Fifteen

The sky, the stars, the universe

Within an easy grasp.

Beloved, is there nothing more

That you would care to ask?

Torry's enchantment with Andrea seemed to grow the more they were together that weekend; and Andrea felt blessed beyond measure.

The show was easy to work, compared with the first two Andrea had done; and it was more successful. Andrea missed Torry during the hours of the art fair, but she knew she would go to sleep each night in his arms.

On Sunday morning Torry wanted to get to the site early enough to park in an advantageous spot. "That one-way road is hell at closing," he said. "You don't mind making do with donuts for breakfast, do you?"

"Not as long as I have caffeine," was Andrea's reply as she dressed hurriedly.

They stopped by the motel lobby for hot coffee on their way and arrived at the show two hours before it would open to the public.

"I like to get to a show early, anyway," Torry said, driving in the exhibitor's lot where Andrea had left her van. "It's nice after you arrange your booth to have some time to enjoy the morning."

Torry parked close to the road that led to the exhibit area. At his suggestion, Andrea moved her vehicle beside his.

They walked together along a gravel road that skirted a small lake toward the temporary community of artist's tents. The morning was cool and a mist was rising off the water, drifting to the far shore. Several Canada geese were on the grassy bank ahead and, as Torry and Andrea approached, a sudden communal impulse sent the geese skidding into the lake with an explosion of flapping wings and splashing water. They settled into a graceful glide and a few moments later, one by one, they mounted the other shore, shaking their tails and wings. Torry reached out and took Andrea's hand and squeezed it. They smiled at each other silently. Andrea was glad Torry had been with her to share the moment.