Disclaimers - See Part 1 for disclaimers.

Chapter Thirteen

"That should work, David. I really appreciate this. What time do you think you'll be over?" Marika nodded slightly in response to his answer. "All right, we'll see you then."

She bid the priest good-bye and hung up the phone, a small smile on her face. Leaning back, the lawyer swiveled slowly, thinking about the last couple of days and her occasionally unpredictable houseguest. Marika wasn't sure if what she and David had cooked up would go over smoothly with the touchy young woman, but she and Rhiannon had gotten along so well the past three days, that she'd set her trepidation aside and decided to trust her instincts.

Marika was mildly surprised to find herself regretfully aware that Rhi would soon go home. She'd half-expected the young woman to insist by now that she was well enough to leave. Her assistant had certainly appeared intent on keeping her stay short. She'd worked doggedly at the exercises Dana had recommended, until she had almost all her mobility back. The lawyer had seen her assistant wince painfully as she'd done her arm exercises, but knew better than to urge taking it slowly.

They'd fallen into a comfortable routine together. Neither was a chatty person, but quiet conversations, long peaceful hours in the den and the evening news after dinner had quickly become habits. Accustomed to daily exercise, Rhi had displayed signs of cabin fever by Thursday and had insisted on going out for a walk that afternoon. Unwilling to allow her out on her own, Marika had accompanied her, and meandering strolls through the neighbourhood and down by the river had become another part of their routine.

To her amazement, the lawyer found her young companion very easy to spend time with. Sometime during the week, Rhiannon had shed much of her prickly reserve, and though she didn't treat Marika with the casual affection she gave Lee, she did accord her boss an amiable regard that moderated the potential tensions of their living conditions. The young woman accepted Marika's assistance calmly, even tolerating their twice daily wound care sessions without any apparent emotional discomfort.

With a little grin, Marika recalled the previous night. Rhiannon had retired early while the lawyer finished up some work in the den. It was nearing midnight when she finally yawned and shut down her computer. Hearing a noise at the door, she'd glanced up to see her guest in the doorway.

"Hi, Rhi, what are you doing up? Is the shoulder bothering you?" Marika couldn't help thinking how adorable the young woman looked, rubbing sleepy eyes, her golden-brown hair tousled and curling haphazardly over her ears.

The memory eliciting a genuine smile, the lawyer stood to go tell Rhi they would be having company that afternoon. She's so cute when she blushes. Marika couldn't argue with the unbidden thought. With much of the tension between them evaporated, she was free to view her guest as the attractive, intelligent young woman she was. If nothing else came from the past few days, she at least anticipated a better work atmosphere between them from now on.

Walking down the hall, Marika stopped short at the unfamiliar sound of giggles coming from the living room. She couldn't suppress a wide grin at the delightful sound and moved quickly to see what was causing it. Rounding the corner, she saw Rhi sitting cross-legged on the couch, clutching a throw pillow and laughing at Spooky who was hopping jerkily around the carpet.

Rhiannon glanced up at Marika's entrance and pointed delightedly at the feline.

"Your silly cat is chasing invisible mice. All of a sudden he started pouncing and jumping around, but there's nothing there."

The lawyer laughed and took a seat beside her guest. "I know. He does that occasionally. I think he sees his own shadow or something, because there's never anything there."

"Maybe he's chasing dust bunnies," Rhi teased.

Marika gave her a look of mock horror. "In my home? Perish the thought!" Grinning, she added, "Besides if that were the case, I'd have to fire my cleaning ladies."

That got her a raised eyebrow, then Rhi burst out laughing as Spooky took off in a dead run for the kitchen, where the click of his claws could be heard on the tiles as he skidded to a stop.

"You should see the Spookmeister when I get him catnip," Marika said, enjoying her guest's relaxed amusement.

"I'll bet!" Rhi turned sideways and asked, "How long have you had him?"

The lawyer cocked her head, remembering. "I guess it's been about four years now. I'd just gotten off work and was going to my car, when I saw a couple of kids tormenting two kittens in the garage. I chased them off and found a tiny bundle of gray and white fur standing over an even smaller twin. He tried to bite me when I went to pick him up, but I wrapped my scarf around him and his brother. I took them to a vet, but the littler one didn't make it."

She fell silent until Rhi queried, "So you took Spooky home?"

"Hmm, well I wasn't going to. I had no intention of adopting a cat but, I don't know...I just couldn't leave him there, you know?" She looked helplessly at Rhi, who smiled knowingly.

"Uh huh. Got a thing for strays, eh?"

Marika felt like those dark blue eyes were looking right into her, and she dropped her head, unable to meet the intensity of that gaze. After a moment, she drew a breath and went on. "Anyway, I ended up bringing him home, and the rest is history. He's become king of the castle, and allows me to feed and care for him at his pleasure."

Rhi laughed. "Sounds familiar." Apparently taking pity on the blushing lawyer, she changed the subject, "How'd he get his name?"

"The X-Files." Marika glanced up to see the puzzlement on her guest's face. "You know, Mulder's nickname? Spooky?"

The younger woman shrugged. "I've heard of the show, of course, but I've never seen it."

Marika blinked in surprise. "Oh. Well, what do you like to watch?"

That elicited a scowl and Marika sighed inwardly, wondering how she'd inadvertently tripped one of Rhiannon's emotional mines. She didn't think her guest was going to answer, but then the young woman mumbled, "Don't watch TV. The only one in the house is in my aunt's parlor."

Slowly, the lawyer hazarded, "And you don't like to watch the shows she does?"

She watched the fierce expression on the youthful features, but knowing the anger there wasn't directed at her, didn't retreat from her own question. Waiting patiently, a determination was born within Marika to get Rhi to open up-even a fraction.

"I..." Rhiannon drew in a deep breath, and the lawyer could see her tremble with suppressed emotion, "I prefer not to be in my aunt's vicinity for any reason at all."

"Yet you live with her?" Marika watched the stiff way her young friend held herself, prepared to back off at the first signs that Rhi couldn't handle this.

After long moments, Rhi answered slowly, "It's a convenient arrangement for the time being. The rent's cheap, and for the most part I don't have to see her, except maybe going in and out of the house."

"Is she really that bad?" The question was gentle, but Marika was shocked at the bleak gaze that met hers.

"Yes."

Instinctively, the lawyer knew she'd pressed far enough for now. She murmured a noncommittal acknowledgement and then said, "Hey, we're going to have company this afternoon."

The younger woman visibly relaxed, and Marika knew she'd made the right call.

"Who? Or are you talking about Lee and Dana?"

"No, Lee and Dana will be over for dinner tonight, but David called. He wanted to drop by and see you this afternoon, so I told him to come over whenever he wanted."

Marika was relieved to see a wide grin erase the grimness, though all Rhi said was, "Good. Ichabod's a nice guy."

David arrived an hour later, and when the lawyer greeted him at the door, he passed her a small booklet that she tucked under her purse on the hall side table for the moment. Leading him into the living room, she enjoyed the way Rhi beamed at their guest.

"Hey, Ichabod. How's it going?"

David smiled. "Pretty good, Rhi. How are you feeling?"

"Not bad. Much better actually. My boss has been taking good care of me." Rhi leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, "I think she just wants to make sure I'm back to work soon."

Marika was about to protest when she saw the warm wink the young woman offered her. She smiled then, and gestured David to the easy chair. He folded his long limbs into the seat and clasped large hands around one knee. Both her guests accepted her offer of coffee, and she went to the kitchen, eavesdropping as she made preparations.

"I'm really sorry that I didn't get the pews finished, Ichabod. I hope it didn't cause any problems."

"Good heavens," David chastised mildly. "It's hardly like you just slacked off." Then apologetically he added, "Unfortunately, I couldn't leave it until you were well enough, so I finished them myself. However, you'll get the full amount because it certainly wasn't your fault that you couldn't complete the job."

Marika grinned at that. She had no doubt what was coming, and wasn't surprised when she heard Rhi's firm negation.

"Nope. You only pay me for what I did. I'm not taking money for work I didn't do."

The lawyer stifled a chuckle at the priest's loud sigh of exasperation. Don't even bother. You'd have more luck cracking the Rockies open. Gathering the cups, carafe and cream and sugar on a tray, she returned to the living room in time to see David counting bills and coins into Rhi's hand. She almost lost it when she saw her young friend frown and hand two coins back. Trying not to laugh at her intransigent young guest, she slid the tray onto the coffee table and began to pour.

David sipped at his coffee and then addressed Marika. "Did you ever find out what happened with the aunt that you called the police about?"

Suddenly somber, the lawyer nodded. "They responded right away, but they were almost too late. They found the aunt badly beaten in the kitchen of her home. The last I heard, she was still in critical condition, but they think she has a fifty-fifty chance of making it."

The priest shook his head sadly. "I'd like to visit her if I could get her name and location from you."

"I'll have to check my records for her name, but I'm pretty sure they took her to the Rockyview. Can I call you on Monday with that?"

As Marika spoke to the priest, she kept half an eye on Rhiannon to see how the young woman was reacting. She was relieved to see only concern and sorrow for the Jordanian woman reflected in Rhi's expressive eyes. The lawyer worried that her assistant was bottling up the emotional aftermath of the knife attack. She'd kept a close, albeit surreptitious, watch on her charge, but except for the occasions when she'd see Rhi's gaze go a thousand miles away for long minutes at a time, she hadn't seen any indications of post-traumatic stress.

Marika wished she could say the same. Sleep had been elusive the first couple of nights as every time she closed her eyes, she relived the feel of Rhi's bleeding, unconscious form in her arms and the sight of the raw, bubbled flesh on their assailant's hip. Several times those nights she'd gone to the door of her bedroom and sought reassurance from the sight and sound of the peaceful sleeper in her bed.

David nodded. "Sure. I was going to Rockyview for a visitation this afternoon anyway, so I'll see what I can find out for myself." Changing the subject, he looked ruefully at Rhiannon. "I ran into your aunt yesterday. She asked if I knew where you were."

The lawyer could sense the sudden stillness in the figure beside her.

"You didn't tell her, did you?" Rhiannon's voice was edged with the anger that Marika noticed always accompanied any mention of her relative.

"No," David assured her. "All I said was that you'd mentioned staying with a friend for a while."

Rhi gave a short, bitter laugh. "And did that satisfy the old busy-body?"

The priest sighed. "Not exactly." Wryly he added, "Your aunt would've made an excellent interrogator."

"I think she was one in her last life, jackboots and all."

Marika and David exchanged glances at the vitriol in the young woman's voice. He made a subtle gesture towards the hallway, and she nodded her understanding. While the priest distracted Rhiannon with Tupper's amusing observations about his latest sermon, Marika went to the hall and picked up the booklet he'd brought with him. She stared at it a moment and mentally crossed her fingers that their initiative would be well received.

When she returned to the living room, the booklet behind her back, David smiled encouragingly. Resuming her seat, she turned the booklet face down on her lap and looked up to see Rhi watching her curiously.

"Um, we had an idea and we wanted to talk it over with you," Marika began nervously. When Rhiannon raised an inquisitive eyebrow, she took a deep breath and held the booklet out. Rhi took it and turned it over.

"Operator's Licence Information?"

"Yeah, we thought...I mean I know you mentioned one time that you'd like to get your licence sometime...so David and I were talking..." Marika trailed off, unsure how to read the expression on Rhi's face.

David took over smoothly. "We thought that if you wanted to study for your learner's exam, once your shoulder is up to it, Marika and I would do the practical part of teaching you to drive. I'll take you out during weeknights with my old Volvo, which is an automatic, and she'll take you on the weekends and teach you how to drive a standard with her car."

Rhi blinked in amazement, and the lawyer took comfort from the fact she hadn't immediately rejected their proposal. She knew her assistant's pride would not allow her to take much from them, but she hoped that the obstinate young woman would find it in herself to accept this offer. When Rhiannon began to flip through the pages, pausing occasionally at brightly coloured illustrations, Marika almost sighed aloud in relief.

Finally, Rhi closed the booklet and looked at both of them, shaking her head slightly in confusion. "Why are you...Are you sure you want to do this?"

Well, she's not saying no. Marika reminded herself she hadn't said yes yet, either. "Yes, we are," she said firmly, glancing at David for confirmation, which he readily gave.

"That's right, Rhi. Marika and I talked it all over, and even if you don't have a car now, you may want one in the future. You'll need a licence then, so you might as well get it while you have two willing teachers. You can use the Volvo to take the test in."

The young woman grinned at that. "Because they're indestructible?"

David laughed. "No. Because it's an automatic, and it's easier not to have to worry about gears when you're trying to remember everything else."

Trying not to sound over-eager, Marika asked, "So? Will you let us teach you?"

Rhi stared down at the booklet in her hands and then shrugged. "If you two are sure you know what you're getting into-then, yes." Looking up, she gave her soon-to-be instructors a genuine smile. "Thank you. I didn't expect this at all, but I really appreciate what you're doing."

The priest and lawyer exchanged triumphant grins. "Good!" David said, and then looked at his watch. "Oh, look at the time. I'm going to have to get going." He stood, and when Rhi made to accompany him, he shook his head. "No, don't get up, Rhi. You've got some studying to do, and I can see myself out."

Marika rose gracefully and walked David to the door. Bidding him farewell, they exchanged a quiet high five and smiled at each other.

"I'll call you once she's passed the learner's test, and we can coordinate what we're teaching her," the priest said.

The lawyer nodded. "Sounds good. I'll talk to you then." She opened the door for him and watched him amble down the hallway, before turning back to see what Rhi was up to. She found her guest reading the booklet, a small furrow of concentration on her forehead. Smiling to herself, she went down the hall to the den, leaving Rhiannon to study in peace.

*****************************************************

"No way!" Lee exclaimed, as she cut another big slice of pie, ignoring Dana's slight frown. "So Rika's going to teach you how to drive." She speared the slices of apples left behind, grinning impudently at her partner's rolled eyes.

"And David too," Rhi explained, shaking her head when Lee slid the pie plate across the table to her. "No, thanks. One's enough."

"For some people," Dana said acerbically, but her warm brown eyes regarded her big mate with affectionate exasperation.

"Growin' girl," Lee mumbled around the pie.

Marika laughed at Dana's snort and got up to get more coffee. Dinner had gone well, and even Rhi had occasionally joined in the lively conversation unprompted. She'd been delighted to see how enthusiastically her young guest had told their friends about learning to drive. It erased the last of any doubts that she and David had done the right thing.

Lee downed the last of her coffee and held out her mug for a refill. "So are you going to issue city-wide warnings when you're about to take to the road for the first time," she teased Rhi, who just grinned at her Dragonslayer in delight. "Hey, if Rika and David are going to teach you how to drive a car, maybe I could teach you how to handle a bike."

"No!" Marika and Dana said at the same time

Lee looked hurt. "Ah, c'mon, you two. I'm a perfectly safe driver, and I'd teach her the proper way to ride."

The lawyer shuddered at the thought of her small assistant trying to balance Lee's huge bike. Not wanting to offend her old friend, but hating the thought of Rhi attempting something that could hurt or even kill her, Marika chose her words carefully.

"It's up to Rhiannon whether or not to accept your kind offer of course, but don't you think your bike might be a bit...over-sized for her?"

The big woman scratched her neck thoughtfully. "Yeah, you might have a point there. The Suke's pretty big all right." Brightening she said, "I've been thinking of getting Danny a dirt bike so he and I could go riding on weekends when he's not with his Dad. I could teach her on that, and she could decide if she wants a street bike."

Marika was fairly certain by the startled look on Dana's face that this was the first time Lee had mentioned dirt bikes and Danny in the same breath. Rhi must have noticed too because she cut in smoothly, "I really appreciate that, Lee, but I think I should concentrate on one thing at a time and get my vehicle licence first."

"Okay," Lee agreed amiably. "But let me know if you ever want to learn, and I'll be glad to teach you."

The lawyer was pretty sure the topic would come up for discussion when Lee and Dana went home, but for now she was grateful that Dana held her tongue. The evening had been so pleasant that she didn't want to see it ruined.

"So is Danny coming with us to the Stampede this year, or is he too mature now to hang out with a bunch of old ladies?" Given that Dana's son had complained loudly the previous year about going to the Stampede grounds with his mother, Lee and herself, Marika was pretty sure she already knew the answer.

Dana shook her head ruefully. "I was informed in no uncertain terms that he was going with Tony and the boys this year, and that I wasn't even allowed to acknowledge him if I saw him there." When the others laughed at her chagrin, she added, "Naturally he didn't tell me this until after I'd gotten our tickets to the rodeo, chuck wagon races and Grandstand show." A thought occurred to her and the nurse turned to Rhiannon. "If you don't have any plans, why don't you join us, Rhi?"

"Um, me?"

"Sure, why not?" Lee joined in enthusiastically. "We always have a great time, and the tickets are already paid for so you might as well get some use out of them."

Marika watched her assistant closely, this week's experience allowing her to read the longing mixed with uncertainty in dark blue eyes. "We really would enjoy having you join us," she said softly.

Rhi looked at her searchingly, and after a moment nodded slowly. "I'd like that." Turning to a delighted Lee, she said firmly, "But I insist on paying for the ticket."

Lee straightened and leveling her best intimidating look on the young woman, she growled, "Are you trying to insult me, Lady Mouse? We invited you as our guest, and you think that means you have to pay us? I can't believe you said that. I'm outraged!"

Marika stifled a smile and saw Dana do the same as two stubborn people prepared to go head-to-head. Laying a gentle hand on Rhi's arm, the lawyer urged, "Let her do this, or we'll have to put up with hearing about it the whole time we're there."

The small face scrunched up rebelliously and Rhi bit her lip in frustration, but she finally acquiesced. "Okay...but I'll make it up to you."

Lee grinned and, generous in victory, agreed. "Sure, you can buy me a bag of those mini-doughnuts. I loooovvvve those things!"

"No kidding! You ate half a dozen bags of them last year and then couldn't figure out why you felt like hell the next morning," Dana reminded her mate.

"I think that had more to do with the beer tent than the doughnuts," Lee asserted. "Or maybe I got a bad corndog or something."

The partners bantered back and forth as Rhi leaned over and whispered, "She goes to the Stampede for the food, doesn't she?"

"I heard that!" Lee said with a chuckle. "You don't get the whole Stampede experience unless you've tried all the rides, sampled all the food, watched the chucks and the bull-riding, and two-stepped your way through Nashville North."

Marika and Dana looked at each other with mutual grins, remembering Lee's enthusiastic 'Stampeding' in previous years. The lawyer wondered if the presence of her assistant would tame the big woman at all, but doubted it.

"Do you enjoy going to the Stampede?" Marika asked Rhiannon.

"Well, I sometimes go look around the grounds on preview night, and I like watching the parade and the fireworks. I usually go to a couple of the pancake breakfasts too."

With no surprise, the lawyer noticed that Rhi had only mentioned the free events of the Stampede. She made a mental note to wangle one of their corporate ride passes for her assistant's use. If she approached her carefully, she might even get the young woman to accept it without protest.

Dana looked up at the kitchen clock. "If we're going to make Danny's game, we're going to have to leave soon, Lee." Turning to Marika, she apologized, "Sorry to cut it so short tonight, Rika. His dad will get him there on time, but I promised that we'd show up to watch."

"Of course," Marika assured her. "I knew he had a game tonight, but I'm glad you made it over."

"I want to take a quick look at Rhi's back before we leave though. Would you excuse us for a moment?" Dana stood and motioned the young woman to accompany her.

Lee watched them and as soon as they disappeared down the hall, she leaned forward and with a gleam of excitement asked in a hushed voice, "Do you know what July 5^th is?"