Indelible by Kristen Heitzmann Read Free Book Online Page B

art.”
    With this level of emotional tension, she couldn’t even fake eye contact. “What would you like to know?”
    Jaz hissed, “Why on earth would you invite Trevor MacDaniel?”

    Trevor turned his back on Jaz and effectively on Natalie also. He could hardly have made a worse appearance at this event Whit insisted he attend. “She’s our neighbor. You took her climbing. You can’t blow off her opening. You’re the one with experience at these things.”
    Whit was right, he had to come. But the last thing he’d wanted was to draw attention. Natalie deserved this night. And he hadn’t handled their last interaction with the greatest finesse.
    “You’re kidding, right?” Kirstin looked down her nose at Jaz. “You dated her?”
    “Briefly.”
    “Do you do it any other way?”
    He shrugged, hands loose in his pants pockets.
    She pouted her lower lip. “How long do we have to stay?” She’d exhausted her attention span.
    “Long enough to see the exhibit. And buy something.” He’d noticed several SOLD tags already.
    “For me?”
    “You don’t like art.”
    “I like art.”
    He didn’t argue the point, but neither did she. She grabbed another flute of champagne. He felt like swilling from the bottle.
    A petite woman stepped around her companion and called, “Trevor.”
    He did a double take. “Tia?”
    She laughed, touching the deep auburn twist of hair. “Not my normal style.”
    How had she even gotten her lion’s mane in there?
    Her husband, the chief of police, turned. As they shook hands, Trevor could tell the hawkish eyes caught everything, including the look he’d given Tia, though that couldn’t be unusual. She had a dusky allure.
    “Quite an event,” the chief said.
    “Culture comes to Redford.”
    “I’m Tia.” She reached a hand to Kirstin.
    “I’m sorry.” Trevor turned. “This is Kirstin Bach. Jonah is chief of police, and Tia works search and rescue.”
    “Really?” Kirstin could not have sounded less interested.
    What had he been thinking? “Nice to see you both.” With a grip on Kirstin’s elbow, he mounted the stairs to the loft.
    Kirstin helped herself to another flute from the tray on a stand. He lifted and drained one himself. With the bubbles climbing up his sinuses and watering his eyes, he perused the offerings. One painting that was deep tones of blue shifting across the canvas caught and held his eye. The hues matched the wolf sculpture he’d purchased, but it had a power of its own.
    “Trevor, I’m bored.”
    “Okay.” He leaned in and got the ID number from the card beside the painting. Artist: Fleur Destry. Wasn’t she the blind woman he saw around?
    He went downstairs, Kirstin descending on her stilettos like the runway model she was. Behind a discreet podium, a proper-looking woman quietly tallied purchases. Trevor approached and gave her the number on the painting. It would be delivered tomorrow or the next day. Unless he needed it shipped.
    “I’m local. Pine Crest.”
    “Oh, very good, Mr. MacDaniel. We’ll look forward to future visits.”
    He didn’t tell her he owned the business next door, just slid his wallet back into his coat and thanked her. She thanked him back. Kirstin gave his arm a tug. Maybe she thought this their lucky night. No one believed he wouldn’t take the opportunities offered. Especially Jaz, who had taken it personally.
    He stopped behind Whit and told him they were leaving. Jaz stood head to head with her photographer, checking his shots on the digital camera. Natalie stood near the door, speaking with a man wearing a pale blue jacket and black turban. He ought to congratulate her, but he’d done enough damage for one night.

    Dazed and exhausted, Natalie leaned against the door between Fleur and Lena, the manager she’d hired on sight when the sophisticated, strong-featured woman interviewed. She could hardly believe their success, not simply in sales, but also community goodwill. People were delighted to have