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After class, Norma and Morris went to the game room, but Tilly stayed behind while Reese packed up her supplies. “Is Trent the reason why you were so flustered the other day?”
“Yes,” Reese admitted.
“Then I’m guessing he must also be responsible for bringing out that special spark in your eyes today.”
“He is.” Reese knew she should have told her friend all about Trent a long time ago, but she’d been so intent on pretending the past didn’t matter anymore. “I was married to him ten years ago.”
She had expected Tilly’s brows to lift with surprise. But her friend simply nodded as if all the pieces were finally fitting together. “He’s the one who was everything to you, isn’t he?”
“Yes. I was nineteen years old when I fell head over heels in love with him—and now I can’t seem to stop falling again. Just as you said, love is like a boomerang. But it’s all happening so fast again, and I...”
Tilly reached over and squeezed Reese’s hand. “Love doesn’t always appear in its final form. I know you’re the teacher and I’m only just learning to paint, but it seems like love and painting aren’t all that different. Our hearts start out open, just waiting for love to find us, like canvases waiting for that special image to bring them to life. And just like you show us how to tweak our colors and bring more life into our paintings by using different brushes and different strokes, or applying shading to temper some areas and bring out others, love is the same way. Two people bring together their personalities, wants, needs, hopes, fears—and hope to come out with something beautiful that inspires each of them, helps them grow—together and individually. Love takes tweaking.” She looked away, and Reese knew she was thinking about the man she’d lost. “Really, that tweaking never stops, because we grow, and change, and bring babies into the mix.” She turned a thoughtful gaze back to Reese. “But if it’s meant to be, and you’re both trying to please the other as much as yourselves, it’s all worth it in the end.”
Reese gave Tilly a long hug. Or maybe it was Tilly hugging her. Either way, Tilly’s words of wisdom and their warm embrace were just what she needed to help settle the nerves that were trying to pop back up inside of her.
* * *
TRENT SAT BETWEEN Sierra and Quinn at their usual table in the Hideaway, where they were holding the family meeting he’d requested. Derek and Ethan took the heads of the table, while his parents sat side by side, just the way they did at the dinner table, as well. It was yet another reinforcement of how they’d always put their relationship first.
“Trent,” his father said, “I’m glad you called us all together. I’ve been wanting to touch base and see if any of you are having trouble managing your own business alongside your responsibilities at the resort. Would you mind if we discussed that before we tended to your news?”
“No, Dad. That’s fine,” Trent agreed.
“It’s been a big pain in the rear for me,” Derek said, obviously still itching to get back to his real life in Boston. “I’ve got a client I need to visit sometime soon to go over some extensive patio designs. I can’t close the deal over Skype, so I’ll need a few days off.”
“That’s not a problem,” Trent said. “Just tell us what needs to be covered while you’re gone.”
“I know you can deal with my absence on this one,” Derek said, “but nine more months of this juggling is going to be a nightmare.”
Sierra sighed. “Derek, if you would just let yourself enjoy the island again, you’d figure it all out and you wouldn’t want to run back to Boston. Look at Quinn and Trent. They love it here now.”
“She’s right,” Quinn agreed. “I definitely love it here, and I have no interest in going back to Annapolis.”
Trent nodded in agreement.
“If you two are any indication,” Derek said, “it seems to me that staying on the island is a surefire way to be sucked into a heavy-duty relationship.”
“Obviously that’s not true,” Sierra said. “Look at me.”
“And me,” Ethan added. “Come out with me on the boat, Derek, and I’ll remind you how much fun island life really is.”
“Why don’t we all give Derek a break.” Abby smiled warmly at her third-eldest son. “We all know the island isn’t for everyone, and Derek has a successful business that he shouldn’t feel pressured to leave behind.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Speaking of businesses, I’ve taken steps to sell my practice.” Trent watched his family’s eyes widen. “I want to make a life here with Reese…if she’ll have me.” Even though Trent knew Reese still needed time to be absolutely sure, he reveled in the knowledge that every day was bringing them closer together.
