Page 110 of The Summer Swap

“The cottage was once important in my life, but those days are gone. It’s part of my past, not my future. You can’t go backward. Or if you can, I wouldn’t want to.” Cecilia was positively glowing. “Seth has asked me to move in with him, and I’ve said yes.”

Todd nodded. “Good decision, Nanna. He’s a good man. I’m happy for you.”

Lily smiled because it was a good outcome for Cecilia. “I’m happy for you, too.”

Cecilia glanced between them. “Aren’t you going to ask me about the cottage?”

“I assume you’re going to sell it,” Todd said. “And we’ll help, of course. Just let us know what you need us to do.”

Lily admired how calm and accepting he was because she knew he would be every bit as sad to leave the cottage as she would. But he didn’t let his disappointment show. He wasn’t going to put that pressure on his grandmother.

“I’m not going to sell it. Seth pointed out that property is an excellent investment, so for now I’m going to keep it. I won’t be able to relax and enjoy my winter travels in Italy if I know the place is empty, so if the two of you wouldn’t mind living in it, then you’d be doing me a favor.”

“Living in it?” Lily stared at her. “You’re going to let us rent it?”

“Your payment will be looking after it for me. It will give you a chance to see how you like living this far out. If it works out, maybe we can talk about you owning it. But eventually you might want to move closer to town. For now, the place is yours if you want it. If you’re able to help me out. It’s asking a lot, I know.”

If they wanted it?

Todd was grinning. “I think we can manage it. Lily?”

“Oh yes.” She imagined living there with Todd, just the two of them. She’d paint, and they’d run their business and when they weren’t working they’d cook delicious food in the pretty kitchen and walk on the seashore. “I don’t know what to say, except thank you.”

“I should be thanking you,” Cecilia said. “You’ve worked so hard on the place. You deserve to enjoy what you’ve created. And now that’s sorted, you need to talk to Seth, Lily. There is a couple here tonight who want to commission something from you.”

She was about to answer when she felt Todd’s hand on her arm.

“Lily—”

“What?” She followed his gaze and saw her parents standing in the doorway of the gallery, looking lost. She’d been so certain they wouldn’t come that she thought she must be hallucinating. “I don’t believe it.”

For a moment she couldn’t move, and then she saw Kristen walk quickly toward them, hands outstretched in welcome.

“Come on.” Todd grabbed her hand. “Time to show them who you really are. Relax. My mother is great at making people feel welcome.”

She was glad he was with her, because she felt oddly nervous going to talk to her parents. They’d said almost nothing when she’d called them and told them her plans, and she had no idea what they were going to say now.

“Lily!” Kristen smiled at her. “I was just telling your parents how proud they’re going to be when they see your work. And both paintings sold already. She has a great career ahead of her, and I consider myself something of an expert.”

Lily felt a rush of gratitude and hugged her parents awkwardly. “I’m so pleased you came.”

“Lily.” Her mother blinked, as if she was seeing her for the first time. “I barely recognized you. You look wonderful.”

“You look wonderful, too.”

Her mother was wearing what seemed to be a new dress and her father was wearing a jacket and tie. They both looked self-conscious.

The next half hour was a whirl as they greeted Todd and then Hannah, and went to see the section of the gallery where Lily’s paintings hung.

She was more nervous showing her parents her work than she’d been when she’d shown Seth.

They both stared at the paintings and then at each other.

Her mother clutched her father’s arm. “Look at that, Stan.”

“I’m looking, Moira. I’m looking.”

“Our girl.”

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