She nodded, hoping the foot massage would continue. “Definitely. As much as I appreciate you employing me, I don’t like relying on one source. I’m sure you can understand that.”
He shifted toward her. “Hang on. I thought you had other clients. Clients in California.”
“I do. But like I told you before, I think they will eventually get tired of me not being there. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s what my gut is telling me. Having another source of income would begreat. And reading a book now and then, making some notes on it, like what I did for Kyle? That would be great.”
His thumb worked down to her heel. “I’ll send out a few emails. See who’s interested.”
“Thanks. Speaking of gigs, remind me to tell you about the library thing I think you should do.”
“Why don’t you tell me about it now?”
She closed her eyes again, the foot massage taking over her thought processes. “Because I’m busy. But I promise I’ll tell you about it later.”
“Okay.” He chuckled softly and continued to knead his fingers into her foot. “You like that, huh?”
“Mm-hmm.”
A few moments later, Jack let out a, “Woohoo! Fish on, man!”
Harper opened her eyes and Mitch sat up straighter.
He yelled to Jack, “You need some help?”
Jack arched back as he reeled in the line. “Just grab the net, brother. Dinner’s on the line.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Frankie had watched the rather amusing show Willa had put on for the paparazzi. She’d also seen Mitch’s boat go by. At least she thought it was his. Could that be where Harper and Jack had gone? They hadn’t been visible on board, but if Mitch was trying to get Jack away without the paparazzi knowing, it would make sense that he was down below.
Good for them. A day out on the water would probably do Jack some good. Poor man. He was such a nice guy. The treatment he was getting from those gossip sites wasn’t quite as bad as what Harper had gone through, but it was still ugly. And a lot more intense.
Did those vultures really not have better things to do?
Frankie wiped her hands on a rag and sat back to study the work she’d done so far today. After cutting in the rough outline of Arlington’s face, neck and shoulders, she’d started with his hair.
That was just how she worked. Top to bottom, once the background was done. She’d taken photos of her progress all along the way, too. It didn’t mean she planned to post them on Instagram as Willa had suggested, but at least this way she had them if she wanted to.
Jack would have to weigh in first. Even if she didn’t mention his name, he was paying her to do this painting. If he didn’t want anyone else to see it, that was perfectly within his rights. The last thing she wanted was to ruin her burgeoning reputation by upsetting a client.
She probably should be more active on social media. Especially if she wanted to build her business. In a perfect world, that wouldn’t be necessary. But the world was far from perfect. The boats anchored off the property proved that.
Her background music, being played from her laptop, was the soundtrack to the movieSojourner. Seemed fitting.
She was mixing up a little more paint to capture the right silvery tones of Arlington’s hair when movement outside caught her attention. She looked up from her palette and saw Archie at the door. Apparently, he was ready to come in.
She set the palette down and opened the door for him. He trotted past her and up the steps. She stood in the open door, watching the paparazzi get temporarily excited that someone new was visible.
That excitement quickly died down when they realized she was nobody. That made her laugh. It was good to be a nobody, at least where those idiots were concerned.
Willa was still on the lounge chair, but she was laying on her stomach now. For all Frankie could tell, Willa might have been asleep. Good. She hoped Willa was having a nice nap filled with lovely dreams. Her downtime was about to disappear. Being a teacher was hard work for little money.
Frankie prayed her daughter wasn’t disappointed with her decision. More than anything, Frankie wanted a nice, easy, happy life for her child. Jason, Willa’s brother, seemed to have everything figured out. She’d talked to him before bed last night. He’d had all sorts of good news and funny stories.
He’d always been that way. A golden boy who somehow made the right choices without even trying, the one things always worked out for, the class president, and prom king, and everyone’s best friend.
Willa, for all her beauty and sweet personality, had floundered some in life. Not because she didn’t work as hard as her brother. She worked harder. But she doubted herself at times. It was human nature. Frankie understood that.
But those previous instances of self-doubt were part of what made Frankie question the speed and certainty with which Willa had decided to leave school for work.
