“But I might have wine tonight too.” Michelle led the way toward the kitchen.
“Wine sounds perfect,” Marin said. “And no significant other. I’m recently divorced, actually. It’s part of the reason I’m here in Vermont, starting over.”
“Good for you,” Michelle said. “I’m about three years postdivorce myself. I hope you find everything you’re looking for.”
“Thanks.”
They fixed plates and poured wine and then sat together around a square table just off the kitchen. “So, Michelle, you used to teach at Northshire?” Marin asked.
Michelle nodded. “I taught art history for seventeen years.”
“That’s what you teach, too, right?” Marin asked Audrey.
“Yes. Michelle and I were colleagues last year. Actually ...” Audrey glanced at her fiancée with a sly smile. “Do you mind if I tell her the rest?”
Michelle rolled her eyes. “Go ahead.”
Audrey turned to Marin, eyes gleaming. “She was my professor when I was an undergrad. She inspired me to pursue a career in academia myself.”
“Aww, I love that,” Marin exclaimed.
“Well, don’t leave out the best part,” Michelle drawled, looking amused.
“Never letting you live down that you called this the best part,” Audrey said smugly, then turned to Marin. “I had thebiggestcrush on her when I was a student, not that I ever would have acted on it then. When we reconnected last year, though ...”
“Wow,” Marin said ineloquently.
“Yep.” Audrey grinned. “I like to think we’re a perfect match. The universe was just waiting to bring us back together, right?”
“Right.” Marin thought of herself and Charlotte and how the universe had brought them back together too. The romantic side of her wished they could have a similar outcome, but it wasn’t meant to be. Charlotte was straight.
“Anyway, if you’re at all interested in female artists, you’ve come to the right place. Michelle and I could talk your ears off for hours on the topic.”
“I don’t know much about female artists, unfortunately,” Marin admitted. “In fact, I think I could only name a handful.”
“That’s true for most people,” Michelle said. “Women in art rarely get their due.”
“Well, now you’ve got me curious to learn more. Any suggestions?”
“So many,” Audrey enthused before listing off a handful of books and articles Marin could check out, including a book calledThe Story of Art Without Men, which Marin was immediately intrigued by because, wow, what a title. She was in the mood to celebrate women in all facets of her life these days, it seemed.
“Marin, you mentioned that you’re house hunting?” Michelle said.
“I am. Not having much luck yet, unfortunately. It’s a slow time of year, I’m told.”
“Well, if you were serious about a home with a view like ours, I happened to hear that a house a few miles down the road from this one is about to go on the market,” Michelle said. “I could get the listing agent’s information for you, if you’re interested?”
Marin felt a ping of excitement because that soundedperfect. “I would love that.”
On Friday afternoon, Marin picked up her new puppy. Ember and her siblings were gated in the kitchen like they had been last time, although several of them were gone now, having already been adopted, and Marin could hardly believe how much they’d grown. Yes, she’d seen pictures since her first visit, but photos didn’t quite do justice to the fact that the stubby-legged pups she’d met three weeks ago looked like little dogs now. In fact, she even heard a bark or two as she walked into the kitchen.
“Hi, puppies,” she said, already smiling. Ember stood at the back of the group, just like last time. As Marin approached, the puppy’s tail wagged enthusiastically. If it was possible, Ember had gotten even cuter since Marin first met her. Marin felt a warm burst of happiness to know that this washerpuppy now.
“I just need you to sign the contract,” Susan said. “Then we’ll go over the basics of her routine, vaccine schedule, and all that good stuff, but please feel free to email me with any questions once you get home.”
“I appreciate that,” Marin said. “As you know, she’s my first puppy, so I’m bound to have questions, although I’ve done my research and I have a friend with puppy experience who’s going to come over later today to help.”
Susan nodded. “All right, let’s get this signed so you can take your girl home.”
