The first faint hint of excitement in her voice told Wade she was already hooked. He waited as she mulled the idea over. “You really think a working gallery could draw artists and customers?” she asked. “Any proof of that?”
“Absolutely,” he said at once. “I’ll give you a couple of places you could check out online, get an idea of how they’re run, what they offer. Some even offer classes, I think. I know how you love to do your research. I’ll write them down for you before I leave. At least it’ll give you a starting point.”
“It would bring my interest in local art and my real professional training together, wouldn’t it?” she said excitedly.
“And if I did my work there at least a couple of days a week, it would be something we could do together.”
Gabi looked taken aback. “You mean a partnership?”
He grinned at her incredulous expression. “Just the first I have in mind for us,” he teased. “We’ll talk about the more important one another time. I’ll give you some time to get used to this one first. I don’t want you weighing too many different pros and cons lists all at once.”
He laughed at her astonished expression. One of these days she’d finally catch on. Sometimes the very best things in life couldn’t be planned the way Gabi wanted them to be. They simply happened when they were meant to. Thank heaven patience was one of his greatest virtues.
* * *
Captivated by Wade’s idea, Gabi stayed home the next day and spent the morning on the internet. She did a bit of research for her planned crusade for Samantha, then turned to a search for artists’ cooperatives. She found more than she’d anticipated. Some had an amazing internet presence in addition to a physical location. The more she read, the more excited she became.
One downside struck her, but it was personal. She liked Meg Waverly. She wondered if Meg and other local shop owners would view the launch of something like this as a betrayal, as unwanted competition both for stock and for customers. Only one way to find out, she decided, grabbing her purse and heading out the door.
Feeling more energized than she had in days, she walked briskly into town and arrived at Sea Delights just as Meg was giving last-minute instructions to Lily for the afternoon.
“I should have called,” Gabi apologized, “but I took a chance that I could catch you. Are you in a hurry? Do you have someplace you need to be?”
“Out of here,” Meg said wearily. “I feel as if ten busloads of tourists hit all at the same time this morning. That almost never happens, so I was here on my own. I am beyond ready for a break.”
“Lunch?” Gabi suggested.
“Why don’t I grab some bottled water and then we can ride over to the ocean and sit on the pier?” Meg suggested instead. “I love listening to the waves rolling in. That’ll calm me down, and in no time I’ll actually be able to have a civilized conversation with you.”
“Works for me,” Gabi said eagerly. “I haven’t been there in ages.”
Meg was silent driving over. Once she’d parked, they joined the crowds of fishermen and tourists on the recently built pier. They found a bench closer to shore where they were in less danger of being snagged by a fisherman’s line and sat down, turning their faces up to the sun as waves crashed below them.
“This feels so good,” Meg murmured. “I almost feel human again.”
Gabi understood exactly how she felt. “I can’t imagine why I haven’t done this more often. I suppose it’s because this pier hadn’t been built when I was here for the summers I spent with Cora Jane, and after construction was completed, I was in and out of town too quickly to drive over and just plain relax like this.”
“I honestly think I can feel my body unwinding,” Meg said, then took a sip of water. She turned to Gabi, a grin on her face. “By the way, I’ve been wondering when I was going to see you.”
“Oh?” Gabi said, perplexed by the knowing glint in Meg’s eyes.
“Oops!” Meg said, her expression guilty. “Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. Why don’t you tell me why you wanted to see me?”
“Last night I was talking to Wade about an idea he had,” Gabi began. As Meg’s smiled broadened, she guessed, “You already know, don’t you?”
“Wade mentioned it to Sally, but swore her to secrecy. She mentioned it to me, then swore me to secrecy. As you can see, I’m far better at secrets than she is, because I haven’t said a word to a soul.” At Gabi’s lifted brow, she added, “Okay, maybe because it was only last night when Sally filled me in.”
“So, what do you think?” she asked Meg.
“I love the concept,” Meg said readily.
“You’re not against the competition?” Gabi asked.
“Why would I be? I don’t view it that way. People who come here to visit a place like that will fall in love with some of the shops already here, as well. I think it will be a win-win for all of us, especially if you’re spending all the money and time on advertising and PR. It’s one more way to sell the area as a destination.”
Gabi grinned, finally allowing her excitement full rein. “I was really hoping you’d feel that way.”
“Then you’re intrigued by the concept?” Meg asked. “You might agree to do it?”
“I have a lot of thinking still to do, but I definitely think I’m more suited to doing something like this than I was to making wind chimes, much as I might love them.”
“And how does Wade fit into this decision, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Gabi thought carefully before answering. “I think working closely with him will be great.”
Meg rolled her eyes. “Definitely not what I was asking.”
Gabi laughed. “I know, and if I had an answer to your real question,
