Second Star to the Right
Page 34
“I am not!” she fired back, but she couldn’t stop the tears that flash flooded her eyes. Hastily she wiped them away. “I’m nothing like her. I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me all of my life and just because I want to do something for myself now you throw that at me? That is so unfair. Even cruel.”
Arthur bent his head. “I know and I’m sorry,” he said in a low voice. “I shouldn’t have said that. It’s just that when I see you act so impulsively I lose my head. Laurel, surely you see the futility of an artist’s life? It’s a fine enough hobby, but not a career.”
She raked the short curls. “You may be right, father. I only know that I need some time to myself. Away from Colin—and you.”
When his face fell and he sat back into his chair, she came to his side and lowered to rest her head on his knee, the way she used to when she was a little girl.
“Please try to understand. Dad, I’m not happy. I am not like my mother. But I can’t keep trying to be you, either. And I can’t yet be Colin’s wife. Don’t you see? I woke up this morning realizing that I was twenty- one years old and I only know who I am not. I don’t even know what I’m good at.”
“You’re very good in horticultural science.”
“But apparently not good enough. I have to face the facts.” Her voice trembled and she tried to collect herself before she gave way to the loathsome tears. She was comforted by his gentle patting on her shoulder.
"You might still get wait listed. You can apply again."
“Maybe. But... maybe all this happened for a reason." She lifted her head to look in his face. "I want to go to this studio in Vermont. It’s different from what I've done before.. It will give me a chance to explore myself and what I really want for myself. I might even find out that I’m good at painting. A famous artist thinks I am. So its not so crazy, right? " She laughed lightly. "In fact, it seems to me to be a very rational step at this point in my life.”
Arthur’s eyes were sad as he reached up to touch one of her short blond curls with his fingers. She saw again that pain in his eyes that came from somewhere deep inside.
“When you were arguing with me, I saw a flash of something in you that reminded me very much of your mother.”
“I have a terrible temper...”
He smiled gently, not with reproach. “Not so very terrible.” He rubbed his jaw then said in a slow manner, as though the words were being dragged from his mouth, “I suppose it wouldn’t be a bad thing if you were to take a little time for yourself.”
“No, it wouldn’t,” she replied, gaining heart.
“And painting is a fine enough hobby.”
“Umm-hmmm,” she replied, letting this comment slip by without debate.
“Just a summer madness, eh? A final fling—before you settle down.” His patting ceased, followed a moment later by a brief but heartfelt hug. “I’ll miss you.”
“Thank you, Dad,” she said, leaning forward to kiss his cheek. Inside, joy and excitement bubbled in her veins, bringing her to her feet. She was giddy with the realization that she was about to embark on her first impulsive act. This was an initial listening to her instincts.
And her instincts told her to fly!
End of Excerpt ONE SUMMER’S NIGHT
Books By Mary Alice Monroe
Novels
THE SUMMER WIND (The Lowcountry Summer Trilogy, #2) Coming June 2014
THE SUMMER GIRLS (The Lowcountry Summer Trilogy, #1)
THE BEACH HOUSE (The Beach House Trilogy, #1)
BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES (The Beach House Trilogy, #2)
SWIMMING LESSONS (The Beach House Trilogy, #3)
THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER
LAST LIGHT OVER CAROLINA
TIME IS A RIVER
SWEETGRASS
SKYWARD
THE LONG ROAD HOME
THE FOUR SEASONS
THE BOOK CLUB
GIRL IN THE MIRROR
Children’s
A BUTTERFLY CALLED HOPE
TURTLE SUMMER
Audiobooks (Brilliance Audio)
THE SUMMER GIRLS
BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES (read by author) May 2012
THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER (read by author)
LAST LIGHT OVER CAROLINA
TIME IS A RIVER (read by author)
SWIMMING LESSONS (read by author)
THE BEACH HOUSE (read by author)
SWEETGRASS
THE BOOK CLUB
THE FOUR SEASONS
THE LONG ROAD HOME
GIRL IN THE MIRROR
About Mary Alice Monroe
Mary Alice Monroe is the New York Times, USA Today bestselling author of fifteen novels. She has received numerous awards, including several Readers’ Choice Awards, the 2008 South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing and was featured at the National Book Festival, and the International Book Award for Green Fiction.
Mary Alice is a frequent speaker at book festivals, conferences, and private events. Monroe is also a frequent contributor to magazines and online blogs. She serves on the Board of the South Carolina Aquarium, The Leatherback Trust, and Charleston Literacy Volunteers. For more information, videos, podcasts, and more, go to www.maryalicemonroe.com and Facebook.