Page 47 of The Summer Swap

But someone had.

They heard the thump of a car door, the crunch of footsteps and the sound of a voice at the front door.

“Hello? Is anyone around?” The voice was deep and male, and Cecilia put down the last of the paintings. She immediately felt on edge and defensive. The last thing she wanted was visitors.

“I must have forgotten to close the front door.”

“Nanna?”

This time Cecilia recognized the voice. “That’s—it sounds like my grandson. It can’t be, surely. It isn’t possible. No one knows where I am. Todd?” She raised her voice. “Is that you?”

“Todd?” Lily’s face lost some of its color and she flattened herself to the wall of the studio as if she was trying to disappear. “You said no one knew you even owned this place.”

“They don’t. I don’t know how he could possibly have found me.” She felt a rush of frustration. Had he brought someone with him?

She patted Lily on the arm and walked out into the living area.

She was ready to be annoyed with him but then he strolled through the door, loose-limbed and handsome, strands of hair falling over his forehead. He gave her that warm Todd smile and irritation melted away.

She found it impossible to be angry with him. “Todd, what are you doing here?”

“I was trying to solve the mystery of the disappearing grandmother. I don’t suppose you’ve seen her, have you? She’s about this tall—” he lifted his hand to a point just below the height of his shoulders “—and fierce. Has a tendency to vanish without warning.”

“How did you find me?”

“I tried the FBI but they were busy, so I had to settle for exploiting technology. I tracked your phone.” He studied her, the laughter in his eyes replaced by concern. “Last time I saw you, you were upset. Then you disappeared. I was worried.”

“I told everyone I was fine.”

“Which is why I left you alone until now. But worrying about you was starting to keep me awake and I need my beauty sleep. I thought I’d come and check on you myself.”

“You—tracked my phone?”

“Yes. Not something I’ve ever done before, and I only did it this time because I was worried. And now I can see you’re alive and well and looking—” he narrowed his eyes “—actually looking a lot better than you have in a while—I’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want.”

How did anyone resist him? You could hardly be angry with someone for caring too much, could you?

“We were about to have coffee on the porch. Would you join us?”

“Coffee would work. A cold beer would work better. I don’t suppose you happen to have one stowed in that fridge? This place is great. Did you book it online?” He glanced toward the kitchen and then back at her, his gaze sharpening. “Wait a minute. You said ‘we.’ You’re not alone?”

His eyes drifted to a point past her shoulder, and she saw his expression change from shock to pleasure. “Lily?”

Cecilia felt a flicker of surprise.

“You two know each other? Well, of course you do, as Lily is Hannah’s friend. I don’t know why that didn’t occur to me. She’s staying with me.”

And judging from the expression on Lily’s face she wasn’t too pleased to see Todd.

She masked her dismay swiftly, but not before Cecilia had glimpsed something close to panic in her eyes.

She remembered what Lily had said about loving someone who didn’t love her back.

Was it a leap to assume that person was Todd?

If so, she might not be the only one who wasn’t entirely pleased to see him here.

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