Chapter eleven. I know you love the rain but four days in a row is a bit much, Jill complained as they sat in the sunroom and munched on the burgers and fries

" I know you love the rain but four days in a row is a bit much, " Jill complained as they sat in the sunroom and munched on the burgers and fries she'd picked up on her way over.

" Green. Think green."

" I'm beyond that. I'm trying to remember what sunshine looks like." Jill grinned. " Do you think we should start building a boat? "

" No. We'll use my canoe to escape, " Carrie said seriously, then wiggled her eyebrows teasingly.

" But this is really nice, isn't it. I can't believe how warm the sunroom stays. I could almost convince myself this is a spring rain and not winter."

" Spring will be here soon enough. And I think this year I'll tend to the garden. It was Joshua's pride and joy. When I had his old shack torn down, I made sure to leave the garden undisturbed.

When they landscaped the flower beds around here, I had them weed and mulch his garden. It looked great that first year." Carrie smiled. " I just don't have Joshua's green thumb."

" Well, maybe this spring, we could steal a Saturday and... and maybe plant some flowers, " Jill suggested. " I mean, if you could sneak away from your family for a day."

Carrie's pale eyes looked into her own for a long moment before answering.

" And can you sneak away from your family? "

Jill nodded. " I think I'm allowed a day out now and then." She paused, brows drawn together. " You know, I've not mentioned you to Craig. I mean, we've become friends and I've not even mentioned your name to him."

Carrie nodded. " Is that odd? "

" Yes. Don't you think? "

Carrie's lips just hinted at a smile. " I don't think it's odd. I've not told James about you either."

Jill leaned forward. " Why is that, do you think? "

" I don't think it really concerns him. Our friendship is... well, it's just between us. I didn't feel the need to share you with him."

Jill nodded. " Yes. I think that's how I feel. I don't want to have to share anything we do or say. It's just us."

It was quiet in the sunroom as Jill's words hung in the air. Its just us. She had an odd feeling as those words echoed around in her brain. Just us. She had been on the verge of mentioning Carrie to Craig on a few occasions but something told her not to. So she kept her new friendship to herself, not for a moment thinking that Carrie had done the same.

She looked up, not surprised to find Carrie's eyes on her. She was surprised, however, by the warm sensation that traveled across her body as she let herself be pulled into those blue depths.

" It would be nice to be able to spend more than an hour together, " Carrie said quietly. " Perhaps in a few weeks, if the weather warms, we could—"

" Clean flowerbeds? " Jill suggested.

" I promise I'll feed you."

Jill's smile was warm as she reached out and lightly touched Carrie's hand. " Then it's a date."

Those words hung between them as Jill slowly removed her fingers from Carrie's hand.