by Glynna Kaye
“Yeah, I finally got that university sheepskin. Feels good.”
Both of his Kansas friends, a handful of years younger than Luke, had taken advantage of the GI Bill to further their education. That’s something he’d intended to do. Where had time gotten to? But that lack of a degree was something he could remedy once he relocated to the Sunflower State.
“So what’s up?” Luke’s gaze roamed the street. Then, disgusted to realize he was looking for Delaney again, he turned away from the window.
“Vinnie thought we should touch base since we haven’t talked in a while. See if you’re on board to join up when that loan comes through.”
“I am.” Vinnie and Josh had a solid business plan—thanks to help from him—as well as a need for someone computer and numbers savvy to oversee the accounting of their growing enterprise. Several banks had turned them down on the expansion loan, but they had high hopes for this latest application. “Say the word.”
“That’s what we wanted to hear. I’ll relay this to Vinnie, so have a good rest of your day, buddy.”
“That’s it?” He’d always teased Josh for his reticence, so unlike Vinnie, who’d talk your ear off. “You don’t want to know what the weather is like here today or how my kids are doing?”
Josh laughed. “Report that in an email, okay? A short one.”
Still smiling, Luke shut off the phone and started up the truck. Those guys were top-notch. Definitely men he’d wanted watching his back in a combat zone. It would be great working with them again. Before school started, if all went well.
Not too far down the street he slowed to take the first of several curves snaking up the ridge through town and glanced toward the Artists’ Co-op gallery. A natural stone building, it bumped up against a quilt shop on one side and an empty Hunter-owned storefront on the other.
No sign of Delaney.
He pressed his foot to the gas pedal and continued on, noting again how art-related studios and shops were filling in the empty properties more and more. He shook his head.
Luke rolled down the window on the passenger side, letting the cool air swirl in to hit him full in the face. Yeah, Uncle Doug’s ex-wife, Charlotte, had started it all. That divorce had caused his uncle—the whole family—a heap of trouble.
“And you know what, buddy?” He glanced at Rags. “She not only had the gall to sell and lease to outsiders the properties her lawyers wrested away from Uncle Doug, she made sure she got them into the hands of those she knew would most stick in the craw of the community.”
His grip tightened on the wheel. One artist soon became two. Then three. And four... What if by a freak turn of events Sunshine Carston beat his mother during the town council elections? While the council had cautiously addressed the demands of that growing community, they’d never before had one of them in their midst.
What if Delaney Marks got involved in the campaign? He’d tried to warn her off that first day when he’d caught a glimpse of Sunshine’s flier in her possession. But with her committing the kids to that Mason house deal, he didn’t put a whole lot of confidence in her personal judgment.
“Don’t borrow trouble,” he said aloud, slowing to drive down a graveled, tree-lined stretch of road that led to home. Sun dappled through the needled branches of the towering pines, a jay called out, and the familiar scent of the forest wafted through the open windows. He relaxed his hands on the steering wheel, determined not to dwell on the consequences of Aunt Char’s vindictive betrayal of the family she’d married into. There was nothing he could do about that. Water under the bridge.
But he might yet be able to steer Ms. Marks away from local politics. And possibly even get her to recognize that another project would be more suitable than bending over backward to assist the Masons.
* * *
“Your workmanship shows much promise. But it’s not quite there yet.”
A wave of icy cold washed through Delaney as she stared into the keen black-brown eyes of Sunshine Carston, manager of the Hunter Ridge Artists’ Cooperative.
They were seated across from each other at a small oak table, the wood-trimmed display cases around them glinting invitingly in the soft light. Oil, acrylic, pastels and watercolor paintings, as well as wood and hammered copper designs, adorned walls or free-standing easels. Pottery and sculpted pieces joined a wide array of ceramic tiles, blown glass, and handmade leather handbags and belts. But, as always, it had been the jewelry in the glass cases that drew her the moment she’d stepped through the gallery’s doors.
Swallowing back the lump forming in her throat, she prayed Ms. Carston—Sunshine, she’d told Delaney to call her—wouldn’t perceive the wrenching impact of her point-blank pronouncement.
“I... I understand.”
But she didn’t. Her friends loved her rings and bracelets. Earrings. Charms. They said she should try to sell them, that maybe she could eventually earn a living doing what she loved most. Hadn’t Luke Hunter, a total stranger, even said her work was nice? No, not merely nice. Very nice.
Luke. A knot twisted in her stomach at the thought of the handsome widower. While an unexpected negative response to her artistic efforts was a kick in the gut, this wasn’t a tragedy like he and his children had suffered. Still suffered, for how could you ever recover from such a blow? With considerable effort, she refocused her thoughts on Sunshine, attempting to keep things in perspective.
But, to her shame, she failed miserably. How sure she’d been that her efforts would be welcomed, that she’d soon have a foot in the door to a future she could get excited about.
Studying Delaney’s sampling of jewelry displayed against a sweep of dark velvet fabric, Sunshine brushed back her raven-black hair. Cut at an angle, shoulder-length in front and slightly shorter in back, it emphasized her high cheekbones, straight nose and a smooth, warm-toned complexion. Native American ancestry? She didn’t look much older than Delaney, but there was something about the self-assured way she carried herself and looked at you, as if she could see right into your soul, that made Delaney feel about ten years old.
“How long did you say you’ve been working with silver? Since high school?” Obviously Sunshine doubted that anyone could have been making jewelry since a teen and have their work riddled with the flaws her experienced eyes must see.
Delaney clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “We made silver rings in high school art class. I loved it and have been making silver, beaded, and other kinds of jewelry ever since.”
A kitchen table hobbyist. That’s what Dwayne had dismissively called her.
A slight crease formed between Sunshine’s brows as she again picked up one of the rings and tilted it in the lamplight. She tapped a blunt, unpolished fingernail on the inside of the ring. “See this seam? The bump?”
Delaney nodded. She’d worked hard on that one, trying to smooth out the solder without weakening the joint. Only an expert eye would have seen it as a flaw.
“And this?” Sunshine pointed to the setting. “This is too prominent, too fragile. Not organically incorporated into the design. It could easily catch on something, break off and the wearer would lose the stone.”
Numb, Delaney nodded.
“Which is another thing...” Sunshine set the ring back on the velvet. “You need to upgrade the quality of your gemstones. I would also suggest something other than the turquoise you’ve used here if you want to stand out from the Native American artists.”
Delaney was familiar with the work of those appearing in Arizona park and roadside stands, in shops and in exclusive galleries throughout the Southwest. The latter were award-winning, highly collectible artists. While awed by their talent, she’d never considered herself to be a competitor and had deliberately not imitated traditional native designs.
“I don’t make jewelry full-time, of course.” How pathetic her pieces no
w looked lying there under the illuminating brilliance of a gooseneck lamp. “I work it in around my job when I can.”
Shut up, Delaney. Stop sounding as though you’re making excuses for inferior work. Why hadn’t she listened to Aunt Jen and Dwayne and not put herself through this embarrassment? But oh, no, she’d been certain they were wrong.
After what seemed an excruciatingly long moment, Sunshine again looked up from where she’d continued to study the jewelry. “What do you do for a living?”
Delaney lifted her chin slightly. “Computer programming.”
The corners of Sunshine’s lips lifted, her eyes warming. “No wonder you need a creative outlet.”
“I enjoy the challenge.” And she did. Most of the time. Not like Dwayne did, though, who lived and breathed programming and couldn’t understand her need for anything else. But Aunt Jen had urged her on her career path, and since her aunt had been the one paying the bills... “But my heart has always been with the fine arts.”
The other woman met her gaze in sympathy. “Which can be a rocky road if you hope to support yourself at it.”
“No immediate plans to.” Delaney forced a laugh, as if to prove to Sunshine that she hadn’t expected anything like that. But she had. Drawing comfort from the faint scent of oil paints and leather, she reluctantly glanced toward the glass cases where two women were excitedly examining the jewelry. Nothing of her own would be joining those beautifully arranged displays this summer.
“I don’t want to take up any more of your time. You have customers.” With a quick, apologetic smile, she rose to her feet. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
Surprise lit Sunshine’s eyes. Did people who were turned down for the co-op argue with her? Plead their case? But too clearly there was jewelry like she was making...and then there was fine jewelry that this gallery featured.
Sunshine stood as well, watching as Delaney carefully returned her silver pieces to a velvet-lined box which she then slipped into her portfolio.
“Please don’t leave here feeling as if your work holds no value. Even at your present skill level, you could make reasonable sales.” Sunshine folded her arms, her sharp black-brown eyes assessing. “Your designs have a light, feminine touch that many beginning to work with silver are incapable of producing. Often newbie pieces have a clunky, even masculine feel to them even though they’re meant for women.”
“Thank you.” But the approving words did little to appease the sick feeling in Delaney’s stomach. “I’d hoped to test the waters this summer, to see if my work might be saleable at the co-op on consignment, but I realize now that my coming here was premature.”
Much too premature.
Sunshine walked her to the door. “Have you given any thought to working with a mentor? Another silversmith? It’s something you might want to consider. If you decide that’s a path you’d like to pursue, come see me again. I may be able to help you work something out with a local artist.”
“Unfortunately, I’m only here for the summer to work with a church youth group.”
Together Delaney and Sunshine stepped outside under the gallery’s striped awning.
“Thanks again and...” Delaney nodded to a flyer taped to the front door of the gallery. “I hope all goes well for the town council run.”
Sunshine laughed. “It’s a long shot. The old-timers are entrenched here. But the growing number of artists making this a home need a voice in local government. We need support to grow our businesses and carve out a comfortable niche in a town dominated by hunters, horsemen and hikers who tend to eye us with suspicion.”
“Why suspicion?”
Sunshine’s smile faltered. “We’re called ‘outsiders’ by many and ‘aliens’ by some, as if oil paint, pottery kilns and other artistic tools might pollute the macho, outdoorsy atmosphere. It’s been an uphill battle all the way.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why did you settle in Hunter Ridge? Why not someplace more welcoming?”
Something Delaney couldn’t read flickered through the other woman’s eyes, then quickly shuttered. Sunshine motioned to the shady street before them. “Cool summers are inviting to shoppers from the Phoenix area. That can be a big business draw if we had the opportunity to develop it more. The town’s floundered for quite a few years. Its focus on one aspect for their economy—outdoorsmen—has left it vulnerable.”
“There’s the overall economic hit this country has taken, too,” Delaney added. Canyon Springs had been impacted as well.
“Right. Over time the population here has dropped to under two thousand. Businesses have closed.” Sunshine surveyed the buildings along the street. “The plus side is there’s now more commercial space available. But even with prices jacked up—to keep us out, I suspect—property is less expensive than in more flourishing towns like Sedona or even Canyon Springs.”
“It sounds as if Hunter Ridge is the perfect spot for potential artistic projects.”
“It is. If you’re interested in learning more, come by tonight for our first town council campaign meeting. Seven o’clock. Here.”
“Thanks.” It sounded like a worthwhile cause. But Delaney wasn’t making any commitments. Not only had Luke Hunter warned her about getting involved in local politics but, with her artistic self-confidence shot to smithereens, she wasn’t up to hobnobbing with the established artisans of Hunter Ridge.
No, tonight would find her packing up her silversmithing supplies and stuffing them in a dark corner of the closet—and trying to come up with a way to convince Luke Hunter that the project she’d selected was the best choice for the youth group.
Chapter Five
“So this is it?”
Delaney cringed inwardly as Luke, hands placed on his slim, jeans-clad hips, raised a questioning brow at the matted layers of pine needles and pinecones littering the front yard of the house that was to be the youth group’s summer project. His skeptical eyes took in the broken-down fence and crumbling concrete walkway. A cracked window.
If only she’d had the opportunity to see the place the first time by herself, not under the scrutiny of an already dubious parent, albeit a handsome one. Just before noon that Tuesday morning, following a trip to see Aunt Jen, she’d picked up the keys from High Country Hope Ministries, only to be intercepted by Luke who’d invited himself along for a preview of the place.
No, the two-story house wasn’t exactly a mansion, but at least from the outside it appeared to have good bones. Once cleaned up, it would make a cozy dwelling for family members who had been separated for much too long.
A happy home for twelve-year-old Samantha Mason.
She looked Luke in the eye, determined not to let him discourage her. She’d grown up in a series of houses not much better cared for than this one, so she knew how others would negatively judge it.
“The youth group won’t be painting the outside, will they?” He frowned at the peeling paint high up on the exterior, obviously picturing rickety ladders and a 911 call.
“No. Hope Ministries contracted with a licensed roofer and painter who have the scaffolding and ladders for that. Electrical and plumbing have been checked out. This isn’t a remodel, the kids will only clean up and paint the inside.” Would that satisfy him? She motioned around the spacious treed lot. “They’ll be in charge of the yard work, too, of course. Sprucing things up, planting flowers.”
Luke reached down to pat Rags, who’d stuck like glue to his master’s side, then straightened. “Looks as if it’s going to take more than a pot of flowers to get this yard in shape. From the depth of those pine needles, I’m guessing nobody’s raked in years. That’s a fire hazard in these parts.”
He wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t already know.
Luke motioned toward the side of the house and together, along with Rags, they walked the peri
meter of the structure, taking in the chipped paint, a warped window frame, a detached garage. She couldn’t help but sneak an occasional peek at him, but his expression was unreadable, almost as if he knew she hoped he’d give the project the go-ahead and intended to make her wait for his final verdict.
“Pretty badly neglected,” he said at last, but she didn’t allow her shoulders to slump at his statement. “I remember the guy who lived here when I was a kid. I used to feed his cat and water his plants when he was out of town.”
“You did?” As she’d assumed, Luke was a hometown boy. His wife had probably been his high school sweetheart, too. But were his memories of the house and its previous owner good ones that might sway his decision? “Min Chambers, the head of Hope Ministries, said it belonged to an elderly gentleman.”
“Bachelor Bob, we called him.”
“Min said when he died, the place got tangled up in a feud between his out-of-town nieces and nephews. Until the legalities were straightened out, the house sat vacant before it was put on the market. That’s been three or four years, but obviously it wasn’t well cared for even before that.”
“Let’s take a look inside.”
Before she could launch into a list of reasons not to, a car pulled up in front of the house and five of the youth group teens, including Travis and his girlfriend, hopped out and joined them.
“We saw your truck, Dad.” Luke’s son put his hands on his hips much in the same manner as his father as he scanned the house. “Kind of run-down, isn’t it?”
Pushing aside her own misgivings, Delaney offered an optimistic smile. Even on an always-tight budget, her folks had turned neglected houses similar to this one into homes, and she knew they could, too. “What it lacks right now is tender loving care.”
Travis snorted. “TLC? Are you kidding? I sure hope the inside is better than the outside.”
Luke cast her a look that said he agreed with his son’s candid evaluation. “We were preparing to check it out, Trav. Care to join us?”