Family Of His Own

She shifted the bubble-wrapped canvases under her left arm and pushed the polished brass door latch. A waft of fresh pine and cedar scent drifted through the air. Mellow classical piano music put her instantly at ease.

Framed and unframed paintings, from impressionist, cubist, abstract impressionist to contemporary, hung in strategic patterns against putty-colored walls.

A tall man emerged from behind the center partition. Thick, pearl white hair ringed his handsome face. He walked toward her, his hands outstretched. “You must be none other than Isabelle Hawks.”

“I am,” she replied with a smile, though inside she felt daunted and intimidated. If the skilled artwork on the walls hadn’t caused her nerves to jump, the self-assured man who held the golden ticket to her future surely did. She extended her hand toward him then quickly retracted it. She’d forgotten to take off her driving gloves, and her index finger poked through a hole. With her other hand clutching her canvases, she had no choice but to pluck off the glove with her teeth. “Pleasure,” she mumbled.

“Malcolm,” he said with two raised brows and a hearty chuckle. “Here, let me help you. That’s quite a load.”

As he took the paintings, Isabelle snatched the glove out of her mouth and shoved it into her coat pocket.

“We’ll go into my office,” he said politely. Taking a step back, he held out his hand with a slight bow, indicating the way.

Isabelle thought the movement so exquisite she was reminded of a ballerina.

“Thank you.” Isabelle rounded the show wall into an even larger display area. The wood plank floor was polished to such a mirror’s gleam, she felt guilty walking on it. There were four smaller viewing rooms off the two main ones, and a back hallway held four offices.

“To the left,” Malcolm said. “Mine is the largest office, and with the natural light from the window, I’ll be able to see your paintings to their full potential.”

“Lovely,” Isabelle replied sweetly. Inside, she was a mess. Why on earth had she agreed to come here and show this erudite curator her absurdly inadequate water sprite and faerie watercolors and acrylics?

Isabelle. Isabelle, you idiot. You need to go right back home as fast as you can before what’s left of your self-esteem is annihilated. Forever.

Even the office was imposing. It was as huge as the front showroom and the exterior wall was all glass. White art deco sofas filled the space, and she had no doubt they were re-covered originals from the 1930s. Two square chairs in black leather sat opposite a glass and steel coffee table. An enormous vase held at least five dozen white gladiolas.

Isabelle couldn’t help wondering where the gladiolas had been flown in from. California? South America?

“I have a box cutter here in my desk,” Malcolm said.

Her mouth fell open. He’d seen her work already? He hated them so much he was going to rip them to shreds?

He looked at her and gave his head a shake. “For the bubble wrap,” he said, holding the box cutter up. “I’ll save it for you. Little costs add up, don’t they?”

“They do,” she agreed, trying to ignore the sting of his condescension.

He pulled the wrap off and hoisted the painting up and put it on the desk so he could view it properly. His face was expressionless.

But wait. Was that a lift to the corner of his mouth? Admiration?

Isabelle’s heart leapt in her chest. When he opened the second painting, the faerie walking among the stars, she heard an intake of breath. It was only a slight puff of air, but it gave her so much encouragement that her heart whacked itself against her breastbone. She was stunned. Was this happiness?

He whisked away the wrap on the third painting and smiled. “I like this boy in the boat.” He looked at her, blue-gray eyes shining. “You have the heart of a French Impressionist, even though your style is art nouveau in so many respects. Yet the faces...the faces are ethereal, unlike any other artist I’ve seen. I wanted to view them up close to make sure what I thought I was seeing in the photos you sent me was real.”

Isabelle wasn’t sure she was hearing him correctly. He liked her work? This man whose gallery had been lauded for being on the cutting edge of what collectors wanted before they knew they wanted it?

She couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. She had to know. “Is there anything there you like? I can always bring you something else, something more...”

He turned to face her. “They’re perfect for what I want in the spring.”

Isabelle was at a loss for words. As she stared at him, trying to formulate something coherent, he crossed the room briskly and opened a white lacquered cabinet to reveal a refrigerator filled with wine, champagne, water bottles and...were those strawberries in that silver footed dish?

He handed her a bottle of French spring water. “Here. Drink this. You may need it for what I’m about to tell you.”

Isabelle thanked him and drank deeply. She felt the blood rush back to her head and knees. She was almost back to normal. Until he spoke again.

“I want all three.”

“You what?” Isabelle doubted she’d ever been as stunned. She didn’t want to appear ridiculous or not deserving of the honor, but now that she’d gotten over the initial shock, she just couldn’t hold back her excitement. “This is amazing. I can’t thank you enough, Mr. Whitestone. I had hoped, obviously, but I never dreamed you would accept me...”

The heavy clomp of heels against the wood floor outside the office made her pause. Isabelle turned toward the doorway.

Backlit against the hall lights stood a tall man dressed in scuffed cowboy boots, faded jeans and a black, paint-splattered T-shirt. His shoulders were wide and nearly filled the doorway. Though it was just below freezing outside, he wore no hat or gloves, and Isabelle wondered where he’d put his coat. His sky-blue eyes lingered on her face and he sent her an audaciously appreciative smile.

He held out two takeout coffees, gesturing toward Malcolm. Isabelle couldn’t help but notice how his biceps bulged as he raised his hand.

“I brought cappuccinos for two. I didn’t know you were expecting company.”

He never took his eyes off Isabelle, and she didn’t mind one bit.

“Wes,” Malcolm replied, propping Isabelle’s painting on the floor next to his desk. “Come meet Isabelle.”

Wes moved toward her stealthily, as if still sizing her up. He handed Malcolm his cappuccino. “No sweetener and an extra shot. Just how you like it, uncle.”

Isabelle tore her gaze from the masculine vision in cowboy boots back to the man who was about to define her future. “Uncle?”

“Yes. This is Wes Adams. My sister’s one and only. Thank God.”

“Oh, Malcolm.” Wes laughed and turned back to Isabelle. “He says things like that to keep me on my toes.”

Malcolm rolled his eyes and sipped his drink. “This is really good. Best I’ve had since Italy. Where is this from?”

“The new café down the street,” Wes said. “I told you. Cupcakes and Cappuccino Café. It’s different. I like it.”

“Maddie’s place,” Isabelle gushed. Malcolm and Wes shot her quizzical expressions. “My friend from Indian Lake owns those cafés. She started the first one over a decade ago in our town. I forgot that she’d just opened up her third here in Evanston.”

Wes’s smile got broader, if that was possible. “I’m a fan already. And they stay open till midnight, which is when I need a triple caffeine fix. The cupcakes aren’t bad, either.”

“They’re the best.” Isabelle replied feeling a flutter of defensiveness. She was as protective of her friends as she was of her family.

“I’m sure they are,” Malcolm said. “Neither of us is very into sugar. Nasty stuff. Bad for the brain.” Malcolm grimaced and shook his head. “And since Wes is my most talented protégé—” he shot his nephew a purposeful stare “—I try to keep him in check.”

“This is true. Sadly. I’d be freer in prison than under my uncle’s watch.” Wes chuckled and slapped Malcolm’s shoulder good-naturedly. “I am grateful for all he’s done for me.”

“Which is a lot.” Malcolm nodded sternly. “And I won’t apologize for my mercenary ways. I believe my investment will pay off in the long run.”

Isabelle gaped at them. For the first time, she wondered if getting involved with Whitestone Gallery was a good idea.

Wes burst into laughter. “We’re just kidding,” he said. “From the horrified look on your face, I’m guessing we should dial it down. You know how it is with family sometimes.”

“Oh.” She let out a breath. “I understand now.”

When had she become so uptight? She couldn’t even take a simple joke for what it was. Maybe if she hadn’t dreamed of this kind of interview since she was a kid, she might be more at ease. Without a mentor, without a supporter who knew the ropes of the art world, had connections with the critics and acquisitions houses, she didn’t think she would ever be able to succeed. She attempted a smile at Malcolm and Wes. She needed this.

“I should explain, Isabelle. Wes fancies himself a contemporary artist and I have recently landed him a large commissioned painting.”

“Enormous is more the word for it,” Wes interjected. “One of the old residential buildings on Lake Shore Drive is being renovated, and I’m painting three murals for their lobby.”

“Wow, congratulations,” Isabelle said. She couldn’t imagine being sought after enough to have her work hung in one of the Gold Coast historical buildings. The thought gave her goose bumps. When she smiled at Wes, she realized he was beaming at her. The moment seemed suspended, reminded her of what it felt like whenever she was painting. She wasn’t exactly on the earth, yet she hadn’t left it, either. She could feel the paintbrush in her hand, but the energy that flowed through her arm to the brush and onto the canvas came from somewhere else. She didn’t know where. But she knew instantly that Wes understood. He went to those places, too.

And he recognized the artist in her.

Isabelle thought she’d melt on the spot, which would cause a great deal of trauma to perfectionist Malcolm.

Wes finally tore his eyes from her and glanced down at the paintings. “You did these?”

She blinked. Her paintings. Yes. That’s what she was here for. To sell her paintings. To impress Malcolm. Not flirt with Wes. Not conjure romantic daydreams about an artist, no matter how perfect he seemed to be.

“Yes.” she gulped back a huge block of fear. “I did.”

Wes’s gaze snapped to Malcolm. “This is what you were talking about last night? For the art nouveau showing in the spring?”

“Precisely.” Malcolm finished off his cappuccino and put the paper cup in the wastebasket, being careful not to splash any errant drops on the floor. “Isabelle’s work intrigues me.”

“Because it’s rudimentary,” Wes quipped. “I don’t mean to insult,” he said to Isabelle. “I just know how fastidious my uncle is when he’s selecting pieces for the gallery. Trust me, if Gustav Klimt were to sail in here with the Woman in Gold, Malcolm wouldn’t be impressed.”

“Oh, stop. Of course I would.” Malcolm folded his arms over his chest. “I want something startling.”

Isabelle looked at her acrylic of the blue faeries. “And are they startling?”

Malcolm went to stand by Isabelle as they studied the painting. “It’s their expressions, their demeanor. Their apparel is luscious. I’m fascinated by your use of figurative, abstract and decorative combinations. There’s an overlay of silver, here, is there not?”

“An underlay,” Isabelle said, not taking her eyes from the faerie’s face. “Then an overlay. You’re right.”

“Gives it depth. I like that. I’m interested to see what you can do with oils,” Malcolm said, twisting his face to her.

“Oils?”

“You have worked with them?”

“Yes. Of course, but...” She wrung her hands. “They’re intimidating.”

“Ah,” Wes interjected. “That’s because they demand the utmost from your talent and vision.”

“They do.” She smiled at him. When his eyes, filled with admiration, met hers, she felt validated in a way she’d never experienced before. These men were professionals with exacting tastes. They saw potential in her. Isabelle could not have been more honored.

“Would you be willing to explore your vision in oils rather than only watercolor and acrylic, Isabelle?” Malcolm asked.

“I would.”

“Good answer.” Wes stepped toward her. “I’m off. I wish you luck, Isabelle. Clearly, my uncle is charmed.” He extended his hand.

As she slipped her hand into his chapped palm, he whispered, “But not as charmed as I am.” Without another word, he walked out of the office. Isabelle listened for his boot heels on the wood floor.

After a few moments the sound faded. Then silence. She turned to Malcolm. She wondered if he could see the hot flush in her cheeks and rising up her neck. “Wes is...”

“Talented,” Malcolm said curtly, still watching the door. “Impressively talented and he knows it. I apologize if you found him rude.”

“It’s all right, I’m hardly the caliber of artist—”

“Stop. Don’t denigrate yourself, Isabelle.” He lifted his chin and fixed her with an imperious gaze. “You should know that I pride myself on finding raw talent. I enjoy being the maestro sometimes. I’ve been wrong on occasion, but usually when the student wasn’t as committed as me. Do you understand?”

“I’m beginning to.”

“I like these three paintings, but when I went over the others in the file you sent, I was not as enamored. I feel you can do better. I want you to think about it, Isabelle. Think about what you truly want for yourself and your future.”

He went over to the pile of bubble wrap and began rewrapping her paintings.

“You don’t want me to leave them?”

“Not yet. I like them a great deal, but I’d planned for my spring show to be contemporary art. I want to strategize. Look over my client list and evaluate their needs.”

“I see,” she replied, swallowing her disappointment.

“I’ll call you,” he said, handing her the paintings and gesturing toward the door.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Malcolm. And I want you to know I’ve already given consideration to your advice. I will start working with oils. Perhaps I’ll have something for you soon.”

Malcolm’s eyebrow cocked and a smile spread across his face. “Entice me, Isabelle.”

“I intend to.”

Isabelle left the gallery, memorizing each wall and corner, imagining her pieces, new creations that came from the saplings of desire she felt growing inside her.

From the second she’d opened the door at Whitestone Gallery, she’d felt the promise of change and challenge whirling around her, pulling her toward her future. Malcolm and Wes spoke of master artists, icons she’d revered since she was in middle school and stumbled upon her first art history book in the Indian Lake library. She’d been drawn to art nouveau—Toulouse Lautrec and Aubrey Beardsley as well as Klimt and Mucha. She’d adored Erte and his movement into art deco, but it was the short span between 1890 and 1905 that fascinated her, as if she’d been a part of it somehow. Perhaps she’d underestimated the universal appeal of her faeries and nymphs along with her talent. The only place her paintings had hung was in the gift shop at the Lodges.

Malcolm had said he was fascinated with the faeries’ expressions. Odd. She’d never put much thought into their expressions. She knew from art school that other painters labored over faces, the nuances of the eyes, of the lips, hoping to capture the next Mona Lisa smile. She did not. Often, Isabelle simply closed her eyes and waited for her heart to guide her hand. Her faeries were the faces she saw in her dreams. She knew them well.

Malcolm hadn’t commissioned her projects or presented her with a contract. Yet her elation was undeniable. Only Scott had ever made her feel this hopeful.

All these years, it had been Scott who had shored up her crumbling emotions when she’d been rejected—again.

For the first time, she realized he’d been the one pushing her to try again. Paint again. Submit again.

Scott...

He was the first person she wanted to tell about her visit with Malcolm.

CHAPTER SIX

NEW YEAR’S EVE was the last night the Lodges was open for the season. Edgar Clayton preferred to close the cabins and facilities for the winter, though he’d confessed to liking the solemn yet dazzling interlude between autumn and spring more than any other time of year. Edgar was a pensive soul, Isabelle had decided. Never married, he devoted himself to making the Lodges a memorable experience for his guests.

She had to admit she admired Edgar’s sentimental side, which was why she would not abandon him this New Year’s Eve. Once again, she’d agreed to organize the decorations, the flowers and the menu for an extravagant party...at least to the extent that his somewhat limited budget would allow.

Aqua, silver and indigo helium balloons with long, metallic ribbons that nearly skimmed the heads of the tallest guests covered the ceilings of the main dining room and the enclosed patio. Isabelle always used a lake or water theme for her New Year’s decorations and this year was no exception. She’d filled the center of each table with silver netting studded with glitter. Aqua tapers and votive candles nested among silver and aqua glass balls and branches that resembled coral. Soft cedar and bells of Ireland created the illusion of seaweed, and the overall effect was that of a mystic lake.

The silver-banded wine and champagne glasses and the matching bone china had belonged to Edgar’s mother. Each time Isabelle helped the serving crew place the dinnerware, she wished she’d met the older woman, but she’d died years ago.

Odd, she thought, that she yearned for guidance from Edgar’s mother but not her own.

Connie didn’t feel the joy of creating “tablescapes” or planning parties the way Isabelle did. When Isabelle was a child, she’d told herself that her mother simply wasn’t creative and artistic the way Isabelle was. However, Connie was a gifted architect. She had phenomenal vision and was capable of creating entire cities in her head, then rendering them on graph paper and in the intricate and time-consuming balsa wood and paper model layouts she perched on bookshelves in her den.

Still, Connie had shunned all domestic duties once Isabelle’s father died. Those duties had gone to Isabelle and she still resented them. She had felt too much like a servant to the needs of her brothers and sisters. She didn’t blame them for her fate; it was the way it was. The heartbreaking truth was that Connie had become emotionally disconnected from her children once she became the sole provider. As much as Isabelle understood that, now that she was an adult, it didn’t mend the fissure in her heart. A dull ache, perpetual and reliable, thrummed inside Isabelle, underscoring her decisions, actions and needs. Connie had sacrificed her love and care for her children and had burdened Isabelle with responsibilities that were too great for a ten-year-old to bear.

Isabelle admired her mother’s career, but deplored the mundane, day-to-day rut of domesticity. Children held an artist back and Isabelle decided it would be best for her career if she never had babies. Isabelle had seen what having a family and an absorbing career could cost. And the price was too high.

“Isabelle.” Scott wrapped his arm around her waist. He’d walked up from behind, surprising her.

“You look amazing,” he said as she turned toward him, his hands still on her waist.

She shrugged, sending ripples through her iridescent silver crepe de chine gown. “I thought I’d blend in. Match the décor.”

Scott’s lips quirked into a rascally grin. “You couldn’t blend in any more than fireworks in a midnight sky.” He pulled her closer. They were nose to nose. “You’re a knockout.”

“I could say the same about you,” she said, glancing down at his blindingly white tuxedo shirt, black silk bow tie. He wore his immaculately cut tuxedo every New Year’s Eve.

Scott in a tuxedo was nothing short of a woman’s dream. His wide shoulders were enhanced by the jacket, though she noticed that this year, his biceps seemed to be straining against the sleeves. But all that was eclipsed by his ease and manner when he wore his tux.

That first New Year’s Eve when Scott had moved back to Indian Lake, she’d commented on the fact that he owned a tux. He told her then he’d bought it his first year at the Tribune and had intended to wear it when he won prizes for his journalism.

She lingered on the gold flecks that sparkled in his eyes. Did he think about those days anymore?

“I aim to please,” he said, holding her gaze.

Isabelle didn’t know what was happening, but she could swear Scott wanted to kiss her. Not one of his friendly pecks on the cheek, but a real kiss. Suddenly she felt uneasy. Why was she noticing how handsome Scott was? He was just Scott. He would dance with her at midnight and she’d finish her chores like they always did on New Year’s Eve. Wouldn’t they? She looked around nervously and gave him a wide, friendly smile.

“Scott, I have to get back to work. I was just checking the champagne glasses.”

His eyes never left her lips. He lifted his hand to her neck and touched her tenderly. “Right. The glasses.”

His thumb traced the line of her jaw. She was melting and she never melted. Everything about this night was orchestrated for romance, including a torchy love ballad being played by the Milo Orchestra in the background.

“Glasses,” she repeated, trying to recover her composure and remember her job. What had she been doing before she’d slipped into this dreamy state?

“Isabelle.”

She’d never paid much attention to his voice before, but now, when he said her name, her stomach fluttered. Why was she reacting to him as if she had a crush on him? She didn’t need a mirror to know her cheeks were flushed.

All she could feel was his hand on her waist. The sound of Scott saying her name echoed in her head.

She swallowed hard. She had to snap out of this. It was this kind of romance that lured women into domesticity.

She had to force herself to focus. “Yes, the glasses. Uh, for the midnight toast.”

He brushed his lips against her cheek. “And I’ll find you for my kiss to ring in the New Year.”

Isabelle hadn’t realized she’d shut her eyes, immersing herself in the moment with Scott.

She felt a whoosh of air, the temperature dropped and she blinked, returning to the present. Scott had left her to join Luke and Sarah at their table.

Luke had risen from his chair to slap Scott on the back. Trent Davis sat nearby, looking more like a GQ model than the Indian Lake police detective that he was. He stood to shake Scott’s hand, then Scott bent down and kissed Cate Sullivan’s cheek before going around the table to hug Sarah. The glimmering, moon-glow lighting Isabelle enhanced Scott’s good looks. Or was she seeing Scott in a new light tonight?

Isabelle had a dozen chores to finish before midnight. There were party favors, hats, noisemakers and streamers to distribute. The servers were busily placing clean champagne glasses at everyone’s place. The soloist who would sing “Auld Lang Syne” had not yet arrived. Edgar always gave the countdown, but as she wended through the dining room, making sure guests were happy, she didn’t see him anywhere.

At midnight, her duties would be over. The kitchen crew and extra bus boys she’d hired would handle the cleanup. Then she would have Scott all to herself and Isabelle planned to dance with him until the band’s contract was up at one in the morning. Admittedly, she felt terrible about the way she’d treated Scott over these past weeks—months, really. Immersed in her ongoing quest to get her work noticed, she’d lost sight of what a good friend he was. He’d always been fun to flirt with and she’d forgotten how much his smile lifted her spirits. Overlooking Scott had become a habit, and she was ashamed of it. She owed him thanks for so much.