Page 53 of Give Me Strength

I’ve never done this before. I’ve never been in a situation like this before, liking someone like this. How do normal people navigate this? Do I seduce him? Or do I take out a giant billboard that says Ashlynn Crane likes Gilbert McKenzie?

As I walk through the front door, the familiar scent of jasmine greets me, mingling with the comforting aroma of something delicious baking in the kitchen.

“You’re home early,” Melissa calls out with a warm smile. Her eyes twinkle with a hint of mischief, and I can’t help but smile back.

Ah yes, it’s only been five days since she’s been back too. Five days of changes, of overhauling — mostly of the good kind. Normally, I don’t do too well with drastic changes to my routine, but in this case, it is for the best. Like a new life breathed into the house. Even Gilbert seems more at ease lately. Although, I miss our late night chats, amongst other things.

“Mrs. Jasmine had an emergency,” I say, dropping my tote bag by the staircase. “Something smells amazing.”

‘Strawberry tarts, your favorite,” she replies, wiping her hands on her apron.

My mouth waters. “Made from scratch?”

“You know it.” She picks up my bag, making a tsk-tsk sound. “But before you make a mess of it, I have a little surprise for you.”

I lift a brow, curiosity piqued. “The good kind, or the pull your hair out kind?”

“Depends. Follow me,” she says, her smile widening as she leads me up the sweeping staircase. I trail behind her, anticipation building with each step. When we turn onto hallway that leads up to the primary wing and the primary bedrooms, my steps turn heavy-leaden.

A small part of me hopes that she isn’t taking me where I think she’s taking me, until we stop where I equally dread and eager for.

Rachel’s room.

My heart skips a beat. “Did Gilbert put you up to this?”

“In a manner of speaking,” she says with a wink.

‘Why?”

“You’d have to ask him that.”

I don’t bother hiding my groan of frustration. “I’m asking you, Mel.”

“See for yourself,” she encourages, gently nudging me forward. “Go on.”

I hate surprises, so I dig my feet in.

She sighs, then places both hands on my shoulders. “Ash, just open it. I promise you, it’ll be worth it.”

With a deep breath, I turn the knob and step inside.

Not sure what I was expecting, but what greets me is not Rachel’s room.

At the same time, I feel a sense of peace wash over me, like a warm embrace. The room is bathed in the soft, golden glow of the early evening light filtering through the tall windows. I feel like I’m stepping into a dream, a beautiful blend of the past and the present.

The bare bones, the layout is the same, but it’s contents are not.

“What happened to Rachel’s things?” I blurt out.

“Gilbert asked me to swap it all out,” Melissa says behind me. “I put them in one of the guest rooms. Your Mom’s things too. He asked me to keep those there, in case you ever wanted to go through it, and decide what you would like to keep or donate.”

“He didn’t go through it himself?”

Her hand moves off my shoulder, and rests in the small of my back. “Neither could you, Ash.”

I can’t help but smile at the moniker. Rachel and Melissa were the only ones who ever called me that. Everyone else either called me Ashlynn or just Lynn.

Taking a deep breath, I walk inside. “It’s so…” I trail off, the words dying on my lips.

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