“Of course I am.”He sighed and sat up on the side of the bed rubbing his face.Apparently, he did own pajamas.Black, just like everything else he wore.“Pour us some brandy.”He waved his hand toward the bottle across the room.
When Trent returned with their drinks, Ash was just slipping on his robe.He tied it shut and reached for the glass, downing half of it in one swallow.The liquid rippled with the shaking of his hand.It was hard to see his brother so upset, even if he did pretend like everything was fine.Ash breathed in slowly, trying to calm himself, then gestured to the chairs.
“Should I light a lamp?”Trent asked.
Ash shrugged and sat down.“Whatever you want.”
Trent lit one lamp so he could at least see Ash's face.He settled into the other chair, feeling a bit guilty.Ash wouldn’t be here suffering with these nightmares if it weren’t for him.
“I’m sorry,” Ash said.“I didn’t mean to wake the house.”
“You didn’t.I was already awake.”
“Well, you should get back to her then.”
“I think I’ll sit here and enjoy my brandy, if you don’t mind.”
A long silence filled the room before Ash finally spoke again.“Thank you.I really thought, with you and Maggie, and all the changes that have happened here, all the life that’s been brought into this house, he would cease to torment me.”He took another sip of his brandy.“No such luck.”
“Perhaps this room needs some changes.New furniture, new carpets and curtains, different colors on the bed and walls.I’d be happy to see that done.”
“I’m not sure why I never thought of that.I guess I just never imagined I’d be visiting.But perhaps I will be, now that you’re here.”
“I do appreciate you coming, Ash.It’s been nice spending time with you.Getting to know you a bit better.”
“It has been nice,” he agreed.“I need to get back, though.It probably sounds silly, but I miss it all, and especially Gwen.”
“It doesn’t sound silly at all.Why didn’t she accompany you?”
“Two new ladies came in this week, so she’s making sure they’re settled.”
“You’ll never run out of people who need you.”
“Sadly, you’re right.If only I could help them all.”
“Will you come back up if I get married?”
“Did she say yes?”
“Not yet.But I think, with a little time, she might.”He couldn’t help the smile that turned up his lips.
“Well, when you’re ready, I will stand by your side.But my brother is not getting married up here.You’ll have a wedding in Raven Row.You’ll sit at the head of the table in The Raven’s Den, and the rest of my family will celebrate with you.”
Trent never imagined he’d have any of this, and certainly not family who cared about him.“If you’re not careful, I’m going to hug you again.”
Ash chuckled and downed the last of his brandy.“You’d best get some sleep, little brother.”
As much as he wanted to return to Samantha’s bed, it was better if he didn’t.But then he heard crying from Maggie's room.When he opened her door, she was sitting atop her bed, sobbing.Not her too.
“Did you have a bad dream, Little Mouse?”
She nodded her whole body, rubbing her fisted hands against her face.
“Come here.”He picked her up.“I think I know just the person you need.”He carried her down the hall and tapped on Ash’s door before entering.
“Uncle Ash!”she wailed, as she reached for him.
Ash wrapped her in his embrace.“It’s alright, Poppet.Did you have a scary dream?”
