Free Western Pleasure (The Texas Two-Step Series, a Novella) by Kathy Carmichael Page B

Davis, left his job in real estate and stepped in to run Murphy Title. His first act was to promote Lily to director. It had been one of the smartest changes he'd made. The combination of Davis's clear head for finance and Lily's knowledge of the business put the title company on the right track. The plan had been that Ellen would sell cupcakes to keep food on the table while Davis built up Murphy Title into a decent money maker. For once, life had gone better than planned. Just six years later, Murphy Title was doing exceptionally well, allowing Ellen to sell her bakery.
    She'd loved dreaming up new and creative cupcake recipes and designs. But now, rather than dreaming of cupcakes, as she'd been doing for the past six years, she dreamt about Jim.
    A twinge of guilt niggled at her. Her marriage to Ben had been a good one. They'd gotten along well and worked together in an easy partnership. But she hadn't realized, until Jim helped her go through all the paperwork after Ben died, that there was little in terms of assets without him at the helm. She had been an attentive wife, and he had been a good and decent man. But what was that saying? Life is what happens when you're too busy living it.
    She was sure she'd mangled the quote, but the gist was true. She and Ben had been too busy living to take the time to enjoy life together. His death had thrown her, not only because she'd lost her dear husband, but because she'd lost a part of her identity. If she wasn't there to support him anymore, to be a dutiful wife, who was she?
    The bakery had provided the answer. She was a baker and a business woman. She'd thrown herself into it in the same way she'd thrown herself into her life as wife and mother. But those roles had changed.
    Now she had time to reflect on yet another aspect of her life: single and available. The sudden awareness took her by surprise.
    Her reaction to Jim made her realize she was a living, breathing woman with a very healthy response to a gorgeous, virile man. He'd managed to set her libido into overdrive.
    Libido?
    Heavens! She'd almost forgotten she possessed one.
    What she needed in order to get a better handle on her situation was to talk it over with someone, and that someone had always been Lily. She was such a dear friend and Ellen needed to stop worrying whether Lily would think she was nuts. Lily already knew she was.
    "Are you in a rush to get to the office today? I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
    "That sounds important." Lily gave her a direct look, seeming to see more than Ellen thought she'd exposed. "You know I'll always make time for you."
    Ellen squirmed under Lily's scrutiny. "Yeah, I guess it is important. At least it is to me."
    "What's up?"
    "I think maybe we should hit the steam room." That was their code for this needs to be discussed in private . The steam room was almost always empty, so they wouldn't be overheard.
    Lily nodded and hoisted her bag from the corner of the gym where they'd deposited their personal items before the class. Ellen hefted her own bag. They said their goodbyes to the other women in the class and headed for the steam room.
    As usual, it was empty. Lily opened the door and dived in head first, while Ellen hung back in the hot mist that came roiling out into the hallway.
    Lily and she were so different it was hard to imagine why they were such good friends, but Ellen knew Lily had a huge and generous heart. She was a fiercely loyal friend and totally dependable. As soon as they'd met nearly twenty-five years ago, they'd clicked.
    Lily was carefree, fun loving and outgoing in a way Ellen wished she could be. Lily could do things like getting out there and pounding the pavement to drum up business. After Ellen started her bakery, she'd tried hard to emulate her friend. And it had worked. The cupcake bakery had been a tremendous success. Ellen felt she owed Lily so much.
    Ellen wasn't quite sure what drew Lily to her, but she was thankful for whatever it