Page 57 of Two Hearts Reunited

“I think I might know the artist who painted yours.”

“Do you think it’s your sister, Anya?” Ashley asked after a moment of silence.

“I do.” She heaved a sigh. “And if I’m right, there could be something that the painting might tell us. How would you feel about bringing it with you tonight so that I can take a closer look?”

“You mean there’s a mystery involved? That sounds exciting. Of course, we’ll bring it. I’d love to have you look it over if you think it’s got something to say,” she replied.

“Thank you,” Anya said, feeling relieved. Now that she’d decided to move forward, she wanted to get this over with quickly.

“This is about something important, isn’t it, Anya?”

“It is, Ash,” she replied. “If I discover what I think I might, it could answer some of the most important questions of my life along with many others.”

* * *

Eric insisted on resting on the couch in the living room, so the rest of the time, Anya made him sit in the wheelchair that had shown up this morning, courtesy of the wounded warrior home.

“It doesn’t mean that you get to be lazy longer. They only sent it over to make it a little easier for me to help you get around,” she muttered.

“This will be nice. I’d rather sit up and eat in the kitchen with you in the morning. It normalizes things.” He sighed. “I feel so much better already. I have a feeling it’s because you keep shoveling food into my mouth.”

She grinned. “I don’t hear you complaining.”

“How can I, when you’re giving me everything I love to eat?” he muttered.

Anya laughed. “I see you caught on to me.”

Another hour later, Ashley, Brian and Arielle were sitting outside on the patio, along with Eric, who’d insisted on sitting in the wheelchair and getting fresh air. Currently, he was watching Arielle, who was running and falling onto the soft grass after apparently starting to walk back in February, right after Eric had left town.

Eric held out his arms, and Arielle climbed right onto his lap. She wasn’t too thrilled when he hugged her tightly, but he did it anyway.

Anya was looking at him with tears in her eyes, he realized when he rested Arielle back on the ground so that she could keep running around. It was definitely a sign that she was still worried about his injuries. Eric had to admit that besides a one time through and through when he was hit with a bullet three years earlier through the fleshy part of his thigh, this was the worst he’d ever been injured so far.

Anya had put the steaks on the grill, but Brian decided that he wanted to help and was there flipping them now.

“These look great, Anya. And they’re huge. Thank you,” Brian said.

“Of course. You guys have done so much for us,” she answered.

“You won’t give us a clue about why you want to take a closer look at that painting?” Brian asked.

Eric’s ears perked up. “What’s that? What painting?”

“That painting of their house from the auction that you surprised them with for Christmas,” Anya said. “I’m not sure that I told you, but I mentioned to Ashley that Shanna was a talented young artist. My grandmother always said so, but I assumed Shanna was bored when she quit visiting my grandmother.”

“I think these are done,” Brian said.

“Time to eat,” Ashley said, grinning as Brian started scooping the steaks from the grill.

“You’re not going to leave us hanging, are you?” Eric asked. “I want to know what’s going on. What’s up with the painting?”

“It can wait until after dinner,” Anya replied. “I need to take a little time to check it out first, to see if I’m right.”

When Eric groaned, everyone laughed.

Another forty minutes later, Arielle was dozing in the playpen that Anya had picked up earlier this summer. It was nice to have it handy when she babysat.

While everyone sat and ate dessert, Anya reached for the painting that she’d left on the dining table earlier.

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