Cattle Valley: About the Girls

Truth or Dare

“The only woman she’d ever loved had just walked out the door.” The author closed her book and looked up, scanning the standing-room only crowd. “Thank you all for being here.”

Naomi Rivers started the applause then wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. She’d read Destiny’s Choice soon after she’d confirmed the book signing event at her store. It was much more poignant hearing the words in the author’s resonant, sexy voice. She glanced around. Her friends and fellow townspeople must have agreed. They jostled around the book display, reaching for copies.

“There’s a table off to the side.” She spoke loudly enough to be heard over the noise, pointing to her left. “As soon as I can get Ms. Cross to it, she’ll sign your books. There are refreshments too.”

Weaving through the group, she reached the front where Courtney Cross stood chatting with the other bookstore employee, Melissa Danes. “That was great!” Naomi smiled at the gorgeous, well-known writer. “Everyone loved it. Looks like we might sell out.”

“I brought a few extra copies, just in case.” Courtney brushed her blonde bangs off her face. “I’m amazed at the turnout. I heard Cattle Valley was a small town.”

“It is. Less than three thousand people, actually. But lots of folks here have what they like to call ‘alternative lifestyles’. The subject matter of your lesbian novel has been a huge topic of discussion since everyone found out you were coming. People were very excited.”

Courtney shook her head. “I can’t believe that either. A gay town. It’s unheard of.”

“Not everyone’s gay,” Melissa said. “Some people moved here to be with gay family members. Some just wanted a peaceful, non-judgemental place to live.”

“Speaking of peaceful…” Naomi scanned the crowd, some of whom seemed to be getting restless. “We’d better get the signing started. I’ll take her over there, Mel. Would you make sure the display of her books stays stocked? There’s another case of her first title, Destiny’s Rule, in back if we need it.”

“Yep.” Melissa left the author’s side reluctantly, making a face behind the woman’s back at Naomi.

Naomi smiled sweetly at the young brunette then took Courtney by the arm. The softness of her skin jolted Naomi for a moment, and she paused to control her breathing. Keep it together! she chided herself. With a store full of customers, she had no time to melt into a puddle of lust. “This way, Ms. Cross. Get your fingers limbered up, looks like you’ll be doing some writing.”

“My favourite part.” Courtney settled into the padded chair behind the table. “Next to the writing, that is.” Picking up a pen, she smiled at the first person in line and the small talk began.

Stepping back, Naomi watched with interest. She’d always been an avid reader but could only admire someone who put words to paper the way Courtney did. And facing a crowd of strangers— Naomi shuddered. She’d rather spend time in a room full of books than people.

“That’s one poised woman.” Sheriff Ryan Blackfeather stepped up behind her. “Making nice with one person after another, smiling like there’s no place she’d rather be.”

Naomi looked over her shoulder and up at the tall man. “She said it’s her second favourite thing to do, after writing.”

Ryan scanned the crowd. “I can think of several things I’d call my favourites, and none of them include books.”

Naomi saw him making eyes at one of his handsome partners, Nate Gills, who waited in line for an autograph. Straight or gay, most people in Cattle Valley agreed—Nate was about the prettiest thing west of the Mississippi River. Naomi concurred, but also knew what a great friend the man was.

She swatted Ryan’s arm. “I wasn’t talking about that. We all know how good you’ve got it at home. Speaking of which, where’s the third partner in your man sandwich? I haven’t seen Rio in here.”

He snorted. “Rio’s at The Gym. He said he’s not into lesbian book readings but asked you to save him a cookie.”

“Tell him to forget it,” she teased. “They’re lesbian cookies.”

“Yeah, well, we happen to know you got them at Brynn’s Bakery. Kyle Brynn may be many things, but he’s no lesbian.”

“Smart ass. I bought them, so they’re mine now. Lesbian cookies, get it?”

Ryan smiled. “Nate’ll take him one. Nate looks out for Rio.” He watched his lover talk to the author.

“I know he does.” She looked from one man to the other thoughtfully. They were an unusual trio. Ryan—tall, dark and handsome, massive tattoos and flowing long hair—made a wonderful, yet atypical, town sheriff. He lived with two partners, Rio Adega, also tattooed, with multiple piercings and hair to die for, and the metro-sexual Nate, who along with Rio had opened a fitness centre and called it—thinking like men—The Gym. Nate and Rio spent lots of time there, and where they could be found, Ryan usually wasn’t far away.

Glancing from Ryan to Nate, Naomi wondered how they did it. Not the physical how—she blushed thinking about that—but the mental how of loving two people. Didn’t they get jealous? What if one of them wasn’t in the mood? Though judging by appearances, that wasn’t often a problem. When they weren’t working, the men were all over each other.

Nate finished up with Courtney and walked towards Naomi and Ryan. After planting a kiss on the lips of his tall lover, he smiled at Naomi. “Courtney’s one nice lady. You should get yourself some of that.”

“Excuse me?” She blinked. “Just because she wrote a lesbian book, doesn’t make her a lesbian.”

“She is.” He nodded with authority.

“How do you know?” Naomi scoffed.

Nate shrugged. “I asked her.”

“You did not!”

Ryan laughed. “I’m sure he did. Why does that surprise you? You know him well enough, by now.”

“Oh my god!” She shook her head.

“We need to go.” Ryan slipped an arm around his lover. “Have you paid for your book?”

“No, I’m stealing it.” He patted Naomi’s face.

She grinned, shoving his hand away. “You bought it weeks ago, jackass. I put the sticker on it myself when you brought it in tonight. Go on, get out. Make room for the paying customers.”

“I need a cookie first.” Nate looked offended.

She shook her finger. “Don’t take any for Rio.”

“Cross my heart.” He turned his back, where she could see his fingers in the shape of an ‘X’, the universal symbol for cancelling a promise.

Chuckling, she glanced up at Ryan. “How can you live with him?”

He leaned down, kissing her cheek. “He makes life very interesting, if you know what I mean. ‘Night, Naomi.”

Fool's Gold

Adeline Murphy squinted at the bright sunlight shining in on her and yawned. She fumbled around the backseat of her ancient Pontiac Le Mans before clutching the passenger headrest, attempting to sit up. “Is it morning?” She glanced around.

“Hmm?” The woman sleeping in the front seat mumbled something unintelligible and rolled over, away from Addie.

“Hey, Chloe.” Addie reached over and nudged her shoulder. “It’s morning. Want to grab a shower before we leave Casper?”

“Don’t want to be in Casper,” Chloe muttered, trying to bury her face in the pillow.

Addie yawned again. “Tough. You didn’t have to come with me, you know. I’m sure you can catch a bus back to Colorado Springs.”

Chloe opened one eye. “Maybe I will. What’s the name of this town we’re going to, again?”

“Cattle Valley.” Addie grabbed the badly refolded map of Wyoming and peered at it. “Somewhere near Sheridan which, in that state, is about as far north as you get.”

“Great.” Chloe threw an arm over her face. “Okay, whatever. I got nothing left in Colorado, I’ll tell you that much. Might as well see what Cow Village has to offer.”

“Cattle Valley.” Addie bopped her companion with the map then tossed it on the wide front dashboard. “Come on, grab your stuff. They have showers in the back part of this truck stop. Then we can get some breakfast.”

Shoving her pillow and blanket aside, Chloe sat up. “How about a little nookie? That’s how I like to wake up in the morning.”

Addie smiled at Chloe’s dishevelled, spiked blonde hair and smeared makeup. She ran her thumb under Chloe’s left eye, wiping away a black mascara smudge. “Let’s check out the showers, see if there’s any privacy.”

Chloe’s face lit up, and they both crawled out of the car.

Addie unlocked the large trunk and rummaged around in one of her suitcases for clean clothes and a couple of towels. She watched Chloe dig through an old military-style duffle bag and pull out two equally rumpled shirts. Chloe sniffed one and shrugged, throwing it over her shoulder. She shoved the other one back into the duffle.

“I have shampoo in here somewhere.” Addie dug deeper. She found soap and the other necessary supplies then looked at Chloe. “Anything else?”

“Oh, yeah.” Chloe grabbed a small make-up kit.

Addie slammed the trunk, and they headed inside. Most of the actual truck drivers had left before dawn. She’d heard their diesel engines rumble to life, one by one, but tried to ignore them and sleep as long as she could. They only had a couple of hours left of their eight hour trek, but she’d been too exhausted the night before to attempt going the whole way.

A large crowd had gathered in the dining area for breakfast. Addie’s father used to tell her, if she wanted a good meal when travelling, eat at a truck stop.

Over-the-road drivers, who went back and forth regularly, always knew the best places to eat.

She did some quick mental calculations and knew they couldn’t spend much on their meal. They’d splurged on a big dinner when they’d arrived the previous night then spent the rest of the evening fending off truckers who didn’t realise they were gay. Chloe didn’t help matters—she had a habit of letting men buy her drinks before eventually dropping the bomb. Most were pissed that they’d wasted their time and money, a few got downright angry. They’d met a couple of nice ones, though, who’d given them the free shower coupons most drivers accumulated with a tank fill-up.

After following the signs to the shower area, Addie turned in their coupons and was given two towels and two paper floor mats. She and Chloe glanced at each other—the towels were dingy and stiff. “I think we’ll take a pass on these.” She set them on a bench and entered the showers.

“Not bad.” Chloe peeled out of her clothes.

“I’m leaving my flip-flops on, just in case.” Addie motioned to her rubber sandals.

“What the hell. I’ve probably been exposed to everything possible, anyway.” Her friend kicked her shoes across the room and stepped into a stall. “Care to join me?”

Chuckling, Addie chose the shower next to Chloe, pulling the plastic curtain closed. “I don’t think so. Let’s get in and get out. We’ll have time to relax when we arrive at Cattle Valley.”

“No fun.” Chloe’s voice sounded pouty, but her water turned on.

“Here.” Addie passed the soap and shampoo over when she was done with them then hurried to towel off. She wasn’t sure about the privacy level, and didn’t want to get caught naked in a truck stop shower.

She dressed in a T-shirt and cut-off jeans. There was a hair dryer attached to the wall, and she was able to dry her short, black hair. There was no way to actually style it, but she was going to be driving for crissakes. Who cares?

Chloe was still in the shower, and Addie was completely dressed and ready to go. “Come on, girl!” She finally called. “What are you doing in there?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” A teasing voice came back.

“Actually, I’d like to get the hell out of here. Think you’ll be done anytime soon?”

The water stopped, and Chloe threw the curtain back. “Bitch, bitch, bitch. All right, I’m done. Shall we go?” She held up her hands.

Addie gazed over Chloe’s naked body. She had firm, perky tits with perfectly shaped round nipples. They were deep brown in contrast to her fair skin. The left one was pierced, and the small, silver hoop matched the ring that hung from her totally shaved labia. Addie glanced at the tempting flesh then looked away quickly. Chloe didn’t need any encouragement. A suggestive glance might have them groping each other right then and there. Addie was anxious to get going. She handed over one of her clean, dry towels. “Come on.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Chloe sounded cooperative but she dried off as slowly as possible. She stood naked in front of the worn, scarred mirror and dried her hair then paused to examine her face up close. “I need makeup.”

“You look fine. Maybe you could do your makeup in the car.” Addie looked at Chloe’s reflection in the mirror. A shiny stud punctuated the end of one eyebrow, and eight earrings adorned each ear. She knew the exact number. She couldn’t help counting them when kissing in that vicinity on the sexy blonde.

Chloe snorted in disgust but moved away from the mirror. She wandered around the small, steamy room, apparently unconcerned that someone might come in at any time. Moving at a snail’s pace, she gathered her things and finally began to dress.

It didn’t take long. A small blue thong, tiny cut-off shorts and a sheer white top were all she had. Addie bit her lip. Luscious brown nipples poked right through the thin shirt. I’m going to have to look at those all day? Sex might not be able to wait until they got to Cattle Valley.

“All right, I’m ready.” Chloe slipped into her sandals and picked up her stuff. “I look like shit, but I guess I can do my makeup later.”

“Sure you can. We have two more hours, at least. That’s if I don’t get lost.” Addie couldn’t resist and placed a light kiss on Chloe’s mouth.

Taking full advantage, Chloe clutched the back of Addie’s head and drove her tongue forward. They kissed passionately for a minute, sucking tongues like there was no tomorrow. The delicious tingles running down Addie’s spine were almost enough to make her give in and shove Chloe up against the wall, but she held firm. They had somewhere to be.

She broke the kiss regretfully. “Come on, babe. Let’s grab something to eat and go.”

Chloe rubbed the back of Addie’s neck and stared deep into her eyes before releasing her. “I’m not hungry.”

Addie knew she didn’t have any money. “I’ll cover it. Get whatever you want that we can take with us.”

At the counter by the cash register, she chose a granola bar and a small carton of milk. Chloe opted for cheese crisps and a can of soda. Without comment, Addie paid, and they returned to her car. “A couple of more hours.” She patted the chipped paint on the dark green bonnet. “Get us to Cattle Valley is all I ask.”

“Think this tub might not make it?” Chloe tossed her things in the back seat and climbed in front.

“It’s been a good car. It’s just really old. Some day, I expect it simply won’t start.”

“Not today, I hope.” Chloe kicked off her shoes and propped her feet on the dashboard. She grabbed her sunglasses from the visor and put them on.

Addie smiled to herself. Her friend certainly made herself comfortable wherever she went. Personally, she never felt that laid back. Her upbringing—or something—kept Addie from really feeling at ease anywhere.