The Widows' Gallery

by Marilyn Baron

  Why don’t you erect a statue of Tack in the park?

  “Well, I’ve got my eye on several paintings. I want to go and reserve them. Fine job, Abigail. Louis would have been proud.”

  “And his parents would have been horrified.”

  “No doubt, but this town needs new blood, new ideas, and you and Tack are right in sync.”

  Don’t pair me with him.

  “Well, I’d better circulate, Mr. Mayor. Thank you so much for coming. And we’d appreciate it if you’d encourage others to visit in the future.”

  “Count on it.” The mayor wandered off.

  Abigail tasted one of the hors d’oeuvres being passed. Delicious. She needed to compliment the chef from the Crow’s Nest. Actually, the chef was engaged in conversation with Emma, Victoria’s daughter, who’d flown in from New York for the event. She was a darling girl, and she and Caleb Reardon made a handsome couple. And they seemed to be enjoying each other’s company immensely. It seemed unlikely Emma would have to travel all the way from New York to the small town of Lobster Cove to find a man, but evidently there was something in the water in Lobster Cove. Maybe someone should bottle it and sell it as a love potion.

  Abby went over to the couple. “Caleb, your hors d’oeuvres are exceptional. Everyone was so excited your restaurant was catering. You’ve done a fantastic job. I hope it generates a lot of business for the Crow’s Nest. Emma, I hope you’re enjoying yourself.”

  “This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Your gallery is fabulous, and I’ve never seen Mom so happy. And I’m really enjoying the company.” She gazed into Caleb’s eyes.

  “I saw you talking to Tack a while ago,” said Caleb. “It’s a shame he had to leave. If it weren’t for Tack, I wouldn’t even have a restaurant.”

  “I’m curious. How did you and Tack meet?”

  “At Harvard. He knew I wanted to own a restaurant one day. When I invited some of my fraternity brothers and their dates over for a formal dinner one night, he raved about the food and insisted he wanted to invest in my future ventures. We’re equal partners in the Crow’s Nest. He’s the money man. He’s also invested in several of my other restaurants around the country. Tack has the Midas touch. And a heart of gold.”

  Abby exhaled. Tack must have a split personality. It seemed she’d only seen his worst side. “Thank you, Caleb. Well, you two have fun.”

  Abby wandered over to chat with some reporters and pose for some photos. Guests were clustered around Jane’s paintings, raving about the next Chagall. Checkbooks and credit cards were being waved around. It looked like Natalie had her hands full taking orders.

  Aidan came up to Abby. “Well, it looks like you ladies have a hit on your hands.”

  “Thanks to your great work with the design and buildout.”

  “Well, I had a lot of help from Natalie. She has a good eye for design, and she kept the project right on track.”

  Abby smiled. “You like her, don’t you?”

  “I love her, Abby. It happened so fast, but I’m really serious about the woman.”

  “I’m glad, Aidan. She deserves to be happy, and you are just the man to do it.”

  “And talk about being happy, why are you giving Tack such a hard time?”

  “You and Tack talk about me?”

  “He can’t stop talking about you. And yes, he’s my best friend, so we talk about the women we’re interested in.”

  “Has he told you how crude he is, how he just takes what he wants? Tack has this whole town fooled. He’s nothing but a big brute, Aidan.”

  Aidan smiled. “Abby, he knows what he wants and he goes after it. Any woman in this town would give anything if Tack Garrity looked at them the way he looks at you. But he has his heart set on you. Look, his first wife, Renata, was a nasty piece of work. She was never in love with Tack, and she didn’t give Isabella the time of day. She ripped his heart out. She was only interested in his money, and she cheated on him from the moment she married him. I hate to speak ill of the dead, but she won’t be missed, except by Isabella, who really hardly knew her. That child is amazing, and she deserves better.”

  “Well, that’s one thing we can agree on.”

  “She deserves a mother like you.”

  Abby laughed. “That’s quite a stretch.”

  “It’s not my place to say, but Tack loves you. Isabella loves you. I don’t see what the problem is.”

  “Tack has never said he loves me. Maybe he’s looking for a mother for Isabella, but—”

  “It’s a lot more than that, Abby. You may not be able to see it, but Tack is the best man I know. He may have made some mistakes with you, come on too strong, but his feelings for you are sincere. He’s decent and strong and dependable and generous, and almost everyone in this town will tell you that.”

  “Now you sound like the mayor.”

  “Men like Tack don’t come along every day, Abigail. Why don’t you give him another chance?”

  Abby pursed her lips. “I appreciate that you’re his friend, but I don’t think Tack and I are at all compatible.”

  “From where I sit, you’re a perfect match,” Aidan said. “Well, I’ve left Natalie alone long enough. She could use my help. I think you may have sold out your entire inventory. Especially the Jane Nash pieces. And Ethan Logan’s are a close second.”

  “Thanks again for everything, Aidan.”

  Abby stepped up to the microphone and cleared her throat. She picked up a flute of champagne and tapped her fork against the glass. Everyone in the crowd turned to her.

  “Hello, and welcome. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Abigail Adams Longley, one of the owners of the Venus Gallery. I’d like to introduce you to my three partners in this exciting new venture—Jane Nash, whose paintings you’ve seen and enjoyed tonight, Natalie Jasper, and Victoria Dare. I don’t know if you’ve heard the story, but we met on a cruise ship, bonded over a painting, The Birth of Venus, and decided to open up an art gallery. After months of hard work, we did it. We couldn’t have done it without each other. Frankly, I don’t know what I would do without these women. They came into my life at a time when I really needed them, when we really needed each other, and since then life’s never been the same.

  “It is our hope that you have found something you liked here tonight and that you’ll keep coming back if for nothing else but to enjoy beautiful art. We’ve collected fine art from around the globe, paintings you won’t get in any other gallery, artwork you can fall in love with that takes you to another place, another time, that ignites a spark in your soul. If that happens, then we’ve done our job. Be sure to pick up a brochure about our gallery, about the services and features we offer, and enjoy the good food and music and company. We hope you’ll spread the word about the Venus Gallery. And thank you so much for coming.”

  Abby relieved Natalie at the register, and Natalie and Aidan walked off hand in hand outside in the moonlight, to one of the benches with a partial view of the ocean, perhaps the most romantic spot in the world. Strains of the orchestra filled the gallery and could probably be heard all the way to the sea. From the window Abby could see Natalie and Aidan kiss. Aidan spoke, and then Natalie jumped into Aidan’s arms and wouldn’t let go.

  Abby was thrilled for them, and she wanted a love like that for herself. After Louis died, she had thought she would never experience those strong feelings again. But then she met Tack. He was gruff at times, but tonight, through the picture others painted of him, she had seen another side of Tack, another layer. Perhaps she should give him another chance.

  Jane and Ethan were also walking through the gallery hand in hand. What a coup for Jane. She was the new darling of the art world, and Ethan was totally swept away by her. Plain Jane had blossomed into a beautiful flower in front of their eyes.

  Joshua Waterbury couldn’t keep his hands or his eyes off Victoria. Victoria, who not too long ago thought she had nothing to live for. Had she jumped off the cruise ship, she would h
ave missed out on a whole new life. And Abby would have missed out on a wonderful friendship. Joshua lived in London and traveled around the world, but if they were in love, they would work it out. So it seemed everybody had somebody except her. Lobster Cove was a haven for lovers.

  Abby’s thoughts wandered back to Tack. She was certainly physically attracted to him. She had agreed to meet him once more, give him a chance to have his say, but other than that, she wouldn’t see him again. One thing she’d miss about Tack was Isabella. But it was cruel to maintain a relationship with her if she wasn’t going to see Tack on a permanent basis. Cruel to both Isabella and herself. Well, she had a lot to occupy her mind without thinking of Tack. The four women had each spent time at the register, talked to visitors, given tours—it had been a long day and a long evening. But they’d achieved their dream, and from now on it would be smooth sailing.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Wow, what a night,” Jane sighed at breakfast the next morning. “I’ve sold all my paintings, and so has Ethan. We need to get to work right away and paint some more.”

  “It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time,” agreed Natalie, whose grin was contagious.

  Victoria was suspicious. “Okay, what are you hiding, Natalie?”

  Natalie stuck her right hand out. “Aidan asked me to marry him. We’re engaged.”

  The girls shrieked and lined up to give Natalie a hugs and congratulate her.

  “Let me see that rock,” said Abby. “Wow, that’s some stone!”

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it,” agreed Natalie, whose happiness outshone the glittering multi-carat emerald-cut diamond.

  “Did you set a date?” Jane asked.

  “No, Aidan just asked me last night, and with all the activity, we didn’t get down to any details, just that we’re in love and we want to be together forever. And I am so happy.”

  “We’re happy for you,” Abby said. “Aidan is a wonderful man.”

  “Listen, I hate to break up this party, but I promised to spend the day with Emma, take her around, get to know the town a little better, and that cute chef Caleb Reardon wants us to stop by his restaurant for lunch,” Victoria said. “I think he just wants to spend more time with Emma. He’s asked her out for tonight.” She noticed Abby was unusually quiet. “Abby, what are you going to do for the rest of the day?”

  Abby stared at the food on her plate and pushed the eggs around with her fork.

  “You haven’t eaten a thing, Abby,” Jane said.

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Here, take my last piece of bacon,” Jane said, tossing a piece of bacon onto Abby’s plate. “It’s crispy, just the way you like it.”

  Abby made a face and held up her hand. “No, no, I—I think I’m going to be sick.” Abby ran to the bathroom next door and vomited. As soon as possible she ran a glass of water, took a large sip and swished it around in her mouth before spitting it out and returning to the table.

  “Abby, you’re white as a sheet,” Natalie said. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. It’s nothing. I’m just exhausted. It’s been a long couple of months.”

  “I’m sure that’s it,” said Jane. “Would you like some juice? You have to eat something.”

  Abby got up from the table and went toward the buffet. “I’ll get it.” She took a step. Her eyes glazed over and she went down, hitting her head against the sideboard.

  “Abby!” Natalie screamed, rushing to her friend, who lay slumped on the floor. “Someone get a wet towel. She’s bleeding! Help me lift her. Get her into my car. We’re taking her to the doctor. Does anyone know who her doctor is?”

  The women shook their heads.

  “Does this town even have a hospital? I think it has a Family Health Clinic. Why don’t we know anything about this place?”

  “I’m going to call 9-1-1, get an ambulance,” said Jane.

  Natalie smoothed Abby’s bangs back from her head. “One of you call Aidan, have him meet us here. He’ll know where to go. She’s perspiring. She’s still unconscious. She’s white as a sheet. Damn! What could be wrong with her?”

  “Maybe she caught a bug last night, ate some bad food. I don’t know. Everything seemed to be excellent, though.” Jane picked up the phone and dialed Aidan’s number.

  “Aidan, it’s Jane. Abby’s fainted. She’s bleeding. We need help. Can you get here now?” Jane turned to Natalie. “He’s on his way.”

  Victoria came back with a wet cloth, wiped Abby’s forehead, and pressed the cloth against her head to stop the bleeding.

  “She’s coming to,” Natalie said. “Here, help me get her up and to a chair.”

  “What happened?” asked Abby, wobbling as her friends helped her into a kitchen chair.

  “You fainted. We’re taking you to the hospital.”

  “I don’t want to go to Lobster Cove Hospital. I don’t want everyone in this town to know my business. There’s a hospital in Bar Harbor. But I don’t need a doctor. I’m fine.”

  “You’re not fine. You fainted. You vomited. And you’re bleeding. Aidan is coming to help us.”

  “Don’t call Aidan.”

  “Why not? We don’t know where the doctors are, where your doctor is.”

  “Most of my doctors are in Boston.”

  “No one local? We found an OB/GYN named Lori Sato.”

  “No. I have my own OB/GYN in Bar Harbor, but like I told you, I don’t need a doctor,” Abby insisted.

  The doorbell rang.

  “Where’s Abby?” Aidan shouted, running into the kitchen.

  “Aidan, you didn’t need to come out here,” Abby protested. “I’m fine.”

  Aidan inspected Abby. “You look like a ghost. What happened?”

  “She came downstairs, didn’t eat any breakfast, vomited, and then fainted and hit her head on the sideboard. She needs medical attention.”

  “I’ll be fine. Just let me sit here.”

  Aidan scooped Abby up in her arms. “Natalie, open the back door. I’ll get her into the car, and you ride with her in the back seat.”

  “Everyone, stop making such a fuss. I probably have food poisoning or something.”

  “Jane, you ride with me,” said Victoria. “We’ll follow Aidan.”

  “Where’s Abby’s purse with her insurance cards?” Aidan asked.

  “I think she must have left her bag up in her bedroom. I’ll get it and bring it.” Jane ran for the elevator.

  Aidan got Abby settled in the back seat and took the wheel.

  “What did you eat last night?” Natalie asked.

  “What everyone else ate. None of you are sick.”

  “You’re probably just exhausted. Maybe you caught a cold. Well, we’ll just have you checked out. Abby, where’s your doctor?”

  “Dr. Hadley in Bar Harbor, downtown in the harbor area.”

  “Aidan, do you know where that is?”

  “Yes. Hang on. It’s only about ten miles away down the coast, but since it’s downtown, traffic is slow, so maybe another ten- to fifteen-minute ride. We might have to fight for a parking space.”

  “This is so silly and unnecessary,” Abby kept repeating.

  “Let us be the judge of that,” Natalie said.

  They entered downtown Bar Harbor, and luckily Aidan found a parking space right in front of the doctor’s office. He opened the back door of the car, scooped up Abby, and carried her in.

  “For heaven’s sakes, Aidan, you don’t need to carry me.”

  “Hey, we’ve got an emergency here, can anybody help us?” Aidan shouted as he entered the office.

  A girl came out from behind the desk.

  “This is Abby Longley,” Aidan explained. “She fainted and fell and, oh, yeah, she vomited. She bumped her head on the edge of a table. She’s bleeding.”

  “You’re all crazy. I’m fine. I can walk by myself.”

  “Carry her into this exam room,” instructed the receptionist.

  Aidan plac
ed Abby on the exam table. “Now lie back and wait for the doctor.”

  “I’ll go get Doctor Hadley,” said the receptionist.

  Aidan and Natalie stood beside Abby.

  A few minutes later, Jane and Victoria rushed into the room. “Here’s her purse. I gave the receptionist her insurance card.”

  The door opened again, and Dr. Hadley walked in.

  “Abby, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just fainted and hit my head. It’s no big deal.”

  “And you vomited, don’t forget,” added Natalie.

  “How could I forget? Pretty soon the whole town will know about it.”

  “This visit is confidential,” said the doctor.

  “You know and I know that’s not true. There’s a whole waiting room full of people out there. It’s probably trending on Twitter as we speak. Anything that happens to a Longley is news.”

  “Why don’t you please wait out in the waiting room, all of you,” instructed the doctor. “I’ll take Abby from here.” The room cleared. “How are you feeling?”

  “A little weak, I guess. Weird, lightheaded.”

  “I’m going to order some blood tests to rule some things out.” She used the intercom to page her nurse.

  When the nurse came in, the doctor instructed, “Please draw some blood from our patient.” The nurse walked away for a minute, then steadied Abby’s arm and drew several vials of blood. After that she left the room with the samples.

  “Abby, has this ever happened to you before? Have you ever fainted like this?” Dr. Hadley asked, as she cleaned and bandaged the wound on Abby’s head.

  “No.”

  “Have you been under stress lately?”

  “Yes, we just opened a new gallery, and we’ve been working for months at a pretty hectic pace.”

  “What about emotional stress?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Is anything going on in your personal life that may have upset you?”