Page 30 of Moonstruck Kiss

I shake my head to clear it. “I still have Emory and Maggie helping out,” I remind my parents. “Between the three of us, we can get everything done.”

“But you might need a man with muscles to help you lift really heavy stuff,” Josie quips.

I frown at my sister. Why is she on this, too?

“I’m happy to help,” Brax says. “Are we talking about the big barn on Cutie’s parents’ property where the dance was held last year?”

Mum nods.“That’s the one. It’s Moonstruck Cove’s turn to host Art Fun Day this year, which will be on Sunday.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Ollie raises a hand to interrupt. “ArtFunDay?”

Brax chuckles.“Trust you to hear that bit. What is Art Fun Day?” he asks no one in particular.

I answer. “It’s when the public can watch artists from all over the region paint for the whole day and also buy some finished works. It’s also a lead-up to an art competition, but not everyone who participates is there for that. Some are just hobbyists who turn up for the fun of painting alongside serious artists.”

“It’s open to everyone, then?”

“Yes. Apart from a small entry fee, there are no other entry requirements.”

“Joey will be there painting, but she’s also one of the competition judges,” Josie supplies. “And one of the prizes is a scholarship to her art class for a whole year.”

“Oh, wow!” Brax says. “How many judges are there?”

“There’s five of us, all from different towns,” I answer. “We’ll pick the top twelve works, and those twelve artists will then compete with each other to determine the top three, who’ll get prizes and some cash.”

“I wanna join, Dad!” Ollie bounces on his feet as he looks at his father pleadingly.

“I think you’re too young for a competition.”

Ollie’s face crumples. “But I’m good!”

I catch the helpless glance Brax throws at me.

“He can join just for fun,”I say with a smile. “That’s okay, right, Ollie? You don’t mind if the judges don’t include you in the overall competition? Because that part is for older artists only. But you can still show them your work.”

Ollie nods slowly. “But I can’t win?”

“Well... actually, you’re already a winner in the under-ten category because you’ll be the only artist under the age of ten.”

“I’m already a winner?”

“Yes, but only if you finish a painting on Art Fun Day. Then you’ll get your prize, which is a set of watercolours for you to take back to New York.”

“Did you hear that, Dad?” Ollie asks breathlessly. “I’ll finish a painting. I’m fast.”

Brax grins. “Yeah. Congrats, bud!”

Ollie does his cute, joyful dancing.

Oh, this child keeps making my heart melt. And while he’s too young for competition pressure, I know he’s going to blow everyone away with his artistic talents.

Mum claps once. “Great! I can’t wait to watch you on Art Fun Day, Ollie. But now we have to go back to work.”

My family disappears behind the door, leaving me alone with Brax when Ollie takes the opportunity to once again roam the shop.

I’m suddenly shy. “Thanks for volunteering to help tomorrow,” I say.

Brax gives me a mega-watt smile that does something to my nether regions. “It’s the least I can do. And I’m looking forward to it.”

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