Page 27 of Take Me Please, Cowboy
“I imagine the big canvases are expensive?”
“Yes, which is why I’d like to learn how to make them myself, but that’s a down-the-road project.Right now, I buy them in Bozeman at an art supply store.”
She watched as Rye continued to wander around her loft, examining everything, and spending considerable time looking at the painting on her easel, the one she’d worked on this morning of the Yellowstone River against the Absaroka Mountains.
“I like this,” he said, studying the painting closely, and then stepping back.“It’s wonderful.You can paint.”
Ansley blushed, touched by the praise.“I’m starting to get the hang of it.”
He glanced at her.“How long have you been doing this?”
“I took a couple art classes in high school, and then some at the local college in the evenings, but after a year, I realized school wasn’t going to help anymore.I just had to keep painting, and studying different techniques, and so I’ve kept at it.”
“Your parents must be proud.”
Ansley didn’t know how to answer.There wasn’t an easy answer.“Dad’s not a fan.Mom wants to be supportive.But they both think this is just a phase.”
“Until what?”
“I get married.Have kids.”
“Which you don’t want to do.”
“Not anytime soon, and even if I do marry one day, I’m not going to stop painting.This is who I am and what I love.It’s also how I pay my bills.”
He seemed surprised.“You can support yourself with your paintings?”
“I do support myself, and every month I earn a little more.”She gave him a challenging look.“How do you think I supported myself?I’m not a trust-fund baby.My parents don’t give me money.I am on my parents’ health insurance plan, but that’s only for one more year.When I turn twenty-six, that’s on me.”
“And you’ll be able to cover it?”
“Yes, and it might not be a lot, but I’m making money, and with me living here, I’ve been saving most of what I earn.Now when I have my own place, I’ll have to pay for rent and utilities, but I can swing it, especially living in Marietta.The cost of living is better here than in Last Stand.”
“I wouldn’t have thought that.”
“Last Stand is in the Texas Hill country, and it’s pricey.Lots of the little houses have been fixed up and turned into VRBOs.”
“And Paradise Valley is affordable?”
“I’m not looking to buy a ranch.I’d just rent a little house or apartment in town.I’ve been checking the ads and I’ll be able to swing it if I keep working.”She hesitated.“I know I’ve only been here a couple months, but I really like Marietta.”
“What makes it special?”
“Besides the fact that I met you here?”she teased, smiling at him.“Well, it’s the perfect town, with a historical downtown and beautiful brick buildings and community spaces like the parks and the river walk.And then there are so many trees, I love trees and we don’t have anything like this in Texas.”
“Sounds like you’ve fallen under Montana’s spell.”
“I have, and not just Montana, but Marietta specifically.It has everything I need.Access to an airport, a charming main street, a thriving economy, with a steady influx of money from tourists.I can see myself opening my own gallery here one day.”
“Is that your plan?”
“Eventually.”
“You might want to get through a winter first.You’ve only been here during the best months.”
“I’ve heard, but it just makes me more excited to paint the valley during all the seasons.I’ve never painted snow before, and it’s going to be a challenge.The fall colors will be fun, but a frosty Paradise Valley?That’s going to be cool.”
“You mean cold.”He went to her, and pulled her against him, his lips grazing her cheek, the corner of her mouth and then low on her neck.“The snow and wind can be tough but seems like you’re up for the challenge.”
