Page 62 of Forgiving Paris
“Actually. Yes.” He took a few steps back. “So… if you’re sure you’re okay… I have a certain painting to secure.” He nodded to the growing crowd outside. “Before those people buy my favorite one.”
“Go… you crack me up, Landon.” She was still laughing, still loving everything about how he made her feel. She watched him join Edward across the gallery where her row of paintings began.
At the same time, Emilie approached her. “You ready?” The woman looked as relieved as Ashley and Landon. This was supposed to be a happy night and now it would be.
“I am.” Ashley took the woman’s hands and smiled at her. “Thank you, Emilie. For believing in me. For asking me to do a show here.”
“It wasn’t just me. Look at that line.” Emilie turned toward the gallery window. “There are a lot more than me who believe in you.” She hesitated, then she held out a sealed envelope. On the front it said simply:From Mia.
“What’s this?” Was there no end to the surprises tonight?
Emilie gave a slight shrug. “A woman came by the gallery a few days ago. She said she wouldn’t be here for your show. But she wanted you to have this.” Emilie handed the envelope to Ashley. “Maybe read it later.”
“I will.”Strange,Ashley thought. “Can you please hold it for me?”
Emilie agreed and then she hesitated. “Ashley… the very best artists create from a broken place.” She studied Ashley for a quick moment. “I don’t know your whole story, but whatever yours is, I know this much.” She smiled. “That place is beautiful now.”
“Yes.” Ashley blinked back happy tears. “It is, Emilie. By the grace of God it is.”
Emilie checked the time. “One minute.” She hurried to the desk and put the letter in a drawer. Then she raised both hands. Almost like a conductor ready to lead the greatest symphony. “Edward,” she called out, “would you please open the doors?”
“Yes, my dear.” And with that Edward Love opened the gallery and a stream of people poured inside.
The first to enter were Jessie and Gabriel, Alice and her mother, Marie. They came to Ashley and gushed about her pretty dress and the art that surrounded them all. “You are a very beautiful artist, Ashley.” Marie patted her cheek. “And your work is stunning, also.”
Alice looked so happy for Ashley. She clapped her hands. “Paul wanted to come, but he had to work late. He’ll meet up with us later.” She hesitated. “You’re really here, my friend. Look at you!”
Ashley hugged her. “God is so good. That’s all I can say.”
“Yes, He is.” Tears glistened in Alice’s eyes. “Go on… we don’t want to keep you.”
They shared a long look, one that spoke of their broken yesterdays and their beautifully redeemed todays. Finally, Ashley nodded. “We will talk more later.”
One after another, people came up to Ashley, congratulating her on the collection and asking her about various pieces. For the most part, Landon was at her side. But sometimes he helped answer questions. Already Ashley could see that one had a red dot beside it, which meant the piece had been sold.Landon.She smiled. She knew why he had purchased it.
Ashley was grateful. She shouldn’t have brought it.
As the first half hour of the show played out, all the fear and shame of the past was finally and fully gone. Ashley did wonder about the letter from Mia. Whoever she was. Whatever the woman wanted to tell Ashley, she had a feeling it was important. And when her show was over and tomorrow had come, Ashley knew exactly where she was going to read it.
But that could wait.
For now she wanted to soak in every moment, welcoming her guests and watching one after another of her paintings find new homes.
Here, of all places, in Paris, France.
22
The roller coaster of emotions that night still had Landon on edge, even if he was back to laughing with Ashley. This was her night, and she was whole and healed and safe. She had come so far in her days here. But it was still hard to believe someone had been following them, intent on killing her.
Landon wished he could’ve had a shot at Jean-Claude. And this Albert guy.
But that was behind them. No one was going to think about hurting Ashley now. Not ever again.
Once the patrons joined them in the gallery, he put the crazy scene with the officer out of his mind. Ashley was safe… God had protected her. Landon held on to that truth. This was Ashley’s shining moment, and he was only thankful to have a front-row seat.
He talked with the guests, but mostly he watched his wife. Beautiful and elegant, talented and poised, mingling with one patron after another. Then there was her artwork. Her paintings truly were more beautiful than anything they’d seen at the Louvre yesterday. At least through his eyes.
Landon visited with Alice and Marie and Jessie and Gabriel while the show continued. Gabe had admitted yesterday that he was in love with Jessie. Yes, it was soon and yes, they lived in different countries. But he loved her.
