Free Artist's Dream by Gerri Hill

Something new for you.”
    Kim crossed her arms and studied the painting, too. “Yes. Different. But still a seascape.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with that. You love the ocean. It would be like me not carving eagles anymore. They’re my favorite.” Then she turned back to Kim. “Think of Cezanne. He must have painted the same mountain a hundred times. It was what he saw every day from his home.”
     
    Kim nodded. “Mont Sainte-Victoire,” she said quietly. “You’re right, of course.”
    “But Kim, it’s good. Don’t be afraid to try different styles. When our art stops being an expression of ourselves and is done solely for commercialism—”
    “It’s a sad day for us all,” Kim finished with a smile. It was a quote they had heard many times from art professors.
    “And it keeps us fresh,” Cassie added. “If I did nothing but eagles, they would all begin to look alike. There has to be some variety.”
    “Yeah. That’s really why I did it. I couldn’t muster up my usual inspiration anymore, and I’ve wanted to try an abstract for awhile, I’ve just been afraid. I mean, what if it sucked?”
    Cassie laughed. “It doesn’t suck, Kim. It’s just different for you. Try it at the fair. Put an outrageous price on it and see what hapŹpens,” Cassie suggested.
    “It took me forever to finish. I guess I could ask more than I usually do.”
    Cassie took another look at the painting. She normally wasn’t too fond of abstract. She preferred things in their natural state, which meant a seascape should look like a seascape. But Kim had captured the colors of a sunset perfectly.
    “You may have found a new niche.”
    “You think so? Really?”
    “I really do,” Cassie assured her. “Now, let’s eat. I’m starved.”
    They settled around the table as Lisa brought out a dish from the oven. She had her favorite apron tied around her waist and looked every bit the homemaker. Cassie and Kim looked at each other across the table, waiting for Lisa’s standard announcement before each meal.
    “It’s lentil casserole, and I have no idea how it’ll taste. It doesn’t look too appetizing, if I say so myself.”
    “I’m sure it will be great,” they said in unison, as they always did. And Lisa stuck her tongue out at them, as she usually did. Lisa had a penchant for trying new recipes. Whether they turned out good or bad, she seldom tried the same thing twice.
     
    And actually, it was good. Cassie spread butter on the hot rolls and helped herself to seconds. She was hardly a guest in their home anymore, and she would do the dishes afterward while Lisa and Kim sat at the table and filled her in on the latest gossip. It was a routine that Cassie had come to love. After spending nearly every weekend with them after Kim had moved, they had all become accustomed to this time together. Once she had made the move, too, they continued to invite her to dinner at least once a week.
    “Oh Cassie, you’ll never believe what we heard,” Kim said. “You remember that gorgeous woman at the fair? The one that bought your eagle?” Then she laughed and shared an amused smile with Lisa. “Luke Winston is her name. You know who I’m talking about?” she asked again.
    “I know who you’re talking about.” Cassie gave her a wry glance before shoving the roll in her mouth.
    “Know why we’ve seen her around lately?”
    Cassie stopped chewing for only a second. It had been nearly two weeks since she had seen Luke, and she had spent that time trying to forget the way her body reacted when she was around her. When she reached for her glass of wine, she was pleased that her hand did not shake.
    “She’s moved out here,” Lisa said before Kim could.
    “Really?”
    It was ironic, wasn’t it? Here they were, dropping this bit of news, Kim probably hoping that she could play matchmaker now, and Cassie not only knew Luke lived here, she had spent the night at her house. Wouldn’t they be surprised?
    “Yes. Carl says