Charming Lily by Fern Michaels

gasped at what lay before her. “A cemetery!” she said in surprise.
    She ripped at the vines to expose tiny stone tablets. A children’s cemetery. She continued to attack the vines, yanking and pulling until she saw a row of larger stones, eight in all. It was the last one that brought her hand to her throat. She leaned over to run her hands over the letters. MARY MARGARET , and underneath the name, the words, THE WISH KEEPER .
    Lily’s hand involuntarily went to the pendant around her neck. She clasped it in her clenched fist. A moment later she was on the ground, her body rocking back and forth, her vision blurred. The golden Lab reared back and howled, a mournful sound, as Gracie pawed at her legs. Lily knew where she was, but she couldn’t focus. She knew the dogs were close and no harm would come to her, but she couldn’t see. Where had the sunlight gone? A blinding light attacked her as she stared forward at banks of computers and electronic equipment. Mumbled voices, the words unintelligible, ricocheted about her, causing both dogs to bark fiercely. Her eyes snapped open a moment later. The winter sun was back, the dogs vying for her lap. Her hands lashed out at the grave marker bearing the name, Mary Margaret. “What does it mean?” she wailed. Then she was on her feet running, the dogs nipping at her heels. She herded the dogs into the truck before she got behind the wheel. The only word she could think of to describe her condition was spacey. She reached down inside the console for her cell phone. Sadie picked up on the second ring. She started to babble incoherently.
    Good, Sadie and Dennis would be there within minutes. She forced herself to take a deep breath. She almost jumped out of her skin when the contractor tapped on the truck window as she was replacing the cell phone in the console. She pressed the remote and the window slid down. She wondered if she looked as frazzled as she felt.
    â€œJust wanted you to know we’ll be finished a week from today. The painters are finishing upstairs today and tomorrow. The appliances will be installed tomorrow morning. All five bathrooms are completed. The fireplaces are working, all six of them. We tried them out yesterday. Good draw on all of them. We finished the windows last night. Your drapers will make them come alive for you, wavy glass and all. The stained glass throughout the house has been repaired so expertly it’s impossible to tell where the damage was. We left the beams exposed, just the way you wanted. The wooden pegs are all intact. Everything is bright and airy. When you furnish the house to your taste, it will take on a life of its own.”
    Lily nodded. “Do you know anyone who would be willing to come and clear the grounds? The dogs found a cemetery in the back a little while ago. I didn’t even know it was there.”
    â€œYou’ll find all kinds of things once the undergrowth is cleared away. I’ll make some calls and get some estimates for you. I’m assuming you want this done yesterday,” he grinned.
    Lily forced a smile to her lips. “Yes. Several crews if necessary. I want to move in as soon as possible. Choose someone who can do the job quicky and properly.”
    â€œYou can’t walk through the house for a few more days. The polyurethane on the floors isn’t dry. They need a few more days just to be on the safe side. I’m running your heat for that purpose. I hope you don’t mind.”
    â€œNo, that’s fine. I’m looking forward to the grand tour.”
    â€œYou’re sure now that you don’t want me to work on the cottage?”
    â€œActually, Mr. Sonner, I’m not sure at all. I rather thought I’d do it myself, little by little, but I’m afraid I wasn’t being realistic. When we do the walk-through, we can discuss it. I’ll make some notes. I want it to be cozy and comfortable. You know, real