I glanced at Lexie again. She’d known they’d be here too. I had been left in the dark.
“There’s a spot.” Eric thrust his finger just down the street from the destination.
I parallel parked the van. Eric had his door opened before I shut down the engine. Instead of racing toward the building, he opened the back door for Lexie.
I turned off the ignition and strode around the back.
“You’re overdressed for the occasion,” Teague said, slapping my hand.
Beau pulled on my tie. “Might look better with paint on it.”
Paint? I wasn’t going to paint.
Eric looped his hand on Lexie’s elbow. “Let’s go, sis.” When he’d reached the door, he stopped. “Where’s Miss Adeline?”
“She stayed behind with the dogs,” Pepper said. “But she wants us to send her pictures.”
“Okay,” he said. He posed with his head tilted toward his sister. “We’re ready.”
Pepper grinned and pulled her phone out of her pocket. She held it up. “On three. One. Two. Say cheese.” She snapped a photo.
“What happened to three?” Eric asked.
She turned red. “Oops.”
He held the door open for everyone, but I insisted he go in ahead of me.
The community center was old, but clean. There was a corkboard littered with flyers which I assumed were upcoming events. A few people milled around. Other than a dull hum of voices, it was mostly quiet. While I appreciated that because I wasn’t one for much noise, it bothered me.
The place was in the center of a neighborhood. It should’ve been teeming with people. An asset residents took advantage of.
How can they get more kids in? Is funding the issue?
People were busy and had their own lives to tend to. But this was an important part of Lexie’s and Eric’s. They couldn’t be the only ones who enjoyed the space. Seeing the way he lit up when he realized where we were headed . . . I wanted others to have that same experience. For the community center to be a necessity.
“Are you thinking of buying this place?” Lexie fell in step beside me.
I’d lingered behind the others without meaning to, taking in the details.
“How often do you come here?” If I understood the way someone actually utilized the community center, I’d be able to better assess how to encourage others to do the same.
She gave me the side-eye. “Once a week for the art class. Then a few more times a month to volunteer for different activities.”
“Is it always this quiet?” I glanced toward an open door, but the lights were off. A conference room, maybe?
“Unless they have a children’s program, most of the time.”
I grunted an acknowledgment.
“You’re scowling,” she said as we continued through the wide corridor.
“Aren’t I always?” One corner of my mouth lifted.
She let out a huff. “Excellent point, Mr. Hollingsworth.”
This woman gets me. And likes me. Not sure which part surprised me more. But she was right. I did wonder if the center could be better utilized and pay for itself . . .
“Bob Ross has swagger,” Eric said as he disappeared inside an open door.
“That’s a term he picked up from you.” Lexie elbowed me.
I hesitated. I’d said Eric had swagger the day I’d been under arrest. Had I influenced him? That was a responsibility I wasn’t sure I was ready for.
I followed her into the large classroom. A video screen and canvases were set up throughout the room. Including the instructor, about ten other people were there.
Six vacant easels were set up on the back row. Eric put on a smock and sat down as if it were the most natural thing. I . . . was out of my element.
“Sit over here, Lincoln.” He waved me over and my feet moved before I could think.
I lowered onto the stool and watched as he checked out what supplies were at his station.
“You should put that on.” He motioned to the white smock draped over my supplies.
Lexie lifted a brow when I picked it up. I couldn’t say no to him. So I’d sit and watch with a ridiculous smock on.
“Can you help me carry my paintings to your apartment?”
Everyone in our group paused, sitting up at Eric’s question to me.
“Certainly. Where would you like them displayed?”
His eyes widened. “You’ll hang more of them up?”
“All of them.”
“Sis, did you hear that? We’ll finally have enough walls.” His smile was so big I was tempted to purchase a larger apartment just so there would be more wall space. Well, if I had the funds to purchase anything.
“I heard.” She flashed me a grateful look.
“Can I have your office as my room?” His expression was so open and honest and genuine when he turned toward me.
“Yes?” I glanced to Lexie for help. He could have anything of mine he wanted. It just seemed like an odd request.
The chatter from Teague, Pepper, and Beau had ceased. They’d suddenly become very interested in our conversation.
“That’s my favorite spot in Lincoln’s place too,” Teague said.
It is?
I’d never heard him express that before, though I favored it too.
“Although, you might want my room,” he continued. “The bathroom has a phone in it.” He nudged Pepper, and I didn’t even want to know what that was about.
Again he caught me off guard. That extra bedroom was his room, though I was surprised he thought of it that way.
“I’d like to see that,” Pepper said.
“We should take a vacation over there someday.” Teague pointed at me. “You taking a vacation anytime soon?” Then he clamped his mouth shut and his face fell.
He hadn’t meant an absence while I was in prison, though it was still a possibility.
“No plans. But you’re welcome to stay anytime.” That was my way of telling him I had no intention of going anywhere.
“None of you can have my room. I like the view,” Beau said.
Did she think of her place in my home as her own? It was, but somehow it seemed as though her stopover was temporary and she had no attachment.
I was happy to know she wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Was happy she felt as though she was home when she was staying with me too.
“Can I get some art supplies, sis? There will be a lot more space in my new room,” Eric said.
“You’ll have to ask Lincoln if it’s okay if you paint there,” she said carefully, looking uncertain.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” I asked. I liked the idea of them having their own belongings in my apartment. Maybe then they’d spend more time there. I thought after my confession to Lexie yesterday, she’d have moved back to her place. Perhaps she feared her father, and rightly so.
I didn’t care why they continued to stay at my apartment. I just wanted them there.
“Where is Lexie’s room going to be?” Teague gave an exaggerated wink.
“She’ll live with Lincoln. Me and Beau brought most of her clothes and put them there,” Eric volunteered.
“Hold up a minute. Are you two . . .” Teague motioned back and forth between Lexie and Eric.