Chapter 15 #2
After a few more mundane housekeeping topics, Amy looked around the room. She folded her hands in front of her and leaned forward. “Let’s go around the table. Who’s got news to share?”
Spencer had a piece accepted into a juried show in New Jersey. Lilly was a guest blogger in her alumni newsletter.
“That’s excellent. You all rock more than any team I’ve ever had. Kat? You’re always busy. Anything new?” Amy’s gaze rested on her.
“I do have some news. I’m showing at Loft Images in April. Solo show for the whole month. I hope you all can come. Opening night is Saturday, April fifth. I’m really excited about it.”
Amy nodded. “Congratulations. Great accomplishment.”
Applause broke out, and Amy joined in for a moment, then she glanced back at her daytimer.
Kat considered Amy’s response rather lackluster and noted she didn’t write the date on her calendar.
“All right. Now for the big news. I’ve got an announcement to make.
” She gestured toward Cassie. “I’m delighted to announce that our very own Cassie Ellison has been named Milt Turner’s replacement.
She’ll be moving over to Drawings and Prints as soon as the bamboo exhibit is completed. Congratulations, Cassie.”
Clapping began again along with cheering.
“Way to go, Cass,” Spencer shouted.
Kat twisted her hands. That was a fantastic step forward for Cassie.
Unfortunately, the vibes Amy was putting off weren’t exactly warm fuzzies.
How would this affect the rest of the team?
Kat had a feeling Amy wasn’t going to be a champion for her.
She’d be stopping by Cassie’s office after the meeting to give her private congratulations—and hopefully get some more intel.
Amy didn’t mention posting the opening or a timeframe for finding a replacement. Was she really going to make them ask? She pushed back her chair, and the meeting was over.
Kat glanced at Cassie but didn’t detect any private message in her expression, and the others were circling around with congratulations.
With a genuine smile, Kat added hers. Even though she’d miss working with her, Cassie’s promotion was good for them all.
It showed support and respect for their accomplishments. More information would have to wait.
* * *
Kat left the museum at six, still mulling the events of the day, which on the surface didn’t seem terrible, but she couldn’t shake a vague uneasiness. Cassie had no concrete information about the job opening, which meant Kat was probably facing a potentially awkward conversation with Amy.
At home, Kat was surveying the contents of her refrigerator when her phone rang, and Nana’s image filled the screen. She picked up immediately.
“Hi, Nana! How are you?”
“I’m doing well. Is your week off to a good start, sweetie?”
Kat let out a choked laugh and flopped into a chair at the table. “All I can say is it felt like a Monday.”
“Oh, dear. Busy day?”
“Yes. Crazy busy at work, and we had a staff meeting that interrupted the real work.”
Nana smiled. “Ah, yes. Meetings and committees.”
She wouldn’t bore Nana with the details even though she wouldn’t mind a good venting session. She’d have to give Mia a call for that.
“I want to ask you something,” Nana said. “Are you seeing someone?”
Kat’s heart pounded as her radar went on high alert. Where was this coming from? “I…um, yeah. Remember the guy I told you about who’s building some stuff for Mom and Dad?”
“Yes. The wood artist?”
“Right. Nick. He’s been to New York a couple of times on business, and we’ve gone out. Why?”
Nana let out a deep sigh.
Kat frowned. What the heck?
“I had brunch with your folks yesterday, and I accidentally overheard a conversation. I’m afraid your mother’s done something.”
A blast of cold swept through Kat. “What, Nana? Tell me.”
“You haven’t noticed a change or any odd questions from this young man in the past week, have you?”
Kat shot out of the chair and began pacing the room. Nothing came to mind. Nick hadn’t been any different after working on her mother’s project. “I don’t think so. What’s going on?”
“I overheard your mother telling your sister that she’d found out you had gone to dinner with Nick in New York and that she was embarrassed you couldn’t manage to find an appropriate person to date. In an effort to…here I quote, ‘run him off,’ she told him you were on medication and fragile.”
Kat stopped short and gaped into the phone. “What? What is that supposed to mean?”
“I believe she hoped he would be shallow enough to not pursue any kind of relationship with you.”
Frowning, Kat processed Nana’s words. A snippet of conversation came back to her. That’s why Nick had asked how often her parents visited. Her mother had–
“She said he drives a piece of junk SUV that broke down at the house and she couldn’t imagine he’d have the means to visit you in New York so hopefully that was the end of that.”
Hot tears burned Kat’s eyes and anger simmered inside.
She ground out her words. “She is. The worst. Snob. But you know what? The laugh’s going to be on her.
Nick didn’t take the bait, and he just got a contract with HomeBuilders to do some guest programming.
He’s going to be on TV, and people are going to love him. ”
“That’s wonderful. I’m relieved to hear it. I’m glad he had the good sense to not let it bother him. So now I have to ask, you like him? He’s special?”
Kat gave a blubbery laugh. “Nana, he’s great. I like him a lot.”
“I’m glad I told you then. I’d love to meet him some time.”
“He’s coming to my show opening.”
“Is he?” Nana’s voice pitched up. “How nice. One more thing to look forward to.”
“It’s going to be so much fun.”
“Absolutely. You know, over the years, I’ve bitten my tongue and kept my mouth shut to keep the peace, but I don’t know if I can let this go.”
“Oh, Nana, please don’t confront Mom about it. I don’t know where this relationship with Nick is going, but Mom is not part of the equation.”
Nick Summers was an intelligent, talented, respectable man, and he did not have to prove anything to anyone. Damned if she’d spend one more second of her time trying to show her mother how worthy Nick was of her admiration.
* * *
On Tuesday morning, Kat deliberately walked by Amy’s office in hopes of a casual encounter.
But the door was shut, and neither Amy nor her assistant appeared in the common areas.
Rats . Kat wanted to clear this off her agenda so she could concentrate on other work.
She lingered at the assistant’s desk and wondered how many times she could just happen to pass by today. A small break—
Voices interrupted her thoughts, and Kat swiveled to find Amy and her assistant coming down the walkway.
“Kat?” Amy called. “Did you need something?”
Kat pasted on a smile. “Hey, Amy. Yes, do you have a minute?”
Amy glanced at her watch. “A short one. Come on in.”
Get right to the point . Kat gave herself a quick pep talk. “I was wondering if Cassie’s job is going to be posted.”
Amy shuffled papers on her desk then glanced at Kat. “Of course. It should be on the website today.” She gave a little laugh. “You mean you haven’t applied already? Cassie mentioned you’d be interested.” She gave Kat a pointed look. “We’re obligated to post it, you know.”
“Right. Yes, I’m definitely interested. I– I feel like I’ve learned a lot from you and Cassie in the past few years, and I–”
When Amy held up a hand, Kat stopped talking.
“Not interviewing yet. Start with the application.”
Though the words were delivery briskly, a smile accompanied them, and Kat forced a shaky laugh. “I’ll take a look at the website.”
“We don’t plan to keep the post live for long.”
“Oh, okay.” Kat didn’t know what to make of that statement. Was Amy sending a message? Sounded as if posting was simply a formality.
“Anything else?” Amy asked.
“No, that’s it. Thanks. See you later.”
With a nod, Amy turned to her computer.
And Kat scurried out the door. A résumé update just bumped to priority status.
Back in her own space, she flopped into her desk chair. She could do the update quickly. No worries there. She hoped it wouldn’t be an exercise in futility. It was possible the decision had already been made.