Page 20 of Cupid
With the door to the nursery closed behind us, Brandon flipped the canvas around. “What do you think?”
Once I finally got a look at it, I was speechless.
Brandon was an amazing artist, and he was able to capture everything I asked for in perfect detail. Me in the air with Jude on my back, us over the ocean, in the moonlight, with a purple haze surrounding us. “That is…amazing. Wow.”
Brandon ducked his chin and shrugged. “Thanks. I’m glad you like it.”
I stepped closer, inspecting the way he was able to use light and shadows to create an almost 3D effect. “I can’t believe you got the bond so spot-on. That’s exactly what I see.”
“Well, you’ve described it a lot over the years.” He chuckled. “It wasn’t too hard to imagine.”
My finger was about to trace a brush stroke before I caught myself and pulled it back. “Have you done bonding portraits for other couples before?”
“No, but if you think this one’s good, maybe I should look into it.”
“You definitely should. I can give you some names of people that I think would totally be interested. And I’ll let my future couples know this is available to them. In fact, I can offer to take a photo of their meeting as a reference for you to use.”
Now he was in shock, choked up by the offer. “That would be great, man. Business has been a little slow, and I could use the referrals.”
I clapped him on the shoulder and gave him a squeeze. “I can practically guarantee you some real business. Let me send out a few texts this weekend, and we’ll see what we can drum up for you.”
“I appreciate it.” He blew out a slow breath and turned to look at the window, wiping his cheek with his back to me. “A lot.”
We hung the painting in the center of the wall, right over the changing table and dresser. “That’s perfect.”
Brandon looked at his watch and then nodded. “All right then. I need to get going, but let me know what Jude thinks. I hope he likes it too.”
“He definitely will.”
FIFTEEN
JUDE
Time moved quickly in Santa’s Village. Especially as we approached Autumn and everyone got really deep into the planning season for the big night.
As for me, things were kinda boring. I hated being stuck in bed for so much of the time and not being able to go out and explore the town. Fortunately, I was able to get a job which helped me keep busy while Arrow spent long hours working out and in his workshop.
Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be qualified to do anything, but then a position came up with the post office that I could do from my laptop.
I didn’t even realize Santa had an email account and that tens of thousands of letters came in for him every single day. But he did, and there was a lot to sort through before Christmas. Even working part-time, the days passed by in a blur.
According to my doctor, the baby was growing quickly but in a good way. He would be strong and healthy when he came out, but he was going to be big. Really big. Like, too big for me to try to deliver naturally.
Which was fine by me because I’d been having nightmares of trying to push out a miniature reindeer with huge antlers and…let’s just say it never ended well.
Obviously, the baby would come out as a baby, but still… I was completely open to whatever medical intervention would reduce the aftermath. Or at minimum, theduring-math.
I was slowly making my way to the kitchen when there was a knock on the door and then it opened up.
“Hello, Jude. I’m coming in, okay?” It was Arrow’s mom. She came by a few times a week to check on me and keep me company. It was actually really sweet.
“Hey there, Mama C. What are you up to today?”
“Well…” She lowered her voice as if anyone was home that might overhear her. “I’m here to kidnap you. I wanna show you something, but it won’t be too strenuous. I promise.”
As much as I liked being a rule follower and staying off my feet, I was really going stir crazy at home and was happy to sneak away with anybody willing to take me. “Let’s go.”
She chuckled. “Well, that was easier than I thought it’d be. What do you need? Your jacket and boots? I’ll help you get ready.”
