"But I want to make love to you," Ellen protested in a voice already softened by sleep.

"You will." When Ellen's breathing slipped into the steady rhythm of sleep, Jody relaxed and allowed her eyes to close.

A few hours later, she was coaxed from her slumber by fingertips trailing up her spine. She shuddered with delight and moaned. "Don't you dare stop," she said as kisses were planted across her shoulder blades.

"No chance of that," Ellen said as she ran her fingertips back down and over Jody's hip.

Jody remained still, enjoying the delicious feel of Ellen's hand until she could no longer stand the tension. She pulled Ellen into her arms and kissed her deeply.

As she made love to Ellen, Jody felt something shift within her. It was as though a hollowness in her had begun to fill. She let the new sense of well-being engulf her as Ellen slipped her hand between Jody's legs and granted the release Jody so desperately needed.

As she drifted through the final waves of pleasure, Jody slid down between the long, slender legs and nudged them apart. She buried her face in Ellen's wetness, rubbing and pressing until her face was wet with her lover's desire.

Ellen was crying Jody's name when Jody pushed her tongue deep into Ellen's center, holding her until nothing else in the world existed. She held tightly and rode the explosive wave of Ellen's climax.

Ellen pulled Jody up and snuggled into her arms.

I love you, Jody thought as Ellen once again drifted off to sleep. As Jody held her, she thought about the long, stressful day that was ahead of them.

And then I start my vacation, she told herself. She made a mental note to call her parents to let them know she would be coming for a visit. There was so much to do. She still needed to notify her parents, make airline reservations, stop the newspaper delivery. At some point in her mental list-making, she drifted off to sleep.

By two Sunday afternoon, the phone had finally quit ringing and the walk-ins had stopped.

"Eric, go home. We have the beast whipped," Denise said as she covertly examined the jade bracelet that Ellen had given her for Mother's Day. "In fact, if we go thirty minutes without a customer, I say we close and all go home."

"Sounds good to me," Jody said.

"If you're sure you won't need me," Eric said.

"No, go on. I'll see you next month," Jody said as she stood to give him a hug.

He looked at her, puzzled. "Next month?"

"Yeah. I'm taking an early vacation."

His back was to Denise and he gave Jody a questioning look.

"Long story," she whispered as she hugged him.

After he left, Jody turned to Ellen. "You should go home and relax, too. You have to work tomorrow."

"Rub it in," Ellen said and turned to Denise. "Happy Mother's Day, Mom." She gave Denise a quick hug. Denise was still angry and took a step back as if to avoid the hug, but Ellen was too quick. "I know you're angry with me, but I love you, Mom."

Denise turned away.

Ellen looked at Jody and shrugged. "Walk me to my car?" She grabbed Jody's hand.

Jody followed. "You know this is only going to p.i.s.s her off more."

Ellen turned away and looked across the parking lot. "Jody, I told you. I don't want to hurt her, but she has to learn that she can't keep trying to run my life."

Jody stepped around Ellen in order to see her face. Ellen quickly brushed away tears.

"That's what I thought," Jody said pulling Ellen into her arms. "I'm sorry you're hurting."

Ellen embraced her. "Why does she have to be so stubborn?"

"Honey, that's a question I've asked myself a hundred times."

"When are you leaving?" Ellen asked, trying to dry her eyes.

"Wednesday, I guess. I'll call my parents and the airlines tomorrow. But there are a couple of things I want to take care of first, so I probably won't leave until Wednesday afternoon."

"Good. You can have lunch with me tomorrow then," Ellen said.

"Okay. What time?"

"Is it all right if I call you tomorrow? My schedule is so unpredictable."

"Sure. Just give me a call at home."

With a last quick kiss, Ellen climbed into her car. "Until tomorrow," she said with a wave.

Jody watched until the Corvette was out of sight before she returned to the shop. Denise was busy straightening the supply cabinet. Jody took the broom and began to sweep. With Eric and Ellen gone, the shop was suddenly too quiet. She looked around at the piles of wilted petals on the floor and the few discarded flowers slowly dying and suddenly shivered.

I do need a vacation, she thought as she swept up the piles of trash.

Chapter Sixteen.

Jody slept in Monday. At noon, when she still hadn't heard from Ellen, she called Ellen's cell phone.

Ellen answered on the second ring.

"Is this a bad time?" Jody asked.

Ellen hesitated.

"I'm sorry to bother you. I was calling about lunch. Just call when you're ready," Jody said.

"I don't think I'll be able to make lunch," Ellen replied.

Jody felt a finger of dread sneak across her scalp. "What's up?"

"It's probably nothing."

"What's nothing?"

"The doctor found a lump in my breast while doing my exam."

"What exam?"

"My annual physical. I waited until I got out here to take it, and Dr. Chavez found a small lump during my breast exam."

"You hadn't noticed the lump?" Jody asked.

"No."

"So, what happens now?"

"She wants me go for a mammogram."

"When?" Jody asked around the dread in her throat.

"I'm on my way to the imaging center now."

Jody sat down on the side of the bed. "She was that concerned?"

"I think she was a little concerned, you know, after Grandma and Aunt Alice." Ellen paused. "Anyway, she called the imaging center and got me in this afternoon."

"Do you want me to meet you there?"

Ellen paused. "No. I'm fine. You know how these things go. They'll run the test and I'll end up waiting for days to hear the results.

"Have you told Denise?"

"No. I'm not going to say anything. I'm sure it's nothing more than a cyst. There's no need in getting her upset."

"I think she would be pretty upset that you didn't tell her."

"Why worry her needlessly?"

Jody decided to keep her opinions to herself. It was up to Ellen if she wanted Denise to know. "Will you call me as soon as you're finished with the appointment?"

"Yes."

"I'll be at home. Call me if you change your mind and want me to meet you."

"Thanks. I'll be fine."

By three o'clock, Jody had cleaned every room in her house and was sick with anxiety. She tried not to think about the history of breast cancer in Ellen's family.

Jody considered calling Denise but stopped herself. Ellen would have to decide if she wanted her mom to know what was going on.

At three-thirty Jody lost her battle with waiting. She called Ellen's cell phone. There was no answer.

Jody picked up the phone to call her parents but changed her mind. She wasn't in the mood for chitchat. She loved her parents dearly but once her mother started talking about the garden and the neighbors it would be an hour before she could escape. She started cleaning out a closet instead.

Ellen called a little after four. "I'm on my way back to the hotel. Can you meet me for dinner?"

"Yes. What did you find out?"

"Nothing. The tech told me the doctor's office will call me as soon as she gets the results."

"Well, how long are they going to take!"

"Jody, calm down. You know it's always a waiting game with doctors."

"I know, but still."

"Let's not talk about the tests. I don't want to spend the next week worrying about them. Spend the night with me."

"At the hotel? Wouldn't it be more comfortable coming here?"

"Hey, people pay good money to sleep in hotels. Bring your jammies and spend the night with me," Ellen said.

"I don't own jammies." Jody wanted to ask more questions about the tests but felt she had to respect Ellen's wishes.

"All the more reason for you to spend the night," Ellen teased.

"What time shall I be there?"

"I'm only twenty minutes away from the hotel. I'm in Room twelve-oh-seven."

"It'll take me at least thirty minutes to get downtown."

"I'll be waiting."

Jody pushed the speed limit and cut the thirty-minute drive to twenty-five.

As promised, Ellen was waiting for her and wasted no time once Jody was through the door. She kissed Jody and led her to the bed. As they made love slowly, Jody found herself being overly cautious of b.u.mping Ellen's breast.

After Jody's third apology, Ellen grabbed Jody's hand and placed it gently against her breast. "It's all right to touch it."

"I don't want to hurt you," Jody said, pulling her hand away.

Ellen looked at her closely. "Is that all it is?"

"Of course. What else would it be?"

Ellen hesitated. "Not that I expect them to be or anything, but would it make a difference if the tests were positive?"

Shocked, Jody sat up. "Of course, it makes a difference. I care for you very deeply."