“No, it was really cool—what I could follow and what I couldn’t. You should be a professor or a teacher.”

“Ha!” Maddie said, pointing at him. “That’s what I keep saying. I’ve been telling him to adjunct a class or two over at the college, just to see if he likes it. He’d be great.”

“You would,” she said.

He rolled his eyes. “Okay—maybe I’ll think about it. Nothing could happen ’til next fall, of course.”

“Of course,” Maddie said, smiling. “Anytime you want, let me know, and I’ll introduce you to my chair.”

“I’ll do that.” He was deep in thought before shaking his head. “Never thought I’d actually want to teach, but maybe I’d be good at it. I think you’re right, Maddie.”

“I know I am.”

“Okay, know-it-all. Let’s go see your new piece. I want Ryann to see it before you guys leave.”

Maddie’s expression clouded. “Boy, I don’t know, Stuart. It’s going to be a letdown after seeing yours.”

Ryann laughed and took Maddie’s hand. “Oh my God! You artists are all the same. Take me to it, would you? I’m sure it’s lovely.”

Maddie still seemed a little uncertain, but she led Ryann to the art space just beyond Stuart’s. A wall stood between each artist’s area, but they were otherwise open. Ryann saw the dogs Maddie had described, and her heart lifted with wonder. Each of the animals had a distinct personality. The larger one on the right was that kind of messy mutt used in Disney films—no real distinct breed, just wild hair and crazy, lopsided ears. It was standing up, alert, his tongue lolling out, his expression open and friendly. The other dog was sitting in that funny way dogs do sometimes, one hind leg extended forward from its haunches. It had a funny, squishy face with bug eyes—a pug, she remembered.

“Wow,” she said, smiling at Maddie. “They’re amazing.”

Maddie colored slightly and gave her an uncertain smile. “Thank you.”

She walked closer, realizing now that the dogs were made of clay. From farther away, it had seemed like stone. Having seen Maddie’s other piece, she realized now that she must work in bronze almost exclusively. This clay would eventually be covered in a kind of rubber or silicone to make a mold for the metal. Stuart had done a few pieces like this before his transition to hammered metal, but some of his current works were done this way, too.

Up close, she could see individual tufts and strands of fur on the dogs—the detail so lifelike, it seemed almost soft, pettable. The dogs’ expressions were the real magic, however. Both had eyes that seemed alive, mouths ready to lick or bark. She turned to Maddie again.