Read Online Beginnings by Kim Vogel Sawyer - Free Book Online Page B

creating a knot in her stomach—“do it all alone. I need to know I can depend on you.”
    “You can.” He finally spoke, his tone carrying a hint of defensiveness.
    “Really?” She tipped her head, her eyebrows high. “To do what I ask you to do, rather than what you want to do?”
    Andrew’s lips formed a grim line. His dark eyes narrowed, and for a moment Beth wondered if he was going to spew angry words. She’d never witnessed him being anything but mild mannered, but she’d never pushed him quite so hard, either.
    Finally, he gave a brusque nod. “You’re the boss.”
    She fought a grin. “Don’t make it sound so painful.”
    An answering grin, albeit a weak one, found its way to his face. “Sorry.”
    Beth’s stomach fluttered. Remembering Henry’s comment that she would need help were she to meet the demands of the new opportunity as well as continuing to create her own artwork, she pressed. “Andrew, you realize if I sign this initial contract with McCauley, it could mean big changes around here. Can you deal with that?”
    Andrew stood for a moment, his gaze aimed somewhere to her left, his jaw working back and forth as if in deep thought. She waited, wondering if she was about to be left to handle things on her own and trying to decide if it would be for the best if she was. At last, he looked at her and shoved his hands into his pockets, hunching his shoulders.
    “Honestly? I’m hoping for big changes. I’d like to work here fulltime, year-round. To do that, you’ve got to make this studio a raving success. All that craft-fair stuff, it’s fun, but it won’t take you places.” He nodded toward the worktable, where she’d placed the contract. “That opportunity from McCauley—that’s the big time. That’s where I want to go. So I’ll do what it takes to get there.”
    Beth fought a frown. While his words were spoken with conviction and he offered his assistance without hesitation, something didn’t set quite right. She couldn’t put her finger on it. While she processed his reply, seeking the reason for the discomfort that wiggled through her chest, a tap at the front door captured her attention.
    Andrew charged past her and opened the door. Sean McCauley, his face wearing a broad grin, stepped into the studio.
***
    “Good morning.” Sean unbuttoned his jacket, swinging his smile from Andrew Braun to Beth Quinn. He let it linger on Beth. Once again, her attractiveness took him by surprise. Working with her would be a pleasure in more ways than one.
    “Good morning.” She walked toward him, the stiff apron crackling with the movement, and held out her hand. “I trust you had a good night’s rest?”
    “Yes, I did. Thanks for asking.” He observed the tired lines around her eyes and refrained from asking her the same question. “And did you have a chance to look over the contract thoroughly?”
    She nodded, her gaze shifting briefly toward her employee. “Yes. Andrew and I were just discussing how my signing it could alter our focus.”
    Sean raised one brow. “Alter your focus in a positive light, I hope.” Beth didn’t answer. Instead, she turned toward the worktable, moving to the opposite side and climbing onto a stool. She pointed to another stool. “Please join me.”
    Sean accepted her invitation while Andrew remained rooted in the middle of the floor.
    Beth seemed to wait for Andrew to make a move on his own. When he didn’t, she sent a tense smile in his direction and said, “Andrew, I doubt I’ll be doing any real work this morning, so you can feel free to go if you’d like.”
    For a brief moment, Andrew’s face clouded. Then his expression relaxed, he gave a nod, and he moved toward the back door. “Fine.” Sean suspected there was more the man wanted to say, but Andrew clamped his jaw and tugged on a coat. “I’ll see you Monday then.” He headed out the door.
    Beth turned her attention to Sean. “Okay, let’s talk shop.”
    Sean rested his elbows