“This painting was last in the York Shore Gallery,” Matthew explained. “Now, you probably never heard of that, but I’m quite certain a man like you probably crossed paths with Barney and Bess Blackwell. They were quite prominent in horse racing for a while.”
“I know them.”
“I thought you might. Well, Barney has an art gallery now, and this painting was on display there. Whitney said it reminded her of riding here on your farm.” Matthew shrugged. “I kind of feel like this picture connects all three of us. Well, four if you count Goldy.”
Uncle Blake looked over at Whitney. “I like him.”
“Me too.” Her cheeks reddened.
“You? Painted this?” he asked.
“Yes, sir, and I’d be honored if you’d enjoy it.”
“I will. Every day.” Uncle Blake looked at them both for a long moment. “There is something special between you two.”
“Yes sir.” Matthew lifted his chin in a confident way that filled Whitney with pride.
“So. Much. Joy.” Uncle Blake turned to Whitney. “He’s a good one. Keep him around.”
“I fully intend to,” Whitney said, and Matthew felt about ten feet tall right then.
Uncle Blake tapped a crooked finger to his temple. “That is meant to be. Trust me. An old man knows things.”
Chapter
Thirty-One
Whitney sat looking out the window as they drove away from Uncle Blake’s farm. It had been hard to see him so weak.
The long weekend at the lake house had started off on the right note. Dad didn’t torture Matthew like she’d feared, and by the end of the weekend, they were off fishing on their own. All-in-all, it was probably the best family trip they’d had in a long time.
Everyone unplugged and relaxed for a change.
When it was time to leave, Whitney and Matthew got on the road early. As they drove, he reached over and placed his hand on her leg. “Thank you for including me. This has been a really special trip. I love your family.”
“You fit right in. I learned a very important lesson.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“If I’m ever blessed with children, there will be a tarp involved on their first birthday party with a cake. Chloe had that cake everywhere.”
“It must feel good to squish cake in your fingers. I’ve seen pictures of that before.” Matthew raised his hand from the steering wheel, making a claw-like action. “We might have to try that.”
“Thank goodness Carina didn’t dress Chloe in that pretty outfit we bought as the placeholder gift. That would have been a total wreck.”
Traffic was light driving back home to Richmond.
“I didn’t realize how much I missed family until this weekend,” he said. “I felt part of this one.”
“I can’t imagine not having my folks around, and it’s hard to imagine you not being around too. You are quickly becoming a part of this family, and I still can’t get over Uncle Blake being the one to handle your patent and remembering it.”
“Crazy coincidence.”
“Or that six degrees of separation thing. Maybe it applies to more than just viral videos and magic engagements.”
“I was serious about coming with you to visit Uncle Blake. He deserves to have family around in this last part of his life. It was sad to know he’s out there all by himself. It’s beautiful, but with just a hired nurse to take care of him, it seems so lonely.”
“I know. I want us to make that happen. He loved you. We can clean up the apartment over the barn and stay there overnight. It’ll give us a little privacy. With the nurse living in the house now, that would be weird to stay there.”
