Tempting the Artist by Sharon C. Cooper

Author:Sharon C. Cooper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, multicultural, african american, contemporary, multicultural romance, africanamerican romance, romance contemporary, family series
Publisher: Sharon C. Cooper

Chapter Nine

As if sensing Christina’s distress, Luke moved closer, his arm slid around her waist. “You okay?” His words were quiet, meant for her ears only.

All Christina could do was nod, her focus trained on the painting that was still covered. She didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but a sinking feeling lodged in her chest as she struggled to breathe.

It was as if Walter removed the covering in slow motion and then there it was. Her first sell. The painting that had landed her an agent.

All the air seemed to seep from the room and her knees went weak. If it weren’t for Luke holding her up, Christina was sure she would have puddled to the floor.

Her grandfather stood opened mouth, gaping at the picture. “Who’s the artist?” he finally asked.

“Sasha something or another.” Walter put on his glasses and pulled a sheet of paper from his wallet. “Oh, here we go. The artist is Sasha Knight.”

How in the world did he find this?

“Never heard of her, but if the rest of her work is anything like this …” Steven Jenkins’ voice trailed off as he continued staring at the painting and then he turned to Christina. “Do you remember when I used to tell you and your cousins stories about the creek?”

Perspiration laced Christina’s top lip and her heart beat double time. All she could do was nod, not trusting herself to say anything.

“I told you this was a piece that you had to see.” Walter straightened the painting on the easel as both he and her grandfather studied the art.

“The details are unbelievable. I had a photo, but it disappeared years ago. I wish I still had it because this painting is almost identical, even down to the daffodils along the water’s edge.” Christina didn’t miss the wistfulness in her grandfather’s voice. He had always been full of stories of his childhood, but the creek held so many fond memories of his youth.

Guilt stabbed Christina in the gut for borrowing the photo without telling him and then not returning it. That was her first landscape painting. She had entered it into a contest not thinking it would be the painting to jumpstart her career.

She could feel Luke’s gaze on her as she tuned in and out of her grandfather and Walter’s conversation.

“Baby, this is a perfect opportunity to tell him. I’m right here with you.”

Of course, he was right, but …

“Steven?” Her grandmother’s voice carried from the hallway. “You’re going to make us late,” she said walking into the room wearing a sleek navy blue dress with low heels. “Oh, hi Walter. I should have known you were the one holding him up.”

Walter grinned and kissed her on the cheek. “Hey, Katy. This old coot would have probably been down here putzing around whether I was here or not.”

“Oh, my.” Christina’s grandmother moved closer to the painting. “This is the creek. My goodness, the picture is so lifelike. It’s like I’ve been transported back to that day in May when you asked me to marry you.

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