Page 29 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

Kristina drew closer with her hand raised. Her fingertips almost grazed the surface, but she let her arm fall to her side. “This painting is so lifelike. I feel like I’m there. I love the play of light and shadow. What kind of trees are they?”

“Eucalyptus. My sister painted it.” I looked over my shoulder at her.

The three of them faced Stella, and they seemed to be in a deep conversation. I wondered what they were talking about.

“And this one.” I pointed to the adjacent frame. “Wailua Falls. Another of my favorites.”

Kristina edged closer to the painting, examining a detail in the corner, then backed away. Oil paintings were meant to be looked at from a distance.

She scrunched her eyebrows then relaxed them. “I love how the artist captured the rainbow arching over the water. It’s breathtaking. Did Kate paint that one as well?”

“No, I did,” I said hesitantly.

It didn’t matter how many years I’d been selling my work, but getting compliments had me flushing.

“Oh,” she said with a hint of disdain. Her shoulders fell, and she backed away nonchalantly.

I clenched my teeth, ignoring her subtle snub, and moved on. I showed her blown-up photos of sea turtles, city lights in oil, waterfalls in acrylic, orchids done with watercolors, and other paintings.

Our gallery showcased a variety of work from almost exclusively Hawaii-based artists. Then I showed her some of Kate’s amazing photographs, blown up to poster size, and raved about the sculptures by the window.

Kristina looked over her shoulder and pointed at the Tunnel of Trees. “Ian. What do you think, dear? Would it go well with the colors in my home?”

Dear? Did she just call him dear?

“What?” Ian looked at Kristina. He crinkled his brow and gave her a sidelong glance, looking confused. He’d heard his name and had been pulled away from the conversation.

She let out a sharp sigh. “Would this one go well with my house?”

“I haven’t been to your new place. I have no idea.” He returned to Lee and Kate.

Ian didn’t sound rude, but Kristina turned away with a hiss, seemingly embarrassed. If she wanted me to think she and Ian were a happy couple, she hadn’t gotten the result she’d hoped for.

Kristina frowned, her nose flaring, then gave me a wry smile when our eyes met. “There are so many. It’s hard to decide.” Her gaze went from one wall to the other, then to the shelf by the window. “I’m not a decorator, but I suppose if they don’t match the color scheme in New York, they can go to my other property.” Her words were soft and low, as if she was talking to herself.

Lucky for her. It must be nice to have the luxury to purchase anything she wanted. She could toss them aside if she didn’t need them, and not worry about how much she had spent.

“If none of them are what you’re looking for, then we can—”

“I have my mind made up.” Her words cut through mine, sharp and demanding.

Never in the four years I’d owned the gallery had any client been rude to me. She was obviously used to getting her way.

“I would like this one and that one.” She pointed to the Tunnel of Trees and a few others, all of them Kate’s masterpieces. None of them were mine, not even the waterfall she seemed to have admired the most.

Maybe she didn’t like me. I had to admit, I was a bit taken aback to see her, so it was possible I’d given her my bitchy face and made a bad impression. I hadn’t meant to, but whatever.

She could have Ian or whichever paintings she liked. I wasn’t the type to play games, and I certainly didn’t have time for petty people.

“And I need them shipped to an address in New York immediately,” she said, like she was ordering her assistant to make a lunch reservation.

I bit my bottom lip. Be kind and just make the sale. You’re almost done, and you’ll never have to deal with her again.

My sister joined us, looking at me warily. She must have heard Kristina’s tone and sensed my irritation. Kate hiked an eyebrow, silently asking if I was okay. I rolled my eyes to reply. Then, with much effort, I gave Kristina a bright smile when we locked gazes.

As Kristina strutted over to Ian, I asked Stella to help me.

While Stella carefully unhooked the turtle painting off the wall, I dragged a stool next to the sofa. I planted my feet on top of the stool, like I had done countless times, and reached for the Tunnel of Trees painting.