Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 501

As Camila Davis was about to head back to her room, she glanced over her shoulder and realized she had a little shadow trailing behind her.

She quickly knelt down to stop the tiny toddler and coaxed her gently, “Lillian, sweetheart, wait for Mommy right here, okay? Let me get all clean and fresh, and then I’ll come back and give you the biggest cuddle ever!”

Lillian hesitated for a moment, then nodded, her wide eyes still a little worried.

Mr. Morris, watching from nearby, could tell that the little one was anxious after Camila’s tumble into the lake earlier.

He swept in, scooping Lillian into his arms and soothing her. “Don’t worry, pumpkin. Your mommy’s just fine. Now, tell Grandpa Morris—did you like the ducks on the lake? Wasn’t the water sparkling today?”

Mr. Morris was a pro at this; Lillian’s worries melted away as she started babbling about the ducks and the willow trees by the shore.

With her daughter distracted, Camila slipped away for a much-needed shower.

When she came back out, Lillian was still snuggled in Mr. Morris’s arms.

“All squeaky clean!” Camila announced, hurrying over to scoop Lillian up and shower her with kisses. “Come here, munchkin! Do I smell like strawberries now?”

Lillian giggled, squirming as Camila nuzzled her. “You smell nice, Mommy!”

Once Lillian was settled and content, Camila finally had a moment to text Dennis Williams.

She typed quickly: “Did you put on the ointment?”

A reply popped up almost instantly. “Just finished.”

Then another message: “When you have time, could you show Aaron how to do it right?”

Camila blinked, confused. “Why?”

Dennis replied, “He nearly killed me with that last application. I think he was trying to sandpaper my skin off—my back’s still on fire.”

Camila couldn’t help but laugh out loud at his dramatic complaint.

How rough could Aaron have been?

But she didn’t say no—she texted back: “Sure, I’ll show him next time.”

Then, getting back to the real issue, she asked, “How’s Lillian? She seemed really scared earlier. Do you think she’ll be alright?”

Dennis replied, “If you’re worried, just reassure her. Sometimes things happen that are out of our control, but as long as we handle them well, everything turns out fine. Tell her there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Got it,” Camila answered, tucking his advice away.

She spent a while talking to Lillian, calming her nerves and explaining that sometimes, people slip or fall, but as long as they’re careful and look out for each other, everything will be okay.

By dinnertime, Lillian seemed to have bounced right back, her cheerful self again.

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