Free The Art of Love (The Windswept Saga) by Tommie Conrad Page A

and Mom to guide me.  You gave me the best childhood imaginable, and I never wanted for love or security.”
    “You’ve done an incredible job with this place.  There’s gonna be a lot of people here today.”
    Chandler nodded and let out a deep breath.  “I couldn’t have done any of this without Taylor,” he admitted.  “She called and invited people that I’d forgotten.”  Chase smiled helpfully.  “What?” 
    Chase shook his head and let his gaze wander over to a fixed point on the wall.  “You’ve got that look in your eyes, son.  It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
    He narrowed his eyes at his father, trying to remain collected but failing miserably.  “I’m just trying to be her friend, Dad.  But y es, there are a lot of complicated feelings between the two of us.  I’d be lying if I told you otherwise.”  They were interrupted by a knock at the adjoining door, and CJ stuck his head in a second later.
    “Mind if I join you?”
    Chandler rolled his eyes and smiled.  “Come on in, knothead.”
    He laughed and closed the door behind him.  He was dressed up, even sporting a necktie, something that occurred about as regularly as a snake in wintertime.  “It’s getting busy out there, on both sides.”
    Chandler nodded.  “How’s Alison doing?”
    He grinned.  “She’s selling it left and right, like it was on clearance.  And smiling at every customer like they’re her favorite.”
    Chase wrapped an arm around his eldest son’s shoulder and held him tight.  “Where’s that grandson of mine?”
    “Chasing his sister around and making her laugh.   You’ll see them soon.  Alison’s got them dressed up like they’re headed to a wedding.”
    “Well,” Chase pointed out, “this is a big day for all of us.”
    “Congrats, bro,” CJ said, a huge smile ratcheting his face up a few notches.  “It’s just hard to put you on babysitting duty these days.”
    “Ha-ha,” Chandler replied dryly.  And three of them laughed.
    ***
    A steady stream of people built to a torrent as the walls of the gallery neared the breaking point.  Ta ylor saw many familiar faces, and some unfamiliar, but nearly all of them friendly.  Alone at the counter, having just directed the mayor toward Chandler’s station in the next room, a tall man gave her a brotherly hug and she laughed.
    “Mark,” she said, smi ling.  “And who is that handsome man with you?”
    “Hi, Miss Taylor,” Max said brightly.  “I’m wearing a bowtie.”
    She laughed.  “You are, aren’t you?”  Mark pulled him off the floor and into his arms.
    “How are you doing, Taylor?  Chandler told me he’d hired y ou but I didn’t pry.”  Max nuzzled against his neck.  “I see you’ve already met my son here, charmer that he is.  We meant to be here earlier but Christa had to settle the baby down.  He’s never been around this many people before.”
    Taylor nodded.  “I’m gl ad to be home, regardless of everything that’s happened.  This feels like a fresh start.”  She scanned the crowd.  “Where is Christa?”
    “Next door,” Mark replied.  “She’ll be over here in a moment.  Wait till you see Matt—he’s beautiful.”  Taylor shook her head and smiled—there was something so unexpected but very right about seeing Mark as a contented family man.  It seemed that he and Christa were very lucky to have each other.  “She’s been meaning to drop by but she’s so busy with work and…”  Mark looked toward the back, where Christa was just emerging from the office.  “Over here, sweetheart,” he said, smiling brightly when she came close. 
    “Taylor!”  Christa gave her a one-armed hug, since she w as clutching Matt in the other one.  “I’m so sorry,” she said a moment later.  “We must be overwhelming you today—every Adams and Jasper and what looks like half of the state—but it is great to see you.” 
    “Don’t worry about it,” Taylor replied.  “There’s