Second Chance Girl (Happily Inc. #2)

They all walked out of the gallery and toward a large, low building with lots of windows. Their studio, Ulrich would guess. When they walked inside, he saw he’d been right.

There were large desks, cabinets and workstations, along with a huge oven and all kinds of equipment he couldn’t begin to name. Even more compelling were the pieces of art scattered everywhere. There were carvings, creations done with paper instead of paint, an origami mobile and several wood carvings.

“You’ve been busy,” he said quietly.

“Let me take you on a tour,” Mathias told him. “Nick and I work here most of the time. I have a small studio at home but it’s mostly for sketching. My brother Ronan has a studio at his place. He’s the one who created that bit of art we were carrying.”

Ulrich held in a smile. “No insult intended.”

“None taken,” Nick said with a grin. “But if Ronan gets riled, you’re on your own.”

“I shall be on my best behavior.” He glanced around. “Who works with wood?”

“I do.” Nick crossed to a large log mounted vertically on a stand. “Still trying to figure out what this one is supposed to be. I keep seeing some guy holding a lute, but I’m hoping I’m wrong.”

As all Ulrich saw was a log, he was impressed. He looked at Mathias. “You work with glass, correct?”

“Mostly everyday stuff. Dishes, bowls.” He motioned to the pieces stacked on shelves by the window.

“So Ronan made that?” he asked, pointing to the piece in the back. It was made up of two separate statues. A giraffe—Millie, he would guess—bending down to greet a woman. As he moved closer, he recognized the features. Carol, he thought. Carol and Millie together.

“I did that,” Mathias admitted. “Just something I’ve been playing with.”

Ulrich walked around the pedestal and he looked more closely. Millie seemed ready to take a step. He would swear he saw Carol breathing. There was talent in the piece, and something more. The artist who had created this loved his subjects. He wondered if Mathias knew what he was telling the world with his work.

“It’s brilliant,” Ulrich told him. “Will you be selling it at the event?”

“It’s not for sale and I don’t know if I’ll display it or not.”

“Someone might accidentally knock it over,” Nick grumbled as he walked to the coffeepot on a table by the front door. He held up a mug. “Ulrich?”

“Yes, please. Black is fine.”

“Good, because we don’t have tea.”

Ulrich sighed. “You Americans do love your stereotypes.”

“That we do.” Nick handed him the coffee, then poured a mug for himself and his brother.

Ulrich looked back at Mathias’s artwork. “Why would it be damaged?”

The brothers exchanged a look. “You get along with your father?” Nick asked.

“I used to. He passed away.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I am, as well. He was a good man. Kind and generous.” Ulrich had always aspired to be like him. When the responsibilities of the estate seemed unmanageable, he reminded himself his father had done it all with a broken body racked with pain, and he’d never once faltered.

“Our father isn’t like that,” Nick said. “He’s a famous artist who doesn’t like anyone doing better than him. Not even his sons.”

“I see.” Ulrich didn’t know much about the art world but even he had heard of a famous glass artist with the last name of Mitchell. “It’s unfortunate he can’t be proud of you.”

“Not his style,” Mathias murmured, then sipped his coffee. “You’ll meet him on Thursday.”

“He’s attending?”

“He’s donating something, as well.”

“Ah. To share in the glory?”

“Sure,” Nick said. “Will you be bidding?”

Ulrich chuckled. “I’m afraid not. I have an old, drafty house with bad plumbing.”

“Uh-huh. Let me guess. The drafty old house is a five-hundred-year-old estate with a couple hundred rooms.”

Ulrich sipped his coffee. “Something like that. And the plumbing is awful. But I shall be hoping for a blowout in the bidding.”

“Didn’t Millie cause your car accident?” Mathias asked.

“I’m not one to hold a grudge.” Not when the accident had resulted in him spending more time with Violet. “From what I’ve been told, Millie needs her herd. Here’s to that happening.”

He chatted with the brothers for a few more minutes before excusing himself and walking back toward Violet’s store. She should be finished with her client by now and he wanted to spend every second he could with her. Despite their short time together, she’d become extremely important to him. So important, he wasn’t sure how he was going to leave her. But return home he must, and therein lay the dilemma.

*

CAROL SILENTLY YELLED at herself the entire way up the mountain—worse, she knew she was right. It was a family matter—she shouldn’t get involved. No good deed went unpunished. The list went on and on. Still, she was compelled. She had to do what she could, even if it went badly. Despite their cruel and disinterested father, the Mitchell brothers were all basically good guys. If the meeting went badly, she would throw herself on Ronan’s mercy and beg him to forgive her. Or at least not tell anyone what she’d said.

She parked by the front door and took a second to admire the grandeur of the house. The solitude of the structure had a peaceful quality to it. Not that she was having anything close to house-envy. She liked where she lived just fine. Her view of the animal preserve was all she wanted.

She got out of her Jeep and headed up the path. The front door opened before she could knock.

“You’re unexpected,” Ronan said mildly.

“Did the perimeter alarms alert you to company?” she asked, only half joking.

“In a manner of speaking.” He held open the door. “Come on in.”

“Thanks.”

Once they were in the foyer, he put his hands in his jeans front pockets. “Is this a long visit or a short visit?”

Was he asking if they could talk while standing here? She wasn’t sure and while sitting down was probably a good idea; she kind of liked the idea of being able to bolt if he got mad.

“This is fine. I’ll be quick.”

“If you’re going to ask my permission to marry my brother, I’m happy to agree. He has some quirks and a few annoying habits, but basically he’s a good guy.”

Carol felt herself flush. Considering her mouth also dropped open, she couldn’t begin to imagine how pretty that made her look.

“I... We...”

Ronan’s eyes brightened with amusement. “Not that, then. Okay, I’m intrigued. Go ahead.”

She couldn’t get past the marriage thing. “Why would you think I’m here about Mathias?”

“Aren’t you?”