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“I was sure you’d have ideas that would fill this out.”
“Oh, ideas I have. Why don’t you let me contact the people I know who you don’t? I can be persuasive.”
“Trey mentioned that. Since you’re here, why don’t I show you how I’ve incorporated your work into the Doyle Law Offices’ website.”
As Trey had, she scrolled through, then she nodded.
“I admit I didn’t think we needed this. Now that I’ve seen what this is? We did. This reflects the firm and the people in it. And we work well together.”
“I think so. You wouldn’t take a fee for Anna’s job or for the law offices. This is different.”
“It is, and I’ll expect to be paid.”
“Why don’t we go down, have some coffee, tea, whatever you like, and talk terms.”
“I’ve seen what you can do,” Corrine said as they started down. “I know what I can do. If you don’t land the Ryder job, it won’t be your fault or mine. I’m firm on that. It’ll be because they lack good sense.”
“I’m going to hold that thought.”
“Oh.” Corrine stopped outside the music room. “Another bride. Is that…”
“Lilian Crest. Clover. I found it where I found Johanna. My father painted it.”
“I see. Of course, I don’t see at all. It’s your father’s work, and you found it here. His and Collin’s birth mother. I’ve seen her photo, the book Deuce made, but they weren’t good shots. This is… it’s wonderful. I used to joke Collin had the sexiest mouth. Now I see where he gets it. And you.”
She laid a hand on Sonya’s arm. “And it’s wonderful, too, that the brothers who never knew each other have their paintings side by side.”
Sonya’s phone played “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”
“It seems she agrees. Well.” Corrine gave Sonya’s shoulder a quick rub. “I’ll take that tea now.”
Chapter Twenty-six
Once they came to terms that satisfied both of them, Corrine sat back, looked around the kitchen and great room.
“More little touches. The copper jar on the shelf, and that—is it rose quartz?—the raw hunk of crystal. Little pots of herbs on the windowsill. I especially like the blue ball hanging in the window. I think they call them witch balls.”
“That’s all Cleo. She actually made that ball.”
“Really?” Fascinated, Corrine rose to take a closer look. “Handblown glass? I didn’t realize she did that.”
“She knows someone who does, and opens up a few times a year to give classes. She took one, made that.”
“Apparently you’re both clever.”
“I can guarantee if Anna ever has a lesson day, Cleo would be first in line.”
“That’s an interesting thought.”
“Corrine… could I ask you about Johanna?”
“We were friends, close friends. More than that,” she said as she walked back to the table to sit. “She was a sister to me. I think our bond was like what you have with Cleo, so you understand what I mean.”
“I do.”
“I introduced them, Johanna and Collin, and watched them fall in love. God, we were all so young.” On a wistful smile, she closedher eyes. “I can see us so clearly. Jo helping me shop for my wedding dress, and a few years later, me helping her find hers.”
She looked back at Sonya. “Good memories—you should always bank those good memories. She was a teacher, and oh, she loved children. She and Collin talked about filling the manor with them.”
