September Canvas by Gun Brooke

outline of her neighbor as she approached the Jacuzzi. “Deanna.” Faythe sat up.
    “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” Deanna shuffled her feet and shoved her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “I haven’t seen you around and thought I’d…eh…thank you for dinner. I didn’t intend to be impolite. I’ve been busy with a deadline.”
    “Oh, yeah? Another book?”
    “Yes. A children’s book. Bunny Buttercup.”
    “Oh. Really. It sounds adorable. I’ve heard about the author. Wasn’t it shortlisted for an award?”
    “Yes. It didn’t win, but it gained a lot of attention and has done well.” Deanna looked preoccupied.
    “I’m happy for you.” Faythe felt unusually shy, but wasn’t about to let the awkwardness stop her. “Want to join me?” The words left her lips before she knew what she meant to say.
    “What? Oh, no. That’s all right. I should get back to work. Would you like to go on a more reliable boat trip on the lake with me?”
    “I’d love to.” The heat from the water must have caused the hot flush up her neck and cheeks. “When did you have in mind?”
    “Early tomorrow, in my canoe. I usually take my camera and stay a few hours.”
    “I haven’t paddled a canoe since I was twelve and at summer camp, but I think I remember how.” Faythe laughed. “At least I know better than two friends there who always insisted on facing each other while they paddled, which didn’t work so well.”
    “You’re kidding.” Deanna’s deliciously throaty laugh made Faythe’s nipples harden despite the hot water. Displaying even white teeth, Deanna gave a broad smile that transformed her strong features into sheer beauty, and Faythe softened inside. Kitty-with-a-heart’s comments seemed ridiculous and petty, and Faythe couldn’t wait to get to know Deanne better.
    “Seven too early?”
    “No. I’m used to getting up at four, so seven is fine.” Faythe stood up in the hot tub without thinking, but Deanna’s roaming eyes made her want to sit down just as quickly. Not wanting to seem even more conspicuous, though, Faythe climbed out of the tub and reached for her towel. “I’m turning into a prune.”
    “All right. See you tomorrow.”
    “I’ll make us breakfast to take along.” Backing up so fast she nearly hit the railing behind her, Deanna nodded. “Sounds good. Bye.” She disappeared along the path and through the trees, and only when Faythe began to shiver did she realize she’d forgotten to wrap the towel around her. Groaning at herself, she hurried inside and headed for the shower to wash her hair.
    When was the last time her heart fluttered the way it did now? She glanced at the mirror as she squirmed out of her swimsuit. Even her chest looked flushed. In the shower she tried to let the water rinse the heated thoughts from her mind.

Chapter Seven
    Sitting behind Faythe in the canoe enhanced Deanna’s experience of the lake’s mirrorlike surface. The birds seemed in awe too; not even the autumn leaves stirred. The air was crisp, but not cool enough to turn their breath into mist, and Deanna realized that the uncommon feeling inside her was peace. Short-lived, it evaporated as soon as Faythe turned and smiled at her. That smile had haunted Deanna for days.
    “Beautiful doesn’t quite cut it, does it?” Faythe looked reverently at her. “I can’t describe how this makes me feel. How can I ever go back to Manhattan?”
    “I could never live too far away from nature.”
    “Were you born here? In Grantville, I mean?”
    “No, I’m from Montpellier.”
    “City girl? I’d never have guessed.”
    “I’m that unsophisticated?” Deanna raised an eyebrow, delighted when Faythe blushed.
    “No. I meant you so clearly appreciate living among…this.”
    “Actually, I lived a very average suburban life.”
    “And how did you end up here?”
    “Oh, life.” Deanna thought of Miranda, how their mother’s betrayal and altered loyalties had forced this