“Do you mind if I show them to my sister? She’s part owner of the gallery, too.”
Ben nodded. “By all means. I’m curious to see which ones you pick.”
“I am, too,” I admitted happily. “From what I remember, your photos had an ethereal quality to them. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I don’t know how I do it.” He shrugged and shook his head. “I point my camera and that’s it.”
I smiled. “A natural talent, then. It’s a gift.”
“Yes, it is,” he agreed. “I firmly believe that we’re all born with something special; we just have to find it within ourselves.”
There was something philosophical and profound about Ben. Maybe it was the words he used or the way he said them. He had an easygoing charm.
“Violet and I should have our favorites picked out by the weekend. It would be sooner, but she’s a little under the weather right now. I’m hoping she’ll be back to work by tomorrow or Friday.”
Ben chuckled. “That works. When would you want to get together to discuss everything?”
“How about Saturday? You can meet Violet and me at the Winter Bash.” I pointed out the window. “It’s going to be right in the middle of the park out there.”
His face lit up. “That’s this weekend? I’m glad I made it back in time.”
“You’ve been before?”
The Winter Bash has existed since before I was born. At it, local musicians and bands sang Christmas songs as well as some of their original compositions. The local wineries and breweries also sold their beers and wine and gave out samples. When I came of age, it became one of my favorite festivals to go to.
“Oh yeah, I love it,” Ben replied. “I like listening to the bands and drinking good beer. I grew up in Boone, so my parents always brought me down for the Winter Bash. It’s something I do every year.”
“Same. I’ve been going since birth.”
Ben shook his head and smiled. “I’m surprised we’ve never met before. I bet we’ve crossed paths numerous times over the years.”
With all the craziness going on in my life right now, I had no clue what was going on.
“Yes, it is,” I agreed. “Then again, it probably wasn’t the right time until now.”
Ben’s warm caramel-colored eyes twinkled. “I believe you’re right.” He peered around at the store and blew out a contented sigh. “All right, I’m going to go. I know you have work to do.” He met my gaze again. “I’ll email you the folder as soon as I get home.”
“I can’t wait.”
He smiled and headed for the door, glancing back at me once more before leaving. The second he was gone, my pulse skyrocketed. I ran over to the desk to grab my phone out of my purse. I tried calling Hailey again, and when she didn’t answer, I promised myself I’d smack her on the head as soon as I saw her. Of all the times I needed to confide in my best friend, it was now.
However, therewasone other person I could seek out . . .
Once the computer booted up, I searched for Margaret Grant’s purchase order. I was hoping to find a contact number, but there was nothing. We usually asked for that information when people made large purchases. Why I didn’t do that with Margaret, I don’t know—nothing the past couple of days had made sense to me.
I searched for Violet’s number and hit send. It rang a couple of times, but then she picked up, her voice strong and not so sickly.
“Morning, sis.”
“Hey, you sound like you’re feeling much better.”
She yawned. “I am. I think I’ll be okay with coming in tomorrow. Have you missed me?”
I snorted. “It’s been a lot quieter without you here.”
“Gee . . . thanks. I feel the love.”
Everything that had happened with Max and Ben flashed through my mind. I was curious to see if she knew anything about them.
