellie found that the least bit odd. They did what they could, which was to listen and comfort her. Jersey was manically packing her things, not sure where she would go when the house was sold. An electrician could make ends meet, but how would she have time for cla.s.ses if she was paying rent on her own? They'd tried to rea.s.sure her it wouldn't happen tomorrow, but Jersey was adamant she had to be ready to move at a moment's notice.

Marian wasn't sure that Ellie's offer of a place to stay was the wisest move on Ellie's part, but h.e.l.l, she had enough to worry about with her own love life. They could just trade places, and maybe that would be simplest all the way around. Inner Prude could just shut up about it.

She had to go home for Liddy's number. Her stomach growled for dinner. Hill and Trombone were likewise vocal about their hunger. She took care of their needs, but skipped her own, hoping to have dinner with Liddy.

Liddy wasn't answering her home phone or her cell. Karate lesson, Marian abruptly recalled. That was tonight. Oh, h.e.l.l, she thought, now Liddy will think I didn't call, and she'll worry I'm a heartless cad or something. I don't want her to worry about something like that. I'm not Robyn. Neither is she. And there is no way I 203 am going to let Robyn Vaughn steal anything more from me, and that includes a chance to get to know Liddy.

The Internet had its uses. Marian had had no idea there were four places to learn martial arts in Iowa City, and another two in Coralville. She printed the list and decided to try the closest one.

Failing that, she'd just wait at Liddy's house.

Luck was with her. The sight of the Hummer in front of the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Academy made her stomach do a little dance.

Liddy didn't notice her slipping in the door, but she had good reason. The cla.s.s of roughly a dozen people was moving very quickly through moves that looked more like dance than anything else, except in dance n.o.body actually got kicked, swatted or knocked over.

It was mesmerizing. Liddy moved like a cat.

Marian remembered those muscles against her last night. How had she ever thought Liddy was fragile? But she was, at least on the inside, Marian reminded herself. Strong, intelligent, fragile, funny, pa.s.sionate, caring-in other words, a woman. A good woman.

By the time cla.s.s ended, Marian had committed every movement of Liddy's body to memory. Liddy spoke with the sensei for a few minutes, then collected a bag not far from where Marian was sitting, and hurried toward the door.

Amused, Marian followed her. Liddy was getting out her cell phone.

She nearly laughed out loud when her own phone rang. She answered, unable to keep the merriment out of her voice.

”You s.h.i.+t, you said you'd call.”

”I'm sorry, it's been a busy day. I got caught up comforting Jersey.”

”I've heard all the news. You sound way too happy without me.”

Liddy unlocked her car and tossed her bag in it.

”Careful with that bag, you could break something.”

”What?”

”Turn around, Emma.”

204.

Liddy pivoted in place and stared. She said into the phone, ”Okay, I forgive you,” and hung up.

Marian meant to saunter. She then thought she could hold herself to a stroll. It became a half-run as Liddy started toward her and they collided, in the parking lot of the Golden Dragon, in plain sight of the world.

She kissed Liddy without holding anything back. It was nice to have love out in the open. She kissed Liddy again.

Liddy finally pushed her away. ”I'm all sweaty.”

”I like you this way. You were the first time you held me.”

”Oh, you noticed.”

”I think I've noticed everything about you.”

”There's a lot more to know.”