Read Online September Canvas by Gun Brooke - Free Book Online

gorgeous morning to dig up some dirt on you. I’m on vacation.”
    Deanna’s taut body relaxed marginally. “Guess I’m a bit paranoid.”
    “You might have every reason, I don’t know, but not with me.” Faythe didn’t know how else to reassure Deanna. But the advice from the woman in the grocery store and Deanna’s aversion to reporters tickled Faythe’s curiosity. She wanted to ask Deanna about the warning but couldn’t, especially after assuring her she wasn’t there to pry. She would have to be patient.
    “All right. It’s not fair to be so secretive and expect you to walk on eggshells, but I’ve been burned and I have to be careful.” Deanna rose to her knees and packed the leftovers of their breakfast without asking if Faythe was ready. “I’m simply not used to socializing, which shouldn’t surprise you.”
    Faythe decided to be honest. She might burn her bridges, but she refused to bend over backward to accommodate anyone, not even Deanna. “Here’s what I know.” Faythe took Deanna’s hand, making her stop brushing breadcrumbs off the blanket. “That woman in town, Kitty-something, said I should stay clear of you. She didn’t give me any details, and she seemed genuinely concerned. I figured if you were an ax murderer, you’d be locked up. But I don’t let anyone sway my opinion or determine my friends.”
    “I see.” Deanna squeezed her hand, her voice a whisper. “And I’m not what they say I am.”

Chapter Eight
    Deanna paddled the last few yards and jumped up to pull the canoe ashore. She wished she hadn’t asked Faythe to join her and knew the jerky movements of her hands betrayed her feelings as she helped Faythe onto the grassy slope. Why did she let Faythe draw her into a conversation that opened doors that should stay closed? And she was furious that she couldn’t find a single harmless topic to break the silence on their way back. “I’m not what they say I am.” Faythe would surely ask follow-up questions, especially after Deanna said,  “It’s nothing. Nothing I want to talk to you or anyone else about. This was a mistake. Let’s go home.”
    Faythe had stared at her with her beautiful green eyes, and if Deanna had read any sort of accusation in them, she could have used her pent-up anger and resentment to write her off. Instead, Faythe’s eyes held equal parts pain and compassion, and the sight killed her. Once Faythe became more familiar with Grantville and its townspeople, this compassion would turn to dismay.
    “Deanna…” Faythe stood rigid, clinging to her backpack. “Deanna, please. I don’t know what I did, or said, that made you so angry, but no matter what it was, I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to.”
    “Not your fault. I’m not good with people. Or around people. The fact that I work from home and live out by the lake by myself should tell you something.” It hurt to speak. Her vocal cords felt as stiff as the rest of her body.
    “I wasn’t prying. I thought we were getting to know each other.” Faythe took a deep breath and stepped closer. “Please.” Deanna hated her own weakness, which twisted her throat into a hard knot. She swallowed repeatedly to avoid the treacherous tears, searching for the anger and resentment that had saved her so often.
    Instead, something inside her softened. She didn’t know if it was because of Faythe’s gentleness or because of the undeniable attraction.
    For heaven’s sake! Am I getting totally spineless because of some damn onslaught of hormones?
    Faythe fiddled with the drawstring in her windbreaker. “Can’t we beach the canoe and talk?”
    “I don’t have anything else to say.” Deanna meant to sound dismissive, but instead the words came out as a husky whisper. “You don’t know me. You don’t want to know me. Take my word for it.”
    “No. I’ve done the ‘right’ thing for ten years and followed all the good advice the well-meaning people around me have dished out. Look where that’s