Page 6 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
Missy roamed downthe narrow aisles of the localpaint your own potterystore that doubled as an art supply shop and tried to remember what she came in for.Not that she ever really needed a reason to stop into her favorite shop on Main Street and look at all the beautiful things.There was a huge selection of paints, and the owner Mr.Greer kept a small selection of higher-end specialty paints in glass jars that shimmered or had gold flecks in them.These paints added different textures she loved to include in her art and were helping them sell consistently.It was still weird to have so much extra money—for so long she had scraped by.She couldn’t help but wonder if she would have made a different choice last year, if she’d been flush with cash.But it never did her any good to go down that emotional road.
“Morning, Ms.Shaw, anything you need me to order for you?I’m about to place a big order so the shipping will be on the house,” Mr.Greer, the shop owner and local pottery artist, asked from behind his counter.
“Actually, maybe I better order another load of canvases.”
“Would you like the same sizes?”
“Yes please.”She pushed up on her tiptoes to look at a few acrylic paints in new shades on display and added several yellows and oranges to her basket.
“Alright, I’ll give you a call, but they should be in by Friday.”
“Thank you.”She brought her smaller purchases up to his counter.“You can add the cost to my bill today if you like.”
He tapped on his screen, and she handed over her card.It was a luxury to be able to buy any paints she wanted now.But she was still cautious—at any moment people could lose interest in her art and it could stop selling.Or maybe her life would take another unexpected turn.Last year at this time, she was in her third year of law school, trying to figure out how she was going to spend her days staring at contracts when her entire world imploded.Now she didn’t spend a day without paint staining her hands.
“We need a few more of your business cards too, if you have them.The tourists can’t resist grabbing them.”Mr.Greer pointed to his Missy Shaw original painting hanging up on display behind his desk.She’d painted a stormy afternoon down at the beach, with dark blue and gray clouds that looked like they were moving in over the thrashing waves of the ocean below, and the sea dunes were in shadows.But there was one figure out on the sand, shoulders hunched, walking against the wind.She’d painted it soon after she’d arrived back in Sandy Point.
“You really captured so much emotion in this painting.Folks love it.You must be getting loads of orders or digital downloads.”
“It’s one of the best sellers on my site.”
Mr.Greer slapped his leg and grinned.“I always did have a good eye.”
“Thank you for believing in my work.”
“Nothing to thank me for—a person would have to be blind not to see your talent.”
He’d wrapped up her things in a small tote and she left a stack of business cards on his desk.
“Thank you anyways.”
“You tell your brother I said hello, and you can tell Mrs.Hart I’ll be seeing her this weekend.”
She laughed.Mr.Greer had a crush on Mrs.Hart but she wouldn’t give him the time of day.“Yes, sir, have a good day,” she called out as she opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk.
But as the door closed, she collided with a huge bicep, and an elbow caught her in her stomach.Her breath whooshed out of her lungs, panic gripped her throat, and she dropped her bag.But the door didn’t swing inward, so she was trapped.
Sucking in her breath she finally managed to look up to find a pair of brooding dark blue eyes studying her, and a stern face.
His hands were on her biceps and she knew he could feel her trembling.
“Hey now, I won’t hurt you.I’m really sorry we keep meeting like this,” Levi said.Concern turned his grimace into a frown and creased his brow.
“Don’t, I’ve got it,” she said, holding her hands up in front of her.
Instantly he let go of her and she could feel his body take a step back.
“Missy, I’m sorry.”His tone was gentle.
She took a few deep breaths and squeezed her eyes shut before opening them and slowly letting down her hands.Luckily the street wasn’t that busy and Levi’s huge back blocked her from most of the people passing by.He leaned down and picked up her bag.
“Darn, looks like I broke something.Just tell me which ones and I’ll go in and replace them for you.”
“It’s fine, it was my fault for not paying attention.I should have better situational awareness.”
Levi’s eyes squinted again.“You run into trouble out in Sandy Point recently?”
She avoided his eyes.“No, I just mean I should pay more attention to big brutes on the sidewalk so I don’t get mowed over.”
