Not A Good Reason (Alexandria Whitney Mystery) Read online

  TJ arrived right on schedule and had her Root Beer in hand. She parked her truck in front of Alex’s so as not to block Sam’s spot.

  “Right on time.” Alex hoped TJ had cheered up a little bit.

  “I try. Any word from Sam as to when she’ll be home?” TJ wanted to sit for a while and talk.

  “Not yet. But she could be home in an hour or less.” Alex gave her a gentle hug and closed the door quickly to keep the cold out.

  TJ placed her six pack in the refrigerator, but not before placing one bottle on the counter for herself.

  “Alex, would you like one?” TJ knew it was a long shot if she did.

  “Oh, no thank you. I’m not really into sodas. It’s mostly water or the occasional glass of plum wine.” Alex thought that sounded like an odd combination.

  “That’s good. Alcohol never really solves any problems, it just makes more. Like a major headache. Mine finally went away.” TJ took a seat at the table.

  “How did your talk with Roy go?” Alex figured TJ would expect her to ask.

  “Oh, he promised never to meddle again. But then asked if you were single. So after I told him you weren’t single, since you were married to Sam he changed the subject.” TJ knew they weren’t officially married, but close enough.

  “I know it’s too soon to be looking again. But how do you feel about cops?” Alex wondered if there were any femme tomboys at the academy.

  “Well if they weren’t over the top controlling I might consider dating one. But not just yet.” TJ had never considered dating a cop until she met Sam.

  “Oh no. I mean down the road. Sam may have a few in her classes.” Alex thought TJ wasn’t that set on a type – butch or femme. Whichever worked was the key.

  “Down the road, around the corner and on for a few miles is more like it. I feel like a blouse that keeps getting returned. I just don’t fit right so back I go to the store until the next woman picks me out.” TJ didn’t know how else to explain her frustration.

  “Yes, you’re right about the fitting part. I never thought of that analogy before, but it works. Until I met Sam I was an irregular size apparently. Never really meshing – you know?” Alex knew she and Sam were as close as she was ever going to get to perfect.

  “Yeah. But please don’t take this the wrong way. I really don’t want to have to wait until I’m in my forties to meet my match.” TJ hoped Alex understood her sentiment.

  “Ha, ha. No offense taken. I understand completely and trust me I’d have loved it, if Sam would have come along a lot sooner. But apparently we weren’t ready for each other until now. Let me ask you a question? What are you looking for in a girlfriend?” Alex wanted to know in case she met anyone who was single.

  “Good question. I’d say outdoorsy, good sense of humor, reliable, honest, self-sufficient, intelligent, loyal and considerate. I think I just described you.” TJ looked at Alex and realized she had.

  “Thank you. Yes, I am perfect in every way. Not! Trust me I have quite a few flaws, which I am trying to work on. But I understand you just want a good person, like yourself. Here’s another question. Would you date yourself? I mean think about yourself and then say yea or nay.” Alex bet she would.

  “Date myself. Uh, I guess so. I’ve never really thought about it. But yah I’d date someone like me. Would you date yourself?” TJ didn’t want to sound egotistical.

  “A taller me would work, but yes I’d date myself.” Alex liked having a girlfriend that was taller.

  “Taller maybe an inch. But have you seen Cyn’s new girlfriend. They look like Mutt and Jeff together. There has to be a half a foot difference.” TJ hadn’t planned on saying all that.

  “Really, that much.” Alex now had confirmation – TJ had seen them at the store.

  “Yeah. Plus she looks a lot older than Cyn.” At least TJ thought so.

  “I don’t have a clue what their age difference is.” Alex thought a few more years than the difference between Cyn and TJ. Which was four.

  “Oh, I bet she’s in her forties. Has to be.” TJ thought she looked older than Alex.

  “Could be. I’ll have to ask, if I ever get the chance.” Alex felt like this was a question better left unasked. “But, you know how much women don’t like to talk about their age.”

  “Yeah, especially when you look older than you are.” TJ smiled at Alex and almost laughed out loud.

  “Exactly. Well do you think we should get the coals going? You know if it wasn’t for cooking the onion I’d get a gas grill. What do you think?” Alex knew it would be a lot less messy.

  “They’re okay. Gas cooks cleaner, no toxic fumes. But you’d have to experiment on cooking time for your onions.” TJ never barbequed this much in her whole life.

  “True. I should check out gas grills down at Carol’s hardware store. Maybe it’s an outing we could have tomorrow. I’m betting Sam will want to stay home and rest up. Does that sound like something you’d be interested in doing with me?” Or Alex thought she may just want to be alone for a while.

  “Let me think about it. I may just sleep in and stay in my pajamas all day.” TJ knew she should take Alex up on her offer, but didn’t want to sound too desperate.

  “Of course, sleeping in is a must for Saturday. But we could make it late morning or early afternoon. We could pick it out and break it in later.” Alex could do this errand on her own, but it was more fun shopping with someone.

  “That’s doable. Do you want to call me when you’re ready to go?” TJ could be here in ten minutes.

  “Perfect. So I guess this will be our farewell barbeque with my charcoal grill. I’ve only owned it for less than two months. Do you know anyone who could use it?” Alex thought maybe TJ may want it for herself, but then remembered it may bring back sad memories.

  “Well I’ll ask my dad and see if he wants it.” TJ needed a little time before she was willing to use it. The memories of grilling steaks with Cyn were still fresh.

  “Great. No rush, we have plenty of room to keep it.” Alex was relieved that TJ was open to taking it eventually.

  Chapter 24

  Sam was relieved and a little sad that she had to wait until Monday to resume her training. But the best part was that one of her new buddies in class might be perfect for TJ. Although she’d need to run this prospective girlfriend past Alex and get her approval before she brought her home for dinner. Sam felt that she knew TJ well enough to at least have them meet and become friends. That is when TJ was ready.

  Cadet Jenni “Zane” Grey was a college graduate. She had majored in criminal justice and minored in literature. She wanted to write detective novels, after she left the force. Sam felt she was well grounded and had a good head on her shoulders, just like TJ. If Sam had to label her she would describe her as a “tomboy femme”, which meant to Sam that she wears earrings, but could take down any of the other cadets. It helped that she had eight years of kickboxing under her belt. Jenni had four brothers and she wasn’t about to be left home on Saturday when they went for lessons. It was in class that she was dubbed Zane by the instructor. It was a masculine nickname and since her last name was Grey it was perfect. So Zane continued the lessons long after her brothers lost interest, which also helped in as much as they left her alone. She could kick their butts and her parents never took her brothers side, they knew what she could do and it was their fault if they taunted her too much.

  Sam was really looking forward to two days off and some quality time with Alex. She really hoped that Oliver would make himself scarce for the most part. He was nice enough, but three was definitely a crowd. Plus there was TJ’s breakup to factor in. Alex would surely do her best to keep TJ occupied in hopes it would help keep her mind off of Cyn. But that was fine with Sam, she had the nights with Alex and that would do for the time being.

  When Sam drove up the driveway she wasn’t surprised to see TJ at the grill. She waved and backed into the garage. Getting out was getting easier with each day. She slide out easily
and stretched to get the kinks out. Greeting TJ with a hug, they walked in together. TJ grabbed the plate with the steaks on it and headed back out so she wouldn’t disturb their greeting.

  “Hi, Darlin’. I’m so glad it’s Friday.” Sam pulled Alex tight and let her lips do the talking on how much she missed her.

  “Hmmm. I’m glad it’s Friday too. I’m looking forward to Saturday and sleeping in.” Alex felt all warm and hoped Sam wasn’t too tired tonight for some exercises of the sexual kind.

  “How’s TJ holding up?” Sam could tell she wasn’t her old self.

  “She’s putting up a good front, but she saw Cyn and Adrienne together today. It was really hard on her. Not that she’s ready, but do you have any lesbians in your class?” Alex would be surprised if there wasn’t.

  “A few. I was thinking the same thing and I think Zane and TJ would be a good match.” Sam was hoping Alex would be surprised at her news.

  “Zane. What a cute name. Is her last name Grey?” Alex loved his books.

  “Yes, but her real name is Jenni, Zane is a nickname. She’s twenty-six and has her degree in criminal justice. She wants to be a detective and write after she retires. I think they would work. But you know TJ better than I do and Zane would need your seal of approval before I introduced them.” Sam could tell by the twinkle in Alex’s eyes that she was thinking about the idea.

  “Perfect. TJ isn’t opposed to dating a cop, but she’s still hurting. Not that they were together that long, but TJ fell really hard for Cyn. I think she’ll be very cautious this time.” Alex also hoped that by the time TJ was ready to date again Zane’s college degree wouldn’t be a factor. She gave Sam a kiss and sent her to the showers while she finished getting dinner ready.

  Alex took the onion out to TJ and to let her know Sam was in the shower. It was also, a way of telling her she could come back into the house as she wouldn’t be interrupting anything. TJ placed the onion down into the hot coals and turned the steaks over. Everything would be ready in another six minutes and she could help Alex set the table.

  TJ and Alex finished setting the table and getting the plates laid out just as the microwave dinged to say the potatoes were ready.

  “So what have I missed?” Sam walked in wearing her robe and drying her hair. She headed for the refrigerator. “Hey TJ, can I have one of your beers?” Sam reached in and grabbed one of the two remaining Heineken’s left over from last night.

  “Of course. Oh, you mean the Heineken you can have them all. How many are left? Two!” TJ didn’t even want to think about how many she drank.

  “Correct. Give that young lady an aspirin. How’s your head?” Sam had only drunk four beers that fast once. Not only did she wake up with a major headache, but was told about the fight she started as well. But that first sip was always so good until the beer started to get warm, then she could pour the rest out.

  Alex was looking at Sam in disbelief. She’d never had a beer the whole time she’d known her. Did she have the police academy to thank for this new habit? Sam saw the look on Alex’s face and almost spit out that first sip.

  “No, I’m not going to start drinking. I just want to try it.” Sam knew Alex wasn’t going to buy that lame answer. “Okay, if I go out with the other cadets I want to at least have some idea of what this brand tastes like and not seem totally out of touch.”

  “Uh-huh. Do I need to start buying it, so we’ll have it on hand if any of your new buddies stop by?” Alex now wondered if Zane was a drinker and that’s why Sam was starting.

  “Nope, if they want beer they can bring their own. When do we eat?” Sam was really hungry and wanted to get off the beer subject.

  “I’ll check the steaks. They should be almost done.” TJ slipped out quickly knowing that Alex may want to pursue the beer subject further.

  “Relax, Darlin’. I’m not going to start drinking and become an abusive spouse. I will see enough of those in my drive alongs.” Sam watched as Alex’s expression softened.

  “You don’t know how happy I am to hear that. I know your personality will change because of this job, but I wasn’t expecting it to start so soon.” Alex had plenty of time to read up on the major cause of divorce with police officers and their spouses during her rehabilitation.

  Both male and female offices went through changes due to what they had to deal with on a daily basis. Excessive drinking seemed to be one of the most common side effects of the job. So Alex was grateful at least that Hastings wasn’t the big city, and the lack of crime or excessive domestic violence calls hopefully would keep Sam’s personality from changing too much.

  TJ came through the door and looked to Alex to see if all was well in Alex/Sam land. Being greeted with a smile and a wink was the sign she was looking for.

  “Those smell great. I was hoping you’d think of steak for dinner.” Sam pulled her chair out and dove in to the steak placed before her.

  “Starving are we?” Alex was surprised at Sam’s lack of manners.

  “Sorry.” Sam realized TJ and Alex were still fixing their plates.

  “Am I still not feeding you enough? I can make you a bigger lunch, just say the word.” Alex thought Sam looked a little slimmer, but chalked it up to water loss. It had only been three days.

  “I guess my metabolism is in high gear. I will take more protein bars; if I don’t eat them one day they’ll be sure to go the next.” Sam wished they’d hurry up and sit down.

  “Well go ahead and start. TJ and I will be there shortly.” Alex flashed Sam a look that she would need to explain later after dinner was over.

  Dinner conversation was held to a minimum as all three consumed their meal in record time. While Alex cleared the plates she sent Sam to the couch to rest up for later. Then wrapped an apron around TJ so she wouldn’t get her nice shirt all wet while she washed the dishes.

  “Alex do you think I’m a wimp? I mean do I seem weak to you?” TJ wondered if it could be one of the reasons Cyn left her for a doctor.

  “Not at all. I see you as a kind and caring person. So as the old saying goes ‘nice guys finish last’. But don’t change because of Cyn. She’ll find out like I did that being with a doctor isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” Alex hated to think TJ was cutting herself down. “In fact you and Sam have a lot in common in that area.”

  “Really. That’s cool. Now I just need to find my Alex.” Smiling at her, TJ really hoped her soul mate was going to show up decades earlier than Alex’s did.

  “That would be extremely cool. Now on another topic

  – do you think I’m imaging things with Sam? I mean her suddenly drinking beer and her poor manners. She’s always been so Sam. I don’t know how else to put it.” Alex was seeing a side of her that wasn’t that appealing.

  “No, she’s just trying new things and very hungry. I wouldn’t worry about her; she has a good head on her shoulders. I wish I had her confidence sometimes. I mean I know my job and I’m not talking about that, but just how she carries herself. Like she could handle anything that’s thrown at her, you know?” TJ wished she had some of Sam’s bravado.

  “She is sure of herself, most of the time, but not always. I think the police training will help her in that area. I just hope it doesn’t change her too much. I don’t want her turning into some macho cop that thinks she’s all that.” Alex knew Sheriff Taylor wasn’t that way, but she didn’t know him before he was a cop and he was divorced so something happened.

  “Well, I’m sure she’ll be fine. Just give her time to figure it out. She loves you so much, that she’d quit if it meant losing you.” TJ and Sam had talked about the downside of being a cop and quitting was at the top of the list of things to do to save her relationship with Alex.

  “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. So now that the dishes are all done, how about some of your sorbet for dessert?” Alex said it before she remembered that TJ and Cyn had brought it over.

  “Not for me, I’m stuffed and need to head home. I’m beat
and we have a busy day tomorrow shopping for grills. Thanks for dinner. I’d say goodbye to Sam, but I can hear her snoring from here.” TJ gave Alex a big hug and wasn’t fazed by the sorbet reference.

  “Yes, sleeping beauty is sawing them off in there. Well, I’ll call you when I’m ready to go see what Carol has to offer. Drive carefully and be safe.” Alex felt TJ squeeze a little harder just before she released her hold. “Bye.”

  After locking the door and turning out the kitchen light, Alex found Sam sprawled out on the couch with Oliver sitting on the floor next to her watching another Western.

  “Good night, Oliver. Did you have a nice day?” Alex whispered as she gently nudged Sam to get up so she could put her to bed. This was the first time he’d made an appearance since this morning.

  “Yes, Alex. I did. Thanks for asking. How about you?” Oliver was going to get up and help with Sam, but Alex shook her head.

  “Enjoy the movie; we’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight.” Alex steered Sam who had her eyes barely open towards the bedroom.

  “Goodnight. Sleep well.” Oliver had something special to show them in the morning. He’d been working on this little trick for two days and now it was ready to impress them both.

  Alex removed Sam’s robe and yanked the covers back to let her slide into bed. It was apparent that tonight was going to be about sleeping; possibly tomorrow these two could get reacquainted with each other.

  Chapter 25

  Like clockwork Alex’s eyes opened in anticipation of the alarm, but it was Saturday. As she gave a quick glance at the clock, she rolled over to watch Sam continue to sleep soundly. If she could just go back to sleep, but turning in so early last night was the problem. She was wide awake now and knew that Sam would be out for hours. At least she could go talk to Oliver, if he was around. Or possibly call TJ as she was an early riser for sure. But if she got up and got dressed she might as well get her chores done and forget about a lazy morning with Sam. Thankfully there was still Sunday.