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“I’m so glad you bid on me at the bachelorette auction. That you were brave enough to talk to me. I didn’t realize how stuck I’d been.”
“I feel the same. Ever since my father died—”
Holly reached across the table, covering my hand with hers.
“I shut down, hiding out in my workshop and avoiding family events. I don’t even think I realized it until you came back into my life.”
“There’s nothing wrong with how you grieved.”
“I want to be closer to my family. They’ve been making comments that they’re surprised to see me at dinner. I didn’t realize it had gotten so bad.”
Holly frowned. “They love you. They worry about you.”
“I thought I was doing fine. I’d processed Dad’s death and had moved on. But I don’t think I did. It was too hard for me to be in that house. It brought back all these memories.”
“How do you feel now that you were there a couple of times in the last week?”
“Not as weird as I thought. I think the more I go, the better it will be. I won’t be looking for my dad to walk into the room or ask us what trouble we’re getting into.”
“Maybe it would help to talk about his memories with your mom and your brothers.”
“That’s not a bad idea.”
Our food arrived, and we dug in. When our bellies were full and we were waiting for the check, I thought about how much I loved having Holly in my space. I wanted her to move in with me, but it was probably too soon.
“I’m looking forward to relaxing today and tomorrow.”
“What are your plans after that?”
Holly grinned. “I want to try my hand at the kiln again. I have all these ideas, and I’m excited to get started. I’m actually glad I’ll get a break from the ornaments for a bit.”
“I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”
“Marley asked if I’d paint the inn so she could sell prints. She wants it to be exclusive to the inn. I can’t even sell it at your mom’s shop.”
“That makes sense.” I sensed a hesitation in the way she explained it. “What’s the problem?”
“I’ve never painted a picture like that. I’ve done ornaments and small trinkets but not a full-sized print.”
“Isn’t it the same thing?”
“I have a mental block around it. Maybe in some way, I think it’s something a real artist does, and that’s not me.”
“You are a real artist.”
“I love that you believe in me, but there’s always that doubt, you know?”
“I’ve had my own insecurities. I design light fixtures. It’s not exactly a manly pursuit. Or so my dad and brothers reminded me so often.”
“I think you’ve proven that it is. Look how successful you’ve been, and I love your designs.”
“My brothers supported me quicker than my dad did. But he came around. At the end of the day, you know your truth. You’re an artist. If you can paint on a circular shape, you can paint on a flat surface.”
“I’m going to try because I promised Marley I would. She wants to hang an original in the common room and sell prints.”
“I’d be prepared with a few originals. I think Marley’s going to have people who want to buy those. They love getting something that’s in limited supply.”
“You sound just like Marley.”
