Breathing deeply again, Laura blushed in the blackness of the room, feeling between her legs a pulse of awareness and want. Licking her lips, she stood quietly, knowing she needed to distance herself from the intimacy of the moment. So, after placing a chaste kiss lightly on Toni's cheek Laura crept from the room and returned to her own bed, praying her dreams could take her where reality could not.

Chapter Twenty-One.

Silently, Toni moved through the house, knowing that Laura and Eleanor were still asleep. The remnants of prison life clung to her like cobwebs, and sleeping was impossible after the sun peeked over the horizon. Grabbing her jacket and smokes, she walked out the back door, and before it closed behind her, the chill of the morning air erased the last bit of sleep from her soul.

The patio was covered in slate of gray, blue and green, and clay pots of every shape and size surrounded its perimeter. Some contained the remains of summer plants killed by the first frost, while others showed off the glorious colors of autumn. Glistening with early-morning dew, chrysanthemums in yellow, orange and white erupted from planters, and vibrant purple sedum cascaded over the sides of pottery, slowly drooping its way toward the ground.

Sitting on a small bench, Toni lit a cigarette and slowly exhaled. Her eyes followed a path of stepping stones leading through the garden just off the patio, winding their way to a Japanese maple with leaves so brilliantly red, they looked as if they were on fire. In the distance were tall sycamores and rowan standing proud with their branches stretching toward the sun. Their foliage, once green and full of life, had changed to yellow, red and orange, and as the breeze made its way through the branches, Toni watched as a few dried leaves drifted gracefully to the ground.

"Laura said you were an early riser," Eleanor said, coming out the door with two cups of coffee in her hand.

If it hadn't been for the fact that she had spent several hours the night before in Eleanor's company, Toni would have been scared. Although surprised that anyone else was up so early, Toni wasn't nervous. "Sorry. Did I wake you?"

"Of course not, dear. Unlike my daughter, I rather enjoy early mornings," Eleanor said, handing Toni a steaming cup. "Last night she mentioned you take it black."

With a nod, Toni took the cup. "What else has she told you about me?"

Sitting next to her on the bench, Eleanor said, "Only that you'd been in prison and were treated horribly, and you have a few foibles when it comes to new things."

"Oh."

"She also said that you were tremendously nice, and she liked having you as a housemate."

"Really? She said that?"

"You sound surprised."

"I...I have a bit of temper at times."

Laughing out loud, Eleanor leaned over and ran her shoulder playfully into Toni's. "And I suppose you've never seen Laura's temper?"

Smiling, Toni took a sip of coffee. "Your daughter is amazing. I hope you know that."

"I do. After all, she is my daughter."

"She looks like you."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It was meant as one."

"Well, then I'll say thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Can I ask you a question?"

Snorting, Toni shook her head. "Go ahead. Laura does it all the time."

"Are you going to be okay today if we go to Stirling?"

"I don't know."

"I appreciate your honesty."

"It's just hard for me. I try to convince myself that I can do something, and sometimes I can, but other times...other times I get so bloody afraid I can't breathe."

"That sounds awful."

"It is," Toni said quietly. "But I keep trying."

"That's all you can do."

"I just don't want to disappoint Laura."

"Oh, Toni, I doubt there's anything you could do to disappoint my daughter. She cares for you very much."

"I care for her, too. I never thought I'd have another friend in my life, and now I can't imagine having a life without her in it," Toni said, lighting another cigarette. "I know there'll come a time when we part. When she meets the man she wants to marry, but that'll be okay because it'll make her happy."

"You don't think she's happy now?"

"That's not what I mean. Sure, she's happy, but Laura's a marvelous woman, and she has so much to offer the right person. She can't waste her entire life taking care of me. I won't let her."

"Perhaps she doesn't think it's a waste," Eleanor said as she got up. Taking the empty cup from Toni's hand, she said, "I'll get you a refill."

Entering the house, as soon as Eleanor shut the door she snickered. "Oh my, and here I thought Laura was the only one in denial."

"Who you talking to?" Laura asked as she appeared in the doorway.

"Oh...um...no one. I was just muttering."

"Have you seen Toni?"

"She's on the patio," Eleanor said, handing Laura two cups of coffee. "Why don't you go join her?"

Smiling, Laura headed to the door. "I'm on my way."

With all of Toni's eccentricities, Eleanor had no idea what the day would bring when they left the house that morning, but by early afternoon, Toni's quirks were simply that.

They spent the day in Stirling, wandering the streets and shops, and flanked by Eleanor on her right and Laura on her left, for the most part, Toni enjoyed herself. Her anxieties flowed like the tide, coming and going at will, and after a few hours, even Eleanor could recognize the signals. Toni would set her jaw, pushing her hands deep into her pockets as she stared at the ground, concentrating on taking slow, steady breaths until Laura or Eleanor could come to her rescue. More than a dozen times, they locked their arms in hers, pulling her away from a crowd that got too close, and chattering at her until she forgot her fears, they'd venture into another store, casually strolling down the aisles filled with antiques, clothing and knick-knacks.

When she wasn't stressed by her surroundings, the sight of mother and daughter playfully arguing over clothing or perfumes brought a smile to Toni's face. Eleanor seemed to prefer the provocative while her child leaned toward the sedate. Although she didn't voice her opinion aloud, Toni agreed with Eleanor.

For her dates with Duane or Phillip, Laura had left the house dressed in feminine frocks designed to attract and flatter, but her day-in and day-out business suits did neither. Months before, Toni wouldn't have cared less, but now she found herself biting her lip every time Laura went to work wearing the same drab black, gray and brown suits. Watching as Laura searched a rack of white blouses, Toni finally spoke up. "You have enough white."

Halting her quest for the perfect blouse, Laura looked over her shoulder at Toni. "I do, do I? Well, what do you suggest?"

"Red, blue, green, purple...anything but bloody white."

"You don't like white?"

"I don't see the need to wear it every day. Everyone already knows you're the boss, so dressing like you do is rather pointless."

"Pointless?"

"Boring."

"Boring!"

Standing off to the side, Eleanor grinned at the exchange. The sparkle in Laura's eyes told Eleanor that she was thoroughly enjoying Toni's observations, and though the small boutique was rather crowded, Toni now seemed oblivious to the strangers milling about.

Slowly allowing her eyes to look over Toni's attire, Laura said, "And I suppose black trousers, a blue sweater and a rather old cloth jacket is your idea of trendy?"

"I wasn't talking about me."

As much as she tried, Laura couldn't hide her smile. Toni's comment about her choice in clothing could have been construed as an insult, but Laura knew that wasn't the intention. And the fact that Toni was actually noticing her wardrobe, as boring as it might be, made Laura's heart do a flip. Looking around the store, Laura said, "Well, Miss Vaughn, I'll make you a deal. You find something that you think I'd look good in and I'll do the same for you."

"I don't need any clothes."

"You most certainly do and you know it," Laura said with a laugh. "Besides, I'm not suggesting we buy each other new wardrobes. Just a blouse or a cardigan."

"Oh."

"So, is it a deal?"

As she thought about the offer, Toni looked around and when her eyes met Eleanor's, her decision was made for her. As if on cue, Eleanor moseyed over and hooked her arm through Toni's.

"Come on, dear," she said. "Let's go find my daughter something snazzy."

Sliding into the booth to sit next to Toni, Laura blurted, "So, what did you get me?"

"I thought we agreed we'd wait until later?" Toni said, her eyes seeking out Eleanor across the table. Seeing the amusement sweeping over Eleanor's face, Toni pressed her lips together to hide her own.

"You're no fun," Laura said, slouching in her seat.

Toni was about to respond when the waiter appeared, and falling into old habits, she bowed her head and immediately placed her hands on the table.

Without missing a beat, Laura placed her hand over Toni's and asked in a whisper, "What would you like to drink?"

With the drink order soon out of the way, the waiter disappeared and Toni looked up and began scanning the menu as if nothing had happened, and as far as Laura and Eleanor were concerned, nothing had. Lunch came and went, and after finishing their pints, they gathered their coats and left the restaurant.

"You seriously need a new jacket," Laura said, watching as Toni tried to zip the faded blue cloth coat.

"No, I don't," Toni said as she continued to struggle with her zipper.

"You need something warmer. More stylish."

"This one is plenty warm enough," Toni said. Giving the stuck fastener a strong tug, it broke free in an instant, quickly followed by the sound of something ripping. "Shit!"

Biting her lip in order not to laugh, Laura looked down at the torn fabric. "I bet it's not warm now."

"You did that on purpose."

"I didn't rip it. You did!"

"You jinxed me!"

"I did not!" Laura said, trying her best to stop giggling. Turning to Eleanor, she said, "Mum, isn't Barley's just around the corner?"

"Yes, I believe it is, and I must say that's a marvelous idea."

"What's Barley's?" Toni asked, eyeballing the two women smiling back at her.

"You'll see," Laura said, hooking her arm through Toni's. "You'll see."

"Is Toni still asleep?" Eleanor asked as Laura walked into the kitchen.

"Yeah, I checked on her before I came down. She was exhausted, so I expect she'll sleep a bit longer."

"Quite a stressful day for her, wasn't it?"

"At times," Laura said as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "Thanks for being patient with her."

"My pleasure."

"Mum, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Do you like Toni?"

"Yes, I do. She's quite charming. Why?"

"Just wondering," Laura said softly as she sat down.