The Shadow Portrait by Gilbert Morris

Author:Gilbert Morris [Gilbert Morris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781441270467
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2012-01-22T18:49:03+00:00

Peter and Avis Warwick came to the exhibition that afternoon. Peter informed Phil they were on their way to a race. “Come on and go with us,” he said.

“I wish I could, but who knows? Somebody might stop by and buy a picture.”

Avis had been looking around at the paintings by herself. She walked back over to where Phil and Peter were talking about the race and said, “I’ll buy this one, Phil.” She pointed to a small oil nearby.

Phil was surprised. “Aren’t you going to ask how much it is?”

“All right. How much is it?”

Phil suddenly grinned. “How much have you got, Avis?”

Avis winked at him. “Come on, now. Name your price, then I’ll bargain with you.”

Peter went over to the picture and examined it. It was a crowded picture of New York stevedores, strong men straining to move heavy barrels and bales to and from oceangoing ships. There was an obvious poverty about them, yet they exuded life and excitement. “Why would you want this? Just go down to the docks,” he grinned, winking at Phil.

“Don’t pay any attention to that barbarian,” Phil said. “I was thinking of asking fifty dollars for it.”

Avis reached into her purse and pulled out several bills. “Sold,” she said. “Wrap it up. I’ll take it with me.”

“My first sale,” Phil said, “and probably the last.”

As Peter and Avis left the gallery and headed to the track, Avis spoke in her most charming manner. “Peter, I want to ask a favor.”

“Ask away.” Peter was driving Avis’s car, a powerful Maxwell, and enjoying the feel of the wind as it whipped around his goggles. He risked a quick glance at her, then said, “Wait a minute. Maybe I better modify that. No telling what you’d ask for.”

“It’s not much,” Avis wheedled. She pulled herself closer to him and reached up and tucked his hair under his cap. Her own hair was blowing in the wind, and she shook her head to free it still more. “I want you to let me ride with you in the race.”

Peter laughed outright. “You know I’m not going to do a crazy thing like that.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s too dangerous, and you could get hurt.”

“You could get hurt, too!”

“Now, that’s different, Avis. It’s what I do. Goes with the territory.”

They sailed down the highway and Avis continued to beg him, but Peter said, “Not a chance, Avis. I’ll do a lot for you, but not that.”

Avis almost responded angrily. She was accustomed to having her own way, but there was a set about Peter Winslow’s lips that told her she would be wasting her time. She thought, There are more ways than one for a woman to get her own way. She smiled and said sweetly, “I’m glad to see you’re thinking of me—of my safety, I mean.” She pulled his head around and kissed him, and the car swerved wildly.

“Hey! Save your kisses until we get stopped!”

“I’ll remember that,” Avis said. She smiled, and a look of determination formed on her face.

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