“A family from Merryweather, Washington, located the painting. I’m sure that you may have additional questions about the painting’s discovery, but no details beyond those will be divulged. The family has declined the reward that our museum and the FBI offered. They’ve also asked that their identity not be made public and that their photo not be taken. I don’t mind admitting that I had to twist their arm a little to convince them to come today. But in the end, they honored my heartfelt request. Please welcome them.”
More applause. Britt twisted, clapping, to watch Carolyn enter. Then came Zander’s cousins, Courtney and Sarah. Then Zander. He wore a navy suit. White shirt. Pale blue tie.
Annette made more remarks, thanking the police and the FBI for their excellent efforts.
Britt could no longer concentrate. Indeed, she couldn’t move her attention from Zander. He stood farthest from the microphone and a little removed from his cousins—on the fringes, exactly wherehe’d so often existed in life. His hair was gleaming, his expression serious as his focus centered on her.
The tenderness in his eyes was for her. For her. The certainty of that caused goose bumps to tingle on her skin and her heart to lift.
He gave her a look that asked,How are you?
She inclined her head and smiled a little, assuring him that she’d improved from “basket case” to “a few notches above basket case.”
She didn’t want Zander to exist on the fringes anymore. She wanted to break his isolation over her knee like a brittle stick. She wanted to throw the pieces of that stick into a roaring fire until they’d turned to ash.
He was a diamond. And he was hers.
Annette persuaded Carolyn to speak. Carolyn expressed regret at the length of time that had passed since the painting was stolen. She informed the guests that she and her family didn’t desire thanks or recognition of any kind. She insisted that all the credit was due to Annette, law enforcement, and the research of her nephew Zander and his friend Britt.
Willow poked Britt with her elbow.
Carolyn told Annette how very grateful she was to see the painting reunited with its rightful owner.
Together, Annette and Carolyn gripped the hem of the fabric covering the painting, then lifted it up and over. The woman depicted on canvas was revealed with a dramaticwhoosh. She peered at the assembled guests with her knowing smile.
The artwork gleamed even more here than it had inside the apartment in Olympia.
Carolyn stepped out of the way so that Annette could pose for pictures with the painting. Several important-looking people joined her for more pictures. Cameras snapped.
The ceremony ended, and the audience rose and began to mingle.
Britt looked down the row at her family. Willow. Nora. Dad. Mom.
“It was so inspiring to hear about the painting’s story,” Mom said. “What a remarkable—”
“Super remarkable!” Britt jolted to her feet. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go ... talk to Zander about something. I’m sure he can give me a ride home. Thanks for coming with me. Really, thanks.”
They regarded her with startled bemusement.
“Uh ... sure, honey,” her dad said. “You’re welcome.”
“I’ll see you in Merryweather,” she said. “Later. Not today. Another day. Soon.”
Britt hurried to the front of the room. Zander’s cousins and aunt were ensconced in discussions, so she was free to grab Zander’s hand. She towed him from the room like a teacher marching a misbehaving student to the principal’s office. Except faster.
“Hello,” he said dryly, when they were in the hallway.
She took a set of stairs. Dragged him down more corridors. Finally, she found an exit door. It emptied into a private walled garden.
Zander had told her that Frank and Carolyn had once eaten lunches together in this very same courtyard. Ivy climbed brick. Lilac trees dripped clusters of white flowers. A border of moss gave way to planting beds bursting with pink hydrangeas.
They were blessedly alone.
Their hands remained joined as he faced her. “You okay?” he asked.
“I’m wobbly. But better than I was yesterday.”
“You look gorgeous.”
