Daniel stepped closer. The sparkle in her eyes was something he hadn’t seen in months.
“It’s beautiful,” he said honestly.
Lily tugged his sleeve. “I painted the fountain.”
“You’ve always noticed details,” he told her.
She smiled shyly. “Chloe says I’m observant.”
Daniel glanced at Chloe. She lowered her eyes. “I just told her that noticing things helps artists.”
He stayed, watching the three of them, feeling the garden—once painfully silent—come alive.
“How long has this been going on?” he asked.
“Since yesterday!” Emma answered. “Chloe paints really good!”
Only then did he truly notice Chloe’s canvas: a delicate, almost photographic rendering of the stone fountain.
“Where did you learn?” he asked.
“My mom taught art at a public school,” she said softly. “She started teaching me when I was little. I couldn’t afford formal training.”
“You’re talented,” he said plainly.
The twins beamed as if the praise belonged to them.
“I asked Mrs. Harper if we could use the garden,” Chloe added, referring to the cook. “I thought the sun would help.”
It stung that she hadn’t asked him—but he knew why.
“You did the right thing,” he admitted.