CHAPTER ELEVEN
Hannah poured milk over her cereal and tried to not to worry about what was happening on the ranch.
Claire glanced at her. “Whatever is on your mind can’t be that bad.” She placed two pieces of bread in the toaster. “Have you heard from Brett?”
“Not yet.” It was after eight o’clock. She was sure Dave’s brothers would have woken early, giving Brett the perfect opportunity to search the house. “Where do you think the painting could have gone?”
Claire shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, but I hope they find it.” While her toast was cooking she opened her laptop. “I’m sure Brett will call you when he has more information. But, in the meantime, we’ve got a wedding that needs our attention.”
“I can’t believe the Jenkins’ wedding is less than two weeks away.”
With two clicks of her mouse, Claire opened a file on her laptop. “It has come around fast. And when this is over, we’re staging another three weddings, an anniversary party, three corporate functions, and a Bar Mitzvah—all before the end of February.”
“We’ll be busy.”
Claire’s toast popped. “What have you decided to do about the residency in Vancouver?”
Hannah hesitated before answering. “I haven’t had time to think about it.” She looked at her bowl of cereal, hoping her sister didn’t see through her little white lie. Over the last few days, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it. But if she admitted that to her sister, Claire would keep pestering her until she gave her an answer.
“Don’t leave making your decision until the last minute. I’m sure there are lots of other artists who would jump at the chance to take your place.”
Hannah choked on her Frosted Flakes. “Is that supposed to make my decision easier?”
“I’m being practical; something you seem to have forgotten. Whatever you decide is up to you. But you might not get another chance to work in Vancouver.”
“You don’t think I know that?”
Claire sat at the table. “Knowing it and doing something about it are two different things.” She bit into a piece of toast and pointed to her screen. “Tell me if I’ve forgotten anything.”
Hannah turned her sister’s laptop toward her and went through their spreadsheet. They’d already read the document so many times that she could have recited their plan off by heart. But sometimes, when you least expected it, inspiration would hit and you’d see something you’d never noticed before.
“Everything looks good to me.” Hannah ran her gaze over the completed items. Claire had been busy. “You’ve done a great job.”
“There’s a lot of hard work ahead of us. Mrs. Jenkins and her daughter want to meet on Wednesday to go over everything.”
Hannah left her spoon in her bowl and scrolled through the list. “Has her daughter’s dress arrived?”
“It’s hanging in Mrs. Jenkins’ closet. There are still a few small jobs that need to be finished before our meeting. I’ve highlighted the tasks you need to do in pink. Mine are in yellow.” Claire handed her a plastic folder. “Here is a paper copy. When you’ve completed them, mark them off the electronic sheet.”
“Yes, boss.”
Claire waved a piece of toast at Hannah. “This is serious business. The Jenkins’ wedding could be the boost we need for our business.”
“We don’t need a boost. We need a vacation.”
“What did I say about cataloging the McConachies’ art collection?”
Hannah opened the folder her sister had given her. “It was fun. Pat and Ida were very grateful for what I did.”
“And you spent time with Brett.”
“That, too,” Hannah mumbled.
Claire tilted her head sideways. “You like him, don’t you?”
Hannah didn’t know how to describe her feelings for Brett. “He’s different than most people.”
“Different in a good way?”
