When the Wind Chimes - Mary Ting Page 0,22

to shift your fingers faster and touch the one nearest to you first, and then the second, okay?”

“Got it. Thank you.” He kissed my cheek and smiled.

After we played for half an hour, I read Tyler a bedtime story and tucked him into bed. I checked up on Abby and then opened up my portfolio website for some inspiration.

There were photos of my sketches and paintings in various media during my college years, and also of the ones I’d given to Abby to sell in the New York gallery. She had sold my favorite, an acrylic on canvas with stars on a violet-blue background. I called it My Soulmate.

I enjoyed going down the memory lane but it also left me frustrated, so I shut down my laptop. After I washed up, I crawled in bed and read my novel. Maybe I’d find my spark tomorrow.

Chapter Ten — Poipu Preschool

I’d offered to take Tyler to Poipu Preschool the next day and told my sister to stay home. She needed at least one more day to recover from her twenty-four-hour bug.

“Have a good day, Tyler. Do I get a kiss?” I leaned lower for him by his classroom door, but he frowned and pointed at two kids beside him.

“Auntie Kate. These are my friends, Jace and Bridget.”

I straightened. “Nice to meet you,” I said and smiled at the few parents stopping by the check in table.

“Hello,” Jace said.

Bridget smiled and waved her small hand at me.

“Hey, guess what?” Jace said, his brown eyes gleaming. “I went to level seven last night.”

“I moved up too.” Bridget raised her chin, her blue eyes clear and shiny like marbles, just like the unicorn’s horn on her shirt. When she rocked on her heels from excitement, her long braided hair with blue ribbons bounced.

Tyler’s smile grew wider and he looked at me like we shared a secret. “I’m on level five now.”

It made me happy to see Tyler smiling and confident.

“Kids.” A young lady with short brunette hair clapped her hands. “It’s time to get to class.”

“Oh, gotta go. That’s my teacher, Mrs. Fong.” Tyler waited for his friends to leave before he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and dashed off.

Working parents had left, but some moms stuck around to talk to each other in the parking lot.

Having some time to spare, I read through the message board again. Movie and Popcorn night, Saturday at seven p.m., at Poipu Community Center caught my eye, and the nanny position was still available.

Should I call?

Abby was feeling better, and though she could use another day of rest, she planned to work tomorrow. Then what would I do? Wait for the phone to ring with a job offer?

“Mr. Medici. What can I do for you?” The front desk woman’s voice perked up and she adjusted her glasses.

My muscles went rigid. My heart raced a mile a minute. I fished my cell out of my purse, pressed it to my ear, and pretended to be on a call. I kept my gaze on the board while peeking from my periphery.

Leonardo Medici towered over the reception desk, clad in a navy suit, form fitted to his broad shoulders.

“I forgot to drop this off.” He handed her a pink blanket.

A daughter? He has a daughter? Then he probably has a wife. Not that I cared.

“It’s a good thing you came back. She would have been sad without it. Have a nice day, Mr. Medici.”

“Thank you. You too, Mrs. Hall.”

Thump, thump, thump went his dress shoes, then silence.

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. He stood behind me and I felt the warmth of his presence. Did he notice me? Or was he reading the message board too? What do I do?

After I’d ruined his shirt with oil paints, he’d definitely remember me. Better I stand still and wait for him to leave.

“Mr. Medici, is there anything I can help you with?” The front desk lady again.

Thank goodness for her. But he didn’t move. I stiffened, afraid I might do something else foolish.

Both of us stood unmoving, staring at the message board. Another minute passed and I couldn’t take it anymore. I bolted out the door and sprinted for my sister’s gallery.

After a few minutes, I slipped inside the front door, breathless. Then I wondered why I had run.

Because I ruined his expensive shirt and made a fool of myself.

But he’d bought a painting from Abby, so all was forgiven and forgotten, right? I passed the reception desk and stopped beside