Page 7 of The Bad Boy’s Homecoming (The Southern Hart Brothers #2)
CHAPTER SEVEN
Missy
Burn it Down
H ow could two hulking Hart brothers be so gentle and kind and then their third brother be the exact opposite?
Missy wondered. She’d just finished painting two of May’s table tops while she stewed over how abrupt Levi had been with her each time they met.
Which had only been that morning. It was like they were oil and water.
Her entire body was on edge every time he was close, and he didn’t even try to be polite. He didn’t like her.
“Wow, these are gorgeous,” May exclaimed before her hands covered her mouth and she stared from one to the next.
“Are you sure it’s not too vibrant? I thought the floral theme would go with your garden,” Missy said, standing back as May looked from one table top painted to look like a blooming yellow hydrangea, and a bunch of blush-pink gerbera daisies depicted on the other table top.
“Missy, you are an exceptional talent. I would have you paint every surface in this entire shop, my home, the ceilings, and my car if you were bored enough to do it. But I suspect your art is being gobbled up off your site and you need to spend your time working to fill orders?”
“There is a surprising amount of activity and I’m just trying to remember that five months ago I hadn’t sold a single piece of art.”
“I think that’s a great approach. You’re about one call away from being whisked off to some fancy gallery in Paris, or Florence, to hang out with more artists.”
May pulled her in for a hug before Missy could react, and although her body inadvertently stiffened, she forced herself to relax knowing May was just an overly affectionate person.
“Just name your price, and I’ll throw in free matcha tea foamies for life.”
“I’m sorry I ruined your table with my clumsy spilled paint, but I’m happy you let me fix it. You don’t owe me a dime. I’m honored that you like my work enough to display it.”
“Like it, Missy, I’m obsessed. Sweetie, if you could see your art through my eyes you would stop doubting your God-given talent.”
“All I know is that when I have a paintbrush in my hand, everything seems right with the world.”
“Then you need to paint, as much as possible, and hold on to that feeling. And I think each piece you complete is another chance to share that feeling with the world.” May gave her another squeeze as she admired the tables. “Just gorgeous. I’m tempted not to let anyone sit at these.”
Missy laughed. “I’m just going to run to the hardware store and grab a sealant. These should be fine here for a few hours to dry. Then I’ll help you carry them inside before you close.”
“Oh you don’t have time to sit around here and watch paint dry—you have more masterpieces to make. Besides, my sister said she’s coming by as soon as her shift ends so she can see them. I told her you were working on something special for me. She can help me carry them in.”
An hour later Missy had finished sealing the tables and decided to go chat with her cousin. Maybe he needed help with the boys for the week and she could stay with them while Levi was visiting his family. She had the impression Levi didn’t come home often and didn’t stay long when he did.
Walking up the wooden steps she passed the red Shaw Law sign and guilt washed over her as usual.
Taking a deep breath, she clasped her bag and let herself in through the glass door that led into the front foyer that doubled as a waiting room of her cousin’s law office.
A soft bell chimed to let him know someone had arrived.
“Missy, is that you?” Declan called out from his office.
“Yep, I’m sorry to drop in unannounced. I was just over at May’s and thought I’d say hi.” She walked back to his office.
Declan stood, wearing his formal business attire, and studied her.
“You’re always welcome to drop in here, even more if that’s one of May’s cheese scones in that bag.”
“Two, and a coffee,” Missy said, holding it up.
“See, I always said you were my favorite sister-cousin.”
At ten years younger than Declan, she would have thought she’d find it hard to relate to her cousin, but because his mother helped raise her, they shared a special connection.
He’d always been looking out for her like an older brother when she was younger and her mom would drop her off to stay with them.
Then when she was older, he’d give her unsolicited advice but never lecture her.
Of course if he’d known what happened in Atlanta he might not have been able to help it.
“I see you’ve been working today too?” He nodded toward her paint-stained fingers.
“More than I’d expected,” she said, looking around the plush leather chairs sitting in the reception area of the front room. She didn’t want to mess anything up.
“This is perfect timing. Wanna sit out on the deck?” Declan asked.
She nodded and watched as he locked the door to the front of the law office and opened a side door that took them into the main living area of the Bungalow style home, which he shared with his two kids.
Then he opened up the door off the kitchen that led to his backyard where he had a proper old Southern porch, complete with two rocking chairs. One for him, and one for his late wife.
“So what did you paint today? I didn’t see any new pieces when I checked your site this morning, although I did see a lot of Sold signs.” He smiled at her with pride, and she tried not to squirm.
“I started my morning with a piece that was just for me. I’m not sure if I’ll post it or not. Then I accidentally spilled some yellow paint at May’s, and she asked me to turn it into a mural of sorts on her tables.”
“Smart. May is always one step ahead as an entrepreneur. A Shaw original.”
Missy laughed. “That’s basically what she said.” She pulled out her phone and showed him the finished pieces.
“Spectacular—let me guess, she’d like you to complete the other tables in her garden?”
“Well we don’t want a half-finished garden, do we? And I do get free matcha for the rest of my life.”
“Sounds fair, considering I know how much you love that green goop.”
He took a few bites of his scone and sipped his coffee, as they both just rocked, looking out at the last traces of late-blooming roses on the vines that ran along the back fence of the narrow yard.
Once the first scone disappeared Declan spoke. “Everything is still going okay over at Mrs. Hart’s house?”
“Yes, of course. I mean I still can’t believe she’s letting me stay for free and turn her sunroom into an artist’s studio.”
“But that house is too big for her to clean and manage alone. And I bet she loves having your company. I know Dalton and Wesley are relieved to have you there to keep an eye on her, make sure she gets her walks, her meds, and keep her company.”
“Ya, it’s funny how that worked out,” Missy said, sliding him a sideways glance.
Declan coughed on his sip of coffee but had the sense to look like he was surprised she would imply the situation was almost too perfect.
“Well fate works in mysterious ways, but if you’re feeling like maybe you need a change of scenery or need your own place, I don’t think anyone would begrudge you that.
It’s only a matter of a time for someone to offer you one of those artist-in-residence programs at some fancy gallery in New York. ”
“Not you too. I mean, I appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm and belief in my work. I really do, but I think I’m probably a far cry and years away from any opportunity like that, if ever. Art is such a subjective luxury purchase for most people.”
Declan set his scone down and dusted off his hands as he leaned forward and looked at Missy until she met his eyes.
“Bullshit, now I don’t know why you’ve been hiding that talent from the world, but this rabbit won’t go back in the hat. You keep producing more masterpieces and you’ll be a household name in and beyond the art world. Just like Mama always said.”
Missy blinked back the tears that stung behind her eyes.
“We’ll see, but as for now I’m content to hole up in my art studio at Hart House.”
“Good, because I like having you close by and plan to take full advantage of your lifetime supply of May’s coffee.”
“Nice, finally a way for me to repay you.”
“Repay me for what? You don’t owe me anything. We’re family.”
“Dec, I know I let you down when I didn’t finish law school and come home to work with you. I know you believe in my art, but you also wanted another lawyer in the family.”
“Well, honestly, Missy, I want you to do what you love and if it can pay the bills then all the better. I was excited for you to study law because you wanted to, but I’m more excited about your art because it’s your true calling.
Besides, I still have two more shots at finding a partner in the firm. ”
Missy smiled thinking of her nephews. “Just another twenty years until they can finish law school, pass the bar, and work for you.”
“Ya, maybe I better look for some part-time help before then. But for now things are at a good pace.” He sat back and narrowed his warm dark-brown eyes on her. “So if everything is okay, why do you look worried?”
She pressed her fingers over her brow. “Do I?”
“Yep, in fact you look just how you did when you arrived home after leaving law school last year. Worried, and maybe a little scared. So how about you tell me what’s really troubling you this time?”
She let out a deep breath and wrapped her arms around herself.
“Um, Mrs. Hart’s grandson arrived in town unexpectedly this morning, and I don’t think he trusts me living at Hart House.”
“Who, Levi? The Bad Boy of Baseball? He’s in town?” Dec sounded speculative.
“Ya, and apparently Gran, I mean Mrs. Hart, gave me his room so when he arrived we had a little run-in.”
“Missy are you telling me that man was inappropriate?”
“No, no, no, but I may have thrown a vase at his head.”
Declan’s eyes went wide right before he burst into laughter. “Did you hit him?”
“No, he’s faster than I can throw but the vase broke and then Mrs. Hart stormed in with a shotgun I didn’t even know she had.”
Declan’s amusement turned into full-on whooping laughter, so hard he held his stomach and tears streamed down his cheeks.
“Oh my gosh, I would have paid money to see that. Mrs. Hart pulling an Elmer Fudd on her own grandson. I mean I’m sorry. You were probably terrified.”
Now as she thought about it, she laughed too. Levi probably had a right to be a little annoyed with her.
“The thing is, I feel bad staying in his room, and Mrs. Hart put him in her sewing room on this small twin bed she has in there.”
Declan’s laughter started up again, and he pulled out his phone. “Did you tell Wesley about this? I wonder if he knows his famous brother is back in town. Why isn’t he staying in his own house?”
“He has a house in town?”
“No. He built a house out on the family land years ago. He actually designed it himself—it’s pretty impressive.”
“Huh, well maybe he was worried about his grandmother but now he’ll go stay there. Since Mrs. Hart made it clear I was not to move a thing out of my room.”
“I’m sure he will, or he’ll be heading right back out of town. Spring training has already started. I’m surprised he’s even here at all.”
“I guess I won’t worry about it then, but I thought maybe I could stay with you and the boys a few nights just to give them some space.”
“Well, you’re always welcome here and the boys would love it, obviously. Just pack a bag and I’ll have your room ready.”
“You mean the pull-out couch is still available?” she teased.
“Comfiest couch you ever slept on. Of course college kids aren’t that picky. Maybe famous artists are.”
She stood up and grabbed her bag. “Maybe I’ll bring a few canvases out here and paint Daria’s roses, since they’re showing off.”
Declan’s smile fell a little, but he looked out at the flowers, as if he could picture his deceased wife tending to her flowers like they were her babies.
“I’d like that.”
“Alright, I can pick up the boys from school today after I talk to Mrs. Hart, and then maybe help with dinner?”
“We’re having lasagna. I guess I can let you help me cook if you promise not to eat all the cheese.”
“No promises. See you at four-thirty with chaos in tow.”
“Can’t wait. Thank you for the scones and coffee.” Declan patted her back, but that was about the extent of the affection he offered.
Her cousin was not only an exceptional lawyer, and former Special Forces, but he was also attuned to her in a way that always made her feel safe.
He never pressed her for answers, never asked her about her past. She suspected his mother, her aunt, had told him enough about her history when she came to live with her the day after her fourteenth birthday.
Declan had been away in law school by then, but he’d come home on breaks.
He always gave her space, but his steady, safe presence felt just like a warm hug.
Dependable. Declan was the only man who had ever maintained a presence in her life, which was probably why she’d wanted to go to law school and follow in his footsteps.
She’d made a mess of that, but he’d still welcomed her home with open arms. So if she could help Declan while avoiding Levi, that was a perfect plan.