Natalie patted Sherlock’s wet head. “Hi, boy. Thanks for calling Sherlock back to you, Gabe.”
“He’s a big dog. It can be frightening when he’s running toward you. Are you taking more photos for your painting?”
“I am. I need a few more of the mountains at sunset. How is your book coming along?”
“My hero will die if the medical examiner doesn’t find him.”
“How far away is she?”
Gabe sighed. “Too far. She overlooked the clue the killer left in the body she examined.”
“You could change the story. Maybe she reviews the file and sees what she missed the first time?”
“That would be too easy.”
Natalie shrugged. “Sometimes the easiest options are the best. Life doesn’t need to be complicated.”
“Maybe you’re right. Do you want some company while you wait for sunset?”
“That would be great. Apart from mom and Mabel, I haven’t spoken to anyone all day.” Most people would have found that odd. But Gabe knew how much she appreciated having time to concentrate on her paintings.
“Did you get plenty of work done?”
She sat on the log, leaving lots of space for Gabe. “I did. The paintings should definitely be ready in time for my exhibition.”
“What will you do when they’re finished?”
“I’m not sure. Lorenzo wants me to return to Italy, but I don’t know if that’s the best place for me.”
Gabe frowned. “Who’s Lorenzo?”
“The owner of an art gallery in Venice. He’s organizing my next exhibition.”
There was a moment of silence before Gabe asked, “Is he your boyfriend?”
Natalie smiled. “Lorenzo would have a heart attack if anyone thought that. He’s sixty-eight years old, has a wonderful wife and five children.”
The top of Gabe’s ears turned pink. “I just wondered…you know…if you were dating anyone.”
Gabe wasn’t the only person who was embarrassed. “I haven’t dated many people. My last boyfriend was annoyed that I spent more time painting than I did with him.”
“Did he see what you were creating?”
She nodded. “We met at one of my exhibitions.”
“He must have known how hard you worked before you started dating?”
“He did, but I think he liked the idea of going out with an artist better than the reality. I have a job that doesn’t always work in with other people’s schedules.”
“It sounds as though you’re better off without him.”
She lifted the camera out of the bag. “He had a point, but at the time I was more annoyed than hurt. I painted one of my best landscapes after he left.”
Gabe smiled. “Silver linings.”
“Exactly.” Natalie checked her watch. “Sunset is about ten minutes away.”
He stretched out his leg and rubbed his thigh.
