A week later, Casey studied her framed painting hanging on the wall that greeted incoming gallery patrons. The female figure had turned out better than she’d hoped, considering she’d slashed her first attempt. Upon reflection, her initial piece hadn’t been that bad. It’d frustrated her to work from her sketches without the model present, and Andy sleeping in the studio had been distracting. Her impatience and lack of confidence had gotten the best of her, but at least her second attempt had turned out worthy enough for the exhibition.
Maxine photographed it and emailed her a link to a folder of all the shots. Casey chose the one that looked most like the actual colors and values. After a minute or two of touching it up in a photo editing program, she submitted her entry. Maxine had Venmoed her money to cover the fee a week ago.
Stefan framed it for her. He had a knack, and the baroque frame he’d chosen complemented it nicely.
As Casey stood before it, she couldn’t believe she’d created the piece. This was how she’d yearned to paint. She probably stood taller with her chest puffed out, if anyone was looking. Her hard work and sacrifice had paid off.
Jenna had printed an artwork label to accompany it. Casey almost choked when she saw the price, even though Maxine had told her the amount she planned to list it beforehand. It was more than the last painting she’d sold. She never imagined her work could garner such sums. Granted, no one had bought it yet, and she didn’t need to get ahead of herself. Even if it sold, the buyer would have to wait to receive it should the exhibition accept it.
The front door buzzed. Casey walked to the reception desk and let in Aileen and Andy.
“Hey, little man.” She scooped him up and kissed him. “How many books did you get from the library?”
He held up three fingers.
She set him down. “You’ll have to choose one to read at bedtime.” She looked at Aileen. “Was he good today?”
Aileen unbuttoned her jacket. “He’s always a little angel.”
Casey rolled her eyes. “I know you say that even when he’s a terror. You can be honest with me.”
“If we have a problem, we take care of it. There’s no need to dwell on it for the rest of the day. Right, love?” Aileen smoothed Andy’s hair and opened her bag. “Here are your books.”
Andy dropped two on the floor and opened the third.
“Take them over there, please.” Casey pointed. “People have to walk here.”
He gathered the books and deposited them in the corner where he always played while she volunteered.
Leighton came through the stairwell door. “Oh, hello.” She looked between Aileen and Casey. Then she turned her attention to Andy, who zoomed toward her with a book. “Hi, sweetheart!”
Casey’s heart swelled at the way Leighton’s demeanor brightened when she saw him.
“Did you get a new book?” Leighton hugged him to her leg and took it from him.
He pointed. “Train.”
“That looks like a very nice train. I have to go get Kalyssa, but let’s read your book later.” She handed it to him and turned. “You must be Aileen. I’m Leighton Vaughn.”
“Ah, so you’re Leighton.” Aileen got a sparkle in her eye. “I’ve heard so much about you. Well, you and Kalyssa.”
“Have you?” Leighton looked amused and glanced at Casey.
Damn. She was probably blushing.
Aileen waved her hand. “Not from her. Getting her to tell me about her day is exhausting. Andy talks about ‘Leighton this’ and ‘Kalyssa that’ from morning until night.”
Leighton folded her arms. “Andy knows my name? He’s always so quiet.”
Before Casey could answer, Aileen spoke, lowering her voice. “Know it? He’s damn near about to wear it out.”
“Is that so?” Leighton answered Aileen, but she hadn’t looked away from Casey.
Being under Leighton’s scrutiny like this gave Casey goose bumps.
“I suppose it’s only natural. My daughter is enamored with this one.” Leighton jerked a thumb toward Casey. “I made the mistake of putting Kalyssa’s easel beside hers.” She touched Casey’s arm. “She’s still wearing the bracelet. I keep waiting for it to fall off, but it hasn’t.”
“You gave her a bracelet?” The skin around Aileen’s eyes crinkled.
“She gave Kalyssa a makeshift plumb line made from a piece of twine and a metal nut, so we had to make it into a bracelet. Heaven forbid we throw away a piece of twine Casey gave her.” Leighton rolled her eyes but squeezed Casey’s arm.
Maxine rushed in and offered a serene greeting, but her tight facial muscles said otherwise.
“What’s wrong?” Leighton’s voice went cold.
“I just had a run-in with someone.” She glanced between Casey and Aileen.
Leighton ignored her attempt to be discreet. “Jeffrey? Where?”
Her tone made the hair on Casey’s arms stand at attention.
“Far enough down the street to avoid breaking the restraining order. I warned him.” Maxine folded her scarf over the back of the chair. “I’m going to make a few security enhancements to be safe.” She walked around the desk and took Leighton by the shoulders. “You have enough on your mind, so let me worry about this. I’ve been looking into some options.”
“Thank you.” Leighton appeared lost in thought.
Casey’s stomach lurched at the thought of Jeffrey hanging around. She wondered how Maxine would incorporate more features into the already-secure building. Whatever it was, she hoped it’d keep Leighton and Kalyssa safe.
Maxine turned to Aileen. “Maxine Shipton. I’m Leighton’s godmother. And you are?”
“Aileen Fitzgerald, Andy’s grandmother and Mark’s mom. It’s nice to meet you.” She shook Maxine’s hand.
“The pleasure’s mine.” Maxine glanced at Andy. “Do you watch him while Casey is here?”
“While she’s at school or work.” She smiled. “Whatever she needs. I love having him around.”
“Well, he’s very well-behaved, and I assume both of you are responsible for that.” Maxine offered Casey a rare smile. “Excuse me.” She hung her coat in the closet and ducked into the restroom.
Leighton came to life. “Aileen, it was so nice to meet you. I hate to run, but my daughter is waiting for me.” She shook Aileen’s hand, then trailed her fingers down Casey’s arm. “I’ll be back to get you and Andy.”
She stopped at the desk, probably checking the security cameras before she left.
Casey hadn’t heard about recent hang-up calls, but that didn’t mean they’d stopped. She couldn’t imagine living with that kind of stress.
“She’s sweet.” Aileen took a few steps toward Casey’s painting.
“Yes, she’s very nice.”
“You’ll have to fill me in on the security stuff later.” Aileen pointed to the artwork label beside the piece. “This is yours?” She stepped closer. “Oh, Casey.” Her hand went to her chest. “Honey, it’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She’d never been good at receiving compliments.
Aileen turned. “Leighton’s coming back to get you?”
Casey studied her shoes. “Yeah. That’s why you haven’t had the car seat and had to take the train.”
“It was no trouble, and Andy loves it.” Aileen frowned. “But I don’t understand how that involves Leighton.”
“We took the kids to a play place last week. Andy fell asleep on the way home, and I couldn’t carry him and the car seat upstairs. Leighton was going to drop it off the next day, but we haven’t been able to coordinate our schedules.” Casey stretched her back in an attempt to appear nonchalant. “She offered to drive us home tonight.”
“She’s coming into the city just to take you and the car seat home?” Aileen scowled. “At least it’s against traffic.”
Casey lowered her voice and glanced to make sure Maxine hadn’t exited the restroom. “I offered to make her and Kalyssa dinner in exchange. The kids enjoy playing together, and Andy loves when Leighton reads him books. She does voices and stuff.”
“Oh, Casey.” Aileen’s tone spoke volumes.
Casey shivered. Aileen’s opinion mattered to her. Yes, she was Andy’s grandmother, but they had a special bond, too. “It’s not like that.” Her whisper didn’t sound convincing.
Aileen tugged the sides of her jacket together. “I suppose it’s none of my business what it is.” She cupped Casey’s cheek. “But I care about you and can’t bear to see you or Andy hurt.” She glanced behind her. “Or Mark.”
Mark had walked through the stairwell door as she finished. “Gee, Mom, I see where I rank.” He wrapped his long arms around her and squeezed. “You look nice. Sorry, I haven’t visited in a while. I’ve been working on my painting for the exhibition.” As usual, he slung his arm over Casey’s shoulders.
This time Casey allowed it.
Aileen pointed at Casey’s piece. “I see hers, but where’s yours?”
He gave her a lopsided smile. “Not finished yet.”
“Will it bring in a price like that?” Aileen touched the artwork label. “Because if it does, the railing on the stairs needs to be replaced.” She gave him a light backhand to his ribs.
He scoffed. “We can’t all be Casey, Mom. Let’s hope for something close to that if it sells. If you need it replaced right away, Casey’s been covering all the utilities since she sold her painting, so I can help you.”
“He has tuition, and I don’t, so it’s only fair.” It felt good to help him for a change.
“No, I’m teasing you. Keep your money. I already had someone fix it last week.” Aileen rubbed his arm.
“Are you coming to the exhibition?” Casey wouldn’t mind having some family in attendance.
“I wish I could, but I can’t.” She furrowed her brow. “It’s the same night as the library board meeting, and I’m on the agenda to present.”
Casey understood. “That’s okay. We’ll miss having you there, but we’ll tell you all about it the next day.”
Aileen turned to Andy. “Give Grandma a kiss good-bye.”
He did and added a hug before Mark scooped him up.
Aileen hugged Casey and kissed her cheek. “Be careful.”
“Thanks for watching him.” Casey didn’t want to acknowledge the advice in front of Mark.
“Let me know when you get home, Mom.” Mark dipped Andy, making him squeal. He waited until Aileen closed the front door behind her. “What was that about?”
“Oh, nothing.” It didn’t feel good to withhold information, but Casey didn’t know how to explain the situation. Everything had gotten so confusing. She didn’t like how Aileen had seen through her with ease. The last thing Casey or Leighton needed was others surmising that something was happening between them.