Chapter 17
“No, no, it’s fine. Just dry these off and pack up the leftovers–I don’t want you getting soaked again.” Brendan scooped the last of the wraps into his bag and shoved the empty container and cup into Alessia’s hands.!!
“Go on u
upstairs, let your mom know what’s going on.”
Alessia nodded and headed up, quickly explaining everything to Karen.
But instead of scolding Alessia for acting on her own, Karen looked anxious and excited all at once. She spun around the kitchen twice, already thinking about making more, but for a moment, she was so flustered she didn’t know where to start
“Mom, Пll leave you to it. I’m going to talk to Ivan about the room arrangements.”
“Good girl, go ahead” By now, Karen was too distracted to hear anything else. Alessia just shook her head, smiling, and walked toward Ivan’s room.
She knocked–just like always–half–expecting no answer a and already reaching for the doorknob herself, when the handle tumed from the inside.S
Looking down, she saw Ivan’s small face peeking out through the crack.
need to talk to you. Is now a good time?” He was only eight, but Alessia didn’t bother with the sing–song tone adults usually used with kids; she spoke to him as an equal)
This kid was the same age as the younger Tate
boy, but their personalities couldn’t have been more different.
Ivan stayed silent, but after opening the door, he went straight back to the little corner he’d claimed. Alessia noticed a brand–new can of paint in his hand–he must have gotten up to fetch it and just happened to answer the door!
Even now, the Mortons did everything they could to meet the boy’s needs.
“I’m going to split my room into two zones, Alessia began. “You’ll have the inside area–it’s quieter, full of sunlight, perfect for painting. I’ll take the outside part and I won’t bother you while you work. How does that sound?
Ivan glanced up at her, then looked down again, fiddling with his paints.
“My room has a window with a view–you can see birds perched on the power lines during the day, sunlight streaming through the trees in the afternoon, and at night, you’ll spot a passerby or two under the streetlights.”
Her voice was gentle, almost hypnotic. Ivan unconsciously stopped mixing his colors to listen.
“You can’t keep yourself holed up in a dark little corner forever. You have to see the world outside if you want to create real art. I promise won’t disturb you while you’re painting. If you agree, just nod. If you don’t, I’ll bug you every day until you can’t get any work done.”
She wasn’t pretending to be a saint, but she also didn’t take kindness for granted.
At her last words, Ivan’s eyes went wide with outrage–finally, he looked like a kid his age. Pleased to see some spirit in him, Alessia ruffled his hair.
Much better–definitely cuter than that bratty Tate boy.!!!
Just as she was thinking this, Ivan knocked her hand away. She raised an eyebrow. “Well?”
He hesitated, then gave a small nod. Easier than she’d expected. Good–her patience was always in short supply–anyway.
With that settled, Alessia stood up.
“Okay, go back to your painting. Il sort out the room and call you when it’s ready”
She left without waiting for a reply. Ivan sat staring at his half–finished painting, unmoving for a long moment.
Once everything was arranged, Alessia surveyed the room, sketched out a rough layout in her mind, then snapped a photo of her plans and sent it along with a list of supplies to Cole.!!
Cole was quick to respond, he’d said it would take an hour, but less than thirty minutes later, a whole crow of workers was hauling equipment upstairs I
Alessia had already let everyone know so when Brendan heard the knock at the door, he didn’t hesitate to open it. He’d expected some regular contractors, but when he saw who it was, he froze, disbelief flickering in his eyes.
“Jus–Justin Keane7%
“Good afternoon. Is Miss Alessia Tate home?” The man in front wore a simple white tee and jeans, topped with a linen cap–understated, but somehow effortlessly stylish!!
