“I’m sorry. I know you two were close.”
“K-Dad was good to me, but his porcupine personality didn’t make him a very popular guy. So, what’s the good news?”
“The New Mexico Bureau of Tourism commissioned you to do a spread for their upcoming ad campaign. It’s called, ‘Extreme Beauty Awaits’.”
Savannah’s lips quirked up. “Fantastic.”
Silence.
“Um…there’s a tiny glitch,” Tilly added.
Her smile fell away. “How bad?”
“More like, bad timing. The photographer they hired came down with Lyme disease and had to back out. The shoot is early next week, but they’re willing to pay double because of their last-minute request. It’s a great opportunity. Do you think you’d be up for it?”
“Hmm, let me think.” She would only mope over her stepdad’s passing. Now that her mom knew K-Dad was gone, Debby would definitely visit, greedy fingers outstretched. Though Savannah needed this job and the income that came with it, she wasn’t confident she could manage without an assistant. “This is a big break for me. But…”
“Too soon?” Tilly asked.
“It would be easier if I had an assistant.” Savannah switched the phone to her other ear and fiddled with the sterling silver ear cuff.
“Haven’t found anyone yet, huh?”
“I offered the position to someone last week, but she wanted more money than I could swing.”
“Hey, why don’t I meet you in New Mexico and help out?”
“That would be great,” Savannah replied.
“I’ll book our flights. And since you’ll be out there, I’ll see if I can get you a meeting with Gerard Ricardo, the golf course owner who expressed interest in your work.”
“The one you’ve been calling for months?”
“Yup.”
“Keep me posted.”
The call ended and Savannah headed into the B&B and upstairs to her room to change.
Over the years, Tilly had become her friend and confidant, too. The two had met at a small, private showing around the time Savannah was about to call it quits. She’d run out of money and refused to accept any more help from her stepdad. That show would have been her swan song, but the universe had other plans for her.
Tilly had loved her photographs and offered her representation. After reviewing all of Savannah’s work, Tilly suggested she focus on landscapes and nature scenes. Fast-forward six years. The thirty-two year old artist had made a name for herself as a landscape photographer.
But things had changed over the past few months. Tilly had spent most of her time helping her husband run their new coffee shop. As a result, she hadn’t booked a new gig for Savannah since then. In addition to hunting for an assistant, Savannah had been shopping for a new agent. Savannah hated the thought of severing their relationship, but her bank account had dwindled to fumes. Disappointment clouded her thoughts. If things didn’t change, she’d have to accept the position a friend at the beach had offered her, managing a restaurant.
Savannah dressed for the meeting and left the inn. As she drove to the attorney’s office, she wondered who else would be there. Material things meant little to her, so if her stepfather left her something that someone else wanted, she’d hand it over. The last thing she needed was a family feud. From what she knew, most family members didn’t like Kyle anyway.
For Savannah, clothing was another form of expression, but as she glanced down at her outfit, she wondered if she’d gone overboard.It’s a reading, not a funeral.Even so, she’d painted her canvas black. A black skirt, charcoal gray shirt, and black heels. But she’d belted her waist with a brightly flowered scarf. A tribute to the man who’d added so much color to her life.
The law office of Sheldon Elstor was located on the second floor of a quiet office building ten minutes from Starry Cove. An unremarkable brown leather sofa, matching chair, and oak coffee table with dated magazines filled the tidy waiting area.
After polite conversation, the soft-spoken receptionist led her into the conference room. “Sheldon will be right in.” He left the door open and hurried back to his post.
A moment later, Sheldon walked in. “Hello, Savannah. Doing any better today?”
She rose and hugged the burly man. “I’m okay. It’s been a rough couple of days…for both of us.”
The sadness in his eyes mirrored how she felt. “Losing a friend is tough,” Sheldon said. “Reminds me of my own mortality.” He fastened on a tight smile. “Let’s meet in my office.”
