Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“So, there’s a huge benefit to the artists?”
Eloise nodded. “The showcase brings in buyers from all over the world. Most come to see what my aunt hasn’t put on display.” She pointed to a draped area. “Those are my aunt’s. She keeps them under wraps. I haven’t even seen them.”
“Where are your paintings?”
She pointed to another stack.
“May I?” he pointed to the line of frames.
“Of course.”
Carefully, Kiel pulled each frame forward. “Have you done all these since you’ve been here?”
“Not all. Maybe two or three. Most I shipped to her before I moved. Upstairs, we have studio space. There's a man up there who uses the space for woodworking. In exchange for rent, he makes all the frames. When the painting sells, he’ll get a commission if the buyer takes the frame.”
He continued to look through the paintings. “Are you nervous for buyers to see your work?”
Eloise nodded. “It’s a tremendous opportunity and could open a lot of doors for me.”
“Thank you for showing me your work,” he said as he came closer to her. “I know I’m not qualified at all, but I think your artwork is breathtaking. I really want to show it to my mom. She’d love it and probably want to buy some pieces from you. Me too,” he told her. “I feel like I could stare at one of the sunset paintings for hours and just get lost in the details.”
She wanted to kiss him, but this wasn’t the place to do such a thing. Her aunt could walk in at any moment or one of the artists upstairs could. No one needed to see her and Kiel playing tonsil hockey. “I’m glad you like it,” she said in response. “Are you ready to go? There’s a place I want to take you.”
With his hand on the small of her back, Kiel led Eloise out of the gallery. He stopped in front of a naked Jeep Wrangler.
“Did you rent this from the guy on the island?” she asked as Kiel held his hand out for her to take. She gripped it and then climbed in.
“I did.” He ran around the front and hopped in. “I have it until tomorrow but can extend my rental.”
“You’ll probably want to extend.” Eloise tipped her head back and let the wind wash over her. The cool breeze felt refreshing. “My friend had one in high school and kept it naked from March until November. He loved that thing.”
“Naked? Is that what Wrangler owners call it when there isn’t a top or doors on?”
“Yes.” Eloise laughed. “And they go by Jeepers.”
“Ah, yes, Jeepers. I could get used to this,” he said as he pulled out into the street. “Okay, tour guide. Where to?”
Eloise gave Kiel turn by turn directions. Along the way, she told him about the historic buildings they passed, and confirmed the jail was indeed haunted.
“Do you believe in that stuff? The paranormal?”
“We’ve talked about this already,” she reminded him.
Kiel sighed. “You’re right. I totally forgot,” he told her. “When you mentioned the jail, I remembered my sister freaking out. She’s scared of that sort of stuff.”
“Ah, she should definitely take the ghost tour with my cousin.” Eloise said.
“I’m going to book it and drag her to it.”
Eloise laughed. “But yes, I do believe, especially when there’s proof. And sometimes, when I’m painting, especially when I’m trying to get an image right, I can feel my grandpa. It’s like he’s guiding my hand.”
“My mom is a huge believer. She’s experienced some paranormal before.”
“How does she like it here?”
Kiel shrugged and veered toward the right, as directed. “My parents are here to relax. It’s a weird vacation. Like, normally when you go somewhere, you’re on the go. There are agendas and reservations. Here, it’s like we’re living.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
He looked over at her, smiled, and then reached for her hand. “Is this okay?”
“More than okay.” Eloise angled her body toward his and leaned her head where the headrest and seat met. From this angle, she could admire his chiseled jaw and his five o’clock shadow. She reached out, touching her fingertips to his cheek. Kiel leaned into her touch.
They turned onto Ocean Side and parked along the road where she’d given directions. “Follow me,” she told him as she hopped out of the Wrangler. Kiel caught up with her and took her hand in his. They traversed a narrow path through overgrown shrubs and hydrangeas. “The owners of this house abandoned it years ago after a hurricane. They won’t sell it and they won’t repair it. The city wants to buy it because of this.”
They came out of the overgrown vegetation and into a clearing. The cliff overlooked the ocean. Below, water crashed against jagged rock formations. The horizon had a combination of yachts, sailboats, and a cruise liner coming into port. Water spread out for as far as the eye could see, disappearing into the horizon.