Page 3 of Guarded Hearts

She could go through the fifty-six emails in her inbox.

Issuing a sigh, Layne started to reach for her phone. It rested on a small table beside her, the screen dark. How she hated to pick it up and address all the demands on a busy businesswoman like herself. So many interior designers waiting for word about the perfect piece for a client’s mantel.

Instead of picking up her phone, she reached for her after-dinner coffee. Typically it was some overpriced brew in a recycled paper cup. But this was freshly ground and brewed by her family’s housekeeper. Faye had been with the Londons since Layne was a little girl. Whenever Layne came to Golden Horizon, she looked forward to the creature comforts that Faye provided.

Especially the coffee and her specialty—honey buns.

Layne savored the brew for a moment before setting aside the mug and reaching for her phone. She scrolled through her inbox, deleting a few emails and mentally prioritizing which ones to answer first.

“Miss Layne? I hate to disturb you. You look so peaceful.”

She looked up from her phone into the housekeeper’s eyes. Every year that passed, new age lines appeared on Faye’s face, but they only enhanced her big smile.

She set her phone in her lap. “It’s so good to be here. I can’t tell you how grueling the last few weeks have been.”

“You deserve the time off, that’s for sure.”

She drew a sip of coffee into her mouth and moaned at the flavor. “I think I need to spend more time here. Nobody makes coffee like you, Faye.”

The short older woman bustled to another wicker chair and fluffed a pillow. “I’m glad you enjoy the coffee. Your father says the same every time he’s at the ranch. I’ll leave you to your peace in a moment. I only came to tell you that a package arrived for you.”

She perked up, setting aside her coffee. “A package? I wasn’t expecting anything.”

“I’ll bring it now if you’d like.”

“Where did you put it?”

“In your study.”

She followed the woman into the house and down the hall to her personal study. Faye pointed at a bulky rectangular package leaning against the desk.

She sucked in a breath. She knew the look of a package containing a painting when she saw it. After all, she was an art dealer.

Faye held out a small box cutter. “I also brought this for you to open it.”

With a nod, she took the cutter and sliced through the tape. When she opened the box and caught a whiff of wood and canvas, she was positive she had a painting on her hands.

Excitement filled her. A glance at the label revealed nothing as to who sent it to her, but a card inside said it all.

It was from a collector she worked closely with quite often. They had a good rapport, and she gave him a lot of business. It wasn’t surprising to receive a gift. People did that in her world.

But as soon as she unwrapped the precious art from a layer of paper and protective foam, she let out a gasp. Her fingers fluttered to her lips as she stared at the oil landscape she had admired so many times in the art dealer’s private collection.

“It’s lovely,” Faye said, looking over her shoulder.

Too speechless to utter a word, she nodded. The painting wasstunning. The orange and gold hues of a sunset over a field of wheat was going to be the perfect addition to their Wyoming ranch they called Golden Horizon.

“I know the perfect spot to hang it.” She carried the painting to the wall next to the big window overlooking a similar sunset. Twisting, she arched her brows at her housekeeper. “What do you think, Faye?”

She gave a smile and bobbed her head. “Like you said—perfect, Miss Layne. I’ll get the hammer and nails.”

Minutes later, Layne stepped back to study the stunning piece. The famous painter was one of her favorites. She was privileged to already own a piece by the same artist back in her New York City loft. But this…

Her phone buzzed. She tore her stare away from the brushstrokes and reached for the device.

A glance at the screen ripped the smile off her face. She froze.

I think the painting would look better above your bed.

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