“Your mother picked the red,” he reminded her.
“I like the red,” Judith said, butting in. “It’s like a fine cabernet.”
“Thank you.” He nodded to her. “That’s exactly what it was supposed to be.”
“Yeah, but the white trim makes it look like you should have chickens and cows inside,” Gina protested.
“I wouldn’t mind having chickens and cows. Good way to get my milk and eggs,” he shot back. Gina’s friends chuckled.
“Trust me, Dad, the espresso trim is going to look just great.”
“It will be like cabernet and coffee,” Judith suggested.
He wasn’t so sure but didn’t want to keep arguing. “I guess we’ll see.” He reached for his hat. “You ladies have a good day.”
“Leroy, before you go, tell us. Will you be joining us for dinner?” Judith stood with a hopeful expression. “I’m making something very special.”
“Well, I—”
“Of course he will.” Gina started to clear the table. “He’ll be here with bells on.” She shot him a warning glance. “Right, Dad?”
“Well, you heard her.” He tipped his hat to the group. “See you all later.” Then, trying not to feel overly irked at his youngest daughter’s strong will, he hurried on his way. Give that girl an inch and she’d surely take a country mile. A brown-and-red barn? Who’d heard of such a thing?
Brynna jumped at the sound of a knock at the door. What if it were Leroy? She’d felt ready for this earlier, but after several hours of serious housecleaning and still feeling grungy from camp life, she longed for a bath in the sweet claw-foot tub. She wasn’t ready to meet him now! Even so, she tugged the bandana she’d used to tie back her long, in-need-of-shampoo hair and crept to a side window to see who was at the door. To her relief, it was Sophie. “Coming,” she called, hurrying to open the door. “Sorry,” she said, swinging it open wide. “I was in the midst of some housecleaning.” She leaned against the doorframe. “Not expecting guests.”
“You’re cleaning? On your first day here?” Sophie came in and deposited a basket on the kitchen table. “I brought some provisionsfor you. In case you didn’t have time to get anything. But now I feel bad that you felt the need to spend the day cleaning the place.”
“Oh, it’s not like it was terribly dirty.” Brynna tossed her dusting rag into the sink, hoping Sophie wouldn’t see how dark it had become.
“It’s just that I assumed you’d be out enjoying the gorgeous weather. It’s the first day it hasn’t been stinking hot in a week.”
“It does look nice out there.” Brynna looked longingly out the front window. She would’ve loved to feel free to roam... “But cleaning’s good therapy for me.” Plus, it delayed the inevitable—bumping into Leroy.
“I get that.” Sophie laughed. “I’d probably do the exact same thing. Come to think of it, I don’t know when it was last cleaned. Luna stays here sometimes, but she’s not into housekeeping.”
“It’s such a darling cottage, dirty or clean. I just love it.”
Sophie smiled at Brynna. Her jaw dropped a bit as she took a look around the room. “Wow, I can’t remember the last time I saw these windows so clean.” She sighed. “Probably when Mom was alive. She always kept it up.”
“You mentioned your mother put this place together.” Brynna wanted to tread carefully here. “I just have to say that it’s absolutely perfect. I have the greatest respect for your mother just from being here.”
“Really?” Sophie turned to Brynna with misty eyes. “She did a beautiful job on it, didn’t she? It always makes me feel closer to her when I come here. But I haven’t been over for a while.”
“Well, I feel very privileged to stay here. Even if it’s just a short time.”
Sophie’s brow furrowed. “Why should it be a short time?”
“Oh, well, you never know. I’m just saying I think this cottage is really special.”
Sophie’s smile returned. “I do too. But not everyone appreciates it. Gina and Luna think it’s too outdated. They want to make it all minimalist and modern, but I love it just like this.”
“Oh, no, this cottage shouldn’t be modern,” Brynna said. “It’s got such charm and personality.”
“They say it’s too much personality. But then they weren’t as close to Mom as I was. Probably because I’m the oldest. And, well, Dad says I’m a lot like her.”
“What was your mother’s name?” Brynna asked. “I’m just curious. I mean, because I can sort of feel her here.”
“Marcia, but she went by Marcie.”
