“You should be Lily, the artist.” He shook her hand. “I’m Seth, and I’d like to speak to you when you’ve given us this tour.”

Cecilia anticipated Lily to protest that she wasn’t an artist however as an alternative she appeared to develop a bit of taller.

“Sure, I’m an artist,” she mentioned and glanced at Todd with a bit of smile, “though for the previous few days I’ve been utilizing my paintbrush on partitions and woodwork.”

“I’m wanting ahead to seeing the outcomes,” Seth mentioned, and Cecilia agreed.

She might see how keen they had been to indicate her what they’d carried out to the cottage, and she or he was decided to be a receptive viewers.

“Lead on. The place are we beginning?”

“In the lounge, and we’ll work our method upstairs.” Todd opened the door and Cecilia took a breath.

She’d set her expectations low. Not as a result of she didn’t belief Todd and Lily to do a great job, however as a result of she didn’t belief her personal emotional response. This place had as soon as been an vital a part of her life with Cameron, and she or he didn’t suppose {that a} coat of paint and some intelligent finds in a thrift retailer would make a lot distinction to how she felt concerning the place.

The second she stepped inside she realized she’d underestimated Todd and Lily.

Nothing was the place it had been earlier than. Nothing was the identical.

The outdated onerous couch that Cameron had complained about had been changed with a brand new, trendy model. She might inform with out even attempting it that the deep cushions could be snug, that it could embrace the individual selecting to take a seat on it somewhat than rejecting them. It was upholstered in cream and scattered with cushions in shades of inexperienced and blue.

“The couch cowl is washable,” Lily mentioned, “earlier than you suppose I misplaced my thoughts selecting cream.”

“It’s excellent. And so is the place.” Now the couch confronted the home windows in order that anybody sitting there might benefit from the spectacular view.

The massive rug was new, however the espresso desk was the identical, which happy her as a result of she was the one who had discovered that desk. She puzzled how they’d identified what to maintain and what to discreetly take away.

However the main change within the room was the partitions. What had as soon as been a gallery of Cameron’s work till she’d destroyed it, was now floor-to-ceiling shelving that prolonged over the doorway that led to the kitchen. The cabinets had been white and displayed books and numerous objects that she’d collected through the years. A vase crammed with shells, a chunk of driftwood, a photograph of her as a younger lady that she couldn’t bear in mind seeing earlier than.

“That is spectacular.” She stepped nearer and ran a finger alongside the cabinets. “Todd? Did you construct these?”

“I constructed them, Lily painted them.”

Lily stepped ahead. “We selected white as a result of we thought it was extra adaptable. You’ll be able to add pops of shade with vases and candles.”

“It transforms the room. Don’t you agree, Seth?” She turned to have a look at him and located him staring on the one portray that remained within the room.

The Lady on the Shore held on the wall above the fireside, the tender colours drawing the attention and bringing the entire room collectively. It was as if the cottage had been designed round this one portray.

She hadn’t thought of Seth seeing it and out of the blue she was anxious about what he would possibly say.

“Let’s check out the kitchen.” She turned to stroll by way of to the kitchen, however he caught her arm.

“Wait. That portray—”

“Let’s discuss it later.”

He appeared about to argue after which nodded slowly. “All proper. If that’s what you need.”

“It’s.”

“You don’t suppose it appears good there?” Lily glanced from them to the portray, out of the blue uncertain. “I adore it a lot I assumed it ought to keep proper the place it was. So did Todd. However perhaps you don’t need a Cameron Lapthorne displayed with such prominence.”

“We will determine that later.” Cecilia moved rapidly into the kitchen. She admired the newly painted cupboards and the blind that Lily had fitted above the again door, however her thoughts was again in the lounge with the portray.

She ought to have destroyed it together with the others. She ought to have consigned it to the previous.

And now Seth was watching her, and she or he knew why. He had questions, and she or he wasn’t positive how she was going to reply them.

Supply: www.seynovel.com