Max squinted. Maybe a rhino.
“I love the barn. Nice detail.”
Katie beamed under Emma’s praise, and Max had the sudden urge to earn her compliments, as well. He joined them, hesitantly, as one would approach a startled stallion. “Emma’s right. Very nice job.” With the exception of the unidentified hilltop creature, but hey. They weren’t giving lessons here. They were letting the kids express themselves. Speaking of...he had the perfect excuse to talk to Emma.
Alone.
“Join me?” He touched her elbow, trying to ignore the hurt that radiated when she stiffened in response, and led her several yards away where they could talk quietly without being overheard. “What do you think so far?”
Panic laced her eyes before her gaze settled on the easels. “You mean about the paintings.”
“What else would I mean—” Max cut himself off. “Emma. Are we going to ignore the elephant here or go ahead and take care of him one bite at a time?”
A tiny smile teased the corners of her lips. Man, she was beautiful. “I think you’re mixing metaphors.” A spark lit her eyes and ignited his stomach with memories.
“Some things never change.” He grinned. “Remember when I meant to say pretty as a picture, and I said pretty as a catcher?” He’d had a few in him at the time, but he clearly remembered the confused expression on Emma’s face as they sat on the tailgate of his truck, stargazing. And the embarrassment that had flooded afterward. At least she’d thought his blunder was cute.
Or he’d thought she thought so.
Emma snorted, shoulder bumping him like old times. “You do realize by now that it’s picture, not pitcher?”
“Come on, now. I’m not that hopeless.”
Her eyes met his and held for a moment before she directed her attention back to the teens.
Oops. Now what? The sadness in her expression nearly stole his breath. “What is it?” Did she still believe him that far gone, even after all he’d done in her absence? After all he’d cleaned up and changed and accomplished?
A light breeze brushed strands of hair over her eyes, blocking his view of her stoic profile. She didn’t reach up to brush them back, so he did.
“Just...thinking.” She fluttered her hand to wave off the topic, as though it was as easily shooed as a summer bee. At least she didn’t dodge his touch this time.
He turned so he faced her, giving her his full attention. She deserved nothing less. “Elephant, remember? Here’s a fork.”
“That’s seriously gross.” But the smile was back, and the sadness slightly dissipated. Mission accomplished—even if she still kept her profile to him. Then she sobered. “You’re not hopeless, Max.”
Well, at least there was that. “You do realize the same is true for you?” He wanted to touch her again but knew she’d spook. Not to mention they stood behind ten teenagers all eager for gossip and rumors—including Emma’s own son.
“I know.”
But did she really? Her lips pressed together in a thin line, and she wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her forearms with her hands. He started to shrug out of his zip-up hoodie, but she shook her head to stop him. “It wouldn’t look right.”