“I can do that. I’ll get all of that sent to you as soon as possible.”
“Great. Once I send you the mockup and you decide you want to proceed, I’ll need a deposit.”
One of the things she’d recently worked on was updating her prices on her website. She’d researched what other custom illustrators charged for things such as book covers, album covers, etcetera. She’d decided to charge eight hundred dollars for an original book cover with a ten percent discount on covers in a series.
“Have you had a chance to look at the pricing on my website?”
“Yeah, I did. You’re not cheap but you’re not the most expensive, either. Plus I know I’m asking for custom artwork. So I get it. I don’t have a problem paying for great covers with great art. The right cover will sell more books, so it’s an investment.”
She smiled. “I’ll wait for you to send me those things, then.”
“Um, one more question. If I send you a deposit now, would that guarantee my place in your schedule? I’m just a little concerned that you might get another commission and I don’t want to get pushed back.”
“It would. Do you want me to send you an invoice, then?”
“Yeah, go ahead. Stacy had great things to say about you and the logo you did for her was pretty sweet.”
“Thank you. I’ll get that invoice right out to you. Good talking to you.”
“You, too.”
She hung up and jotted a few notes down on a new Word doc she’d opened up while speaking to him. She saved the document under his name. Then she created an invoice for three bookcovers, used the calculator app on her phone to make sure she got the series discount right, and sent the invoice to him.
Once that was done, she finished the changes for Stacy and sent them back to her. Frankie smiled the whole time. It was good to be busy.
Since Stacy hadn’t wanted the second T-shirt design of the five Frankie had created, that meant it was available for Frankie to use. The design was a crown of flowers over the word Lucky done in a fancy script font.
Frankie changed the palette from desert earth tones to mint green, turquoise, and cobalt blue, added touches of gold, a few sparkles on the crown, and quickly sketched in some jewels along the crown’s band.
She swapped the font for a curvier, more informal script and made it slightly bigger. She shook her head as she looked at, suddenly erasing the word Lucky and changing it out for Blessed. She smiled. That was better.
Because that’s what she was. This life that was unfolding in front of her? That wasn’t luck. She was being blessed. With great friends and great family and great opportunities.
There was no other explanation.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Joyce set her purse in its usual spot on the guest house’s kitchen counter. Beryl set hers beside it, then went off to her room to change.
Joyce turned the kettle on, then did the same. She put her standard work uniform of elastic-waist trousers and simple button-up shirt, which she usually wore an apron over, into the hamper. She changed into some soft knit leggings that weren’t too tight, and an oversized T-shirt she’d gotten years ago at the local strawberry festival.
She looked into the hamper again. It was pretty full. Time to do a load of washing. She took it out to get it started.
Beryl came out as Joyce was putting clothes in the washing machine. “Kettle’s ready. You want me to fix you a cuppa, too?”
“I’d love one. I’m gasping.”
“Righto.” Beryl got cups down. “You’re doing washing?”
“I am. You want to throw a few things in? There’s room.”
“I do. Be right back.” Beryl retrieved her things from her room and added them to the machine. “Do you have a plan for tea? I hate to say this, but I’m not in the mood for spaghetti Bolognese again.”
“No worries. That’ll keep.” Joyce started the washer, then went over and opened the freezer. “I’ve got some stuffed chicken breasts. We could do those with a bit of salad.”
“Sounds all right with me.”
“Could you get them in? I have brownies to make for Willa. I never did get to them today. The house needs so much more work with Kyle and Ruthie in it.”
