Darcy Wentworth was indeed a sight to see. He drove up in a huge black SUV and took his time getting out, probably for maximum effect.
The women of the group certainly hung on his every movement. Ted, not so much, although he’d hate to admit his curiosity was piqued.
But the door opened. A tall man with a Fabio-worthy blond mane falling to just below his shoulders and piercing blue eyes stepped out. He wore faded jeans, not too tight, but not hanging off, and a cream silk shirt open at the throat. Blond hair curled over his muscular, tanned chest.
For a moment, Ted’s heart thudded. Could this be the man in his dreams? Blond, tanned.
No way. No fucking way. An artist? Named Darcy? And with all that hair? He didn’t like guys with long hair. He preferred his men more butch, short-haired, well-built.
But despite his denial, he couldn’t deny his interest, whether this was the man or not.
Darcy gave everyone a nod and came up to the steps, carrying his bags. At least he didn’t expect anyone to take them for him.
“Afternoon, all. I hope I haven’t made everyone wait too long, but the drive took longer than I thought.” His teeth were so white against the brown of his skin Ted expected to see a little glint off them like in a cartoon.
“Of course not!” Marie stepped forward and ushered him inside. The women closed ranks around them as Ted stepped aside. “Everyone is here, except Peter Graham. He’s running late also.”
Peter must be the other guy signed up for the course.
“Good. I’m glad I didn’t put anyone out.” At least the man seemed genuine, but Ted would wait before forming any opinions.
Once inside, Darcy signed in, got his key, then turned to the crowd. “Give me a few minutes to settle in, then I’ll be down, and we can go over the course objectives and schedule.” Another smile, and off he went, still toting his own bags.
The group mingled a bit, Marie disappeared to get refreshments, and Ted wandered into the living area and took a seat on the couch.
He watched as the ladies drifted toward the seating areas, putting pairs and friends together. Many of the women were here with friends, and only a few stood out as loners, like him.
Marie arrived with a few trays of finger sandwiches and cheese, placed them on the tables around the room, and disappeared again.
Ted picked up what looked like a crustless triangle of egg salad and took a bite. Delicious. His hopes for some good food rose. Perhaps Maurice was a whiz in the kitchen after all.
Darcy arrived and stood next to the fireplace. He didn’t need to clear his throat to get everyone’s attention.
“All right. Let’s get started.” He told them about his expectations, the schedule of lectures and of painting times, and then asked everyone to introduce themselves and explain why they were here.
Ted groaned. He hated this part. He decided to keep to as much of the truth as possible, nothing anyone couldn’t verify.
They went around the circle, with each of them telling basically the same story. Always wanted to study with Darcy, took the chance, saved up for it, that sort of thing, until it was Ted’s turn.
“Well, I’m sort of in between careers, and wanted to see if I still had any talent left. I didn’t really know Darcy, but the workshop fell into the ‘right place, right time’ sort of thing.” He shrugged. “But I did research your work, and have to say, I liked what I saw of it.”
“Thank you.” Darcy gave him a killer smile. Had Ted been younger and less experienced, he’d have fallen into those blue eyes.
A few more people spoke, then it went back to Darcy.
“Now, tomorrow, we’ll meet at breakfast, then go outside. I’ll begin the first canvas, demonstrating and lecturing as I paint. We’ll break for lunch at eleven, and at one, we drive to the first location.”
“Where are we headed?” One woman asked, moving to the edge of her seat.
“That will be a surprise.” He winked at her, and she practically passed out.
Darcy clapped his hands, signaling the end of his talk, and everyone stood.
Marie came in. “Like it said on the Website, we serve breakfast only, but your lunches and dinners will be in some of our best local restaurants. Tonight we’ve booked a table for you at Pastille’s Seafood, in town.”
Ted smiled. A local seafood place should be good, and he moved along with the crowd toward the parking lot.
Darcy stood on the porch, slapped his back pocket and said, “Damn. Forgot my car keys.”
Ted moved over to him. “You can ride with me.” He held up his keys. “If you want.”
Darcy smiled. “Thanks. I’d like that.” And again Ted had to wonder about his dream.
Darcy followed him to his car and got into the passenger side. “Do you know where this place is?”
“No, I’m going to follow the gang. Hopefully, it’s not far, and we won’t get lost.” He started the car and backed out of his spot, waiting for Kirsten to pull out. He followed her down the drive to the street.
“Right. I’m famished. I haven’t had anything since I left Houston.” Darcy sat back in the seat and gazed out the window.
“Houston? I came from New Orleans.” Ted decided to keep the talk general and nonsexual. For now.
“I did a workshop last weekend in the Hill Country. Gorgeous. Then two days in Houston and now here.” Darcy sighed sounding exhausted, but he didn’t mention if he’d ever been to New Orleans, where he might have met Kirsten.
“Must be a grind, in a way. All the driving.”
“And the workshops. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love teaching, and the money is good, but life on the road is hard. Living out of a suitcase. Some days I wake up and can’t remember where I am.” He gave a wry laugh.
“Like being a rock star, only without the tour bus.”
“Right you are.” Darcy winked at him. “But I still have the groupies.”
“The ladies? Oh, yes. Quite a few fans you’ve got there.”
“But not you?” Darcy turned to face Ted, his eyebrows scrunched together.
“I didn’t say that.” Ted swallowed. “I said I didn’t sign up for you, but once I saw your work, I was glad I had.”
“Just teasing. I’m not a prima donna.” Darcy laughed and put his hand on Ted’s knee.
“I wondered about that.” Ted also wondered why Darcy’s hand was still on his knee.
Darcy gave him a squeeze, then let go, and they drove on in silence until they hit town.
“Here it is. Can’t miss it.” Ted nodded at the restaurant. They pulled into the parking lot behind Kirsten and found a place near where she’d parked. The others were pulling in all around them, but Ted, Darcy, and Kirsten were the first ones to the door.
Darcy spoke to the young lady at the front desk, and she led the way to a long table set for twelve at the side of the room.
Ted went around the table to sit with his back to the wall, and Darcy followed. He pulled out a chair next to Ted and sat. Kirsten managed to snag the seat on the other side of Darcy.
She leaned over and grinned at Ted. “You snooze, you lose.” The rest of the group wandered in.
Several of the other ladies practically fought each other for the chairs across from Darcy, who seemed not to even notice the skirmishes, or at least had the good grace not to notice.
Despite Ted’s reluctance, he had to give the artist points.
The hostess stepped over. “I’ll have your waiter over shortly,” She passed out the menus after everyone had found a place to sit.
From the looks on the women’s faces, all they wanted was a big heaping helping of Darcy Wentworth.
Ted, however, hadn’t made up his mind.