Dropping the remodel folder on the table, he poured coffee then pulled out a chair for both of them. “Come here, please. I have something I want to talk to you about.”
She moved to the chair, sipping her own coffee. “What’s this?”
Tom sat and took a big breath. “Your Christmas present. It turned out bigger than I expected, and I can’t do it without you because you should decide.”
Summer shifted in her seat, her face creased with confusion. “What is it exactly?”
“Penny Gutherie.”
“Um, Coach’s wife?”
“Yes, she does interior design.”
Surprised, Summer sat back in her chair. “And we’re talking about her because…?”
Tom cleared his throat. “I had her over to assess your grandmother’s sewing room. Custom cupboards, redesign your art space. That was what I was planning.”
Summer smiled, shaking her head. “Really?”
“Yeah.” At least she smiled at the idea.
“So what happened?”
“She gave me a whole remodel of the room including floors, new electrical, new windows, closet space and custom cupboards.” He slid the folder across the table.
“Whoa. Why?”
“After I got a good look at the room, I told her to. Those windows don’t let in enough light for your painting. The custom cupboards are obvious. You’re a professional now, not a high school student making room amidst sewing. And the entire house needs an electrical update to accommodate new lighting.
She touched the file, but didn’t open it. “I never considered changing anything.”
“No, you wouldn’t. You’re grandmother’s memory is strong in the space. I get it. But its time to adapt for you, for us. You’re grandfather is gone, honey.” He kept the words gentle, but Summer jerked and rose from her chair to pace.
“I know he’s gone, Tom.” Her desperate hiss pricked at his conscience.
He hated hurting her like this, but he stayed the course even though his gut was shredding. “There’s plenty here to remind you of them without sacrificing workspace that could make your life easier. It’s time, honey. You need an upgrade to paint full time here instead of constantly working around. The plans are great. They’re expensive, though. We need to decide together.”
She stopped in the middle of the room and brushed a hand through her hair, holding it on the top of her head in a tight vise. “I never considered we could change things because I’m stuck in memories of both him and my grandmother, and you’re not.”
“Not true. I see your grandfather everywhere.”
“But this is us now, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It is.” He pulled back his tone, stifling the desire to push until she agreed. She had to come around to this idea on her own.
“I don’t know how I feel about changes, but I have a goal.”
“Which is?”
She spoke slowly, thinking through her words. “To be here with you going forward and, when I do have to travel, I take you with me. I want to work here, so I have to figure out something better. See, the thing is this was my grandfather’s house, and I guess I translated that to this place isn’t mine. It’s an idea I can’t let go. Let me think about this, okay? Her frown and sheen of tears nearly did him in.
“Okay.” He bit his lip, liking the idea of traveling with her, but sorry he’d opened a subject that brought so much turmoil for her. He finished a muffin in four bites and went to the cupboard for his work coffee mug. Pouring his coffee into the travel cup, he eyed Summer. She’d slumped back in her chair. Setting his mug aside, he pulled a chair closer and sat, taking her hand. “I didn’tmean to knock you flat with this.” Boy was he glad he hadn’t done this on Christmas Eve.
“Would my grandfather mind if we made changes to what’s his?” Her hand firmly held his. He’d take the question as a win.
“No, he wouldn’t. He’d be glad you’re home. Further, he gave this house to us. It’s ours to deal with going forward. Hell, it was me figuring this stuff out for a year before he died.”
She swept a palm over his cheek. “And a darn fine job you did, too.”
