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"I can't wait to see your pictures," Octavia said wared the rubber band off the roll of drawings "Dad said I should let you pick But I'm pretty sure you'll like the picture of Winston best I added some extra fur"

"Let's spread the white bench at the far side of the rooed them side by side

Octavia studied each picture in turn with rapt attention, her expression absorbed and serious--for all the world, Nick thought, as if she were considering the pictures for a real, high-profile, career-iven Lillian a while back in Portland

"The house is very good," she said after a moment

"That'sone"

Octavia gave Nick a fleeting glance He could have sworn she turned a rosy shade of pink before hastily returning her attention to the picture

She cleared her throat "Yes, I can see that"

"This is Dead Hand Cove," Carson said, pointing to the next picture "Aunt Lillian said I should include it, but I think landscapes are boring Just rocks and water Take a look at Winston"

Obediently Octavia ray blob with the pointy ears

"You've certainly captured the essence of his personality very well," she said

Carson was pleased "I told Dad you'd like this one best I brought my crayon with me I can add some ht a this one in the show"

Carson bounced a little with excite to frame all of the pictures in the show" She looked at hin it"

"I'll do it now" Carson whipped out his crayon and went to work inscribing his first naht-hand corner of the picture "I al up from the task, "I promised Dad that if you liked o out with hiallery Nick looked at Octavia Her veiled expression never flickered, but he saw soht have been speculation in her eyes Or was that just his ienerated, Carson concentrated intently on printing the last letters of his name

"Sorry about that," Nick muttered

"No problem," Octavia murmured

There was another short, extremely uncomfortable silence

"So?" Octavia said

He frowned "So, what?"