CHAPTER 31

Amanda

“Are you sure? This is all you want for the gallery?” I asked.

“I’m sure,” the owner said.

“But this is, sir, I’m sorry, but you could easily get four times this. Why in the world are you selling it for so cheap?”

“Because I’m not in this to turn a profit. So many artists want to become famous. They want to drown themselves in the intoxication of fame and fortune. You’re going to need the money you have to turn this place into what you want it to be. And to fill these walls with your paintings. I looked you up online. Your artwork is breathtaking. It’s one of the reasons why I chose you to take over.”

I sat there, staring at the paperwork as my hands trembled. Even if I bought the gallery, I would still have enough money to put some finishing touches on the place, change the name, fill the store with basics, and buy enough supplies to keep me painting for months. I wouldn’t have to take out the whopper of a loan I’d applied for, and I would be able to afford the payments by selling my art, just as I’d always dreamed.

I sat there in shock as my eyes began to water with tears.

“You saw my artwork online?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. “You’re very talented. You paint for yourself. You paint with your emotions. You don’t ride trends or try to benefit off viral activity, whatever that means. You’re just you, and it shines through your work. I wouldn’t have wanted to give this place to someone who wanted nothing more than to turn a profit. Making money is important, yes. But it can’t be the bring you the happiness I see in your work.”

“I completely agree,” I said breathlessly.

“Now, if you want to finish signing the paperwork, we can get this done, and this place can be yours,” he said.

I quickly signed and initialed before writing him a check for the very meager price he was asking. My hands were shaking as tears of happiness slid down my cheeks. It was happening. I was getting my own art gallery. I could already see my paintings on the walls alongside other artists. I could see the children running around as they took my weekly art class. I could already see myself selling pieces and building a reputation and having weekend workshops and doing partnerships with other small businesses in my hometown.

It was all so surreal as I handed the check over to him.

“So, what do you plan to do first?”

“What?” I asked.

“With the gallery,” he said, chuckling. “What do you plan on doing first?”

“I’m going to repaint all the walls. I’ve found that a cream color benefits all paintings, and if I’m going to be hanging all sorts of different paintings with different emotional depths, I need a background color that compliments them all.”

“Spoken like a true artist. What else?” he asked.

“I’m going to turn that back room into a little store and get it stocked with a few things. I want to encourage the community to paint, even if it’s just for fun. Even if it’s just for their kids, or to relieve stress or to try something new. I want to have things on hand people can purchase if they come in and have a creative wave hits them.”

“I’m jealous. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that,” he said, grinning.

“And I want that back wall to be reserved for local artists who want to hang their art somewhere. You know, who want to get it out there or simply have it hanging for people to appreciate. Maybe I could do something with the local schools where we could showcase the kid’s artwork on Saturday nights or something. We could bring in finger foods and drinks, and it could be a donation night, and the proceeds could go to the school to bolster their own funding.”

“See, that passion right there is why I chose you.”

“I’ve wanted this ever since I drew my first picture when I was a preteen,” I said, smiling. “I’m ready for it. I actually feel ready for something like this.”

“You look ready,” he said. “And with that, the place is all yours.”

He dropped the keys into my hand and I started shaking. This was real. This was actually happening. I stood up and shook the man’s hand before he pulled me into a hug. Tears slipped out of my eyes and were soaked up by his shirt. He patted my back before he released me, then he made his way to the front door.

“I’m going to go get this filed, and I’ll make copies for myself. I’ll slide the originals underneath the door by the end of the day.”

“Sounds good,” I said.

“Good luck,” he said.

I watched him leave before I jumped and clapped my hands. My mind was swirling with all sorts of possibilities as I walked around the room. My heart was filled with happiness, and my soul felt like it was at peace. I closed my eyes and drew in the familiar scent of the mountain town around me, feeling more at home than I had since my grandmother first won custody of me all those years ago.

“I wish you were here,” I said, whispering. “I wish you were here to see this.”

She would’ve loved it. My grandmother would’ve thrown a party over this. She would’ve opened up a bottle of wine, poured herself a glass, and then teased me by getting me grape juice. We would’ve taken the first sip of the wine right in the middle of this floor as I talked her through my plans for the place.

I missed that woman more than I could stand.

But now, it was time to figure out what to do with that cabin. All the money I had saved up would go toward fixing up this place and changing its name. And the inheritance money wouldn’t be near enough to fix up the cabin. I opened my eyes and drew in one last breath, feeling my grandmother’s presence surrounding me.

I could hear her voice echoing off the corners of my mind.

One step at a time, booger. One step at a time.

She always told me I had a way of tripping over myself, of getting in my own way and overwhelming myself with things I had no control over. I could feel myself slipping into that overwhelming space she’d always talked about right now. She told me that identifying it and admitting it was the cure for overcoming.

And I could feel myself growing stronger by remembering her voice.

I made my way to my car after locking the gallery doors behind me. Now was a time for celebration. Brian and I had an important conversation to have tonight, but for now, I wanted to rejoice in my new life with them. I went back to the cabin and threw myself into Brian’s arms, his smile bright as I flashed him the keys.

“I have an art gallery,” I said in disbelief. “I can’t believe I have an art gallery.”

“What all has to happen with it?” he asked as we piled into his truck

“Not much. Painting the walls, getting the floor cleaned and waxed. Stocking the small store I’m going to have with supplies. Hanging artwork on the walls. The only big thing will be setting me up for monetary transactions and changing the name of the place.”

“What do you think you’ll change it to?” he asked.

“I’ve always loved the name ‘Scott’s Sketches,’” I said.

I watched Brian’s hands white-knuckle his steering wheel as I remembered that he had asked me if I still wanted to marry him.

“But that’s something I can always come up with later.”

“Well, the inside stuff’s easy to take care of. You can save some of your money, and I’ll do it for you.”

“Brian, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“All the stuff you rattled off is easy. I can get Tanya to watch Lanie, or you can watch her while I go do it. The walls and the floor? Done in four days, max. We can hang your artwork together once you figure out where you want it, and electrical work and wires are easy. You buy the equipment for your money-making, and I’ll get it installed.”

I was floored by his outpouring of support. My hand meandered over to his thigh and settled on the thickness of his muscles. I squeezed him lightly, and it drew his gaze toward me, and he grinned down at me before he turned his eyes back toward the road. Having his support meant more to me than he understood. Having him watch my back and offer to help took even more of a burden off my shoulders. I had been thinking of hiring people to do it or doing it myself. But I knew Brian would take great care and pride in his work.

It would save me money as well as heartache, and the fact that he was willing to do it left me speechless.

“Where does the new business owner want to eat?” he asked.

“Anywhere you wish,” I said.

“Oh, no. This is your moment. We had mine yesterday. We’re having yours today.”

“But if you remember correctly, I picked yesterday,” I said.

“You have a point,” he said flatly.

“So, with that said, lead the way, handsome.”

I watched his eyes sparkle as he whipped a U-turn in the middle of the road. Lanie squealed with delight, and I gripped onto his thigh, bracing myself against the door as we started going in the other direction. Apparently, Brian knew exactly where he wanted to take us to celebrate.