“We don’t need the short cut, we have plenty of time,” says Rachel.

Ariane continues to drive following Rachel’s GPS directions until…

“Oh great, the road is closed,” say Ariane stating the obvious.

“And there is still 2 miles to the trail head,” says Rachel, “that’s going to eat a lot of time.”

“We could go back and take a short cut,” suggests Ariane.

“The sky is too blue anyways. Time for plan “B”: My uncle has a cabin in Summerhaven with a wooded area in back.”

“Oh, yeah?” “It’s about a 20 minute drive from here and he is out of town so we won’t have access to the house, but he said we can use the back yard.”

“Sounds like a plan, tell me where to go.”

“Wow, nice ‘cabin’, looks like a tough life out here in the woods,” jokes Ariane.

“Yeah, my uncle is not hurting for money.  Go ahead and park in the driveway.”

“Yes, this will do. Let me go ahead and set up my cameras, go ahead and take your clothes off.”

“Worst pickup line ever!” says Ariane with a smile.

“You want me to sit on that dirty log naked?”

“Actually, I want you to lie down on it. I’ll clean it off for you.”

“OK, I guess, let me get undressed. Hey, didn’t you say something about you being undressed, too?”

“Well, that was just a joke, besides I got cameras to set up and logs to clean, and it is a bit chilly out.”

“What do you mean? It’s a beautiful 10 degrees Celsius,” says Ariane repeating what Rachel said earlier.

“OK, Fine!” says Rachel.

“You don’t really have to if you don’t want to.”

“If we were at Echo Canyon, I wouldn’t, but this is a private location. So why not?”

Rachel takes Ariane’s picture in the forested area behind her uncles cabin. They both take off their clothes and have fun with it.

A few days later Rachel invites Ariane downtown to the “unveiling” of the finished photo.

Rachel greets Ariane as she comes into the downtown Art Museum. “Hello Ariane, glad you can make it.”

“Thanks for the invite, so what is this “Young Artists Gala” and why did I have to dress up for it?”

“It’s an event the museum puts on annually this time of year to introduce their Young Local Artists exhibit that they do until the end of the year. The photo I took of you will be on display.”

“The NUDE photo of me is going in the museum? Oh great!”

Rachel smiles, “Don’t worry it turned out fine.”

“For a fancy prestigious event, the crowd seems a bit small,” Ariane observes.

“True, there are only three type that come to these things: The artists, their guests, and patrons looking for cheap art or cheap artists.

Like that blonde woman over there, she buys art for The Ellison Group to hang in hallways and lobbies of their real estate holdings.”

“So a picture of me nude could hang in a hotel lobby?” asks Ariane.

“Unlikely, they usually stay away from that, unless they want it for the Top Club.”

The gala introduces numerous artists and shows their work. Drawing, painting and design work seems to dominate, but Rachel finally gets her turn.

The museum guide introduces her. “Our next young artist is a famous supermodel who is looking to move behind the camera, meet Rachel Spahr.”

The photo appears on the monitor behind Rachel as she speaks. The crowd reacts a little shocked as it is the only “nude” picture featured at the show.

“So this is the picture I submitted, it was an assignment to use minimal color so it is a woman wearing nothing but a scarf taken during sunset, which blends with the autumnal scene in the background.”

The small crowd applauds politely.

After her presentation, Rachel and Ariane check out the framed photo in the exhibit.

“So what do you think?” asks Rachel.

“Not as bad as I was suspecting, at least I’m in fairly modest pose,” says Ariane.

“All you can see is my ass and a bit of nipple.”

“Could have been less had you lied down on the log like I asked.”

“Yeah, I used my knees and elbows to prop myself up. Something I learned in gymnastics,” reacts Ariane.

“Well the final picture is nice. It would look very nice hanging in my kitchen,” Ariane finally says.

“Oh yeah it would, an orange picture in an orange room,” says Rachel taking the compliment, “I’ll send you a signed copy if you want.”

“Thanks, I’d like that.”

There is a lull in the conversation.

“I studied some Art History,” says Ariane, “If you want we could tour the museum?”

“Or, we could go back to my place,” says Rachel. Ariane smiles. They leave together.

END OF PART 3

LINK TO PART 4

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