Page 42 of Shallow Remains

“I’ll meet you at the dock, and we’ll find out what we’re dealing with.”

TWENTY

“Yay, you’re here. Come on through,” Willow said as a deep woof came from somewhere out of view. She wore a paint-covered apron as she led Maddy through a workshop fragrant with the scent of wood shavings.

“It smells good in here.” Reminded her of the forest.

“It does, but it’s also full of shavings and sawdust. We’re going to paint in the studio room in the back so we don’t get any of it in our paint. Tripp’s been working like crazy to finish up another commission, and I didn’t have time to clean up properly in here before everyone arrived.”

On the way through, they passed a large headboard that was carved from a red-toned wood that smelled like cedar and laid out on some sawhorses. It had a clear West Coast-inspired design with tall evergreens and an eagle perched on a bare branch.

The detail of it was stunning, the feathers so lifelike Maddy wanted to stroke her fingers across them. “Wow, it’s gorgeous. He’s so talented.”

“He really is. Carving is his favorite, and he’s turned it into a niche market. Word of mouth has been the best advertising for him. Blaine’s been great in spreading the word to his friends and business associates. Tripp’s had four commissions from them already.”

“Glad to hear it. I took the desk he carved to your cottage. I loved it so much that Blaine gave it to me.”

“The big heavy one?”

“Yep. Lachlan and Grey moved it for me.” She still owed them.

The rest of the group greeted her warmly when she walked into the painting studio. Sprawled on the floor under the table near the empty seat that had to be Willow’s, Rufus paused gnawing his chewy long enough to look up at her, then went back to work. No barking because he was too busy with his treat.

Xanthe sat next to Bronwyn on the far side of a long rectangular table. Xanthe’s friend and coworker Allistair was there too. He was always included on girls’ night.

Maddy sat across from them where a rectangular canvas had been laid out with some art supplies. Everyone was sketching a design onto their canvas.

“Have you got an idea in mind?” Willow asked her.

“I think so.”

“Great. Go ahead and lightly sketch out the basic shapes and layout with the pencil. And don’t accidentally stick your brushes in your drinking glass instead of your paint water.”

Maddy pushed up her sleeves past her elbows, visualizing what she wanted to paint.

“How are things at the cottage?” Willow asked her. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s perfect. I love having my own space.” And not being in anyone’s way. It did feel a little lonely at the cottage, especially at night when it hit her that she was all alone in the house. She’d become so used to having Blaine and then Xanthe living upstairs.

“What’s everybody painting?” she asked.

“Give you two guesses what I’m doing, but you’re only gonna need one,” Xanthe said, brow furrowed in concentration as she drew her pencil across the canvas.

“An orca.”

“Bingo. Gonna try to paint water and some dorsal fins sticking out. I’m painting Onyx. Or I’m gonna try to.”

“Are you for real?” Allistair said, giving her an accusing look. “Now I won’t be able to look at it without choking up.”

“No, you should smile when you see it,” Xanthe said. “I want to honor her memory. Hopefully, I won’t butcher the execution too badly.”

“I’ll make sure you’re happy with it,” Willow assured her. “Maddy, what would you like to work on?”

Inspired, she picked up her pencil. Began lightly sketching basic shapes. Thinking about her day with Lachlan. Of all the things she wanted to know about him.

Her toes curled when she thought about their kiss.

“What is that?” Xanthe peered at Maddy’s canvas, gasped, and set her brush down. “Oh my God, that’s Oscar. Al, look.”