Page 43 of Drawing Home
“Why on earth not? If he donated them to this museum, as you call it.”
“We run this place on a volunteer basis and don’t have the security to keep original Henry Wyatts in the on-site archives.”
“So where are they?”
“The library. Just across the street.”
“Very well.” She headed for the door.
“Ms. Winstead? One more thing. We’re a nonprofit, so if you’re ever inclined to consider a donation, it would be appreciated.”
Bea raised her eyebrows.
“This has been a surprisingly painless conversation, Mr. Sinclair. Let’s not push it.”
Emma’s first impulse after being dismissed from work was to run home and hide. If reporters were sniffing around the hotel, they might show up anywhere. But as soon as she walked into the house, she thought,Why not make the best of a bad situation?She had a free afternoon—two free afternoons. She could swing by the historical society and surprise Penny with a trip to the beach.
She packed bathing suits and towels in a bag and picked up sandwiches at the Golden Pear for a picnic lunch. She considered texting Angus that she was coming to get Penny, but she didn’t want to risk him spoiling the surprise. She couldn’t wait to see the look on her daughter’s face!
But Emma’s joy was tempered the minute she rounded the corner of the Annie Cooper Boyd House and spotted Bea Winstead heading out.
The old woman noticed her at the same moment.
Emma squared her shoulders. She wasn’t entirely sorry to be running into Bea.
“Just so you know, you’re not going to intimidate me by planting articles in the newspaper,” Emma said.
“Oh, my dear, it’s not about intimidation. But the court of public opiniondoesmatter.”
“What gossips in New York City think means nothing. The house is in this town, and inthistown, no one will take your side. No one believes you.”
“My dear, the small minds of this backwater town do not concern me.”
“If you think that way about this place, then why do you even care about the house? You’re rich—everyone knows who you are. Everyone knows what you have. Why are you bothering with this fight?”
“It’s not about money. It’s about right and wrong. At least it is for me. Clearly, that is not the case for you.” Bea smiled pleasantly and crossed the street.
Emma shook her head. She could not, would not let Bea Winstead spoil her day.
Inside the museum she found Angus and a young couple standing at the portrait of Dr. Miles. Angus was mid-lecture, and Emma didn’t want to interrupt him, so she slipped quietly into the back of the building.
“Penny?” she called, stepping over a box of books to reach the office. She knocked once on the closed door, not wanting to startle her. When she didn’t get a response, she opened it. The light was on and the computer was on but Penny was gone. Emma looked around for her backpack but didn’t see it.
Maybe she should have given her a heads-up after all. She’d probably gone out to lunch on her own.
Emma would just have to wait for her to return.
Chapter Twenty
Penny, come on! We’re starving,” Mindy called from her beach towel. She wore a black bikini with a gold ring suspended between her breasts. She’d brought a bathing suit for Penny to borrow. “Last season’s,” she’d declared, tossing it at Penny when she climbed into the back of Nick’s Jeep. Penny was just relieved it was a one-piece.
“Um, just a sec,” Penny said now.
She stood at the edge of the ocean, the warm salt water lapping at her feet. The beach was crowded but the roar of the ocean swallowed up the sound of other people. A breeze blew over her, and she inhaled deeply. She waited to feel happy, but she was overwhelmed by unease. Was it because she’d sneaked off? She told herself it would be fine, that her mother would never know.Stop worrying,she told herself.Boss it back.
The water looked so perfect, but she couldn’t wade in. Not yet. The tide washed over her toes, and she counted.Two…three…four.The water receded before she reached ten. She waited for the next wave:Five…six. Almost there! But then, a miss; the water trickled just to the tip of her big toe.One…two…
The ride to Southampton had given Penny an exhilarating taste of pure freedom. Nick Alcaldo drove fast, played the music loud, and tossed a pack of cigarettes to his brother with what seemed to Penny a shocking casualness. Mateo, sitting in front of her, turned to offer her one.
