Page 84 of Finding Forever

His expression didn’t change. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“Yes, I did,” Beth said firmly.

For the first time, Natalie smiled.

Walt looked from her to Beth. “I hope you’re right.”

“So do I,” Beth admitted. “But we’re opening.”

He nodded once and walked toward the door.

Beth waited until he was outside before releasing the breath she’d been holding.

Natalie touched her arm. “Are you okay?”

“No.”

“You were very confident.”

Beth was glad her boss thought so. “I’ll panic later.”

Natalie grinned. “Schedule it for five.”

Beth laughed despite herself.

From across the room, Laurel called, “Beth, where do you want the ceramic moose?”

Beth looked toward the strange sculpture that had been sitting outside her office all morning. “I still don’t know who brought it.”

A woman near the gallery raised her hand. “That’s mine.”

Beth stared at Natalie.

Natalie shrugged.

Four days. They only needed to survive four more days. Beth walked toward the woman and smiled. “Tell me about your moose.”

Chapter 40

At six-thirty on Saturday morning, Dave found Beth standing in the middle of the arts center with a clipboard in one hand and a roll of tape in the other. She hadn’t noticed him come through the doors.

Dave stayed near the entrance for a moment, watching as she checked something on the reception desk before crossing it off her list. Soft music played through the speakers, filling the otherwise quiet building.

In three and a half hours, the doors would officially open. Right now, everything was ready.

The gallery wall was covered with paintings, photographs, and children’s artwork. Tables for the activities had been arranged along one side of the main room, already supplied with paper, paints, brushes, and aprons. Balloons waited behind the reception desk, ready to be taken outside later.

Even the parking lot looked normal again. The trench had been filled, the damaged sewer line replaced, and the barriers removed yesterday afternoon.

Dave still considered that something of a miracle.

He walked farther into the room. “I hope you didn’t stay here all night.”

Beth spun around. “Oh, my goodness, Dave. You scared me.”

“Sorry.”

She pressed a hand against her chest before glancing at the clock. “What are you doing here this early?”