Best Lesbian Romance 2014 by Radclyffe Page A

her life. She closed her eyes against the hollow ache that slowly choked her as she sat on the dock every day, waiting, wondering, and waiting more.
    Desperate, she finally went to Lori’s house, determined to talk to her. They could run away to another town and get jobs. She didn’t have to go to the university. She’d do anything as long as she didn’t lose Lori.
    But when she walked into the yard, she could hear the angry voices inside. She knocked, but no one came to the door. She knocked again, and Lori finally appeared. Her eyes were red from crying, and she refused to look at Willie as she told her that she was going to marry Earl Montgomery next month.
    Willie hung around until the day of the wedding and stood across the street from the church. When Lori arrived, she gotout of the car and looked right at Willie, then walked into the sanctuary. Willie drove to the bus station, bought a ticket to Richmond and joined the army.
    She never thought she’d find herself back at this pond, waiting once again for Lori. She squinted in the bright sunlight, searching the tree line again as if she could will her to appear. Every moment without her still seemed like a millennium.
    Army life had been good to her, but even sweeter was their reunion and the years they’d finally spent together. The years of waiting had been more than worth it. So there was no doubt that she would wait for Lori again…as long as it took. But then time had no relevance here in this oasis that was theirs.
    The water shimmered around her and Willie closed her eyes against the glare. When she opened them, Lori stood on the bank across from her. Her smile was soft. “Somehow, I knew I’d find you here.”
    Willie sprang to her feet and dove into the water, swimming across the small pond in strong, sure strokes. Lori waded in to meet her and they were in each other’s arms again. Lori’s kiss was as sweet as she remembered.
    Then Lori’s hands were on Willie’s face, smoothing down her shoulders and arms to cup Willie’s hands in her smaller ones and examine them. She felt her own face, then looked up at Willie in wonderment.
    â€œWe’re young again.”
    â€œYes.” Willie held up her hands. “No more arthritis.”
    â€œI never minded. I was too glad to find you after all those years apart.”
    â€œI never expected I would go first. Was it hard after I left?”
    â€œIt was dark and confusing. Poor Leah. I don’t know what my granddaughter would have done without your great-niece tolove her and help her through it.”
    â€œTory is stronger with Leah at her side, too.”
    Lori nodded. “They’ll be fine.” She smiled. “Did you have to wait long this time, sweetheart? I couldn’t keep track of the days. The dementia stole that from me, but sometimes I thought it was actually a gift because it kept me from knowing how long I was without you.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter how long. I would wait all of eternity for you.”
    Lori looked around. “So, this is heaven? No angels or choirs? No judgment of our sins?”
    â€œAre you disappointed?”
    â€œHeavens, no. I’m relieved.”
    They laughed together, and Willie stole another kiss.
    â€œApparently, we must have done something right. Our eternity will be spent in the place where we shared our happiest memory.” She gestured toward her offerings under the gnarled old oak.
    Lori’s smile went from sweet to brilliant. “Oh, Willie. In all the years I’ve loved you, I’m glad you never changed.”
    Willie winked at Lori. “I brought a blanket and a jar of Papa’s scuppernong wine.”

AUSSIE GIRL
    Jillian Boyd
    Saturday afternoon, half past one.
    I sat near the window at Starbucks, getting better acquainted with a latte. The weather gods were not being kind. Outside, the people of Chelmsford rushed about the street, clad in their