Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
F rom the windows of Magnolia’s bedroom, in socked feet, Rose watched Aspen and Gavin drive away from the house.
Neither looked happy once the meal ended.
Gavin hadn’t paid attention to his nieces and nephew.
Rose couldn’t help the strong, gentle embrace she’d given her older sister.
As if a hug could fix things. Did Gavin even want children?
Broome and Thorne stood outside on the gravel drive talking while Mara and Freddy played on the grass.
They’d loaded some boxes into each of their vehicles earlier.
Both her brothers wanted her moved into Briar House.
They’d grilled her to name a date so they could help move her belongings from the cottage.
“Briar House has better security than your cottage.”
Rose felt conflicted. The idea of moving into the master bedroom still bothered her. Behind her lay too many things that reminded her of the woman they’d lost.
Once her brothers came back to move her things, there would be no going back. Maybe she’d move back into her own childhood bedroom instead until she felt more comfortable taking over this one.
She turned away from the multi-faceted window. Willow sat on the floor with Aliya, going through Magnolia’s jewelry. One of the many costume necklaces draped around Aliya’s neck. The girl popped up to admire herself in the free-standing oval mirror in the corner.
Simi stood in the middle of the room. The fabric of her asymmetrical dress swirled as she slowly turned around. She moved as if digesting the full contents of the room.
Ivory brocade draped the four-poster queen bed and the room’s windows. Claw-footed bedside tables flanked the bed. A large mahogany dresser, smaller vanity, and a burgundy velvet settee stood against its walls. They’d all seen the room many times before, but it felt different now.
Simi asked the question no one else had. “How do you feel about taking over the main bedroom, Rose?”
A glance at her sister-in-law told her Simi expected a genuine answer.
Rose took a breath. “It feels awkward. This is Magnolia’s room. The brocade, the four-poster bed, the vanity—all represent who she was. I can’t see this room as anyone else’s.”
Willow looked up. “What do you mean? It’s a beautiful room.”
Guilt pinched her. She’d forgotten. Willow had helped with the latest draperies and other soft furnishings.
She needed to be honest. “It’s a beautiful room, Will. Magnolia told me it made her feel like royalty. What she liked, what she wanted, isn’t me.”
Willow stood, her brows furrowed.
Simi moved closer with a gentle smile on her face.
Her hand swirled in an encompassing gesture.
“It’ll be difficult for Rose to accept this room as hers.
So much emotion.” She took Willow’s hand.
“I know how hard you worked to update this room. It’s beautiful, but I think you’ll agree this room needs to represent Rose.
She’ll be the one sleeping here. She’ll never get a good night's sleep otherwise.”
Willow nodded. “You’re right, I see that. Rose needs a room that embodies her interests along with the outdoors.”
Simi’s fingers moved, gesturing towards the windows, the bed. “Perhaps remove the brocade, bring more light into the room, highlight the wooden bedposts rather than obscure them.”
“We can use lighter fabrics, wistful ones, in the colors you prefer, Rose,” said Willow.
“I suggest houseplants, many of them.”
Willow said, “We could replace the vanity with a writing desk.”
Rose marveled. What a wonder the two of them were.
They knew her so well. She’d never been one to sit in front of a mirror and do her hair, but she had memories of Magnolia doing just that from the small cushioned chair tucked underneath the mahogany vanity.
A writing desk would be perfect in its place.
Maybe they could even swap her mattress for the one in here.
Hers was only two years old, and it was amazingly comfortable. The tightness inside her eased.
“I like the writing desk idea,” said Rose. “What will we do with the vanity? Magnolia loved it.”
Willow moved closer to it and ran her fingers over its surface. “I might have a use for it if you’re sure about letting it go.”
Rose nodded. “Of course. I can already see it in your apartment.”
She chuckled. “I’m not sure about that, but I have some thoughts.”
She wanted to ask more about those thoughts, but before she could, Broome’s voice called up the stairs.
“Simi, love, the young ones are ready to leave. Freddy’s four minutes from a full meltdown.”
Rose followed the three of them down the stairs and slipped her feet into the rain boots by the side door. She walked Aliya out to Simi’s silver Volvo and helped her climb up to the back seat. She waved as they disappeared down the drive.
Willow took Magnolia’s vanity with her. Thorne helped load it into her car. Both left soon after.
Rose locked up Briar House and took a seat on the old porch swing.
It wasn’t long before she heard the crunch of footsteps on leaves.