September Canvas by Gun Brooke

Author:Gun Brooke
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781602824195
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2009-07-10T03:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

The day promised to be one of the last Indian-summer days with a warm, glowing sun in an azure blue sky dotted with cotton-candy clouds. Deanna carried the basket with bread, fruit, and a thermos of coffee in one hand and a cooler full of sodas, brie cheese, and slices of roast beef. There was also a surprise in the basket for Miranda. Faythe had asked if Miranda had a favorite food, and Deanna thought immediately of oatmeal cookies. Miranda would do just about anything for one.

Faythe had hobbled into the bakery with Deanna and picked out some oatmeal cookies and insisted on paying for them. “They’re a present for your sister,” she said stubbornly. “They’re big enough, you think?”

“Any bigger and they’ll fill her up like a three-course meal,” Deanna said. “Once she gets going on those types of cookies, she goes crazy. She’s supposed to stay away from sugar, since it boosts her energy too much, but she’ll need a lot this afternoon, so she should be fine.”

“So if I get three of them? With or without raisins?”

“Without,” Deanna said, remembering when she’d bought oatmeal cookies with raisins a year ago. Miranda thought the raisins were little bugs and it took Deanna and Irene Costa over an hour to calm her down.

Faythe limped back to the car with the small bag of cookies, looking expectantly at Deanna as they strapped themselves in. “Is it far? The school, I mean?”

“No, it’s on the other side of town, in a beautiful park, overlooking open countryside.” Deanna pulled out into the nearly empty street. She was driving Faythe’s Crossfire since her old piece of junk was at the garage having the radiator fixed.

“Sounds like a perfect place.”

“I suppose.” Deanna knew she sounded short, but it was hard to think of the school as beneficial.

“You don’t sound sure.”

“Oh, the school is great. Their autism program is cutting edge, and they’ve just opened a new wing for children diagnosed with severe neuropsychiatric disorders.”

“You mean like ADHD?”

“Yes.”

“Sounds good. Disorders can really handicap a kid socially.”

“So true.”

“I still get the feeling something bothers you about Miranda’s situation.”

“Nothing to do with the school.” Deanna sighed.

“All right. I won’t pry. For now. I’ll attack when you have your guard down, or when I’ve distracted you with my naked body.”

“What?” Deanna jerked the wheel slightly.

“Hey, watch the road, driver.” Faythe pointed out the windshield. “Innocent bystanders at two o’clock.”

“What were you saying about naked body?” Deanna refused to let Faythe off the hook.

“I’m a ruthless journalist, remember?” Faythe wiggled her well-plucked eyebrows. “I’m not beyond using my assets to get my hands on a story.”

“Did you just say ‘using your ass,’ Faythe? I’m shocked.” The friendly banter, spiced with sexual innuendo, made Deanna feel liberated.

“I said ‘assets’ and you heard me.” Faythe stuck her nose in the air and huffed theatrically. “I’ve never used my ass in that manner, my good woman.”

“Really? You don’t know what you’re missing.”

“Deanna!” Faythe snorted. “You’re as naughty as I am. Actually, I think you’re worse.

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