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“I’ll be fine.”
“What you’re going to do is burst a blood vessel if you don’t relax.” Her grandmother patted her arm and slung her purse over her shoulder. “Are you sure you don’t want us to give you a ride?
“Jack should be here any second.”
A smile tugged at the older woman’s mouth. “I am truly happy you two are growing so close, but it’s a shame to have made him come all the way up here when he lives not far from the gallery.”
Of course her grandmother was right, and Siobhan had insisted she could catch a ride with any number of people, but Jack was adamant that he pick her up and escort her himself.
“And speaking of your escort.” Grams grinned at the Governor. “I guess you’re in good hands now.”
“Governor, Mrs. Baron.” Jack came to a stop at the open front door. Casual greetings were exchanged and her grandparents climbed into their car.
Jack’s gaze drifted over her shoulder. “Anyone else home?”
“Just us.”
A smile as wide as the Rio Grande took over his face and lit up his eyes. “In that case.”
Before she could catch her breath, he’d scooped her into his arms and had done more for her raw nerves in a single kiss than all the pacing and deep breathing had done in the last two days.
Slowly easing back, Jack blew out a deep sigh and without letting go of her hands, took another step in retreat. “You ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“You’re going to knock it out of the ball park. You’ll see.”
She really hoped he was right. As Grams used to say, she was more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockers. “I don’t know why I’m so on edge. I keep reminding myself the prints are good, but I can’t help feeling like a fraud, getting by on the family name.”
“Nonsense. You’re incredibly gifted and after today, all of Houston will know it.”
“From your mouth to God’s ears.” She slid into a lightweight shawl and followed Jack to the car.
The ride to the gallery was made in near silence. Only the tight grip of Jack’s hand on hers kept her from crawling out of her skin. At least the nerves had shifted from concern to anticipation.
Jack pulled into the parking at the rear of the gallery and together they walked around to the front door.
“There’s the woman of the hour.” Eve and Paige were helping set up the bar with champagne and wines from the Baron Vineyard.
Veronica looked down at her watch and shook her head. “You’re not supposed to be here for another thirty minutes.” Moving forward, the gallery owner took Siobhan by the hand and gently spun her around. “Why don’t you go take a short walk while we finish up here.”
The words had gone in one ear and fallen out of the other. She couldn’t stop staring at her photos hanging on the wall under specialty lights. “Oh, boy.”
“Oh, boy is right.” Veronica shook her head and redirected Siobhan and Jack. “Jack, I think the waitstaff and Siobhan’s sisters could use a little help unloading the wine.”
Paige leaned in and spoke up at him. “The winery van broke down so we’re running a bit late. The extra hands wouldn’t hurt.”
“I can pitch in.” Siobhan shoved the sleeves of her blouse up over her elbow.
“Nope.” Veronica shook her head. “You go take some nice photos in the neighborhood for your next showing.”
“But—”
“No buts.” Veronica turned her around in place and then gave her a nudge toward the door. “Go.”
At least Veronica was right about one thing—not that she knew it—taking photos was the best way to calm Siobhan’s frazzled nerves.
Using a small telephoto lens, she’d zoomed in through the front window and taken pictures of her pictures. Even from out here, they looked sensational. For a short second, she felt like such a fraud. Redirecting the lens, she’d snapped photos of Jack carrying crates of wine. Did that man know how to wear a tailored shirt or what?
