Lucas had made a point of finding the gallery’s owner and telling him all about Frankie. The man hadn’t seemed that interested until Lucas had let it slip that she was doing a commissioned portrait for Jackson Marsh.
Funny how one name could open doors.
The gallery owner had given her his card and asked her to keep in touch. Whatever that was worth.
Business was going well. Just this morning, she’d found more sales in her shop, and three promising emails from people interested in commissioning something. One wanted a T-shirt design for a fundraiser for a fire department, which Frankie was thinking about donating, another was looking for wedding invitations and the last was about a portrait of the person’s horse.
That was a new one. She’d never painted a horse before, although depending on what that person wanted to pay, it might be done in her graphics program as opposed to on canvas. Still, it sounded like an interesting challenge. She was always looking to expand her skills.
Which got her to thinking about the gallery again. Lucas was all for her doing a show, which she appreciated, but getting ready for a show meant an enormous amount of work. Work she wouldn’t be paid to do.
Of course, the goal of a show like that was to sell the work on display. The gallery would take its cut and she’d get the rest.
Unfortunately, she didn’t see a show as something that was possible right now. She had to focus on the paid work that was coming in. Maybe if things lightened up, which she didn’t want to happen, she could do a few pieces with a showing in mind. It was something for the possible future.
Then again, if things lightened up, she might be more worried about her bills.
She exhaled and stretched. Sitting in one position for too long made her stiff. One of the joys of aging. She was just about to add more paint to her palette when the front door opened.
“I’m home,” Harper called out. “Anyone? Archie?”
Frankie grinned, tossed her brush down, and ran for the foyer. “Harper!”
“Hey!”
Frankie hugged her. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks. It’s good to be back.”
“How was it?”
“Fine. Not great. But fine.” The door opened behind Harper and Mitch came in with another suitcase.
He wheeled it next to Harper’s first one. “There you go. Hey, Frankie.”
She nodded. “Hi.”
He leaned in and gave Harper a kiss. “I’m going to my place. Talk to you soon, okay?”
Harper nodded. “Yes.”
He gave Frankie a little wave and went back out.
Frankie glanced at the second suitcase. “Do a lot of shopping in Vegas?”
Harper’s mouth bent in a half-smile. “No. That’s my mom’s stuff from the assisted-living facility. Getting another suitcase was the easiest way to bring it home.”
“Sorry. That was insensitive of me.”
“No, it wasn’t. You didn’t know. Look, I’m good. I’m still sad, but I’m fine. I mean it. I take a lot of comfort in my mom and dad being reunited. I miss them both. Nothing’s going to change that, but it was a good trip.”
“Mitch really helped, didn’t he?”
“So much. I can’t even tell you.” Harper exhaled. “I think I’ll take these up in the elevator.”
“I’ll help you.” Frankie pushed the button to call the car. The doors opened right away since it sat on the first floor when not in use. She rolled the new suitcase on. It was surprisingly heavy.
“Thanks.” Harper came behind her with the other suitcase.
