The Lottery Winner. Emilie Rose

wouldn’t be visible to guests, then displayed the sooty residue for Miri to see. “All it needs to revive the original colors is a professional cleaning. I could hang one of mine while yours is out for restoration. I’ll help you find someone reputable to do the job, at minimal cost. It’ll come back as good as new.”

      She knew how to do it because she’d interned at an estate auction house her senior year of high school, but she couldn’t volunteer to do the job without giving too much away.

      Looking sad, Miri shook her head. “I never even noticed the grime. All I see is the memory. Thank you, Jessie. That’s a grand suggestion.”

      “Miri, the alcohol delivery’s here,” one of the kitchen workers called.

      Miri held up a finger. “Be right there. I’ll take this one down tonight after we close if you’ll bring one of yours in tomorrow morning for our weekend crowd to enjoy.”

      Jessie’s heart quickened. “I’ll do it.”

      Then Miri left Jessie alone with Logan’s blue gaze lasered on her. “How did you know about the soot?”

      “My dad used to be a smoker.” True, but not the whole truth. “Excuse me. I need to set up for opening.”

      “Why can’t we clean them?”

      “Because restoration takes skill, patience and the right chemicals. Doing it wrong will irrevocably damage the work. The process varies with the condition of each piece and type of paint.”

      When his eyes narrowed, she wanted to slap a hand over her mouth for revealing too much, but teaching was as natural to her as breathing. She made her escape before he could ask more and hoped Logan didn’t pick up her slip.