Free Sworn to the Wolf by Lauren Dane Page A

the ride over. Oh and, Harrison, can you please bundle up my paints and brushes and throw in two pads? I am going to work while I’m at Laurent’s. Thanks!”
    She put corner protectors on the two canvases destined for The Holt and threw an insulating cover over them to protect them from light and the elements. Laurent grabbed one and she got the other while Elton and Harrison grabbed her duffel and other art supplies.
    She hugged them both once again and assured them she’d be fine and then she and Laurent headed toward Pioneer Square.
    “Rain, I need to tell you something. It’s really not a big deal and it has nothing to do with anything but I’d hate for you to find out and think I was hiding it from you.”
    “Okaaay.”
    “Andreas owns half The Holt Gallery. I was considering telling him about your work but I never even got the chance. He doesn’t know anything of it and has nothing to do with the process of selecting artists that they do shows for. I just didn’t want you to hear on some off chance and think I had anything to do with your selection. It’s all you. You’re really good. Your work blows me away.”
    “I can’t tell you what it means to me that you understand that I’d want to do this on my own merits. Not that this business isn’t about who you know. It is. That’s how I found out about the call for artists to start with. But knowing this was me and my work means a lot. So thank you for thinking of my feelings. Thanks also for liking my work, it’s so important to me and, well, I’m glad you like it.”
    He helped her carry the canvases into The Holt where Diane Holt was waiting for them. “You must be Rain Foster. I’m Diane Holt, pleased to meet you.” She smiled and shook Rain’s hand and then looked to the canvases. “Leave them near the windows. I want to see them in the natural light. Go on then, show me what you’ve got.”
    Laurent stood near the doors, letting Rain run her own show. Rain went over to the smaller canvas, uncovering it carefully. Taking a bracing breath, she stood back and hoped like hell her painting did the talking.
    Diane walked forward and put a finger to her lips as she examined the painting slowly, methodically. She studied it for about ten minutes, not saying a word the entire time.
    “The other one now please.”
    Rain did the same thing and stood back. She clenched her fists behind her back, nails digging into her palms to keep calm.
    Diane let out a long sigh and looked at Rain silently, head cocked to one side. Suddenly a smile broke out over her face. “Young woman, you have a hell of a lot of talent. You have a bright future ahead of you, especially if I have anything to say about it.”
    Relief rushed through her. “Really? Wow. Thank you.”
    “You have no idea how much exposure a show here and another at my smaller gallery in Portland can give you. I’d like to offer you a show in six weeks. Your own show. We can work out the details next week. I need to get going and Patrick, my husband, will want to see these canvases for himself. We’ll store them for you, unless you want them back right away?”
    “No no, go ahead and take the time you need with them.”
    “I’ll be calling you next week to work out the details. As for Portland, I was thinking of doing a show in about six months, which will give you time to produce more work because, my girl, I tell you, I know you’ll sell every single painting you show.”
    “Thank you so much for this opportunity.” Unable to hold back a huge grin, Rain shook the other woman’s hand.
    * * *
    “Two shows, incredible. She clearly believes you to have talent and she’s got quite a bit of power to break new artists from what I understand.” Laurent held her hand as he headed east toward the lodge. His woman was totally amazing.
    “I’m stunned and thrilled. I can’t quite believe it just yet.”
    “We sort of left off the topic last night. Tell me more about your family. I sense that