Emily thought for a while then nodded. “Okay, if it gets me the money I need for Mom, then let’s do it.”
“Perfect. I’ll set things up today.” Andie grabbed the painting. “Meanwhile, I’m going to take this to the new art gallery and have it appraised.”
Andie left the Thompson’s thinking that she just might have melted Emily’s frozen heart just the tiniest bit.
Chapter Seven
Andie had just enough time to go to the art gallery before she was due at Tides to tend to the late-morning guests who were scheduled to check in. The new Lobster Bay Art Gallery sat just outside Perkins Cove, an idyllic cove filled with colorful lobster boats and dotted with fisherman’s shacks turned into restaurants and shops.
Andie had known the owner of the gallery, Chandler Vanbeck, for years and trusted his opinion on the painting. Out front, Chandler had installed a modernistic bronze sculpture and some lush plants. She held the painting carefully as she opened the plate glass door.
The gallery was awash in sunlight from the wall of windows that made up the front of the gallery. It wasn’t a huge space, but the twenty-foot ceilings made it appear spacious. Inside, potted plants softened the effect of the stark white walls that served as a background for the various paintings. Sculptures atop four-foot-high marble pedestals placed strategically around the room added interest.
Chandler’s office was in the back, but she paused for a moment to admire one of Maxi’s paintings. This one captured a lighthouse in a storm with violent waves swirling up over the foundation. Her heart soared for her friend. Maxi had set aside her artistic ambitions to raise a family, and now at the age of fifty was finally getting back to what she’d always wanted to do—paint.
As she made her way to the back, a woman with long blond hair backed out of Chandler’s office. “See you tonight, Boopsie.”
Boopsie? The woman turned and then stopped, her face turning bright red as she saw Andie. Andie recognized her. She’d actually introduced the woman, Tiffany, to Chandler at the art gallery opening several weeks ago. Apparently they’d hit it off, if the nickname of “Boopsie” was any indication.
“Hi there,” Andie said.
“Oh, hi. Sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was here.” Tiffany grimaced and then slipped past Andie.
Andie continued to Chandler’s office. “Knock, knock.”
“Andie! Come on in.” Chandler sat at a modern-style plexiglass desk. His gray suit perfectly fitted his trim body. His salt-and-pepper hair was impeccably groomed. He had a splash of color in his cheeks, probably from his visit with Tiffany. He seemed genuinely pleased to see Andie.
“Looks like things worked out with Tiffany.” Andie nodded toward the front door, which was just closing behind the blonde.
Chandler’s smile deepened. “Yes, and thank you for introducing us.” He narrowed his gaze on the painting. “What do you have there?”
Andie placed it in his hands. “I was evaluating the Thompson estate and found this. It seems like it could be an important piece.”
“The Thompson estate? That big house on the cliff?”
Andie nodded. “Been in the same family for generations.”
Chandler’s brows rose. “Could be an important find in there.” He laid the painting on a table, pulled a loupe out of his pocket, and started to inspect it.
Funny thing, Andie had been so concerned about Emily getting the money she needed that she’d momentarily forgotten about her quest for that big, important discovery of a lifetime. But she had plenty of time for that. There were rooms of antiques to go through, and if the Thompson house was like any of the dozens of old family homes she’d been in, the oldest stuff was in the attic. That was where she’d make her big discoveryifthere was even one to be made.
“This is in fairly good shape. A little cracking of the paint.” Chandler pointed out an area where the paint had crackled. “But the signature is genuine. It’s a Statler.”
“Is it worth a lot?”
“He’s not one of the most prominent, but… let me see.” Chandler went to his computer and checked a few websites. “One sold recently for ten thousand.”
Ten thousand was good, but Emily wouldn’t get all of that. There were fees associated with auctions, and this painting wasn’t perfect. Emily would be lucky to get the fee for one month at Tall Pines.
“Do you plan to consign it?” Chandler asked.
“I don’t know. I’ll ask my client. I think that’s her best bet to get the most money.”
“I agree. Let me know if she says yes, and I can contact Arpello’s. They usually get the best prices for this sort of painting.” Chandler came from around the desk, handed the painting back to Andie, then escorted her out of the office.
“The place looks great.” Andie gestured toward the gallery, and Chandler beamed with pride.
The door opened, and Andie frowned when she saw that it was Damien Carruthers. He stopped when he spotted Andie, his beady eyes turning cold. “Oh, hello.”
