Artist's Dream (28 page)

She sighed contentedly, wondering how her life could have changed so quickly. If anyone had told her three months ago that she would be madly in love with a woman … and that same woman madly in love with her, she would have laughed and disŹmissed the comment with the ease she had dismissed Kim all these years. And if that same person would have told her that she would

finally stand up to her father, Cassie would have told them to seek therapy quickly. But not only had that happened, the real possibilŹity existed of finally contacting her mother.

She glanced at the letters beside her. That is, if she could find the courage to open them and seek her out.

She shivered slightly and sipped from her coffee, absently watching the storm clouds forming, moving in from the Pacific. It would rain soon, she knew. She could smell it in the air.

She was still sitting on the steps when Luke came out nearly an hour later, two cups of coffee in her hand. Cassie turned at the sound of her footsteps, and their eyes locked.

“Hey.”

Luke’s voice was quiet and in that one word, Cassie heard the love of her life calling. Luke’s eyes were full of concern and comŹpassion … and love. Mostly love. Cassie knew then that nothing else really mattered.

“Hey yourself.” Cassie scooted over to make room for her. Luke folded her long frame next to Cassie and handed her the hot cup of coffee. Cassie bumped Luke’s shoulder playfully and was rewarded with that smile she loved so.

“Everything okay?”

“Perfect,” Cassie said. “Absolutely perfect.”

Luke nodded and they both sipped from their coffee, eyes still locked.

“You have the letters out. Are you ready to open them?”

Cassie shook her head. “Not just yet. But soon.”

They were quiet, both looking out over the meadow.

“Going to rain today,” Luke said.

“Yes.”

“Maybe we could put on a pot of chili, have a fire,” Luke sugŹgested.

“Like that first time?”

Luke smiled. “Yes, just like that first time.”

“I’ll really glad it stormed that night.”

“Me, too.” Then Luke’s eyes turned serious. “You know, you

could always bring some clothes and things over … to leave here… Justin case.”

“Just in case?” Cassie smiled at the light blush that crept up Luke’s face.

“Nothing. It’s too soon. I’m sorry.”

Cassie slipped her hand inside Luke’s arm, rubbing lightly against her skin. “Tell me.”

“It’s just, I like … sleeping with you, waking up with you.” Luke met her eyes, albeit, a bit shyly. “I mean, I know it’s too soon to talk about moving in together, but maybe, you know, occasionŹally … oh, hell.”

Cassie squeezed her arm, totally charmed by Luke’s embarrassŹment. “I love you, Luke. And I think it would be great if you could spare me some room in your closet.”

“Yeah? You do?”

“I want to be with you, too,” she whispered.

“Good. Because I want to be here for you, whatever you need. When you open those letters, I want to share that with you. If you decide to contact your mother, I want to be right beside you. If you decide to have a showing at Union Square, I want to be there supŹporting you.” Luke took Cassie’s hand and placed it over her breast. “I never thought I’d trust anyone with my heart again, you know. But I love you very much, Cass. I think we have something really, really special between us.”

Cassie blinked the tears away and circled Luke’s shoulders with one arm, laying her head against her. She had finally found her rock, the partner and companion she was certain she would never find.

“I love you,” Cassie whispered. “You’re so damn sweet.”

They sat that way, quietly, until the first raindrops chased them inside. Cassie casually tossed the bundle of letters on the sofa. Maybe later, with a fire going and chili simmering… and Luke by her side, she would open them.

Maybe.