The Lakeside Inn, Leeanna Morgan [rosie project TXT] 📗

Wyatt ran his hand around the back of his neck. “A few days ago, I received an email from my agent. The Academy of Arts in Berlin has invited me to be their next artist in residence. It’s a twelve-month term and would start a few days after my exhibition.”

She didn’t know what being an artist in residence involved, but it sounded important. “Will you get time to paint or will you be teaching art classes?”

“I’ll be doing both. The master classes I’ll take will be for experienced artists. The work I complete over the twelve months, as well as some of my earlier paintings, will be exhibited in their gallery beside other world-renowned artists’ work.”

“That would be incredible for your career.” Penny was trying to be positive, but it wasn’t easy when all she could think about was not seeing Wyatt for more than a year.

“It would. Not many people are given this opportunity.”

“Has the publicity from the letter we found affected the academy’s offer?”

Wyatt shook his head. “They’re even more excited about me going to Germany. Especially when they read about the portrait I painted of your great-grandmother and grandma. They want to exhibit the painting in Berlin beside my other work.”

Penny’s eyes widened. The painting meant a great deal to her family and she couldn’t imagine it being hung anywhere except in their home. Her dad had even asked Wyatt if they could buy it from him.

“Will you send it to Berlin?”

Thankfully, Wyatt shook his head. Even if he sent it to Chicago, it would be better than having it leave the country.

“That leaves us with a difficult situation,” Wyatt said softly.

Penny looked across the lake. The moon rose above it like a big, shiny orb. It looked so close that she felt she could reach out and touch it. But that was about as likely as Wyatt deciding to stay.

Instead of being angry or hurt, she was resigned to the fact that they were two different people living completely separate lives. Without Wyatt’s friend suggesting he come to Sapphire Bay, they never would have met.

Her mouth tilted at the corners.

“Why are you smiling?” Wyatt asked.

“When I was younger, I used to watch old black and white movies with Grandma. At the end of Casablanca, Humphrey Bogart said, ‘We’ll always have Paris.’ I guess that applies to us, as well.”

Wyatt took a deep breath. “Do you want me to fly off into the sunset and never see you again?”

She swallowed the regret and grief clogging her throat. “I don’t want you to go anywhere, but it’s not my decision to make. Life is too short for regrets, and the residency in Berlin sounds like an amazing offer. You should do what will make you happy.”

“What would make me happy is staying here.”

“But?”

“If I agreed to live in Berlin for a year, it would take my career to another level.”

Penny gripped the edge of the seat. “Then you do have a hard decision to make.” Sitting a little taller, she forced herself to look Wyatt in the eyes. “We’re not teenagers exploring our first relationship. I’ve fallen in love with you, but we need to spend time together to see if this is something amazing or a summer romance that’s coming to an end. I made a promise to my sisters that I can’t break, and you have a career that’s taking you to the other side of the world.”

“It doesn’t have to be like that. Are you sure you can’t stay with me in Berlin? It wouldn’t have to be for the entire year.”

“I could only visit you a couple of times for short vacations. We can’t find out if a relationship between us would work if we’re living separate lives for most of the year.”

Wyatt dropped his head to his chest. “I don’t know what to do.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t help you.” Leaning toward him, she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. “You deserve to have everything you’ve ever dreamed about. Do what makes you happy.” And before she broke down, she walked away—from the lake, from the man who made her feel alive, and from a future she wanted to share with him.

Chapter 17

Wyatt stood at the back of a crowded yard in the tiny home village. Today was the official reveal of the murals. It should have been a day of celebration, but all he could think about was Penny and the flight that would take him to Germany tomorrow.

Thanks to Mabel’s organizational skills, the morning had gone smoothly. After Pastor John had thanked everyone for coming, he’d made a brief speech, then introduced each of the volunteers who’d created the murals. The pride on their faces was humbling.

For a group of people who’d never painted anything like this before, they’d done an amazing job.

The team that Jack and Richard were on had created an underwater-themed mural in deep blues and pure white. The fish that they were so keen on recreating added color and whimsy to the scene.

Another team created a mural that spoke volumes about the community of Sapphire Bay. Their painting focused on a circle of people holding hands. Their faces were raised to the sun, absorbing the heat like a safe, warm blanket.

The last team had settled on the theme of togetherness. Colorful handprints from the tiny home village residents, and people from the community, were pressed against the wall. It was a reminder that no matter where you had come from or where you lived, everyone shared the same traits that made them human.

Ethan slapped him on the back. “Well done. I was worried the murals wouldn’t be finished before you went to Berlin.”

Wyatt smiled at his friend. “The volunteers were great. Everyone worked hard to finish them for today.”

“I spoke to Richard. He told me about the prosthetic trial he’s on. It sounds incredible.”

“It is. My friend, Peter, sent me some photos of