“They’re going to put him on trial.”
“Eventually.” He kissed her, long and deep. “I’m sorry, baby.”
He kissed her again, and then he was gone.
Carly heard the side door open, then close, heard the engine start in the driveway. She sat still as a stone in the middle of the bed, trying to figure out what had just happened. Finally she lay down on his side of the bed and held on to his pillow while she sobbed.
For Carly, the next twelve days were a blur. Stolen Moments went on sale and the first of the reader reviews were glowing, thanks in no small part to Dallas MacGregor making it known that she was dying for the film rights and was hoping to make it her second film. The splash was loud enough that three of the four people who had previously refused to have the Carolina Ellis paintings they owned put on display—including Susan Lane and Ariel Peters—had reconsidered and now wanted in. Unfortunately, Carly had had to tell them there was no space for last-minute additions, but she promised to call them should a subsequent exhibit be planned.
The catalogs had come back from the graphic designer and had to be mailed out immediately to the invitees on the VIP list. The rest would be available at the door on opening day. Ellie and Gabi had offered to help, but Carly had declined. It would take her three times as long, but if her mind was occupied, she’d have less time to think about Ford and where he was and what he was doing and whether or not he was still alive. On more than one occasion, he’d mentioned how dicey, how unsettled and volatile the area was. The country was in the midst of a civil war. What if some of Nakimbe’s followers decided to eliminate whoever was going to testify against their leader? What if the government was overthrown while Ford was there? What would happen to him?
She was glued to the TV channels that broadcast mostly news, just in case. She missed him so much it physically hurt.
There were no phone calls, no emails. Nothing but silence. It was almost as if he’d never been there at all.
On the morning of the dedication of the art center and the opening of the gallery, she awoke with an ache in her head and a cramp in her heart. She’d looked forward to this day, meticulously planned every detail. She’d staked her reputation in part on the success of Carolina’s works, and was nervous about unveiling them to the rest of the world. What if the buzz wasn’t what she’d anticipated? What if the paintings weren’t well received? What if no one else saw the genius in the paintings that Carly saw? What if what if what if …
The dedication ceremony was scheduled for two in the afternoon, and the reception for the gallery at five. Since she would attend both, she tried to find something in her closet that would be appropriate for the outdoor dedication as well as the cocktail reception. Finally accepting that she owned no such animal, she pulled out the blue dress she’d worn on her first date with Ford. She’d fantasized that he’d arrive at the party, see her in that dress that had done a number on him the last time, and he’d swear to never leave her again.
Her fears about the exhibit had been unfounded. Carolina Ellis’s name was on everyone’s lips, and Carly was asked to pass along offers to Ellie from art patrons and gallery owners alike.
“I cannot believe how you pulled this off.” Ellie hugged her when she arrived. “The paintings all look so much better hanging on these walls than they did standing up in my attic.”
Carly laughed. “It’s amazing what a good cleaning and some good lighting can do. But you’re right. They all look fabulous. It seems that everyone on the VIP list has a favorite that they’d like to buy when you’re ready.”
“I don’t know, Car.” Ellie bit her bottom lip. “It’s so hard to decide which ones to part with.”
“Sweetie, you don’t have to part with any of them if you don’t want to,” Carly assured her. “You can keep them right where they are forever, if you like.”
Ellie sighed. “You’re right. I shouldn’t feel any pressure, even if everyone I meet wants to buy one.”
“Go. Bask in the glow of being the owner of all this gloriousness.”
“I will. Oh, look, there’s Dallas.” Ellie leaned in and whispered, “Is she really interested in the film rights, or was that just promotional hype?”
“Go ask her.”
“I will.” Ellie disappeared into the crowd.
Carly saw her parents at the door and went to greet them.
“Sweetie, we’re so proud of you.” Carly’s mother hugged her before passing her off to her father.
“So proud,” her father repeated, giving her an extra squeeze. “We’ve been following the hype in the Times. You really did call out the big PR guns this time.”
“Enrico did most of the heavy lifting, but yes.” Carly nodded. “I called in every favor I was owed and I’m not ashamed to say it.”
“This is an interesting building.” Her mother stepped out of the doorway to let the next group of arrivals enter. “Look, Patrick. Open beams. So beach house.”
“Go look at the paintings, Mom, Dad.” Carly ushered them toward the exhibit. “I have a lot of people to chat up and a short amount of time in which to do it.”
“Go do your thing, Carly.” Her father patted her on the back. “If we don’t catch up later, we’ll see you in the morning at brunch.”
“You were able to get a room at the inn?” Carly asked.
“We have a lovely suite of rooms,” her mother told her. “It even has a name. The Captain Something or Other Suite. Some ancestor of the inn’s owner. The views of the Bay are divine. Now go, mingle. We’re keeping you from your work.”
Carly watched her parents drift toward the exhibit area and exhaled gratefully. So far, everything was going as she’d planned.
“It’s all so gorgois,” Enrico crooned in her ear. “All these fabulous works under this one rustic little roof. The photos didn’t do them justice. Carolina really was a genius, Carly.”
“I’m so happy to hear you say that. I was beginning to wonder if maybe my eye had failed me.”
“Hush your mouth, girl. Your eye never fails. Everyone is going to be talking about this for the next forever. The showing is a howling success and your book is the talk of the town. Everyone says they’re reading it, and everyone says they want to buy Stolen Moments and everyone is thrilled to death that Dallas MacGregor is here. Ellie will be able to name her price for that painting, and she’ll get it.” He squeezed her arm. “You have hit it so far out of the park, kiddo. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Enrico. I’m proud of you, too.” When he raised a questioning eyebrow, she said, “If you weren’t doing such a great job in New York, I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate on all this the way I have. So in a way, you’re as much responsible as I am.”
“You are too, too sweet, but I’ll take it and bask in it.” He kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” His eyes drifted toward the door, then he leaned over and asked, “Who’s the old lady in the wheelchair?”
“Oh. Grace. That’s Grace.” She patted Enrico’s arm and walked to the door. “I’m so glad you were able to come, Grace. I was hoping—”
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” She turned in the chair and told Dan, who stood behind her, “Just lift the damn thing over the damn threshold.”
Carly stifled a laugh, and grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to Grace, and one to Dan, who thanked her and immediately took off for the paintings.
“I met your parents this afternoon,” Grace told her. “I just happened to be in the lobby when they were signing in. Lovely people, dear.”