Poppy ripped the page off the large sketch pad and handed it to the happy family. They laughed and smiled and thanked her for the caricature of their two children, and she sent them on their way with a little wave as the next three kids took their spots in the chairs provided.

Sally had asked her earlier in the week if there was something she could do to help with the fundraiser the local women's group was holding to fund the food bank. When Poppy mentioned her idea of caricature drawing, Sally was so pleased that she took her shopping immediately, insisting that she provide the needed supplies. Poppy knew she wanted to thank her, but she didn't have the heart to tell her that the amount needed wasn't a hardship for her. Either way, she was enjoying herself and glad her art was raising money and making people happy.

Now, Poppy teased the kids as her hand flew across the page, catching their unique physical traits and exaggerating them as they giggled. The event was proving to be a great chance to meet some of the children of the people she had met around town the last two months.

Poppy but the final touches of the drawing and waved the Campbell family off with a grin then turned to find that Mary and Peter had filled their spot.

"Mary! Peter!" she cried as he saw them. "How are you?"

Poppy had seen Mary frequently because she stopped off to see her most days after school. Sometimes, Poppy would walk out with her as Mary joined Peter and her uncle, and she kept expecting Harrison to tell her to keep away, but so far he hadn't told Poppy to stay away from Mary again. Although, he did give her some disapproving looks when he saw them together.

The kids said fine in unison to Poppy's question as Harrison handed her the money for the drawing plus a little extra. Poppy would have been glad to do it for free, but she knew that it was for charity, so she took the money, and thanked him, her hand carefully avoiding his.

An older couple, Boyd and Siobhan, stood behind Isaac, and Siobhan frowned at the site of Poppy. Maybe Siobhan was under the impression that Poppy had left?

"Hi, Siobhan and Boyd," Poppy said happily, taking up her pencil.

"I see you're an American this time," Siobhan said testily.

"Sure," Poppy hid her grin as he looked at the older couple waiting for an introduction.

"Poppy Stevens, this is Glynda and Chester Glenn," Boyd introduced, also hiding a grin at their shared memory of Poppy's prank. "They're Siobhan's  parents and Peter and Mary's grandparents." That explained how she was the children's aunt.

"Glynda Glenn! What a great name. You should trademark it," Poppy suggested to their blank faces as she stood and positioned Mary and Peter the way she wanted them, giving Peter a little hug as she did. He beamed at the contact and clung to her a little longer than necessary. The boy seemed starved for affection.

"Now, this is the part where I get to pick your best features and make them better!" Poppy insisted as she sat back behind her easel and studied them for a moment. Peter giggled at all the attention and it made Poppy smile.

The rest of the family moved to stand behind her and watch the lines she drew form into the kids' faces. She had been placed next to the pub's bar booth, with the idea that after a few drinks people would think it was an even better idea to have a drawing of themselves. There had been plenty of boisterous voices and singing all day and occasionally, someone would call out a greeting or include Poppy in the conversation as she sketched.

Now, for the umpteenth time that day, they broke out into song, which was a bit bawdy than they had been singing.

"Boys!" she called. "Mind the songs!" She nodded her head in the direction of Peter and Mary.

They stopped immediately, looking sheepish. "Sorry, Poppy," a man named Frank called as he lifted his glass to her by way of apology.

"You sing something, then!" Billy called.

"I'm a little busy, Billy!" Poppy shook her head as she picked up a different colored pencil and added some freckles to both the kids.

"Sing, please?" Mary said. "I didn't know you could sing!"

Poppy shook her head. It wasn't the time or place, and she didn't want the attention.She especially didn't want anymore of Harrison's attention than she already had.

"Please!" Peter begged softly, and Poppy couldn't resist his large puppy dog eyes.

"Alright, Peter. Sad or happy?" she asked as her mind raced through songs.

He shrugged, which was no help.

Finally, she chose one of her family's favorites 'Moon River'. It was a touch of home, and she sang it without thinking as her hand flew across the page. As usual, she was lost in concentration when she drew and forgot about those standing behind her watching.

Poppy thought about her parents and felt a little pang of homesickness as the song ended. She would call them later and check in to ensure everything was alright.

When she finished the song, there was a round of applause, and she blushed as she stood up and bowed.

"A singing artist, you should trademark that," Siobhan drawled.

"Maybe I should, but I need a good name like Glynda Glenn." Poppy looked at the older woman with a smile to ensure no hard feelings, but the sour looks on both grandparents' faces let her know there were plenty of hard feelings.

She shrugged it off as she looked at Boyd, who rolled his eyes just like Mary at their lack of humor. 

She signed the drawing with a flourish and held it out for Mary and Peter to see. They loved it and rushed it over to show Boyd and Isaac.

"Do you paint portraits?" Chester asked as he examined the drawing.

"I have painted a few, but they're not my specialty. My aunt does if you're really interested." Poppy offered.

"I'll think about it," Chester said. "We need to have one done of Peter since he will inherit Castle Alfheimr one day. We'd like to add it to the portrait gallery. It's such a shame that the barony was lost." He sounded suspiciously like he was bragging.

Poppy tilted her head as she looked at the man. Did they not think that Isaac Harrison would have his own children who would inherit? He was the one who owned a castle. Maybe there was an understanding between them, and what about Mary? Poppy looked over at Mary, who gave her an eye roll just like her uncle's earlier one. Obviously, it didn't bother her that she wouldn't inherit.

Poppy could inform Chester that the barony wasn't lost, that it had been awarded to her mother years ago, and she was a baroness in her own right even though Cassandra Stevens couldn't pass the title on to her daughters at least she had the title back for a short time.

Some people were all about titles, but her family never had been. Maybe it was because her grandfather and now her Uncle Bryce were Earls. She had grown up with it and seen how difficult it was to maintain the title and the land.

"At least Mary's off the hook, but that's a lot of pressure for a little boy," Poppy said as she looked at Peter with a warm smile. "I'm sure his uncles are more than willing to take care of things until he's ready to assume the responsibility.

"Of course, you know all about that as well," Siobhan almost sneered.

"I know a little bit about a lot," Poppy smiled, not bothered by her ill temper.

She turned to the children and gave them each a big and long hug. "It was awesome to see you!"

"Are you still going to make me a wizard?" Peter whispered as he hugged him.

"You bet! I'll show you soon." She kissed the top of his head, and Issac held out his hand for him then looked at Poppy with no emotion. Poppy wondered what he would like if he smiled and what his laugh would sound like. She had the sudden urge to know that more than anything. 

"Thank you, Poppy," he nodded as she led the group away.

"You're welcome." She waved and then turned to greet the next family.

The interaction had made her uneasy. Something was going on there that wasn't right. Poppy didn't doubt that Isaac Harrison was a person that didn't let people walk all over him, nor was he a person to calmly accept what he didn't want to accept.

She pushed it from her mind as she focused on the next group. It wasn't her business, and she wouldn't get involved and Isaac Harrison wouldn't want her to anyway, of that she was sure. 

Maybe she would try to draw Isaac Harrison with a smile. It might be the only way she would ever get tot see it on the man's face.