I ignored the voice in my head that reminded me she wanted to share her art with the world, not just this small island.
I got Lilliana dressed in a pretty yellow dress and was just putting on her white sandals when Blake came downstairs in a blouse and long flowy skirt, looking like the artist she was. "You look beautiful."
She nodded toward Lilliana. "You know her dress is going to get paint on it, right?"
I remembered how she'd said other employers hadn't appreciated her painting with their kids. "It'll make it look even better. We should go if we want to have enough time to set up before people get there."
I'd called in my brothers and their significant others to help us unload, and they met us at the library.
We had everything inside within a few minutes, and Blake took over directing where to put everything. Each easel would be a station. They were expecting so many people today; she was essentially teaching two classes, one right after the other. So we put two of everything at each station.
She'd set her easel up by the windows with the sample painting showcased on another.
Hudson appeared next to me. "This is cool."
I nodded.
He glanced at me. "Are you nervous for her?"
"I had to hold it together this morning for her, but now I'm a mess."
He chuckled. "You should stand in the back so she doesn't notice."
Picking up Lilliana, I edged toward the back of the crowd, and he followed me. When we were safely tucked away by the last easel, he asked, "Does this mean she'll stay on the island at the end of the summer?"
"I don't know,” I said, setting Lilliana on the floor so she could get her hands on the brushes.
"You haven't talked to her yet?" he asked incredulously.
I waved a hand at the room. "She's been frantic, worrying about everything being delivered in time and what to teach."
"Ivy said she's great with Henry. She's patient, and Henry adores her."
"She's going to be great today. She doesn't have anything to worry about." Then why was there a pit in my stomach?
Lilliana grabbed a brush and began to rub it over the blank canvas. The paint wasn't out yet, so I didn't have to worry about her ruining anything. It was just for fun.
Hudson didn't offer anything else, and I knew he was waiting for a real answer from me.
I shifted on my feet. " I need to talk to her, and I will. Once this is over."
He inclined his head toward Blake, where a man was talking to her, holding the hands of a little boy. "Be sure that you do."
Hudson walked away, but I was fixated on Blake's conversation with this dad. If he reached out to touch her, I'd intervene. But I didn't like how he was smiling as he was talking to her, and her face lit up as she talked about whatever art-related thing was the topic of their conversation.
I hoped it was art related, at least. What if he was asking her out? I clenched my jaw so hard I was worried I'd crack a tooth.
Before I could decide what to do, Hazel appeared in front of the room and waved her hands. "Can I have everyone's attention?"
When the crowd quieted, she continued, "We have two classes scheduled this morning, and I'd like to get started. This will be the first but hopefully not the last art class with Ms. Blake. We're so excited to have her here this morning to share her love of art with us."
Everyone clapped, and I picked Lilliana up so that she could see her. She reached her arms out and said, "Blay."
"Not now. Blay's teaching a class."
Lilliana wiggled until she was down, and then she took off. I tried to rush after her, but there were too many people and easels that could topple over if I wasn't careful.
Lilliana reached Blake first and put her arms up. "Up."
