Chloe took a bite of muffin and smiled appreciatively. “If you’re still happy for us to upload them onto one of the Smithsonian’s database, we’ll do that. It’ll make the information accessible to anyone who wants to learn more about Florence and what she did.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Natalie said.
Chloe nodded. “It gets even better. The Smithsonian would love to create a joint exhibition featuring the items Kathleen and Patrick found, alongside the letter that Penny and her sisters discovered in the dresser at the Lakeside Inn. They represent two very different but equally important pieces of American history.”
Kathleen nearly dropped her coffee mug. “An exhibition?”
“At the Smithsonian,” Chloe confirmed. “Your discovery deserves that level of recognition. Florence Buckley’s work represents a crucial piece of women’s history that’s been lost for over a century.”
Natalie reached across the counter and squeezed her mother’s hand. “Mom, that’s incredible.”
“I... I don’t know what to say,” Kathleen admitted.
“You don’t have to decide anything right now,” Chloe assured her. “But it would be great to showcase the real American West and not the Hollywood version.”
Natalie walked across to the sink and washed her hands. “That all sounds fabulous, but if we don’t get ready, there’ll be a line of people waiting to come into the café. I’ll give you a hand to bake the cookies, Mom.”
Chloe closed her laptop. “And I’ll set the tables and get everything ready for our early-bird customers.”
Natalie cleared her throat, looking more nervous by the second. “Before you leave the kitchen, Chloe, there’s something I want to share with you and Mom.”
“What is it, honey?” Kathleen asked gently.
Natalie took a deep breath. “Gabe and I... we’re having another baby.”
The words hung in the air for a moment before Kathleen let out a delighted gasp. “Oh, Natalie!” She rushed around the counter to embrace her daughter. “That’s wonderful news!”
“Congratulations,” Chloe added warmly. “How far along are you?”
“Only three months,” Natalie said, her face glowing despite her obvious nervousness. “It’s still early, but I thought you’d like to know.”
Tears filled Kathleen’s eyes. “I’m so happy for you both. How is Gabe handling the news?”
“He’s over the moon. We both are.” Natalie’s smile was radiant. “We’ve been talking about how much our lives will change with another baby, but in the best possible way.”
“Eddie will be so excited to have a baby brother or sister,” Kathleen murmured, still absorbing the news.
“The timing isn’t great,” Natalie said. “I have my exhibition paintings to finish and another two commissions to start. And with all your renovations and the discovery at your house?—”
“Honey, there’s never a perfect time for wonderful news,” Kathleen interrupted. “This is a blessing, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Chloe hugged Natalie. “I’ll leave you to enjoy the news with your mom. If you need me, I’ll be out front.”
After Chloe left, Natalie smiled. “I thought living in Sapphire Bay would be quiet and uneventful, but look at what’s happened.”
Kathleen thought of everything that had happened in their lives. “It’s been an eventful few years,” she told Natalie. “But I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Chapter 18
Patrick stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of his Manhattan hotel room with his phone pressed to his ear. Six days in New York City had been enough to remind him why he’d left this world behind. On the third ring, Kathleen answered his call.
Her voice came through warm and slightly breathless. “I was just thinking about you, Patrick. How are things going?”
Hearing her on the other end of the phone filled him with an ache he hadn’t expected. He turned away from the window, unable to look at the concrete jungle while talking to her. “Meridian is playing hardball, but I didn’t expect anything less. How are you doing? And how’s Natalie?” Kathleen had called him two days ago, excited that her daughter was pregnant.
“We’re both wonderful. Gabe and Natalie came over for dinner last night. Gabe’s thrilled with the news. He’s already short-listing names.” There was a pause, and when Kathleen spoke again, her tone had shifted slightly. “But how are you, Patrick? Really? You sound tired.”
He was tired. Bone-deep, soul-crushing tired in a way that had nothing to do with a lack of sleep and everything to do with being somewhere he no longer belonged. “It’s been challenging. Dealing with corporate power struggles isn’t as exciting as it used to be.”
