Robin walked into Paul Clark’s gallery and looked around at the art on display. There were paintings and photographs and a section of carved wooden sea captains. She smiled and walked over to a foot-high carving of a sea captain with a long yellow slicker and rain boots. He looked just like she imagined the old man who used to run the lighthouse might have looked on a stormy day.
“Robin, how great to see you.” Paul walked up to her. “What brings you into the gallery?”
“I was wondering if you could give me Bella’s phone number. I have a friend—Charlotte Duncan—do you remember her? Anyway, she’s moved back here to the island and we’re rooming together at Bayside Bungalows. She’s an artist, and she’s trying to earn a bit more cash. She did some wonderful work for Lil at the inn, painting furniture. Very coastal looking. I thought I could connect her with Bella and maybe she could do some furniture on consignment for her shop.”
“Bella’s up in Comfort Crossing right now at her main shop, but I’ve got one of her cards right over here.”
She followed Paul to a small table in the back corner. He handed her Bella’s card. “She’s always looking for unique items to sell in the shop.”
“Thanks.”
“You said your friend was an artist.”
“She’s a very talented painter.”
Paul’s eyes brightened. “I’m doing a showing of local artists. Do you think she’d be interested? I just had a cancellation. The artist can’t get the work to me in time. So now I have some wall space left to fill. I really need to get things wrapped up in the next few days, though. What kind of paintings does Charlotte do?”
“Right now she’s working on a series of paintings of the beach and town. They’re fabulous. When you look at them, it’s like you can imagine yourself right in the scene. They are so… I can’t describe them in proper artistic terms, but they are emotional and… well, I think they’re fabulous.”
“That sounds perfect and would fit in well with this exhibit. Do you think I could see her work?”
“We could head to the bungalow and see it now.” Had she really just suggested that? But what was that saying? A bird in the hand, etcetera? Or was this more strike while the iron was hot? Anyway…when Charlotte found out she might kill her… But she was going to do it anyway. Char just needed a little nudge to get back in the game.
“I do have time now. Would you care to walk? I could use the fresh air.”
They headed over to the bungalow, leisurely walking down the sidewalks, in and out of the sunshine. They chatted about the weather and Lil’s recovery and the new butter crumb muffin Julie was offering at The Sweet Shoppe. Typical small-town chatter. She smiled as they ambled along. She loved the easy pace here on the island and even loved how everyone knew everyone else’s business.
Well, usually loved it. Sometimes it was hard to get much privacy, but she’d gotten used to it over the years.
They got to the bungalow, and she opened the door. “Charlotte? You here?” She wasn’t sure if she wanted Charlotte to be here or to be gone. Anyway, silence greeted her so that answered that question.
“Come in.” She led Paul to the brightly lit room Charlotte was using as her studio. She flipped around some of the paintings and leaned them against the walls around the room, all the while hoping she was doing the right thing. Charlotte was just too critical of her new work and didn’t think she was ready to show it. That agent had done a number on her confidence, and her parents being in town wasn’t helping things.
Maybe if Paul liked it, Charlotte would begin to believe in her work again.
Paul walked around the room, looking at them with a critical eye. His face broke into a wide smile. “These are fabulous. You were right. Do you think she’d pick a handful and we could hang them in the exhibit? I could talk to her about pricing them, or maybe she already has a figure in mind. I usually get quite a few sales from these local shows.”
Robin took a deep breath. “I’m sure she’ll be pleased.” Maybe. After she got around to explaining to Charlotte how she’d shown her paintings to Paul behind her back…
“Perfect. Here’s my card.” He took a card out of his wallet. “Could you have her call me this evening or tomorrow morning and let me know?”
She reached out and took the card. “I’ll have her call.”
Or she’d be calling and explaining how Charlotte was never speaking to her again and didn’t want a thing to do with the show…