Beach House Reunion (Beach House #5)(83)
“Cara, dear, you thrive in the business world. Ignore comments from others about how a good mom stays at home. You need to experience the personal satisfaction that your decision is best for you and your child. Heavens, millions of children with working parents have grown into successful, loving adults. The same goes for children with a mother—or a father, for that matter—staying home. Even if you feel confident today about whichever decision you make, there will be days doubt creeps in. You’ll feel you’ve made a mistake, or that you’re getting the short end of the stick. Just know that your decision doesn’t have to be permanent. You can always go back to work, or you can leave your job later if now’s not the right time. Look at Emmi. Her children are grown, she’s single again, and now she’s happy managing a shop. Life is a long series of choices. All we can do is make the best decision we can at every turn, hope for the best, and deal with the consequences.”
Emmi turned to Cara, for once speechless. There was nothing left to say.
Cara felt Flo’s words were swirling in her mind and taking root. “Thank you, Flo. I needed to hear that.”
Hope squealed and started pointing. They all turned to see what the fuss was about. Out in the lavender water that reflected the changing skies, three dolphins frolicked in the boat’s wake, arching and diving, creating a show for Hope, who watched, utterly thrilled. Cara joined in with the chorus of “Look!” and “Ahhh!” Watching the dolphins, laughing with her loved ones, she felt the weight of her thoughts dissipate into the air like the droplets of water outside the window.
David and Bo met them at the dock with golf carts to take them to the Dewees Community Center. David drove the large “limo” cart to handle the group. The center was bustling with a good crowd. Judy Fairchild welcomed them at the door and guided them to the drinks and refreshments.
Heather floated across the room to greet them all with a great show of welcome. She wore a blush-colored lace dress that swirled around her ankles, and her blond hair was loosely curled and flowed past her shoulders. At her neck she wore an impressive necklace of diamonds, with more diamonds in her ears. Cara remembered the painfully shy girl who had come to the beach house only four years earlier. It was a joy to see how she’d blossomed. Marriage and motherhood suited her, and tonight she was celebrating the preview of her first art show.
David came to Cara’s side, debonair in a formal dinner suit and carrying a flute of champagne. Her heart skipped a beat.
“Don’t you look handsome,” she commented, taking the wine.
He nodded, smiling. “Thank you. And may I compliment you on your dress.”
She sipped her wine and their eyes met over the rims of their glasses.
“Shall we take a spin around the room?” he asked.
Cara was eager to see the collection. For this exhibit, Heather had culled from her larger collection only paintings of shorebirds, knowing that the residents of Dewees were proud to house a major shorebird sanctuary. The songbirds and other pieces she was reserving for her Charlotte show. There was a buzz of excitement in the room, lots of exclamations.
“I’m so happy for Heather to see such a turnout,” Cara said.
“And all the red dots,” David added, pointing out the small red dots in the corners of the painting labels that indicated a work was sold.
“Already?” Cara was a little stunned. She felt a thread of trepidation. The show had only just opened. And yet, she wasn’t surprised. She paused before a painting of a heron spreading its wings in the sunlight. The feathers appeared almost transparent. “Heather’s talent has grown exponentially,” she said in hushed awe. “For one so young . . .”
They moved on, each painting more beautiful than the last. Cara kept her eyes open for one painting in particular, however. And when at last she spied it, she tugged at David’s sleeve. “Over there,” she said, urging him along. “There’s the one I’ve come for. The roseate spoonbills. I saw the beginnings of it in the tree-house studio, remember? I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind since then. Hurry!”
They cut across the room to where two couples stood admiring the painting. Cara and David were tall enough to look over their shoulders.
“Oh, David,” Cara said on a sigh.
“Like it?”
“Love it. I am overwhelmed. It’s beyond my expectations.” She let her gaze wander the brilliantly rendered painting of a trio of roseate spoonbills standing in the water, their pale-pink plumage catching sunlight, and their reflection mirrored in the water. The cluster of people moved on to the next painting, allowing Cara space to walk to the small cream-colored card describing the painting and the price. The price was surprisingly steep. Cara hadn’t realized Heather’s art had reached that level already. But her breath caught when she saw the small red dot in the corner of the card.
“Oh no. It’s sold,” she said, feeling crushed.
David looked around the room. He was a head taller than most of the people and had a clear view. “Most of them are. It’s like a fire sale. People are rushing to find something available. Isn’t it marvelous?”
“Yes, of course.” She made a resigned face. “But I’m so disappointed this painting was sold. I meant to buy it.”
“Did you?” he asked, surprised.
“Don’t you remember? I saw this painting in its early stage up in the studio. I came here tonight secretly hoping to buy it. But it’s already sold.” She sighed heavily and looked around the room for Heather. “Do you think she’d do another? On commission?”