The meeting was scheduled to start in about five minutes, so the presenters and missing board member still had time to arrive without being late. Barely.
CeeCee was prompt in all things, and he figured this tardiness would provide even more ammunition for diatribes when they got back to her townhouse.
The door opened and a tall figure strode into the room, a portfolio in one hand and a folded easel in the other. Daniel looked at him, blinked in surprise, then caught sight of two female figures at the rear.
As his poor brain processed the unexpected data, his heart sank. It was Thomas Mallory, his wife — what was her name? Karyn... and last but not least, Nic. His heart skipped as it always did when he saw her, and then his brain caught up. What was Nic doing here?
CeeCee straightened with a hiss and Daniel’s world came crashing down around his ears.
Like a slow motion train wreck he was helpless to stop, he watched Nic step across to the table, place the armful of folders she was carrying on it and take a quick look around.
She was smiling shyly at the board members. Her smile faltered when she reached CeeCee. And, no wonder... he could feel his best friend’s animosity rolling off of her in waves.
He knew the moment she saw him. Her slight smile broadened and her eyes brightened. There was a sudden pain in his knee. Startled, he looked down to see that CeeCee had dropped her hand to his leg in a clearly possessive gesture, her long nails digging in painfully.
He looked back at Nic. She was staring at the hand, and the smile was gone. She caught his eye, raising a brow. She’d have looked casually questioning, if not for her pallor.
Thomas moved in front of Nic and leaned down, speaking quietly. She listened and responded, then moved over to the papers she’d dropped on the table. Thomas looked over his shoulder at Daniel, stared pointedly at CeeCee’s hand still on his knee and glared.
CeeCee gave a final squeeze, leaving marks—he was sure, and released her hold. Back at the head of the table, Karyn looked daggers at him.
If he hadn’t been sure that any future with Nic was now categorically destroyed, he’d have been sitting back and enjoying the humor in the situation. Running the events of the past three months, he realized that he’d always referred to Courtney as CeeCee and CeeCee had never called “The Other Woman” by name. Likewise, he’d referred to Nic as “My Little Artist”.
Altogether it had been a perfect storm of misunderstanding, and he feared it was likely to ruin his life.
As he struggled with some way to stave off disaster, Glenn stepped to the front of the room and announced the beginning of the board meeting for the Maxfield Hayes Foundation.
CHAPTER 18
At the Board Meeting in Washington, DC
Nic was thankful Thomas and Karyn were sitting at the conference table near her, ready to help if she needed it.
She was also grateful the three of them had rehearsed her presentation several times over the last few days. In spite of the intense shock that she’d just received — seeing Daniel with Courtney, Max’s widow, she was confident that she’d still be able to give a passable presentation.
Inwardly, she shrugged. Nic reminded herself that there were options, if the board refused to help. All she needed was help finding and vetting new artists, and there were many alternatives available. It had been out of respect for Max that she’d come to the Foundation first.
Glenn started the meeting, and passed the reins to her.
She turned her back on the board members, fussed a bit with the renderings sitting on the easel and then stepping to the side, she began to speak.
“As you may or may not know, I received my MFA in Painting several years ago. While grad school is certainly a challenge,” she smiled and looked around the room, “Making the transition into the real world is even harder.”
“I was fortunate. I moved here to the DC area and found a job at a graphic design firm until I was juried into the Torpedo Factory.
“Many newly minted MFAs are not that lucky. Leaving the nurturing environment of art school can mean losing any hope of a successful and self-supporting career.
“In many cases, a transition plan—offering free housing, a supportive atmosphere, along with needed resources—would make all the difference between living life as a productive artist and...” She paused for effect, “becoming a cab driver.”
Courtney Hayes moved restlessly in her chair at the cab driver comment. Nic had deliberately chosen that reference. The other board members were longtime friends of Maxfield Hayes and his early tenure as a cabbie was an often cited part of his “Great Artist” mystique.
Nic wanted the help that the Foundation could give her and she was campaigning hard... using every trick in the book.
Turning back the cover sheet on the first rendering, she displayed a long shot of the Warfield’s Landing school building. The color pencil sketch showed the building as it would look, when the renovations were complete.
“This is an old school in Warfield’s Landing, Maryland, along the Susquehanna River, right off I-95 and near the Delaware state line. It’s in the process of being converted into small condos with studios attached.”
She pulled the current rendering off of the easel and placed it on the table, then flipped the cover back on the next one, revealing a board with two illustrated floorplans.
Pointing with a pen, she showed the apartments and studios while she explained what was planned.
“The first floor has four one bedroom condo/studio units. The two classrooms at the front end of the building will be used as classrooms for weekend workshops or similar activities.”
Moving to the next floorplan, “Here is the second floor. Again, there are four one bedroom units, and over the first floor classrooms we have two one bedroom units without attached studios. They may be used for artists who have studio space in a different part of the facility or for writers, or maybe visiting teachers.”
Gesturing toward the back of both floorplans, “Here on the first floor, we have a much larger three bedroom apartment and studio for an artist with a family. The corresponding unit on the second floor will be my personal space.”
She placed that rendering on the table and revealed the next one. “Several blocks away from the school, on the main street of Warfield’s Landing, we’ve purchased a storefront with four apartments above. This will provide Gallery and office space, along with a potential income stream from the apartments.”
“The buildings have been purchased and construction has begun. We anticipate that the school will be ready for occupancy in early January. The Gallery space may be ready even before that.”
Nic smiled and glanced around the room again. She had been so intent on her presentation, she had almost forgotten that Daniel was there with Courtney Hayes. Almost. Ruthlessly she pulled her thoughts away. Focus, Nic, focus.
She took a breath. As she started to speak again, a hard voice interrupted.
“I have a question.”
Of course it was Courtney. Nic kept the smile on her face. She’d regained her confidence during her presentation. This was too important to allow Courtney to put her off track.
She felt sorry for Courtney. The way Max had tied Courtney’s inheritance to her - Nic’s - acceptance of her own, still made her blood boil, but, this project was something she was willing to fight for.
Nic nodded to acknowledge Courtney and smiled, consciously relaxing her jaw.
“What are you asking the board for? Money?”
Well, that was coming out swinging. Nic was determined to hold the high road.
She hadn’t finished her presentation, but clearly, she needed to address this... now. She made sure her tone was even and reasonable.
“Ideally, I’d like the Foundation to help find and vet candidates. Initially, I’d expect most of the candidates to come from other Hayes Foundation programs. Down the road, we may be able to reach out to additional Arts organizations.”
Nic l
ooked around to see how the other board members were responding to this exchange. “If the Foundation chooses to help with stipends of some kind, that would be appreciated, but it isn’t necessary.”
“Because you’re using my husband’s money.” The tone of voice was vicious. From the corner of her eye, Nic saw Karyn put a calming hand on Thomas’s arm.
Nic forced a smile, again. It was time she showed that she couldn’t be pushed around. While her sympathies lay with Courtney, no matter what the other woman though... she wasn’t going to be anyone’s doormat.
“No,” she said evenly. “I’m using the money your husband left me.”
That did it...
Daniel grabbed Courtney’s arm as she rose in her seat. Nic held her ground. After all, there was a large conference table between them.
Glenn, Max’s executor and chairman of the Foundation board stood and called for order. Eventually, there was quiet... although calm had left the building.
“Thank you for your presentation, Nic. This is a very intriguing opportunity you’ve offered the Foundation. Does anyone else have questions regarding this program?”
The discussion that followed was respectful and straightforward. Thomas and Karyn each answered a couple of questions about the actual building projects.
In spite of everything, Nic felt that she’d been able to present a good case for her project.
The truth was, she didn’t need the Foundation to make all this happen. If necessary, she could put together a staff to find and screen potential candidates, but doing so would take time away from her own painting, which she was trying to avoid.
A short while later, she, Thomas, and Karyn were packing up their presentation materials. The board had voted and there had only been one dissenting vote. It was Courtney’s but that didn’t surprise anyone.
Now it looked like Courtney was Daniel’s CeeCee? It had taken Nic most of the meeting to figure that one out. Nic felt sorry for the widow. Courtney thought that Max had been emotionally involved with her. He had been, but not in the way his widow suspected.
Daniel, Courtney, and Luke had been incredibly close and supportive of each other for most of their lives. Nic treasured her friendship with Thomas and Karyn and, with that thought, she resolved not to put Daniel in the difficult position of choosing.
Nic didn’t want Daniel to be forced to choose between her or Courtney. They were adults. He was a loving and generous man... she was certain there was room in his heart for both of them. But Courtney had made it clear that he was hers, in whatever capacity.
Mentally, Nic shook her head. Yeah... that sounded good. The reality? She knew he shouldn’t have to choose, but it sure hurt to think that he hadn’t chosen her...
Nic looked back as she walked out the door. Courtney was upset and talking with Glenn, Daniel had an arm around her, and was listening intently.
He didn’t even look up when she left.
CHAPTER 19
After the Board Meeting
Nic joined Karyn and Thomas in the hotel hallway. Both of them looked at her quizzically. She shrugged.
They left the hotel, picked up the car, and drove back to the Mallory and Turner offices in silence. As Karyn’s assistant unloaded the car, Thomas led the way into the M and T conference room. He closed the door with a click and turned to Nic.
“What the fuck was that?” Nic knew the gruffness in his voice came from his concern for her.
Usually, Karyn could be counted on to hold Thomas in check, so her echo, “Yeah, what WAS that all about?” surprised Nic.
“I knew Max’s legal name was James Maxfield Hayes. I saw it on all the legal documents... But, I’ve only ever heard him called Max.”
“And?” Karyn asked.
Nic pulled out one of the rolling chairs and spun it around so that she could sit. “I think...” She sounded reedy, so she started over. “I think that we just met Daniel’s CeeCee.”
Karyn pulled out another chair and spun it so she could face Nic, knee to knee. “So, let me get this straight... You think that Courtney is Daniel’s friend, CeeCee? The one who’s been his best friend since 7th grade?”
Nic nodded, unhappily. “I’ve been running things over and over. The timeline of her losing her husband fits when Max died. The only difference is that Daniel called CeeCee’s husband Jamie.”
“And you never told him about your relationship with Max or the Secret Stash?” Karyn looked at her shrewdly.
Nic shook her head. “I was going to tell him the next day, but CeeCee called first thing in the morning and the Jag was vandalized. Since then, he’s been out of town. I didn’t want to tell him on Skype.”
“So, what are you going to do about it?” Karyn asked the question that Nic had been running over and over in her mind since they left the board meeting.
“The last thing I want to do is put him in the position of having to choose. I know how I’d feel if someone told me it was him or you two.”
Karyn scooted forward and put her arms around Nic. “Oh, sweetie.”
Who knew... Max was Jamie?
CHAPTER 20
Four days later in Warfield’s Landing, MD
It was four days after the fateful board meeting and Nic had heard nothing from Daniel. She was on her way to check out the project at Warfield’s Landing. To cut down on gas, she’d driven over to meet Karyn at the M and T offices. She and Karyn were carpooling up to Warfield’s Landing. While it was a fair drive, roughly 80 miles one way, Karyn or Thomas tried to be on-site every work day. When possible, Nic tagged along.
The travel time, not to mention the cost of gas was taking a toll on all three of them. Renovation was going well on the schoolhouse and the storefront. Sure there had been the usual surprises - new roof? Yep. Luckily, it had been the storefront, with a much smaller and cheaper roof.
Thomas and Karyn were both licensed as architects and contractors in Maryland. As they did on each project, they decided who was the architect based on a sophisticated set of criteria — Rock, paper, scissors. For Warfield’s Landing, Karyn was the architect of record, and the one making the drive the most often.
“So, what’s for lunch today?” Karyn asked.
It was Nic’s turn to provide their picnic lunch, although they did eat at the Riverside Cafe on a regular basis. “I brought salad and leftover Parmesan Crusted Chicken, with applesauce for dessert.”
“Yum.” Karyn was driving and she looked sideways at Nic. “I was talking to your realtor, Julia yesterday. She dropped by to see how things were progressing.”
Nic wasn’t sure why Karyn was bringing this up. “Did you give her the nickel tour?”
“I did and she was impressed, I’m happy to say.” Karyn smiled and continued. “She and I got to talking about the commute and the price of gas...”
“Ouch.” Nic could afford the gas, in theory... but she was living off her own earnings and not using the Secret Stash for her own use, so the gas issue was becoming a problem.
“Exactly,” Karyn agreed. “Anyway, Julia happened to mention that she is handling the rental of several units at the Riverview Condos. Thomas and I discussed it and we’re going to rent a two bedroom for the duration. That way one or both of us can stay overnight and there’s also a room for our assistants, if needed.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” Nic was enthusiastic.
“We think that you ought to do the same thing.” When it looked like Nic was going to argue, Karyn gave her the Best Friend Thousand Yard Stare and talked over her. “I know you don’t want to use the Secret Stash for yourself, but think of this as part of the Warfield’s Landing project expenses.”
There was a long moment of silence, then Nic allowed, “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all we’re asking, Nic... that you consider it.”
CHAPTER 21
The next week in Old Town Alexandria, VA
Nic was ready to run headfirst into one of the Torpedo Factory’s brick walls... He
r studio was tucked away in a corner on the third floor so she had a choice of walls available.
It had been almost a week since the board meeting debacle... and Daniel hadn’t contacted her.
While she’d told herself the whole time that she didn’t expect to hear from him... she finally acknowledged she’d been hoping against hope.
On the upside, the Warfield’s Landing projects were moving ahead quickly, thanks to Karyn and Thomas...
The downside?
Daniel’s silence.
A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Nic stared at her right hand. She was waving the paint brush like it was a weapon.
“What am I doing?” She put the brush down on her paint table. “Step away from the canvas, Nic.” She followed her own command.
After taking a deep breath, she moved back and looked at the painting. It was going to be one of her best... or it had been... BBM - Before Board Meeting.
Now... well... now she couldn’t bear to work on it.
As she glanced around her cluttered studio, she saw the sketchbook she’d been drawing in earlier. She picked it up and flipped through the pages. Daniel. Daniel. More Daniel. They’d been drawn from memory.
As an artist, she processed her strongest emotions through drawing and painting. This work would become one of her private paintings... just as she had painted her sorrows when her parents were killed, and even, to her surprise, when her birth father had died.
There was a soft knock at her door. She put the sketchbook down on her work table and turned. It was Porter and Lynn. Nic smiled at them, happy for the distraction.
“Porter and I ran into each other downstairs at the store picking up art supplies... we’re going to grab lunch. Would you like to join us?”
Nic hesitated, then decided. “That would be great. I need a distraction.”
Dreams Claimed (Warfield's Landing, #1) Page 9