The Keeper of Happy Endings(110)

“Aurora? Honey?” Camilla’s voice drifted from the other side of gallery. “What’s supposed to be here?”

Her mother had wandered off while she and Soline were talking, but Rory knew without turning that she was referring to the blank wall where Dheera Petri’s acrylic pieces should have been. “I had an artist pull out the day before yesterday.”

“Oh no. That’s terrible. And not very fair so close to the opening.”

Rory shrugged, trying to play down her disappointment. “She got an offer from a decorator for all but two of her paintings, and I couldn’t stand in the way of the sale. So now I have a wall to fill with just eight days to go. I could probably fill it with one-offs. I’d have to take out one of the pod walls and shift the installations, then change all the lighting, but I can get it done in time. It’s just not what I wanted for the opening. I’ve got a few more days, though, so I haven’t completely given up.”

“You know,” Soline said, eyeing the empty wall thoughtfully, “I know an artist whose work would be perfect. Very . . . original. It’s short notice and she’s terribly busy right now, but I think I might be able to twist her arm. She owes me a favor.”

Rory nearly shouted for joy. She had no idea Soline had connections in the art world. Her fairy godmother was about to come through again. “Is she local? Please say yes.”

“Quite local.”

“Could you call her? I’ll meet her anywhere she wants.”

Soline offered one of her quizzical smiles. “I’m talking about you, Rory, about your art. It’s exactly the thing for that wall, a perfect segue from the sea glass pieces. And you wouldn’t have to move anything.”

Rory let out a sigh, like the air going out of a tire. “I thought you were serious.”

“I am serious. I was serious the last time I said it too. You remember, don’t you?”

Rory did remember, but she’d chalked it up to kindness. “But they’re not . . . They don’t belong here, next to all of this.”

“Oh, ma pêche. Don’t you see? This is exactly where they belong. This woman backing out wasn’t an accident. It was precisely what was supposed to happen.”

“But it’s only five pieces for an entire wall.”

“Perfect,” Camilla said firmly. “They’ll have room to breathe.”

Rory turned to look at her in astonishment. “You think I should do it?”

“I do. Soline is right, sweetheart. This is what’s supposed to happen.”

“But you always said—”

“Forget what I said. I should have encouraged you a long time ago, and I’m sorry I didn’t. But I’m encouraging you now. Not because you’re in a pinch. Because your work is beautiful and original and belongs on these walls. Please say you’ll do it. Or that you’ll at least think about it.”

Rory managed a smile, touched by this unexpected declaration, but she didn’t need to think about it. She had enough on her plate without the pressure of wondering how her work would be received when seen side by side with real artists.

“Well, you’ve had the tour, unless you want to see upstairs.”

Camilla shot Soline a wink as she hooked an arm through Rory’s. “Actually, Soline and I have a surprise for you.”

Rory wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. She’d had enough surprises for one week. “What kind of surprise?”

“Really, Aurora, stop being so suspicious. It’s a good surprise. We promise.”

Up front, Soline retrieved a Neiman Marcus shopping bag from beside the door and handed it to Rory. “For you,” she said with a catlike smile. “From both of us.”

Rory carried the bag to the front counter and removed a large, flat box. Her breath caught as she lifted the lid, revealing a suit of claret-colored silk. It was cut like a tuxedo, with black velvet lapels and a single-button closure. She stared at the label. Valentino.

“This must have cost a fortune.” She ran a hand along one velvet lapel. “It’s gorgeous.”

“It’s for the opening,” Soline told her. “Unless you’ve already purchased something.”

Rory shook her head as she folded the suit back into the box. “I hadn’t given it another thought, actually.”

Camilla threw her head back with one of her tinkling laughs. “You see? I told you. She’s never given any thought to clothes. When she was little, dressing up for Halloween meant shoulder pads and a helmet or a conductor’s hat and overalls. Never a princess or a fairy like the other little girls. And now look at her . . .” She broke off, blinking rapidly, as if caught off guard by her emotions. “All grown up and an artist with her very own gallery.” Her fingers crept to the strand of pearls at her throat, twisting awkwardly. “You had a dream, and you chased it. Not many can say that, but you can, and I’m happy for you. You deserve this, Rory.”

It was Rory’s turn to be caught off guard. Not Aurora . . . Rory. That was new.

“Thank you,” she said thickly. “Thank you to both of you. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that you’ll both be at the opening.”

“Just try and keep us away.” Camilla leaned in to drop a kiss on her cheek. “We’re off to lunch now and then a little shopping. Soline’s going to help me pick out a pair of boots. I’m thinking suede.”