Landslide Read online

  “Awww, babe, I’m so sorry.” The shuffling of paper sounded through the line. “I’ll rub your feet tonight when I get home. Just make sure they’re clean.”

  Rachel knew Michelle was trying to improve her mood. It didn’t work. She blinked back tears. “I was just about to get in the tub to try to warm up, so no worries there.”

  “Good. You do that, baby, and I’ll be home soon, I promise. Just think, in about a week, we’ll have four days together. I’m going to spend every second with you, treating you like a princess.”

  A tear ran down Rachel’s cheek. She didn’t know what to think, how to feel. Were her doubts unfounded? She ended the call and lit the kindling in the living room fireplace. As she waited for the fire to build, she shuffled around the living room, touching photographs of the two of them taken over the years. Her breathing grew ragged from trying to hold back tears. Resigned to feeling sad, she trudged to the bathroom and filled the tub with the hottest water she could stand. She climbed in and soaked until the water turned tepid, then emptied the tub halfway and added more hot water. Later, when she realized she was starting to doze, she climbed from the tub and wrapped herself in a fat towel.

  Plodding into the bedroom, Rachel decided to not say a word to Michelle about her suspicions. She would keep an eye on the situation, and if her doubts persisted, a long talk would be in order. Despite the number of years they had invested in the relationship, she would not tolerate infidelity. Her eyes swam with tears at the prospect of not having Michelle in her life, but she dabbed them away, then dressed in a warm pair of jeans and soft sweatshirt before settling in front of the fireplace to wait.

  * * *

  The Friday morning before Michelle’s planned Valentine’s Day surprise, Rachel arrived at the clinic and reached into her purse, pawing past packs of gum and her cell phone, searching for the key to the clinic. She threw her head back against the car’s headrest, realizing that she’d left home without the keychain that held the key to the clinic and the one to the condo. She sternly admonished herself, knowing that she’d driven herself to distraction over the “situation with Michelle,” as she’d come to think of it. She hit the quick-dial button on her phone.

  Her call to Michelle’s cell phone went unanswered, so she disconnected and tried her office number, apprehension growing. The company receptionist picked up on the second ring but hesitated when Rachel asked to be transferred to Michelle’s extension. “Rachel! I’m sorry,” Sandy stammered, “but Michelle…um…Michelle’s not in the office today.”

  Rachel blinked, digesting the information before responding, “Oh, is she with a client today?”

  There was an uneasy pause. “No, actually, she has the day off. Did you try her cell phone?”

  The now familiar chill seeped up Rachel’s spine. She tried to reason with herself; it was probably nothing. But why would Michelle have taken the day off without telling her?

  She didn’t like letting Sandy know that she had no idea where her partner was on a day she should have been at work, but she had no other choice. “I tried her cell, and there was no answer. Could you put me through to Lara? Maybe she’ll have an idea of how I can reach Michelle.” Rachel felt foolish having to ask for Michelle’s assistant to find her whereabouts.

  “Um, sorry, Rachel, but Lara’s off today, too. Is there anything I can help you with?”

  Rachel’s ears buzzed. A new thought entered her mind, something she had not even considered. Was it possible Michelle was cheating on her with her assistant? Her shoulders slumped, and her breathing became labored.

  “Rachel, is there anything I can do?” Sandy asked.

  “No, no, I’m afraid not. I’ve come to work without my keys, but I’ll figure something out. Thanks, Sandy.” Without waiting for a response, Rachel fumbled the phone back into her purse, and slammed her palm against the steering wheel. As she waited for a clinic employee to arrive with a key, she tried to put all thoughts of Michelle having a lover out of her head, but this latest bit of information was the final straw. Rachel was convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that Michelle had someone else, and she was determined to get to the truth of it.

  * * *

  That evening, Michelle arrived home full of energy and more animated than Rachel had seen her in months.

  Rachel thought fleetingly that Michelle’s exuberance was in sharp contrast to her business suit and fashionable boots.

  As if in response to Rachel’s thoughts, Michelle removed her jacket and began unbuttoning her blouse, apparently eager to change into more casual attire. “Four days off! I’m so excited, Rach! And you’ve been very good. You haven’t even asked me lately where we’re off to.”

  Though Michelle’s excitement filled the room, it failed to infect Rachel. She crossed her arms and watched from her perch on the sofa. In particular, she focused on Michelle’s smile. It’s been a long time since I noticed how much more beautiful her smile makes her. Rachel’s eyes misted, but she refused to cry again that day. She rose from her seat and strode toward the adjoining kitchen, keeping her back to Michelle.

  “I have to finish packing a few things, but I want to head out first thing tomorrow morning, as soon as it’s daylight. I would prefer to leave earlier, but we’re riding up into the higher elevations and I want to be able to see the ice on the road, if there is any,” Michelle rambled, apparently oblivious to Rachel’s sullen mood.

  Rachel turned toward the living room and found Michelle leaving the room.

  Michelle quickly returned, her brow furrowed and her head tilted. “Babe? Why haven’t you packed?”

  “Hmmm?” The courage to demand an answer about Michelle’s possible infidelity evaporated. Rachel was just so tired; there was no fight left in her. “Umm, I…I guess I just haven’t gotten around to it.” The heaviness she felt was evident in her voice.

  Michelle crossed to Rachel with quick strides, took her face in her hands, and kissed her. “It’s okay. I know you’ve been overwhelmed with work lately. I’ll help you pack, and I promise it will be well worth the effort.”

  Rachel was torn. Was this the woman she loved and who loved her in return, or was this a deceitful woman she no longer knew? She let Michelle hold her while she considered her options. I’ll go, but I need to get an answer this weekend.

  * * *

  Rachel was silent for much of the ride to their unidentified Valentine’s Day destination. Michelle was happy and animated and took her hand often, holding it snugly on her lap while she drove.

  Torn, Rachel searched for more clues. Were there any signs of the phantom fragrance from several weeks before? Was Michelle’s cell phone turned off so there would be no chance of her lover calling while they were in the car together? She found herself paying more attention to her wicked thoughts than she did to her girlfriend’s conversation, even though she tried to shake herself out of her mood. There would be plenty of opportunity during the long weekend to discuss her misgivings.

  They drove west along Route 70, over mountain passes and along the winding highway. Rachel was always a bit fearful of driving on the interstate; it twisted and climbed through several passes and then dropped down steep grades. She looked for road signs that might hint at their destination, searching her memory for any familiar towns where this road might take them. It had already been a long drive, and Michelle gave no indication that they would be arriving anytime soon.

  They stopped in the small town of Georgetown to get fuel and to stock up on snacks.

  Michelle excused herself to use the restroom.

  Rachel topped off the fuel, scanning the craggy terrain for signs of wildlife.

  As Michelle returned to the car, she tucked her cell phone into her jeans pocket.

  Rachel slammed the hose back onto the gas pump and turned toward the car, the sudden heat in her cheeks an anomaly in the cold mountain air.

  A guilty expression on her face, Michelle held out a pack of gum.

  Rachel shook her head as she s
crewed the cap back on the gas tank. “Call from work?” The bite in her words was clear.

  Michelle tucked the gum into her pocket and nodded. “Guilty as charged. I gave Lara a quick call, just to make sure everything is okay before I go off the grid. I hope that’s okay. I know I promised—”

  “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” Drained by her emotions, Rachel limply rested her hand on Michelle’s forearm. “I’m getting used to it.” She climbed into the passenger’s seat.

  If Michelle had heard that last comment, there was no indication of it as she climbed behind the wheel. As if to check the weather, Michelle looked up at the sky while she shivered and cranked up the heat. “I’ve really been looking forward to having this time alone with you. Maybe after we unpack, we can share a nice warm bath. How does that sound?”

  Rachel nodded, confused about Michelle’s intentions, but relieved that she sounded genuinely excited to be alone with her. She looked at Michelle. She really is a beautiful woman. All these years together, and she’d always believed Michelle’s inner beauty matched her outer attractiveness. She hoped that she would still feel that way after this short vacation.

  After another hour of wondering when they would reach their destination, Rachel grew fidgety.

  Michelle was focused on the road, wailing along to a song on the radio.

  Rachel grinned, despite the angst she was feeling, as Michelle sang a slightly off-key rendition of the latest Bruno Mars hit.

  Michelle looked over at Rachel, an eyebrow raised. She grinned as if she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “What?”

  “Nothing. You just seem to be having a great time.” Smiling, she glanced at the road ahead, then quickly turned back to Michelle with a gasp. “Are we going to Aspen?”

  It was evident by Michelle’s smile that Rachel’s guess was correct. Aspen had been the site of their first anniversary trip, the first time Michelle had told Rachel that she was the woman she wanted to grow old with. They had not been back since, but the resort town held a special place in their hearts.

  “Maybe.” Michelle grinned. “You’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?”

  When she pulled the car off the highway soon after and turned toward Glenwood Springs, Rachel had no doubt they were headed to the small ski resort nestled in the mountains. Her mood lifted, and her heart felt light for the first time in weeks. This would be their first visit to Aspen during the winter months, and she was anxious to experience the town in what she hoped would be its romantic, snowy glory. Caught up in the anticipation, Rachel temporarily forgot her worries.

  * * *

  Michelle maneuvered the car down the main street.

  Fat, wet piles of plowed snow—evidence of a recent snowstorm—lined the streets, and, just as Rachel had hoped, the town had a romantic air about it.

  Concentrating on the road, Michelle leaned forward, her brow furrowing. She slowed the car, turned off the main street, and drove along several side roads before pulling to a stop next to a small bungalow.

  Rachel inspected the house, which was painted in bright colors and decorated with tiny white lights around the entryway and windows. “Is this where we’re staying?”

  Michelle beamed. “Yeah, this is ours. Do you like it?”

  Rachel returned the smile. “Like it? I love it. It’s cute.” Maybe this is exactly what I need. The crisp mountain air seemed to be improving her outlook.

  They exited the car and went to the trunk to fetch their suitcases, then Michelle scrounged in her pocket for the key to the front door. She grabbed both cases and hurried to the door, Rachel following behind.

  “It’s really lovely. How did you find this? I didn’t know they rented out weekend houses in Aspen.”

  Without replying, Michelle set the suitcases on the small porch, unlocked the door, and opened it wide for Rachel to enter.

  The first thing Rachel noticed was the warmth of the home. She stepped through the entryway and into a small, but modern living room, complete with a stone fireplace and decorative skis on the wall. A plump sofa and soft, comfy chairs formed a semi-circle in front of the hearth, making Rachel wish she had brought a good book to read. Next she moved to the kitchen. It was small, but, like the living room, modern.

  Having set the suitcases in the entryway, Michelle followed Rachel into the kitchen. “Come with me. I want you to see the bedroom.”

  Rachel followed slowly, wanting to take in every bit of each room before moving to the next.

  Michelle waited at the end of the hallway and gestured for Rachel to enter the bedroom.

  The focal point of the room was an oversized canopy bed, festooned with the same style of lighting that decorated the front porch. Fragile lavender-hued rose petals dusted the floor and the bed. A small table to the left of the bed held two champagne flutes. Rachel guessed that champagne would either be in the refrigerator or packed in Michelle’s bag. Soft LED candles were lit throughout the room, and, off to the side, through another doorway, Rachel could see a bathroom, which appeared to be aglow with the same lighting. How did she manage to set this up? “Honey, this is absolutely beautiful.” Rachel stopped in mid-turn as she noticed something sitting in the middle of the bed. When she moved a step closer, she saw that it was a small, black box. “What is this?”

  Michelle’s smile grew wider. The excitement she was trying to contain was so obvious, Rachel could almost hear it humming through her. And there were tears in Michelle’s eyes.

  “Michelle?” Rachel whispered. “What is this?”

  “Open it,” Michelle said.

  Rachel felt as if her feet were moving without instruction from her brain as she glided toward the bed and captured the small jewelry box. As she turned, Michelle took the box from her and lowered herself to one knee. Rachel’s hands flew to her mouth, her eyes widening into large, round O’s.

  Michelle’s trembling hand slowly raised the lid. The diamond ring inside glittered in the twinkling lights that peppered the room. “Rachel.” Michelle cleared her throat and then moistened her lips. “Honey, I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my entire life. You complete me. I can’t imagine life without you. I know that we can’t legally marry in Colorado…at least, not yet, but I will take you anywhere you want to go where we can marry—Massachusetts, Maryland, wherever. You name it. But would you please, please, marry me?”

  Rachel dropped onto the bed, her hand still covering her mouth. Of every possible scenario she had imagined for this weekend, this was not one of them. Her heart swelled, and tears formed in her eyes. For the first time in days, they were tears of joy. But the doubts of the previous weeks rose to the surface, and she knew that she had to clear the air. “Are you seeing someone else?” she blurted.

  Michelle‘s brow furrowed. She let out a huff of disbelief. “What? No! Of course not. Where did that come from?” She rose from the floor and sat beside Rachel on the bed.

  Confused by the turn of events, Rachel shook her head and rubbed at her eyes. She was so weary, physically and mentally, from weeks of doubt and suspicion. “It’s just that…well, for one thing, where were you yesterday?”

  “I was here.” Michelle smiled tentatively.

  Rachel’s eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed. “Hmm? What?”

  “I drove up here yesterday so that I could get the keys, decorate the house with the lights, and have the heat turned on. I sprinkled the petals, dropped off the ring, and put some champagne in the fridge. I wasn’t about to drive all the way up here alone, so Lara came with me and kept me company, helped me put the lights up…”

  “Well, what about…You’ve been working such late hours, and you, you…” Rachel stopped to take a breath, then, unable to stop them, all of her fears rushed out. “You’ve been hiding phone calls from me, and you were wearing a new fragrance at the Wynkoop, and God, Michelle if you’re in love with someone else, please tell me now.”

  Michelle looked at Rachel as if she were speaking a forei
gn language. “Okay.” She cocked her head. “I’m not sure what phone calls you’re referring to, but both Linda and Lara have been helping me plan this weekend, and if they called me while I was with you, I know for sure I didn’t answer the calls because I was afraid they’d say something that I’d have to respond to and you’d know something was up, because I’m a horrible liar.” She drew in a deep breath and continued her rambling explanation. “As for perfume, I’m really lost, babe. I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I swear—whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t from another woman.” She sat in silence, looking lost in her thoughts for a moment. “Never. There has been only you for the last five years, and I want to make it forever.” She gave what appeared to be a hopeful smile.

  “What about the late hours? Is there really a client that’s pushing you to put in extra hours?”

  Michelle moved closer and clasped Rachel’s forearms. “Yes and no. We do have a new client, but that project has been over for quite some time. I told you I was working late because I’ve had some other things to take care of.”

  “Other things? What other things?” Rachel asked, wanting so much to believe.

  “Well for one,” Michelle caressed Rachel’s arms, “a few times, Linda went with me to her uncle’s jewelry store so I could find this.” She held out the box. “We did that after hours.” She studied Rachel before delivering the next bit of news. “And the rest of the time, I’ve been coming up here, looking for the perfect vacation home to buy for us.”

  It was several long, silent seconds before realization hit, but once it did, Rachel’s eyes grew round and her mouth fell open.

  Michelle smiled broadly while Rachel sputtered.

  “Wait, you… What? You, you bought this house? What? Wait…” Rachel’s breathing grew shallow and rapid.

  “Yes.” Michelle chuckled. “For us. So that we can come here any time we like and maybe…hopefully…spend our honeymoon here…and grow old together here.”