by Jenny Rabe
“Check this out.” He gently moved the wireless mouse away and used it to point on the Art For Sale tab. Cambria stared at her beautiful work, painting after painting. Each one had turned out just right with the amount of light he had.
“Wow, you’re a really good photographer.”
Brian shrugged away the compliment. “It’s part of the job. Part of being a big web designer is creating your own backdrops and logos. I’m not great at it, but I’m much better than I was when I first started.”
Cambria nodded. “You have real talent.”
Her words lingered in the air, filling him with desire. It would be fun to pick up a hobby, other than baseball. Something meaningful.
He pointed at the screen, trying to focus again. “I haven’t filled in the description or price for each one. You also need to link your bank account information to the website so this money has somewhere to go and write your biography on this tab. Can you start on that, and I’ll be right back? I’ve got some things to pick up at the post office.”
Cambria snapped her head up. “Yeah, sure.”
Brian was already walking to the door. “I’ll be back in about an hour.”
He had only slightly lied. He did have packages, but they were already in his car. He’d waited for the shipment to come before leaving for Cambria’s. No, what he needed to do now was see Rob.
He climbed in his truck and headed back toward his house. Rob was the other brilliant part of his plan to help Cambria. If he couldn’t date her, he would make sure she had enough money so she could stay in town. He had plenty to share and before this week, he had no purpose for it.
When he pulled up to Rob’s, a few houses down from his, he was out on the lawn talking to one of his groundskeepers. They’d never talked money before, but Brian was sure Rob was doing pretty well. All he knew was that Rob had inherited family money and was a big-time lawyer in Killeen.
“Hey, man,” he called out to Rob.
He nodded and walked away from the groundskeeper, toward him. “You’re here about the girl, aren’t you?”
Brian shrugged. “Yesterday, during the game and a few days ago, I got some threatening texts from an unknown number. They said they knew about Cambria, and mentioned they would love to do an article on her.”
Rob motioned for him to follow him inside, and then grabbed cold sodas for the both of them. The kitchen was a bit bigger than Brian’s but not by much. He slid a drink over to him and asked, “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” Brian popped the soda can open and took a long drink. “I don’t want to make things worse for her, but it’s like I can’t stay away from her. I’m going to keep helping her because that feels right, but I can’t date her with someone watching me. The media made my life a nightmare, and the sad thing is, it’s not illegal to follow people around and do stories on them. Freedom of speech and all that.”
Rob came over and sat down on a bar stool next to him. “So, I’m guessing you need me to do something since you’re here.”
Brian chuckled and slapped his friend on the back. “Kind of. I’m going to buy Cambria’s paintings. All of them. She’s in a bad place right now, and I want her to be able to support herself. Your house is one of the addresses they’ll get sent to, unless I can catch the packages before they’re sent to the post office. I know a couple of people in town, and if we all take turns sharing addresses, she won’t be suspicious. I don’t know what to do with the paintings, but I’ll figure that out after she’s earned enough money and can stay in town.”
Rob smirked at him. “She’s gonna find out, man. I have a bad feeling about this.”
Brian stood up and paced the room. He hadn’t really thought his plan through, but he knew he had to do something. “Nah, it’ll be fine.”
“What about the text messages? You’re really not going to date her because someone’s after you?”
“Well, yeah. I don’t want to get her involved until I know what’s going on. People are crazy.”
Rob shook his head. “Why don’t you let her decide what she can handle? She seems tough. I mean she likes you, right?”
Brian smirked and ran a hand through his hair. “Funny. I don’t even know if she’s interested in being more than just friends.”
Rob shook his head. “Dude, she’s definitely interested.”
Brian brushed off the comment. If he knew for sure how she felt, it would make not being able to date her that much harder. “Anyway when I start buying the paintings, just collect them in your garage, and I’ll pick them up. That’s if I can’t get to them first.”
“No problemo.”
Brian shrugged. “What about the girl from the bar? Have you asked her out yet?”
Rob sighed and threw his can in the trash. “We talk on the phone a lot, but I still haven’t made any plans. Maybe we can double sometime, and it will take the pressure off.”
“Can’t date Cambria, remember?”
“You’re really going to let someone scare you into not being with the girl you like?”
Brian raised his eyebrows. “Well, when you put it that way . . .”
“We could always be bachelors together for the rest of our lives.” Rob reached over to high-five him.
“Brothers united.” Brian chuckled with him, but on his way out, a sickening feeling grew in the pit of his stomach. He didn’t want to be alone forever. Would someone always be after him, destroying whatever relationships he could have?
Chapter Seventeen
Cambria
After Brian left, Cambria brought the laptop to the front room and flopped onto the couch. Turning her back to the window, she set to work.
She wrote a quick, quirky bio about herself. Then she linked her bank account to the website and began on the final, more daunting task of naming, describing and pricing each painting. She priced each piece a little high, just to make sure the buyer knew the quality and experience Cambria had.
She was working on the last painting when Brian pulled up. Cambria hurried to finish, wanting to show him all she’d accomplished. By the time he rang the doorbell, she was already off the couch and opened the door in a grand gesture.
“I just finished,” she said, happily.
He stood by the door, his arms crossed. “Why don’t you take a little break? Maybe get some fresh air?”
Was he asking her to walk with him or sending her off alone? “I guess I could use a walk. Be right back.” She went upstairs to find some shoes, and when she came down, Brian stood in the entryway with a few boxes that were spilling into the hallway. His hands were full as he pushed past her.
“Wh-what’s all this?”
She looked at the package names as he came in and out of the house to bring even more packages in. “Artsy? These are from Artsy? I only ordered yesterday, and I’m pretty sure I ordered the cheapest shipping option. My things shouldn’t be here for at least three weeks. And this is way too much. I could never afford—”
Her words dropped off. She didn’t want him to know how really destitute she was. Brian didn’t say anything, so she finally stopped him. “Wait, what’s going on? These aren’t mine.”
Brian nodded. “Yes, they are.” He tried to grab another package, but Cambria stopped him again. He sighed. “Look, I want you to be able to pay your rent. When all of these paintings sell, and they will, you’re going to need more canvases and paint. I’m investing in you since my handprint is on your website. Your success is my success.”
Like a knife to the chest, Cambria once again felt like a business transaction Brian was making. Had this been because he was only interested in her business? “Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
Brian grabbed another box and moved around her before she could stop him. “It’s too bad. These products are non-refundable.”
Cambria huffed. This man was stubborn! She looked around at all the boxes. Now that he’d moved them all inside, he started opening them, one by one. Paints, brush
es, and the tall boxes were even full of the really fine quality canvasses she could never buy anymore. Possibly thousands of dollars. Her voice shook as she tried to find the words. “Well, I’ll pay you back when I—”
Brian shook his head. “No. you won’t.”
Frustration and a little anger washed over her like a paint roller. “Brian, that’s not fair. I hardly know you, and you’re buying me things that I’d never be able to afford. We barely even know each other.”
Hurt crossed his expression, and Cambria bit her lip. “If it really matters, I’ll take a very small percentage out of the website sales.”
Cambria nodded, satisfied for now. “Please do. I’m sure you have your own struggles, just like I do.”
“If only it were money troubles that were stopping me now.”
Cambria’s face scrunched in confusion. “Huh?”
“Nevermind.” He mumbled something else she couldn’t hear, then went back to opening the last of the boxes.
The two of them moved the supplies into her painting room, setting the paints against the wall, the brushes in the shoe holder on the door, and the canvasses against the far wall, away from the sun. Cambria breathed a sigh of relief to see her room so full. She had enough to work for months, maybe the rest of the year.
Brian stood at the door, his arms crossed. A small smile played on his lips, giving her hope that not everything was lost.
She returned his smile. “You’re amazing. Buying these art supplies, setting up my website the other day. I don’t even know how to say thank you enough. You’re a rockstar.”
He looked down at his shoes. “Speaking of your website, we should get that going. The boxes the new canvasses came in could be used to ship your finished paintings. Just cover up the box label and that should work just fine. Waste not, want not.”
Cambria gestured to the front room where she’d left the computer. “I wrote a bio, added my bank information, and named, described, and priced each painting.”
She showed him the little tab she had made for bought, archived paintings. “I wanted a way to remember each painting, so that way they’re still a part of me. I don’t know what I’m going to do when they start selling.”
Brian’s mouth twitched. “Well, I bet they will soon. I’ll spread the word about your art business, and soon these paintings will sell like funnel cakes at the fair.”
Cambria felt a pang of sadness. “If only they weren’t going to separate homes.”
Brian patted her leg, sending a jolt of electricity through her. “It’ll be okay. Should we launch this baby?”
Cambria nodded. “Yes. Let’s do it.”
Brian pressed a few buttons, and without any bells or whistles, fanfares or congrats, the site was ready. What a lull in all that excitement, to stare at an empty screen.
Cambria stared hard at the screen, but nothing happened.
“Well, it’s not going to happen right away. Maybe go on that walk first?”
Cambria’s stomach growled and she covered it quickly, hoping he hadn’t heard.
A small smile tickled the corners of his mouth. “Or get some lunch instead?” he asked. “I know a really good sub sandwich shop downtown.” His phone buzzed and he looked down at it, his expression darkening. “We can get it to go and walk down Main Street.”
Cambria nodded, but was worried whatever text message he was sent had killed the happy mood.
As they walked out to the car, Brian looked both ways down the street. “Are all of these cars familiar to you?”
She looked in each driveway. She hadn’t memorized who drove what but nothing looked out of the ordinary. “Yeah, I guess. Why, is there something wrong?”
“No,” he said, his jaw tightening. He didn’t say anything more, but Cambria didn’t miss how he shoved his phone into the dashboard without a second glance and placed an old baseball hat on his head. He drove them downtown where they arrived at Sammy’s, a local sub shop.
They ordered and then ate their lunches outside while Brian explained a little of his business model to her and how the website would work.
She sighed contently after taking a bite of her roast beef sandwich. “This has all happened really fast. If I do sell enough, maybe I can stay here for good.”
Brian frowned “That’s what I’m hoping.”
Cambria’s cheeks flushed pink. “I didn’t realize you cared.”
Brian smirked at her. “Of course I do. Besides, this plan will work. You’re too talented for people not to notice. And if, for some lame reason, no one notices your work, I will let you live with me.”
Cambria widened her eyes. “Um, I don’t—”
He seemed to notice his mistake. “I mean, we’ll make sure you can stay.”
They went back into the shop and bought two ice cream cones, then headed down Main Street to peek in the store windows. When Cambria noticed an abandoned store Brian passed right by, she gasped and peered into the window. Since it sat on the corner, the store was wide open with several huge windows. There were carpeted steps and walls with display cases.
“What a great space,” she said. “I bet this was an art gallery before it closed. I was wondering if Harker Heights had ever had one. But see, this is proof this city is not into art.”
Brian playfully pulled her ponytail. “Well, good thing they have you to set them straight.”
Cambria laughed. “Maybe.”
Brian was quiet on their way home, making Cambria question everything she’d said that day. At each stoplight, he fiddled with his phone, and she yearned to look over to see what he was doing. They had kept conversation light, mostly about business, but Cambria wished there had been more playful banter.
He didn’t kill the engine after he drove up, so she knew he didn’t plan on staying. “Want to see if I made any sales?” Cambria knew there wouldn’t be any sales yet, but this would keep him around a little longer.
“Yeah, I kind of do. I need to get my laptop anyway.” He let his truck idle, but at least he was going inside. A few empty boxes sat in the entryway, reminding Cambria of all he had done for her. Would he really have done all this if he didn’t have feelings? Surely he wasn’t basing his business’s success on her sales. The thought made her nervous, and she practically ran to the front room where the laptop sat. She opened it up, got to the right page, and stared.
“Oh. My. Word.”
He bent down to look at the screen. “See, what did I tell you?” Two had already sold.
“That’s two month’s rent payment.”
He smiled. “Maybe you should talk to your landowner about staying. I’ll make sure this business stays afloat. Trust me. It’s what I’m good at.”
“Yeah, maybe. I have to make these sales consistently. It’s a lot at one time, but I only have twelve paintings. Once they’re gone, what do I do then? I need something more steady, someone who wants to buy or display my work all the time.”
Brian picked up his laptop and headed for the door. “One step at a time. Let’s celebrate that you sold two. I better get going right now, though.”
“You mean you don’t want to see me make thousands of dollars in the next few hours?” A smile tickled the edge of his mouth, but he didn’t say anything. “Okay then, I’ll see you tomorrow. We still have our graffiti project to finish.”
He sighed. “Yep, better get that done. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Chapter Eighteen
Brian
Brian pulled up to Cambria’s house right at seven o’clock the next morning. Paranoid, he looked in the rearview mirror to see if anyone was following him.
“Who are you looking for?” May asked. Brian had asked her to tag along with him today and help him with some other things Cambria needed.
Brian ran a hand through his hair. His nerves were shot from overthinking things. “No one. Except, all day yesterday, I felt like someone was trailing me, following me around town as I ran errands.”
“Did y
ou see the same car more than once?”
Brian shrugged. “Not that I can remember, but I’ve been kind of tired lately, overthinking everything and working late. Maybe I’m just being overly paranoid.”
May patted his shoulder and tossed her dark hair into a ponytail. “Everything will be fine, I’m sure. Now, are you sure Cambria’s not going to flip about me being here?”
“She’ll be fine.” Brian knew it was the next step in helping Cambria. She needed to focus on painting, not cleaning her house. “Just stay out of her art room.”
She stared at him with her amber-colored eyes, her wrinkles more prominent across her forehead. “You care too much. Do you love this girl?”
Brian guffawed. “Absolutely not. You know what happened with Violet. I don’t want to go through that again. And now that I know someone’s after me again, I don’t want Cambria involved.”
He opened his door, then turned back to May. “Stay here, and I’ll knock on the truck when I’m ready.”
“All right. Your funeral.”
Brian walked up to Cambria’s door, a little worried his plan might blow up in his face. Yesterday, when he’d put away the orange juice, he’d found ten things in her fridge. Literally.
If he didn’t have May, his kitchen would probably be in the same situation. He didn’t want to do everything for her. She might take offense to someone doing everything for her, but he was definitely going to do something.
He knocked on the door softly, hoping seven o’clock wasn’t too early. He heard a thumping that sounded like her racing down the stairs and laughed when she opened the door, disheveled and smiling.
“Hey, you’re up early. I haven’t even made—”
“Breakfast? All taken care of.”
“I, um—” Cambria turned in the direction of her fridge, a flush rising in her cheeks.
Dang it. Now he’d made her feel bad. “I know we had planned to take care of some more graffiti, but I was hoping we could wait a while. There are things to do on the website and my personal business, and I like it here. It’s soothing.”