The sun had not yet peeked over the mountains, but Miley hurried anyway. With her sketchpad tucked securely under her arm, she picked her way along the trail to the lake. Her flashlight shining, she agilely avoided the exposed roots of the massive trees lining the path and she paused, leaning against the trunk of one of those giants to catch her breath. She had come down this same trail the evening before and had sketched the lake at sunset, but she knew the colors of early morning would be more to her liking.
She slowed as she saw the water through the trees. Something caught her eye along the edge and through the mist, she saw the shadows of two deer as they walked slowly along the fringe of the lake. As if sensing her presence, their heads turned her way, and she froze and watched as their ears twitched, listening for her next step. They stared at her as she stared back and for several seconds she barely took in a breath, not wanting to disturb the scene. Finally, with a disinterested toss of their tails, they walked off into the trees and disappeared.
She hurried now as the morning light crept over the hills, and she walked nearly to the edge of the lake, sat again on the same rock as before and waited for the colors of sunrise to strike her. She shivered in the cool of the morning and she rubbed her hands across her bare legs, waiting.
When the first pinks appeared over the water, her fingers moved quickly, nimbly sketching the lake in the dim light of dawn and when the pinks erupted to orange, she added more color as the sound of her chalk on paper echoed through the silent forest. When the full sun peeked through, changing the brilliant orange to dull yellow, she put her pad down and stretched her neck, raising her arms over her head. She looked at her work, then picked up another color and quickly added the shadows of the deer along the rim. She rarely painted animals of any kind, but she wanted to remember the deer, in case she decided to add them when she took this to canvas. As an afterthought, she sketched her trademark in the top corner, a full moon hanging over the lake, and closed her pad. Only then did she hear the footsteps behind her.
"Good morning."
Startled, she turned. She hadn't expected hikers this early and was clearly surprised by the older woman standing there watching her. Miley stared at her in silence before finding her voice.
"Hello," she murmured.
"I didn't want to disturb you earlier. You were so engrossed. I've never seen anyone out here this early before."
The woman was clearly nervous and Miley took a moment to compose herself. She replaced the glare on her face with a forced smile and gathered up her sketchpad and chalks, trying to ignore the woman as politely as possible. She had never been good with strangers.
"I'm Louise Truscott, by the way," the woman said, extending her hand.
Miley looked up and, after a brief pause, touched hands with the woman. "Miley. Miley Stewart."
"I don't believe I've seen you before. Tourist?"
"Not exactly."
Miley moved to walk past her, but the woman put her hands on her hips, clearly expecting an explanation.
"I'm renting the Dobson cabin," Miley finally explained.
"The Dobson place? I thought they were only going away for a week or two."
"I wouldn't know about that," Miley said. "I've rented it through October."
"Well, I'll be. I wonder what happened?" Louise asked, expecting Miley to answer.
Miley shrugged. She had lived in the city her whole life, she wasn't used to keeping tabs on her neighbors.
"You're going to be here through October, you say?"
"Yes." Miley again tried to pass, but the woman continued.
"Well, come by the store then. Lilly will be glad to meet you. There's very few people her own age out here in the mountains."
"Who?" Miley asked.
"My granddaughter. We have the general store over at the end of town," the woman explained, motioning with her hand.
"Oh." Miley smiled politely, finally walking past the woman. "Actually, I haven't been into town yet."
Louise surveyed her sketchpad under her arm. "You're an artist?"
"Yes."
"Hobby?"
"It started out that way, yes."
"Well, you must be good if you can make a living at it."
"Sometimes." Miley squared her shoulders, raising to her full height. She'd had enough of idle conversation for one day. "Listen, it was nice to meet you, but I've got to get back. Louise, was it?"
"Yes. Come by the store," she said again. "We've got coffee," she called to Miley's retreating back.
Miley smiled slightly and made her escape, hurrying back along the path to her truck, anxious to return to her solitude.
CHAPTER TWO
Lilly looked up as the bell over the door jingled and she smiled warmly at her grandmother.
"Good morning, Nana. How was your walk?"
"Oh, it's a beautiful day out, Lilly." Louise walked around the counter and tossed her purse on the bottom shelf, nudging Lilly out of the way. "I told you I would put these out this morning."
Lilly had been pricing the freeze-dried meals that they kept in stock for the backpackers that swarmed the mountains in summer. She let Nana take over and went to get herself a latte from the espresso machine. She proudly touched the side, rubbing off a smudge with her thumb. It was the first thing she added when she had purchased the general store last fall. Coffee was one of the few things she missed about Seattle.
"Want one?" she asked.
"No, thanks. I just had some juice. Oh, Lilly, I met the most interesting woman this morning," Nana said.
"When?" Lilly asked absently as she pushed the button for steamed milk.
"Out on the trail, by the lake," Nana explained. "An artist. I watched her work, although I'm sure she didn't know I was spying on her."
"Spying? Why?"
"Well, I didn't want to disturb her. She had this large pad and a handful of colored chalk things and her hands just flew over the paper." Louise sighed heavily. "I wanted to ask to see it, but once she stood up, I lost my nerve."
"What do you mean?" Lilly took a sip of her coffee and smiled contentedly. Nothing like good coffee.
"Well, she was ... imposing. Taller than most women. And her eyes. Oh, Lilly, the most odd color of blue I've ever seen. Seemed to look right through you."
"What's her name?"
Nana looked up and frowned. "Miley Stewart. Ever heard of her?"
"Miley Stewart? I'm not sure. Wasn't there an article earlier this year about her in Northwest Magazine?"
"I don't remember. You know I never actually read those articles," she said and smiled sheepishly. "I just enjoy the pictures."
Lilly smiled, too. "You and me both. So, she's here painting?"
"I suppose. She's renting the Dobson place until October. I was certain the Dobson's were only going to be gone a week or so. At least, that's what I heard. I wonder if they are having problems?" she mused. Then she looked back at Lilly. "But anyway, I told her to come by. She's a little older than you, but I told her you didn't have any friends here your own age."
"Nana!"
"Well, you don't. You keep saying you have nothing in common with the people around here."
"I'm sure I would have nothing in common with an artist, either."
"You designed ads. That's art," Nana said emphatically.
"I hardly think what I did for the marketing firm could be called art, Nana."
"Well, she wasn't overly friendly anyway. She may not even stop by."
Lilly shook her head and sipped from her coffee. It was true. She had made few friends since she had moved here. Most of the locals were older and those that were close to her own age were married with small children and she certainly didn't have anything in common with them. So far, she had been content having Nana as her only friend.
The bell jingled again and Mr. Arnold came in carrying his poodle under his arm.
"Good morning, ladies," he said, bowing slightly at his waist.
"Why, Mr. Arnold, how are you today?" Nana greeted him and Lilly was again amazed at how Nana had taken to running the store. But then, Nana had lived most of her adult life here. These people were her people. It had taken several months for them to warm up to Lilly, despite the many summers she had spent here as a child. But now, after nearly a year, she felt almost like a local.
She gave a humorless smile to her reflection in the glass behind the counter. So far removed from Seattle, but hardly a local here. Sometimes, she did miss her fast-paced job in the city. And sometimes, she missed the people there.
Like Oliver, she thought, but she didn't want to think about him right now. He had been calling again, hinting that he was coming for a visit and she had been putting it off. He would want to talk marriage and after being away from him the last eight months, she was fairly certain that she would not marry him. Only she didn't have the heart to tell him. Or Nana. She had hoped her absence would end things with Oliver, but still, he called.
"Lilly?"
"What?" she asked, pushing her thoughts aside for the moment.
"Would you slice Mr. Arnold some ham? Just a half-pound."
"Of course."
The day took on its familiar routine. The morning filled with locals and a handful of strangers. The afternoon would be spent catering to the tourists and vacationers who had slept in and were late getting out to enjoy the warm day. Jessica, the high school student who helped during the summer months, came in at noon and Lilly escaped for a quick lunch, taking her sandwich out to the park like she did every day.
With elbows leaning on the table, she tossed a corner of her bread to the chipmunks that came to beg. She wondered if they waited for her every day or if they just happened to be out and about when she was eating. She sighed. Was she lonely? Not really, although she did miss her friends in Seattle. Their phone calls, like their letters, were getting less frequent as time went by. But it was her own choice to move out here. She had been closer to Nana than to her own mother and when her grandfather had passed away, only a few months after her mother, she had used her family inheritance and bought the store, feeling her grandmother would need someone to look after her. She knew now that Nana was just fine, but it was as good an excuse as any to get away from Oliver. She should have just told him she wasn't ready to get married, but after four years, it was time to do something. They couldn't just continue dating and Oliver wanted children and she dreaded telling him she had no desire to be a mother. She secretly feared she would end up like her own mother; loving one child so much, her first and scarcely noticing that she had another, waiting for her attention as well.
But she pushed those thoughts aside. She didn't want to think about her sister. And with their mother gone, she seriously doubted she would ever see her again.
*****************
Miley applied background colors to the canvas, adding gray to soften the dark sky. She had decided on the morning scene, with deer and all and she worked right through lunch, finally stopping when her stomach demanded attention.
She took out the tofu she had brought with her from Seattle and sautéed it with vegetables and put the pasta on to boil. She opened a bottle of wine and went out on the porch while her dinner cooked. The crumbled pack of cigarettes beckoned and she lit one, inhaling deeply and letting the smoke out slowly. She needed to savor every one. She had vowed she would quit and she was down to five a day. At the rate she was going, a few more months and she would quit altogether.
"Right," she murmured. She had been stuck on five for the last month or so.
She stretched her long legs out, the wineglass hanging loosely in her hand and she gazed out at the forest. It was quiet here. No close neighbors to disturb her work.
She had come to Chiwaukum one weekend in May with a friend and had seen endless opportunities for her work. The surrounding Wenatchee National Forest was littered with small lakes and offered a wonderful view of Glacier Peak, hovering over them at more than ten thousand feet. On impulse, she had inquired about renting a place for the summer. The local real estate agent had called her barely two weeks ago about the Dobson cabin and she had snatched it up. She usually traveled during the summers, camping or staying at local resorts while she sketched, then spent the winter putting her ideas on canvas. But she had tired of that and the thought of working in solitude and the quiet of her own cabin all summer had been too tempting to pass up. She had not really closed up her cottage on Bainbridge Island, though. She was only a few hours from Seattle. She could always go back.
She finished her cigarette and brought her dinner out to the porch. The evening was cool, but clear and she ate while she watched the colors of sunset settle on the forest, her favorite time of day.
CHAPTER THREE
It wasn't until the following afternoon, after Miley had worked through lunch again, that she decided to drive into town. She had brought most of the food she would need with her. Being a vegetarian, she couldn't always count on small town grocery stores having what she needed, but cream for her coffee was a necessity and she thought she would check out Louise's store. Maybe they would carry enough and she wouldn't have to make a trip into Seattle just to shop for food.
She passed through the town, which was a stretch by anyone's imagination. A few stores, catering strictly to tourists, an old lodge that looked quite charming, and one gas station. At the edge of town, where the forest nearly swallowed it up, stood the general store. A log cabin, with porch and all, it looked as if it came right out of the last century. She parked her Land Cruiser next to a four-wheel drive Ford truck, looking like it had seen better days. She ran her hand affectionately across the hood of her Toyota, her pride and joy. It had been the first major purchase she'd made with her own money.
She glanced above her head, admiring the freshly painted sign. Lilly's General Store. A paper flyer taped to the window of the door offered fresh coffee and espresso. Another notified locals of the monthly bingo game at the community center. She grinned. Life moved a lot slower out here than in Seattle.
Miley looked up as the bell above her head signaled her arrival and she walked into the store, glancing up to meet the friendly green eyes of the woman standing behind the counter. Miley held her gaze, the corner of her mouth lifting in a quick smile before looking away and she walked slowly down one of the rows of shelves lined with canned goods towards the cooler. She grabbed a carton of cream then turned and looked around. She spotted the espresso machine in the corner and made her way to that. A real cup of coffee with steamed milk nearly made her mouth water.
"Why, Ms. Stewart, you found us," Nana called as she saw Miley.
"Louise. Nice to see you again. I remembered you said you had coffee," Miley replied as she sipped from her cup.
"Lilly's idea. She missed Seattle's coffee, although I prefer just plain old roast," she said as she walked over to Miley and casually took her hand. "Come meet Lilly."
Miley looked again into sea-green eyes. "Hello. Miley Stewart." She extended a hand in greeting.
Lilly paused for only a moment, the slightly husky voice still vibrating in her ears. She reached out and touched her hand quickly.
"Lilly Truscott."
"I'm so glad you decided to come by," Louise said. "I told Lilly about you."
"You did?" Miley glanced quickly at Lilly Truscott, watching as she nervously tucked strands of blonde hair behind her ears, then brushed at the bangs hanging in her eyes.
"Yes, she did," Lilly said. "Welcome to Chiwaukum. She said you were staying at the Dobson place."
"For the summer, at least."
Their eyes met again and Miley was surprised at the gentle tug of attraction she felt for this woman. Her warm, green eyes seemed almost to beckon and Miley laughed to herself. The young woman was most likely straight. Her blonde hair was neatly styled, just barely brushing the tops of her shoulders in the back but shorter around her face and Miley was very conscious of her own hair, cut short over her ears and barely reaching her neck. With two fingers, she brushed it away from her forehead, finally pulling her eyes away and turning to Louise.
"Your offer of coffee drew me," she said, sipping from her cup again. "I've missed Seattle's coffee, too."
"You and Miley. That's all she complained about. Not a decent cup of coffee for miles, she kept saying."
Miley looked again at Lilly. "The espresso machine was a good idea."
Lilly grinned. "Absolutely. During the summer months, most of our customers are from Seattle. They need some place to go to get a cup of real coffee."
"Well, thank you," Miley said, raising her cup in salute. "What do I owe you?" She pulled a couple of bills from her front jeans pocket and handed them to Lilly.
"Why don't you come for dinner tonight?" Louise asked unexpectedly.
Miley looked down, embarrassed. "I'm afraid I'd be more trouble than it's worth," she said. "I'm a vegetarian. Most people find it difficult to invite me to dinner."
"Nonsense. I've got a wonderful vegetable soup that I could whip up. You wouldn't mind, would you, Lilly?"
Lilly stared at Nana for only a second, then shook her head. "No, of course not. Please join us."
Miley looked from Lilly to Louise and back again. "Okay then, I guess."
"Great," Louise said and gave Miley directions to their house.
Miley left, slowly shaking her head. Why? She wasn't good with people, strangers. Why had she agreed to dinner? Then she grinned. Because you're a sucker for blondes, she told herself.
*****************
"Well, what do you think?" Louise asked Lilly after Miley had left.
"About what?"
"About the artist, of course," Louise said.
"She seemed nice enough, although I don't know why you insisted on inviting her to dinner," Lilly said. Something about the woman's eyes made her uncomfortable. Ice blue. For a second, she wondered if they were real. With her dark-brown hair, she would have expected dark eyes, not the vibrant blue that stared back at her. But it was not the dead, lifeless eyes that colored contacts produced. No, these eyes were very much alive.
"I thought you might like her company."
"I'm sure I will. She was just ..." Lilly shrugged. "A little intimidating."
"Yes. At first, I thought it was her height," Nana said. "But I think it's her eyes. They seem to just look right into you."
Lilly nodded, her mind drifting back to the dark-haired stranger who had just left.
"Well, anyway, she seems near your age. Maybe you can make a new friend."
"Thank you, Nana, for looking out for me," she said dryly.
"Oh, Lilly. I just wish you had some friends here, is all," she said.
Lilly let her shoulders sag and she forced a smile. "I know, but I'm fine, really."
"Are you? I know Oliver has been calling, but you never tell me about it. When are you going to see him again?" she asked.
"Actually, he wants to come visit." Lilly knew it was a mistake the minute the words were out of her mouth. Nana's eyes lit up and Lilly turned away from them.
"That's wonderful, dear. Maybe you two can work out your differences after all," she said. "Do you think he'll come soon?"
Lilly ignored the question. "So what kind of vegetable soup do you have that you can just whip up?" she asked, changing the subject. It was always Oliver with Nana.
"Well, there's that soup I make with chicken. I can just leave out the chicken," she said with raised eyebrows. "Don't you think that would be okay?"
Louise left the store early to start dinner and by the time that Lilly had arrived, the soup was simmering and Nana was tidying the kitchen.
"I'm going to take a quick shower," she called.
"Fine, dear," Louise called back.
Lilly undressed in her room and slipped a robe over her naked body, grabbing underclothes on her way out. She was running late and their guest was expected in fifteen minutes. She hurried down the hall to the spare bathroom, hearing Nana singing in the kitchen and she smiled. It seemed Nana was looking forward to their dinner guest much more than Lilly was. It wasn't that she had taken an instant dislike to Miley Stewart or anything. In fact, she seemed quite charming. She just hated the idea of Nana finding friends for her.
She was dismayed to find that the tall woman was already seated on the sofa when she walked out of the shower. She gave an embarrassed smile and hurried past the door in her robe. Apparently Miley Stewart was timely, something Lilly had never been accused of!
Miley watched her run past, her eyes locked on the tan legs exposed beneath her robe. She smiled and turned back to Nana, catching the end of her monologue.
When Lilly finally joined them, Nana was serving wine like an expert hostess and Lilly nearly laughed out loud, knowing Nana had never served wine a day in her life!
"Hello. Sorry I'm running late," she said to Miley.
"No problem."
Lilly was again conscious of blue eyes following her across the room and she felt an involuntary shiver run down her spine.
"Miley's from Seattle, too," Louise said to Lilly as she accepted the glass of wine from her as if she had done it numerous times before.
"Really? I'm afraid I don't know anything about your work," Lilly admitted.
"There's not much to know. I'm just an artist, not quite as struggling as I used to be," she admitted.
Lilly sipped her wine, thankful Nana had chosen one of their better bottles for the occasion. "Are you familiar with our area?" she asked.
"No, not at all," Miley said. "I came here for the first time in May and fell in love." Miley let her eyes rest on Lilly's for a second. "How long have you been here?
"Since last October, although I've spent summers here since I was a child." Lilly glanced at Nana and knew that they were both remembering happier times from long ago.
Miley nodded and an uncomfortable silence filled the room as she wondered why she had accepted this dinner invitation. She normally liked being alone while she worked, hardly ever making friends along the way. She glanced at Lilly as she sipped from her wine and she wondered what this young woman was doing out here, alone and so far from Seattle.
"Lilly surprised me when she said she intended to buy the store and come live with me," Louise said, as if reading her thoughts. "Here I thought she was all ready to get married."
Lilly glanced at Miley and rolled her eyes. "I found out Nana didn't really need taking care of," she said.
"No, but I would love great-grandchildren someday," she said.
Lilly hoped Nana wouldn't start with that, but it was too late. The seed had been planted.
"Oliver is a wonderful man, Miley. Why she left him behind in Seattle, I'll never know," she said.
"Nana!" Lilly exclaimed.
"Are you married?" Nana asked Miley, dismissing Lilly with a wave of her hand.
"No. Never," Miley said.
"Never? What are you? Early thirties?"
"Thirty-four," Miley said. It had been a long time since she had to explain about her lack of a husband to anyone.
"Well, I hope Lilly doesn't wait that long. She's already twenty-eight. Her clock is ticking, if you know what I mean," she said.
"Nana, please," Lilly said quietly.
"He's a fine man, Lilly. You can't wait around forever." She turned expectantly to Miley. "Isn't that right?"
"I wouldn't know about that. I'm not exactly looking for a husband," she said lightly, feeling the strain of this conversation with these strangers.
"No? Are you one of those independent feminists who thinks she doesn't need a man in her life?" Nana asked, softening her words with a smile.
"Nana!"
A brief smile touched Miley's lips and drained her wineglass. "I'm just happy being alone," she said quietly, feeling no need to explain herself. "I don't really need a man to take care of me."
Lilly met her eyes, trying to apologize silently and Miley accepted with a slight nod before looking away.
"In my time," Nana continued, "you were married by twenty or you were considered an old maid. I know women wait longer these days, but really, twenty-eight is long enough," she said.
"Nana!"
"Oh, all right. I just want you to be happy. Is that so hard for you to accept?"
"I am happy," Lilly insisted.
"Bull! You've been moping around here for the last eight months!"
Lilly let out an exaggerated sigh and raised her hands in defeat. "Shouldn't you be checking on dinner?"
"Very well. I can take a hint." Nana excused herself with only a slight huff.
"I'm sorry," Lilly said. "At her age, Nana just speaks what's on her mind."
"It's okay. She's not the first to inquire about my marital status," Miley said lightly. "So, who's Oliver?" she asked, turning the conversation away from herself.
"That's another story, I'm afraid."
"Running away?" Miley guessed.
"You might say that. Only don't tell Nana. She's convinced Oliver and I will be married by Christmas."
"Your secret's safe with me."
"I think I read an article about you in Northwest Magazine," Lilly said, again changing the subject. "Well, I skimmed the article," she admitted.
Miley met her eyes, wondering if Lilly remembered everything about that article. It had made no secret that she was a lesbian.
"I remember something about a mural you painted," Lilly said.
"In Yakima," Miley supplied.
"Yes. So, are you famous or what?" Lilly asked lightly.
"Not really, no. I have a decent following here in Washington and down the coast, but I'd hardly call me a household name. I'm surprised that you've actually heard of me," she said.
"I'm not really into the art scene," Lilly apologized.
"Not very many people are," Miley said.
"Dinner, you two," Nana called and Miley stood, thankful that the evening was nearly over.
"This looks good," Miley said as she filled her bowl. "I hope you didn't go to any trouble."
"What trouble?" Nana shrugged. "I just left out the chicken."
Lilly met the amused eyes of Miley Stewart across the table and smiled. Nana really was a handful, she admitted. Especially when she wanted to be!
The conversation during dinner was polite, but sparse. Lilly tried her best to draw the dark-haired woman out, but most of her questions were responded to with one syllables words. She suspected Miley was not much of a talker, but she wondered if Nana's earlier comments had offended her.
Miley made her escape as soon as she had helped clear the table. "I enjoyed dinner," she lied. "But I've got an early day tomorrow."
"Oh? Where to this time, Miley?" Nana asked.
"Lake Wenatchee," she said.
"It's beautiful out there. Will you paint it?"
"I'll sketch it first, see how it feels," she said. "It was nice of you to invite me out here. Thanks again for dinner."
Lilly walked her to the door, feeling a need to apologize. "I hope Nana didn't make you uncomfortable," Lilly said quietly. "Or offend you. She didn't mean any harm."
"It was fine. I appreciate a meal out now and again," she said, forcing a smile. "Maybe I'll see you around."
Lilly met her eyes, again astounded by their blueness as they peered into hers. "Maybe so. Come by for coffee anytime."
"Thanks. I will," Miley said and walked away quickly. She let out a deep sigh when she reached the safety of her own truck. She had never been good at social events, never been good with strangers. She knew she had only accepted the dinner invitation because Lilly Truscott had intrigued her. She laughed at herself now. Lilly had a very real boyfriend waiting in Seattle, a boyfriend Louise hoped would one day be Lilly's husband. She drove away to the Dobson cabin, now hers for the next several months and put the younger woman from her mind.
CHAPTER FOUR
Miley stood at the edge of the parking lot of Lake Wenatchee, clad in her normal shorts and tank top, her unopened sketchpad still shoved under her arm.
"Well, I think I've found the area's hot spot," she murmured. Vacationers crowded into nearly every available space as multicolored tents dotted the shoreline and the lake itself was practically littered with boats. She could still sketch it, she supposed, but she was far too distracted now by all the clutter.
She let out a heavy sigh, thinking she should have asked Louise more about the lake last night and saved herself a trip out this morning. She went back to her Land Cruiser and sat with the door open, the map spread out across the steering wheel. Doesn't have to be a lake, she thought. There were just so many small ones tucked into the mountains that she hated to miss any opportunity to capture one in the perfect light.
Without thinking, she reached for her cigarettes. She could always swing by the store and see if Lilly could recommend any. Maybe she'd be willing to show her around, too. She looked up and met her amused expression in the mirror.
"No playing with the locals, Miley."
She folded the map and headed back, stopping only once when she found a tiny dirt road leading off into the forest. The road stopped abruptly at a small clearing and an interesting creek flowed rapidly around boulders before disappearing into the trees. She watched it for a moment, wondering if the clearing was enough to capture the morning sunrise. It wasn't too far. Maybe she would check it out one morning. She pulled out her notepad and scribbled down directions then turned the SUV around.
As she approached town, she slowed when she neared the general store, pleasantly surprised to see Lilly walking along the road. She stopped and lifted a hand in greeting and Lilly walked over without hesitation.
"Hi. How was the lake?" Lilly asked. She leaned through the open window and Miley met her green eyes briefly before looking away.
"Crowded. Where're you headed?" she asked.
"To the park for lunch."
"Park?"
"Just down the dirt road there," she said, pointing. "Have you eaten?"
"No."
"Want to join me?" Lilly asked. "You can have my apple," she offered.
Miley tapped the stirring wheel with her thumbs and her mouth twitched in a slight smile. Why not?
"Okay. Hop in."
Lilly led the way to her usual picnic table and Miley followed, her eyes watching Lilly's graceful strides and she remembered those same legs, peeking from beneath her robe last night. Now, they were covered in faded blue jeans. When Lilly turned, Miley quickly veiled her eyes and looked away.
"This is a National Forest picnic area, but everyone in town just refers to it as The Park," Lilly said and slid onto the bench.
"It's quiet here," Miley said. She looked around, finding only a few tables occupied, most with families, urging the kids to eat before returning to the playground.
"Yes. Usually." Lilly unwrapped her sandwich and tossed her apple to Miley. "Sorry, but that's all I have."
"It's fine. I usually forget to eat lunch, anyway." Miley rubbed the apple on her shirt, shining it, then took a large bite, feeling the juice slide down her chin.
Lilly bit into her own sandwich, then looked up and watched as Miley licked the apple juice from her lips. Lilly felt nearly mesmerized by the sight of Miley's tongue as it wet her lips and she stopped chewing and watched.
"What?" Miley asked, sensing Lilly's gaze on her.
"Hmmm?" Lilly raised her eyes to Miley's blue ones and frowned, then bit into her sandwich again.
Miley's mouth moved into a slow grin, then she brushed it away. No playing with the locals, she reminded herself again. But there was something about the green-eyed woman that intrigued her.
"So, what are you doing here, really?" Miley asked, hoping it was a safe question.
Lilly smiled. Should she give the practiced speech she told everyone or should she tell this stranger the truth? She shrugged, opting for her speech.
"When my grandfather died, I thought Nana would need someone to take care of her, so I used my inheritance from my mother and bought the store and moved." She shrugged again and tucked her hair behind her ears. "I moved here in October."
Miley leaned her elbows on the table and met Lilly's eyes with a smile. "You've got that well rehearsed, don't you?"
Lilly smiled too. "Is it that obvious?"
Miley nodded. "And Oliver?"
"Oh, I'm such a coward when it comes to him. He's really a sweet man, only he wanted to get married and I kept putting him off." She let out a heavy sigh and looked up at the trees. "He was getting restless, demanding."
"Wouldn't take no for an answer?" Miley asked.
"I mean, he wanted three kids, a house in the suburbs, the whole nine yards. I just wasn't ready," Lilly said. Then, almost to herself, "I wasn't sure."
"Maybe you just don't love him," Miley said, reading her thoughts.
Lilly hadn't been able to tell herself that. After four years, surely she loved him. But something was missing and she felt like she would be settling if she just went ahead and married him.
"Maybe I just don't love him enough," she allowed. "Maybe I've read too many romance books." She leaned forward and said softly, "I mean, I want that passion, that burning desire for someone that makes you crazy when you're not with them and crazier still when you are. You know what I mean?"
"You're a romantic," Miley stated.
"Maybe so. Maybe there's no such thing as that kind of love." Lilly met her eyes for a moment. "Have you ever had that?"
Miley looked past her, into the trees. "No. Never," she said quietly. She had thought, once, that she had found it, but she had given up searching for it when Mikayla left her one winter. She had been so involved in her painting that it was two days before she even knew she was gone. She pushed her thoughts back into her memory and forced a smile. "But I'm not really expecting it anymore."
Lilly hadn't missed the pain that had flashed across Miley's face briefly, before she had hidden it, but she wouldn't pry. They were only strangers. You don't bare your soul to strangers.
"So, what did you do in Seattle?" Miley asked, looking for a safer subject.
"I was in marketing. I designed ads. That's where I met Oliver," she said. "We worked for the same firm."
"So you quit your job and moved up here to take care of Louise?" Miley grinned. "And Oliver had no idea you were running away?"
"Oh, he had an idea, all right." Lilly laughed. "He said he would give me six months to come running back, then he was coming to get me."
"And?"
"And it's been eight and he'll be coming this summer." She sat up straight and tried to mimic his tone. "Lilly, you're not making sense. We love each other, it's only natural that we get married."
"Have you ever tired the direct approach? Leave me alone, I'll call you if I want you?"
Lilly laughed. "No. The truth is, I don't want to hurt him. He's done nothing wrong."
"Maybe you're hanging on to him, just in case," Miley said.
"Just in case what?" Lilly asked sharply.
"In case nothing better comes along. At least you'll still have him," she said.
Lilly shook her head. "No. I would hate to think that's what I'm doing." She wondered if indeed Miley wasn't right though.
Their eyes met across the table for an instant and Miley saw a spark of anger in the younger woman's eyes, daring her to say more.
Miley looked away but offered a smile. "I've upset you. I'm sorry."
"No. Maybe you've hit on the truth and I don't like it." Lilly stood and tossed her bag into the trash. "Maybe I am simply hanging on to him for that reason. It would suck, but it may be true."
"Well, it's none of my business, anyway," Miley said and stood and tossed a perfect strike into the trash can, her apple disappearing into the bin.
They rode back in silence and when Lilly got out, she walked around to the driver's door and leaned in.
"I'm not angry with you, Miley. I just haven't had a chance to talk to anyone about this before. My friends, they all think Oliver is a wonderful man and that I'm insane not to marry him. Nana wants great-grandchildren and for me not to be an old maid," she said lightly. "I guess maybe you made me see things differently. And the truth sometimes hurts," she said quietly, her eyes again locking on blue.
Miley shrugged. "Again, I'm sorry. None of my business." She lifted a hand as Lilly stepped back. "Thanks for lunch. I'll see you around," she said.
Lilly nodded and watched as Miley drove off. Through the back window, she saw her light a cigarette and she thought again that she had never met a woman quite like her before. Strong, independent, alone and seemingly happy. But she remembered the pain that had been on her face earlier, briefly, before Miley had hidden it. She wondered who had caused this woman pain?
Miley savored her cigarette, her third of the day, as she drove slowly to her cabin. She should work, she thought, but she felt restless. She took a beer, one of only six she had brought with her, and walked into the woods to the property line. The old fence was in need of repair and she crawled through it easily into the forest beyond. She walked aimlessly, letting her mind drift. She had not thought of Mikayla in a very long time, she realized. Miley had barely turned thirty-two when Mikayla left. Her work was just catching on and her paintings were in demand and she had been very busy. Too busy to notice that she was neglecting Mikayla and everything else in her life. They had met when she was twenty-six; Miley, a spoiled rich kid pretending to be an artist and Mikayla, fresh out of college, trying to land a corporate job that would take her out of her parents' shabby home in Tacoma. Mikayla had been impressed with Miley's cottage on Bainbridge Island and even more impressed when she found out that Miley's parents had given it to her as a gift. Miley had gotten Mikayla a job with her father's company and they had settled into their life with ease. And it had been fun, especially at the beginning. Miley had no worries. She sold a few paintings here and there and accepted her parents' monthly allowance without guilt. But the more successful she got, the more it consumed her, this need to make a name for herself, to be a successful working artist. It had taken its toll on their relationship. Her endless travel during the summers, the endless hours of painting during the winters had been their undoing.
And Mikayla had simply disappeared from her life one day. When Miley realized what had happened, it had been too late to salvage things. Mikayla had met someone else and Miley had let her go. There had been no one since. Oh, plenty of women had shared her bed, but none had gotten into her heart. Not that many had even tried.
CHAPTER FIVE
After Nana had gone to bed, Lilly sorted through the old issues of Northwest Magazine. When she found the one she wanted, she took her cup of hot tea and settled on the sofa to read. The picture of Miley Stewart stared back at her and Lilly scanned her face, finally settling on her blue eyes, wondering at her sudden curiosity for this woman. She pulled her eyes away and began reading, glancing back to Miley's picture occasionally. Her eyes followed her index finger as she read, but the article was very impersonal, shedding little light into the woman herself. It wasn't until the final paragraph that Lilly stumbled over the words.
When asked if it bothered her that she is still sometimes referred to as the 'lesbian artist', Ms. Stewart replied with ease. "I've never made my personal life a secret," she said. "I just don't feel it's pertinent to my work. My sexual preference does not influence the way I paint and I don't necessarily like being labeled that way."
A lesbian. Lilly stared at her picture again, her eyes dropping for a split second to the lips that curved in a smile. She closed the magazine quickly and sat still. Of course she had known. That was why she really went back to read the article. She didn't like to just assume these things.
Renee. The name was so familiar, yet it had been years.
She let out a heavy sigh, finally letting in memories that she had thought were well buried. She had been so young and Renee had been much too dynamic for her to resist.
But she had, she reminded herself. She leaned back, closing her eyes, remembering.
Renee Hampton. Her first boss. Her first crush on a woman.
But it was just a crush, she reminded herself. Renee had been ten years older and so beautiful. Lilly remembered the day Renee had looked up and caught her staring. Lilly had tried to look away, but Renee's eyes had held her. They had been working late and Lilly had been more than happy to stay the extra few hours, if it meant spending time with Renee. But when Renee had insisted on treating Lilly to dinner, their relationship had moved beyond the workplace and soon Lilly found herself looking forward to weekends when Renee would drag her to all sorts of activities that she would never venture on alone.
Even now, Lilly could remember clearly the night it happened. Renee had been so excited about the whale-watching excursion that Lilly hadn't the heart to disappoint her, but boats made her extremely nervous. And nauseous. They had barely left Puget Sound when Lilly's breakfast left her. Renee had spent the entire trip by her side and that night, after Lilly had apologized profusely, Renee had wrapped her in long arms and Lilly found herself on the receiving end of a very intimate hug. Warning bells had gone off immediately and by the time that Renee's lips had sought Lilly's, she had been able to pull away.
"I'm sorry. I thought you wanted this."
"No, I'm not ... I don't ... no."
"Then ... what is all this about?"
"I just ... I thought we were friends."
Lilly lifted one corner of her mouth and smiled. She had been so naive. She hadn't had a clue that Renee was a lesbian. Whatever attraction there had been for Lilly, it was just friendship. There had been nothing more. There never could have been. But regardless, their relationship stopped there. Two months later, Lilly had found another job and she had not seen Renee since.
And now Miley.
She sipped her tea, one hand absently thumbing through the magazine, stopping when Miley's picture stared back at her.
Lilly sat very still, mesmerized by the picture. Miley Stewart was an attractive woman but the flawless picture was breathtaking. Her hair was a little longer in the picture, Lilly noted. And diamond earrings sparkled in each ear. The few times she had seen her, Miley had not worn jewelry. Finally, with a sigh, she closed the magazine.
"Well, it doesn't matter," she said quietly. She liked Miley. She wasn't going to avoid her, she decided, just because she was a lesbian. Miley would be leaving after the summer anyway.
Although the next morning, when Miley walked in and strode purposefully towards the espresso machine, Lilly wasn't quite able to meet her eyes. She was being ridiculous, she knew, but something told her she should avoid those blue, blue eyes. They would be nothing but trouble.
"Good morning, Miley."
"Morning, Louise."
"Did you have a taste for Seattle coffee this morning?"
"Mocha," she said and turned amused eyes to Lilly. "Hello."
"Hi," Lilly murmured, feeling embarrassed and hating herself for it. She shouldn't have read the article, she realized. If Miley had wanted her to know, she would have told her. It wasn't any of her business, anyway. And did it really matter, she asked herself for the hundredth time.
Miley fished out a couple of crumpled bills from her pocket and handed them to Lilly. When their fingers touched, Lilly pulled back quickly, as if burned, and met the questioning eyes across from her, but she didn't allow those blue eyes to capture hers for long.
Miley's eyebrows drew together in a frown, wondering what in the world was going on. Then it hit her. Lilly had either re-read the article or had remembered it from earlier. Lilly looked nearly frightened to be in the same room with her. Miley had thought of inviting Lilly to dinner but now she knew she would never ask. She had seen that look from straight women before. Fear.
Lilly had half a mind to lay the change on the counter, but then she saw the challenge in Miley's eyes and she dropped it onto her outstretched palm, her fingers raking its surface.
Miley moved with her back to Louise and whispered, "Don't look so scared. It's not contagious, you know."
Lilly blushed and looked away. "I'm sorry," she murmured. What else could she say? "It's just..."
"Doesn't matter."
Miley shrugged and left with a curt goodbye to Louise.
Why was it that some straight women found it so hard to be friends? Did they think that being alone with a lesbian would tarnish them? That they were in danger of being converted? Miley pulled out her cigarettes angrily and shoved one between her lips. Women! Sometimes they were a royal pain in the ass.
When she reached the cabin, she sat in the truck and sipped her coffee, her anger subsiding. She didn't really want to make friends with Lilly, anyway. She would get much more work done being alone. With that, she picked up her sketchpad and went inside, intending to add more color to the meadow she had sketched that morning. She pushed thoughts of Lilly Truscott aside and began working. She was surprised to notice the sun setting later and she glanced at her watch. She had not only worked through lunch, she was missing dinner as well.
CHAPTER SIX
When three days came and went and there had been no sign of Miley, Lilly knew that she had to apologize. It had been unforgivable, the way she had acted. So she found Miley's blue eyes disturbing? It meant absolutely nothing. Miley had not made even the slightest innuendo. She wasn't an unenlightened prude, she told herself. She could accept people for what they were and if Miley still wanted to be friends with her, she would make a peace offering.
"I'm going to drive over to the Dobson place," Lilly said.
"Miley hasn't been around, has she. I suppose she's working," Nana said absently.
"Don't wait dinner on me. I'll just heat it up when I get back."
"Okay, dear. I'm glad you've made a friend. Have fun." Nana turned back to the chicken she was frying, dismissing Lilly with a wave of her hand.
Lilly parked her car next to Miley's Toyota and walked nervously to the door. She had not thought of what she was going to say and she was afraid that Miley wouldn't accept her apology. She knocked several times and waited, her feet kicking at the rocks absently.
"Hey, I'm back here."
She turned, startled. Miley stood at the side of the cabin, a cigarette dangling from her fingers. She disappeared again behind the cabin and Lilly followed. She found Miley leaning against the railing, holding a beer bottle lightly in her hand. When she turned blue eyes her way, Lilly could still see a hint of anger there.
"I... I came to apologize," Lilly said.
"Really? Why?" Miley turned to her and held her eyes but Lilly didn't flinch.
"For the way I acted the other day," she finally said.
"And how did you act?"
Lilly looked away and sighed heavily. "God, you're not going to make this easy, are you?"
"Should I?" Miley asked sharply.
"I'm sorry. When I read the article again and found out..."
"That I was a lesbian?"
"Yes. I... it just surprised me, I guess. I didn't mean to treat you so badly," she said sincerely. "Your... personal life... it doesn't matter one way or the other."
Miley nodded. "So, you're not afraid of me?"
"Afraid?"
"Yes. You seemed to be almost terrified to be in the same room with me."
"No." Lilly relaxed and leaned her elbows on the railing. "No, I'm not afraid of you, Miley. I'd like us to be friends," she said. "If you want that," she added.
Miley chuckled and went inside to get Lilly a beer, clearly surprised that she had made the effort to come here.
"Do you want to ask me anything?" Miley said when she returned.
"What do you mean?"
"Straight women are usually curious." She slumped down into one of the chairs and waited for Lilly to follow.
Lilly glanced at the woman who looked so relaxed suddenly, her shorts sliding up as she crossed one leg over the other. Lilly pulled her eyes from the long, tan legs stretched out before her and tipped the beer bottle to her lips. She wasn't exactly curious, she told herself. Well, maybe a little.
"How long have you been this way?" she finally asked.
Miley laughed and tossed her cigarette down and stepped on it with her hiking boot. "All my life, I guess. Or do you mean, how long have I known I was a lesbian?"
Lilly smiled. "Yes, that's what I mean."
"In high school, I suppose, although it wasn't until college that I finally acted on my feelings."
"And are you involved with someone now?" Lilly asked.
Miley laughed again. "No. Not in awhile. I've been working and I'm told I can't do both," she said, unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice.
Lilly noticed her stinging tone, but she didn't comment on it. She waited for Miley to continue, but Miley clearly didn't want to share any more information.
"Have you had dinner?" Miley asked suddenly.
"No."
"I had intended on asking you over the other morning, but… well, I didn't want to make you uncomfortable."
"I'm really sorry. That was stupid of me," Lilly said. "I'm not usually so rude."
"I've got plenty," Miley continued, as if she hadn't spoken.
Lilly nodded. "Okay. Dinner would be nice."
Lilly sat at the table as Miley lit a candle and placed it between them. She looked up into the amused eyes standing over her, but said nothing. So, Miley was playing games, was she?
"So, what have you decided to do about Oliver?" Miley asked as she handed Lilly a plate of pasta.
"I haven't really decided to do anything," she said.
"Still hiding?"
"I suppose," Lilly smiled. "I'm hoping it will just go away."
"Well, from what I remember about men, it won't."
Lilly looked up, surprised.
"What? Do you think that I've never slept with a man?" Miley asked.
"I don't know. Have you?"
"Of course." She leaned forward and grinned. "I was terrified the first time I thought I might be gay. I made an offer to the quarterback and he didn't turn me down," she said and laughed.
"And?"
"And, I felt nothing, other than pain," she said and laughed again. "But, the first time and all." She shrugged. "But, anyway, I dated in college, too, but I just could never make a connection with any of them. Then I met Andrea. Six foot two and a star on the basketball team and I finally found out what I had been missing all those years. That's when I knew for sure."
"What about your family?"
"Oh, they went through denial for a couple of years, tried to get me to see a therapist and I refused. But, being the only child of a very prominent family, they couldn't very well disown me. And they haven't." Miley twisted pasta around her fork and felt Lilly watching her. "What about you? Any siblings?"
"No. I was an only child, too. Only my mother never knew it," she said with difficulty.
Miley raised her eyebrows.
"Becky is four years older than I am. She hung the moon."
"Or so your mother thought?"
Lilly smiled. "The apple of my mother's eye, yes. Fortunately, my father thought the same about me. We each had all the attention that we could stand." Her eyes clouded over and Miley waited for her to continue. "Dad died when I was twelve," she said softly.
"I'm sorry."
"And I was left alone, with a mother who didn't know I existed and a sister who never let me forget it."
"Louise and your grandfather?"
"Yes. My father's parents; they were great. I spent every summer out here for as long as I could remember. After Dad died, I came here as soon as school was out for the summer and didn't return until it started back again." Lilly nodded when Miley offered more wine and she watched as her fingers gripped the bottle, her nails cut neat and short.
"Then what?"
"College, that I paid for myself. A job and then Oliver," she finished. "Very exciting."
"And Becky?"
Lilly shrugged. "I saw her at my mother's funeral. Before that, I hadn't seen her in years."
"So your childhood rivalry continued when you were adults?"
"Oh, God, yes. Believe me, she was as surprised as I was to find that I was even mentioned in the will," she said bitterly. "My dad's doing," she explained.
"And I thought being an only child was tough," Miley said gently. "I'm sorry."
Lilly looked up and smiled, knowing her eyes were sparkling with tears. "You're a very good cook," she said, changing the subject with ease. "I can't find my way around a kitchen, I'm afraid."
Miley took the hint and let the conversation drift to less personal things. Lilly helped with the dishes, despite Miley's plea not to and left shortly afterwards, but not before giving Miley a quick hug and another apology. She supposed Lilly was lonely after all. Maybe she just missed Oliver. Or maybe she was just tired of Louise's company.
Miley took her last cigarette out to the porch and smoked in the darkness, her mind wandering back to Lilly with such ease that it startled her. Perhaps Lilly had been wise to be afraid of her, she mused. Miley had found her eyes moving to Lilly time and again during the evening and she inhaled deeply on her cigarette, refusing to acknowledge the attraction that was growing each time she saw her.
"She's straight," she told the darkness.
*****************
Lilly undressed quietly, not wanting to wake Nana. She had been astonished when she glanced at her watch on the way home. They had spent hours talking, as if they were old friends. Comfortable friends. Or merely familiar strangers. Perhaps it was true; easier to share thoughts and secrets with a virtual stranger than your closest friend. Whatever the reason, she had enjoyed their time together and she had found Miley to be a captive audience.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Miley couldn't work and she set her brushes aside, acutely aware that she had again been thinking of Lilly and the quick brush of their bodies when Lilly had hugged her so unexpectedly. It had been three days since she had seen her but her image was still fresh in her mind. The way she tucked stands of blond hair behind her ears when she was nervous, the way her green eyes had flashed when she spoke of her sister, the way the corners of her mouth lifted when she smiled, the way her lips parted.
"God," Miley groaned and she shoved out the back door and onto the porch, taking in deep breaths of cool air. "What are you doing?" she asked herself. "She's straight. Forget about it." She went back in for a cigarette and was startled when the phone rang. She wasn't even aware that it worked.
"Hello?"
"Miley?"
"Yes. Lilly?"
"I had hoped the Dobson's hadn't stopped their service. Listen, I was going to the park for lunch. I thought you might like to join me," she said uncertainly. She had wanted to see her again and she had been disappointed when Miley hadn't come to the store.
"What time is it?"
"Twelve-thirty. You haven't eaten, have you?"
Miley smiled. "No. I'll meet you at the store in a few minutes."
She made a quick cheese sandwich and took the remaining two beers from the refrigerator and left without thinking about her apparent haste. Lilly was waiting on the porch and walked out to meet Miley's truck even before she stopped.
"Hi."
"Hello." Their eyes met for an instant, then Lilly climbed in and slammed the door and Miley pulled away without another word.
"I wasn't interrupting your work, I hope," Lilly said when they had settled at the picnic table and opened their beer.
"No. Actually, I was taking a break anyway."
"I got the impression that you work right through meals," Lilly said.
"Why's that?"
"Because you didn't even know what time it was."
Miley laughed. "I forget sometimes," she admitted.
"Do you forget a lot of things when you're working?" Lilly asked.
"Like?"
"Well, you mentioned the other night that you're not involved with anyone, that you couldn't do both," Lilly said.
"Oh. That," Miley said and waved the words away.
"Why won't you tell me? I told you about Oliver," Lilly urged. She wanted to know more about her, about her private life. She didn't pause to wonder why.
"It's a long story," she said and smiled. "And boring," she added.
"I'll be the judge of that," Lilly said and motioned for her to continue.
"I was a struggling artist when I met Mikayla." She smiled. "Only I didn't know I was struggling. My folks made sure my bank account was never empty," she said quietly.
Lilly raised her eyebrows but said nothing.
"My parents had given me a cottage on Bainbridge Island and she moved in with me and went to work for my father's company...."
"Wait, wait," Lilly interrupted. "Your parents gave you a cottage? On Bainbridge Island?"
Miley nodded sheepishly.
"A view of the Sound?" she asked.
Miley shrugged and smiled.
"Are they disgustingly rich or what?"
"Pretty much, yes."
"Okay, I'm sorry. Go on. You moved in together," Lilly said. "And?"
"And she went to work each day and I painted whenever the mood struck. I sold a few pieces now and then and we were happy enough, I guess."
"How old were you?"
"I was twenty-six when we met," she said. "Anyway, there was this gallery, down on Long Beach that wanted to show my work. Tourists started snatching it up and I had to work longer to keep up and the next thing I knew I had agreed to a showing at a gallery in Seattle and it just went on and on."
"Must have been tough," Lilly said sarcastically.
"It was, really. I wasn't prepared for it. I didn't know how to pace myself. I would get involved in my work and a month would pass without me ever leaving the house. Needless to say, our relationship went down the tubes," she finished.
"How long ago?"
"Nearly three years."
"And are you sorry? I mean, sacrificing your relationship for your success?" Lilly asked.
"I don't think that's a fair question," Miley said seriously. "I wasn't intentionally sacrificing the relationship. It just happened. One day I realized that she was gone. That she had been gone and I hadn't even missed her," she said quietly. "I stopped for awhile. Painting, I mean."
"What did you do?" Lilly asked softly. "Did you find her?"
Miley shook her head. "She had already met someone else."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"Anyway, I went to San Francisco for awhile, but it wasn't Seattle, so I came back home. Picked up a brush and..." she raised her hands again. "Here I am."
"And the mural?"
"Lord, that was a mistake. I was sorry I had been commissioned for that one. I like to work alone, most artists do. Not have tourists and town officials hanging over my shoulder with each stroke of the brush, making suggestions, asking why I did this, why didn't I do that. I couldn't wait to finish. Needless to say, it's not one of my best, but it's proudly displayed in downtown Yakima, Washington," she said and grinned. "And I haven't been back since."
"Well, if I'm ever in Yakima ...."
"Yes, be sure to go by and pay your respects," Miley said and laughed.
Lilly grinned, too. "I enjoy your company," she said.
Miley arched an eyebrow. "And that's bad?"
"No. I didn't mean it like that. I just enjoy talking with you."
"Well, from what Louise said, you don't have much to choose from around here."
"You're being difficult," Lilly said with a smile. "Just say thank you."
Miley leaned forward, resting her chin on her palms. "Well, not to frighten you, but I enjoy your company as well."
Their eyes met for an instant and Lilly felt a blush creep onto her face. "Thank you."
They were silent for a moment, both finishing their sandwiches and tossing bread to the chipmunks that came begging.
"Nana says you sketch in the early morning," Lilly said.
"Not always. Sunset, too. The evening is my favorite time of day," she said quietly. "All of the colors come together at that one precise moment and it's as if they're suspended in time, just for the barest of seconds and I'm never quick enough to get it just right, though I try time and again," she said.
"What?" Lilly asked, mesmerized by her soft voice.
Miley smiled. "I paint mornings, evenings, never daylight. It's too sharp, there is no color, only brightness," she explained.
Lilly nodded, as if she understood perfectly.
"And the moon," she added.
"That's right. There's a full moon in all your paintings," Lilly said, remembering the article.
"I love the moon. I could stare at it for hours, I think," Miley said softly. "It's like it's watching you. Everything you do, the moon sees."
Lilly stared at her, feeling hypnotized by her words as those blue eyes pulled her in.
"I'm going out this evening. Would you like to tag along and see what I mean?" Miley asked, surprising herself. She normally hated having someone watch her work.
"I wouldn't be bothering you?"
"No. As long as you don't offer suggestions."
Lilly smiled. "I'd like that," she said.
"So would I," Miley said as their eyes met. "I'll come for you at seven."
Nana was envious that Lilly was going to watch Miley work. She had only spied her that first morning. Miley had never again been on the trail by the lake.
"What about dinner?" Nana asked.
"I'll get something when we come back," Lilly said. She was drying her hair and it was nearly seven already. She hated to make Miley wait.
But Miley was seated patiently in the living room, listening to Nana and she raised her eyes to Lilly and smiled.
"Sorry," Lilly said. "Bad habit, but I'm working on it."
"No problem. We've got time," Miley said. Her eyes followed Lilly as she bent to kiss Louise on the cheek and they flickered over her jeans before resting again on her face.
Lilly felt Miley's eyes on her and she was acutely aware of the sensations rippling through her body. She wouldn't meet her eyes as they walked to the door.
"Have fun, you two," Nana called.
"Where are we going?" Lilly asked.
Miley backed out of the driveway, her arm resting along the back of Lilly's seat and she peered out the rear window.
Lilly felt Miley's fingers graze her shoulder as she turned back around and Lilly felt goosebumps on her neck from their touch. It frightened her.
"There's a small lake on Battle Canyon Creek," Miley said.
"How did you find that? It's a well-kept secret among the locals," Lilly chided.
"You've been there?"
"I used to fish there with my grandfather," Lilly said. "I haven't been there in years."
Miley shrugged and turned down a Forest Service road. "It wasn't hard to find, but the road's bumpy as hell," she said.
The sun was falling below the trees when they parked, but Lilly suspected that the colors weren't yet right, because Miley didn't seem to be hurrying. She gathered her sketchpad and colored chalk and led the way along a path. There were only two other cars there and Lilly recognized them as locals.
"There's a break in the trees just as the sun sets," Miley explained. "The lake is a perfect reflection."
They walked up the trail, but instead of heading to the water, Miley went into the trees and stopped at a rise with the water below them.
"I don't mean to ignore you," Miley apologized as she flipped open her sketchpad.
"Go ahead. I'll just watch," Lilly said. She sat down in the grass a few feet from Miley and pulled her knees up to her chin. Miley sat cross-legged on the ground, faded jeans covering the tanned legs Lilly was used to seeing. She watched as Miley's fingers found the color she wanted and before Lilly's eyes, the lake appeared on the paper. As the sun crept lower, Lilly became aware of the changing colors. The few clouds in the sky reflected the orange of the sun and she watched as Miley added that, too. Lilly took her eyes away from the woman next to her and forced herself to look at the water as it changed from a brilliant blue to a shimmering orange.
Miley added color, too and soon her lake was as orange as the sky as the sun hung, suspended just over the horizon for a split second and Lilly held her breath as it silently slipped from view. Miley's hand stilled and Lilly looked up to find Miley watching her.
"Well?" Miley's quiet voice broke the silence.
"It was beautiful," Lilly said softly. "Can I see?" she asked.
Miley hesitated, then handed over her sketch and she watched Lilly's face break out in smile.
"You've captured it exactly. It's as if the sun is still there, hanging on to the day," she said quietly. "You've put your moon in, I see," she said.
Miley clinched her jaw and met Lilly's intense green eyes as they searched her own. She could almost see the currents that passed between them, feel the electricity in her veins as green eyes locked on blue. Lilly finally lowered her gaze, her eyes closing heavily as she sighed.
Lilly felt her pulse throbbing in her neck and she acknowledged the growing attraction she had for this woman. She could feel it. She took a deep breath, trying to push it away. They sat quietly, legs crossed before them and watched the color drain from the sky. Lilly became uncomfortably aware of the intimate setting as dusk settled over the forest. She should get up, she should suggest they go back, back to the safety of Nana's company.
But she didn't.
"Miley?" Lilly asked, as she leaned back on her elbows.
"Hmmm?"
"What's it like?"
"What?" Miley asked, turning to her.
"Kissing a woman?" she asked before she could stop herself.
Miley tried to read her eyes, but the approaching darkness prevented it. "Why do you want to know?"
"I was just... wondering, I guess. Kissing is nice, you know, but some men, well, they just forget about it, I think."
"Oliver?"
Lilly shook her head. Oliver wasn't much for kissing. She sighed again. Why in the world had she started this conversation?
"Never mind," she murmured.
Miley smiled. So, Lilly was curious. That surprised her.
"From what I remember, men were much more interested in bigger and better things. Never wanted to take the time for kissing. That's the great thing about women," Miley said. "Most women like to kiss. And of course, a woman knows."
"Knows what?" Lilly asked hesitantly.
Miley turned to Lilly. "A woman knows what you want and how it makes you feel," she said quietly.
Lilly swallowed, the sound echoing in the quiet forest and she felt herself drawn to this woman sitting so close to her. Like a magnet, she thought, as she struggled to pull her eyes away from Miley's. She felt as helpless as a moth drawn to fire. She was far too aware of her and was thankful for the darkness, as images of Miley's lips on hers flashed through her mind, making her stomach flutter. They stared at each other for countless seconds, then Miley moved away and gathered up her work.
"Come on. We better get you back," she said.
Lilly accepted Miley's outstretched hand and their fingers entwined as Miley pulled her to her feet. Miley didn't immediately release her hand and Lilly didn't pull away. Not until she felt the fire burning between them did she finally drop Miley's hand.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Lilly spent a fitful night, tossing in her bed as she remembered Miley's words. "A woman knows." How would Miley's kiss be? Hot and wet? Or would it be slow and tender?
Lilly groaned and rolled over, hating herself for her thoughts. What was she doing? Why did this woman occupy her mind so? And thoughts of kissing her, no less! She was not attracted to women! She never had been! What she was thinking was insane!
Renee.
No. She hadn't been attracted to Renee. At least, not sexually. And she was positive that she was not sexually attracted to Miley, either.
"You're straight, for God's sake," she murmured. "Act like it."
She got out of bed and went into the kitchen for a drink of cold water and she stood at the sink, watching the moon overhead. Nearly full. Miley's moon.
Was she watching it, too? Or was she sleeping peacefully, unaware of the effect she was having on Lilly?
"She's not blind," Lilly whispered. And how embarrassing would that be? Miley had not so much as said one inappropriate thing. Lilly found Miley's eyes on her sometimes, but that was all.
"Lilly?"
Lilly turned and found Nana watching her. "I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"Are you all right?"
She held up her glass. "Thirsty."
"I think I'll have some, too," she said and moved into the room. "Must be this moon. I can't sleep a wink."
Lilly glanced up again at the moon and again thought of Miley. "Yes. I know what you mean," she murmured.
**************
Miley paced her room in the darkness, a cigarette glowing hotly in her hands. "What's it like?" The soft words echoed in her brain again and again. She shoved one hand into her hair and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. It had been far too tempting. What's it like to kiss a woman? Here, let me show you.
She should really stay away from Lilly. It was becoming uncomfortable to be around her. She laughed out loud, thinking it hadn't been since college that she'd been attracted to a straight woman.
And it had been a very long time since she'd had such a consuming need to kiss someone, she thought.
So she stayed away. And she painted. She was inspired, if nothing else and she started on the sunset the next day, working feverishly all day. When she reached for a beer that evening, she remembered she hadn't thought to buy more and she opened a bottle of wine instead. While her soup heated, she took her wine and cigarette out to the porch and sat, listening to the evening approach.
She sat until darkness surrounded her, her cigarette glowing in the night. Her thoughts drifted to the previous evening and she let them. She saw Lilly sitting on the grass beside her, leaning on her elbows, watching her with those intense green eyes. Had she been merely curious? Miley brought the cigarette to her lips and inhaled deeply. Possibly. Or maybe Lilly felt the electricity between them, too.
No. She was straight, Miley reminded herself. And straight women were curious. But still, there was something happening between them. She could feel it and she suspected that Lilly could feel it, too. Would she even chance seeing Miley again? Had she been afraid that Miley might actually try to kiss her?
She stood up suddenly, putting a halt to her thoughts. She ate inside, barely tasting the soup as her mind remained focused on Lilly.
***************
"You never said how it went the other night," Nana said over dinner two nights later.
"With Miley?"
Nana nodded as she cut into her steak.
"It was interesting. I never noticed the colors before," Lilly said. "How they change nearly every second before the sun goes down," she said quietly.
"Is she any good?"
"Very. She captured it exactly," Lilly said, remembering how Miley's fingers had moved over the paper, snatching up color after color without looking. "She has this thing about the moon," Lilly said.
"The moon?"
"Yes. She puts a full moon in all of her paintings," Lilly said.
"Well, I'd like to see one of them, wouldn't you," Nana said.
"Yes. I would."
"Does she have any finished?"
"She didn't say," Lilly said. And she hadn't thought to ask. She had been too busy wondering about kissing a woman to ask. She blushed, putting a halt to her thoughts. No need to go over all that again. She had already spent two sleepless nights.
"Maybe we should have her over to dinner again," Nana said. "You seem to have become friends."
"Yes. I like her," Lilly said carefully. And she did like her, it was true. She only wished she wouldn't constantly think about kissing her.
Nana stood back and watched her. "Are you all right, Lilly?"
"Of course. Why do you ask?"
"You've been quiet. Your answers are short." She watched her for awhile longer. "Are you thinking about Oliver?" she asked.
Lilly smiled. No, Oliver had definitely not been in her thoughts lately. "I'm fine, Nana. Really. And, no, I haven't been thinking about Oliver."
"Well, he hasn't called in a week or so, has he?"
"No, he hasn't."
"Maybe he's waiting for you to call," she prompted.
Lilly smiled again. "Nana, don't start," she said gently.
"Well, I just don't understand you. If it's me you're worried about, don't. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. And, in case you haven't noticed, I enjoy running the store. Your investment would be safe."
"I know. You're wonderful at it. But Oliver and I... we just needed some time apart," she said.
"Honey, I know marriage is a big step. But don't run from it. When you find a good man that loves you, you better grab him. They don't come along every day," she said.
"Nana, when did you know that Grandpa was right for you?" she asked.
"Oh, I'd had my eye on him," she said with a wink. "He just didn't know it." She put her fork down and Lilly could tell she was remembering. "The first time he kissed me, it was magic. Pure magic. I had been waiting for months, but he was a damn fool and thought he would offend me if he tried to kiss me." She laughed. "By the time that he actually got around to it, I was so ready for it, I nearly passed out."
Lilly smiled. Magic. That's how it should be. That's how she wanted it to be. Was it magic when Oliver kissed her? Had it been that first time? She tried to remember when they had first kissed. A lunch date, and he had brushed her cheek. Then he had cooked dinner for her and had stolen a kiss as she had poured wine. But magic? No, she wouldn't have called it magic.
"Are you worried about Oliver not being the right one, dear?"
"I'm not certain that he is," she admitted.
"Lilly, you'll know. But he's good for you, isn't he?"
"Yes. He's good." And he was. He just didn't stir her soul like she needed him to.
CHAPTER NINE
Miley had purposefully gone to the store during lunch, hoping that Lilly would be out. And she was. Nana greeted her with a smile and drew her inside.
"I'm afraid that Lilly's at the park," she apologized.
"That's okay. I ran out of beer," Miley said and took two six-packs from the shelf. She looked around. "You don't happen to have any tofu, do you?"
"Tow what?"
"Never mind," Miley said and laughed. She picked through the fresh vegetables and bought a few more bags of pasta. "I can make do with this," she said.
"Lilly will be disappointed she missed you," Nana said. "Why don't you come over for dinner again?"
"Oh, Louise, thanks, but I don't want to trouble you with my diet," she said.
"No trouble," Nana said, racking her brain, trying to think of something she could cook without meat.
"Really, but I appreciate the offer," Miley said, letting out a sigh of relief. It was short-lived, however. The bell jingled over the door and she turned and met green eyes across the room.
"I thought that was your Land Cruiser outside," Lilly said.
"Beer," Miley said and she shoved a bill at Nana.
"Have you been working?" she asked.
"Yes. It's coming along."
They stood watching each other, Miley not realizing that Nana was trying to give her change.
"Sorry," she murmured and held out her hand. "Well, I better go. See you around," she said. She had nearly escaped out the door when Lilly called to her.
"Miley?"
"Hmmm?" She turned around and Lilly walked over to her.
"Come to dinner?"
"I think Louise is out of vegetable dishes," she said quietly.
Lilly smiled. "Come early. There's a trail at the park I want to show you," she said. "And don't worry. We'll do something with rice," she added.
Miley's eyes lingered for a moment, then she nodded. "Okay. But don't go to any trouble."
"Come about six?"
Miley nodded again, knowing she was foolish to accept. The less time she spent in Lilly's company, the better. What was it about this woman? Green eyes remained fixed on her and she smiled weakly.
Lilly watched her retreating back until Miley was out of sight and she sighed. Why had she insisted on dinner? She knew she was playing with fire but that hardly mattered anymore.
Lilly was chopping vegetables for their stir-fry when Miley knocked on the door.
"Go ahead. I can finish," Nana said and waved her away. "But I'll wait for you to cook. I'm not really certain what you're trying to make here."
"I'm not really certain myself, Nana."
She wiped her hands on a towel before opening the door. Miley had traded her shorts for jeans and her T-shirt was tucked inside neatly. Lilly's eyes traveled slowly upward, stopping only when blue eyes locked with hers. She drew a nervous breath as she stared at the taller woman.
Miley held up a bottle of wine. "I hated to come empty handed again."
Lilly shook herself, finally stepping back.
"Thank you. Let me give it to Nana, then we can go to the park."
Miley watched her, her eyes following her as she walked away.
Lilly was aware of Miley's eyes burning into her and she had to force herself to keep walking. But when she was safely seated in Miley's vehicle, she couldn't seem to relax. She was aware of Miley's nearness like never before and she refused to look at her as she drove. She closed her eyes for a moment. I'm not attracted to her! Not like that. When they parked, they sat for a few seconds, their eyes lighting everywhere except on each other. Finally, Lilly opened the door and Miley followed suit.
"The trail follows the stream," Lilly said and they walked in silence, past the picnic table where they had shared lunch.
"Lilly?"
"What?"
"You're awfully quiet. Is everything okay?" Miley asked.
"Yes, of course. I just wanted you to see the stream." She managed a weak smile as Miley's eyes peered into hers and she finally looked away, afraid. "I don't know about the colors, though. Probably too dark in the woods," she said, continuing.
They walked on, the shadows lengthening as they followed the small stream. Lilly seemed nervous and Miley wondered why. Was she afraid to be alone with her? No. Lilly was the one who had suggested the walk, not Miley.
Lilly tried to keep her breath even and steady as she walked, but this woman's nearness wrecked havoc on her system. The walk had been a mistake, she realized now. She had simply wanted to spend time alone with her, without Nana. Time to talk. But they had been doing very little talking. Instead, their glances had collided time and again.
Miley's hand on her arm stopped her and she looked up.
"In the spider web," Miley said softly and motioned with her hand. A butterfly had been caught in the web and its legs were captured, but it continued to struggle to escape.
"Let's save it," Lilly said and reached for it. Miley stopped her.
"It's probably dinner. And breakfast," she said.
"But it's too pretty to leave," Lilly said, her eyes turning sad at the thought of the beautiful butterfly becoming dinner for a spider.
Miley agree and reached up to untangle the butterfly, trying not to disturb the web. The butterfly wrapped around Miley's finger and she gently pulled the web free.
"Oh," Lilly breathed. "Let me see." She reached for Miley's hand and brought it to her, the butterfly still clinging to Miley's finger.
As they watched, it flew away into the trees without a second look to its rescuers. Miley lowered her hand, Lilly's fingers still wrapped around it. They stood there for seconds, minutes before their hands finally drew apart.
Lilly was aware of her heart beating, pounding in her ears and she forced her eyes from Miley. Why did this woman affect her? This woman. Ever since Lilly had laid eyes on her, her mind and body had asked a thousand questions. Questions that she struggled to answer.
"Come on," Miley said quietly and continued down the trail.
Lilly watched her, her feet still firmly planted. Miley looked completely at home in her jeans and hiking boots. Comfortable. Loose jeans that were snug on her backside, gently swaying as Miley walked and Lilly found she couldn't pull her eyes away.
"Are you coming?" Miley called, breaking Lilly out of her self-induced trance. Well, not entirely self-induced. The woman in the jeans had something to do with it. Lilly finally moved, walking briskly to catch up and they continued along the path in silence, both fumbling with their thoughts, looking for something safe to say.
"Is it too dark here?" Lilly finally asked.
"It's nice. Pretty." She stopped where boulders had fallen and formed small rapids in the creek. "This would be nice at night, the moon overhead," Miley said softly. "The trees would make perfect shadows on the water."
Lilly wasn't watching the water. She was watching Miley, watching as her chest rose and fell with each breath. She lowered her glance, settling on the soft swell of Miley's breasts. She wore no bra. Her eyes found Miley's nipples as they strained against her T-shirt and when she realized she was staring, she tore her eyes away, her lids slamming shut for a brief moment and she took a deep breath, savoring the smell of the forest and trying to come to her senses. What are you doing?
"I thought you might like it," she finally managed to say.
"I do. It's very beautiful," Miley said quietly, but her eyes were fixed on Lilly, not the stream.
"Nana will be waiting for me to start dinner," Lilly said, but she made no move to go, aware that Miley was watching her. She kept her eyes glued to the stream.
"Yes," Miley murmured. "We should go. Thanks for showing me this. I can appreciate beautiful spots like this without having to paint them."
Lilly looked up and let her eyes settle on Miley's for a moment, then turned and led the way back.
CHAPTER TEN
Miley called Lilly at the store two days later. She had stayed away, hoping to give herself time to quell the budding attraction she felt between them. Attraction that she knew now was not one-sided. Lilly's eyes were too expressive to hide that. But Miley would take it no farther. That was a line she would not cross. Instead, she would try to be a friend to Lilly. She knew that Lilly was having some issues with her relationship with Oliver. Maybe she just needed a friend to talk through them. Miley could do that.
"I'm having an early dinner," she said. "Want to join me?"
Lilly hesitated only a moment before agreeing. She realized she had missed Miley.
Miley fussed over the lasagna most of the afternoon, thankful there was some garlic bread in the freezer. She had not shopped with the intention of having a dinner guest when she'd left Seattle but her homemade lasagna was one of her favorites.
They sat on the porch while the bread heated, sipping wine and Lilly watched as Miley lit her cigarette.
"You don't smoke much, do you?"
Miley laughed. "I've been in the process of quitting for several months now. Does it bother you?"
"No," Lilly said. She wondered if it had bothered Mikayla. "Do you date?" she asked suddenly. If Miley was surprised by the question, she didn't show it.
"Some," Miley said. "You?" Miley raised one eyebrow as she watched Lilly.
Lilly smiled and looked away. "No."
"Still holding out for Oliver?"
"Well, there aren't a lot of eligible men out here in Chiwaukum," she said.
"Oh."
"Not that I've been looking," Lilly added quickly. "I mean, technically, Oliver and I are still an item," she said.
"But?"
"But, like I said before, there should be more. You know?"
Miley nodded.
"He's a wonderful man, and I should be thankful that he wants me, I guess."
"But you're looking for that maddening desire?" Miley asked with just a hint of teasing in her voice.
"Yes. You probably think I'm silly," Lilly said.
"Not at all. Everyone should hope to find that," Miley said.
"What about you? Are you still looking for it?"
"I guess we're all looking," Miley said and shrugged.
"Has there been anyone since Mikayla?" Lilly asked.
"In my life or in my bed?" Miley asked with a grin.
"Both?"
"Well, I've dated, if that's what you mean. And a few have stayed the night, but none that I wanted to start a relationship with."
"Do you get lonely?" Lilly asked.
"Not really. I've always been a loner. I've never felt the need to surround myself with people, friends. That's where Mikayla and I differed. She always had a lot of friends."
"And when you painted?"
"She left and went out with them," Miley finished. "I didn't mind, really."
"Do you miss her?" Lilly asked gently.
Miley shrugged. "Sometimes. I'm not certain if I miss her or I just miss what we had."
"Does it bother you to talk about her?"
"No. I'm past that. It has been a long time."
"Were you still in love with her when she left?" Lilly asked.
Miley leaned forward and smiled. "You certainly are full of questions tonight," she said.
"Were you?" she asked again.
Miley sat back and inhaled deeply on her cigarette, letting the smoke out slowly. "I guess I thought I was," she finally said.
"Meaning?"
"Meaning I hadn't realized that we had fallen out of love," she said quietly. "It just happened and I never even knew."
"You blame yourself?"
"I guess you were right. I got so involved with my work that I forgot about my relationship."
"What about—"
"Enough!" Miley said and laughed. "Dinner, please," she said.
Miley again lit a candle and placed it between them, then served them both heaping plates of lasagna with the garlic bread.
"My turn," Miley said after she had filled their wineglasses.
"Hmmm?"
"Oliver. What's it like with him?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I know he wants to marry you and you're hiding up here, trying to decide. But, what do you do with him?"
"In bed?" Lilly asked, shocked.
Miley laughed lightly. "Please. Spare me the details." She grinned. "No, I mean, what do you do together? Where do you go?"
"Oh," Lilly said, relieved. "Well, the usual things. Dinner, movies, out with friends. That sort of thing. Oliver likes to cook, so we stayed in a lot, too."
"Did you live together?" Miley asked.
"No. I was firm about that. I needed my space," she said.
"Is he any good?" Miley asked and flashed a grin.
"Good?"
"In bed?" Miley asked easily.
Lilly blushed hotly. Why on earth were they having this conversation? "It's okay. I mean... sure, the sex is... fine," she stammered, feeling a sudden need to defend her relationship with Oliver. The sex wasn't great but she would never admit this to Miley.
"He's surely not the only one you've slept with, is he?"
Lilly blushed again. "No, he's not."
"Good. I would hate to think that I've slept with more men then you have," Miley grinned.
"That would be ironic, yes," Lilly said and matched her grin. "There was only one other, though. I won't count my high school sweetheart. He was only allowed to touch my breasts," she said.
Miley leaned forward and raised her eyebrows mischievously. "Lucky him," she said.
Lilly blushed yet again and had a hard time dragging her eyes away from Miley's.
"What's it like? With a woman, I mean," Lilly asked shyly.
"You mean, what do we do?"
"No. I can imagine... I mean, I know what... you do, I guess, but... I don't. What I mean is... oh, never mind," she said, thoroughly embarrassed now. "Forget it."
"No. What do you want to know?" Miley asked seriously.
Thoughts of Renee suddenly came to her and Lilly very nearly blurted out her story but she stopped herself. There was absolutely no need for Miley to know about Renee.
"Never mind," she said again.
Miley stood and took her empty plate into the kitchen, but called over her shoulder. "It's okay to ask, you know. It's only natural to be curious about things you don't understand."
Lilly rested her head in her hands. Curious? Much too curious, she told herself.
Miley stood in the kitchen and watched Lilly as the candlelight flickered around her. She had been clearly surprised by her question. She wondered how she would have answered it.
Lilly nodded when Miley returned with the bottle of wine and she watched her pour, her eyes locking on long fingers that held her glass lightly. She had really nice hands, Lilly noted.
"That was a delicious meal, by the way," she murmured, pushing her plate away.
"Thanks." Miley searched for a safe topic, something to put them both at ease, but nothing came to her.
"I am curious about one thing," Lilly finally said and the words were out before she could stop them. "What kind of women do you find attractive?"
Miley nearly choked on her wine. Darkness had settled and the candle flickered between them. Lilly met Miley's gaze shyly but did not look away.
"Why?"
"I was just wondering," Lilly said.
Miley let out a deep breath, knowing she was dangerously close to crossing that line. And telling herself that Lilly was straight was doing absolutely no good.
"Okay. You mean physical appearance or what?"
Lilly was aware of the sound of her heartbeat and her hand trembled as she set her wineglass down. But she asked anyway.
"If I were a lesbian, would you be attracted to me?" Lilly asked quietly.
Jesus. She actually expects me to answer that?
Miley twirled her wineglass nervously in her hand, desperately searching for a safe answer to the unexpected question that hung between them. She leaned forward slightly and rested her elbows on the table.
"You want me to honestly answer that question?"
Lilly was swallowed up by blue eyes and she knew she had crossed into dangerous territory, but yes, she wanted her to answer it honestly. And she realized she wanted the answer to be "yes".
"I'm just wondering what kind of women you find attractive," she murmured.
"You're very... attractive," Miley said softly as she took in every detail of Lilly's face. "And if you were a lesbian, we wouldn't be sitting at this table talking. We'd be in my bed, making love until dawn."
Lilly's breath caught in her throat and she swallowed with difficulty, knowing Miley could see how much her words had affected her. She forced her eyes away and took her wineglass, nearly spilling it as she brought it to her lips.
"But, since you're not a lesbian, it doesn't really matter, does it?"
Lilly shook her head but refused to meet Miley's eyes.
She slept fitfully, images coming to her in the night, images of a woman, touching her, kissing her. Images of Miley as she laid beside her, her naked body warm to her touch, her naked body sliding over her own. And Lilly went to her willingly, her own hands seeking, her own mouth opening under Miley's.
"God," she whispered and she sat up, perspiration glistening on her body and she buried her face in her hands, embarrassed by her dreams. She brushed her damp hair away from her face and closed her eyes, pushing Miley away from her.
It wasn't even yet five, but she got up, her feet carrying her numbly to the kitchen and she made coffee, then stood under the cool spray of the shower, washing away the last images of her dream.
"You were up early," Nana accused later.
"Couldn't sleep," Lilly said and she looked away, afraid her eyes would reveal her thoughts.
"You need to get more exercise. Why don't you walk with me in the mornings?"
Lilly laughed. "Someone's got to open up the store."
"Well, then, do it in the evenings. You ought to ask Miley. I'm sure she would walk with you," Nana said.
Lilly nearly blushed and shook her head. "I would hate to disturb her work," she managed to get out.
"Did you have fun last night?" Nana asked.
"Yes. We just had dinner and visited," Lilly said carefully.
"She's a nice girl, isn't she?"
Lilly nodded. "Yes. She is." Very nice.
"Did you get a chance to see any of her paintings?"
"No. I didn't think to ask," Lilly said.
"Well, what do you talk about, if not her work?"
Lilly stared at her, at a loss for words.
"Ask her sometime, will you?" Nana continued.
"I will," Lilly promised. She bent to kiss her cheek. "Enjoy your walk. I'll see you later."
To be continued........