“Please, go ahead and take a look. My brother is incredibly talented, even if he’s too modest to admit it.” Megan nodded toward the workshop.
Connor shifted his weight, his discomfort evident. “Megs, I don't think?—”
“Nonsense.” Megan waved her hand dismissively. “Your work deserves to be seen and appreciated.”
Brooklyn tugged on Amanda’s hand insistently. “Come on, I’ll show you!”
She looked over at Connor who shrugged slightly and nodded, if very reluctantly.
Amanda let herself be led into the workshop. As she stepped inside, her breath caught. The workshop was lined with shelves full of intricately carved pieces—birds in flight, dolphins leaping out of waves, a sea captain in a rain jacket, and even some replicas of local landmarks.
“Oh, Connor. These are… magnificent. I’ve never seen anything like them. You are so very, very talented.”
“That’s what I keep telling him,” Megan said as she hip-checked her brother.
Connor shrugged. The very shrug of his that was beginning to annoy her. “It’s just a hobby of mine.”
“This is not just some hobby… It’s art. It’s beautiful. It’s… remarkable.” She could barely stop the flow of praise.
Megan shook her head. “He’s always so modest about his work. He really is talented, isn’t he?” Sisterly pride shone in her eyes.
Taking a deep breath to gather her courage, she turned to him. “Connor, you should put some pieces in the art show at the festival.”
“No.” His answer came quick and firm.
“But—”
He held up a calloused hand, his jaw set. “I said no.”
Megan let out a long sigh and exchanged a look with Amanda that spoke volumes about her brother’s stubbornness. “Connor, you should. Your work deserves to be shown. I don’t know why you keep it all locked up here in your workshop.”
Connor’s eyes flashed with frustration. “Megs, I’m not going to argue with you about this. Just drop it. Please?”
“Hey, Uncle Connor, let’s go shelling.” Brooklyn grabbed Connor’s hand and tugged, interrupting the confrontation. “You promised we would next time we came to visit.”
“Sure thing, princess. Let’s go shelling.” He grabbed a bucket from the workshop and slipped past Amanda and Megan, looking grateful for a reason to escape. “Be back soon.”
Amanda turned to Megan. “Well, it was worth a shot. He’s pretty stubborn when he makes up his mind, isn’t he?”
“Most stubborn man to walk the earth. Good thing I love him and he’s a fabulous brother and uncle.”
“I was just going to pour myself a glass of wine and sit on my deck. Would you like to join me while you wait for Brooklyn and Connor to get back?”
“I’d love to.”
They walked to her cottage, and she poured them glasses. They settled onto the plump cushions on the wicker chairs.
“So, the town is having an art show?” Megan asked as she stretched out her legs.
“It’s part of the Heritage Festival. I was hoping Connor would show some of his work. But I think that was a pretty firm no.”
“He rarely changes his mind once it’s made up. I’ll work on him some, but I can’t make any promises.”
“I’m helping plan the festival and I do need some more local art for the show.”
“How long have you lived here on Magnolia Key? I don’t remember meeting you before.”
“I don’t live here. I’m just here for a few months. Taking a break from real life.” She held up a hand. “And I know what you’re going to say. Why am I working on the festival then?”
