Read Online Artist's Dream by Gerri Hill - Free Book Online Page A

different from any woman Cassie had ever met. Perhaps that was why she found herŹself attracted to her. And yes, she could admit that now that Luke was safely out of sight.
     

Chapter Nine
    After unpacking the groceries from her van and the ones she had brought from Luke’s, she put on a pot of lentils to simmer, then spent the afternoon in her shop, finishing up on the beaver and another much smaller eagle. She would put off calling Kim until after dinner. There had been two voice mails from her. One from last night and one this morning. Knowing Kim, if she had even the slightest clue that Cassie had spent the night at Luke Winston’s house, she would not let it rest until Cassie relayed every detail of the evening and every word spoken between them. But Cassie wasn’t ready to share her new friendship with Kim. Kim would turn it into something it wasn’t. So Cassie swore Kim would never know that she had not spent last night in her own bed. It was just easier that way.
    And she tried to push Luke from her mind, but still, she stayed. It was her hands, Cassie thought, that drew her. She had lovely hands. Long, strong fingers. Neatly trimmed nails. Soft hands,
     
    although she had not actually felt them. Cassie dipped her own into the soapy water at the sink to avoid thinking of Luke Winston’s hands. Her own were nicked and callused from working with wood all day long. She applied lotion constantly, but to no avail.
    After three days of working nonstop, Cassie was finally able to get through the hours without constantly thinking of Luke Winston. It was progress. She told herself that eventually, if she were to be around her more, she would lose this infatuation she seemed to have for her, and she could concentrate on the friendŹship they had started. And that was really all she wanted.
    After five days of neatly avoiding thinking about Luke and avoiding talking to Kim for more than a few minutes at a time, she felt that she was back to normal. Her days became routine again, and she was certain that she would finish all of the pieces before the fair. She was just sanding down the beaver’s tail for the last time when she heard a noisy truck approach. She frowned. She was not expecting company. She stood and brushed the wood chips from her bare legs and went out into the sunshine.
    It was a truck she did not recognize, pulling a flat bed trailer. She did, however, recognize one of the passengers. Her breath caught instantly at the smile Luke flashed her, and she smiled in return, cursing her traitorous body as it melted under Luke’s stare.
    “I would have called but I couldn’t find your card and I was too lazy to call information,” she explained. “These are friends of mine. Jack and Craig. They live over in Guemeville.” She pointed to first one, then the other.
    “Hi.” She shook their offered hands and said to Jack, “I think we’ve met. You look familiar.”
    “Yes. I told Luke we had one of your carvings. Nothing like the eagle she’s described, though. Just a small one. A Steller’s jay,” he said.
    Cassie’s eyes widened, and she turned to Luke. “You’ve come for him?”
    “Yes. I’ve got a cashier’s check for twelve thousand. How does that sound?”
     
    “Twelve? Are you kidding?”
    Luke shook her head. “I told you I had a buyer.”
    They stood facing each other, and Cassie forgot about Jack and Craig. “I don’t know that I’m ready,” she said. “I mean …”
    “The longer you hold onto him, the harder it will be,” Luke said quietly.
    “You’re right, I know,” Cassie said, unable to pull her eyes from Luke. “It’s just that … this one has become kinda special, you know? He’s got his own personality.”
    Luke smiled gently and nodded. “He’ll be well taken care of, I
    promise. No strangers touching him or clirnbing on him.
    Promise.”
    Cassie looked at Jack and Craig, feeling embarrassed. “Okay then,” she said. “I guess I can’t turn down twelve