If I Didn't Know Better (The Callaways #9)(74)

"It's funny, because coming to Angel's Bay for me was an exciting adventure. I got to step away from my real life and see what else is out there. Who knows what's next?"

"The sky's the limit, Mia."

"That's what Aunt Carly would have said."

"Good luck with the exhibition. Sorry for being a pain in the ass about my art."

"You've been nicer than some of the others."

"Did Christina find her picture?"

"No, she came by earlier. She was pissed off that it wasn't here. I wouldn't be surprised if she asked you to get her a search warrant for the house. She really wanted to go inside, but I have to draw the line somewhere. I'm trying to be understanding, but there's a point where people have to accept that if you give something away, it might not come back."

"Now, you're making me feel guilty for trying to get my painting back."

"Sorry, I was talking more about Christina, because she was really rude to me. I don't have the best impression of her."

"She has a hot temper," he conceded.

"It looked like the two of you were arguing last night in the park.

"That usually happens when we're together," he said. "She's just one of those people who pushes my buttons, and I push hers."

Mia nodded, thinking that he still hadn't said what they'd been arguing about.

"I'll see you later, Mia. And let me know if anyone else gives you any trouble. You don't have to let anyone into your house, and you shouldn't."

"Thanks."

After Kent left, Mia went back into the house. She still had some time before Didi Eckhart arrived, and she wanted to spend it looking into her mysterious painting.

She spent the next two hours on the computer. She'd studied Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in school, but she hadn't had much to do with his artwork in recent years, so it was good to refresh her memory. She learned a lot about his life in Paris and his love of the Parisian nightlife. She thought many of his paintings were exquisite and several reminded her of the one on her kitchen table. She became more and more convinced that he was the artist or that someone had copied his style.

It wasn't unusual for artists to copy the works of the masters, sometimes as a method of studying and learning, other times as a way to pay homage to the classics. And, of course, there were forgers interested in passing off their work as the real thing for lots and lots of money.

While it was frustrating not to be able to find the exact painting online, she did enjoy the research, which took her back to her college days. She'd always loved to learn. It was when she'd graduated and started working that she'd stopped learning new things. That was going to change no matter what she decided to do.

Around one, she made a salad and ate her lunch in front of the computer. Her mind occasionally drifted to Jeremy. Since she'd arrived, they'd spent all their time together, and it felt strange when hours passed without him calling or coming by. But they had a date tonight, and that would be fun.

So much of their relationship had involved Ashlyn, except for the steamy nights, of course. It would be fun to spend time with him alone, to get to know him even better.

She shivered a little at the thought of spending the night with him again.

Last night had felt long and lonely and while she'd chosen to sleep alone, hoping she'd actually catch up on some sleep, that hadn't really happened. She'd spent most of the night thinking about Jeremy, about being the woman in his life past the summer. And she thought about Ashlyn, too. The little girl had already stolen her heart. She needed a mother. And someday Jeremy would probably give her one. Mia felt a little jealous at the thought of that unknown woman who would take her place with Jeremy and Ashlyn, the one she'd been really enjoying the past week.

She tried to remind herself that she'd only known him a short time, that it was a summer romance, that she was getting way ahead of herself, but she'd always been one to look to the future, and a future without Jeremy seemed rather dismal.

Her computer pinged, and she focused her attention on the screen as she realized she'd finally gotten an email back from her friend in France, Danielle Malone.

According to Danielle, the painting was thought to be one of Toulouse-Lautrec's unfinished paintings.

She smiled a little proudly, happy that she'd already guessed that.

Danielle believed that the painting had been part of a collection of paintings discovered in an attic after his death in 1901. It was said that he had put paintings there that he deemed unworthy of his talent. But everyone in the art world thought they were stunning.

The paintings had then been purchased as part of a collection for a museum in Paris. Unfortunately, that museum was looted during World War II, and the painting had not been seen since. Some of the artwork from that museum had shown up in various parts of the world, but the location of that particular painting was still unknown.

Mia blew out a breath as goose bumps ran down her arms at the knowledge that the painting in front of her was not only very old but had also been stolen—maybe more than once.

Danielle suggested she get in touch with the museum to see if they had any further information.

She noted the name of the curator, his email, and phone number. Danielle said she'd attempted to contact the museum, but it was closed until Monday. She would be off on a business trip, so Mia would have to do it herself.