Chapter 51

"Are you issuing my daughter orders, Admiral?"

"No, Sir. Just reminding her of a promise she made. She insisted on me posing as her price for returning East with me."

"You had to be bribed to come here, Tessa?" Nathan asked, hurt at this knowledge.

"I didn't want to leave my home and friends, Nathan," Tessa replied giving AJ a nasty look. "All my models are in San Diego too. It takes a lot of time to build up a collection of just the right models, and I was sure they wouldn't move all the way across the country for me."

"I bet they would have if you'd asked!" he said gallantly. "I'm sure that you can find models here, you've already painted the Admiral and I want you to paint me, so there you have two already!"

"When would you like your portrait started?" asked Tessa the little devil coming out in her. "I can start as soon as my paints arrive. It would be my pleasure to do your painting to place in the hallowed halls of the White House."

"I'll have to check my schedule for the coming weeks and find out when I have the time to sit for it, Tessa. Things are really hectic right now, but I am sure that we can find the time."

"Right now I'm pretty much free to start anytime. I want to look around and try getting set up a studio here and hopefully find a model," smiled Tessa looking at AJ. "Don't suppose you'd care to model again for me would you, AJ?"

"No, Tessa, once was enough!" He gave her a warning glance that Nathan didn't miss and again wondered what had gone on between these two.

"I thought you made a perfect model, AJ. You were calm and patient and didn't complain. I didn't have to constantly reposition you. You're an artist's dream come true," she smiled with a wicked gleam flashing from her eyes. "Nathan, maybe we could work out another painting with AJ as the model for the military. Just so it's not the same one I intend to use in the show."

"Why would you need a second one if the first is so good? Why not just use that one, Tessa?!" Nathan questioned.

AJ just continued to glare at her not sure that she was kidding about the show after she had promised him that no one but her would ever see it.

"I can't use the one I painted, it is already promised for a show. I would have to paint another one for the military to use for a campaign. Once one is contracted I can't use it for another project," explained Tessa looking at AJ and winking.

A bit upset that she was still talking about showing a picture that she had sworn would never be shown, AJ decided that maybe it was time that he got out of there before he really made a scene about it. "I am sorry that I have to rush off, but there are several things that I have been piling up at the office in my absence and if I don't check them out today I'll never get back on schedule for the rest of this week." He rose and offered his hand to Nathan who shook it and was going to walk AJ to the door.

"Thank you again, Admiral, for bringing my daughter safely home to me!"

"Admiral, I'm sure I could do a wonderful portrait of you for the military you'd be proud of if you'd only reconsider. I know you're a busy man, but I'm sure we could work it around your schedule," smiled Tessa with a twinkle in her eyes. "Do you have what they call a dress uniform? I think you would look perfect in that for the portrait."

"I'll let you know if I have any free time, Tessa. Goodbye to both of you now," AJ said and left father and daughter alone.

"He's a gentleman, Nathan, you don't find very many of those left in the world," said Tessa watching him leave. "I hope he changes his mind about the portrait. He has a quality about him that would really stand out in a portrait."

"Yes he does. It's his age, and maturity, Tessa! The Admiral and I are about the same age you know," Nathan said, watching his daughter's face to see what reaction that would get.

"I don't look at age when I do a portrait, but the essence of the model that comes out. The look in their eyes and how they portray themselves is what is important. What I think they'll look like on the canvas when it's done," she replied, shrugging as she walked back to sit down. "It's hard to explain, unless you're talking to another artist."

"Maybe you could show me sometime, by showing me your work," Nathan suggested.

To be continued…