Against the Wall (Stoddard Art School Series Book 3) Read Free Page A

launch in whichever direction the stick flew.
    “Get the stick.” The dog’s owner hurled the bit of driftwood backhanded down the beach. The dog took off like a bullet. Kay followed the impressive arc of the toss as Shadow’s owner snatched her towel off the stones.
    “Nice throw.” She reached for the towel from his outstretched hand. He was standing close enough to see that his eyes were more green than brown, and that beneath all that scruff, the man had a gentle cleft in his chin. Goofy wasn’t the right word to describe him either. Relaxed? Easy-going? Sexy as hell?
    “It’s got a little dog drool.” He didn’t let go. Did he mean to play tug too? “I could clean it and return it later.”
    “Not necessary.” When he released it, Kay stuffed the slobbered towel back into her bag as Shadow cheerfully dropped the stick at his owner’s feet.
    He picked it up and flung it away again. Wiping his hands on his jeans, he offered her his hand. “I’m Bear.” He jerked his head in the direction of the racing dog. “He’s Shadow. We’re out on the point.” He took her hand in his.
    His fingers engulfed hers. His hands were large and rough, but warm and gentle. Her lady parts whispered their approval. “ You live on the point?”
    “Yep, I bought the place last winter. Been here since February.”
    “Not too many folks move to Maine in February.”
    He laughed and shrugged one shoulder. “Not the sane ones. Figured I might as well see what I was up against right off.” Shadow returned with the stick and gave a quick bark of impatience. “Good boy.” Bear ruffled the dog’s ear, gathered the stick, and threw it even farther. “Go get it.” He looked back at her. “Didn’t catch your name.”
    Kay watched the dog. “I didn’t throw it. Fetch isn’t really my game.” She collected the sketchpad and shoved it back into her bag. “Thanks for retrieving my towel, however.”
    “You’re not going to tell me who you are?”
    She shook her head and started back toward the stairs leading to the cottage.
    “What if I promise to keep Shadow on his leash from now on?” he called. “What would you say then?”
    She glanced back over one shoulder. Bear and Shadow stood watching. The dog dropped his stick and looked a bit disappointed. So did his owner.
    “I’d say, Good boy .”
    ****
    “These are wonderful.” Dottie perused the stack of greeting cards and prints while Kay set the table for dinner.
    “The cards came out great, didn’t they? Pete at The Copy Corral suggested using the same image in packs of six rather than a mixed set. Made sense. I’ll finish framing the rest of my stuff. You’ll have them by the weekend.”
    “The customers are going to love these.”
    “Let’s hope,” Kay joked. “I’ve grown pretty fond of eating.” She slipped a polka dot napkin next to each dinner plate. “Speaking of which, everything smells incredible. I can’t tell you the last time I ate a home cooked meal.”
    “You know, if things are that tight for you—”
    “I’m not taking any of your money. It’s bad enough you’re not charging me commission on the things I’m putting in the shop.” Kay finished laying the silverware.
    “Maybe if you talked to your folks—”
    Kay snorted. “No.”
    “If they understood the situation, I’m sure—”
    “No.” Dottie wasn’t the only one who’d mastered the stare .
    “There’s no shame in—”
    “Dottie.” Kay took hold of her hands and held her gaze. “No.”
    “You’re a very stubborn young lady, do you know that?”
    “Yep. But you love me.” She kissed Dottie’s hands and found some candles to add to the table. Rummaging through the kitchen’s junk drawer, she unearthed a box of blue-tip matches.
    “Of course I love you, but I don’t see the difference between staying in their cottage and asking them for help.”
    Kay struck the match. The puff of smoke stung her nose as she lit each taper. “They know I come up here on