Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe: One Sweet Summer (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Love by the Numbers Book 1) (12 page)

It was the sweetest, most horrible idea she’d ever heard. The outside part wasn’t too bad, but who could pick out her work from the rest of the rusting metal? She gave him a weak smile. “Sounds great,” she lied.

“Well, you’re a pretty great gal. I think that Maverick kid would agree.”

“He is pretty great.” She sighed. If only Kane’s dad could see him like she did.

“You both are. The world deserves to see that.”

“Maybe.” She stroked the flashy flyers and smiled. “I’ll just…put these over here until we can settle on a date to host this fantastic show.”

Suddenly, the rev of a familiar 4x4 sounded in the front garage bay.

“Kane!” She rushed out front and launched herself at him. “I’ve been trying to reach you forever.”

He wrapped her in a fierce hug, pressing kisses into her hair. His skin smelled like dirt and pine needles and so damn good, she almost swooned. “I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’ve been working like crazy.”

“Where have you been?” She pulled away so she could see his face. “And where is my stuff? The storeroom was empty when Aldo and I unloaded the trailer.”

“Yeah…about that.” Kane released her to run his hands through his hair. “I couldn’t convince my father to overlook your past.”

“I figured that out when I showed up at The Mav a little while ago.”

“Oh, God, you didn’t. The show wasn’t supposed to start for a few more days, and I thought I’d have time to explain in person.”

She sighed. “It’s okay, Kane. I’ll just…find something else.”

“Don’t take it personally, Anna. He pretty much hated my all suggestions. None of the artists I picked got in. I took a peek at what he did end up choosing and...” Kane shook his head.

“I know, right?”

They laughed together, but awkwardly. She should’ve known her past would catch up to her, sooner or later. She’d been younger and angrier during her breakup with Rick, but now she was just angry.

Her dreams aside, the least he could’ve done was let Kane try. That he’d dismissed his own son as easily as he had a total stranger was baffling.

Well, that old windbag was getting what he deserved with the worst show Seattle had ever seen.

“Wow, you look great.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m sorry, Anna.” Kane was watching her.

“What for?”

“For putting that expression on your face. I don’t like disappointing you.”

“Disappointing me?” She inhaled so fast her nostrils pinched. “Is that what you think this is about?”

“I just thought…” His troubled eyes were gauging her reactions as if she might come apart at any moment. “Never mind. We’re both stronger and better than that.”

“You didn’t disappoint me, Kane. You tried your best to advocate for me. You believe in me and my work, enough to stand up to the man you’ve run from your whole life. That’s not disappointment in you. I’m just sorry my past made me so unsuitable in your father’s eyes. I’m sorry it ended up hurting you, too. That hardly seems fair.” She snuggled deeper into his arms.

“I’m so glad you aren’t angry.” His arms felt warm and strong around her, the arms of a man who would try to accomplish anything for her…with her. The arms of the man she was falling in love with.

“Oh, I’m angry.” She laughed into his striped shirt, inhaling the grassy scent of his skin. “Just more angry at myself for daring to hope that I—”

“Wait.” He placed his fingers over her lips. “Don’t finish that thought. You deserve every good thing that you have coming to you, Anna. You like surprises, right?”

“Depends. Good surprises or bad ones?”

“This is good. Definitely good.” He was fidgeting with excitement, his arms still wrapped around her. “I put your pieces on display so the whole world can see how truly incredible you are.”

“You did? Where?” Her throat tightened like a vice-grip. Surely it had to be better than cupcakes in the front lot of Thomas’ Garage. Bless Fred and his big, kind heart.

“A summer show.” His eyes shot green sparks.

She gave him a mock frown. “What are you up to?”

“Do you trust me?” Kane asked.

She nodded. “I do.”

“Then come and see.” He was practically bouncing with glee.

He changed into a clean, collared shirt and khakis, then loaded her into his truck. They took a short drive through a familiar part of the city. The parking lot and streets were packed for several blocks leading up to the community center—the place where she’d found magic and love with Kane.

“What the heck is going on around here?” She’d never seen it so busy.

“You. You are what’s going on around here.” Kane was grinning from ear to ear like a kid at a carnival.

“I don’t understand.” She frowned as he pulled into the center lot, past families with strollers and couples holding hands.

“You will.”

They got out and she heard the sounds of music and laughter from behind the center. One of the front staff workers, wearing the familiar community center green T-shirt, jogged up to shake her hand as they rounded the building.

“Isn’t it great?” she gushed. “We’re racking up more donations than ever!”

“Donations? Huh?” she sputtered as Kane smiled and dragged her away.

There were so many people, Anna had no clue what the staff member was referring to. Had they hoisted the community sculpture from her summer camp? Was there some festival? Overhead, a giant balloon arch stretched over the tree tops, toward the summer sky, the colors bright in the early-afternoon sunshine.

“Hey!” Anna stopped. “I don’t remember trees back here.” She eyed Kane.

The back lot had been a scrubby, cleared field and yet she spotted a few pines and some deciduous trees bearing spindly branches above the crowd.

Kane tugged her hand, winding her around the masses, until at last she could see.

The gravel lot gave way to crushed granite paths that bordered beautiful gardens. Lush landscaping islands of blooming flowers and stepping stones and in the center of each one was…
oh wowsers,
it was her work!

The Frog Prince had his own lily pad water garden settled in the hollow beneath a small Pacific dogwood.

Little Boy Blue reclined against a cluster of golden-twigged Spirea shrubs and heather mounds that resembled freshly cut hay.

And there was Bo, her crowning glory, ambling with her sheep atop a platform down the center of the garden path, with clusters of white, pink, and blue flowers in her wake. And a bit of clover.

“For the sheep.” Kane pointed to the heart-shaped leaves.

Anna’s eyes welled with tears. She couldn’t see. She couldn’t breathe. Her nose and throat clogged with unshed gratitude.

People milled about the sculptures, commenting, pointing. Their praise was like birdsong. It was better than any gallery show. It was magical. It was perfect. It was….Kane.

“You…did this?” She hugged him. “Why?”

“Don’t you know?” Kane laughed. “I love you, Annabelle Thomas.”

She saw stars as he kissed her, stars that turned into the popping flash of the news reporters.

“Mr. Maverick. How about a pose for the Seattle Times society section?”

“Sure, folks.” He put his arm around her, as comfortable being seen with her in her dress as he was when she wore overalls and work boots. The photographer snapped a few shots before wandering off. “Well, do you like it?

“I love it. It’s amazing and…” And he was amazing and she felt like an idiot for doubting him. “How did you do this?” She’d been by the center just a few weeks ago, to close out her time card and pack up the last of her summer camp supplies until second session. There’d been…nothing. An empty lot. She’d been in California for two weeks, not a year.

“A little Maverick grease to the wheels, a killer design plan, a has-been minor celebrity, and a lot of local volunteers.” He gestured at the row of news vans covering the event. “Looks like it all paid off. You’re a hit.”

A reporter flagged her down, waving a brightly colored poster. “Miss Thomas, as the artist, how do you feel about installation here at the community center?”

She snatched the flyer from his hands

The Thomas-Maverick Community Garden
.

She couldn’t imagine how many hours of work had gone into making this patch of scrubby grass into a breathtaking, remarkable sanctuary. And it was seamless. Exactly as she would’ve imagined a home for her creations.

“It’s the perfect blend of Maverick design and my sculptures,” she said. “Something that families can enjoy for generations to come.”

“Speaking of families, here’s one of Seattle’s finest now.” The reporter darted behind them, motioning for the cameraman to follow.

“Oh, boy,” Kane said. Anna turned in time to see a tall older woman strolling up the sidewalk, a woman who bore Kane’s striking features. “It’s my mother.”

The older woman’s designer shoes crunched on the gravel.

“Mrs. Maverick, what do you think about your son’s donation to the community center?”

Bev Maverick eyed them both. Anna slipped her hand into Kane’s warm palm.

A corner of Bev’s mouth worked and then she broke into a polite smile. “We’re so pleased that Kane has finally put down some roots, especially with such a talented young artist.” She eyed Anna meaningfully. “We’re looking forward to many beautiful things to come in the future.”

The reporters chuckled and Bev waved them off with a graceful hand. “Kane, darling, she’s just lovely.”

“Yeah,” Kane glanced affectionately up at Bo. “She’s kinda my favorite.”

“I meant your Anna.” Bev extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Kane’s mother. He’s told me so much about you.”

“He…has?” Anna swallowed past the lump in her throat, shaking Bev’s hand like she was trying to drill for oil or something.

“Well, not really. I had to guess at a lot, but I’m so glad to finally meet you.”

Meeting Bev was the complete opposite of meeting Carson. She could hardly picture the two of them together.

“Wish I could say the same for Pops,” Kane muttered. “Anna ran into him at The Mav. Sounds like he hasn’t swallowed his pride. I’m just sorry you had to come to this alone, Mom.”

“Who says I’m alone?” Bev tossed her son a knowing glance. Behind her, Carson Maverick ambled up, alone and gaping in sheepish awe at the jam-packed event.

Anna stifled a gasp of surprise. She’d only left Kane’s father a few hours ago…hours he’d likely spent wandering around an empty gallery. Was it possible that his father had heard about the garden show and realized he was mistaken about them both?

“Carson may be a fool sometimes, but he knows talent when he sees it. And he also knows to apologize when he’s wrong.” Bev nudged him. “Isn’t that right?”

“Beverly,” Carson remarked. “Isn’t that Fernando from the Starlight Gallery over there eyeing that frog piece? Of all the nerve!”

Kane chuckled. “Wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t offer Anna a spot.”

“Oh look, dear. Isn’t that Peter from the Evening Muse?” Bev pointed. “His gallery space is nice.” Anna stifled a laugh. Didn’t Kane’s father realize he was being played?

Carson scoffed. “It’s one-tenth the size of The Mav. He’s got no space for sculptures of this quality.”

“Is that so?” Bev smiled slyly.

They eyed the crowds milling about in pleasured joy.

“Kane, I…” Carson shook his head. “I had no idea of the scope of your talent. Or yours,” he turned to her and fumbled for words.

“It’s okay,” She smiled. “I’m just glad you’re here to witness how it all came together, thanks to Kane.”

“I’m glad to see the two of you are together on this.” He shot a look at his wife who beamed approval at him. “I suppose we’ll need to be cutting you a check?” Carson pierced her with a look.

“What for?”

“Surely you didn’t expect to donate all your work to the community. Besides, that’s
my
name on the dedication.” He leaned over and whispered a sum that made the tips of her ears burn.

“I…uh…” She’d been so happy at the garden setting she hadn’t even thought about selling her work. “You don’t have to do that.” Her tight throat eked out a squeak. Every one of her sculptures was on display. She’d have to start a whole new series, maybe something with gardens.

“Nonsense. When I’m wrong, I make amends.” He gestured to her and Kane. “Seems I have a lot to make up for. Besides, my son owes you for the work you did on the Dino. I’ll be recommended your garage to all my golfing buddies.”

“That would be just fine, Mr. Maverick. Better than fine.” A whole
lot
better. With that funding, she could stop worrying about credit card payments or keeping her head above the sea of bills. She stopped thinking about it, before she hyperventilated. “And thank you.”

“Our pleasure, dear.” Bev linked her arm through Anna’s elbow. “Looks like you’ll have lots of time for commissions in your future.”

“Yeah,” Anna replied, still stunned.

“Don’t look so smug. When I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong, Bev.”