Wild Ride (27 page)

Becca looked at her and said
, “No… I can’t take it anymore!  I’m going positively mad and it’s only been a little over a week since I received the first threat.  This crazy man has effectively put a stop to my life as I knew it.  I’m angry and frightened all at the same time.  I should be working and heading up my non-profit groups and instead… it’s like I’m in hiding.”

Silence followed her outburst for several minutes until Lilly said
, “Sometimes when things seem out of control you just have to go with it.  Think of it as a vacation from your life or an adventure.  When all that stuff happened with my first husband and the investigation, I felt like
everything
was out of control and I
voluntarily
went into hiding…so to speak.”

Lilly glanced at Sherri with a warm smile and then continued
, “That was probably one of the best decisions I ever made.  I asked a man once where to go from that point… that place in my life where the path seemed to split, and he told me it was a chance to choose a new path.  Maybe this is fate’s way of letting you make some choices in
your
life.  Making the choices you
can
make and letting go of those you
can’t
is kind of like taking back control.”

“My brother has been digging into Richard Long’s background
all morning and based on what he found, he’s decided to hire the man to protect me,” Becca finished in a whisper. “Of all the people… why
him?
”

Lilly, Sherri and Dana exchanged confused looks amongst themselves.

“Chuck is right Becca, Dickie does have some sort of training… Rambo like skills.  Maybe with him helping to look out for you at least you won’t have to be so afraid,” she offered skeptically.

Becca chuckled through her tears and said
, “The man is insufferable.  Does he have no sense of what is considered personal space?”

Lilly and Dana exchanged an enlightened look and then looked at her with a grin.  Squeezing her tighter Dana said
, “None of them seem to fully grasp the effect they have on women.”

“Oh I don’t mean like that…
I’m not interested in him…
that way,
” Becca quickly attempted to clear up the misunderstanding. “He just… intimidates me with his size when he stands in my space… that’s all,” she stammered.

The door opened a slight crack and she quickly turned back to the
entrance to block the person’s view of Becca and said, “Could you give us just a few minutes please?”

Dickie stood just outside the door with a serious look on his face and after a moment said
, “They sent me to make sure everything was ok.  I’ll just wait right out here then… take your time.  ”She pushed the door closed and turned back to the group of women.  Lilly giggled and soon the rest of them joined in.  It was as though the conversation had conjured the man himself.  They offered more words of encouragement as Becca wiped the tears from her face as best she could and re-applied some makeup. 

As they headed out of the restroom
Meredith was amazed to find Dickie standing but a few feet from the bathroom door.

His long legs were spread apart and his arms were clasped together behind his back.  She’d seem him stand that way before at the Bama
Bike Fest but in light of recent events it no longer seemed odd, but understandable.  Dickie had more than some martial arts training… he seemed positively lethal at times.

He followed the group of women to the table where nothing else was said about Becca’s outburst.  The evening progressed with no further issues and by the time the
night ended even Becca had relaxed and appeared to be enjoying herself. 

When they made to leave
Becca turned to Chuck and said, “I was wondering if you’d like to join me tomorrow afternoon.  I have a friend who owns an art gallery affiliated with Christie’s, which is an auction house here in New York.  I am going to take the painting you made for me to show him but don’t worry, I have no intention of selling it.  I only mean to show him and get his assistance in framing it.”

“That would be badass!” Chuck said
. “I’ve never been to an art gallery
or
museum.  I’ve always wanted to go and see one but…”

“Fine…
we’ll meet in the lobby at two o’clock and ride together.  I’ll set it up,” Becca said with a smile.

“Do I need to dress up and shit?” Chuck asked skeptically.

Covering a smile with the back of her hand, Becca shook her head. “No, Chuck… just come as you are.  I doubt he will pay much attention to what you are wearing.”

The following afternoon the group all met in the lobby of the hotel.  The only ones missing were Tommy and Dana who had opted to meet them at the art gallery.  Stepping outside the hotel, a limo waited along the street right out front. 

Becca walked to the rear of the limo carrying the painting Chuck had given her and waited.  The driver got out of the driver’s seat and opened the door for her.  Turning back to where they stood she said, “Are you coming?”

“
Sweet!” Chuck said, grabbing her hand and nearly dragging her to the waiting limo.

The ride to the art gallery seemed to take forever due in part to traffic but Chuck
appeared excited just to ride around in the limo. 

Stopping
in front of the art gallery pulled him out of his fascination with the mini bar and built in television.  Looking out the window he smiled and then glanced at her. 
What she’d give to know his thoughts right now.

Entering the lobby of the gallery they were met by Tommy and Dana who was carrying the baby.  Chuck glanced around and then went immediately to Dana and smiled at baby Melody. 

The baby actually smiled back and began to kick her arms and legs.  Chuck took the baby from Dana and seemed to relax once he held her. 

He walked over to an extremely large painting that hung against a wall and looked at it, talking the whole while to the baby.  A tall man approached them and kissed Becca on the cheek before introducing himself as Daniel and shook their hands. 

Chuck seemed to be in his own world and completely ignored the man while he walked from one painting to the next continuing to talk to Melody.

A few people who
looked
like money roamed around gazing at the art as well and would move away from Chuck as soon as he approached.  She could only giggle at him as he was such a contradiction… a tattooed gangster with a baby. 

“The gentleman w
andering the gallery is the one I spoke to you about,” Becca said, pulling the painting out from a pillowcase she had covering it. “And this is the piece.”

The man made a show of gasping and placed his hand over his chest
. “It’s exquisite!”
Her thoughts exactly.

Taking the painting carefully from Becca
, he continued to study it closely.

“He’s truly had no formal instruction in fine arts?” Daniel asked
Becca.

“No, in fact he only recently took the high school equivalency tests in an effort to obtain his GED
,” Becca replied.

“Extraordinary.  Is he a savant?” Daniel asked.

“I don’t believe so…
he’s very personable and… normal once you get to know him,” Becca laughed.

“This is a rare and special
work of art you’ve been given Becca… surely you know the exceptional quality of this piece,” Daniel gushed not taking his eyes off the painting.

“Actually, as versed as I am in the value of certain
types of art… I am at a loss on the value of a piece like this.  I was hoping you could help me on a value for insurance purposes.  As for the special quality… it
is
special… very special… to me,” Becca said quietly.

“I would like to get another assessor to have a look at this piece.  Wait here
, please,” he said before disappearing down a hallway carrying the painting. 

Looking around she found Chuck still contentedly walking
about the gallery pointing out pictures to Melody and talking to her, completely unaware of the uproar he’d created. 

A few minutes later Daniel returned followed by another man who was now carrying the painting.  As they approached Daniel pointed to Chuck and said
, “That’s him, there.”

“And who is the
owner
of this piece?” the man asked Daniel.

Daniel introduced the man as Cameron
Saint James a co-owner of the gallery.  Cameron shook hands with Becca and said, “Are you interested in selling the piece?”

“Oh no…
I just need to get an idea of the value for insurance purposes,” Becca explained.

“Are you sure you don’t wish to sell?  I will offer you top dollar for the work and am
very interested in meeting the artist,” Cameron asked again.

“No
, I’m certain… it was a gift and I simply adore it,” Becca said.

Handing the painting to Daniel, Cameron said
, “Take this for framing immediately.  Kingwood will look lovely I think.”

After Daniel walked away with the painting
, Cameron turned back to Becca, “What can you tell me about the artist?”

“Well he’s…
he’s…” Becca started and then looking perplexed said, “Would you like to meet him now?”

“Most definitely and I will be taking care of any fees incurred to frame the splendid piece
just for bringing him to us first…” Cameron said more as a question.

“Yes, I thought immediately of letting Daniel see it.  We just arrived back in town yesterday and your beautiful gallery was our first stop
,” Becca smiled at him.

“I’d like to perhaps negotiate an agreement with your…
client?” Cameron said. “Would you be the attorney handling those negotiations on his behalf?”

Snickering Becca said
, “I’m not sure… why don’t you let me introduce you to him first.  I’ll return shortly.”

Taking her arm, Becca led her away from the rest of the group and once they were out of earshot she said
, “Chuck’s life is about to change in a big way and from what I understand you are a part of his life now so you should hear this as well.”

As they approached where he stood he took baby Melody’s arm and waved it at her.  He was grinning from ear to ear like a small child on Christmas morning.  He was not only hot but adorable standing there holding Melody.

“Do you see all these paintings?” he asked incredulously. “This place is the
shit!
  I could just wander around here for days and still see new things.”

“Chuck, I’d like to introduce you to the owner of this gallery.  He enjoyed the painting you made for me so much he’d like to meet you
,” Becca said as Greg caught up to them.

“Me?” Chuck asked in surprise
.

“Yes, and I’m guessing he’s going to want to see some more of your work.  Do you have any other paintings that you would be willing to show him?” Becca asked
.

“Well I have a bunch in my closet at the apartment but nothing here…”
he said.

“Is there someone who could possibly ship them overnight?” Becca asked
.

“Well
, Carla and Gran are the only ones still in Florida who have a key… but Gran’s got Gretchen and can’t really get over there anyways.  Carla is busy with the boys but I guess I could ask her,” Chuck explained.

“They need to be shipped in a special way so I will take care of calling her and asking.  How many paintings do you think you have and are they all the size of the one you made for me?” Becca asked
.

“They are all the same size and there are probably ten or more in the closet.  There are ones right inside the door of my room too but
those are for Carla.  Any of the ones in the closet she can ship,” he said looking at her with a smile.

“I’ll take care of calling Carla
,” Greg offered. “If I can borrow your cell phone…”

Chuck opened his
cell phone and selected the contact then handed the phone to Greg. “Just hit send,” he said.

“Well, let me introduce you to Daniel and Cameron
,” Becca said to Chuck.

Daniel had rejoined the group and it was obvious they were talking about Chuck because when they approached the talking died down and all eyes turned to him. 

Becca introduced them to Chuck and they shook his hand.  Dana moved to take Melody from him but he only grinned and turned away, indicating he wanted to continue holding her.

“Chuck
, I wondered if you had a few minutes to come back to my office and talk about some of your artwork.” Cameron asked.

“Sure
,” Chuck replied.

Cameron led the group down a hallway into an area laid out much like a living room while Daniel snapped his fingers at another man and made a sign to him.  Once everyone was settled a woman came in carrying a tray with bottles of flavored water on it.