"He’s a fine man, Ginny. You can’t wait around for ever." She turned expectantly to Kara. "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 Kara’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.”
Ginny met her eyes, trying to apologize silently and Kara 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," Ginny insisted.
"Bull! You’ve been moping around here for the last eight months!"
Ginny 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," Ginny 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," Kara said lightly. "So, who’s Phil?” she asked, turning the conversation away from herself.
"That’s another story, I’m afraid."
"Running away?” Kara guessed.
"You might say that. Only don’t tell Nana. She’s convinced Phil and I will be married by Christmas."
"Your secret’s safe with me."
"I think I read an article about you in Northwest Magazine," Ginny said, again changing the subject. "Well, I skimmed the article," she admitted.
Kara met her eyes, wondering if Ginny remembered everything about that article. It had made no secret that she was a lesbian.
"I remember something about a mural you painted," Ginny said.
"In Yakima," Kara supplied.
"Yes. So, are you famous or what?" Ginny 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," Ginny apologized.
"Not very many people are," Kara said.
"Dinner, you two," Nana called and Kara stood, thankful that the evening was nearly over.
"This looks good," Kara 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.”
Ginny met the amused eyes of Kara Morgan 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. Ginny tried her best to draw the dark-haired woman out, but most of her questions were responded to with one syllables words. She suspected Kara was not much of a talker, but she wondered if Nana’s earlier comments had offended her.
Kara 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, Kara?" 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. "
Ginny walked her to the door, feeling a need to apologize. "I hope Nana didn’t make you uncomfortable," Ginny 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."
Ginny met her eyes, again astounded by their blueness as they peered into hers. "Maybe so. Come by for coffee anytime."
"Thanks. I will," Kara 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 Ginny Harrison had intrigued her. She laughed at herself now. Ginny had a very real boyfriend waiting in Seattle, a boyfriend Louise hoped would one day be Ginny’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
KARA 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 Ginny 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, Kara."
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 Ginny walking along the road. She stopped and lifted a hand in greeting and Ginny walked over without hesitation.
"Hi. How was the lake?" Ginny asked. She leaned through the open window and Kara 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?" Ginny asked. "You can have my apple," she offered.
Kara tapped the stirring wheel with her thumbs and her mouth twitched in a slight smile. Why not?
"Okay. Hop in."
Ginny led the way to her usual picnic table and Kara followed, her eyes watching Ginny’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 Ginny turned, Kara 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," Ginny said and slid onto the bench.
"It’s quiet here," Kara 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." Ginny unwrapped her sandwich and tossed her apple to Kara. "Sorry, but that’s all I have."
"It’s fine. I usually forget to eat lunch, anyway." Kara rubbed the apple on her shirt, shining it, then took a large bite, feeling the juice slide down her chin.