Images of James and Sandee and some illicit tryst in one of the cottages bubbled up. Maxi bent to pet Cooper so Jane couldn’t see her face. “Oh, no reason, I was just curious.”
She didn’t want to voice her concerns, even to her best friend. It was a big accusation to call someone a cheater, and she really had no proof other than the business card. If she was going to accuse James of cheating, she owed it to him to discuss it with him first.
A movement over at the garden caught her eye, and she turned to see Andie straightening up from the flower bed. She wiped her brow, smudging dirt on her face as she turned in their direction and waved.
Jane waved her over. “Perfect timing. Now we can ask her to concentrate on one area of the garden for the pictures.”
Andie tugged off the hot, sweaty gardening gloves as she made her way toward Jane. She had to admit gardening was cathartic. It was satisfying to see the area come back to life with the colorful impatiens and lush, green hostas that she’d been planting.
“It’s hot out here.” Andie swiped at the sweat on her brow.
“The garden is looking great.” Jane’s kind words warmed her heart. “Maxi and I were just talking about taking pictures for the wedding client, and we were hoping you could concentrate on the area near the bench first.”
“Wedding client?” Andie looked from Jane to Maxi. Had Jane gotten a bite on her ad?
“I didn’t tell you?” Jane said. “Sorry, I just found out this morning. Someone emailed about having a wedding here. And they want pictures.”
“That’s great!” Andie was genuinely glad but a little worried about the amount of work. “It’s a bit different from what we are used to, though.”
“It is, but it will be good for Tides,” Jane said. “It’s just a small wedding, so I think we can pull it off.”
“It will bring in good money. What can I do to help?” A look of surprise crossed Jane’s face at Andie’s offer. She supposed she couldn’t blame her. Andie had never offered to get involved in the family business before, as she never stayed long enough. But for some reason, Andie felt this time was different. It wasn’t just that Doug had apparently forgotten about her—it was something more. Her mother’s words about the city not giving her what she really needed ran through her head.
“Thanks, I think the gardening will be a big help. I can handle everything else.”
Andie nodded, a little disappointed that Jane hadn’t called upon her for more, but why would she? She had Maxi and Claire, who were here to help all the time, and if the past was any indication, she probably thought that Andie was just passing through.
The French doors opened, and Chandler Vanbeck came out onto the porch. He stretched, inhaling deeply. “The sea air. Always so refreshing.”
Maxi looked at him curiously, and Andie introduced them. As Maxi leaned forward to shake hands, the tote bag slipped off her arm and fell onto the deck, spilling its contents. Pencils rolled, sketchbooks flopped open, erasers bounced. Chandler bent down to help her pick them up. He hesitated when he saw one of her sketches. It was just a pencil sketch of a seagull, and Andie was no art expert, but even she could see that the details were exquisite, the shading so precise you almost expected the bird to fly off the page.
“This is wonderful.” Chandler looked up at Maxi. “Are you the artist?”
“It’s just a little sketch. It’s nothing.” Maxi snatched it from him and stuffed it in her bag, clearly embarrassed by the attention.
“Don’t sell yourself short. You have talent.” Chandler turned to Andie. “I was sorry to hear about the Richhaven job.”
Andie frowned. “What about it?”
“You didn’t hear? It came through, and Elise was named as the lead appraiser. She called me this morning to see if I could come out and appraise some of the artwork.”
Andie felt as if she’d been punched in the gut. Elise had gotten the Richhaven job? That couldn’t be possible. Doug had never even called her.
Chandler must’ve seen her look of disbelief because he continued, “I thought for sure you’d get it because you have so much more experience, but I guess I just assumed you’re needed here and couldn’t accept the job.”
Jane and Maxi were looking at her. Could everyone sense how hurt she was?
“Right. It’s more important for me to be here. My mom needs me right now.” Andie started backing away. She had to get out of there before the tears that were threatening came. “Speaking of which, I better get going on the garden so you can get your pictures.” She turned and hurried down the path to the garden.
In a daze, she sat on the stone bench and pulled out her phone. Maybe Doug had tried to message her about it. She’d been having so much fun focusing on the garden that she’d actually forgotten about him. She hadn’t checked her messages in a while. But there was no message. No email. No text. No phone call. Doug had given the job to Elise without even consulting her.
Had they forgotten all about her at Christie’s in the few days that she’d been out here? Maybe she should get back there right away to secure her job and make sure she didn’t lose out on anything else. She could finish the section of the garden near the bench quickly, and Jane had made it perfectly clear that she didn’t need any help here at Tides.
She scrolled to the airline site and started looking for flights.
Chapter 19
Jane spent the next few hours rearranging tables; tacking up soft, flowing, sheer drapes; and strategically placing pillows Maxi had picked up from the fabric store. Maxi instructed, and Jane took the pictures.
