Page 74 of A Cowboy's Bride
“This is astonishing.” Chance turned to Aiden. “Room for how many to stay on-site?”
“Five individuals, with a possible eight if there are three couples willing to share a bed. We didn’t think more than that worked for the kind of atmosphere we’re trying to establish.”
“Oh, no. That’s exactly right.” Chance stepped away, ending up next to Fern, the two of them speaking quietly at a rapid pace.
Rose slipped her arm into Petra’s. “Now that I see what’s been keeping you so busy, I highly approve,” she said.
“Oh, I wasn’t involved too much with this,” Petra insisted.
Rose met Aiden’s gaze directly. “I wasn’t talking about the artists’ studio.”
A soft snicker escaped Tansy. “That’s my girl. Come on, I want to peek in all the rooms.”
“Of course you do,” Rose said, long-suffering in her tone as she winked at Petra. “I’ve been meaning to extend an invitation to you and Aiden to come for dinner. Tuesday this coming week?”
“I think it works, but I’ll get back to you,” Petra promised.
The girls stepped away, and Petra eased back beside Aiden, her shoulder bumping his. “So far so good.”
“Exactly the reaction I was hoping for,” Aiden admitted. Chance and Fern paced the length of the studio, still talking earnestly, but if their expressions were anything to go by, they would have the man’s help in establishing the artists’ part of High Water.
“I like the touch of the music,” Petra whispered softly. “Well done.”
Aiden frowned. “It wasn’t me. I thought you did that.”
They both twisted on the spot, looking for answers. Petra pointed to the one room with the door firmly shut. They casually paced over, cracking the door open.
Inside, Sasha hurriedly pressed a finger to her lips, calling for silence.
Next to her, staring intently at her sheet music, Jinx played the flute. It wasn’t a simple tune, and it was well enough done that Aiden wanted to shout encouragement. Instead, he let his grin offer his approval.
When she reached the end of the song, carefully lowering the flute from her lips, Aiden broke into full applause, and Petra joined him.
Jinx dipped her chin regally before the biggest smile he’d ever seen burst free. “Was it okay? Sasha set up this app so we could play the music without being around, and she said I sounded good, but I wasn’t sure?—”
“You killed it,” Sasha assured her, wrapping her arms around Jinx’s shoulders and squeezing tight.
“You did,” Petra agreed. “And I want to hear more, but first, would you like to come and meet Chance and Fern?”
“They’re nice,” Sasha assured Jinx quietly. “Mr. Gabrielle has done some guest lessons at the school, and he is not boring like our regular art teacher.”
A soft chuckle sounded from behind Aiden’s back. “I endeavour to always earn such high praise.” Chance stood in the doorway, his arm wrapped around Rose’s waist. “And here we have the source of the lovely music. Thank you so much for the serenade. It was well done and well selected. If I remember correctly that piece was from the unfinished symphony. And while the studio is nearly done, it still needs a few things to be finished.”
“You recognize the music?” Jinx rose and transferred the flute to her left hand so she could extend her right. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Gabrielle.”
“Nice to meet you too,” he said. “This is Fern Fields, younger sister to Tansy and Rose, whom you already know.”
Fern wiggled her fingers. “Are you an artist as well as a musician?”
“She’ll say no,” Sasha answered before Jinx could, “but Kelli says you can’t say that until you’ve given it a good try.”
Jinx’s lips twitched. “Obviously after she’s said that, I can’t possibly say no.”
“Wise choice,” Fern agreed. She glanced around the studio again. “I like the place.”
“Me too.” Chance dipped his chin at Aiden. “I have a small workspace at the top of my art gallery, but it’s not sufficient for the classes I’d like to offer. I’d like to sit down and come up with some plans that will work well for all of us.”
“That’s good to hear.” Aiden’s brothers were going to be so relieved. Forward motion in this area meant they were one step closer to opening their doors fully, secret or not. “Now all we need to do is officially break in the studio.”
