Page 31 of Sheltering Lawson
“It’s a pleasure. Come on in and let’s get busy.”
The next few hours were full of movement as she got Ethan to hang some breathtaking paintings. I set up the tables, got prepared for the caterers and insisted she give me their number. I would take the food and beverage situation off her hands.
I had everything situated and worked out with them in a half an hour. I went looking for River Pearl to see if there was something else I could help with. Ethan was handling hanging the last few paintings, while River tilted her head this way and that way, studying the wall space and each painting Ethan held up. Until she finally made up her mind and gave him her final instructions.
He nodded and got to work as I came up to her.
“The food and beverages are all set. Is there something else I could do? It’s almost lunch time. Why don’t I get us some food? There’s a deli across the street that looks great.”
River smiled warmly. “Brax speaks so highly of you and now I can see why. If you ask me, you’re all saints to put up with him.”
He talked about me to his wife? I got this wonderful glow inside at the obvious affection and praise in her voice. “He’s such a pain,” I said affectionately.
She turned to look at me her eyes dancing. “That he is, but we all love him.”
“That we do,” I said, genuinely meaning it. “He’s been so good to me.”
“That’s Brax, a heart of gold.” She nudged me. “How about Ethan? He’s got a heart of gold, too. And he practically built the inside of this gallery for me. Wouldn’t take a red cent for all his work and dedication. Said it was a labor of love for people he loved. I swear he is one of the nicest guys ever and if his sister wasn’t my amazing best friend, and I wasn’t head over heels in love with Brax, I’d have been very interested.” She gave me another glance. “He seems to like looking at you.”
I shifted and caught Ethan staring, then he focused on his work again. My cheeks flushed, I said, “We’re…good friends.”
“Friends, huh? I’d say Ethan wants to be more.”
I changed the subject back to lunch, and River insisted on buying. She gave me the money and I ran across the street and ordered us sandwiches. But I kept grinning for no apparent reason.
When I got back, we chowed down, all of us famished and satisfied that the gallery was in good shape for her showing. Ethan went off to do some last-minute adjustments while River brought me up to her glassed-in office and we started to talk about her books.
“With the kids and making time for my gorgeous husband, I’ve been neglectful. Brax and I have talked about hiring a professional, but we’ve been reluctant to involve someone from the outside. Sure, we have someone who does our taxes, but other than that we handle everything for two thriving businesses. Anything you can do to help would be so appreciated. Brax tells me you are a whiz and your inventory program has saved him a boatload of time.”
Her desk was covered with photos of three babies in different stages of development. They were so freaking adorable with the dark hair and deep blue eyes, a carbon of their very handsome daddy. She also had pictures of her and Brax on the walls and desk as well. They looked so in love, I felt a deep longing twist inside me. “I’m happy to help. I love all this stuff, and I confess to reading the tax code every year to see what’s different. It’s like putting a puzzle together after the pieces have changed. I love it. I know that’s a bit sick, but there you have it.”
“That is a little bit sick,” she said with a soft chuckle, “But we’re oh-so-glad you love it because we…ah…hate it.”
We both laughed at the same time and I was finding that I wanted to be friends with this woman. I wondered if Aubree Outlaw was as sweet, generous and kind as River and Verity. They were her best friends as she’d mentioned a couple of times. How fun it must be to belong to such a tight-knit group.
When I brought up all her accounting, I smiled with glee. She was just as unorganized as Brax. I rolled my shoulders and got to work. Spreadsheet city. Oh joy. I giggled to myself. I was completely sick.
After about three hours of working hard, I got her books in better order. She came up with a delicious latte and two chocolate chip cookies. I scarfed them down and the sugar gave me a boost for the rest of the afternoon. River and Ethan were in constant motion. When I looked up again, I realized it was time for the caterers. I left the computer and headed downstairs.
River’s phone rang, and I answered. Sure enough, it was them and they were at the back door.
I called out, “River, the caterers are here. Where’s the back door?”
“This way she called, and I followed the sound of her voice toward the back of the gallery. She opened a door and I said, “I’ve got it. You can get back to what you were doing.”
“Bless you.”
I went through a storage area with many canvasses on racks, looking at what must be Ethan’s handiwork. He was as good at organizing spaces as I was numbers. We would make a great team. I stopped in my tracks, my stomach jumping at the thought. I closed my eyes and pressed my hand to my midriff. Ethan. Staying here with Ethan…oh God, that sounded way too good to be true.
The knock on the back door brought me out of my thoughts, and I opened the door, the whirlwind of getting the caterers set up and their wait staff briefed took what was left of the afternoon. As we headed toward the showing, I suspected that River wanted us out of her hair.
She was at the reception desk on the computer when I walked up. “Everything is all set. I think you’re going to be okay for tonight.”
She rose, came around the desk and hugged me hard. “I’m so thankful that you both were here today. How about you stay and attend. Enjoy the food and look at the art.”
I looked down at myself. “I couldn’t possibly attend such a grand function dressed like this.”
She scrunched up her face. “You’re right. We do have an exacting clientele. I’ve got a closet upstairs in a room off the office. It’s filled with dresses of all sizes for emergency purposes. I think you’re about the size and height of Verity so keep to the far right of the rack and you should be fine. There are also some heels there as well. Won’t you stay?”
