'She's having a blast. Now, if you'll excuse us'- Joe slipped his arms about her waist-'I need to talk to Madeline.'
He eased her away from the Coltons, drawing her as skillfully as a dancer through the crowd. His touch made her light-headed enough that she didn't question what was happening.
As they moved, he scanned the exhibit until his gaze landed on the alcove that held her work. He headed that way with her tucked into the warmth of his side, his hand on her rib cage beneath her jacket. When they reached the area, he stopped before
'There.' He nodded. 'Much better.'
'What?' She frowned at the loss of his arm around her. Then her mind cleared and she plopped her hands on her hips. 'What was that about?'
He stepped closer and lowered his voice as several patrons passed by. 'It's about you.'
'Me?'
He turned to a young couple admiring one of her pieces. 'Fabulous work, isn't it? Have you met the artist? This is Madeline.'
She went instantly into sales mode, trying to remove herself from the fact that she was praising her own work. The moment the couple seemed absorbed enough to need privacy, she stepped back, drawing Joe with her. 'What are you doing? I was about to close a sale over there.'
'You're supposed to be selling your own work. Or at least talking it up to the local gallery own-ers.' He looked around. 'Who have turned out in droves.'
'Don't remind me.' She pressed a hand to her belly.
He studied her closely, his expression unreadable. 'Why don't I get you a glass of wine?'
'I thought that was against camp rules, even when we're off duty.-'
'Sometimes I have this overwhelming need to break a rule or two just to prove to myself I'm still me.'
'Okay then.' She let her breath out in an audible rush. 'Wine does sound pretty good right now.'
'Then you stay.' He held a hand up, palm out. 'Stay.'
'I'm not a dog.' She laughed.
'I mean it. Stay.'
She smiled and patted her heart as she watched him go.
He was every inch the modern-day equivalent of an Indian warrior. Heat rushed through her at the thought that he might be back in her bed soon. Where things went from there… Well, she'd just have to wait and see.
Chapter 16
With all the people milling around the catering table, getting drinks took longer than Joe expected. He exchanged a few words with art collectors he'd met at other shows, then bumped into another couple who had children at the camp. The latter presented a minor problem. He didn't know if they knew about the no-drinking rule, but he wasn't about to take any chances.
He waited until they'd moved on, located the Coltons talking to his mother with their backs to him, and slid two soft drink cups to the bartender.
At last, he had two cups of white wine in hand and was making his way back toward Maddy. If all went well this evening, they'd move from simply speaking to really talking.
His stomach tightened at the thought, though. Why did relationships require so much talking? Women were supposed to be intuitive. Couldn't they figure out what was going on inside a guy without him having to say it out loud?
Although some guys, like Derrick, didn't seem to have a problem verbalizing, even when it came to really personal stuff. Maybe he could start with something impersonal, keeping it light and friendly. Then later, before leaving, he'd ask if he could come to the Craft Shack after the show so they could talk, since the middle of a crowded gallery was not the place for a serious conversation.
From several feet away, he saw Maddy listening to a tall, willowy woman who seemed to be admiring one of her pieces. Good, he and Maddy would have a buffer to get them through the next few minutes. As he drew closer, though, he noticed two things. The woman didn't look like a collector. She looked like an artist dressed in kitschy Goth attire, and Maddy's eyes were frantic.
He quickened his pace, coming up on them just as the woman turned and walked away. He looked from the retreating back to Maddy, who stood frozen and pale.
'Okay,' he said, 'mind telling me what that was about?'
She closed her eyes for a full three seconds, then opened them. 'Nothing.'
'Then why are you upset?'
'I'm not. Is that for me?' She took one of the cups from him and smiled at an approaching couple. When the couple moved past, she downed half her wine in two big gulps.
'Give me that.' He snagged the cup.
'Hey!' She scowled at him as she wiped a drop from her chin.
He held the cup away. 'Tell me what upset you.'
She scanned the crowded area and spoke through stiff lips. 'This isn't the place to discuss it.'
He narrowed his eyes in irritation. No matter how carefully he planned things out, Maddy always threw in a monkey wrench. 'Fine.' He set both cups down on a pedestal, at the feet of a bronze bear, took her hand, and started walking. The deal with plans, though, is they had to stay fluid.
'Joe.' She gasped, but resisted for only a second.
He spotted the door to the back room and headed in that direction.
'Juanita,' he said as they passed the showroom manager. 'Can you cover Maddy's area for a while?'
'Uh, certainly.' She frowned at him.
Without a qualm, he went right through the door marked EMPLOYEES ONLY and closed it behind him. A quick glance around revealed a dark, cavernous space filled with the scent of wood glue and sawdust. Faint light from outside spilled through barred windows, casting striped shadows onto worktables and equipment.
'Jo-oe.' Maddy jerked her hand out of his grasp, drawing his attention back to her. Scowling up at him, she rubbed her hand. 'You've got to stop hauling me around.'
'Did I hurt you?' He frowned at the thought.
'No.' She dropped her hand to her hips. 'But that's twice tonight you've done it. Next time you want me to move from point A to point B, do you think you could ask?'
'I could. But since you'd probably argue, my way's quicker.'
'Well, silly me for thinking the human race had progressed past the caveman stage.' She tossed her head in indignation, her eyes shining in the dim light. 'I guess I'm lucky you don't knock me over my head and haul me about by my hair.'
A smile spread over his face. 'God, you look good tonight.'
'What?' That drew her up short for a second. 'Oh. Thank you. But I repeat, next time ask?'
'Check. Now'-he settled the small of his back against one of the tables-'tell me what the bitch in black said to upset you.'
'She's not a bitch.' Maddy sighed, suddenly deflated. 'She's just… understandably irritated.'
'About…?'
'We've been over this. I've barely arrived in Santa Fe and I'm already in a big show, everybody's raving about my work, and I'm going to have prints in an art catalog.'
'So, she's jealous.' He nodded. 'Got that. Now, what'd she say?'
'She has a right to be jealous. It doesn't seem fair that she's been here for two years, working hard to get a break. She has some pieces in a small gallery, but she'd clearly give her eyeteeth to be featured in a show of this magnitude. What right do I have to swoop into town and steal her dream?'
