The Cowboy

the rich, sun-drenched tones of the desert. His paintings for the most part tended toward the abstract with an odd hint of surrealism. There was a curiously hard edge to them that made them stand out from the work of other artists dealing with similar subject matter. Margaret was instantly enthralled.
    "These are wonderful," she exclaimed, a bit in awe in spite of herself. "Look at that canyon, Rafe. And that evening sky above it."
    Rafe peered more closely at the painting she indicated. "Are you sure it's a canyon? Looks like lots of little wavy lines of paint to me."
    "It's titled
Canyon
, you twit. And don't you dare play the uncultured, uncouth redneck cowboy with me, Rafe. This work is good and you know it. Admit it."
    "It's interesting. I'll give it that much." Rafe frowned at the price on the tag stuck next to the painting. "Also expensive. If Winters can really sell this stuff for this kind of money, he's got quite a racket going."
    "Almost as good a racket as buying and selling companies."
    Rafe gave her a threatening scowl just as Julie came hurrying up to greet them.
    "You made it. I'm so glad. I was hoping you'd get him here, Margaret." Julie turned hopeful eyes on her brother. "Thanks for coming, Rafe. I really appreciate it."
    "Thank Margaret. She practically hog-tied me and dragged me here. You know I'm not into the artsy-craftsy stuff."
    Julie's sudden glowering expression bore a startling resemblance to the one Rafe could produce so quickly. "I'm not going to let you dismiss Sean's work as artsy-craftsy stuff, Rafe. Do you hear me? He is a very talented artist and the least you can do is show some respect."
    "Okay, okay, calm down. I'm here, aren't I? I'm willing to give the guy a chance."
    Julie glanced uncertainly from her brother to Margaret and back again. "You are?"
    "Sure. Code of the West and all that."
    "What are you talking about, Rafe?"
    Rafe flashed a quick grin at Margaret, who beetled her brows at him. "Never mind."
    Julie relaxed and gestured at the art that surrounded them. "Tell me the truth, Rafe. Now that you've had a chance to see it, what do you really think of Sean's work? Isn't it wonderful?"
    Margaret didn't trust the response she saw forming in Rafe's eyes. She stepped in quickly to answer Julie's query. "Rafe was just saying how impressed he was, weren't you, Rafe?"
    Rafe started to comment on that, caught Margaret's eye again and apparently changed his mind. "Uh, yeah. That's just what I was saying." He looked around as if seeking further inspiration. "Big crowd here tonight."
    "Oh, there always is for a new showing of Sean's work. He's had a steady market for some time but lately he's been getting a lot of attention in reviews and articles. His career is definitely taking off."
    Rafe nodded. "Things blow hot and cold in the art world, don't they? Not a reliable line of work. An artist can be in big demand one year and dead in the water the next."
    Margaret saw Julie's mouth tighten and she turned to pounce on Rafe. But the attack proved unnecessary. Sean Winters had come up in time to hear the remark. He smiled coolly at Rafe.
    "Nothing's for sure in the art world or any other. That's why I've paid a fair amount of attention to my investments since I made my first sale."
    "Is that right?" Rafe swiped a glass of champagne from a passing tray and gave Sean a challenging look. "What do you put your money into, Winters, paint?"
    "I guess you could say that. I own that artists' supply house Julie manages. We grossed a quarter of a million last year and this quarter's sales are already overtaking last quarter's. Or so I'm told. I just read the financial statements. I don't actively manage things. Julie handles everything."
    Rafe nearly choked on his champagne. Margaret obligingly pounded him on the back. He gave her a sharp look.
    "Sorry. Did I hit you too hard?" She smiled at him with brilliant innocence.
    Rafe turned back to Winters. "Julie works for you? You own that place she's been managing for the past few months?"
    "Best manager I've got."
    "How many have you got?"
    "Two. New store just opened in Phoenix last month. Julie's going to be overseeing the management of both branches. I don't like having to worry about the business side of things so I've turned it all over to your sister. She seems to have inherited her fair share of the family talent."
    "I see," said Rafe. He took another swallow of champagne and glared around the room. "We've been looking at the paintings.