Free Coalescence - SF3 by Susan X Meagher Page A

you because I’ll be at the graduation almost all day. It starts at 1:00, so I have to leave by 10:30. Also, if Conor comes down, he can give you a ride home and we can meet back here in the evening."
    "That sounds great. He’ll be thrilled." Ryan did her best to disguise her disappointment at Jamie’s plans, but she couldn’t help but rue the day she had agreed to them. At least one O’Flaherty will be happy about the plans for the day. Hmmm…I wonder what the penalty is for calling in a bomb threat …
    Ryan continued to pack her clothes, musing about various forms of mayhem she could conjure up to stop Jamie from going to the graduation. She was deep in thought when her partner emerged from the shower.
    Ryan looked up and spent a moment gazing at Jamie, a slow smile spreading across her face. She wore a pair of deep rust-colored shorts and cream-colored cotton polo, with a braided belt and a pair of woven leather loafers that matched the color of her shorts. Her hair was even blonder than normal, due to the sun, and her skin was a beautiful golden color. She looked fresh and clean and absolutely beautiful to Ryan’s appreciative eyes. "Wow," she said as she wrapped her in her arms. "You look fantastic." A moment of nuzzling her partner’s neck led to a few gentle nibbles, and Ryan smiled as she pulled away. "You taste divine, too."
    "Thanks," Jamie grinned. "Now you go get ready, because I’ve got big plans for you today." Her tone was stern, but underneath, it held a great deal of promise. Ryan nearly ran for the shower in her haste to comply.
    Jamie, with Martin's help, was already upstairs packing their things in the car when Ryan strolled out 15 minutes later, wearing a pair of bright white pleated shorts that fell just a few inches above her knee. An oversized black linen camp shirt hung out over the crisply ironed shorts, and black leather loafers and her favorite backwards black knit driving cap completed her ensemble. The long black hair hung loose and her skin glowed bronze from the recent time in the sun. She still had some pink in her cheeks, though--partly from sun and partly from anticipation. Jamie’s mouth went dry when she saw her, and Martin couldn’t help but tease, "I hope Siobhán’s going to drive today, Darlin’. You don’t look like your mind could focus on the road."
    She blushed a deep red as she gave him a hug. "I hate being so transparent," she moaned into his chest.
    "It’s one of your most winning traits, little one," he said soothingly. "It’s altogether adorable, Jamie. Don’t you change a bit."
    As Ryan draped an arm around her partner, she had to agree with her father. "It’s not possible to improve on perfection, Da." The elder O’Flaherty smiled at his daughter and her mate, pleased beyond measure at their obvious joy.
    Duffy had bounded down the porch stairs right behind Ryan, and she spent a few minutes petting him and whispering last minute instructions. Duffy looked terribly sad, knowing that his mistress was leaving again. "I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep him happy without you here, Siobhán. You may have to take him with you when you go to Berkeley," Martin said as he cast a loving glance at the pair.
    "I’d love to have him, Da, but I think you two need each other." Ryan stood and dusted off her knees. "We’ll see how it goes for a while, and if he’s unhappy, I’m sure we could take him."
    Jamie kissed Duffy’s head and gave Martin a firm hug and a kiss before she hopped into the passenger seat of the little yellow car. Ryan spent a long minute hugging her father. They both had their eyes closed, and Jamie was deeply touched by the tenderness of the moment. Finally, he released his daughter, giving her a kiss on each cheek. Obviously struggling with his emotions, he turned and strode back up the stairs and into the house before Ryan even got into the car. Duffy sat looking at them sadly for a minute, until Ryan ordered him back into the house. He