Finding Emmaline. A Blackwood Series Novel. Book 1

Excerpt from

Finding Emmaline

A Blackwood Series Novel

Book 1

Available on Amazon and Goodreads

Yep. Crazy!

At ten minutes after five, I sent Lydia home and finished closing up before heading back to the storeroom to shut down my computer for the night.

Sitting at my desk afterward, I was lost in thought as I stared at the painting. I’d been an interesting day, and I was still a little overwhelmed at everything that had happened.

Who was this William? Who was Emmaline? And who were they to each other?

Obviously, they had a relationship. The inscription on the back of the painting alluded to that fact. Were they married? Lovers, perhaps? I had so many questions. But the one that was foremost in my mind was, why would someone sell such an exquisite piece of artwork?

Although Cam had not professionally evaluated it yet, I trusted his opinion. So there was no doubt in my mind that the painting was an original, therefore worth a great deal. So, if the owner didn’t want it themselves, why not sell it outright? It would fetch a pretty handsome price for sure. So how had it ended up at an auction house? It just didn’t make sense.

As I sat there, looking into the eyes of the man staring back at me, I couldn’t get the thought out of my head. Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me. “Emmaline…” it whispered.

I whipped my head around, looking frantically around the room. But there was no one there. What the hell? Now I was hearing voices in my office? “You ok Ms. Snow?”

With a squeak, I whirled around to see Simon, my handyman, standing in the doorway. “Simon,” I smiled shakily, my hand over my pounding heart. “I didn’t know you were still here.”

The burly workman looked instantly contrite. “I’m sorry, Ms. Snow. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just breaking down the shipping boxes in the back before I left. Get a jump on things for the morning.”

I smiled, trying to calm my breathing. “I appreciate that, Simon. Thanks.”

 He nodded, looking around the room. “Everything ok?”

“Everything’s fine, thank you. I just…. I just thought I heard something.”

He promptly looked more alert. “You want me to take a look around?”

I immediately felt foolish. Simon was a sweet man. As big as a tank, and with a heart to match, the older man was one of the kindest, gentlest people I’d ever met, and both Lydia and I loved him dearly. He was more than just an employee to us. He was a treasured friend as well. And as such, I didn’t want to worry him over something that was probably nothing. “No. No, that’s ok,” I replied. “It was probably just the wind. It’s supposed to storm tonight.”

But Simon still looked doubtful. “Are you sure?” he asked, his eyes wandering the room, looking for anything that looked out of place.

I smiled. That was Simon. Always looking out for us. “Yeah,” I assured him. “I’m sure it was nothing.”

He looked at me for a moment, obviously debating on whether he should stay until I was ready to leave. “Ok, then,” he finally said. “Well, if you don’t need anything else, I guess I’ll be heading out.”

I nodded once. “Ok. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight Ms. Snow,” he replied, and I had to shake my head, wondering if he’d ever feel comfortable enough to call me Emily.

“Good night Simon,” I replied. “Thanks for today.” After he left, I tidied up my desk, then grabbed my purse from the side drawer to head out as well. But as I passed the painting, I couldn’t stop myself from gazing up at it one more time. It really was an amazing find, and I was proud of Lydia for recognizing its potential value to the store. I already had one or two collectors I knew would be interested.

As I stood there, studying William’s handsome face, a strange feeling came over me.

My heart started pounding, and my pulse raced. I couldn’t breathe. It came out of nowhere, and a feeling of dread came over me, as suddenly, the notion of selling it filled me with anxiety. The thought of never gazing upon his face again, never looking into those incredible green eyes,… it just didn’t feel right. I couldn’t explain it, but suddenly I was filled with apprehension. I didn’t know why. I had no logical reason for the way I was feeling. But I was shaking with it.

I ran to the front room, catching Simon as he was opening the front door. “Simon! Wait!” Surprised by my shrill tone, he turned and looked at me, the confusion on his face mixed with mild concern. “Was there something else Ms. Snow?”

I took a deep breath and tried to slow my thundering heart. What to do? He was gonna think I was crazy. “Uh, actually, there is something else you could do for me before you leave. If you wouldn’t mind?”

His face instantly relaxed. “Of course. What do you need?”

I had one more moment of uncertainty, then decided to hell with it. “There’s a painting. In the back room? Do you think you could take it to my house for me?”

Simon’s brows dipped further in confusion. “Your house?” he asked curiously, obviously wondering why I would take something from the store to my house. Yep. Crazy!

I didn’t know what to say, or how to explain why I wanted the painting taken to my house, so I just nodded. “Sure…” he said slowly, “no problem.”

I let out a breath of relief. Well, that was easy. Kinda. “Great. Thanks.”

Fifteen minutes later, we had the store all locked up, and Simon was hauling the painting thru my front door. Not an easy task considering how big it was. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this,” I said gratefully.

“It’s no problem, Ms. Snow,” Simon answered, huffing with exertion as he turned the large frame to the side to fit through the narrow doorway. “Where do you want it?”

I looked around my living room, then down the hallway. “In the bedroom.” I followed behind him as he lugged the thing down the hall, opening the door as we reached my room. Sliding in behind him, I walked over to the wall facing my bed. “Just put it here.”

He sat the painting down on the floor, making sure it was tilted back against the wall so it didn’t fall forward. “That’s great. Thanks, Simon.”

“You’re welcome, Ms. Snow,” he replied. Anything else you need?”

“Nope. That’ll do it. Thanks so much Simon. I appreciate you staying after to help me with this.”

The older man smiled shyly. “No problem at all, Ms. Snow. My pleasure.” He looked around the room once more. “Ok then. Well, if there’s nothing else you need, I’ll be on my way.”

“I’ll walk you out.” And at the door, I thanked him again, then shut the door behind him, turning the lock before heading back to my bedroom. Standing in the doorway, I leaned against the doorframe, my arms crossed as I studied the painting. What the hell was I doing? Was Lydia right? Was I becoming obsessed?

But as soon as the thought took hold, I dismissed it completely. After all, obsession was really just a state of mind, and that wasn’t the case here at all. My interest in the painting was purely professional. Nothing more, nothing less.

I let my gaze wander over William’s ruggedly handsome features. So why did I feel this compulsive need to have him in my bedroom? To have his face be the first thing I saw when I woke up in the morning, and the last thing before I fell asleep at night?

“Screw it. I need a glass of wine.”

Check out

Finding Emmaline

A Blackwood Series Novel

Book 1

Available on Amazon and Goodreads