Page 139 of Love Among Vines

“And you’re going to drive there?”

“Of course.” She shot him a derisive look, then sat up straight, hands at exactly ten and two.

“And what will you do if we encounter a deer?”

“Brake, then befriend it and teach it to help with laundry.”

“Very funny.”

“Thank you for coming with me.”

The truck rumbled outside Burdett Bed and Breakfast. Sunshine streamed through the window, illuminating doggie nose smudges. Hopefully she hadn’t gotten too much dog hair on her.

Rett leaned over, one hand on the wheel. “You’re going to kill it. You already met him. Just remember: smile, firm handshake, create a little sense of urgency. Say you’re talking to other B&Bs. Which is true. You’re going to love Avery over at Glouchester Castle.”

She took a deep breath and hugged the repurposed pizza box holder to her chest. Inside were six canvases she was about to show to Vince, the B&B owner she had met at paint and sip. Inside were the dreamy fall landscapes the gallery had rejected. If anyone was going to buy them, it was someone who lived here and loved the area the way she did.

The truck door creaked as she hopped out and hustled into the building before she could convince herself not to. She had been through much worse. She could convince one measly business owner to buy her paintings.

After a couple of tense minutes in the lounge, Vince wandered out.

“It’s so good to see you again.” She shook his hand firmly and offered a smile.

He ushered her into his office and closed the door. “I gotta tell ya, my wife loves the painting I brought home. She wants to come along next time. She wanted to know if you ever accept nude models.”

Jade blinked, then recovered. “I don’t know if I could get the venue to agree, but I would be happy to paint your wife outside of a classroom. The human form is a beautiful gift.”

“Right you are. And my wife is the most beautiful of them all.”

“I bet. Speaking of which—” She opened the Velcro on the pizza box. “I just finished up this series and I couldn’t stop thinking about how gorgeous they would look on your walls. In the lounge, maybe?” She nodded her head in the direction of the cozy room with the crackling fireplace.

Vince reached out a hand, and she carefully handed over one of the canvases.

“Wow,” he said. “This is great. This is the view from Rhodes?”

Jade nodded. “There are a couple other ones too.” She pulled more canvases out. “The memorial chapel, downtown Hammondsport.”

“They’re beautiful.” Vince handed the stack back to her. “I’m just not sure we’re in the market for new décor right now.”

Jade’s heart plummeted. It had been a long shot anyway. She stood and filed the canvases back in the pizza box. No harm in trying urgency as a last-ditch effort.

“No problem,” she said breezily. “I have an appointment with Avery at Glouchester Castle anyway. I guess they have a brand-new game room?”

Vince frowned.

“Anyway, she was looking for some art for it, but I thought I’d check with you first since we have a pre-existing relationship. I hope to see you—and your lovely wife—at the next paint and sip. Have a great rest of your morning.”

She reached over and shook his hand again. He looked contemplative.

She turned around and put a hand on the door.

“Wait. Let me see the vineyard one again.”

Jade smiled, then composed herself before turning back around.

“Sure.”

When she emerged from the inn thirty minutes later, four of the six canvases were gone.

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