Under Starry Skies by Judy Ann Davis Page B

watching. It was obvious he was curious about Maria’s artwork.
    “You know, Miss O’Donnell,” he said in a whisper, “I have had the urge to kiss you for the last ten minutes. No, to be truthful, for the last ten days.”
    Surprised, Maria looked up at him and gasped. “Why, Tye! I thought you were asleep all this while—”
    “—but unfortunately my wishful thinking will have to wait.” He sighed and motioned to the large cottonwood behind them. “It appears we have company, and the boy seems to be curious about what the school teacher is doing instead of my sleep habits or amorous advances.”
    Maria swiveled to face the tree. The child had ducked back behind the trunk. She smiled and called out, “You’d better come down here if you want to see the picture.”
    The boy cautiously revealed himself and crept forward a few steps. He was wearing a faded plaid shirt much too big and a pair of dirty, suspender overalls much too small. His small inquisitive face was as dirty as his bare feet.
    “Closer. Right here.” Maria waved her sketchbook in the air and patted the ground beside her.
    Tye turned to the boy. “It’s all right, Lenny. This is Miss O’Donnell, the town’s new teacher. You and your pa met her sister, Abigail, the other day. You know, the gal your pa saved from the lynx sitting in the tree? The gal who was picking blackberries?”
    The boy nodded and edged closer, craning his neck to get a glimpse of Maria’s sketch pad. Finally, he knelt beside her, and she handed it to him.
    “My, that’s right purty,” he whispered in awe. He ran his finger over the picture as if he was caressing it and committing it to memory. “I like the butterfly.”
    “It’s actually not good,” she admitted. “Some artists can capture every little detail. I just draw for fun.”
    “Can you teach me?”
    “I could show you a little about it, but you start by selecting something you like and then you try to draw your picture as close to the real thing as possible.”
    “Whatcha going to do with your picture?”
    “Nothing. You may have it, if you like.”
    Lenny’s whole face split into a wide smile.
    “In fact, you can have the sketchbook and pencil.” Maria rose and dusted off her skirt. “I have another at home and one at school.”
    The boy shook his head vehemently. “No, it wouldn’t be right.”
    “Yes, it’s fine.” Maria thrust the book and pencil at him. “There’s only a few sheets left anyhow. You see, I tear out and burn all those sheets of objects I’ve attempted to draw and don’t like. Think of it as a present for your father taking care of Abigail the other day when she encountered the ornery lynx. Go on, give it a try.”
    Lenny took the sketch pad and pencil she offered. “Thank you, ma’am.” He nodded politely, then without another word, scampered up the bank and between the trees. They heard Lenny give an excited hoot as he galloped through the bushes. “I’m gonna capture me a picture of a red squirrel on this here paper!”
    Tye stood. “I believe you made the kid’s day, Maria.”
    A smile played at the corners of her mouth as she surveyed the ground at her feet. “My talents as an artist aren’t spectacular. Often I just waste precious time when I should be doing other more worthwhile things.” When she looked up, Tye Ashmore’s face was just inches from hers.
    “Then let’s not waste any more precious time, and let’s do something worthwhile.” He placed his hand gently on her shoulders and drew her toward him.
    “Tye, this isn’t such a good idea,” she whispered and pressed her hands against his solid chest. “I could lose my job. Most school boards prefer unattached, unmarried women.”
    “As do I,” he said as his lips descended slowly to meet hers.
    “Tye, no.” She tried to shy away, but he held her firmly.
    “Just one, Maria,” he said. “Just one to remember me.”
    She felt his lips touch hers. The kiss was light and gentle like a