I wanted to laugh at the complete shock in her expression. But that humor quickly transformed into something that felt a lot like anger. Shay had lived on this island since the age of twenty. A time when she should’ve been sneaking into bars with friends. Dancing with strangers. Sharing sloppy, drunken kisses. Instead, she’d been here. Mostly alone. She might have no idea how breathtakingly gorgeous she was. Or that her hazel eyes had the ability to freeze a man to the spot. Couldn’t see that someone might want to paint her likeness, simply to try and capture that beauty.

She’d given up a lot to be here. A whole life in so many ways. And I couldn’t think of anything good that would send a young woman running that way. I cleared my throat. “You’ve got the look I need for this piece.”

Her hand slipped into her jeans’ pocket, seeming to find something there and squeeze. “I’m happy to help in other ways. I can organize your studio, clean up supplies, do any ordering you need. But I can’t sit for you.”

I saw something in her eyes—a mixture of fear and pain. And no piece of art on this planet was worth putting that there. “Okay.”

Her gaze shot to mine. “Okay?”

“Shay. I’m not going to fire you, all right? Not because you won’t pose for me or any other stupid reason. Well, I might fire you if you try to burn down my house. But other than that, you’re safe.”

Her lips twitched. “Even though I look like I’m barely old enough to drink?”

I rolled my eyes heavenward. “You’re not going to let me live that one down, are you?”

“I think I’ll keep it in my back pocket for moments like these.”

I shook my head, taking in the smile that stretched across her face. When I first stepped off the boat, Shay had looked far too young for the responsibilities of her job. But the more time I spent around her, the more I saw the wisdom carved into her. Something I was sure came from pain and hardship. Some people simply wore it like a badge of honor. And Shay was one of them. But that pain had also birthed beauty. Something so deep it was infused into her very being. That went beyond skin and flesh and burrowed soul-deep.

I couldn’t help but want every glimpse of it I could muster.

9

Shay

Evergreen13: Sit for the man! That’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I checked out his website. He’s a big deal.