The waves splashed up against the rocks, sending gentle music though the open windows. The reflection played upon the white ceiling, dancing with shadows and light. Seabirds called overhead. Rose's voice wafted up from the tidal pool, and Jessica's answered, both girls breaking into peals of laughter that couldn't help but make Lily and Maeve smile and dry their tears. Maeve handed Lily the glasses case.

“Your needlework is so beautiful,” Maeve said.

“I can't wait for you to see my shop.”

“What about those publishers? Do you think they'd like to know you're back and ready to create that magazine? Lily's Home has such a lovely ring to it.”

Lily smiled sadly, shook her head. “I don't think so,” she said.

“Another thing Edward stole from you?” Maeve said. “Don't you want to try to get it back?”

“I have a life I love, Granny,” Lily said. “In a magical, amazing place. The only thing that was really missing in it was you. I sell my designs to women who really appreciate them. Rose . . . well, Rose takes up most of my creative time. Considering what she's been through, I'm not sure I'd ever have really been cut out for running a magazine. As flattering as it was.”

“They loved the idea of your tapestries of life,” Maeve said, smiling. “Creating them, designing them, and then selling them to all the women of America.”

Lily hugged her grandmother. “When living them is really just about as much as I can handle.”

Maeve hugged her back—hard, but not too hard, and tight, but not too tight. After all, Lily thought: her grandmother knew that Lily might be going away, but she also knew she'd be coming back. They broke apart and Maeve went to find Clara, and Lily went in search of Liam and Rose, to get ready for the party that night.

The band began to play just as the evening star came out. Venus glowing in the west, in the rose-violet twilight. The dark, rich colors shadowed the pine trees and rosebushes, and cast a mysterious net on the smooth bay. The air was balmy, without any hint of last week's chill. Just warm summer breezes for Lily's last night here in the south.

Friends from the beach and town arrived, greeted Maeve and Clara, standing at the wishing well. The two hostesses wore long dresses with shawls around their shoulders, and they directed everyone over to the tent for food and something to drink. When Lindsey Grant Winship arrived, Lily hurried over to meet her.

“Hi, Lily. How are you?” she asked.

“I'm fine, Lindsey,” she said, giving her a hug, admiring her coral silk sheath dress.