Hearts Desire

Chapter 3

Spencer felt refreshed from her shower. She toweled dried her hair then pulled it into a loose ponytail. Now she was ready to be sociable.

Spencer went downstairs, as she approached the living room she her voices that sounded cheerful and pleasant. The thought that she might enjoy herself had not occurred to her. So far it seems a pleasant enough place and the people she had already met were very friendly.

"There She Is"…a woman's voice young and cheerful said. In the living room there was only Aiden, Christine and Ashley. Spencer knew Aiden and Christine, but had yet to meet Ashley, Christine's daughter or the other boarder residing in the house.

Spencer smiled consciously amused as she entered the room. Walking over to them she waited to be introduced to the young stranger. Spencer had not gotten a good look at the young woman because the woman had turned slightly to put her drink down on the table to shake Spencer's hand. Time stood still when the young woman finally turned to Spencer, embarrassed and apologetic.

Spencer was mesmerized. "Professor Carlin… this is Ashley," Aiden said, "Spencer what would you like to drink?" "Ah… Jack and coke please," Spencer finally replied. "Hello, Ashley… " "Hello, Professor Carlin," said Ashley. Spencer was still staring at Ashley unable to form intelligible words or thoughts until her drink was thrust into her hand by Aiden. It was then she realized Ashley was calling her name.

'Professor Carlin!" Ashley spoke.

"Please forgive me, my mind wandered and call me Spencer…"

"Alright, Spencer…Christine tells me you teach at Princeton…what department?" "I teach in the English Department." Ashley nodded.

Spencer made herself comfortable on the couch next to Christine. Aiden and Ashley continued to stand. Perhaps it was the strain of looking up or perhaps it was the drink, Spencer felt a not altogether unpleasant lightheadedness when she gazed into Ashley's eyes. She also found it difficult to concentrate on Ashley's questions. For reasons unknown to Spencer she had trouble keeping her eyes off the young woman. She took an instant liking to her. Christine and Aiden found the display amusing.

Ashley was twenty-three years old with long curly auburn hair, tanned complexion and toned abs and slender body. Average height, slightly shorter than Spencer. Ashley's most appealing feature were her eyes, she had the most amazing brown color eyes with long eyelashes surrounding them. Like the other two Davies who were not bad looking, Ashley was by far the most attractive. She could have been one of those models you see in the fashion magazines. Ashley played the guitar and sang backup with a band at one of the local clubs in town.

Ashley still speaking to Spencer… "how long is your stay here with us?" "Um..I'm so sorry," apologized Spencer blushing… "I was admiring your eyes, I've never seen such a deep color brown, your eyes just sparkle." Spencer blushed more realizing what she had just said. "Thank you Spencer, that's a nice compliment."

People were always complimenting Ashley on how beautiful her eyes were, but the compliment coming from Spencer made her blush.

Dinner was served at five-thirty. Everyone sat down to a simple meal as Christine put it of braised lamb with grilled vegetables in wine sauce, twice baked garlic potatoes and banana flambé' for dessert. Christine turns out had excellent culinary skills.

Everyone was eating and exchanging pleasantries when halfway through the meal, another of Christine's boarders appeared and joined them at the table. "Professor Carlin I like you to meet Kyla Woods…Kyla this is Professor Carlin."

"Hi! Spencer, please… nice to meet you…" "Hi! Kyla."

Kyla Woods was at the ranch house also to get a divorce. She had two children, ages six months and one year. They were being kept by her mother until she returned. Kyla was a petite woman around the same age as Ashley. Long brown hair and brown eyes.

Spencer observed that there was something not quite right with the young woman. She seemed to be in a fragile state of mind.

Dinner was uneventful and everyone retreated to their rooms or activities for the rest of the evening. Christine, Spencer and Ashley retreated back to living room for more conversation. It was not quite time for Ashley to leave for work. She and the band were performing at the Lonely Heart's Nightclub in town.

"Professor Carlin..I mean Spencer…perhaps you would like to…" "Thank you" Spencer answered quickly, "I think not tonight. I haven't finished unpacking."

"No, no of course…maybe another night," Ashley said goodnight to everyone and left for work.

Ashley's POV

As I was driving into town, I couldn't keep my mind from wandering back to the blond hair beauty. Wow! When she came into the living room, she took my breath away. I couldn't keep myself from staring at her. When I realized I was staring I busied myself with my drink. But when she walked closer to shake my hand, I couldn't help but stare. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Straight blond hair as bright as the sun, toned slender body, perfect smile and the bluest blue eyes, like the waters of Aruba. I could drown in those eyes and die happy. I was captivated. I couldn't help but wonder why her husband would divorce such a gorgeous woman, who had such a pleasant personality.

Spencer woke up early to her first morning in Reno. She lay in bed for awhile before actually getting up. She was going over in her head, what she needed to do before seeing her lawyer. Spencer's mind was also on the brown eyed vixen, wondering how her night went at the nightclub. The house being quiet she assumed everyone was still asleep, so she got up, laid her clothes on the bed and took a shower. She decided on a light summer business suit and heels for her meeting. When she finished dressing she gathered her belongings and headed toward the kitchen for coffee.

Christine, Aiden, Kyla and Ashley were already in the kitchen sitting at the breakfast table having coffee. 'Good morning, Professor…would you like a cup of coffee?" Ashley asked. "Yes, I would Spencer replied grateful for the offer." "Did you sleep well?" "Yes, I did."

"So, Ashley I didn't get to ask you last night, what is it you do when you're not performing?"

Ashley smiled while taking in the beauty that was Spencer, "I'm enrolled at the University of Nevada, like Aiden. I'm studying music, I can only do a few hours right now. I may increase them later."

Why are you studying music, Spencer inquired? I want to get the proper credentials to teach music to children who are interested in learning about music but can't afford to learn, Ashley said.

"Wow! I think that's wonderful Ashley."

"Ashley's been playing the guitar since she was five, she's actually very good."

"Well thank you Aiden," Ashley smirked. "Anyway!! She's been teaching a few of the ranch hand's kids how to play the guitar during her spare time."

Spencer just looked in awe at Ashley.

Spencer's appointment with her lawyer was at noon. Christine was suppose to drive her to town, but there was a problem with one of the horses. So, Ashley volunteered to take Spencer.

The ride was quiet until Ashley broke the silence. "Um…Spencer if you don't mind my asking why did you come to Reno for a divorce." Spencer smirked at Ashley's forwardness. "I needed to get away from familiar surroundings, get away from my family so I could think more clearly and not have the interference of my mother to influence my decisions."

Spencer knew she could have stayed in New York, but her attorney, who also had offices in Chicago and Reno was not coming back to his New York office for six months and she wanted the divorce as soon as possible. So with his suggestion, she agreed that he would handle her divorce in Reno.

"So, how do you like the ranch house Spencer…Spencer…Professor Carlin are you still with me?" "Hello!"

Spencer was deep in thought, she didn't realize Ashley was still talking to her. "I'm sorry, I guess my mind went elsewhere. What were you asking?"

"How do you like staying at the ranch house so far?"

"Well, I haven't had much chance to really look around to make a judgment. But the house itself is quite comfortable. I like it very much."

"Good"! Ashley said. "Christine works really hard to make it comfortable, you know home away from home."

"You and your mother are close?" Spencer asked. "Yeah, we are now. It took awhile for her to accept my lifestyle. We're okay. My brother Aiden, that's her baby, she would do anything for him. Don't get me wrong, I know she loves me and wants to see me happy but Aiden, he's like her right arm especially when it comes to dealing with the ranch."

"Oh I see." Ashley's earlier comment puzzled Spencer, so she decided to ask her more about it.

"Ashley, what did you mean when you said it took your mother awhile to accept your lifestyle?" Ashley thought long and hard whether she should tell Spencer or just ignore the question. Oh, what the hell.

"Spencer, I'm…Gay!"

"Spencer...are you…okay with that," Ashley asked? "Spencer!"

Spencer and Ashley were both silent for the remainder of the drive.

Ashley finally pulled up in front of Spencer's attorney's office… "I have to meet with the band to rehearsal for tonight, do you want me to leave the car, because I may not be able to pick you up?"

"No!" Spencer snapped… "I don't know how long the meeting with my attorney will last. I'll find my way back to the ranch house. I don't have time to debate with you on how I'll get back."

"O'kay!!" Ashley said, "I just thought I would… " "it's okay Ashley, I'm sorry I don't mean to be short tempered, I just need to get to this appointment."

Without saying goodbye, Spencer turned and went into the building.