Reckless Rogue
Part 9

by Wizzy

DISCLAIMERS: See Part 1

All feedback can be addressed to wizzy44tc@yahoo.com.

Part 9
 

It took several days for Terri to regain full consciousness and was ready to get out of the hospital.  They were flying her back to the ranch.  As they made their way down the hall, Terri could see the reporters waiting for her. She didn’t want to face them. 

” Terri if you don’t do it now they’ll follow us back to the ranch.  You have to talk to them. You made history, girl." Tamara spoke to her in a hushed tone. 

"OK." was all she could say. 

The reporters crowded around her wheel chair.  She could feel the anger building up in her mind. 

” Terri, how did you do it? What was that last ride like?” they shoved microphones in her face, each asking a million questions a minute. 

"HEY SHUT UP AN GIVE ME A CHANCE HERE" Terri yelled.

"Damn that hurt,” she growled. "Ok. Truth be known, I don’t remember too much of the last ride.  I hoped you all saw it well because that was the last ride you will ever see me make. I don’t want to remember it either.  Its part of my past. I did it for two reasons: one for the memory of an old dear friend, and two, for the love it. That’s all I have to say.  Now you all go back to your tiny little desks and write what you will. This is my last ride." 

She saw Denise approaching her.  Terri’s eyes flashed dark blue as a growl grew from deep in her chest.  

"Don’t you start with me, Denise.  I swear I’ll get outta this here chair an clobber your ass." 

"Well!  I’m glad to see you’re feeling better honey!!" she smiled at Terri, ”Any last comments to your fans?" 

"Yes, don’t try this at home. On a serous side, don’t give up your dreams.  Make them happen.  If I can do it, so can you." 

"Now, if’n you all don’t mind, I got a plane to catch." She nodded at the reporters, growled at Denise and tried to wheel herself to the curb without waiting for Tamara. Once Terri was settled into the car, Tamara pulled out into traffic. 

“I have one question Terri?” Tamara asked, still pissed at her. ‘Oh-oh here it comes.’ Terri thought to herself. 

“Shoot.” Terri growled at her. 

“Was it worth it?” Tamara asked sorrowfully. 

“Yes, it was.” Terri snapped. Her emotions were raw; she felt her self start to cry.” I can’t explain it you to. It was something I had to do.” Terri’s anger flashed into her eyes. 

“Why Terri?” Tamara asked not taking her eyes off the road. 

“It’s my way of letting go.” a single tear slid down her cheek. ”Please Tamara, don’t.” 

“I need to understand what drives you Terri? Why you feel the need to punish yourself for something you didn’t do?” Terri adjusted her seat; the pain in her leg wasn’t half as bad as the words Tamara said to her. 

“Look, when we get back to the ranch, we’ll talk about this. Right now I need to sort out my feelings.” 

“How long are you planning to stay this time Terri? Someone comes to close to you and you run away. How can I be sure you’ll actually talk to me?” Tamara tried to show no emotion as she spoke to Terri. It really didn’t work because she was pissed at her. Terri had not only walked out on her best friend, but she had walked out on her as well. 

”Keep in mind Terri you walked out on a lot of good positive happens in your life. You have an obligation to each of us, then and now.” She knew better than to bring up Taylor’s name yet. That was coming soon.  

Taylor had gone back to L.A. to tie up the settlement of her practice.  She would be flying out to Portland by the end of next week. Tamara would be making sure that she talked to Terri before that time. She was going to make sure she knew what was going on before Taylor came back to the ranch. 

Terri could hear the words Tamara spoke and they were hitting home a little too harshly. She cried even harder. Tamara reached across the seat reaching out and holding Terri’s fingers sticking out of the cast. 

” Terri, I know you have a lot to think about right now, but you need to know Taylor loves you.  That’s something you didn’t think about before making this change.”  

Terri nodded. She had nothing to say in return. She couldn’t face what she had done yet. Even though she knew that, the truth was she loved her too. 

” Now, take your pills and relax. We’ll be at the airport soon.” 

Terri had no clue as to how she got on the plane. Tamara slept soundly next to her. She was in first class. Damn but it was ritzy! Her long legs were always too crowded in the regular seats. She reached in her bag for another pill. Tamara’s hand shot out and snatched the bottle out of her hand. 

” I don’t think so Terri. We will be landing soon. You will be awake for us to get you off this damn plane.” Tamara put the pills in her shirt pocket. She snuggled in closer to Terri and said, 

” Don’t even move, Terri.  I’ll feel you fidgeting.” Tamara smiled to herself as Terri mumbled under her breath. 

The ride back to the ranch caused Terri to hurt.  She knew she would need to lie down soon or she would pass out. Tamara handed her a pain pill. She took it, knowing this wasn’t going to be fun. She wasn’t looking forward to staying in her cottage alone. 

Her last thought before she passed out was of Taylor’s lips kissing her softly good night. Was it a dream? She would wonder later. She woke intermittently but had no clue as to where she really was.  She felt like she was floating in a sea of white clouds. She was high and that’s all she could think of. This wasn’t her cottage, but her dog was there next to her, waiting for her every time she woke up. 

Four days later, she came out of her fuzziness to see Tamara sitting in a chair close to her bed. 

“Well sleepy head. About time you woke up. I was getting worried you weren’t goin to wake up. How’s the pain?” Tamara moved on close to her. 

“Hum not bad, just feel weak right now. I’m actually hungry. Would you mind helping me up?” Terri asked.  

“Hell yes I would. You are to stay in bed for the next week. Doctor’s orders in fact.” Terri’s eyes light up surprised… 

“A FREAKING WEEK?” She almost wailed.” How the hell am I supposed to get something to eat, or hell, even go to the freaking bathroom? You’re making this up Tamara!” Terri growled. 

“No I didn’t make it up. Shall I call the doc?” Tamara asked amusingly. 

“Shit no.  So what’s the plan then?” Terri asked in a snotty tone. 

“Well girl, you are going to rely on someone else taking care of you for awhile. You got yourself into this, now you have to pay the piper.  If you don’t act, nice you don’t get to get up, or eat.” Tamara was laughing inside at the feelings that were showing on Terri’s face. 

“Yes ma’am.” Terri pouted. The pain pills were hitting her.

“Look, you relax. I’ll get us something to eat.” Tamara turned to look at Terri and she was sound asleep. 

Tamara went off to the cooking shanty to find Mark. 

” Mark honey, I need some help at the main house. Can you give me a hand?” 

“Oh my.  A lady with a plan, huh? Sure, sister, what do you need?” he smiled to himself.  He knew when Tamara had that look in her eyes nothing would stand in her way to get something done. 

“Well first, can you fix us something for supper and come on up to the house when it’s ready? We’ll eat some dinner and talk it over what I need.” Tamara moved quickly outside, and back to the house. 

An hour later after they had eaten Terri was moved into the bigger guestroom. The bed was huge, even for the tall grumpy patient. They hooked up the cable in the room.  Finally, they turned to the most important feature hooking up the internet lines for the laptop.  

Terri was tired from watching them argue as they set up the room.  She watched as they moved items around to make it easier to get to the bathroom while Terri was confined to the wheelchair.  Tamara set up a desk on wheels to stretch over then bed so Terri would have something to place her tray on and to set her laptop on for ease of use. Tamara had Terri sitting half way up so she could eat. She had made it part way through her meal before falling back to sleep. She awakened to find Tamara sleeping on the other side of the bed.  

Terri reached down and pulled her blanket from her feet to cover Tamara. She pulled the table desk closer and logged onto the laptop. She checked her mail and found an instant message from Taylor. 

“Hi sleepy head. How are you?” 

“Drugged. How are you Taylor?” 

“Better now that you are ok.” 

“Thank you that’s awfully sweet of you.” 

“Do you have time we could maybe talk?”

Taylor held her breath at the other end of the computer line. 

“Sure. I may fall asleep on you tho! Tamara has kept me pretty much out of it. I think she is doing it on purpose too!” 

“You’re to funny honey. I miss you.” 

“Yeah, me to.” 

“You let me know when you are feeling tired, I’ll let you go.” 

“NO….I’m fine, really. Tamara is passed out on the bed next to me and snoring loudly. I want so bad to hold her nose closed.” 

“Aww, now that wouldn’t be nice. Funny, but still not wise to do to someone who’s bringing you your meals.” 

“Ah that’s true. You just HAD to remind me didn’t you? Can you believe I have to stay in bed for the next week? I’m thinking she said that on purpose too!” 

“Actually, honey, I was there when the doctor told her that. She didn’t make it up.” 

“So you WERE there. I thought I felt you beside me.” 

“Yes, I was. I didn’t know if you wanted me to be or not but I had to see you again. I’m sorry if that makes you mad. I had to touch you, to make sure you were all right. I was so scared when you took that last ride. You didn’t get up right a way and I thought….” 

“Taylor, don’t … please don’t. I’m OK.  I’ll heal. I knew you were there.  Maybe that doesn’t make any sense, but I felt you there with me.  Call me crazy. I don’t know. I think that’s what kept me fighting.. I don’t want to feel this way again.  It’s too scary. I don’t know if I can do this again. But then the feelings are to strong for me to fight much longer.”

She stopped typing not knowing what to say. She let her hand rest.  It was hard typing one handed. 

“Taylor, are you there? Talk to me.  I’m trying really hard here to try and make sense of what’s going on between us.” 

“I know you are Terri, but so am I. I know we didn’t get off to a wonderful start, but maybe in time we can work it out.” 

“Is that what you want, Taylor?”

Terri hit enter on her laptop and held her breath. 

“More than ever, sweetheart. I want to teach you to accept unconditional love, to know I care about you more than you realize. Listen honey, this is getting deep. Why don’t you get some sleep and you can buzz me later tonight if you feel like it. We don’t need to solve this in one night.” 

“I am getting really tired. Will you be on here later?” 

“I won’t log off, so just buzz me when you need to.” 

“Ok Taylor. I’ll talk to you in a little while.” 

“I’ll be here honey, you get some sleep.” 

Terri closed her eyes feeling better than she had in the last week or so.  

Tamara had gotten up at some point and moved to the small bed on the other side of the room. Terri needed to use the bathroom.  She started to get up but felt light headed. 

”SHIT!” she muttered to herself. 

“Well, dipshit, if you would ask for help you wouldn’t hurt yourself.” Tamara snapped at her. 

“YOU WERE SLEEPING.” 

“Terri, don’t you yell at me.” Tamara stood up and walked over to help her into the wheelchair. 

“Sorry Tamara.” Terri started to cry. 

“Terri, there’s no need to cry.  Come on.  It’s goin to be ok.” 

“Jeezee Tamara, I’m in your house and you’re playing nursemaid to me.  How are you goin to run this ranch if you’re in here every day and all through the night?”  

“Terri, it’s ok really. Jesse is filling in until you can get back to work. There other things I need to do, so I have come up with a plan to solve this little problem. As far as you being here, I don’t mind at all. I can keep a better eye on you. Secondly, I am goin to hire a part-time nurse to come in and help you.” Tamara waited for the explosion of anger. 

“How do you think I am goin to repay you for all of this?” Terri mumbled. 

“Well, you can start by taking over some paper work I need help with.  Second, you can shut up and deal with whomever I hire to help me out so I can get some other chores done around here. Do we have a deal?” 

“Hum… what kind of paper work?” 

“Next spring’s breeding schedules, and some odds and ends. Deal?” 

“What’s this person going to look like you are hiring?” Terri asked in a hushed voice, she was tiring fast. 

“Well she’s about 5’6’, and very cute. She comes highly recommended. It’s my money. I’ll hire whom I want that I see can do the job. You will be nice and get along with whoever it is. Either take the deal or don’t.  I must warn you I get nastier as the more worn out I become.” 

“Shit, seems like I don’t have much choice. So when do I get to break in the new nurse?” Terri grinned at Tamara. She smiled back. This was the first time she had actually seen Terri smile a full smile, even though it was slightly evil looking smile.  It was a start. 

“Ok, I take it we have a deal?” Terri nodded in agreement.

“She starts in two days. Now relax and get some sleep? I’ll go find us something to eat.” 

“Tamara?” 

“Yes Terri?” 

“Th…ank...y…ou” 

“Your welcome, Terri, but this is going to cost you…” she giggled to herself while throwing Terri’s own words back at her as she left the room.

The time passed quickly for Terri.  She’d wake up, eat, go to the bathroom, and sleep more.  She talked to Taylor at least twice a day. It was late in the day when Tamara said she had to make sure the new nurse settled in. Terri was pissed due to the fact she didn’t have a view of the front of the ranch. She wanted to check out the new nurse. She flipped through the TV channels, board as hell. Tamara came in to make sure she had taken her pills. She was starting to hate having to take them. She didn’t want to sleep as much as she felt better.  She wanted to be up and a round. She took the pills reluctantly while glaring at Tamara. 

“Oh shut up Terri and take them.” Tamara growled back at Terri. She was catching on to her wicked ways. Terri smiled at her. ”Open your mouth. I don’t think you swallowed them.” 

Terri opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue. 

 ”BITE ME.” 

“Keep that up and I’ll send that sexy nurse back to where she came from. Now go to sleep, butthead.” 

Terri woke with a start. She was having a wild dream, yet it wasn’t a dream. Taylor was holding her as she slept too. Terri looked down at the sleeping woman lying in her arms. She felt like she had finally come home. She was puzzled though. How long had she been here? One emerald green eye popped open to meet her blue ones. 

“Hmmm. HI, how are you?” Taylor moved closer to her. 

“N…ot ba...d you?” Terri lazily ran her hand down her side. 

“Like I’ve died and gone to heaven.” She pulled herself up to meet Terri’s lips.  

”Hmm. I’ve missed you Terri.” She kissed her softly. Terri felt herself pulled into the passion that burned against her lips. Terri moved to pull her closer but winched in pain. 

”Grrrrr, I think we need to stop this for the time being.” Terri growled. 

“Honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.  Relax. I’ll go get us something to eat.” Taylor realized her mistake as soon as she pulled away. 

“Taylor? Wait. Let me go with you. Just help me into this damn chair.” 

“Now Terri, I don’t think that’s a good idea.  Give me a minute and I’ll be right back.” 

“Taylor, you have two choices. I can do this by myself or you can help me, but either way I am goin to go into the kitchen and out of this freaking room.” Terri’s eyes meet Taylor’s. Taylor knew she had lost. 

“Come on. Let’s do this before Tamara gets back. She’ll have both our heads.”  

Taylor helped Terri sit up.  Terri’s face turned white and her stomach flip-flopped but she was determined to get up out of bed. She pushed the nauseating feelings back down and moved into Taylor’s arms before being eased into the wheel chair. Once settled, they rolled down the hall towards the kitchen,  

“Taylor?” 

“Yes honey?” Taylor melted each time she heard her name roll off Terri lips. It sent shivers up and down her spine. 

“Have you seen this nurse Tamara hired?” 

“Hum as a matter of fact I have, why?” 

“She cute?” Terri was smiling, waiting for her to answer her. Taylor gently slapped the back of the raven hair. 

“Not on your life honey.” 

“Damn…I’m in need of a bath too!” 

“I’m sure we can help you out with that. Mark can drag the garden hose up here.  We’ll spray you off outside on the deck.” 

“Ohhhh…… you are so funny” Terri snapped back with a giggle. 

“Then don’t you be worrying about some cute nurse.” 

They talked and laughed while Taylor made them something to eat from the food Mark had sent over. Taylor knew Tamara would be gone for a few days.  She planned to use this time to really get to know Terri.  

Terri was lost deep in thought.  Taylor couldn’t help but wonder what was going on behind those deep blue eyes. She leaned down and kissed her softy, pulling her out of her thoughts. Terri jumped; a sharp pain went through her rib cage. Her leg almost fell off the chair’s leg brace. She nearly came unglued, as the pain was almost unbearable. 

“Honey, let’s get you back to bed.  This is not good for you, being and around so soon.” Taylor’s eyes filled with regret. 

No sooner than Terri’s head met the pillow, she was sleeping. Taylor held her all night softly stroking her face. Terri would relax and go back to a peaceful slumber.  It had gone much easier once Terri realized that Taylor was going to be her nurse until she was back on her feet.

Terri was up and moving four weeks later. She still tired easily and had to use a crutch to get around.  The cast on her arm made it hard to use both crutches but once lifted into her saddle she could spend hours at a time riding all over the ranch. Both she and Taylor were inseparable.  They spent many hours talking while Terri healed. They never talked about the past or what the future would hold in store for them. It was one day at a time.

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