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reached the Davis apartment, Linda entered first and headed to the kitchen to make coffee. Caroline took Brad’s hand and led him into her room. He sat on the bed while she pulled out several canvases. Brad picked up the paintings and moved to the living room where the light was better. Linda served coffee while Brad studied and analyzed the paintings. He gave Caroline some advice and much praise. She focused on his words, nodding in agreement most of the ti me. After an hour, he stood up.
    “Time to go,” he said.
    “Thank you for your critique, Brad. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
    “You have a huge gift, Caroline. Don’t waste it,” he said, leaning over to kiss her lightly on the lips.
    He shook Linda’s hand then disappeared out the front door and into his waiting car.
    Linda fell back on the sofa with her hands clasped in front of her bosom.
    “Jackpot!”

Chapter Six

    Caroline joined her mother on the sofa, handing her another cup of coffee.
    “He’s the one, Caroline.”
    “He likes my art, Mom.”
    “He likes you, too. I saw the way he looked at you, like a wolf at a lamb. I’m not that old, darling…ah…I see grandchildren in my future,” she said with a contented sigh.
    Caroline laughed as she got up to clear away Brad’s coffee cup and saucer.
    “You do like him, don’t you?” Linda asked, putting her hand on her daughter’s forearm.
    “How could I not like him? Anyone who loves my art, well…”
    “He’s tall, good-looking and probably rich as hell…maybe even old money , ” Her mother said with a sigh, resting her chin on her hand.
    “Mother! Are you selling me to the highest bidder?” Caroline asked, raising her eyebrows.
    “I only want a secure future…a happy life for you where you don’t have to worry about money,” her mother stated.
    Caroline got into bed but she couldn’t shut off her mind. The idea of a man being interested in her art was thrilling and unexpected. She went over the evening again and again in her mind, concentrating on the suggestions Brad made. They were all sound and showed he knew something about art. She never thought about having a patron, a mentor, someone who cared enough to make her well-known. The ide a seemed like a wish come true.
    The next morning a dozen red roses arrived. They were from Brad. In fact a dozen red roses arrived every Monday for the next month. Brad took Caroline out almost every night. They went to every gallery in New York City, especially the fashionable ones. Brad was a backer of several stylish galleries. He took one of Caroline’s paintings to the Madison Duguey Gallery and they took it right in to be prepared for display. Caroline was floored.
    Their relationship moved ahead almost as fast as her career started to take off. Linda vacated the living room early, leaving Brad and Caroline time to be alone. Kissing became pettin g on the sofa but then stopped.
    “Guess I’m spoiled. I’m used to a comfortable bed and complete privacy when I make love to a woman,” he said.
    Brad invited her to his family’s house in Greenwich for the weekend and Caroline accepted. Linda bubbled with anticipation as she watched the wealthy young man courting her daughter. She sewed two new outfits for Caroline to take to Connecticut and gleefully waved goodbye to her daughter when the silver Bentley came to pick her up.  
    ****
    Caroline couldn’t believe her eyes when the posh car pulled into a long circular driveway. The white house with dark green shutters seemed to go on and on. As soon as Harry, the chauffeur, opened the car door, Brad appeared on the front steps. While Harry carried her bag, Brad whispered in her ear.
    “I’m putting your bag in the guest room, but you’re more than welcome to stay with me.”
    Caroline gave him an enigmatic smile, since she hadn’t made up her mind if she wanted to sleep with him yet. Brad took her to the guest room, which was decorated all in apricot and light yellow. The