Page 69 of Faking the Shot

But first she’d have to get through today’s schedule.

Aunty Winifred’scottage was on the point beyond Capernwray Harbour. Her aunt had moved here many years ago, and seen the changes as more mainlanders moved to the island to escape the busyness of modern city life. Aunty Win had started painting, and a gallery on Vancouver Island sold her paintings. Ainsley had offered to post about her aunt’s works on Instagram, but Aunty Win had said no, not wanting to be bothered by the fuss of people demanding custom works or dropping by unannounced simply to talk to one of Ainsley’s relatives. Which was fair. Her parents had had to move after their location had become known. The photographers outside Ainsley’s apartment proved that finding respite was not always easy. So she didn’t blame Aunty Win for wanting her privacy.

“You’ve painted so many more than the last time I was here.”

“These are some of the ones I’ve had in storage. I figured it was time to take a look at them and see what I can sell.”

“Really? I didn’t think you wanted to sell them.”

“There’s no point in keeping things that are just going to become a problem for whoever has to clean out my house.”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you heard of Swedish death cleaning?”

“Death cleaning?”

“It’s about thinking about the next generation and making sure they don’t have to deal with all of my junk and stuff when I’m gone.”

“Next generation” meant Ainsley and Mack. Aunty Win had never had children. But… “Gone? I can’t believe you’re talking like that.”

“I can’t put it off forever.”

Oh, but how she wished they could. Ainsley swallowed, pressed a kiss to her aunt’s cheek. “Have you talked to Mack about whether he wants anything?”

“I figured you could take photos, then let him know and if there’s anything he particularly wants, he can either come out and see me himself or maybe you can take it with you.”

Oh. “Okay.” She’d flown out on the seaplane with Gwen and Jason, but she could probably pack some things in her bags. “I don’t know that I like where you’re going with this talk about death.”

“Where I’m going is heaven one day. You know that.”

“But I’m not ready for you to go there just yet.” And definitely not ready for her aunt to die before Ainsley had settled the house and all that it meant. And it would mean a lot to her aunt and to her mom.

“Ah, but Ainsley, we don’t always get what we want in this world, do we?”

That was true.

“Now, tell me more about this handsome man that I’ve seen you kissing.”

“You mean Zac?”

“Is he the hockey one?”

“We haven’t been kissing. We hugged a few times, but that’s it.”

“That doesn’t sound like you.”

She cringed. “I’m not a floozy.”

“I’m not suggesting you are.”

“I’m just trying to figure out how to do this.”

“He’s your boyfriend, isn’t he?”

“It’s not as simple as that.”

She went on to share a little more about the reality of her relationship with Zac.

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