“It wandered in one night when no one was looking?”
“Perhaps not that, but no one would put a Picasso in the laundry room on purpose.”
Lillian reached out. Robyn took her hand, trying not to wince at her aunt’s tiny bones and tissue-thin skin.
“You’re making progress on the inventory,” Lillian said. “First the clocks, now the Picasso.”
“I’m getting an overview. You have more treasures than I realized. As I said yesterday, you should start donating to a few museums now so you can enjoy their fawning.”
“I do love a good fawning,” Lillian admitted. “As to what should be donated, I leave that to you. When you get a couple of hours, we should take a look at my jewelry.”
Robyn squeezed her fingers before releasing them. “I’m not going through anything personal,” she said firmly. “You promised me at least another twenty years.”
“Darling, as much as I love you, I’m not going to make it until I’m a hundred and fourteen. Nor would I want to. But the jewelry can wait.” Lillian pressed her lips together. “Forgive me, but I can’t help asking. Would you consider staying here permanently?”
Robyn stared at her. “You want me to move here?”
“I do. I know it’s selfish, but I love having you around.”
She didn’t know what to say. Live here permanently? That was certainly an interesting offer.
She enjoyed being close to her aunt. She also enjoyed having time to think about her future. She still battled shame and embarrassment over her irresponsible behavior, but lately she was spending more time being practical and working on a plan for her future. She wanted to eventually open an antique store. Hopefully Lillian would live many, many more years, but between then and now, Robyn planned to move forward with her education and her retail experience, while keeping herself on the financial straight and narrow.
“I’ve never thought about making this my home,” she admitted. “I have Harlow and Austin to consider. Harlow’s on her own, but Austin’s planning on moving back home in the fall. He works for his father, so I couldn’t ask him to move here with me.”
“He could get a job here. I’m not sure about Harlow.” Lillian sighed. “I’m asking too much.”
“You’re not. It’s just a lot to think about.” Move permanently to Santa Barbara? She was tempted. “What about Mason? Wouldn’t that be awkward?”
“The house is big enough for twenty of us. Besides, I thought you liked Mason.”
Robyn thought about how capable he always seemed. He was strong without being dominating. She liked that he could simply be in a space without having to talk all the time. Plus the man was sexy. Not that she was going to admit that to her ninety-four-year-old aunt.
“I do like him, but visiting is one thing. Living here is another.”
“It’s still my house,” Lillian pointed out. “I get to say who lives here.”
Robyn smiled at her. “Yes, you do.”
“You could go to UC Santa Barbara.”
The college she’d almost gone to when she’d been just out of high school. “Now you’re really tempting me.”
“I’m trying.”
She thought about living in this beautiful house and taking classes at UCSB. “I’m still coming up with a plan,” she said.
“Just offering options. I think Mason should be one of them.”
“I wonder how he would feel about you planning his life.”
“Just the sex part.”
Robyn laughed. “That’s kind of a big step. I’m sure he’d want a say.”
“I think he’d be pleased. He watches you sometimes. There’s a sexy, brooding aspect that is very fun for me, as the observer.”
Robyn stared at her aunt. “What do you mean?”
Lillian’s smile turned sly. “He’s attracted to you. Haven’t you noticed? I’m guessing you’re also attracted to him.”
She was, but they weren’t going to talk about that. “You’re meddling.”
“Yes, I am. So…any interest?”
“Lillian! We’re not having this discussion.”
“Why not? Talking about it is all I have left. Are you afraid if you get involved, you’ll surrender yourself? You’re not twenty, Robyn. Mason isn’t Cord. You don’t have to give up yourself to be with a man.”
Robyn shook her head. “You’re far too insightful. Why can’t you talk about the past, like most old ladies?”
“You know I’m right.”
“You are. I gave up too much when I married Cord. Not because he asked, but because I thought being in love meant doing what he wanted. I was too young.” Her mistakes were the reason she worried about Harlow—something her daughter didn’t understand.
“Isn’t it smarter to be strong enough to be your own person rather than avoiding love completely because you’re afraid of what you have to give up?”
More insight and it wasn’t even lunchtime. “I thought we were talking sex,” she said, her voice teasing. “Now you want me to fall in love?”
“I want you to be happy, my dear. I want you to have the life you deserve, with a wonderful man who loves you, a career you enjoy, and dozens of grandchildren.”
“I want that, too, and I’m doing my best to figure out how to make it happen.”
* * *
Harlow finished work, then swung by the grocery store for the ingredients for spaghetti. Her mother would be disappointed to know her only daughter was going to settle for jarred sauce, but there wasn’t time to make anything from scratch.
In Austin’s apartment, she boiled water for pasta, then cooked the sausage she would add to the sauce. She’d just finished making the salad when Austin walked in.
“Hey,” he said with a smile as he crossed to the kitchen. “You weren’t kidding earlier when you said you’d fix dinner.”
“I owe you for letting me stay here.”
“It’s been two nights, Harlow, and you’re sleeping on the sofa. It’s no big deal.”
“It is to me.”
More than a place to sleep, she thought. Austin hadn’t asked any questions. Not here and not at work. He also hadn’t said a word when she’d ignored Kip’s texts and phone calls.
“Besides,” she said, faking a smile. “Tonight’s my last night. I’m heading home tomorrow.”
“You sure you want to do that?”
“No, but I can’t avoid him forever.”
“You’re not leaving him?”
She flinched at the words. Leave Kip? “I love him.”
“Just checking.” He leaned against the counter. “I’m quitting my job.”
“What? Austin, seriously? Why? What will you do?” Panic seized her. What if he left her and moved away?
“Because Dad won’t listen. I’ve made a bunch of appointments, and he won’t sit down with me.”
“What do you want to talk about?”
“My future. I’m not like you. I don’t want to take over the family business. I don’t have a fancy degree and a business plan. I just need time to figure a few things out, and I wanted to talk to him, only he won’t listen.”