The lake was empty now, the fifteen or twenty people who had been there earlier had no doubt escaped the cold for warm beds. A glance at his watch told him it was nearly eleven, but he couldn't settle down.
After Janet had died, he hadn't even wanted to get involved in another relationship. The pain had been following him for over a year, an ache that persisted, even when he was involved in something else. He had gone on a test date with another woman a couple of months before moving to Echo Ridge, but that had been an unqualified disaster and he hadn't tried again since.
Kaya, though, had, well... not tiptoed her way into his life. More like barreled in full-steam ahead. He hadn't been able to keep her at arm's length, despite being blown away by how pretty she was the first time he'd seen her over the fence.
Her dark beauty made his breath catch. Maybe that was why he had been so gruff with her in the store. And again about the chicken therapy. Actually, he still thought that one was odd.
He was such an idiot sometimes. He had never thought he would find someone else he could care about as much as Janet, but maybe there was something going on with Kaya, something that could last.
The extra lights over the lake turned off. It was eleven, Jonah noted. They must have been on a timer. The clouds moved then and the full moon, just setting over the mountain, broke through them, shining down on the lake. Illuminating it again.
When he had asked Kaya out, he thought maybe an evening away from work would break him from the spell he seemed to be under— surely the date would be awful, and then he wouldn't wonder anymore. But it hadn't been awful. It had been perfect.
She was willing to try new things, didn't whine about the cold, asked about him and actually paid attention to what he said. She shared private things about herself as well. And the kiss— it had blown him away. It was only supposed to be a peck, a light salute to a nice night, but when she had reciprocated he had been caught. He hadn't wanted to let go.
He found himself, as he had assembled the frames that night, thinking of ways to convince her to keep working for him, at least once in a while, to have her around. It hadn't really been that long since he'd had a new relationship, had it?
He double-checked the front door lock, though he didn't think they'd opened it that day, and headed back to his work room. A fresh sheet of paper and some charcoal were at hand and he started sketching her that night, on the ice, laughing and twirling. The sketch was quick and had its own beauty, but it wasn't exactly what he was going for. He realized he needed to try again, and pulled out a fresh sheet, opening his pastel pencils, to try again. This time he was considerably happier with the result.
JITTERS WOULDN'T LEAVE JONAH'S SYSTEM. He'd been awake since five o'clock, after being up until nearly one drawing. He was tired, but didn't think he would have been able to sleep, even if he hadn't been expecting Kaya to arrive any minute. She'd been at work at eight on the dot every morning since she started working for him— surely she wouldn't stop that now.
Unless she had thought twice about how things had ended between them the previous night. Would it make things awkward? He hoped not.
A knock came from the front door and he walked over to open it. It was Fay. “I brought over your order.”
“You didn't have to do that.” Jonah took the other end of the rolling stainless steel cart she had used to carry the selection of pastries, cookies, and cupcakes he had ordered for the day's events.
“I brought in extra help for this morning so I could finish up your order— and I hoped to get a quick peek at your gallery. I'll be totally swamped all day, and possibly into the evening.” She looked over his shoulder into the depths of the room.
“When someone provides me with such excellent service, I can't say no.”
She picked up a white fast food sack from the cart and handed it to him. “I figured you wouldn't take time to eat breakfast, so I brought over a couple of breakfast sandwiches for you and Kaya; as a grand opening present from me.”
“Wow, thanks, that's really nice. No wonder Fay’s is my favorite place to eat.”
“You are my best customer. Do you mind if I wander for the three minutes I dare stay away?”
“You need to get some extra help there so you can get away once in a while. I don't think I've ever been in your café when you weren’t there.”
“Those are the pains of owning a business. Refurbishing the café was more than I bargained for.” She didn't take her eyes off the art as she talked, walking slowly as she absorbed everything around her. “Most of the time I don't mind, but it would be nice to take time off sometimes.”
Fay came to a stop in front of a pastel drawing of a young girl feeding pigeons in the park. She stared at it, totally engrossed. “This is amazing. Doesn't it just grab you by the throat?”
“The artist is very talented. I found her doing quick sketches of people for money in downtown New York. I asked about some of her other work and she promised to send me pictures of some of them. She planned a few more and here we are.”
Corra was one of the few people Jonah had paid up front, taking a risk that some of her things might not sell quickly. She was so talented, but she couldn't keep doing the higher-quality work he needed without the financial help. He loved her pastels of people, mothers and babies, old couples sitting on park benches, children playing in the water. He knew she could be successful with her art if she kept at it.
When he got them in the mail, he'd put the drawings on his scanner. Part of his art deal with her was the ability to sell prints. He hadn't had time to print and mat them yet, but that was his next priority. “I'll have prints of that one in a week or so if you're interested.”
“Totally. Let me know when it's ready and I'll come in for one.”
“I noticed you have a nice collection of art at the diner. Anyone local?”
“Very local,” she brightened. “Do you really like them?”
His brows furrowed and he heard a knock at the back door. “Did you draw them?”
“Yes.”
He pointed at her as he headed for the back door. “We need to talk. I'll come take a closer look when I get a chance to breathe.”
“Really?” Her voice rose in surprise.
He used the peep hole to check before opening the door, then let in Kaya. He blinked a couple of times when her long, wool coat was removed to reveal a green cowl-neck sweater in some soft fiber and a flowing skirt that twisted around her knees, leaving a long expanse of lower leg exposed. “Wow. You look great.” He took the coat from her.
“Thanks. I'm glad you approve.” She leaned in and dropped a quick peck on his lips, then walked on past him.
So much for awkwardness when she arrived. Jonah followed behind her, ducking into the workroom to hang up her coat and take a deep breath. He’d always thought she was pretty, but in that outfit she was nearly heart stopping.
“Those look good,” Kaya was saying as Jonah entered the main room of the gallery a moment later. She was peeking in the boxes of desserts.
“Wait until you taste them.” Fay said, glancing over her shoulder from across the room. “I had this Italian neighbor who taught me how to make them. You'll die, they're so good.” Fay was not the least humble about her culinary talents.
“And I thought you just made burgers and gourmet hot chocolate.” Kaya's voice held a slight hint of accusation.
“You have so much to learn. You must stop in more often.” With a reluctant glance at the painting in front of her, Fay came back to the cart, and moved the last box to the long counter beside the front computer. She buttoned up her coat again. “I have to get back before Noland runs people out, but I'll come to look at the rest of your gallery another day.”
“I'll be by to see your collection too,” Jonah promised her. He didn't have time right away, but he couldn't wait to take a closer look. He'd been impressed with what he'd seen so far, and he wanted to highlight local artists.
Fay waved goodbye and whisked
out the front door, making it ding behind her. Jonah locked the door behind her again.
“What was that all about?” Kaya asked.
“Apparently the art in the café is hers.”
Kaya’s eyes widened. “Wow. It's really good.”
“Yes, it is.” Jonah picked up the sack of breakfast sandwiches. “She brought us some sustenance. Maybe you aren't hungry now, though?” He withdrew the first egg, bacon and cheese sandwich, opening it so she could look it over.
She sniffed and smiled. “It has been a long time since breakfast. The goats demanded to be milked two hours ago.”
He grinned and passed it over so he could fish out the other one for himself. The sandwich was spicy and cheesy and perfect in every way imaginable. There was no question that Fay was an artist.
“Oh my goodness. This is amazing.” Kaya took a napkin to wipe her mouth while she chewed. “I definitely need to eat there sometimes.”
“If you think this is good, you should try the breakfast platter.”
They rhapsodized over their favorite foods while they finished their sandwiches, then got down to business. Jonah had printed tags for each of the artworks after he’d woken up early that morning, so they set them up, and took care of the food, as well as the dozens of other little details that seemed to crop up at the last moment.
Though there were still a few items Jonah wished he had taken care of when they officially opened their doors at eleven, he was pretty pleased with what they had accomplished.
When the mayor and his wife walked in a few minutes later, he greeted them with a smile and introduced himself. This was it.
At first the arrivals came like a trickle, then a stream. Not all of Jonah’s artists were able to come to the opening, but Corra showed up, her latest boyfriend in tow. She saw one of her pictures set up in the first alcove and stopped to stare. “I can't believe it's true. I kept thinking all of the way up here that I would arrive and find nothing of mine here, that it was all too good to be true.”
“You did it, babe.” The tall, angular guy by her side leaned over and kissed her cheek, then wandered off, muttering something about food.
Jonah wanted to snap at him that this was a big deal for an artist. Huge. Corra deserved more than a dismissive congratulations. Though he was irritated with the boyfriend, he let it go. It was her life. “Your new work is even better than the stuff I saw before. This one was particularly amazing. I feel privileged to be the first to show your art.” When she beamed at him, he continued. “I've gotten several nice compliments on your work already today. Come on in and meet some of the other people.” He took her by the elbow and steered her further into the gallery.
Corra's eyes were bright with excitement and interest and she paused to study several pieces for a moment before he hurried her on.
Other artists arrived and Jonah did his best to introduce them all around and make sure they met Kaya, in case they needed anything during their visit. He mingled and chatted, and made sure everyone was having a great time. He noticed Kaya doing the same, looking as utterly at home in her classy clothing as she had in mud boots and coveralls a few days earlier. She had a natural grace and ability to blend with all different types of people. If she was feeling uncomfortable or shy now, she wasn't showing it. Between talking to various people, she had used the computer to take payments for several of the artworks already.
When things were winding down and the local dignitaries were filtering out, Jonah came to stand beside Kaya. “I wondered how you would handle the crowd with your alleged shyness, but you handled it fine.”
“I didn't feel like I handled it fine all of the time, but I don't think I made too big of a fool of myself. That will have to do.” One corner of her mouth lifted in a wry smile.
“I don't think you did anything even remotely foolish. You looked perfectly at ease the whole time.”
“Well, thank you.”
The city manager stopped to compliment Jonah before leaving and Kaya wandered off to talk to Corra, who was taking her time walking through the gallery and checking out all of the displays. A few of them had sold tags on them already— including two of hers. He had promised her a bonus for anything that sold the first week. Her boyfriend was sitting on a bench off to the side, playing on his phone. At least he wasn't acting impatient and dragging her away before she was ready.
Eventually even Corra left and Jonah met Kaya by the computer. “How much did we sell?”
“Six pieces, with definite interest on three others. Not terrible considering half of the people here today were starving artists.” She grinned at him. “Looks like you'll be paying some commissions and some bills.”
“That's music to my ears.” He stretched a little— his back was killing him. As were his feet. “Did you eat enough?”
“Hardly anything. Every time I thought about tasting something someone would come over and ask me questions.”
“Great, let's sit and have a real meal.” They cleaned up the remaining food from the lunch and took it into the back room, making sure to keep the door propped open so they could hear the front bell if someone came in.
“Corra's adorable,” Kaya said when they were seated with a selection of the leftovers in front of them. “So excited, energetic, and fun. It kind of surprised me that her work has such depth and emotion. Just a stereotype, I guess.”
“She was extra excited because of the show today. Usually she's a little more reserved. I get the feeling she's been through a lot.” He took a bite of his meat-stuffed roll and chewed, watching her daintily handle the pineapple chunks on her fork.
“So what do we do about the empty spots in the gallery displays? Do you have some items to replace them with, or do we leave the sold sign and empty spot?”
“I have a few things I couldn't fit out there to fill what's actually been taken already. The items I'll be delivering will stay where they are for now.”
“I noticed there's no price tag on the painting of Shyanne.”
“If her mom buys the house, I figured I'd give it to her as a housewarming gift. If not, I thought I'd offer it to her for sale first. Most moms would want that chance.”
Kaya stared at him, a slight smile on her lips, surprise in her eyes. “That's very sweet.”
“That's me, I'm sweet.” He managed not to roll his eyes. “Did I mention you look fantastic?”
“You might have, yes.”
“If you're not sure, then it's time I said it again. The wow factor is huge. You look terrific. Seriously.”
She laughed, a full laugh filled with delight. “Thank you. You look pretty dapper yourself.”
He smiled, happier than he'd been in a long time. He felt like the lunch had gone well. Hopefully it was an omen of great things to come.
He was not disappointed.
KAYA DRESSED IN SOMETHING NICE, but less fancy, and was back at the gallery by nine o'clock the next morning. She was tired from a late night at the gallery the day before. She didn't know if there would be actual sales that day, but Jonah had asked her to come in and help him out in the morning anyway.
She had a couple of clients who would be at her place for their weekly appointments that afternoon, but at least she could help him get everything back in order, shift some of the items to fill empty spaces, and crate up a few items that they would be shipping to customer’s homes after the holidays. Sales had been good— not astounding, but much better than either of them had expected and Jonah had a lot of work ahead of him to pack them up safely.
After the bustle of people the previous night, the gallery seemed a little too empty when Kaya arrived. Jonah had already unlocked the front door, so she was able to walk in and look up the sweeping staircase to the second floor, noting the blank spaces on the wall up the stairs, a couple of statue bases that no longer held anything, and a number of light blue tags that denoted pictures that had been paid for, though the piece was still on display.
“You’ve moved a lot of thi
ngs.” She found him in the back of the display area.
“As soon as we get the sales packed, I'll frame up the last couple of paintings I have back here and see what I can do about filling out my inventory some more.” Jonah looked so pleased, like he couldn't believe his dreams had come true.
“It's not a bad start to the season.”
“No, it's not. Manuel is going to be very pleased when he gets his check. Corra is beyond thrilled to have sold six pieces already. We talked for nearly an hour last night. She's already working on something new.” Jonah led Kaya back to the storage room. Every flat surface held a piece of art for packaging. He started to show her how to wrap the frames in preparation for crating, but the bell over the door rang.
“I'll get that,” Kaya told him. “You focus on things back here. I'll call if I need help.” Really, though, Jonah had talked so much about the pieces as they had set up, that she knew a lot about them and the artists.
She helped an older couple, who were in town celebrating their fortieth anniversary, select a pair of similarly-themed western paintings— the last two Manuel had for sale— and Jonah helped her package them up to be taken back to their cabin immediately. Then a trio of forty-something women came in looking for Christmas gifts. Jonah loaded two items into their car nearly an hour later.
A few people came in to look, but didn't purchase anything. Then a tall, nice-looking man in his thirties walked in and asked about the price of the statue in the window of a little girl reaching out to touch a butterfly.
By the time Kaya had to leave to get home for her therapy sessions, they had sold nine more items and Jonah was muttering about needing regular help.
Kaya shrugged into her coat. “I wish I could stay longer. I can tell you need a hand here still.”
He stopped in front of her and tugged the lapels of her coat together. “You have a business to run, too. I appreciate you coming in. I might stay open a little later than usual tonight if things are steady. It is the last Saturday to shop before Christmas.”
Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology (Echo Ridge Romance Book 1) Page 50