Page 66 of Isabella and the Slipper

She gave him a smile. “Thanks.”

Isabella lugged the painting as she walked to the Vibrant Hue. It was large and awkward, but she had no other way to get it there. And Mr.Kato wanted to purchase it that day. She’d snuck it out through her balcony, which was difficult, but luckily she’d made it without falling off the cliff.

When she entered the gallery, Leilani approached her. “Ooh, can I see?”Her eyebrows rose as she looked at Isabella’s painting. “Wow. You did this?”

“Yeah,” she said, heat creeping into her cheeks.

“It’s brilliant!” Leilani clicked her tongue. “You’ve improved. I have no idea why Elenore is hanging this junk up.” She pointed to Delilah’s butt print.

“Probably to punish me. She’s made that her life’s mission.”

“What are you going to do with your painting?”

Isabella grinned. “I sold this to Mr.Kato. He’s paying me a thousand dollars for it!”

Leilani clapped her hands. “That’s more than you would have gotten hanging it in here. Take it and run, girl.”

“That’s what I was thinking.” She took the painting into the office and set it against the wall. She proceeded to get out the mop and fill the bucket with water. Mr.Kato came in when she was halfway through with the floors. She heard his voice before she saw him.

“Where’s my little art mouse?”

She turned and smiled, a warmth flowing in her chest. She gave him a hug. “How have you been?”

Mr.Kato patted her on the cheek. “Just fine, love.” He searched her face. “And you?”

“I’m doing okay.”

“She’s treating you better?”

Isabella shook her head. “But I graduate this year. Then I’m on my own.”

Mr.Kato gave her a sad smile. “You’ll do well for yourself.”

“Thanks.” She wanted to change the subject, so she led him into the office. “Here’s the painting.”

He stood back and stared at it. “Amazing. It’s breathtaking. Even better in person. I can’t wait to hang this in a special place. Maybe above my fireplace.”

Isabella’s throat tightened. She was selling her first painting, and he was going to hang it prominently in his home. Mr.Kato was known for his gatherings. Important people would see it. Her heart beat faster as she thought about it.

“I’ll go wrap this up in the back.”

“I’ll make out a check.” He grinned at her, then held out his hand suddenly. “Wait.” He peered at the painting. “Oh, no. This won’t do.”

A sinking feeling started in her gut. “What?”

“You forgot to sign it.”

“Oh.” She’d been working on her artist signature but hadn’t perfected it yet. Most of her paintings were unsigned. “Sorry. I’ll sign it now.”

“Perfect.”Mr.Kato grinned with his whole face. He wrote her a check as she signed the painting.

She gave him the painting and another hug before he left. She couldn’t get over her emotions.

A thousand dollars!

It wouldn’t pay for school, but it would help get her started.

Maybe she could sell a few more paintings.

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