Page 37 of Take Me Please, Cowboy
“Something did happen.I know it.”
He said nothing, determined not to be drawn into this.He had a long day ahead of him and then an even longer drive tonight.
“Did you have a fight with someone in Marietta?”she persisted.
“No.I don’t fight, you know that.”
“And you’re not injured,” she said.
“No.”
She tipped her head, studied him.“Then it’s love.”
Rye choked on his mouthful of coffee and nearly spit it out.“No,” he said, after struggling to swallow.
“I think you met someone in Marietta.”
Rye was not doing this, not today, not any day.“I need to go.I’ll be home to hitch my trailer after work, but don’t plan on me for dinner.”
His mom reached out and caught his sleeve as he passed, stopping him.“It’s okay to have feelings.”
He hesitated and then leaned over and kissed the top of her head, her thick dark brown hair beginning to show strands of gray.“I know.”Then he was walking out to his truck and a long day on top of the Lewis house, wrapping up the job so he could leave for Oregon.It was a good thing he had a good crew, several of the men having been with Calhoun Roofing since he was a teenager, but everyone always showed up, and the newer guys worked harder, when he was on the job site, too.
But driving to the Calhoun Roofing office, Rye itched to call Ansley.She was constantly on his mind, and he wanted to know how her uncle was doing, but even more importantly, how she was doing.He knew all too well that it wasn’t easy becoming a caretaker, and this was new to her.He hoped she was getting support from her family.He hoped the Wyatts were still checking in.It was a lot to ask of a person, but Ansley was strong.She had backbone.
She had more than that.
She had fire and light, warmth and sweetness, courage and a beauty that crawled into his heart and took up space.Considerable space.He was missing her.And thinking of her way too much.
Calling her wouldn’t make things easier.Calling her would just make him want to keep calling.He wouldn’t detach the way he needed to do, and that was the next step, the most important step.He had to let her go.
It was the best thing for both of them.
But that didn’t make it comfortable.
*
Thursday morning, afterhelping her uncle with his morning routine and then arguing with him about trying to come to the kitchen table for breakfast, at least making the effort, Ansley gave in and helped him back to bed.But once he was there, and content with his oatmeal and coffee, Ansley called Marcia at the gallery to discuss the invitation.
The call with Marcia left Ansley even more excited.It was the first time anyone in the art business had treated her as a true artist.A true professional.She hadn’t realized how much the inclusion would mean to her, and after discussing the exhibit with Marcia, she agreed she’d want to come see the space—and what section of the gallery would be her space—to make sure she had the right pieces, and enough pieces, to show.But to go to Bozeman, she’d need someone to stay with Uncle Clyde.Ansley resolved to discuss it with Melvin, certain he’d be supportive, and when he arrived that afternoon and she shared the invitation with him, he was so pleased she almost felt as if she was one of his grandkids.
“Do you want to go today?”Melvin asked.“Have you set a time with her?”
“I haven’t, but she is working today.But then she’s also working tomorrow.”
“Do what you want to do.Between Summer and me, we’ve got you covered.”
Ansley called Marcia back, asked if there was a good time to come by the gallery, and Marcia suggested that afternoon if it worked.Ansley said it did and quickly showered and dressed, pulling her long hair into a ponytail to look a bit older, before driving the forty-five minutes it’d take to reach downtown Bozeman.
Marcia was even more lovely in person.She was younger than Ansley expected, early to midforties, with dark hair and light gray eyes, and a crackling energy that made it hard for her to stand still.“This would be your area,” Marcia said, walking Ansley across the gallery to a massive wall with a half wall.“I usually encourage the artist to share their vision for displaying their work, but I might have some thoughts.”
“Of course.I’m open to anything and everything.”
“Good, then I hope you’re open to adjusting the pricing for your work.You are seriously undervaluing your landscapes, and I know you do a lot on Etsy and eBay, but consider increasing those prices.Offer Ansley Art merchandise that’s affordable, but your originals should be priced accordingly.”Marcia hesitated.“Do you have any questions about the commission we take?”
“I’d expect it’s the standard fifty percent.”
Marcia nodded.“It might seem like a lot, but we’re going to market you, introduce you to some of the biggest buyers in Gallatin County, and it’s something you’ll want to put on your resume.I’ve worked hard to make this one of the more prestigious galleries in Montana.My sales staff is exceptional and we’re in an excellent location.”
