She brushed a kiss over his lips, soaking in the happy sensation. She checked his fingers for paint before threading hers through his and tugging him into the wide-open space of the gallery.
Half the lights were off, but the layout was now clear. Short sections stuck out at intervals from the side walls, alternating with a central core of freestanding partitions. The openings created a maze with plenty of wall space that enticed a person to keep walking, keep discovering new treasures around the next corner.
“It’s intriguing. Somewhat mystical. Like wandering through an enchanted garden maze.” Rose spoke softly as she meandered forward.
The gallery was still bare-bones, with nothing displayed on the freshly painted walls. Pale green and creamy white, the look was peaceful and fresh.
The storage room at the back behind the Private—Staff Only sign was a different matter. Dozens and dozens of packages and tall wrapped objects were neatly organized in rows. The shelves lining three walls were more than half-full with everything from vases to sculptures to still-wrapped lumpy objects.
Curiosity bloomed, and Rose’s fingers itched to peek at all of it.
“When is the official opening again?
“August twenty-seventh.”
“Will you be done in time? It seems so quick.”
He lifted his shoulders easily. “I have a wide variety of art on hand and three galleries in western Canada that I can contact for additional work. I’ll have time, but I might steal Fern from your shop temporarily. I’ll need the help not just setting up but in the studio upstairs. I think she’d be perfect.”
Rose hesitated. “Oh.”
“It’s working with computers and art,” Chance said softly. “I thought that might appeal to her, and it’ll be a big help to me.”
“It’s probably right up her alley,” Rose admitted. “It’s kind of you to think of her.”
“She impressed me,” he said simply. Chance linked their fingers. “But if I plan to hire her, I need to hurry up and nail down the theme for the show. I want an idea that suits Heart Falls.”
“Theme?”
He waved a hand at the open space around them. “For the show. I’m not featuring a single artist this time but an eclectic mix including all sorts of mediums. That means it’s even more important to pick a theme that will unify the collection. I have one idea I’m working with, but it’s…not quite right.”
Rose nodded slowly. “I do that in the shop. Grouping collectibles in a way that makes sense.”
“You do it all the time in your floral art as well,” Chance said smoothly. “Every one of your bouquets suggests a different emotion or a heartfelt wish. They’re brilliant.”
Pride notched higher, along with a sweet joy that he’d noticed her work in such detail. “Thank you for the compliment.”
He dipped his chin. “It’s true.”
They finished the tour then made plans to get together for supper and whatever else came up. Which might mean finishing the evening at the cabin he was using at Red Boot ranch.
Once thoroughly kissed farewell, Rose went back to work.
If she spent time daydreaming about exactly what flowers she could put into an arrangement that said, I think I want this to last forever—
Well, she didn’t have to admit that to anyone. Maybe not even herself.
11
Guys’ night out had finally arrived. Chance looked around at the loud, boisterous group of men gathered in the studio space above the gallery with satisfaction.
There were eight of them there that first Friday of August. His brother, Cody, and the two men from Red Boot ranch: Zach and Finn. Two from Silver Stone ranch: Luke Stone and his best friend, Tucker Stewart. Finally, a couple of men who worked as volunteer firefighters in the community: Alex and Ryan.
They’d had pizza and beer and plenty of time to talk. Now Chance was ready to make them work for their supper.
He was still figuring out the connections between them all, but from the jeering and teasing going on, the men were good-naturedly willing to give anything a go for one night.
Even something as off-the-wall for them as picking up a paintbrush.
