Blended TML Ch 10

The Dunham-Jameson cabin: a 1600-square-foot A-frame on the shady shore of Babe Lake. This 2-bedroom, 2-bath chalet was built in 1996 and sleeps up to 7 if one uses the creative framing often employed by the landlords of short-term rentals. It is notable for its beautiful great room and the cute walkway leading down to a modest dock on the lake. It can be had by anyone with a credit card for a competitive 350 a night.

Penny Dunham was the driving force behind the acquisition of the cabin both as a vacation home and as an additional source of income. Mary was skeptical but game at the time. Years have passed, and while the cabin has been modestly profitable and even occasionally nice to have, it has also brought a great deal of headache and hassle. These sorts of things often make better ideas than realities, and Piper suspects that Mary resents the mere existence of the cabin. With Penny traveling all the time, much of the work falls on Mary.

For the first time in recent memory, Piper feels real adrenaline. Mary doesn’t look scary as she gazes at the screen of her phone, but that’s what makes it scary. The load-bearing capacity of the camel’s back is not an exact science. Mary is incredibly tough, and while Piper has never witnessed it firsthand, there’s a reason she’s one of Gurlberg’s top attorneys. That takes a killer instinct. What happens when someone like her has had enough?

Mary suddenly puts the phone back in her purse and smiles at Piper. “I may have to run down there. Thanks for being here, sweetie.” She gives Piper a quick squeeze, then heads upstairs.

“Oh shit,” Piper mutters under her breath. Well, this is her evening, and probably her weekend, all fucked up. The gears of her mind turn. Certainties and probabilities are listed and weighed. Indecision is a subtle and insidious killer. Piper takes a deep breath, employs the timeless skill of radical acceptance, and swings into action. She hurries upstairs, slipping down the hallway to Riley’s door. She knocks and enters.

A fully dressed Riley turns, face red, eyes wide. Piper does not typically utilize the no-knock entry, but time is a factor tonight. To pull this off with a standard of quality that will suit her staggering vanity, speed is essential.

“Oh, my god. Piper, I am so sorry. I thought it would just be you,” Riley gushes, hurrying over.

Piper catches her by the shoulders. “Riley, I have to go to the cabin with your mom. Someone trashed it, and she needs help cleaning it up.”

“Oh no.”

“You are gonna have to take care of Patty. She’s at Tamara’s. Pick her up tomorrow at noon. Feed her and keep her alive and from doing any felonies this weekend.”

The color drains from Riley’s face. She licks her lips. “Please don’t go.”

“Riley.” Piper looks into her eyes and cups Riley’s face, brushing her hair back. Riley begins to melt. Piper moves close and pulls her in, sliding her other hand down. It’s not a great hardship to get a big handful of Riley’s perfect ass and squeeze. Riley whimpers. “Riley, do this for me, and when I get back, you can do anything you want to me. Anything.”

Riley swallows. Piper kisses her and makes it real, but brief.

Eyes unfocused and steam pouring from her ears, Riley almost trips when Piper lets her go.

“OK,” she squeaks, her voice as wobbly as the rest of her.