Sophie swallowed against the lump in her throat. She surveyed the space, dredging up a smile. “I love it. It’s so soothing.”

“I agree. We made good progress today.”

Thanks to her family, her apartment had gone from bleak to beautiful over the course of one day. “I could move in tonight if I wanted.”

“Might as well get your kitchen in first—and enjoy a few more days at the beach cottage—you’re hardly roughing it there.”

“That’s true.”

How much would Brandon charge to run the plumbing and install the cabinets? After receiving the insurance check Friday, she’d insisted on paying him for the roof, but she had a little left over. Hopefully enough to finish the kitchen.

“We’re coming back next Sunday,” Jenna said. “If you get the plumbing roughed in, we’ll be ready to go.”

“You guys don’t have to do that.”

Jenna tilted her a look. “I think I can speak for everyone when I say we want to. Let us do this for you, Soph. You’ve done so much for all of us.”

For the second time that day, Sophie blinked away tears. “I love you guys.”

“We love you too,” Jenna said. “And it’s about time we showed it.”

chapter forty-two

Sophie gave her family one last wave, shut the door of her shop, and turned the lock. She should get home to Pippa, but she wanted to take one last turn around her newly finished and furnished apartment.

As she ascended the steps she pulled out her ponytail holder and ruffled her hair, giving her scalp a short massage to alleviate the tightness. The scent of paint fumes lingered, reminding her to leave the windows cracked tonight.

She surveyed the warm gray walls, crisp white trim, and polished honey floor. Her bed, dresser, and nightstand were set up, though the mattress was still bare. In the living room, her sofa and armchair took up one wall, opposite the TV, and a plush area rug hugged the floor spanning the distance. In the corner her bookshelf stood proudly, burgeoning with all her favorite novels, alphabetized by the author’s last name. Some of them were newer, but a lot of them dated back to childhood, as evidenced by their faded covers and loose spines.

She sank onto the sofa, propping her bad foot on the ottoman. Her familiar belongings looked strangely wonderful in her new apartment. She reached for a framed photo of her mother, taken during better days here on the beach in Piper’s Cove. She lounged in a modest black one-piece, shading her eyes as she tilted a smile at the photographer.

“What do you think, Mama? Like my new apartment? I wish you could be here.”

Sophie gave a wan smile. That wasn’t entirely true. Her mother was at peace in heaven and not suffering as she had for so many months. Sophie was grateful for that.