She smiles and her expression lights up. "You found me," she says. Other words fall between us but all I can do is look in her eyes and feel the overwhelming love.
She's wearing the necklace with the charms that I had made for her, a reminder of the dreams I always had envisioned for us. She wore it knowing what that would mean to me.
I pull her into my arms—just where she’s meant to be. I won't ever let her go. My heart beats to my internal chant, I love you, I love you, I love you . . .
She presses closer. Every part of her saying, I love you too . . .
Moments later when we sit so I can tell my story, she’s brave and asks the hard questions—about Chloe, about what I really want, and if I still plan to wait for her.
So when I tell her about dad’s offer, her eyes grow wide with hope.
“You’re really going to come with me to New York?” she asks, her eyes brimming with tears.
I nod as I place the keys into her open hands. “Yes, I am.”
The kiss that follows rivals Rodin’s Le Baiser for unrestrained passion, fueled by a love bigger than I thought I’d ever deserve or find. I’d been lost, and Ava didn’t just find me, she healed me.
I can’t wait to get her back to the hotel and into our bed, but first we have to celebrate what our future holds.
As I hold her tightly my heart silently speaks to hers.
Are you ready for our future, Ava? It beckons even when we are countless miles apart. It was imbedded in our DNA before we even met—woven in the threads of our past lives, and it formed the shield protecting us against the wall of fire we've just walked through.
But now our future is a smooth idea, full of hope . . . a blank canvas we will fill with vibrant colors, every shade and tone.
It's here, my love, up ahead where the light is brightest. Now take my hand and we'll walk there together.
Also by Ruth Clampett
Wet
Animate Me
Mr. 365
Many thanks to those of you
that take a moment to leave a review
~it’s much appreciated.
Acknowledgements
I began writing Work of Art over four years ago with a dream to one day publish it. It's a beautiful thing to have that dream realized.
My teenage daughter, Alex and I work and write in our family room, about ten feet apart from each other, and she's been my cheerleader, opinion giver, and occasional eye roller through the writing and editing of this trilogy. I hope I've shown her by example that if you work hard and put your whole heart into it, you can make your dreams come true.
I have so much love for my dear friends, both in my real life and online one who have encouraged and supported me. Big love to my Home Girls: Alex, Cheri, Lisa and Judy, my Lost Girls: Erika, Dawn and Susi, and dear friends Kellie and Suzie.
Huge thanks and appreciation for my editors: the amazing Angela Borda, Janine Savage and Janell Parque for making my words look good.
Endless gratitude to my visual team, photographer/cinematographer David Johnston and designer Jada d'Lee for my stunning bookcovers and trailer. You guys inspire me and make the process fun. Big love to Elli Reid, Pinterest/visuals wizard and awesome proofreader.
I truly appreciate my formatter, Christine of Perfectly Publishable, whose endless patience and kindness is much appreciated.
So much thanks to Neda Armini whose passion for Work of Art and terrific promotion skills made the toughest part of publishing a pleasure. You've been a delight. And speaking of promotion, sincere thanks to the bloggers who have supported my work. You give indies a voice, helping us find readers we may never have found. I'm very grateful.
Thank you to dear friend Michael Senich, who is my Max, and Ava's, Patricia Ashley and Casey Carbone.
Thank you Flavia Viotti Siqueria and Meire Dias of Bookcase Agency. You're a class act and your support means a lot to me.
Last, but far from least, is you, dear reader. Thank you for going on this grand journey with me. Your reviews and comments have endlessly inspired me as you fell in love with Max and his muse, Ava.
I wish you all the peace and beauty of your own Starry Night, and I hope you set out every day to make your life your very own work of art .
About the Author
Ruth Clampett, daughter of legendary animation director, Bob Clampett, has spent a lifetime surrounded by art and animation. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, her careers have included graphic design, photography, VP of Design for WB Stores and teaching photography at UCLA. She now runs her own studio as the fine art publisher for Warner Bros. where she’s had the opportunity to know and work with many of the greatest artists in the world of animation and comics.
Work of Art ~ The Collection is Ruth’s seventh publishing endeavor, following Wet, Animate Me, The Work of Art Trilogy and Mr. 365. She lives in Los Angeles and is heavily supervised by her teenage daughter, lovingly referred to as Snarky, who loves art and visiting museums as much as her mom.
Connect with Ruth:
RuthClampettWrites.com
https://twitter.com/RuthyWrites
For book stuff:
https://www.facebook.com/RuthClampettWrites
For a more general stuff:
https://www.facebook.com/RuthClampett
http://instagram.com/Ruth_Clampett
Work of Art ~ the Collection Page 81
