“You know how much this means to me. Thank you will never be enough. How freaked out would you be if I hugged you?” Sully asked.

Elliot chuckled. “I believe I could bear it,” he said, and when Sully wrapped his arms around him, Elliot returned the hug with a little pat on the back.

“Thank you, Elliot. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Sully said.

Elliot beamed. “You are most welcome. You might want to get it insured one of these days. My pieces still bring enough money to make it worth a thief’s while, and since this work is recent…”

“It’s already invaluable to me. What would you suggest I insure it for?”

“Oh…since it’s a new one, at least a hundred thousand.”

Sully’s eyebrows went up, but he managed to nod.

“Is it okay to take it like this? I can lay it down in the back seat.”

“Yes, and it’s ready to hang. I’d advise not in direct sunlight, although the painting does not need light to be displayed because I painted light into them.” Elliot took it from the easel and put it into Sully’s hands. “I’ll escort you to the door,” he said, and back they went through the maze of halls and into the foyer. Then he opened the front door. “Enjoy!” he said.

“That’s an understatement,” Sully said as he crossed the threshold and headed for his car.

The door shut behind him again, but not as abruptly, and he knew without looking that Elliot was at the window. Sully settled the painting safely in the back seat, then got in and drove home at a snail’s pace, taking turns with great caution, as if the baby in the painting was behind him, alive and kicking.

Chapter 11

Sully got home with the painting, propped it against a chair, and then ran upstairs to get his necklace. Not knowing where to hang the painting without asking Melissa first, he left it where he could see it and sat motionless on the sofa, trying to wrap his head around the journey he’d already been on with this young woman—a woman he didn’t remember.

* * *

Melissa pulled up beneath the portico so she could go directly through the utility room and into the kitchen with her purchases. She was on her way inside with the first sack when Sully came loping through the kitchen, lifted the bag out of her arms, and gave her a peck on the cheek as he set it on the counter.

“How much more?” he asked.

“Just a couple,” Melissa said.

“I’ll get them. You get the door,” he said, and brought the bags inside.

Melissa started taking things out to be put away, but Sully stopped her.

“What needs to go in the refrigerator?” he asked.

“Only the things in that sack,” she said, pointing to the first one she’d brought in.

“Then let’s empty that first before we do the rest. There’s something I want to show you.”