Heart of Clay (The Tanner Series Book 6)

by Jo Willow

  “I can do that. Have you thought about a name for the place yet?”

  Mitch went quiet. He hadn’t gotten that far and he should have had at least that much decided.

  “I’m embarrassed to say it’s never crossed my mind. I never thought I’d be in this spot so soon.”

  “I’ve got an idea. You may not like it and it’s your gallery, I just thought I’d toss it out there.”

  “I’m ready. Go for it.”

  “Heart of Clay.”

  Mitch let it dance in his mind for a moment and it felt right. It felt honest and it felt exactly perfect for what he was trying to do.

  “It’s brilliant Beth. It says everything that we’re about, right up front. Heart of Clay it is. Nicely done.”

  Beth was tickled. She’d never felt closer to success and she knew that if all of their lives were going to turn around, this would be the shot that would do it.

  “I’ll go get the urn and be there within the hour. I’ll pick up dinner as well and bring a bottle of wine. We’ve got celebrating to do.”

  “Can’t wait. I’ll meet you there Beth, see you in a bit.”

  Mitch hung up and flipped through his contacts. He was alone or someone would’ve noticed how the smile suddenly left his face. When he found the number for The Loft, he hit the button and waited.

  “The Loft, this is Marla. How can I help you?”

  “Marla, Mitch. I know this is sudden, but can I come by and talk to you for a few minutes? Something’s come up and you need to know about it.”

  “I’m always free for you Mitch. I’m getting ready to leave though, can I meet you somewhere?”

  Mitch thought fast and realized he literally held the keys to something that could get his point across far better than anything he could say.

  “You sure can.”

  He rattled off the address to his new gallery and she read it back.

  “I’m about ten miles away Marla, so if you get there before me, just wait out front.”

  “Mitch, what’s going on? This feels like a setup.”

  “Girl, we’ve been in business a long time and I’d like to think we’re friends. I would never set you up. Never. It’s just my circumstances have changed and I hope you can be happy for me. We’ll see. I’m leaving now, I’ll see you in a bit.”

  He hung up the phone and put the truck in gear. She was either going to be an immense help or the biggest pain in the ass he’d ever known. He thought he might get an inkling of which, tonight.

  Beth wore her Rose Tanner t-shirt and her favorite jeans. She had her blue Keds on her feet and her hair was up in a scrunchie. She walked into the barn and started looking for the blood red urn. She found beautiful pieces in blue, green and gold and there was one in black with gold drips that she stared at for a long time before she snapped out of it. Finally, she found the one she’d been sent to retrieve.

  She wrapped it in an old saddle blanket she found and carried it carefully to the van. She wedged it between the back and front seat and started for the deli and the liquor store.

  Thirty minutes and thirty dollars later, she was finally on the way to the gallery.

  She felt odd. It wasn’t really a date, but it felt like a date. Mitch was nowhere close to a love interest, but their relationship seemed to be changing. When the realtor had mistakenly called her, “Mrs. Tanner”, he’d stopped her when she’d started to correct her. Beth kept telling herself over and over he was a business partner and a good friend. Nothing more. She’d hate to lose one of the greatest friends she’d ever had over a childish misunderstanding on her part. She beat down the excitement she was feeling at spending the evening with him, and concentrated on the road.

  Mitch pulled into the spot next to Marla’s Mercedes and watched her get out of the car when she saw him. Her black silk suit and gray silk blouse did incredible things for her hair and eyes and made her long legs look even longer.

  Marla had touched up her makeup and reapplied her lipstick in the car. She was ready when his truck came to rest.

  “What’s this Mitch? It’s empty.”

  Mitch let his hand fall naturally to the small of her back as he escorted her to the front door. He pulled the keys from his pocket and unlocked the door, shocking his guest.

  “Why do you have keys to this place?”

  He opened the door and flipped on the lights. Tiny pinpoints of light illuminated pedestals and corners and Marla immediately recognized it for what it was.

  “It’s a gallery. You have keys to a gallery.”

  “I have keys to MY gallery. Marla, welcome to Heart of Clay. I’m hoping to be open in the next couple of weeks.”

  “Wait a minute. We’ll be competing?”

  “No, not at all. I’m not showcasing anything that isn’t my own work. You can still sell a few of my pieces of you like, but the majority of them will be here. What do you think?”

  Marla turned on her heel and was eye level to Mitch. She grinned and put her arms around his neck in a hug. Mitch hugged her back, thinking this had gone better than he’d hoped it would. He relaxed and smiled against her cheek. Then he got excited. He took her hand and started pulling her towards the back rooms.

  “Let me show you the rest of the place. The two rooms back here are for special collections and the offices are upstairs. I don’t know whether to paint or leave it white. What do you think?”

  Marla was thrilled to be holding his hand. This added a new level to their relationship and she planned to build on it.

  “I’d leave it white and add colorful fabrics based on what you’re showcasing. If you’re doing a show in blue pottery, hang sapphire blue silks and sheers to accent the pots. That way, you can take them down and hang what’s appropriate at the time.”

  “Killer idea. Thanks Marla. I thought it would be years before I could do this, but my friend Beth came through and wanted to go into business with me.”

  “Beth? I’ve never heard you mention her before. How does her husband feel about her going into business with you?”

  “She’s divorced with two little kids. They live next door to me. We’ve been friends for years. She feeds me and gives me massages. She’s the perfect business partner. She’s on her way here now, you can meet her.”

  “That would be wonderful, I’d like that. Show me the other room.”

  Mitch beamed at her and led the way into the next room, talking about the deal they’d received thanks to Beth. Marla had almost reached her Beth limit for one night.

  Mitch was in the room explaining display ideas and Marla was standing in the doorway. She saw the headlights from the van shine in through the front window before it went dark again. She waited until she heard the front door open before she made her move.

  She knew the angle of approach now. She was a little resentful that she’d have to dumb it down, he was a Tanner after all, but the name alone made him worth the effort. Marla heard the sound of bags being placed on a countertop and something else being placed on the floor. Then she heard footsteps. It was now or never.

  Marla crossed the room and put her hands on his shoulders.

  “I’m so proud of you Mitch. I knew you’d branch off, you had to. You’re too good not to have a gallery of your own. Congratulations.”

  All he had time to do was smile in appreciation. She put her hand on the back of his head and pulled him in for a kiss just as Beth stepped into the doorway.

  Beth went into shock. Mitch was kissing quite possibly the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen. Tall and willowy, they looked perfect together and she wondered how she’d ever believed in a million years that there could ever be anything but friendship between herself and Mitch. She could no more compete with this woman than she could compete as an Olympic Pole Vaulter.

  She meant to make a quiet exit but she stumbled. Grace had never been her middle name and when she went to back out, she stumbled and caught herself.

  Mitch’s eyes flew to the door and he saw her a minu
te before she vanished. He released Marla and ran out the door after her.

  “Beth wait! It’s not what you’re thinking. Trust me, it’s nothing at all like it looks.”

  She stopped at the door and faced him, willing herself to stay calm. She plastered the serene smile on her face that she used to use on Brian and fought for control. She couldn’t break down until she left and if she had her way, she’d be leaving soon enough.

  “Mitch, it’s alright. We’re business partners and friends. If you’re happy, then I’m happy. Dinner’s on the counter, there’s plenty for both of you. There’s two bottles of wine and my favorite corkscrew. Please remember to bring it home and drop it off. The urn is on the floor in the blanket. I’ll talk to you next week.”

  She thought she’d made it. No muss, no fuss, no tears. She’d managed to keep her dignity intact and she’d given him a way out while still keeping their friendship. His friendship was the most important relationship she had and she’d fight to keep it if she could. She thought she was home free, until he touched her.

  Mitch was at a complete and total loss. Situations like this were the exact reason he stayed single and lived alone. Women complicated everything and complicated women, like Marla, sent everything to hell on an express train. Beth was his friend and there were times she was his best friend. If he lost her over something as stupid as a kiss from Marla, he’d throw himself into a kiln and be done with it.

  He tentatively placed a hand on her shoulder, hoping it was okay to touch her. It would’ve been okay twenty-four hours ago, but he felt he was on shifting ground now.

  She could smile, she could speak calmly, she could even make references to dinner and her favorite corkscrew, but she could not control the shaking. Even when she was a child, she trembled when she was upset or hurt. He felt that now and it hit him like a brick upside the head. It was unacceptable and he pulled her into his arms.

  The shaking grew worse, and he held her tighter, mumbling words of comfort and kissing the top of her head.

  “Beth, do you really think I’d drag you down here to witness that? You know me. Does that sound like me?”

  She couldn’t speak, so she kept her face against his chest and shook her head “no” quickly, her ponytail bobbing with the movement. Mitch released the scrunchie and shoved it in his pocket, then ran his fingers through her hair.

  Beth slowly brought her eyes up to meet his and he expected to see anger and maybe some doubt. What he saw instead, was fear. Brian had hurt her so badly she’d shut herself off from everyone but himself and her kids, and now she was afraid she was losing him. It was there in her eyes. He ran his thumbs along her cheekbones and tried to convey what he couldn’t say.

  If Beth had closed her eyes, she wouldn’t have noticed. She didn’t, so she did. She was beginning to relax. Everything he’d said made sense and his arms around her made everything feel okay again. It was when he leaned down to kiss her that she saw it. His lips were smeared with Marla’s lipstick and she started to shake again. He hesitated and it gave her enough time to back out of his arms.

  Her back was to the door and her hand was on the doorknob. She was blinking rapidly, trying her damndest to stem the flow of tears that was coming whether she liked it or not. He saw the first few and she could see that it shook him. She had to get out before he stopped her again. Beth knew she could only be strong for so long.

  “You’re wearing her lipstick Mitch. It’s not your color and it most certainly isn’t mine. I need to go now. You have a guest waiting.”

  Mitch and Beth glanced over and Marla was leaning against the doorframe of the room he’d left her in, watching. Her arms were crossed and she smiled when she had their attention.

  “Beth, please stay. I’ll ask her to leave and we can talk. Here. In our shop.”

  “It’s your shop. I’m just an investor. If anyone can give you solid advice about a gallery, it’s her. You should be with her Mitch. You look good together and she’ll be helpful to you. I can’t compete with her on any level and you know what? I’m smart enough not to try. Have dinner, talk business...or whatever, and we’ll get together next week when the kids get back. It’s all good, don’t worry. Bye.”

  Beth jerked the door open a little more abruptly than she meant to and stepped out into the warm breeze blowing in off the river. It was exactly what she needed to clear her head and when she climbed into the van, she rolled the window down. She wiped her eyes and allowed herself one expression of frustration as she slammed her hands against the steering wheel. She raked her fingers through her hair and laid her head back for a second, trying to calm her frayed nerves. When she thought she was in control enough to make it home, she backed the van into the flow of traffic.

  Mitch saw it all. He watched her every movement, he caught every expression. She cared more than she let on and she’d done her best to allow him his space and freedom. He didn’t know what to make of that. He wrestled with his own emotions and struggled to understand whether he should go and sort this out now, or give her time. Marla’s hand on his arm, jarred him from his thoughts.

  “Are you okay Mitch? She’s an emotional little thing isn’t she?”

  “She’s a good friend and she’s hurt. I need to go fix it before she decides that it might be a good idea to pull the rug out from under me.”

  “If she’s truly your friend, then she’ll want what’s best for you. Right?”

  Mitch stared into Marla’s smokey gray eyes. The directness caused her to take a step back and question the wisdom of her words.

  “Beth always wants what’s best for me and always has. I want the same for her. What color are your eyes anyway?”

  “Brown. I have dark brown eyes. Why?”

  “I just wondered. Why do you think she doesn’t want me happy?”

  “I didn’t say that. What I’m saying is, even she knows that I’m what’s best for you Mitch. We have more in common and I can take you farther than she can. She’s cute in that homespun, girl-next-door sort of way and when you were a welder, she was probably perfect. You’re a full-time artist now. You’re a gallery owner. Your life is about to change in a huge way. Don’t let anyone hold you back Mitch, it’ll be your downfall if you do.”

  He patted her shoulder and listened carefully to her advice. Marla could advance his career and give him a real chance to make his gallery an overnight success. In many ways, she could easily end up being the best thing that had ever happened to him. It didn’t change the fact that he had a friend that was hurting and it was all due to a misunderstanding he could easily clear up.

  Mitch left her standing at the door and walked over to the counter and picked up the bags. He left the urn in the blanket on the floor. He had his keys in his hand when he rejoined her and opened the door, allowing her to leave before him. He turned and locked the door, then turned back to Marla.

  “She’s my friend and my neighbor. We shocked her and I need to talk to her. I’m glad you like the gallery and I hope we can talk more about it some other time.”

  Marla kissed him again and his hands were full so he was powerless to stop her.

  “Thanks for sharing it with me Mitch and good-luck with your friend. Word of advice? Friends are worth more than lovers in the long run. Don’t muddy the waters with that one. I know the type. If you cross the line, there’s no going back. If you value her friendship, keep it at that. Goodnight.”

  Mitch loaded the food and wine into the truck and started towards home. His head was spinning with everything Beth had said and then it spun the other way with everything Marla told him. At that moment he wasn’t even sure if he still had a friend, forget about the lover part of the equation. He grew tense and he started to fidget and squirm.

  He’d made the turn off at Richmond Hills when he decided that he would wait until daylight to talk to Beth. The event was still fresh and their nerves were still raw. If he had to be honest, after he witnessed her emotional release when she left, he wasn’t sure wha
t to do next. Maybe with enough time, things would right themselves without any intervention at all.

  He pulled into his driveway and looked at the dashboard clock. It was a little after seven and the sun was just going down. He was still edgy, so he decided to put some work into a piece he’d started earlier. Clay relaxed him and maybe, with a little luck, he’d sleep tonight if he wore himself out.

  Mitch carried the bags into the barn and froze. There was one small light on and Beth sat cross-legged on the barn floor, staring at a piece of pottery he’d finished a week before. It was a high gloss black and he’d drizzled gold leaf down the sides. He wasn’t sure if he liked it so he was giving himself time to decide. She was so enthralled with it, she didn’t notice he’d come in.

  He put the bags down next to one of his potter’s wheels and walked up behind her. She felt him before he made his presence known and she felt embarrassed to be caught in his very private workspace. She’d been drawn back to the piece. It’s tall, elegant design was classy and deep and she needed to see it again before she locked herself away for the weekend to sort things out. She almost stood to leave, when his voice stopped her.

  “You like it?”

  “I love it. I’ve never known you to do anything in black before Mitch. It’s beautiful.”

  “I can’t decide whether or not I like it. It’s different, but I don’t know if I should do more in that style or not.”

  Beth looked up at him and rolled her eyes.

  “Are you crazy? It’s stunning and it’ll match anything anywhere. People will be screaming for this. You should do a matching one in that pearly white glaze you used that one time. Drip gold on it too and sit them side by side. They’ll sell in less than a week.”