Traffic Stop (11 page)

The blonde doctor and her partner were gone before he could turn back around.

“Tobi, your meals just get better and better. Dinner was fantastic.”

“Thank you. That was the one thing Mom made sure we knew how to do, and not just do, but do well. She was a great cook.”

“Your mom sounds like she was a neat lady.”

“She was. It makes me very happy to be able to share her memory with you; well, not just her memory, but everything. I want to share everything with you.”

Ryan was not sure what she expected Tobi to say, but certainly not that. Tobi always laid her feelings right on the line, and she made it appear so easy, too. A part of Ryan wanted to just plunge headfirst into this and let everything else be damned; another part of her was scared to death. Right now, the scared part was winning out. Maybe soon she would be able to do more than just tell Tobi how she felt. Either by coincidence or sensitivity to Ryan’s feelings, Tobi always seemed to know when to back off, especially when Ryan herself felt a little out of control.

Brushing a lock of hair behind Tobi’s ear, Ryan smiled at her before running the backs of her fingers down her cheek. As Tobi closed her eyes and turned her face into Ryan’s palm, Ryan felt tears well up in her eyes. She could only shut her eyes and rest her forehead against Tobi’s.
How could this be? Just looking at her
makes my heart ache.
Ryan hadn’t realized her tears had spilled over until she felt thumbs gently wiping them from below her closed lids. When she opened them, Tobi was gazing fondly at her. As Ryan opened her mouth to say something, Tobi placed a finger against her lips and shook her head.

“Are you ready for bed?”

Clearing her throat, Ryan said, “Whenever you are.”

Tobi held Ryan close to her, realizing that tonight was her night to do the comforting. She wasn’t sure what spurred the tears in Ryan’s eyes, but she could sense that she needed to be strong and give Ryan time without a lot of questions. With her head on Tobi’s shoulder, Ryan curled her body around Tobi’s and fell asleep almost instantly. She had one leg draped over Tobi’s and an arm possessively across her stomach. Tobi placed her lips against the top of Ryan’s head and kissed her gently. She wanted Ryan to know how important and special she was to her, so she mentally wrote herself a reminder to call her friend, Shelly, in the morning.

It was time for a little surprise getaway.
I hope she likes
surprises.
Tobi closed her eyes and let the thought of Ryan in her arms, and a day away with just the two of them, lull her to sleep.

hile Tobi gathered her things and locked the office door, she couldn’t help but think about the next W day. Tobi wanted to do something special with Ryan and show her how much she enjoyed spending time with her. Also, she thought it would be nice to get away from things for the day, so they could both relax. Having made sure that Ryan had no plans for the weekend, Tobi told her she had something she wanted to do on Saturday, and wanted her to go along. Ryan was a little suspicious but agreed.

Shelly lived on a vast expanse of land that boasted several ponds and one huge lake. With fall arriving, it would be a little cooler, but the trees would be in a multitude of colors, and the ducks would still be on the lake.

She grinned when she recalled the conversation she’d had a few days earlier with Shelly.

“So, I was wondering if it would be okay to bring a friend out
to ride the horses.”

“A friend or a friend friend?” Shelly asked.

Tobi laughed. “Let’s just say that she’s a very special friend.”

“Well, in that case…” Shelly started before chuckling herself.

“Tobi, you know that you never need to ask. I look forward to
seeing you and your special friend.”

The ding of the elevator brought a smiling Tobi back to the present. Just two more doors separated her from the person she desired to see the most.

Tobi exited the hospital, ran out to the Jeep, and climbed in.

She saw the smile on Ryan’s face and couldn’t resist leaning in for a kiss.

“Mmm, what was that for?”

“Just because I missed you today, not to mention how darned cute you look in that uniform.”

“You are such a sucker for a woman in uniform,” Ryan laughed.

“Not any woman in uniform…just you. With or without the uniform, I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

Seeing her blush and look away, Tobi decided to take pity on Ryan and change the subject. “So, what are we going to do for dinner, because as usual-”

“You’re starving,” Ryan said.

“Yes ma’am, so lead on, McGruff.”

As Ryan crawled into bed and waited for Tobi to join her, she realized it all seemed so natural. Each night that passed, they became that much more comfortable with each other. Strangely enough, they already had a routine established, but maybe it only seemed odd because Ryan was not sure that she and Stacey had ever had a routine. Ryan knew that Tobi had something up her sleeve for the next day, but she hadn’t pressed the issue. Whatever it was seemed really important, and she didn’t want to ruin it.

Tobi walked around the foot of the bed, and Ryan shivered in anticipation of lying beside her. Tobi climbed in on her hands and knees and dropped down, so she was lying partially on top of Ryan. She folded her hands under her chin and looked into Ryan’s eyes with a smile.

“Tired?” Ryan asked.

“Very. What a week. I’m really glad it’s Friday and that we have the whole weekend together.”

“Me, too…go ahead and shut the light off, and let’s get some sleep. I’m getting the feeling that tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”

“It could be,” Tobi said, leaning down to place a soft lingering kiss against Ryan’s lips. Rolling over, Tobi turned the light out and lay on her side with her back to Ryan. Ryan smiled as she scooted up behind her and placed a hand upon Tobi’s hip. Tobi took her hand and pulled it across her stomach. She loved sleeping like this because it made her feel safe and warm.

“Night, honey.”

“Night, sweetheart,” Ryan said, placing a kiss just behind her ear. Snuggling closer, Ryan could hear her muffle a yawn behind her other hand.

Getting out the door was easier than Tobi thought it would be.

Ryan never seemed to have problems getting up, but Tobi, on the other hand, took a little longer to get focused and moving. That was not the case this morning. She also figured Ryan would ask a bunch of questions about where they were going and what they were going to do, but she didn’t… until they were about thirty-five minutes into the drive.

“Tobi, are you sure you know where you’re going?”

“Of course I’m sure.”

“Well, it just seems like we’ve been on the road forever.”

Laughing, Tobi replied, “We’ve only been driving for thirty-five minutes. You are so impatient.” Seeing Ryan scowl at her made her laugh even harder. “Oh, lighten up…I promise we’re almost there.”

“Okay, as long as you promise,” Ryan said, pouting.

“Too cute!”

“What?”

“You, that’s what…, you and that pout. Does it work on everybody?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Ryan said as she pouted some more.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

Tobi pulled into the drive alongside the barn and turned to look at Ryan, who had a bewildered look on her face. Tobi knew she wouldn’t be able to keep the secret much longer, so she got out of the car and walked around to Ryan’s side to stand beside her. She took Ryan’s hand and tugged her toward the barn.

“Do you like horses, Ryan?”

“I love horses!”

“That’s good to know. A couple of days ago, I called a friend of mine to ask if I could bring a special friend out to ride.”

“This is what you had to do today, the reason that you wanted me to come along?”

“Yes,” Tobi said, grinning. “Have you ever ridden a horse before?”

“It’s been awhile, but I used to ride a lot when I was younger.

My uncle had several, and we’d go out and ride them all the time.

I spent a lot of summers helping him around the farm just so I could spend time with the horses.”

Tobi shoved open the large barn door and walked inside.

“Shelly?”

“Back here.”

She found Shelly in an open stall toward the back of the old barn. She stepped through the door as Shelly turned and smiled.

After they embraced, Shelly leaned back with both hands on Tobi’s upper arms.

“It’s so good to see you, Tobi. How are you? It’s been a long time.”

“I’m doing well. Shelly, I want you to meet someone very special to me.” Taking Ryan’s hand and pulling her forward, Tobi said, “This is Ryan. Ryan, this is my dear friend, Shelly.”

“Hello, Shelly. It’s really nice to meet you. Thank you so much for letting us ride today.”

“It’s good to meet you, too, Ryan, and you are most welcome,” she said with a sincere smile.

Tobi stepped forward to hug Shelly again. “Thanks for letting us come over today. Is everything still where it used to be?”

“Yep, help yourself. I hope this visit means I’ll be seeing more of you.”

“You will, I promise. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

With a wave of her hand, she said, “Have fun!”

After getting the horses saddled and ready, Tobi went to the car and retrieved the picnic lunch and blanket and placed the items in the saddlebags. She asked Ryan if she was ready to go.

“Ready when you are, cowgirl.”

“Very funny,” Tobi replied.

Tobi stepped up into the stirrup, threw her leg over, and settled into the saddle. She grabbed the reins, clicked her tongue, and nudged her heels for the horse to start walking. They rode quietly for a long period of time before breaking open into a clearing that surrounded a large lake. Tobi glanced at Ryan and could see that she was pleasantly surprised. Tobi stopped underneath a maple tree and slid down off her horse, then waited for Ryan to do the same.

“You never did say what these beauties’ names were.”

“Ah, well, that handsome boy you’re riding is named Gambler, and this one is Ronica.”

“Ronica looks like a quarter horse, but what is Gambler?”

Ryan asked.

“Gambler is half quarter horse and half Arabian. He was originally trained for just pleasure riding then for barrels. Now, he’s strictly for pleasure.”

“They are both so beautiful.”

“Shelly bought them from a man who was being very cruel to them. Now, she makes sure that every day is a good day for them.” Tobi watched as Ryan caressed Gambler’s flank with long, fluid strokes.
God! What I wouldn’t give for her to run her hands
over my body like that!
Tobi cleared her throat and stepped over to her horse.

“Are you hungry?” Tobi asked, unpacking their lunch. She spread out the blanket and set everything down before sitting down herself.

“Mmm, I could eat. Those sandwiches look great,” Ryan said as she sat down beside Tobi.

“I know the typical romantic picnic would be wine, cheese, and grapes, but I’m hungry,” Tobi said, laughing. “Actually, I kind of figured you more for a sub sandwich kind of girl than wine and cheese.”

“You figured right. I do like all three of those, but not generally as a meal.” As Ryan ran her fingers lightly over the blanket, Tobi could tell she had something else on her mind.

“Ryan?”

“Hmm?” she said without looking up.

“Is everything okay?”

Ryan sat with her hands in her lap and looked at Tobi. “It’s more than okay. Nobody has ever taken the time to do something like this for me.”

Tobi placed her hands on Ryan’s. “Well, they should have.

You deserve to be pampered. Ryan…I want you to know how much you’ve come to mean to me. I’m not taking this relationship lightly.”

“Thank you,” Ryan whispered.

“So, which do you want? Turkey and Swiss on wheat or Swiss and turkey on wheat?”

“That’s a tough choice, but I think I’ll take turkey and Swiss on wheat.”

After lunch, they lay back on the blanket. Tobi rolled to her side to face Ryan and propped her head in her hand. Ryan’s eyes were closed and her breathing was soft and even. The slight breeze ruffled Ryan’s bangs, dropping a lock of hair low over her brow.

Tobi reached up and lifted the dark strands back in place. Tobi’s fingers trailed lightly down Ryan’s cheek, bringing a relaxed sigh from Ryan. “What are you thinking about?”

Ryan kept her eyes closed as she responded. “I was just thinking how this brought back so many good memories. I really loved being around the horses and the farm. At the end of summer, I always left with a sad heart. There’s just something so calming about being around horses.”

“I agree. Most are such gentle creatures. What other things do you think about when you think of your childhood?”

“There are so many memories, Tobi. I really had a pretty terrific childhood. I realize I’m very lucky because not too many adults can say that. I do have some really fond memories, though.”

“Wanna share?”

“Well, there was this one time when the boys talked me into climbing onto the roof of the barn. They were sliding down the roof and jumping into the water trough underneath. I kept trying to slide, but my jeans wouldn’t let me. They failed to mention they were using extra shingles as sleds. When I finally managed to make it to the end, I stood up to jump into the trough. The boys were all doubled over laughing, and I couldn’t figure out why.

After I jumped into the water, I figured it out. The rough surface of the roof had rubbed holes in the seat of my pants.”

The image Tobi got from this story was just too much. She laughed so hard she had tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Are you finished?” Ryan asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I’m sorry, but that was too funny!”

“Yeah, well, the boys didn’t think it was too funny when Mom got hold of them. I don’t know what she was the angriest about…the jeans being ruined or the fact they had gotten me up on the barn roof.”

“Your poor mother. How old were you?”

“I couldn’t have been more than seven at the time.” Turning her head toward Tobi, Ryan asked, “How about you? What is one of your fondest memories?”