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back when the timer went off.
     
    She looked over at Dr. Keeler who sighed.  “We will pick this up next time. I think we have several talking points.”
     
    She saw Dr. Keeler and her mother stand. They shook hands and Paxton smiled over to Dr. Keeler. They confirmed their next appointment and walked to the car in silence. 
     
    The silence continued until they got to her mother’s house and Paxton was on edge now. She put car in park and her mother turned to her. Paxton looked over at her.
     
    “It’s been a long day. I think I just need to relax. Can we reschedule dinner to another night?” Jenny asked.
     
    “Sure, that’s fine.” Paxton felt a pang of disappointment. Maybe what she said earlier was too much for her mother and they really couldn’t repair their relationship.
     
    She watched her mother get out of the car and head towards the door. She didn’t even turn and wave. Paxton waited until she at least got inside before heading back to her own house.
     
    She pulled in and saw Duke’s truck was sitting in the driveway. She wasn’t sure she could handle seeing him right now. She put the car in the garage and grabbed her purse. Duke opened her door for her.
     
    “Hey beautiful.”
     
    “Duke it’s not a good time,” she rushed passed him into the house.
     
    “What happened at your session?”
     
    “When did you get back from your conference?” Paxton wanted to change the subject. She didn’t want to talk about the session with Duke, she didn’t even want to see him right now. He only made things harder.
     
    “I touched down a few hours ago. I just got back in town and decided to swing by and see you. I figured you would be home right about now. I thought maybe we could do dinner or something.”
     
    “I can’t tonight.”
     
    “Not even if I have a surprise for you?”
     
    Paxton looked at him over her shoulder as she walked into the house, it was obvious she wasn’t going to get the alone time she needed. She dropped her bag on the counter and turned, “What surprise?”
     
    “Wait here.”
     
    Paxton watch Duke run outside. A few moments later he appeared in front of her with an envelope in hand.
     
    “What is this?” Paxton tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as she took the envelope.
     
    “Open it. I think you will like it.”
     
    Paxton looked at him skeptically then opened the envelope. She unfolded the paper and it was an invitation for the E. Avery Gallery to come to an art charity event in New York, New York, more specifically, The Pierre. She knew it was a five-star hotel and over the top beautiful. She had seen pictures of it before and seen it once from the outside when she was in New York with Jack.
     
    “When I went to New York for my conference, we were told about this charity function at the end of the month right before New Year’s. I told some of the sponsors about the gallery and they said they heard about the gallery before and you all were on the list. I am letting them auction off some of Ella’s landscapes that I own. I showed them some of her work and they loved it.”
     
    “I don’t know what to say.” Paxton couldn’t believe the charity event wanted their gallery to attend, the day’s events were forgotten as she felt giddy about the event. “Thank you! I will have to see if Ryan can go.”
     
    “You’re welcome. I thought getting out of here for a while would be good for you.”
     
    Paxton stared at the invitation. This could be great exposure for the gallery. Duke just turned her day around. “Want to go out and celebrate? I can see if Ryan can join us.”
     
    “How about just you and me?” Duke slid closer to her. Paxton turned and put the invitation on the refrigerator.
     
    “It’s not a good idea,” Paxton turned back to Duke.
     
    “Pax, Jack is not coming back. You haven’t heard from him since the art gallery opening. He’s moving on and so should you.”
     
    “I told him I needed a little bit more time.