Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Each year, the Cherries organization and others charged with planning events in Good Hope sought unique ways to promote art to locals and visitors alike. Celebrate the Arts month had been the result.
The cabins on Paintbrush Lane were filled with artists in town for the launch week. The Good Hope Gazette and Open Door app touted the various mediums and styles present, ranging from intricate paintings to amazing pottery.
Local renowned artist Izzie Holbrook would be featured, and word was that KT Slattery, who’d achieved great success as an artist, had taken over one of the Paintbrush cabins and planned to spend the summer in Good Hope.
Because of the expected number of people, most events were held at the Gathering Ground, including tables where kids could paint rocks, make friendship bracelets and design their own masks.
A glass of wine sat on the table beside her, a canvas in front of her, when Brynn felt a tingle on the back of her neck. But when she turned, no one was there .
No one, of course, except an area filled with friends and strangers enjoying the art festival.
She’d come with Callum and Parker. When Callum had stopped to paint rocks with Parker, she’d opted for the Art and Wine Uncorked event.
This particular area had been set aside where people could drink wine while following an instructor to create their own paintings.
Brynn had been thrilled when she’d snagged the last spot. With Norah Jones playing softly in the background, Brynn took a sip of Merlot and watched a mid-thirties man with raven-colored hair step to the front of the group.
“Welcome, everyone. I’m Noah Kester, and I’ll be your instructor for this session.” Noah’s warm brown eyes swept the group of eager students.
Was it only Brynn’s imagination, or did Noah offer a special smile to the woman who sat to her right, recently divorced teacher Lila Nordstrom Williams?
Brynn wondered why Lila, an art teacher at the high school, was even here. Then she saw how Lila looked at Noah as if he were a juicy steak, and she hadn’t eaten in days, and the reason became clear.
“Today is all about having fun, relaxing and letting your creativity flow. There’s no right or wrong in art, so just enjoy the process,” he continued.
Lila’s friend, who sat on the other side of the brunette, leaned over. “He’s obviously never seen any of my art.”
“Today, we’ll use paint, brushes, a palette and a canvas. Don’t worry if you’re new to this. I’ll walk you through it.” Noah gestured to the woman at his side. “Evie Eastman, who served on the planning committee for this event, will be assisting me today.”
Evie, a pretty blond woman in her late thirties, lifted a hand.
“We’ll start by learning a few basic techniques… ”
Since art had never been a strong point, Brynn listened carefully as he explained how to make the paint flow easier, using broad strokes for larger areas and smaller, more delicate ones for details.
Following his suggestion, Brynn painted the background first. She chose a pale blue for the sky and used long, sweeping brushstrokes to fill the space.
Noah gave them step-by-step painting instructions. He spoke clearly, and the instructions were easy to follow.
Lila had her hand in the air constantly, demanding Noah’s attention. Once, Evie came over to see what she needed. The woman smiled sweetly and told her that she needed Noah’s expertise.
They started with the background, moved to main shapes and then on to layering.
While Brynn waited for her main shapes to dry fully, she sipped her Merlot and breathed in the clean, fresh scent of pine. Though she’d enjoyed her college years, once her formal education had ended, she’d been eager to return home.
To all those fellow students who’d said, You can never go home again , well, she wished they could see her now. She enjoyed being able to do what she’d been trained to do in a gorgeous clinic with fellow psychologists whom she respected and liked. She could see her family and friends regularly.
Not only had she gone home again, but returning to Good Hope had been the right choice. Everything she wanted and needed was here. Even Callum Brody.
Callum was not only back in Good Hope. They were living under the same roof.
Brynn couldn’t keep from smiling as she added branches and leaves to her trees with quick, small strokes.
“Take your time,” Noah called from the front of the group. “If you’re unsure, ask for help.”
Lila’s hand shot into the air .
When Evie started toward her, Lila pointed to Noah.
“Feel free to add your own flair.” Noah continued to talk as he slowly made his way to Lila. “Whether it’s extra flowers, some fun shapes or a splash of color, your painting is your own unique creation.”
Staring at her painting, Brynn considered what to add. After a few quick brushstrokes, a gold coin lay at the base of one of the tall, leafy trees.
“Is that a magic coin?”
Brynn turned to find Callum and Parker standing beside her, Parker’s gaze focused on the coin she’d added as a final flourish. She thought of the coin she’d recently tossed into the fountain at Gladys’s feet.
She smiled at Parker. “It’s a special coin.”
“Do you have it?” The words tumbled out as the boy pressed closer. “Can I see it?”
“I’m afraid not.”
When the boy’s expression fell, she added, “I made a wish with it and tossed it into the fountain in the town square.”
Parker looked up at his dad. “Can I do that?”
Placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder, Callum smiled. “Sure. Maybe we’ll both toss in a coin.”
“I could toss in my rock.” Parker glanced down at the rock sporting a painting of a bright purple turtle, then hugged it close. “But I don’t want to.”
“I don’t blame you. It’s very nice. May I see it?” When he handed her the rock, Brynn turned it in a different direction, admiring it.
“Are you done painting your picture?” Parker asked, a hopeful smile on his lips. “Can you come with us on a scavenger hunt?”
“My painting needs to dry, but the instructor said we can return and pick up our work in an hour.” Brynn stood and took Parker’s hand. “Which means I am free to join you on your hunt. ”
Brynn lifted her and Parker’s joined hands high in the air, then had them swoop down, the action making the boy laugh.
“You two are having way too much fun.”
When her eyes locked with Callum’s amused ones, Brynn experienced that familiar zing of awareness.
“I’m glad you can help us.” Parker’s face grew suddenly serious. “We’re really bad at finding stuff on the list.”
“The scavenger list,” Callum clarified at Brynn’s look of confusion. He lifted the card that listed the clues and QR codes to scan around the festival. “We’ve been at it for a while and have only gotten a few.”
“What’s next on the list?” Brynn asked.
“An easy one.” Callum glanced at the card. “Take a selfie with a colorful mural.”
“We could take one with the community mural,” Brynn suggested.
Callum cocked his head. “Where is it?”
“You must have been looking in another direction at the time, because we walked right by it earlier.” Brynn smiled. “No worries. I’ll show you.”
Parker’s eyes widened when they reached the colorful mural, which Callum ballparked at twenty feet wide and six feet tall.
Volunteers stood ready, offering brushes and palettes of paint so that everyone could add their own touch.
“This is a nice surprise.”
Callum turned and realized that one of the volunteers was his sister. “Addie, I didn’t see you.”
“Hi, Parker.” Addie turned her smile on her nephew. “Would you like to make your mark on the mural?”
Parker studied her. “What kind of mark?”
“You can paint whatever you want.” Addie placed a hand on his shoulder. “Most people paint what they love about Good Hope.”
Callum glanced at Brynn .
Picking up a brush, Brynn painted a heart with radiating lines. At Callum’s questioning gaze, she explained, “I see it as symbolizing the love and belonging that bind this community together.”
Callum thought for a minute, then painted the bright blue waters of Green Bay and a sandy beach.
He turned to see Parker paint two bright blue stick figures, one with long blond hair and the other with short red hair.
Callum exchanged a look with Brynn.
They’d asked the child to paint what he loved about Good Hope, and he’d painted them. A lump formed in Callum’s throat.
“Did I do good?” Tipping his head back, Parker looked up at him, a worried look in his eyes.
Callum cleared his throat. “You did great.”
The boy’s smile was like the sun breaking out of the clouds. He pointed. “It’s you and Brynn.”
“Thank you, Parker.” Crouching down, Brynn hugged him tight.
After casting her brother a speculative look, Addie smiled at her nephew. “Where are you off to next?”
Parker shrugged and looked up at his dad. “I dunno.”
Glancing down at the card, Callum grimaced. “To locate the painting that evokes a stormy sea.”
“Let’s go, Daddy. We need to find it.” Parker grabbed his hand.
“Not so fast.” Addie held up a hand. “To check off the mural on your scavenger hunt list, you need to take a selfie. Give me your phone, Callum. I’ll take a pic of you three.”
After handing his sister his phone, Callum slung one arm around Brynn’s shoulders, placed a hand on Parker’s shoulder and smiled for the camera.
Addie did several shots, then handed the phone back to Callum. “My shift ends in thirty minutes. Would it be okay if you brought Parker back, and he and I could hang? I have the car, so I can give him a ride home when we’re done here. ”
Before Callum could respond, Addie turned to Parker. “There’s a children’s show starting in an hour. I hear there will be magicians, jugglers and even acrobats.”
Callum wondered what those three had to do with art, but he didn’t ask.
Interest sparked in Parker’s blue eyes. “I like magic.”
Addie lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper that could be clearly heard. “Rumor is each child in the audience will get a prize.”
“I want to watch the show and get a prize.” Parker’s expression turned pleading. “Can I, Daddy, please?”
“I’ll take good care of him,” Addie assured Callum, then smiled at her nephew. “We’ll take good care of each other. Right, Parky Sharky?”
The boy giggled and nodded vigorously.
They finished the scavenger hunt, picked up Brynn’s painting and then left Parker in Addie’s care.
The boy’s excited chatter echoed in Callum’s ears as he and Brynn walked to where he’d parked his Jeep.
Callum automatically opened the passenger side door, his mind on Addie and Parker. “I hope Addie doesn’t feel like I’m pawning him off on her.”
“You didn’t ask, she offered,” Brynn reminded him. “You have a wonderful family, and this is Addie’s chance to get to know him. It’s only too bad Connor isn’t here.”
“We’ve FaceTimed.” Callum smiled. “Parker is fascinated by the fact that we look so much alike.”
“Will Connor be coming to Good Hope any time soon?”
“Last we talked, he’s still planning to be here for the Fourth. I just hope I am.”
Brynn buckled her seat belt and snapped her head in Callum’s direction. “You’re not going to be here for the Fourth?”
Damn. Why had he let that slip out? Callum chose his words carefully, not wanting to promise what he couldn’t deliver. “ Hard to say. I want to be, but I’m getting more pressure from work.”
Brynn started to speak again, but Callum jumped in, hoping to forestall any further questions on the matter with a less-charged topic. “Shall we check out what’s going on downtown?”
Callum didn’t know what they’d find, but something was always happening there in the summer.
It appeared tonight was no exception. Callum had to park several blocks from the town square. The storm clouds rolling in didn’t appear to have dampened the spirits of those attending the downtown activities.
As he and Brynn drew close, laughter, conversation and a pulsating beat rippled on the wind.
Brynn’s pace quickened. “Sounds like everyone is having a good time.”
Callum grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thanks for coming with me.”
Before she could respond, tiny rain droplets began to fall.
Brynn halted her steps. After a quick glance at the darkening sky, she touched his arm, her voice filled with regret. “We should head back to the car. It’s going to start pouring any minute.”
On the short walk to the car, the droplets became full-fledged drops. They’d just slid into the Jeep when the rain began in earnest.
Callum turned to Brynn, who was pushing damp strands of hair back from her face. “You should consider a career as a meteorologist.”
She laughed. “Anyone could see that storm was rolling in.”
“I hope Addie and Parker didn’t get caught in it.” He pulled out his phone and put it on speaker. Two rings later, his sister answered.
“How wet did you get?” Addie said in lieu of a greeting.
“Not very,” he answered. “How about you and Parker?”
“We’re great—” Addie began .
“I got an alligator.” Hearing Parker’s response told Callum that his sister had the call on Bluetooth.
“It was that or a snake.” Good humor sounded in Addie’s voice. “Personally, I’d have gone with the snake.”
“The alligator is way cooler,” Parker insisted. “Wait until you see it, Daddy. His eyes glow.”
“It is pretty sick,” Addie admitted.
The ease with which Parker interacted with his sister brought a smile to Callum’s lips.
“Where are you?” Callum asked.
“Right now, we’re driving through Dairy Sweet. I promised Parky Sharky a cone.”
Parker giggled. “That’s what she calls me. Parky Sharky. I call her Addie Bear.”
Callum exchanged a look with Brynn, who only smiled.
“Brynn and I are leaving now, so we should be home when you arrive.”
“Our ice cream is here. Gotta go.” The call disconnected.
Brynn smiled at Callum. “Call her back and tell her not to rush. I’m suddenly in the mood for ice cream.”