Julia jumped up from the couch and ran up the stairs. She stashed a paint palette, a few brushes, and thick paper from the Arts and Crafts room in her bag, and hurried downstairs. Ava was staring up at her in anticipation.
“Come on, let’s take Peanut and Pancake out to the beach for a walk,” Julia exclaimed, already heading towards the door.
“Okay,” Ava replied reluctantly, slowly scooting off the couch and following Julia outside with Peanut and Pancake trailing behind her.
Once they were outside on the beach, Julia worried that the idea wouldn’t work. However, when she saw how Ava smiled when she bent down in the sand to rub her dog's stomach, she wanted that happiness to stay.
“So, I’ve been talking to Peanut and Pancake a lot lately...” Julia started, careful to notice Ava’s reaction, which seemed bemused at this point. Julia continued. “They told me they really would love their portraits painted. I heard you were a great painter, so I think you should paint them.”
“Uh, I don’t know,” Ava said, looking up at Julia with forlorn eyes. Her pink dress hung in a circle around her in the sand, and her long brown hair was in a high ponytail on her head, which swayed slightly whenever she leaned over to pet her dogs.
“Aw, come on, I know they would love it.” Julia pushed, finally revealing that she already had the art supplies ready to go in her bag. She arranged the paints and brushes.
“I haven’t painted in a while. I don't think it would be very good.” Ava looked at her feet, clearly feeling embarrassed.
“Oh nonsense, I know you’re great. I’d love to see you in action.” Julia cooed, eager that Ava had begun making her way over to her art setup.
“Maybe, if Peanut and Pancake really want one,” Ava said sheepishly, examining the setup. Julia thought for sure that she saw the beginnings of a smile on Ava’s face at the sight of her old art supplies.
“Yes. They really do.” Julia smiled, watching Ava closely.
Julia took a step back and watched Ava in action. Ava began running her small hands along the paint cartons and bristling the brushes between her fingers. At the sight of the paint, Peanut and Pancake jumped up and down, pawing at Ava’s knees. Ava had clearly dealt with the dogs before while she was painting because before Julia could even suggest a way to get the dogs to settle down, Ava took out a few treats from her pockets. This elicited excited yips from the puppies, and when Ava placed the treats in the sand ahead of her, the dogs circled around the spot wagging their tails before sitting patiently.
“Wow,” Julia remarked. "Very smart. You must have painted with them around before. Am I right?"
“They love to get into the paint," Ava responded. "It’s nice to be painting them again.” Ava gingerly picked up a wooden brush and grabbed one of the thick pieces of paper Julia had brought outside with them.
Julia watched as the colors began swirling on Ava's page. Though Ava’s painting skills were impressive for such a young girl, Julia pushed her eyes away from the brush gliding gently upon the page in expert motion and looked instead at Ava. Unlike the downtrodden girl she saw on the couch this morning, this Ava was full of life, and a warm smile formed on her face. Ava seemed happy, so Julia was too.
After about an hour of painting, with Julia watching eagerly from afar, Ava put down her brush and looked at her puppies playing in the sand with a wide smile.
“Julia?” Ava called.
“Everything okay, Ava?”
“I just wanted to say thank you, for bringing the paints out. I feel a lot better.” Ava smiled up at Julia, and Julia felt tears pricking the corners of her eyes.
“I'm glad.” Julia smiled, crouching down, so she was eye-level with Ava.
“It’s almost dinnertime. I’m a little nervous.” Ava confided, her eyes fixed on her feet.
“Why are you nervous?” Julia asked, giving Ava the opportunity to discuss what she was feeling.
“Well, what if Christina doesn’t like me?”
“Ava, you don't have to worry about at all. I know she will love you.” Julia took Ava’s hands into her own.
“Are you sure?” Ava asked.
“I am more than sure. You have nothing to worry about. Everything is going to be perfect.” Julia reassured Ava, wishing with all her might that she would be proven right.
“Okay, and Julia …” Ava started but stopped short, suddenly shy.
“Yes, sweetie?”
“Uh … will you stay with me, tonight?” Ava asked, and Julia immediately gave Ava a great, big bear hug. Ava laughed.
“Of course, I will be right by your side. Now, why don’t you go put these paintings and paints in your room and meet me in the dining room, okay?” Julia stood up and watched Ava scurry off with the paints, her dogs running quickly to catch up with her. Despite her nervous jitters this morning, everything seemed to be going well so far.
The ocean waves behind her crashed heavily into the shore, causing the smell of sea salt sifted through the air, the reverberation of the waves humming gently. Julia breathed in a deep breath of sea, and salt and exhaled. She hoped this brief moment of peace would carry her through the evening ahead of her. But the pit that settled deep within her stomach cast a very subtle shadow of doubt in Julia's mind.
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Her Sweet Affair: The Brides Of Sugar Cove Page 8
