Just a Touch Away

by Chris Paynter

  Giving myself to her, Cloe thought. She smiled. It was the perfect way to put it.

  “I love you, Mom.”

  Fiona raised her eyebrows. “Where’d that come from?”

  “Because you’re so cool. I’ve always felt we could talk about anything. Not every kid had that growing up.” Cloe stood and draped her arms over her mother and hugged her from behind. “Thanks,” she whispered.

  Fiona gripped her arms. “Don’t thank me, honey. It’s what mothers do.”

  “No, it’s what you do. You’re the best.”

  Fiona tilted her head back to give Cloe a smile.

  Chapter 15

  Lindsey walked around the cabin, straightening a stack of magazines here, lining the coasters up to the edge of the coffee table there. She stopped suddenly and ran her fingers through her hair. What was wrong with her? Why was she so nervous? It wasn’t like Cloe hadn’t been here before. But she knew the answer. Their friendship had taken the next step to, well, what would be the next step. She shook her head. Today, though, was about work. That she could concentrate on. At least she thought she could.

  She glanced at the clock in the living room. Cloe texted about ten minutes ago, saying she’d be over soon. Lindsey already worked out a lot of the text for what would be the first book in the Fred the Dog series. As if on cue, Fred walked over to her and sat down on her feet.

  “Not enough attention lately, Fred?” She reached down and patted his side. “How about we go out on the porch and wait for Cloe.” His ears perked up at the mention of Cloe’s name. “Didn’t take you long to learn one of your favorite people’s name.”

  He followed her to the front porch. She sank into one of the rockers, and he plopped beside her, his ears on alert, obviously listening for Cloe’s arrival. Lindsey casually rocked the chair, drawing solace from the gentle creaking of the wood. With each rock, her nerves began to settle. About five minutes later, Cloe’s truck pulled into her drive. Fred jumped to his feet and rushed to the screen door. He looked back at Lindsey as if to say, “Come on! Hurry up!” She stood and walked to the screen door. When she pushed it open, Fred ran out and greeted Cloe as she stepped down from her truck.

  “Hi, Cloe. As you can see, we were anxious for you to get here.”

  Cloe laughed and bent over to pet Fred. She rose up and grabbed her art supplies from the back of the truck.

  Lindsey walked over. “Need any help?”

  “No, I’ve got this. I used to carry these around campus, so I should be able to carry them from my truck to your cabin. You can give me a kiss, though.”

  “That I was planning to do anyway.” Lindsey lightly gripped Cloe’s hip and leaned in. Her eyes closed as their lips met. Her heart fluttered like the wings of a baby bird taking its first flight. “Missed you,” she whispered.

  “Missed you, too.” Cloe gave her another kiss.

  Lindsey took in Cloe’s tan arms and legs that peeked out from her red, sleeveless blouse and khaki shorts. Falling into step, they headed to the cabin. Fred ran in front of them then back, barking and yipping.

  “I think he’s ready for us to get started,” Cloe said with a laugh.

  “I think, just like his mommy, he’s happy to see you.” Lindsey pulled open the screen door and continued across the porch to the front door. When they entered, she motioned to the dining room. “Do you want to work in there again?”

  “That’s fine. I thought we’d go with how we did this last time. You show me your text, I’ll get started on rough sketches, followed by using my colored pencils. I can paint the watercolor prints at home.”

  “Or eventually, you can paint here?”

  “If you like.”

  “Is it too much to say I want to be around you as much as possible? Even if we’re working?”

  Cloe set her supplies by the dining room table. She turned to face Lindsey with a sexy grin and leaned back on the table. “No, it’s not too much to say. I like hearing it.”

  Lindsey moved to her and settled in between Cloe’s legs. “In case you didn’t know, I really, really enjoyed our date.”

  Cloe draped her arms around Lindsey’s neck. “Really, really?”

  Lindsey nibbled along Cloe’s neck and nipped her chin before she reached Cloe’s lips. She took her time with the kiss and dipped her tongue inside. Cloe groaned as she fell back more on the table. Lindsey held her tighter, their breasts pressed together.

  Cloe slowed the kiss down. She leaned her forehead against Lindsey’s. “You take my breath away, but we’re not going to get much work done if we keep this up.”

  Lindsey moved out of her space and held up her hands. “You’ve made a valid point.” She stepped to the other side of the table and settled into a chair. She grabbed the papers with her text. “I’m going to stick with Fred’s aquatic adventure as a later book, but I’d like to tell the story from his point of view. I thought kids would get a kick out of it.”

  “I love it.” Cloe pulled her sketchpad out and flipped to where she’d drawn the initial sketches based on Lindsey’s text. “We already have these to go on, the ones I ended up making into watercolors for Dunham. We’ll use them and add to them as we go. Is that okay?”

  “Perfect.” Lindsey took out her bulleted outline. “Before his swim in the lake, here’s his story. It starts with him as a puppy and his owner, Laurie, picking him out from a litter at a farm. We progress with him learning potty training. Not sure how graphic you want to be with that.”

  “Probably not too much since it’s a kid’s book. We’ll go with a small puddle on the kitchen floor.”

  “Then we progress with him learning to sit, lie down, roll over, etc.” Lindsey pointed at the outline as she went along. Eventually they came to him learning to walk on a leash. “The last page should show him snuggling in his bed beside his mommy’s bed.” She laid down the first pages of text.

  Cloe motioned at the outline. “And this is enough for one book?”

  “It doesn’t take much, honestly.”

  “Let me get started then.” Cloe pulled out a pencil. Just as she was about to set the pencil to paper, she asked, “What will you work on while I do this?”

  “I’ll come up with the text for the rest of the book.” What Lindsey didn’t say was she’d also enjoy watching Cloe work. She knew her side of the book was much easier than Cloe’s. She never doubted how important the illustrator was to the success of a children’s book.

  Cloe started on her sketch, taking her time to outline the puppy who would be Fred, plus the rest of the litter. She drew a barn around the litter. “I forgot to ask. How long does this normally take from start to finish?”

  “I don’t anticipate this being a terribly long picture book. Maybe thirty or so pages. It depends on how fast we work. My next Bobby book had been due out in six months. I would think Dunham would want this to be out around that time or a little later. For you, illustrations will probably take six weeks or so. Again, depending on the speed you operate at.”

  “That’s not a long time.”

  “Since we’re working together so closely, I think we’ll be fine. Once you get all the illustrations done, you’ll then work on the final art. Total process is four to six months. That includes Dunham taking the time to promote the book after we approve the page proof. The actual printing will be faster.” Lindsey paused. “When do you think you’ll look into illustrating for other authors?” She was a little worried that once other publishers and authors saw Cloe’s work, it would be a little more difficult to work together so seamlessly.

  Cloe didn’t raise her head from her drawing. “I’m focused on us.” She glanced up, her cheeks red. “I mean this book. I’m focused on this book.”

  “You’re going to find other work, Cloe.”

  Cloe shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not worried. I’m sort of a one-day-at-a-time kind of girl.”

  “Yeah? I can see that about you.” Cloe’s fresh outlook on everything was something Lindsey liked
about her. One of many things she liked about Cloe. In fact, she couldn’t find anything she didn’t like about her.

  “Lindsey?”

  “Huh?”

  “I asked if you cared about the colors of the other puppies.”

  “Uh, no. Fred’s litter had lots of different colors. Black and white. Tri-color. Go with what you think looks best.”

  “I think it would pop out more if there’s a mix.”

  “Go for it.”

  Cloe went back to concentrating on her drawing. Lindsey watched for a moment before she returned to her text.

  They worked quietly and eventually took a break for lunch. While they ate sandwiches of cold cuts and munched on potato chips, they discussed movies they liked and other things they might have in common.

  “You like disaster movies?” Cloe’s voice rose, obviously incredulous.

  “Yes. As a matter of fact, I do.” Lindsey took a big bite of her ham sandwich. “Problem with that?” she asked around a bite.

  “You can’t be serious. Don’t you find them ridiculous?”

  “Bite your tongue.”

  “They’re so predictable.”

  “That’s what’s so cool. You go into it knowing exactly how it will play out. The lead actor, even though he may be saving the world, is usually concerned about his family.”

  Cloe pointed at her with what remained of her turkey sandwich. “See. That right there gets me. It’s usually a male actor to save the day. That doesn’t bother you?”

  “Eh. Not for these movies. I have plenty of other movies I like with strong actresses. I love the special effects.” Lindsey polished off the rest of her sandwich. “Oh! And I love that there is always a scientist who no one believes. Or! Or one who is stupid enough to think they’re dealing with friendly aliens.”

  Cloe laughed. “You should see your face. Clearly, you’ve thought this out.”

  “I have. I’m a writer, after all. I could make fun of you for loving romcoms, which are also quite predictable.”

  “But they’re romantic.”

  “So are my disaster movies. Heck, in San Andreas, Dwayne Johnson got back together with his ex, Carla Gugino. We’re talking Carla Gugino here. You have to admit the woman is hot.” Lindsey mock glared at Cloe, daring her to argue.

  Cloe squinted her eyes. “Hmm. Not sure I know who she is.”

  Just as Lindsey was about to say, “You’re kidding me!” Cloe grinned. “You had me going there for a minute.”

  “Have to give you a hard time.” Cloe stood to take her plate to the kitchen and throw out her trash. When she returned to the table, she looked a little nervous. “I have a question for you.”

  Lindsey tried to reassure her. “Whatever it is, you can ask me.”

  “My parents invited you over for dinner.” Cloe stared at the floor as she shuffled in place. “I mean, I want you to come, too.”

  “I’d love to come.” She ducked her head to catch Cloe’s eyes “You didn’t think I’d want to?”

  “I hoped.”

  “Tell me when, and I’ll be there.” Lindsey suddenly remembered her brother and sister-in-law’s invitation. “Oh, and my brother and his wife would like to have you over for dinner. Well, me, too. I mean they want both of us.” Lindsey decided to shut up while she was behind.

  “They want to meet me?”

  “You shouldn’t be surprised. Apparently, I’ve had a stupid grin on my face since we’ve met. Of course, David noticed. And Gayle. The dinner will also be a celebration. Gayle’s pregnant.”

  Cloe’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful.”

  “Yeah, it is.” That surge of happiness hit Lindsey’s stomach as it did when she’d first heard the news. “Okay. You check with your parents, and I’ll check with David and Gayle. We’ll come up with two dates that work.”

  “Perfect.” Cloe pointed back to the table. “Want to work some more?”

  Technically, Cloe could take her work home and finish it there, but Lindsey was enjoying her company too much to stop for the day. “Maybe an hour or so more?”

  “That’s what I was thinking.”

  Lindsey cleared the kitchen island and joined Cloe at the table.

  * * *

  Cloe spent the last few days of the week at home, working on the watercolors for the first three pages. They would send the work to Dunham by Monday. At least that was the plan—Lindsey was anxious to get feedback on what they had so far. Cloe missed Lindsey already. She’d called Paige for a break from her work in the evening. That, and she wanted to see how her friend was holding up. They met up at “their spot.”

  “Don’t say I haven’t told you this before, but this is definitely getting serious, Cloe Mae. You’re meeting her brother and sister-in-law, and she’s coming over for din-din with the parental units.” Paige threw a piece of bread into the water. A mama duck and her ducklings paddled over to swoop it up, quacking all the way.

  “You think so?” Cloe also thought it meant it was getting serious, but she needed Paige to validate it.

  “Hon, when you start meeting family, that says a lot.” Paige tossed another piece of bread out. She giggled when two ducklings started a tug-of-war over it. “I love these little guys.”

  Cloe observed her friend. She seemed more at ease. Her face held none of the sadness and worry from the last time they met. “How are you doing, sweetie?”

  “I’m fine.” Paige glanced over at her. “Seriously, I really am. I decided to follow your advice. Let things happen in their own time. Granted, lesbians won’t be dropping out of the sky anytime soon. But I have this feeling I’ll meet a woman when I least expect it. And, no, it doesn’t mean I’m giving up. It means I’m not going to sweat it.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  Paige tossed the last of the bread. “Surprisingly good.”

  Cloe flung her arm around Paige’s shoulders.

  Paige said, “Nervous about Lindsey having dinner with your parents? Or meeting her brother and his wife?”

  “A little. I mean Mom met Lindsey at the store, just not after we started dating. Dad hasn’t had a chance to meet her yet. I think the dinner will go okay. As for meeting her brother and sister-in-law, yeah, I’m a little nervous.”

  “You shouldn’t be. They’ll love you.”

  The ducks paddled away once free food was no longer available. Cloe picked up a smooth stone and skipped it across the water. “Oh, I don’t know.”

  Paige snorted. “Please. They have to love you. What’s not to love? You’re like a Disney princess.”

  Cloe burst out laughing. “Where the hell did you come up with that?”

  “You are, Cloe. You have the big heart, the big eyes, and beautiful hair. You’re that pretty.”

  “Are you hitting on me?”

  “That ship has long sailed.”

  They grew quiet as the sun started its descent, bathing the water in a soothing, orange glow. Cloe said in a soft voice, “Have I told you lately how much I love you and value our friendship?”

  Paige turned, her eyes shining in the dimming light. “Right back at you.”

  Chapter 16

  After receiving glowing reviews on the first three illustrated pages, Cloe and Lindsey went gung ho the next week. By Friday, after another hard week of working on the next five pages of the book, they settled on dinner with Cloe’s parents for Saturday night. Although Lindsey had interacted with Fiona through her grocery orders, she hadn’t met Chuck. She was looking forward to the evening.

  “What do you think, Fred? What should I wear to dinner with the in-laws?” Lindsey blanched. In-laws? Where did that come from? “I mean what should I wear to dinner with Cloe’s parents?”

  Fred cocked his head at her, as if to say, “Yeah, I caught that slip there, Mom, and is that a bad thing?”

  “You’re right,” Lindsey said as she buttoned up a red denim shirt. “It wouldn’t be a bad thing. But heck, we haven’t even made love yet.” A sudden vision of Cloe
beneath her in the throes of passion flashed into her mind. She swallowed. Hard. “Not that I haven’t thought of it.” She tugged on a newer pair of jeans. “You shouldn’t hear these things, though.” She glanced down to find Fred lying with his nose on his front paws, staring at her. “Sorry I included you in my fantasy. That should’ve remained private.” She sat down and pulled on her L.L. Bean half boots. When she stood, she stretched out her arms. “Well?”

  Fred got up and trotted over to her. He sniffed her boots and jeans, plopped down on his butt, and scratched at her leg with his paw.

  “Sorry. You can’t go. You can meet the parents another day.” Because I have a feeling we’ll have dinner here at the cabin in the not-too-distant future, she thought. Cloe had nestled into Lindsey’s heart like a baby in a receiving blanket, and it wasn’t a bad feeling. In fact, it felt pretty damn good. She scratched behind Fred’s ears. “Wish me luck.” He licked her hand. “Thanks, bud.”

  * * *

  Cloe was sporting a big grin when she opened the door. She grabbed Lindsey’s hand and pulled her forward for a quick kiss. “Mom and Dad are in the kitchen finishing up dinner.”

  “Your dad cooks?”

  “Has since I was a kid.”

  “Cool.”

  They walked through the dining room to the entrance of the kitchen. “Mom, Dad. Lindsey’s here.”

  Fiona stopped chopping lettuce, and Chuck stepped away from the stove where he’d been stirring the stew. Fiona wiped her hands on a towel. They approached Lindsey with big smiles.

  “Lindsey, so glad you could make it,” Fiona told her.

  Lindsey held out her hand. “Thank you for the invitation, Fiona.”

  Fiona waved off her hand and hugged her instead.

  “It’s nice to finally meet,” Chuck said as he shook her hand.

  “Thanks, Chuck. Nice to meet you, too.”

  “Do you like stew?” he asked then laughed. “A little late to be asking.”

  “I do, so we’re good.”