September Canvas by Gun Brooke Page A

situation upon them. “Just happenstance, really.”
    “That’s not uncommon. Nothing happenstance ever had the chance to enter my life. Once I left college, I was on the fast track in the media business. The speed blinded me. I thought I was living my dream, maybe because everyone else took that for granted.”
    “I can see how that might confuse a person.” Faythe turned forward and continued to paddle with long, slow strokes. “The term ‘finding yourself’ is a cliché, but trust me, that’s why I’m here. I lost sight of what I wanted. Some days I lost sight of me.” Faythe’s sorrowful laugh tore at Deanna.
    “I hope you do find yourself. Really.”
    “Me too.”
    They paddled along the narrow part of the lake in silence, and Deanna relaxed again, blocking thoughts of her mother and other unhappy parts of her life to focus on the rising sun’s rays that played with the highlights in Faythe’s hair. She wore it in a low ponytail with a Tilley hat hanging on her back. Dressed in jeans and a red windbreaker jacket, and devoid of makeup, she looked years younger than during dinner a week ago.
    Deanna itched to draw her again and looked with longing at the backpack at her feet. She always carried some basic art supplies and sketch pads, as well as a set of dry clothes in a sealed bag, a first-aid kit, a thermos of coffee, and some sandwiches. Faythe had been smart enough to bring something to eat and spare clothes as well.
    “A log coming toward us,” Faythe said. “Left or right?”
    “Right.” Deanna guided them around the trunk, which floated slowly with the current as several birds sat on top of it and groomed themselves. Their ruffled feathers and beady eyes pleased her.
    Faythe glanced over her shoulder again. “Any particular goal in mind, or do we just paddle until we see a place we like?”
    “Let’s keep going a while longer, unless you’re sore. I know some pretty spots about half an hour upstream.”
    “I’m okay. I may be a city girl, but I work out.” Faythe grinned and kept paddling.
    “I could tell the other day.”
    “What? How?”
    Deanna cursed inwardly for speaking without thinking. Visions of lean muscles playing under soft, pale skin surfaced instantly, no matter how she tried to suppress them. “I…I just noticed when you…I mean, when you used my shower after the rowboat sank.” That sounded even worse. Deanna kept paddling, hoping the moment of awkwardness would vanish.
    “Wow, I’m glad you noticed. I certainly appreciated your strength when you towed me through the water.” Faythe wrinkled her nose.
    “Something tells me you’re not much for gyms, though. You’re in good shape because you’re the outdoorsy type. Am I right or am I right?”
    “You’re right.” Deanna was relieved at Faythe’s good-natured response. It was amazing to be around someone who wasn’t suspicious or judgmental, and even if a small voice in the back of her mind reminded Deanna to be careful, not to read too much into Faythe’s sweetness, it pulled her in, like a wasp to strawberry shortcake. “I don’t do gyms, but I take long walks, paddle the canoe, and chop my own wood in the winter.”
    “Thought as much. Perhaps you could show me how to chop wood? I’m staying at least three months. That’s what it should take, minimum, to ‘find myself.’”
    Deanna’s heart twirled. “Three months. That’s almost till Christmas.”
    “Yeah. If Aunt Nellie is coming here for the holidays, I might even spend them at the cabin. Who knows? My parents always start bickering about where I should spend Christmas or New Year, and I’d rather skip their massive parties.“
    “Your aunt is a nice person. I’ve talked to her briefly and appreciate her kindness.”
    “She’s the sanest one in my family, trust me.”
    “Including you?” Faythe seemed completely sane and very nice.
    “Hmm. Don’t know. I guess I’m all right, but Nellie is so much wiser. She has it all together,