"You're frightening me, Roy."
"Why, pet?"
"I'm afraid to say."
"Maybe you're afraid to remember. No. Listen to me. Looking at that water color and remembering how you looked high up on that dune, I did a take. The summer never ended. There's been a little winter-type weather, but it's only a station break. I don't think our summer will ever end."
"What do you want, Roy?" Gabby asked quietly.
"I'm propositioning you," Audibon smiled. He took her arms and pulled her close. "I'm asking you to make a dishonest woman of yourself and have a fling with me. It's summer in North Africa. I'm spending February in Egypt. Fly over with me, pet. Let's spend the month together. I'll bring an old shirt. You bring your brushes. We'll live in sin and improve our minds."
"And afterwards?"
"Why worry about afterwards? Maybe it'll be cold weather when we get back; on the other hand, maybe not. Let's enjoy our summer again and see how long it lasts this time."
Gabby came around a corner abruptly. "What does this have to do with last night, Roy?"
"Last night?" Audibon was taken aback. "What do you mean?"