Page 41 of Love Deep
I pull out the envelope that came with the flowers from my pocket and take out the card.
My heart soars in my chest at the message.
I’m still thinking of you.
You’re wonderful.
—Fisher
It’s been a while since a man thought I was wonderful. In fact, I’m not sure any man has ever thought I was wonderful. And it’s the only time I’ve ever been sent flowers.
I tap the card against my chest. If Riley spends any time with Fisher, there’s a danger her expectations will skyrocket. And I don’t have much time when I’m not with her. Fisher might think I’m wonderful, and I think he’s pretty wonderful, too. It’s just, I’m not sure how much of him I’m going to be able to see before he goes back to New York and is gone forever.
FIFTEEN
Fisher
I’m in the next lodge over from Byron and Rosey, but of course, I can’t tell if they’re in there or not. I know for a fact that Byron has an office over at the main building, but he always works from his lodge. As does Rosey. So, I’m taking my chances and popping by for a cup of sugar. And their input on an idea I have.
I knock on the door and wait, glance back at the incredible views behind us. The mountains on the other side of the valley aren’t as tall as the one we’re on, but they’re still imposing. This place is like a different planet to New York. I’m not sure how it’s possible we all speak the same language.
Byron throws the door open and stares at me like he’s been waiting for me. “Come in,” he says.
I follow him to the back of their place. Their lodge is three times the size of mine. I have no idea why they’re building a place outside of the Club when this place is an almost-palace.
I head to the fridge to grab a can of seltzer for me and one for Byron. “Where’s Rosey?”
“Down at the new house,” Byron says. “Keeping the contractors on their toes.”
“Good for her. I still don’t understand why you don’t want to stay here. It’s beautiful, and you have gourmet food yards away and?—”
“But whenever I step out of my door, everyone knows I’m the boss. I don’t want to be the boss all the time.”
I hand him a seltzer and collapse onto the sofa.
Byron sits opposite me. “I have a call in twenty minutes, so what’s up?” he asks.
I chuckle and take a swig of my drink. “I had a call with Grace Astor.”
“Sam Shaw’s wife?”
“Yeah, you know, she’s got galleries throughout the US. But she also has an advisory service.”
“Advisory?” he asks. “Advising on what? Art?”
“Exactly. She doesn’t make a big thing about it. It’s something she does herself for a few exclusive clients who want her help finding art for a new home or a refurb, that kind of thing. The clients that she works with are the kinds of people who are members of the Club.”
“Okay,” Byron says, trying to figure out what I’m going to say next. Or more likely, he knows exactly what I’m going to say, but he’s wondering why I’m here in the middle of the day to talk to him about it.
“I thought it might be a service you want to offer your guests or members or whatever you call them while they’re here.”
“You want me to hand out a flyer or what?”
I chuckle. “Yeah. Or maybe wear a sandwich board and stand in the gym. But seriously, you could invite her tocome to the Club and inform members they have an opportunity to have an initial meeting with her, while they’re in the relaxed environment of the Club. Some of them might decide they want to work with her. Grace is a big name in the art world.”
Byron’s silent for a beat. “Won’t they have people for stuff like this? My designer takes care of art at my place and here.” He nods toward a painting that I can tell Juniper painted. Realization dawns on his face. “Oh, you want her out here so she can meet Juniper, and Juniper can’t go to New York because of Riley.”
“Partly,” I say. “Juniper is why I called Grace, and we got to talking, and she told me of this consultancy service she offers. And she likes Juniper’s work. She loves connecting with new artists. Even if she can’t give Juniper a show at one of her galleries, she might be a fit for one of her clients she consults for. But Juniper and Grace need to meet. I’m sure if they do, Grace will be impressed with Juniper’s work. But for some reason, Juniper won’t call Grace. Or can’t call her. I can see she wants it. But she won’t… I don’t know if she’s scared or if she doesn’t think she’s good enough.”
