Page 5 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

Chapter2

“Iwant you to understand before you look at this that it’s just the first thought that came to me.I can adjust it, or completely redo it, based on your desires.”Afraid her hands would give away her nervousness, she rested them on the painting’s back.

“I’m sure it’s beautiful.”He reached for the canvas.“Let’s see what you have so far.”

She lifted the cloth covering the canvas first and held the painting face down in her lap.“You’ll see it better if I hold it.”

Chase was quiet as he stared at the painting.He tilted his head left and then to the right.He stood and rested his hands on his hips, still contemplating the painting.

He was taking so long, Meri’s stomach churned.She was sure he hated it.

Finally, he looked at her and smiled.“This is brilliant.I love how you’ve incorporated the colors and the mountains seem so real.When can you get started?”

She let out the breath she’d been holding.“The painting of the outer office is finished, so all I have to do is to purchase the paint.I’ll do that today and can start tomorrow.If that’s all right with you, of course.If not, I’ll wait until Thursday as we planned.”

“That’s excellent.Tomorrow will be fine.I’ll give you an advance on the mural.Do you want half down now?Do we need to move Rita’s desk?”

“I don’t need money yet.Eventually, you’ll have to move her desk, but not right away.I’ll start on the opposite side from her and I’ll do my best to keep out of the way of you and your clients.That will not be a problem, will it?Me being here while you meet with your clients, I mean.I know you have a very high-profile clientele who cherish their privacy.”

He sat on the end of the sofa and crossed his arms.“That won’t be a problem as long as you aren’t a gossip or some such to tell people who it is that comes to see me.”

She laughed.“No, I’m not a gossip.I like to keep my own council.”

“Wonderful.It’s only eight-forty.How would you like to join me for breakfast?”He looked at his watch.“We can go to Starbucks downstairs if you want.Or,” He snapped his fingers.“There’s a new place called the Twilight Café down on the mall.It’s only about two blocks from here.I’ve been wanting to try it.Say you’ll come.”

Meri felt astonished that he wanted to spend time with her, but it was obvious that he had also felt the jolt.“I’d like that very much.”She stood.“I’ll leave the painting here for now, if you don’t mind.I really don’t want to be carrying it about.”

“Of course.Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

He stepped beside her and placed his right hand at her waist.“I’ll just let Rita know where I’ll be.”

They stopped by the woman’s desk.

Chase stepped up.“Rita, we’ll be having breakfast at the Twilight Café.I have my cell, if you need me.”

The woman smiled and made a note.“Sure thing.And let me know how you like the café.I’ve been wanting to go there but haven’t made it yet.”

“Will do.”Chase turned to Meri.“Shall we go?”

They walked to the elevator, and he again placed a hand at her waist.

She wondered at the old-fashioned courtesy, but she enjoyed having his hand on her.She’d like it to be more than just her back.She felt her body electrify with his touch.

When they reached the ground floor, they walked across the lobby and Chase opened the door to the outside for her, then ushered her through.She noticed the people stopped and stared at them.Was it so unusual for Chase to be seen with a woman during the day?

Outside was sunny, yet it was early enough to be quite comfortable.The high temperatures of July hadn’t hit yet today.Plus, the tall buildings provided shade for the street.It was an easy walk of two blocks, and since most people were at work, the street wasn’t overly crowded.They reached their destination in no time.

The cafe was on the ground floor of one corner of the Hoffman Building.When she walked in, the first thing she smelled was bacon frying and the sweet aroma of pancakes.She’d love to find a place down here that served a proper breakfast, not a frou frou one.

Chase stood at the greeter’s station until someone came.

She was a brunette and evidently a server.She had tattoos on both arms, her hair was in a ponytail with the ends curled up and bright red lipstick.Meri looked around and all the servers wore the same uniform and the same red lips.This was definitely a ‘50s-style diner.

“How many?”she asked.

“Two for breakfast,” said Chase.