New oak flooring had been installed and over it an area rug that looked similar to the one that had once graced the space. A chaise lounge had been installed near the window where her mother used to read, and the wainscoting was also replaced. Their beds were gone and the room was finished, beautifully and authentically renovated. Joseph smiled back at her as she took in the space with wide-eyed wonder.
“It looks wonderful!” she exclaimed, turning in circles. “Oh the walls aren’t quite the same eggplant hue, but it’s nearly identical!”
“I told you she would like it,” River said, looking up at his father.
“So you approve then?” Joseph said.
Carolina nodded and could sense her form going all aglow.
“It’s perfect. Joseph, please don’t be insulted but... how is it that you know how to do all of this?”
Joseph laughed and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“Do you mean, how is it that a school teacher from Brooklyn knows so much about home renovation?”
“Precisely,” Carolina said, fading with embarrassment.
“I worked construction during the summers in between college,” he shrugged. “I also renovated the loft Rachel and I lived in that we inherited from my grandfather.”
“Oh. I see,” she said, her eyes trailing around the crown molding installed on the high ceilings. “Well, it’s an expert job. I’m very impressed.”
“So it gets the Carolina Braun seal of approval then?”
Carolina nodded.
“Good,” Joseph said, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Because we have a visitor coming soon.”
“A visitor? Who?”
“Her name is Emma Westing. She’s with Westing Art House downtown. I’ve been waiting almost a month for her to come by and view your work.”
“A month!” Carolina’s lower lip fell open. Time had little meaning to her as it was, but the incident with the rolling fog seemed only to have happened yesterday. How had she let so much time slip away?
“We thought you went away,” River said, scratching Boomer behind the ears.
“No, I was just... resting,” Carolina said.
“It’s nice to see you again,” Joseph said, clearing his throat. “Anyway, Emma will be here soon and we’ll need to enter the attic so she can take a look at your work. Is that all right?”
“Oh! Of course,” Carolina said, reminding herself to smile. “Do you mind if I watch? I’ll stay hidden.”
“Sure,” Joseph said. “Just wanted to give you fair warning that we would be invading your space.”
“Oh, that’s very exciting,” she said, her figure all aglow. “Does she seem interested in my work?”
“Yes. Very,” Joseph said. “I’ve been showing her photographs. Today she’s coming to measure and see them in person so she can price them. You’re already set to have a show in downtown St. Augustine right around the new year.
“Lovely,” Carolina said, as that floaty feeling coursed through her again. “Oh, thank you Joseph. This was one of my greatest dreams when... before I got sick.”
“It’s I that should be thanking you,” Joseph said. “Emma says that there’s already interest surrounding your work. She suggested I get a lawyer and an accountant based on what she thinks the paintings will fetch at auction.”
“Really?” Carolina blinked. “I.... I’m speechless.”
“Well, that’s a first,” Joseph joked. “Really, I’m glad that you came back. I’ve done some research and I wanted to show you something before the appraisal.”
Carolina suppressed a smile as Joseph walked down the hall toward the kitchen. Like the sitting room, the hallway and kitchen also boasted brand new flooring and dark purple paint. The entire kitchen had been gutted, and modern-looking cabinets and appliances had been installed. Carolina wasn’t so sure how she felt about the look of the kitchen, but she did appreciate the ornate drawer pulls on the cabinet doors and the deep farmhouse style sink.
“You’ve gotten so much done,” she remarked.
