"Damn, girlfriend. That's an amazing concept."
"It is," said Ollie, looking thoughtful. "Any chance you'd show us the paintings?"
"I'd love to see them," Delaney said, nodding eagerly.
Alara looked to him, and Reaves wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "If you don't mind showing them, we've got plenty of time."
"Yeah—but shouldn't we go and see your dad first? Let him know the good news."
Reaves chuckled. "Who do you think I was texting the second we got out of there?"
Her eyebrows shot up. "But he doesn't text."
"No. But I left Zia in charge of the phone, and Faye in charge of Zia, so I could let them know the moment we did."
"Aw, Reaves."
Delaney chuckled. "Damn. It's not just the two of you that are cute, is it? You've got the whole thing. The doting grandpa. The smart little kid. And a castle to live in."
~ ~ ~
Alara let that go by—to live in—and led them inside, to the room where she'd been working. Her office had a good view, but the light wasn't right, so Charles had opened up this one for her. It was perfect: windows on two sides, and lots of natural light.
She gestured to the easel, and while Ollie and Delaney went to look, she spoke to Reaves in a low voice. "I love that they want to see it. But we really wanted to get to your dad and Zia. I don't want to hold everyone up with my stuff."
He slid his hand under her hair and curled his fingers around the back of her neck. "A few minutes won't make any difference. They already know the good news. And this is important."
"Important why?"
He smiled and tipped his head toward Delaney, who was turning around with her hands on her hips.
"Damn, girl. I knew you were good. But this is…" She shook her head. "This is exquisite."
Ollie turned more slowly, looking thoughtful, and for a moment Alara worried he didn't like it. Then he met her gaze. "I need one."
"Excuse me?"
Reaves chuckled beside her. "Uh-oh. He gets that look sometimes. When he does, he won't stop until he gets his way."
"I don't understand," said Alara. "You want—what?"
Ollie finally grinned. "This is it. This is what I really wanted—I just didn't know it until I saw it. And no one else could have done it. It has to be you."
Reaves laughed. "Slow down. Stop rambling and start making sense, bud."
Ollie gave Alara a rueful smile. "Yeah. Sorry. What I mean is, I'd like to commission you. To paint something for me."
"Really?" She could tell by his face that he meant it. This wasn't Ollie trying to slip her money undercover again. This was a man who'd seen something in her work and fallen for it. She wasn't going to make light of it. It meant the world to her—she could see it meant something to him.
"I need you to paint the view from my place." He frowned. "But—do you do people?"
"What do you mean,do people?"
"I had these portrait photos taken. Of Callie and Dad and me. But a photo just doesn't feel right—and now I know why. It needs to be a painting. There's no way the three of us would stand still long enough for you to paint us in front of the landscape, though. Could you do it from a photo?"
She laughed. "I know exactly what you mean. And yeah. I can do that. No problem."
He came closer and held his arms out. "Is it all right if I…?"
