Here Michelle seemed to hesitate. “It’s ... well, I’m not sure what form it will take when I’m finished, but I do plan to see it published.”
“Amazing. Sounds like you might be writing a biography, and I for one would love to read it.”
Michelle darted another quick glance in her direction. “You would?”
“Whatever form it takes, I can’t wait to read it. You have a way with words. Ever since I was your student, I’ve kept up with the articles you’ve published. They’re always so intelligently written but also interesting. You really bring your subject to life with your words.”
“Oh.” Michelle’s cheeks had turned the most adorable shade of pink. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, and now you’ve got me dying to know more about Eliza St. Claire, so if you ever need someone to look it over for you, I’m your girl.” Audrey gave her a playful wink, rewarded by another smile from Michelle. And maybe, just maybe, her cheeks were even pinker now.
“Perhaps,” Michelle said.
“Okay,” Audrey agreed. “And in the meantime, maybe you’ll entertain me with some of your research? Photos of the stuff you saw this summer? Because I’d love to see it.”
“Really?”
“Really. I’m a nerd for anything and everything about female artists.”
Michelle nodded. “I could talk forever on that topic.”
“I know, and I love that about you because I feel the same way.”
Chapter Nine
“This trail is no joke,” Mercy huffed, sweat glistening on her brow despite the cool afternoon.
It was the first weekend in October, and Audrey was on a foliage hike with Mercy, Colin, and a few other professors from the finance department. According to the locals, this was basically peak foliage time. Audrey was comfortable in a light flannel over her T-shirt and eager to get some amazing pictures for her Instagram. Her family was constantly asking for more photos of Vermont.
But the trail was harder than Audrey had anticipated. She was already out of breath, and they weren’t even halfway to the scenic overlook yet. “No kidding. I’m dying here.”
“Water break?” Colin called from where he and the other men were walking a few yards ahead, and Mercy and Audrey nodded in agreement.
They paused by the side of the trail to gulp water from the bottles in their backpacks. Then Mercy poured some water into the portable bowl she’d brought for Maple. The dog’s fluffy golden coat went perfectly with the foliage. This hike was only a mile in each direction, which had sounded easy enough, but Audrey had forgotten to factor in the elevation.
“I’ve been here three years, and the hills still get me,” Mercy said between drinks of water.
“I barely remember it from when I was here as an undergrad. I guess I was too young to feel it. We’re invincible at that age, aren’t we?”
Mercy grunted as they started walking again. “Speak for yourself. I’m not sure I could have hiked this trail without feeling the burn even in college.”
Audrey laughed breathlessly. “I used to work out a lot more than I do now. Maybe it’s time to step up my game and get back in shape.”
“These mountains are the way to do it.”
“Weekends spent sitting at the pottery wheel certainly aren’t doing my body any favors,” Audrey mused.
“Or at my easel,” Mercy commented.
“Well, if you want to start walking together or whatever, I’m game.”
“I’d like that,” Mercy said. “It’s nice having another younger professor in the department.”
“It really is,” Audrey agreed. “And it’s nice to have a friend here in Vermont.”
“Speaking of friends, you and Michelle look pretty chummy lately.” Mercy gave her a curious look. “Quite a turnaround from how things were when you first got here.”
“Yeah, we’re getting along much better these days,” Audrey said, ignoring the ping in her stomach at the mention of Michelle’s name. Lately she couldn’t seem to stop fantasizing about kissing her, which was really inconvenient. “I basically decided we were going to be friends no matter what, and I didn’t let up until I made it happen.”
