Page 76 of The Summer Swap

“By the time Lily and I have finished with it, you’re going to be kicking me out and claiming it as your own,” Todd predicted. “I’ve already decided what to do with the master. Do you want to take a look with me and hear my plans?”

“No. Just do what you feel is right.” Cecilia left the room so hastily she knocked her arm on the doorframe.

She can’t even bear to go in there, Lily thought. If there was a room they needed to completely transform, it was that one. She was determined to do just that.

Todd caught Lily’s eye and then nodded. “Whatever we want. Great. I love it when a client gives me free rein.”

“And on the subject of clients, if you’re going to do this, then I insist on paying you,” Cecilia said. “You can’t work for nothing.”

“If you let me stay here for a few weeks and feed me, that will be payment. I fancy a few weeks by the sea. It will be relaxing. I can work the way I want to work and not have to deal with a fussy client on a daily basis.” Todd walked past her and headed up to the attic room that was Lily’s.

Lily and Cecilia followed.

“This is a nice room.” He peered out of the skylight and then looked back at the twin beds, which were tucked under the sloping roof on either side of the room. “We could remove the bed on one side and replace it with a rollaway that tucks under the other one. Gives more flexibility. What do you think?”

“I’m not going to be sleeping here,” Cecilia said. “I don’t mind what you do.”

“Good. Because once we agree on the changes in principle, you won’t go into the rooms until they’re done. It’s going to be a surprise so that you get the full effect.”

Cecilia seemed torn between amusement and exasperation. “And where am I supposed to stay while you’re remodeling my kitchen and living room?”

Lily noticed that she was no longer talking about rushing back to Boston. Did Seth have something to do with that?

Todd was obviously wondering the same thing. “Maybe Seth has a spare room?” He dug the tape measure out of his pocket and winked at his grandmother, who shook her head.

“You’re trouble, Todd Buckingham.”

Lily didn’t disagree with that assessment.

Todd had just announced that he would be hanging around for the summer.

She and Todd would be working on the cottage together. And in the meantime, Cecilia would be seeing more of Seth. Seth, who liked her paintings. Seth, who wanted to meet her and talk to her.

She wasn’t sure which was the most challenging—the idea of meeting Seth, or the idea of hanging out with Todd without revealing how she felt.

15

Cecilia

She stood at the rear entrance to the gallery. In one hand she held a bottle of chilled white wine, and in the other a box of handmade Belgian chocolates.

She felt like a teenager on a first date and that feeling didn’t leave her when Seth opened the door.

He was wearing a lightweight shirt the same shade of blue as his eyes, and a pair of chinos. “You’re right on time.”

“Was I supposed to be fashionably late?”

“No. We’re definitely too old for those sorts of games.”

“Good, because Lily and Todd have been hammering and filling my cottage with paint for the past few days. They’re determined to give the place a new look. My head is pounding from the noise, and I needed to escape before I was fumigated. Also, I no longer have access to the coffeepot.”

“My coffeepot is your coffeepot.” He opened the door wider. “I hope I’m going to be given a tour when it’s finished.”

“You will. Until then, I’m looking forward to a tour of your home.” She’d walked past the gallery so many times in the past and never given any thought as to what was above it. “I’m intrigued.” She handed him her gifts and he took them with a smile.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to bring anything. Come in.” He stood aside to let her pass and she climbed the staircase that led to the apartment upstairs.

At the top it took her a moment to catch her breath, and not just because of the stairs.

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