Chapter 26 #2
And she wanted her opinion?
“You have extras, right? Something similar to the one from the museum auction? It was quite popular.”
A whisper could’ve knocked Kat to the floor. Gaping, she stared at her mother. “What?”
“We’ll pay for it, of course. Whatever you think the retail value is.”
“Mom, wait.” Had hell frozen over? “You want one of my paintings to go in here?” Her art hanging together with Nick’s? Kat’s heart stuttered.
Her mother brushed probably non-existent lint from her sleeve and swept past Kat. “Do you have something the right size?”
Kat glanced at Nana. She appeared just as surprised as Kat, so apparently this hadn’t been a set-up.
Turning, her mother stared, brows arched.
And Kat knew this was as close to a concession, as she’d ever get. Her gaze moved to the blank space, and she went through the pieces in her head. She had a couple of good options. “Um, sure. I can send you some photos and you can choose the one you like best.”
“What a fabulous idea, Rebecca.” Nana clapped her hands. “One of Kat’s paintings would look marvelous in here.” Nana turned a soft smile on Kat—an unspoken but obvious appeal to Kat to accept this peace offering. Or whatever it was.
Kat sucked in a deep breath, reached for Nana’s hand, and let any lingering animosity roll off her shoulders.
Her mother would always play a part in Kat’s story, but she was a secondary character, part of the backstory.
She didn’t need to know that Kat was considering a career change or thinking about contacting Nick Summers.
Her mother now occupied a different lane in her life.
* * *
After a late night of researching manufacturing options, Kat curled up Saturday morning with a cup of tea on Nana’s sofa. She inhaled the mango aroma and closed her eyes, taking in the tropical scent of summer.
“Did you sleep well, love?” Nana came from the kitchen and eyed Kat over the top of her cup.
Kat gave a little laugh. It’d been a restless night. So much percolating in her mind. “Good enough.”
“I hope you don’t mind I made dinner reservations downtown for this evening. I feel like dressing up and having a nice meal out.”
“Sure, that’s fine.”
“Did you bring anything a little bit fancy? Or should we go shopping and find you a cute summer dress?”
That sounded like a great idea. She could use something fun and cheery—maybe a confidence booster to work up the nerve to visit Nick’s shop. A surprise visit was risky but seemed like her best option. No opportunity for him to say no.
“Are you sure you’re up to shopping?” Kat asked.
“Certainly. It won’t take long. I know the perfect shops.”
Kat couldn’t help smiling at the light in Nana’s eyes. “Let’s do it.”
“All right, but first, how would you feel about lunch in the cafe here? Not the dining room but the small cafe. It’s got a lovely patio.” Nana raised her brows. “Let an old lady show off her amazing granddaughter?”
“I’d be happy to. Should we shop first, make sure I’m presentable?” Kat teased.
Nana swatted Kat’s knee playfully. “Nonsense. You can wear your pajamas for all I care.”
By one o’clock Kat’s cheek muscles ached. She was sure she’d met every resident in Nana’s complex plus their pets. And Kat was the one yearning for a nap, not the eighty-five-year-old.
“Ready to go?” Nana asked.
“Yes.” Kat held up a to-go cup of iced tea. “Got my caffeine fix.”
Nana was right. The second place they entered was filled with bright, summery dresses, tops, and accessories. A flowy marigold-colored dress with small white polka dots caught Kat’s eye.
Even though she tried on a dozen dresses, the marigold one was the clear winner.
She gave her grandmother a quick hug. “I love it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You look lovely. What about shoes?”
“I’ve got sandals that will work.”
When they stopped for a break in a small ice cream and coffee shop, Kat drew in a deep breath and broached the subject top of mind the whole time she’d been in Colorado. “Nana, I want your honest opinion about something.”
“I’m at your service, love.”
“Okay, you’ve met Nick a couple of times. You saw him in action at the fundraiser. What’s your impression of him?”
“Ah, well…” She leaned forward and folded her hands on the table.
“I like him. He seems like a solid, intelligent young man. He’s cordial and well-spoken.
When he stood up to your mother that night, he was direct but not ugly.
” A teasing smile lit her face. “And he’s quite handsome. Are you having second thoughts?”
Kat shifted her gaze past Nana and let out a soft sigh.
“I’ve had second thoughts since the last time I saw him.
I’m…I’m just torn. I keep wondering what he would think about this new idea for my work.
He texted me when he was done filming in New York and wanted to see me, but I said no. I just…wasn’t ready.”
“I see. So now the ball is in your court.”
Kat met Nana’s eyes. “Something like that.”
“You miss him.”
“Yeah.” She raised her eyes to Nana. “More than I thought I would, honestly.”
“What happened, honey?”
“He…” Kat’s lips trembled. “He thinks I’m a snob and have an attitude of privilege.”
Nana let out a heavy sigh. “That’s something people in our social position have to be mindful of all the time. It takes conscious effort to make sure we don’t present that way.”
“I honestly never want to be that way. I don’t want to be like Mom.”
“Of course not. You have a wonderful heart, Kat. Clearly, he saw glimpses of that, or he wouldn’t have been drawn to you in the first place. Maybe you can work it out? Perhaps invite him to kindly and gently help you recognize when a bit of privilege creeps in?”
Kat let out a choked laugh. Would Nick want to take her on as a social project? “I don’t know.”
“Relationships take effort, you know. Even when you’re in love.”
“Yes,” Kat whispered. Nick hadn’t professed to love her, but he’d given her some signs…
At least they could clear the air, whether that meant walking away or starting over.
A memorable line from Jane Austen came to mind—like Elizabeth Bennett, Kat couldn’t bear the thought of Nick being out in the world and thinking ill of her.
She moistened her lips. “Nana, would you mind if I…could I take your car this afternoon and go to Colorado Springs? I can be back in time for dinner.”
“Of course, you may.”
The drive back to Nana’s apartment was quiet—except for the butterflies fluttering inside Kat’s stomach. Those, she couldn’t seem to quell. She helped Nana inside with their packages.
“Have a good nap, Nana,” Kat’s said softly, jingling the car keys in her hand.
Nana drew Kat into a tight hug, and like a sponge, Kat soaked up the love and encouragement she felt in those arms.
“Be safe, sweetie. I hope it goes well.”
On the highway, Kat blasted the air conditioning and turned up the volume on her playlist. An hour and fifteen minutes later, she reached Nick’s shop in old Colorado City.
She found it easily and parked just down the street.
The co-op had a good location—situated between a women’s clothing store and a book shop.
Kat stepped inside the shop and immediately picked up a good vibe, the neat displays and well-placed lighting invited exploration. The scent of coffee mixed with wood and vanilla. Probably from handmade soaps and candles. Serving coffee was a nice touch. Told customers they were welcome to linger.
A woman talking with a couple looked her way and gave a cheery wave. “Welcome in,” she called. “Let me know if I can help you with anything.”
Kat smiled and moved farther into the shop, letting her eyes roam the shelves and walls.
A set of glass cases held several collections of jewelry.
Beautiful hand-woven scarves hung on a rack nearby, Kat ran her hand across some of them and noted the high quality.
Color and texture greeted her at every turn.
A whimsical ceramic vase with a shiny crackle finish practically begged to be a gift for Mia.
“Are you looking for anything in particular?” The woman working the shop appeared at Kat’s side.
“Actually, I was looking for Nick Summers. Will he be in today?”
“I’m sorry. You just missed him. Are you an artist?”
“I…um, yes.” Kat groaned inside. She came down here for nothing?
“Were you interested in a consignment application? I can get that for you.”
Kat’s thoughts turned. There was an idea.
Maybe she’d fill out an application and send it to Nick, show him she respected his store.
And she did. She had to admit, she was impressed with the work she’d seen so far—the talent showcased here.
Her larger pieces would probably take up too much valuable wall space, but she could visualize some of her smaller works here. “Yes, thank you. I’d like one.”
“Be right back.”
Kat continued her exploration and caught sight of a wall of “featured” artists.
A sign bearing Nick’s name and photo grabbed her attention immediately.
She stepped closer, and her heart somersaulted.
With one thigh perched on a table, his goggles pushed up, his smile shone brighter than the spotlights on the art.
Looking at the photo, she could practically feel the warmth of his smile, his presence.
She remembered his touch and— Her breath caught.
Nick had been to her apartment, to some of her favorite places in the city, to her exhibit at the museum, but this was the first time she’d been in his space. Nick’s touch was all over this place.
“Here you go.” The woman thrust a paper toward Kat. “You can fill this out and drop it by, or you can find the same thing online and fill it out that way. I’m Trena. Call if you have any questions.”
“Thank you, Trena.” Kat folded the paper and tucked it into her purse.
The chimes above the door sounded, and Trena moved away.
Kat turned back to Nick’s work. She ran a hand across a wooden bowl and remembered the pretty, delicate bowl he’d given her mother.
She wished she’d have confiscated it when she was home.
Maybe having a tiny piece of his work would’ve…
She let out a soft sigh. In her earlier state of mind, it probably would’ve served only as a sad reminder.
As Kat moved to the jewelry cases, she passed the cash wrap area. Another woman leaned against the counter chatting with Trena.
“Nick left early, but the checks are ready,” Trena told the younger woman.
Ah, must be one of the artists. Kat couldn’t help listening in. After all, they were discussing her reason for being there.
“Early on a Friday, huh? Is he headed for New York again?”
“No, he has to get to Denver for his big date.”
“Oh, right.” She gave a light chuckle. “I heard about that.”
Kat’s stomach churned. Nick had a date in Denver?
And was excited enough to tell the people he worked with?
As if she’d been doused with ice water, her entire body went cold.
She’d waited too long. He’d given up on her.
Stupid, stupid. A guy like Nick Summers had options—lots of them.
They hadn’t talked much about previous relationships, but you didn’t have to be an accountant to see he checked a lot of boxes in the asset column.
He was eye candy for sure, but there was his integrity, his warmth, his sense of humor.
All the things she missed. On numb legs, she turned toward the door.