“There are some older couples here. Some with dementia challenges too.”
“And they feel safe?”
“Seems like it. Might be a good break for you. You could just relax while someone else does the cooking and makes the bed.”
“It does sound lovely, but I’m not sure how relaxing it would be if I was worried about CT. But I’ll think about it.” Of course, Honey didn’t think she’d ever take CT on a cruise like that. Just getting to the boat dock sounded ominous. And, although he might not remember it, CT had always claimed he wasn’t a cruise person.
“Well, let’s get together when I get back, Honey. I’d love to see you.”
“You give me a call when you’re back home and all settled.” Honey tried to sound brighter than she felt. They said goodbye, and Honey hung up. With a sigh, she leaned back in the rocker, looking out over the alfalfa field. With a slight breeze wafting over the top of the alfalfa, it felt kind of like being on a big green ocean. She could imagine it was. And she could pretend Honeymoon Cottage was their fancy oceanside suite with a balcony, just missing the cute umbrella drinks.
But she couldn’t dream away her husband’s dementia. Not while she was awake, anyway. Sometimes she had happy dreams of the way things used to be. Too bad she hadn’t realized back then that they were actually living out the good old days. Of course, that brought the old Carly Simon song to mind. Amused, she started to hum the tune as she rocked, singing the lyrics aloud. “These are the good ol’ days.” And suddenly she realized these really were the good old daysstill. And life on this side of heaven wouldn’t last forever, so she better enjoy what’s here while it’s here—and perhaps practice a little more gratitude along the way.
29
Jewel
Miguel had been distant for the past couple of weeks. Jewel knew he was busy with farming, and since she was in the middle of her farmhouse renovations, she decided it was probably for the best. Things had been warming up a little too quickly between them. As much as she liked Miguel, she wasn’t sure she was ready for a serious relationship. And that’s where it felt like they were headed. Not only that, but she worried what would happen if they got involved and it fell apart? How would that impact being good neighbors, or even Cooper’s friendship with Anna?
For the time being, Jewel felt more comfortable maintaining a little distance. So, nose to the grindstone, she’d been clearing things out and painting. To keep it simple, and because she thought it looked classic and would provide a good backdrop to all the art she planned to display in the house, she’d decided to paint most of the downstairs, as well as the guest bedrooms, a linen shade of white. The bathrooms were painted a very pale aqua, with white woodwork.
She was painting kitchen cabinets today. Keeping in the spirit of the original green paint, she’d gone a few shades darker, and the contrast against the linen color was perfect. Aaron had tried to talk her into replacing them altogether, but when she went over the options, and how long it would take to get something new,plus the price tag, she decided the old cabinets were fine. With a fresh coat of paint and some new farmhouse-style hardware to replace the chipped and worn wooden knobs, they would be perfect.
By now she and Cooper had cleared the house of the accumulations of past generations. To Jewel’s surprise, she’d found some keepers too, furniture items she could reuse or repurpose to outfit the B&B, which would not only look great but would also save her money down the line.
Cooper and Anna had the task of sorting and pricing everything out in the barn. The plan was to hold a big barn sale this upcoming weekend. Jewel had encouraged her parents to oversee the sifting process in the barn. She didn’t want to get rid of anything without their approval, but so far Mom had only salvaged a few items of sentimental value, claiming she’d become a true minimalist. And Dad didn’t seem to recognize or even care about much of anything out there.
The one interesting thing Dad had salvaged was a teddy bear with a red-and-green Christmas vest. The plush toy had been Jewel’s at one time. But her dad held it protectively to his chest as if he’d just rescued it from sure destruction. Now he kept the stuffed bear by his chair in the new house. According to her mother, he sometimes held and stroked it to soothe himself.
Jewel knew this whole business of moving things from his old home and piling boxes in his beloved barn could agitate him or make him feel more displaced than usual, and no one wanted that.
To that end, she’d decided to ask him to help paint the farmhouse’s exterior. But she hadn’t chosen the colors yet. She wanted it to feel friendly and inviting and had several sample palettes laid out on the front porch, but so far none seemed just right.
She heard footsteps coming into the house and, not expecting any of the construction crew today, went to investigate. “Dad,” she said cheerfully as he walked through the nearly empty living room. “You came to visit.”
“Who lives here?” he asked with a frown. This was his usualquestion when he came into the house. It was something she’d have to figure out when the day came to open the B&B, but she’d let that go for now.
“Cooper and I live here, Dad.”
“Huh?” He went into the kitchen. “What’re you doing?”
“I’m painting.” She nudged him away from the cabinets’ wet paint.
“Oh?” His eyes lit up.
“Maybe you can paint too,” she said.
“Uh-huh.” He nodded. “I can paint.” He reached for the brush she’d laid on the edge of the can.
“But not in here.” She led him toward the back porch. “Outside. Come on, Dad.” Wanting to get him out of harm’s way, she led him to the back door. As they walked past the big red cabinet that held his honey supply, he paused to open it, reverently appraising the numerous amber jars.
“Honey,” he said with a pleased expression.
“Yes. That’s your honey, Dad. Pretty, isn’t it?”
“Uh-huh.” He reached in to take a jar. She knew Mom already had stocked quite a few jars in the new house, but whenever Dad passed through here, he usually got one to take with him. Although the porch stairs had been rebuilt by one of Aaron’s guys, she took his arm to help him down. Then she led him out in front and turned him around, pointing up at the two-story house.
“I’m trying to decide what color to paint,” she said absently.
