Secured Wishes by Charity Parkerson Read Free Book Online

while he waited, and she turned her attention back to Bob and Weave. “My offer was a serious one if the two of you would be willing to consider it. I would pay you for your time,” she pulled a couple of business cards from her briefcase, handing them over. “Here is my number. I’m at my studio most hours, but my cell phone number is also on there, and I can be reached at that number any time of the day.”
    They each took a card and looked it over before slipping it into their pockets. She gathered up her briefcase as she stood, and both men shot to their feet taking a turn at, once again, shaking her hand. He moved to let her pass through the door ahead of him, and when he looked over his shoulder both men were openly watching Gracie as she walked away. Shannon shook his head. Once he finally got her settled into his office, he closed the door, fearing they would continuously walk past if he left it open.
    “Genie says you’re having an art exhibit in February and you were thinking about hiring us to keep your artwork secure during the show.”
    Gracie opened the briefcase at her feet and began laying out several papers. “Here are some pictures of each piece that will be on display, along with an insurance estimate on each one. Some of my work is worth quite a bit of money, and normally I wouldn’t even attempt to put on a show on my own with only my pieces on display, but with the opening of my new studio, I thought this would be a good way to advertise my new location. Hopefully it will have the added benefit of bringing in extra revenue to surrounding businesses as well.”
    Shannon looked over the pictures, barely suppressing the urge to raise his eyebrows at the price of each one. He must not have been very good at hiding his feelings because Gracie laughed. “Don’t look so horrified. I’ll never forget the first time my work went to auction. When the first piece sold, I nearly fainted, then I laughed all the way to the bank. It still amazes and humbles me that anyone would think so much of my work.”
    “I saw the sketch you gave to Genie. I didn’t realize she would have been forced to take a mortgage out on our house to buy it; but none-the-less it is…” he paused, wondering how to describe one of the most heartbreaking things he’d ever laid eyes on, “powerful in its simplicity, if that makes any sense.”
    “It makes perfect sense, and thank you. I think that was one the nicest things anyone has ever said about my work,” she paused for a moment, and a strange look passed over her face before she cleared her throat and continued. “So, what do you think? Do you think we could make this work?”
    “Oh, absolutely. We need to work out more details of course, but I know that we have this date free, so I’m sure we can manage it.”
    She stayed quiet for so long that Shannon glanced up from perusing the paperwork to find her staring at him, her eyes unfocused as if she weren’t really seeing him. He didn’t say anything to break her train of thought, instead he chose to wait until he saw her eyes clear, and he couldn’t help but smile when she shook her head, as if brushing away the cobwebs. “Where did you go?” He asked curiously.
    “I’m sorry,” she said smiling ruefully. “You remind me of someone else.”
    “I get that a lot,” he admitted. “Do you mind if I keep these? I’d like to go over them more thoroughly, and we can hammer out more of the details when it gets closer to the date.”
    “That’s fine. Those are your copies, and I’m sure I’ll be in touch with Genie, so just keep me updated. It was nice meeting you.”
    Shannon stood, walking her to his office door. “It was nice meeting you too. Genie has a lot of wonderful things to say about you, and anything that makes my wife happy, makes me happy.”
    Gracie opened the door and stepped through. “You sound like a smart man.”
    Bob was waiting outside his office, and Shannon said a final goodbye,