“She has,” Lilly said simply. “I get that you’re worried about it, but I do want this.”
A strange mix of emotions surged through Sylvie. Part of her was thrilled that her niece was interested in the inn, but another part sank, as if Lilly’s interest might only make Fiona worse.
“Are you sure, honey?” Fiona asked, stepping toward her. “You’d have to change schools mid-way through junior year. Leave all your friends…”
Lilly shrugged. “I know. But half my friends left this year anyway. And the ones who are still there are kind of…you know.”
Apparently, Fiona did know. She gave her daughter a sad smile, which only deepened Sylvie’s concern. She had no idea what was going on at Lilly’s school or why half her friends had left.
“Maybe it would be good for you,” Fiona said cryptically. “What about your grades, though? The curriculum can’t possibly be the same.”
“I’m already way ahead on my credits, and my GPA is fine,” Lilly replied quickly. “In fact, I’d be able to graduate early if—”
“No! We’ve talked about this.” Fiona shook her head vehemently. “You’ll regret missing out on the full high school experience. Before we agree to anything, we need to make sure it won’t cause problems for you at school. Okay?” She lowered her head slightly to make eye contact more intense.
Whether on purpose or not, it made Lilly laugh. “All right, Mom.”
Fiona’s eyes widened slightly. “Go on, then,” she said, shooing her daughter out of the room. “We’ll finish up in here and talk to you about it all later.”
Before Lilly even had a chance to try, her mom had turned her around by the shoulders and pointed her toward the door.
“Right,” Fiona started, “I suppose we should look at what’s next, then.”
Sylvie pressed the tip of her tongue to her front teeth. Fiona was right, but she didn’t have to be so smug about it.
Chapter 11
There weren’t many people required to be present for the will reading, and while Sylvie was aware of the strangest part of her mother’s dying wishes, she still felt nervous. A thought that had plagued her ever since the exchange with Lilly two days earlier popped into her mind as she made her way down the hallway.If Lilly was so sure she wanted the inn, why fight it?
She had been reading the Sweet Somedays, and there was no way some of those items could be done, especially not within a year. There must be a clause that would allow her to just give in.
“Aunt Sylvie?” Lilly whispered, emerging from a side room like a ghost.
“Oh dear Lord!” Sylvie exclaimed, spinning on her heel toward the voice. “Don’t do that!”
Lilly held up her hands, raising her shoulders slightly in a half-shrug. “Sorry, I just wanted to catch you before we go in. I haven’t seen you since the other day with the lawyers and…” The poor girl looked like she was about to cry.
Sylvie reached out and squeezed her niece’s shoulder. “It’s all right.”
“No, it’s just…um, important to me that you know something before we go in and it’s all officially read and whatever. When Mom said Grandma didn’t leave me anything, but I said she did, I wasn’t talking about the inn. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to take it from you. What I meant was…she gave me a year. Here, where my dad grew up. It’s a chance to get to know that side of me. I don’t remember much from being a kid here, and I’d like the chance to make some new memories here. Whether the inn goes to you or me in a year, that’s not the point. Not for me.”
Sylvie couldn’t help but think that this seventeen-year-old was more articulate than most of the adults she knew—and acted more grown-up than half of them would in this situation. “Wow, Lilly, that’s not what I expected. This whole thing is kind of crazy, and I’m really sorry you’ve been put in this position, but if I’m honest—”
“Youdowant me here, right?” Lilly asked suddenly, almost panicked.
“Of course, sweetheart!” Sylvie wrapped her in a hug. “Of course. What I was going to say is that I’m sorry you’ve been stuck in the middle of this, but if I’m honest, I’m just pleased to have you around.”
The girl let out a heavy exhale. “Thank God. I was so worried you’d be mad if you thought I was—I don’t know—trying to take the inn…”
“It’s all right. I’m not upset with you. At all. Okay?” Feeling her niece nod against her shoulder, she pulled back and smiled at her.
“Okay,” Lilly said. “Shall we go in?”
“Sure, honey. You go on ahead. I just have to speak to someone quickly.”
Lilly nodded and headed into the small sitting room at the back of the house, leaving Sylvie standing alone in the hallway. Once she was out of sight, Sylvie focused on the partially open kitchen door and saw Fiona.
“Morning,” she said. “Is there coffee in there by any chance?”
