“Hey, don’t I have a say in this?” Tember asked.
“No,” Grace and Jeremy answered together.
“I see how it is,” Tember said.
“You sure?” Grace asked her dad.
“Sure,” Jeremy said. “But you have to call every day.”
“Promise,” Grace said and gave him a hug.
Jeremy turned to Tember, and she also gave him a hug.
“Just one problem,” Tember said.
“What now?” Jeremy asked.
Tember answered, “I don’t have my license.”
“So overrated,” Jeremy answered.
31
Tember stood in the Seattle rain and thought back to the heat of that Maine summer when she met Grace. Before Grace, it was one lousy day leading into one lousy night, but she had grown to enjoy her days and be happy to wake each morning.
Some mornings she woke to Grace at her side. Other mornings, Grace decided to stay in her dorm room. Either way, Tember woke with a smile on her face. She was free to live her life and make her own decisions.
“Going my way?” Grace’s voice called from the road. “Get out of the rain, you rat.”
Tember hopped into the brown sedan that Grace and she had grown to love as their own.
“Rat?” Tember asked as she leaned in and gave Grace a kiss on the lips. Electricity still moved through her when they kissed. “How was your test?”
“Ugh,” Grace answered.
“Ugh isn’t the answer of a focused, scholarly student. I can’t afford to–”
“I know you don’t want to be a distraction. Geez, I swear my dad knew what he was doing sending a chick with such a guilty conscience to live out here with me,” Grace said.
“Really?”
“You know you’re not a distraction. Now, what would be a distraction is my roomie’s lab partner or that girl who works at the library or–”
“Careful,” Tember warned. “I might let you try your luck with those chicks.”
Grace laughed and said, “No, I wouldn’t trade you for all of them put together.”
“Really?” Tember asked.
“Really. How’s your book coming?”
“It’s getting there,” Tember answered. “Nice subject change, by the way.”
“When are you going to tell me what you’re writing about? Or let me read it?” Grace asked.
“It’s about these two girls who meet one summer, canoe, fall in love, and drive cross country,” Tember said.
“Hmm, really? Sounds familiar,” Grace said and smiled.
Author’s Page:
Thank you for reading Hope & a Canoe. I started writing this book during a camping trip in Maine. I thought about all the summer romances that start in RV parks and wished I’d had a summer lesbian romance when I was a teenager. As many writers live vicariously through their stories, Tember and Gracie were created.
If you enjoyed it, PLEASE leave feedback on Amazon.com, GoodReads, etc. As a self-published author, reviews are my lifeline, and I love hearing from my readers.
Please send all constructive criticism to [email protected].
I am constantly taking suggestions from my readers and updating my books.
My blog: http://mmreynolds.blogspot.com/
Writings by Michele M. Reynolds:
Trail Swap
Off-Trail
Tunnel W
Love’s Autograph
Hope & a Canoe
Coming Soon! - A Dozen East
Dedication
As a writer, I’m forever grateful for the time that I have to write and the ability to create stories. Thanks to my friends and family who are curious and ask about my writing and those who purchase my books.
Thank you to three amazing kids: Emily, Eli, and Ty, who lend me a plethora of creativity.
Thank you to my wonderful Beta Readers: Angie, Regan, Traci, Shannon and Missy. You have been instrumental in making Hope & a Canoe better. I appreciate and value your time and suggestions. Any mistakes are mine not theirs.
Thank you my readers for taking the time to read my stories and to tolerate my imagination thrown on pages.
And for Kelly- you inspire me, intrigue me, free me, understand me and add such happiness to my life.
Last, thanks to my dog and best friend, Cali, who suffers the most from my writing as she lounges impatiently at my feet as I finish just one more paragraph...
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