Page 39 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

Love you, too. Thank you for being my rock.

Chapter Fourteen — After School

Kate picked up Bridget and Tyler after school and brought them to the gallery. The kids settled in the back room while I discussed the inventory with Kate and Stella at her desk.

Wind chimes tinkled, and the door opened. Ian and his friend strolled in just as we finished. My cheeks heated, and I offered a small smile when Ian and I locked gazes.

Ian’s friend had dark hair and brown eyes. The thickness of both of their eyebrows and strong jawline were the same. They looked similar.

“This is Isaac,” Ian said, his eyes wide with amusement.

“I see why you wanted me to check out this gallery.” Isaac took our hands one by one and kissed the backs of them. “It’s so nice to meet you, pretty ladies.”

“Isaac? Isaac, your brother?” I said, my voice louder than I had intended.

Ian shrugged. “He popped in unexpectedly. Sometimes he does that.”

“I’ve heard so much about you, Abby.” His devilish smirk was the same as Ian’s.

When Ian had told me about Isaac, his brother the dentist, I had imagined him reserved. But he was just as confident, playful, and outgoing. And as good-looking.

“Oh,” I said nervously.

“Don’t worry. It’s all good,” Isaac said. He glanced about the room. “Ian has good taste in … art.” His gaze landed on me.

I was pretty sure he wasn’t talking about art.

Ian cleared his throat and lightly shoved his brother. “What Isaac is trying to say is that he would love to see some of your paintings.” Ian narrowed his eyes at his brother. “Don’t waste Abby’s time.”

Footsteps pattered across the tile floor from the back room.

Bridget and Tyler came rushing out to greet Ian and his brother. While the rest chatted and laughed by Stella’s desk, I guided Isaac to the paintings on the wall.

Isaac looked from left to right as I explained who had painted what and their inspiration. He took his time examining each painting as if he were an expert. When I glanced over my shoulder, I caught Ian watching me. He smiled and turned back to the conversation with Stella.

Isaac purchased a total of five paintings for his properties and a sculpture of a unicorn and an angel with her wings slightly open. While he continued to admire a painting of the palm trees on the beach, I finished the transaction and returned to him.

“Do you have any questions, Isaac?” I said.

“No, but those are going to look great on the plain white walls.” He leaned closer. “By the way, thanks for being a bright light in Ian’s life. When our mother passed away, Ian took it the hardest.”

Ian hadn’t told me his mother had passed away. When?

It wasn’t my business, but Ian and I were getting to know each other. Maybe he didn’t feel comfortable telling me. It must’ve been recent. Was that the reason Ian had asked me about Steve? Maybe I was reading into this too much. If he’d wanted me to know, he would have mentioned it. But I could ask his brother since he’d brought it up.

“When did—”

Ian slid himself between us. “Seems like you two are finished. Isaac isn’t pestering you, is he?” He glanced at his brother, then me.

“Pestering?” Isaac hiked an eyebrow. “Be careful what you say, big brother. I’ll tell Abby something embarrassing about you.”

Ian edged closer to me like he wanted to get away from Isaac. “You see what I have to deal with, Abby? At least you have a nice sister.”

I crossed my arms and shook my head at Kate. “I don’t know, Ian. Sometimes she’s a handful, too.”

I wanted to know more about his mother and what had happened to her. I wanted to hug him and let him know I knew his pain. People grieve in their own way. Losing a loved one can often bind those left behind. And because of this, I wanted to be a better friend to Ian.

Thanks for being a bright light in Ian’s life, Isaac had said. Sometimes just being there for someone made a difference, but I didn’t know what I had said or done to help.