Page 20 of Awakening Anna

Chapter Ten

“Come upstairs,”Max said, as they stepped through the front gate to the house they shared. “I have something to show you.”

Anna was happy to follow Max wherever he wanted to take her. At least for tonight. His apartment was accessed by a narrow set of stairs attached to the side of the house, and he motioned for her to go first. At the top, he unlocked the door and led her inside.

“It’s nice,” she said, ignoring the suitcase not far from the entrance.

“The furnishings aren’t mine, of course.” He set his keys on an end table. “But the essentials are here. It worked as a temporary home.”

Worked. Past tense. Coming up here had been a horrible idea.

“What did you want to show me?” she asked, anxious to leave.

Taking her hand, he said, “It’s in the bedroom.”

Of course it was.

“I don’t normally show this stuff to anyone,” he said, leading her down the hall.

Now she was truly curious. “I’m flattered you’re making an exception.”

Anna stepped into a bedroom that looked much like her own, with the bed centered between two windows. Unlike her wrought iron one, the headboard was solid wood and the linens more masculine.

“What is it?” she asked when he held silent.

“In the corner.”

Anna turned to find a medium-sized canvas propped on an easel. She narrowed her eyes and stepped closer.

“That’s me,” she whispered. “You drew me.”

Max remained near the door, watching her.

In the sketch, she was kneeling beside the flower bed near their front gate, floppy hat in her lap and face turned to the sun. Her hibiscus and daylilies were in glorious bloom behind her, a stark contrast to the white of Anna’s top and skirt, the latter of which was draped gracefully around her legs.

“I don’t know what to say.” And she didn’t. She’d certainly never considered herself to be half as pretty as the woman in the drawing. “When did you do this?”

“A few weeks ago.” Joining her, he stared at the artwork with a critical eye. “It doesn’t do the real thing justice, but nothing would.”

“Justice?” Anna asked on a nervous laugh. “Max, this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe that’s me. Well, a better me.”

“You really don’t see it, do you?”

“See what?” she said, turning to face him.

Max shook his head. “Let me show you how beautiful you are, Anna.”

He’d made her feel beautiful last night, but it was doubtful she’d ever look in the mirror and share his opinion.

“How would I do that?”

“Sit for me.”

“Sit? You mean pose?”

The idea did not appeal. The picture on the easel had likely been created from memory, and Max’s memory had been kind enough to ignore her every fault and flaw. The scar at the edge of her right brow. The extra five pounds she’d put on this year.

“A sketch,” he said, opening the top button of her dress. “Wearing nothing but your pearls.”

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