Page 73 of Unforgettable
“I’m just saying,” Brett added, grinning, “you must be something special.”
Randi felt the heat rise faintly to her cheeks, unsure how to respond.
Across the table, Blythe smiled knowingly but said nothing.
Branson, quieter, simply watched, his gaze steady and thoughtful.
And Braden—
Braden shifted his gaze to his wife and their lips curved in aknowing smile … they didn’t have to hear any spoken words. Just being in their son’s presence, seeing the way he and Randi looked at each other and interacted – they knew everything that they needed to know.
Later that afternoon, Randi found herself alone.
Not abandoned.
Not unsure.
Just… drawn.
The land had a way of doing that, of pulling her outward and inward at the same time. She wandered a short distance from the house, her steps slow, deliberate, until she found a place where the field opened wide and the horses moved freely in the distance.
She stood there for a long moment.
Then turned and headed back.
“Do you have anything I can use … to paint?” she asked Brew when she found him near the barn.
“Paint?”
She nodded, shuffling her feet.
“Ah ha.”
His eyes sparkled with surprise.
“Yeah,” he said, “just the right thing. Give me a sec.” He scooted off.
She smiled brilliantly at what he was carrying and bolted forward to help relieve him of his burden.
“What on earth?” She shrilled as she looked at the items he was carrying.
“Just a few things I thought you might need.”
“A few things!”
His arms and hands clutched a small table, folding chair, easel, two blank canvasses, and a wooden painter’s studio case filled with brushes, palette knives andprofessional oil colors … everything she needed.
“I thought this land might inspire you and –“
“I could kiss you right now.”
In a matter of seconds, he unloaded the items he was carrying and opened his arms wide to receive what she had offered.
Randi giggled and did not hesitate. She darted forward and jumped into his arms as he lifted her cupping her backside.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him heartily. He returned her kiss, matching her ardor, as he spun her about slowly lost in the splendor blossoming between them.,
At first, her strokes were
