Hummingbird Lane by Brown, Carolyn (good books to read for beginners TXT) 📕

“I’d love a root beer, but I can get it for myself. Have you seen the rainbow?” Filly kicked off her flip-flops just inside the door and set a plate on the bar separating the kitchen and living area. “I brought ham sandwiches from last night’s leftovers.”

“I didn’t realize that it was so late.” Josh’s stomach growled. “And no, I haven’t seen the rainbow.” He set his pen aside, put the cap back on the ink, and crossed the room to the sliding glass doors that led out onto his deck. “It’s gorgeous—thanks for lunch. Mind if I eat while we talk? I’m starving.”

“Not at all, but that right there”—Filly got out a can of soda from the refrigerator, sat down on the sofa, and pointed at the picture—“that’s prettier than any rainbow God ever slapped in the sky.”

Josh could feel the heat coming from his neck to his cheeks, but there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. “She was on my mind this morning, and since . . .”

Filly leaned back on the worn leather sofa and studied the portrait. “Are you selling it?”

Josh removed the plastic wrap from the plate and picked up a sandwich. “Nope. Someday I might give it to Emma, like on the day she and Sophie leave the park. I’m hoping that she doesn’t ever leave us. She fits in so well with our little group, and”—he blushed—“she needs us.”

“Are you attracted to her, Josh?”

Josh almost dropped his sandwich, suddenly tongue-tied. “I don’t know,” he finally managed to get out. “She’s so pretty, but she deserves someone strong to put her back together again.”

“Maybe so, but then again, she might just need someone to be there for her while she learns to put herself back together. I spent some time with the girls this morning, and I even read their palms,” Filly said.

“And?” Josh asked.

“They’ve both got a bright future ahead of them,” Filly answered.

“Does that mean Em is leaving?” Josh asked.

“Only if her future isn’t here. If it is, then she will stay,” Filly said.

“I hope she sticks around even after Sophie goes back to Dallas. I could sure use a friend like her. We’re so much alike, and she’s so easy . . .” He struggled for the right words.

“Easy for you to talk to, right?” Filly came to his rescue.

Josh nodded. “Yes, and she fits in with our little family here, too. She’s not strong like Sophie, so maybe she needs us, too.”

“Sophie isn’t as strong as you think. She has her demons, too. She just covers it better than you and Em are able to do,” Filly told him.

“Why?” Josh wondered out loud.

“Artists portray their feelings with their creations,” Filly said. “I’ve known for a long time that Sophie has something difficult in her past. Her art tells me that.”

“What does mine tell you?” Josh asked.

“That you live in a black-and-white world. You’re afraid of color because you’re afraid to get hurt if you let anyone into your life.” Filly yawned. “It’s about time for my game show, so I’d best get going. See you at supper. Arty is making fried chicken tonight.” She stood up, and when she left, Coco dashed inside the door.

Josh pinched off a small piece of the ham and offered it to her. Evidently, she wasn’t hungry, because she acted offended and curled up on the sofa. He sat down beside her and stared at the half-finished picture of Emma. What Filly said about color kept running through his mind. What if he made her eyes light brown in the picture? That would add a subtle touch—kind of like Emma’s word hope worked into her art.

Chapter Ten

Emma was so edgy she could hardly sit still. She had never sold anything, and Sophie had said that Leo was a big man. Could she even look at him without remembering the smothering pressure on her body when Terrance raped her?

Sophie explained that Leo always went to Arty’s place first and loaded up whatever metalwork pieces Arty had ready. Then he made a stop at Filly’s trailer and came out with a box of jewelry that he put into his truck. After that, he came to Sophie’s trailer to try to talk her into letting him have something she had done, and then he went to Josh’s place.

Emma watched the process from the living room door. Leo was as big as a refrigerator, but nothing about him reminded her of Terrance. She had convinced herself that everything was going to be all right until he started toward their trailer.

“I don’t know . . . ,” she whispered.

“Don’t be nervous. He’s going to love your work,” Sophie said. “But if this is too much, I can always negotiate a price for your two paintings.”

Emma took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “He’s huge, and I am nervous, but I have to do this. I don’t want to, but I need to. You aren’t always going to be here, and I want to be independent.”

“I can guarantee you that he’s harmless.” Sophie gave her a brief hug and then opened the door. “I’ve got a surprise for you today, Leo. Come in and meet my best friend, Em.”

“Filly told me that you brought a friend with you this year.” Leo’s presence filled the small room. He stood well over six feet tall and had shoulders and a chest that covered acres instead of inches, a big bald head, and a curly red beard that was twisted into two braids with beads.

Emma had started to twist her hands, but when she heard his high, almost feminine, voice, she dropped them to her sides. She stuck out her right hand and said, “Hello, I’m Emma Merrill. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Leo.”

“Just Leo.” He smiled as he shook with her and then turned his attention back to Sophie. “I’ll give you top dollar for that rain picture right there, girl.”

“Can’t do it. It’s part of a collection for