“Well, I’ve been thinking more about it,” Jillian said carefully. “And I bumped into Tripp Lawrence at the school today, and we got to talking.”
“Isn’t that nice?” Gram said with an approving smile.
“He was telling me how big your attic is,” Jillian said. “And what great shape it’s in, especially now that you’ve put on that brand-new roof.”
“Tripp said that?” Gram asked, looking pleased.
“Oh yes,” Jillian said, nodding. “He said it would be much easier and less expensive to just finish the attic into a space for the girls and me. Though it might feel less privatefor you two.”
“We don’t give a hoot about privacy,” Grampy said right away. “We love having you three here with us. Finish the attic and save the rest of your money for the girls.”
“I had another idea,” Jillian said carefully. “I was hoping we could take the savings and use it to just catch up on some of those little things you had to put off with the cost of the new roof.”
“No, no,” Grampy said right away. “We’ll get to all that in time. Save your money.”
“I’d really like to do it, Grampy,” Jillian said. “We’re so happy to be here, and it will feel more like home if you let me pitch in. Tripp said he’d barter with me and do most of the work himself. So, we wouldn’t even need to have a general contractor in and out of here.”
“He wants to barter with you?” Gram asked, frowning.
“I’ll be helping paint the barn over at Lawrence Farm,” Jillian said. “And whatever else I can.”
That made both her grandparents smile so hard, she was half-convinced they were laughing at her.
“If it’s what you really want,” Grampy said, shaking his head. “I guess it’s all right with me. Maude?”
“Oh, yes.” Gram smiled and nodded. “That’s just fine.”
“There you go,” he said.
“Thank you, Grampy,” Jillian said, hopping up and going around the table to give him a hug.
“I can’t wait to see that barn,” he murmured with a smile in his voice as she squeezed him tight.
Jillian laughed and then headed into the dining room to help the girls, her heart feeling a whole lot lighter than when she’d walked in the front door.
The girls were bent over Posey’s worksheet. The afternoon sunlight through the window cast a glossy glow on their dark hair. The scene was so cozy that it made Jillian feel a little sentimental.
“Hey,” Mari said, looking up.
“Hi,” Jillian said. “How are you two doing?”
“Great,” Posey said. “Mari showed me what to do.”
“Thank you, Mari,” Jillian said. “Shall we take a look at your homework?”
“Okay,” Mari said, scampering over and digging through her bag. “And guess what?”
“What’s that?” Jillian asked.
“I forgot to tell you,” Mari said. “I have a best friend.”
“Already?” Jillian asked.
“I think so,” Mari said. “I was on the playground and there was a girl all by herself on a bench, so I asked her to play.”
“That’s great, Petal,” Jillian said, trying to play it cool, in spite of the pride blossoming in her chest.
“Her name is Kayley,” Mari said. “She’s shy.”
