“Well, my mom inherited a lot from her grandparents. I guess it was hard to let it go.”
“And the paintings you’ve hung all around—wow, they’re really good. Who is J. Benedict?”
“That’s me. I did those paintings when I was still married to Cooper’s dad.” She set the plate of chicken on the table. “I only switched back to McKerry last year.”
“Well, they’re beautiful. I had no idea you were so talented.”
She smiled and sat. “Why, thank you.”
He reached for her hand. “Mind if I ask a blessing?”
“Not in the least.” She bowed her head and, instead of enjoying the warm rush of his hand holding hers, tried to concentrate on his words.
“Dear heavenly Father, please bless this delicious-looking food. But even more than that, bless this house. Bless Jewel and Cooper as they create new lives here. Bless all who grace their doorstep. Bring your sweet goodness to this lovely place. Amen.”
She opened her eyes and looked at him. “Thank you for that. That was beautiful.”
He still held her hand. “And so are you.”
She felt herself blushing as his fingers slipped from hers, and he reached for the wine. “Care for more?”
“We are celebrating, aren’t we?” She picked up her napkin with a festive wave. “Of course!”
And there, sitting in the new farmhouse kitchen, she and Miguel enjoyed a simple meal and each other’s company. Just like old friends. And perhaps a little something more someday. She hoped so.
31
Honey
Seeing the old farmhouse getting painted that rich golden-yellow left Honey with mixed feelings. She liked the color selection well enough. And she was extremely grateful CT seemed to adore it and highly amused over how he believed he’d picked the “honey paint” all by himself. But seeing the farmhouse go from green to a harvest sort of gold was like saying goodbye to an old friend. Or maybe it was the shock of seeing summer on its way to becoming autumn, sort of like how her life felt. These things happened so fast.
Her grandmother had chosen the pale green back when Honey was a small child and sent to live with her grandparents while her parents followed her dad’s military career overseas. Honey couldn’t remember what color the house had been before that because it had always seemed to be pale green. Just like her old cabinets in the kitchen, which were now a lovely olive. But all these changes were hard to swallow. Not that she ever voiced her disgruntlement. It would hurt Jewel’s feelings too much, and her old confidant CT just plain wouldn’t get it.
Perhaps that was something she missed more than anything. The sad truth that CT, her best friend, could no longer understand her petty little grievances like he used to. She remembered how easily she could dump on him after a difficult day at school.He had always been a sympathetic listener and a great encourager, and he often had words of wisdom for her. But those days were long gone now.
Feeling guilty for her secret resentments regarding the farmhouse changes, she reminded herself it must be a bit like the way CT had felt when he’d been forced to give up driving and guns and even farming. She also reminded herself that the changes Jewel was instigating would allow her daughter and granddaughter to make a living and remain here on the farm indefinitely. That was no small reward and well worth her temporary inner discomfort.
But at the same time she felt sad to see this last change as she stood outside watching the last of the exterior paint being applied by Jewel and Miguel, who were now painting the dark green trim color in front. Cooper and Anna were applying a second coat to the sides, and poor old CT was still puttering away on the backside or sitting in his lawn chair. Already, the farmhouse interior was so different. She felt almost discombobulated when she went inside, but she had to admit it looked surprisingly beautiful. Far beyond anything she ever could’ve imagined for the space. Like making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, as her grandma used to say—it was impossible. But Jewel, with her artistic vision, had done it.
While Jewel was occupied the other day, Honey had snuck in to really snoop around. And the transformation had been startling. The light-colored walls, all painted the same color for the first time ever, made the house feel larger, cleaner, fresher. It reminded her of how she used to feel on the first warm day of the season, opening all the windows to air out the house. Now the AC cooled them off without lifting a finger.
And her daughter’s artwork, so perfectly displayed, made the house feel like much more than a countrified farmhouse but almost like a gallery, only friendlier. The old oak floors, which Jewel had gotten refinished, now gleamed with a golden patina that only years of living could achieve. And the gently revamped bathrooms, in that lovely pale shade of blue, with fluffy white towels and lavender-scented accoutrements, felt clean and new.Although the fixtures were still the plain white ones she’d had installed when Jewel was a girl, back in the eighties, they looked just fine. But it was the kitchen that still took her breath away each time she entered. It could’ve been featured in a design magazine. Or at leastCountry Living.
Any guests who visited the Honey Bee and Bee would not be disappointed. Yet Honey still had mixed feelings. To be honest, these changes and renovations were something that Honey would’ve liked for her and CT at one time. Back when they were younger and able to enjoy the place. But having a career had taken priority over home improvement for Honey. And there were lean years when they could’ve lost the farm if not for her income. But even during summer months, when she’d imagined doing some big fixes on the house during her time off, she’d get herself busy with outdoor projects ... like chickens and cows or the landscape, the garden, the greenhouse, the lavender fields, or just walking the fields with whatever dog they’d had at the time.
Something had always beckoned her outdoors on those warm days, so she’d been painfully aware of how the farmhouse had been way overdue for attention. Sometimes it had even kept her awake at night. But she’d promised herself she’d catch up with all these projects after retirement. And then CT got worse, and her focus switched to him and all the appointments they needed to go to, chasing answers that didn’t exist. And, well, there you go. Honey knew she should just be pleased that Jewel had cared enough, and had enough vision to actually do it.
“So what do you think, Mom?” Jewel stepped down from the porch, using a bandanna to wipe her olive-green paint-smeared hands. “You haven’t said much yet about much of anything over here. I hope you’re not having second thoughts.”
Honey set down the cooler of drinks that she’d just refreshed with ice and slowly shook her head in wonder. “Oh, Jewel, I was just thinking about everything you’ve done here. Honestly, I can hardly believe it. And in such a short time.” She looked into herdaughter’s eyes. “It’s truly amazing. Just gorgeous. Inside and out. You’re a real wonder-worker.”
“Really? You like it?”
“It’s all just beautiful.” Honey beamed at her. “I’m so very proud of you, sweetie. And you know what my favorite part is?”
“The kitchen?”
“It’s pretty gorgeous, but, no, it’s your artwork throughout the house. I knew you were talented, but I always got the impression from your website that you only did modern or abstract art. I had no idea you’d been doing landscape and still life.”
