“Well, I want to tie it into something else. We’re having a charity gala next Saturday to raise money for the local theater, which means a certain number of my out-of-town customers are planning to be here for the weekend already.” Claire smiled, and Julia understood why she was so good at selling expensive art. “I was hoping you might attend the auction and consider donating a drawing. It would bring in extra publicity and add to the theater’s coffers.”
Julia stopped breathing. Claire wanted her to expose herself to the judgment of an audience not once, but twice? The great black horses of her paintings galloped through her mind with teeth bared and eyes glowing red.
“I’ve overdone it, haven’t I?” Claire said. “I’m just so excited about your new direction. I want to share it with people who will truly appreciate it.”
Julia gulped in air. “I, well, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to be there.” What if she reacted the same way she had at the catastrophic portfolio review in art school? “I’ve never, you know, mingled with prospective buyers. I’m likely to say something wrong.”
“Trust me, you’ll charm them just like you’ve charmed all of us.” Julia’s panic ratcheted down a notch at the compliment. “Besides, patrons expect artists to be a little odd. It goes with the creative territory.” Claire sat back. “And I didn’t mean to be pushy about a donation.”
“Oh, I’d be happy to donate something.” The sketch of Paul walking out of the water flitted through her mind, and she choked on a nervous laugh.
“You have an idea?”
“No, well, maybe something small.” She mentally pushed Paul’s image away. “But I was only going to stay another couple of days.”
“Maybe you’d consider extending your visit?”
Claire’s gaze was intent as Julia looked for excuses. “I can’t really work in my room at the inn. They might not appreciate the mess.”
“Oh, I can find you a temporary studio.”
Julia thought of her uncle and the painful conversation she needed to have with him. Maybe putting off their confrontation for another week wouldn’t be a bad thing. She might have her emotions under better control so she could approach it as a straightforward business discussion.
She also considered Paul and their one brief, tantalizing kiss. When she thought of leaving without kissing him again, the colors in the paintings around her seemed to go flat.
“If you think it’s a good idea…” As soon as she said it, a shudder of nerves racked her. She imagined herself standing in the center of the gallery in a harsh spotlight while well-dressed people holding wineglasses circled her and jeered at her Night Mares. As they sniped, her eyesight would darken from the edges inward, and the electrical switch in her brain would flip to seizure mode as she collapsed onto the wide wooden planks of the gallery’s floor. “Maybe I shouldn’t…” No, she was no longer allowing herself to be imprisoned by her fear. “I’ll stay.”
Claire clapped her hands and stood up. “I’ll get right to work on the guest list and invitations. And setting you up with a studio. Did Paul tell you where to buy supplies?”
Julia nodded. Paul had remembered that the enterprising owner of Hardy’s Hardware stocked whatever the local artists asked for.
“Have them delivered here and I’ll get them to your studio.” Claire bent down and gave her a quick hug. “You’re doing me a huge favor. You’re going to put the Gallery at Sanctuary on the map.”
“What if the art world hates my Night Mares? It’ll wipe you right off the map again.”
“You traveled all the way to Sanctuary because you knew your new paintings were good.”
She was right. If Julia hadn’t believed in what she was doing, she would have bowed to her uncle’s pressure months ago. She nodded and forced her lips into a wavering smile.
Claire gave her an encouraging nod and pulled Julia to her feet.
“We’ve got a lot to do before next Friday.”
As soon as the door swung shut behind Julia, Claire dashed to the desk and spun the chair around to face the computer. As she clicked away with the mouse, she hit a speed-dial button on the phone.
“Hello, sweetheart.” Her husband’s voice rumbled through the speaker.
“I did it,” Claire said. “I got Julia to stay for the reception and the auction.”
“She might surprise a few people with her frankness,” Tim said.
“Everyone expects artists to be a little different. She’ll play right into that, and people will love her.” Claire sat back in her chair. “Honestly, I’m more worried she’ll overhear a negative comment about her paintings and that will make her question her talent again.”