Divine Charity(Divine Creek Ranch 18)(56)
They debated the pros and cons of Grace’s and Charity’s men, who all got ringing endorsements for various styles but Justine insisted she wanted her dad to teach her.
Charity smiled back at her daughter. “I’m sure he would be honored to teach you how to dance, honey.”
* * * *
Justin directed Ransome as he backed the pickup truck to the large door at the rear of the building that housed Violet’s Emporium. As if on cue, the rolling door began to rise behind him and the sounds of construction and progress filtered from the interior.
“Hi, guys!” Violet called as she came out into the bright sunshine.
Ransome and Val lifted the first large sculpture, an abstract bull made from metal strips, with its horns lowered and ready to charge, onto the dolly to bring in.
“If you’ll follow me, I can show you the area I’ve set up for your display.”
She led them through the large space that was currently undergoing renovation. Josh Abbott looked up from his work at a table saw, grinned, and gave them a wave as they passed.
The interior walls were still the original red brick and workmen were busy installing new transom windows to replace the old ones, several of which he could see were broken. The other Abbott brothers were busy with industrial sanders, working on the expansive, old wooden floor, prepping it for refinishing.
Justin exchanged wide-eyed looks with Ransome and Val as they looked around at all the work going on. Justin said, “Violet, this place is going to be amazing when you’re done. I’d forgotten how big it is in here.”
Violet nodded. “This building is basically half of a city block, if you include the loading dock and back parking lot. It’s all coming together so well and even I’m amazed. The Abbotts came highly recommended and have been wonderful to work with.”
“They’re good guys,” Justin said as she came to a stop inside the book store and gestured to the area designated for his work. In a corner of the store near the large, antique sales counter, she’d had limestone blocks delivered and stacked as pedestals for the larger pieces and had also set up a display rack made of Plexiglas for the smaller pieces. He was speechless at first.
Violet smiled big at him and said, “Is it big enough?”
He laughed and gave her a wide-eyed look. “Big enough? I should be asking if you’re sure you want to devote this much space to my work.”
With a shrug, she said, “Well, I know that your inventory is going to fluctuate as pieces sell but based on the number of pieces you have available right now, I thought this space would work. I could expand it another five feet if I need to.”
They moved the bull into position on its pedestal and arranged it as she suggested, and then she beckoned to them. “Let me show you what I have planned.”
She showed them where the sales counter would be moved to, out in the unfinished main room and then pointed to the area front and center in the Emporium, a spot where the light from the front windows poured in. “Your work will be the first thing customers see when they walk in the door.”
“And all you’re asking is a consignment fee? I feel like I should be paying you rent, Violet.”
“The consignment fee will be sufficient. Just keep bringing me pieces in different sizes and we’ll be fine. I think you’re going to be amazed by how popular your work will become. I posted the pictures I took of your sculptures on Saturday on my Facebook page.”
“And?” he asked, noting the excitement shining in her eyes.
“I’ve already had a number of inquiries about seeing them in person.”
All Justin could do was shake his head in surprise, and then he laughed.
Violet laughed with him and said, “All I ask is that when you’re a big highfalutin artiste type that you’ll still send me a few pieces every year to sell for you. Why don’t you bring them in and we’ll get them set up. Oh, and will you let Justine know I’m looking for help if she’d like a part-time job?”
“I sure will, Violet. Thanks.”
They brought in the rest of the pieces and promised to return after lunch with the second load. She waved and nodded as she chatted with a customer who was looking at the bull sculpture with obvious interest.
* * * *
“Can I see again?” Justine asked as she reached for her mom’s hand which rested on the table at Rudy’s, where they’d just finished lunch.
Charity chuckled and let her daughter manipulate her left hand as she looked at the rings. Sometimes the stones would glint and give her a little start and remind her that what she’d dreamed of was now her reality. Val and Ransome were hers, along with the love of her life. Just as important, Beau and Justine had welcomed them into the circle.