Colder Than Ice by Helen MacPherson Page A

appreciative eye at the two women at the table. “Just having a
drink with some of the old crew. What brings you to this part of town?”
    “Shit,
where are my manners. Maddison Walker, meet Dr. Allison Shaunessy and Dr.
Michela DeGrasse. We’re part of a team going down to the Finlayson site.”
    Maddi’s
hand lingered in Michela’s. “Maddi will do fine. Pleased to meet you both.
That means you’ll be on my territory, so you better behave. I’m the Team Leader
for Wills Station and I’ll be your immediate backup during your stay. So,
Sarah, all the crew are here from your last tour. Got time for a quick
hello?”
    Sarah
was torn between catching up with old friends and deserting her new team.
    “I’m
sure Alli and I can look after ourselves. Go and see your friends and we’ll
catch up with you later,” Michela said.
    “Are
you sure?” Sarah asked.
    Allison
stood and sat where Sarah had been. She stretched her legs out on the bench.
“There. Now you’ve got nowhere to sit, so you’re going to have to
go.”
    Nodding
her thanks, Sarah took Maddi’s hand and they wove their way around the tables
and across to the group of women.
    Maddi
looked back at Michela’s booth, nearly causing her to run into one of the
tables. “So, are they a couple?”
    Sarah
laughed. “No way. Allison’s straight. Her partner’s currently out with the
boys. As for Michela, she’s family but let’s just say she’s not out and
proud.”
    “What,
she’s not closeted is she?” Maddi asked.
    Sarah
shook her head. “No. She just doesn’t see the need to share her private
life with those who don’t need to know about it, that’s all.”
    Maddi
laughed. “Ooh, I’d like to share her private life with her. By the way, that
young biologist who you were all over last year is here, so be prepared for a
heartfelt welcome.”
    “Sarah.”
A young woman stood and pulled Sarah into a long kiss and hug.
    Sarah
chuckled to herself. Well, I never said I was discrete.
    MICHELA
WATCHED ALLISON’S curious eyes follow Maddi and Sarah as they approached a
crowded table. Allison’s expression turned to surprise as she witnessed the
display between Sarah and the short woman who greeted her.
    Allison
returned her gaze to Michela and struggled to conceal her embarrassment.
    “Are
you all right? Do you want to go home?” Michela asked.
    Allison
picked at a paper napkin. “No, I’m okay. Surprised that’s all.”
    “About
what?”
    Allison
motioned toward the loud group on the other side of the room. “I didn’t
realize she was gay. I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t met gay people before,
it’s, well, it came as a bit of a surprise.”
    Michela
accepted her coffee from the waitress and directed Sarah’s coffee to where she
was now sitting. She sweetened her drink and looked at Allison. “Each to
their own, I suppose.”
    Allison
silently sipped her coffee. She surreptitiously looked at the group and then
turned back Michela. “Doesn’t it bother you? You know, to know you’ll be
bunking with her when we get to the continent?”
    Oh,
if only you knew the full story. I wonder what your reaction would be. “Firstly, I haven’t finalized the accommodations
arrangements and secondly, no, it doesn’t bother me at all.” Allison
tilted her head. “Just because Sarah’s gay doesn’t mean she’s interested
in every woman she sees. For example, do you like Rob? Would you like to take
things a little further with him?” Michela laughed as Allison’s lip curled
up in disgust.
    “You’ve
got to be joking. I mean he’s nice guy and all but, well, he’s not my
type.” Allison smiled and nodded in understanding. She took a sip of her
coffee and boldly regarded Michela. “So what’s your type?”
    Michela’s
features sobered. While she’d had occasional partners, Natalie had been her one
and only long-term relationship. If only I’d spent more time at home.
    Allison
touched her on the arm. “Michela, is everything