The Letter(47)

Madeline ran her fingers over the carved surface of the box. A delicate rose was carved into the box lid. “It is so beautiful. I will cherish it forever. I can’t believe you found this from my grandmother.”

“Some things are just meant to be. I think the universe wanted you to have this box of your grandmother’s.”

“I’m so grateful to have it.” Madeline dashed self-consciously at her tears.

“Well, it’s been bothering me ever since you told me your grandmother’s name. I knew I’d heard it before. I just couldn’t remember where. But then as I was dusting the Rose Room today, I picked up this box and saw the name again. I remember finding it when I was out antiquing, and seeing that pretty carved rose and knew it would be perfect for the Rose Room.

“Rebecca is always finding some little thing on her expeditions. Or big things. Did she tell you she’s found a mahogany wardrobe that she’s trying to wheedle me into buying for the Mahogany Room?” Larry shook his head, but he was smiling.

Madeline was fairly certain the Mahogany Room would soon have the wardrobe in it.

“Now, I’m going to clean up this mess and you girls go sit in the front room and do your woman gossip.” Larry got up from the table and cleared his place.

“Let me help.” Madeline insisted.

“Nope, I got this.”

He was probably hoping to get away from a crying female, not that she blamed him. But doing the dishes seemed a hard way to escape. She swiped at the last tear tracking down her cheek.

“Come on, Madeline. Let’s clear out and let Larry have his way.”

They went into the front room by the fire and sat on the rockers on either side of the fireplace. Rebecca picked up some knitting from the basket at the side of her chair.

“What are you knitting?”

“A cable sweater for my son. He lives in Colorado. I’d knit them for Larry, but he says it never gets cold enough here for him to need one. The man always runs hot anyway. He’s lucky to put on a flannel shirt when it hits freezing here.”

Madeline marveled at the talents of Rebecca. Knitting, cooking, and decorating. Madeline didn’t have a hobby to her name. Rarely cooked. All she did was work. But, after this stay in Comfort Crossing she wanted to make some changes to her life. Quit burying herself in her job. Take up a hobby. Heck, she might even start wearing her cowboy boots in St. Louis… if she didn’t give them away to keep from remembering her time with Gil.

Madeline looked around the comfortable room. She had an overwhelming desire to get back home and fix up her house. She’d never really tried to decorate it. Just picked up furniture here and there. She was pretty sure she had maybe two photos on the walls.

“You do such a good job decorating the inn. Everything works so well together, but isn’t a matchy-matchy style.”

“I enjoy it. Enjoy shopping for little things that pull it together.”

“You have a good eye for it. I don’t. I don’t even know what style I like.”

“Well, browse through some magazines or online and see what style seems to suit you. Then you can slowly add things in that style.”

“I’m going to do that when I get back home.”

“You should send me before and after photos. I’d love to see it.”

“I’ll do that. I’d like to share it with you. Maybe you can give me tips or hints, too.”

“I’d like that.” Rebecca’s knitting needles flashed along as she worked on the sweater. Madeline didn’t know how Rebecca could keep up with her knitting pattern while carrying on a conversation.

Madeline sighed. “I should go upstairs and pack up. I want to leave early so I’ll get back home before dark.”

“That’s a good idea. No need driving after dark in winter weather. I checked the forecast for you. It’s going to be bitterly cold, but no snow on your trip home.”

“That’s good. I’m not much of a fan of driving on snow.”

“We’ll see you in the morning before you head out.”

“Okay. Goodnight, Rebecca.”

Madeline turned and walked slowly up the stairs to her room. She was going to miss staying here. Miss Rebecca and Larry.

She was going to miss Gil, but she couldn’t quite let herself admit it.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN





Bella finished straightening up the sunroom. Becky Lee and Jenny would be here any minute. She’d collected her ideas for the wedding on a big collage on her laptop and ripped out some pictures from a few wedding magazines she’d picked up. She was sure Becky Lee would have great ideas for the food. They’d get this wedding all sorted out for Jenny.