Page 9 of North
“Okay then.” I drew in a breath and gave her all the information she needed to get around town and out of town. If I stayed there with her any longer, I’d try to talk her into coming to the gallery with me. I knew better. North hated being controlled.
Even when she was a kid, she loathed naptime and hated when Izzy laid out outfits for her. She moved to her own tune in her own time.
“I’m headed to the gallery for the day. Let me know if you need anything. Might help if you unblocked my number so I can call you if I need to.” She rolled her eyes before unblocking me on her contact list solidifying the one thing I knew was true for the past year.
She intentionally ignored me.
…
“You made any arrangements for Izzy yet?” Elijah asked when I walked in.
“Nah. I’m going to talk to North about it when she gets home. The hospital needs to know where to send her body.” I pulled out my sketchbook and looked at the plans for the Valentine’s Day display we’d been planning. I wanted to put something in the front window to inspire tourists to come in and get a one of a kind piece of art to commemorate their trip to Telluride. I also wanted to give the locals something beautiful to look at while they roamed the snowy streets.
Telluride saw more tourists than locals though. Our little town was famous for skiing off the grid and away from everyone else. It was one of those places you only heard of by mouth and could only afford if you were making six-figures or more.
“WhereisNorth? I was halfway expecting her to tag along behind you today.” Elijah looked around me as if North would pop out of a cabinet or something.
“North is doing what she does best. She went off exploring. I offered to take her around because there isn’t a chain store for miles but she wants to do everything on her own.” I tucked a rogue piece of hair behind my ear and stared off thinking about North riding around the small city on the bus. She’d be done in an hour if she stayed in town.
“You’re not worried about her making a break for it?” Elijah quizzed.
“I am but I have to trust her. With Izzy gone, North and I have to build a brand new relationship. She’s not the kid I remember even from a year ago.” I pictured her sweeping ginger lashes and thundercloud eyes. They held so many unspoken words. So many unexplored emotions.
I shook North from my head long enough to open up the gallery and sell several pieces of art with pretty hefty price tags. Moving to a small mountain town big on tourism was the best thing that happened to my art. I was able to reach customers and clients all over the world with just one shop.
I stopped wrapping a painting up for a customer when the front door pushed open. A blast of cold air came with a slender blonde woman with a mega-watt smile. She looked like she belonged in front of a TV screen somewhere.
“Welcome to Fitzgerald’s. I’m Kane, can I help you find anything?” I flashed her a polite smile and she tossed one right back.
“Hello, Kane. I wanted to come in and look around. The display in the window is gorgeous. Do you know the artists who created these paintings?”
“That would be me,” I extended a hand to her and she blinked, astonished.
“You did all this?” She looked around the gallery, turning in a complete circle.
“I sure did.” The gallery was small and cozy but I hung my art from every wall and blank space. “You interested in a piece? I can tell you all about it.”
“I’m more interested in picking your brain. I’ve always been intrigued by artists but especially painters. My dad painted and sold some stuff but I never had the talent. Seeing great art always makes me think of him.” She paused then held her finger up. “Would you mind if I just looked at your work for a while?”
“Go right ahead, ma’am.”
“Please, call me Melanie. Let me guess…you’re Kane Fitzgerald?”
“The one and only. You take a look around and let me know if anything catches your eye or you have any questions.” I watched Melanie for a few seconds while she admired my pieces, then I went back to wrapping the five by eight panting.
“I think the blonde is throwing ass at you, Kane.” Elijah kept his voice low but he didn’t do anything to hide the smirk on his face.
“Or she just wants to look around because art reminds her of her dad. You heard the entire story, Elijah.”
“I heard her throwing ass.”
“You know this gallery isn’t big enough for you to talk shit without her hearing.” I cleared my throat and packaged the painting with care.
“I’m pointing out the obvious. Don’t act like you didn’t notice.” He stopped giving me a hard time when another customer walked in. Melanie’s bright gray eyes darted across the floor to Elijah, then back to me. She swayed her hips over to the counter and leaned over a little so only I could hear.
“Hey, why don’t you let me buy you lunch today? I’m new to Telluride and I’d love a friend. Then we could talk about your beautiful art.” She slid her unashamed gaze over my face then down my neck to my body. A chuckle slid from my lips.
Before I could answer her, I saw a shock of red hair and a pair of denim eyes walk into the gallery. The energy in the air crackled to life. North and I locked eyes and I forgot Melanie was standing there.
