Page 65 of A Late-Blooming Rose
As he spoke, Andre’s usual confident, charming demeanor changed, his expression becoming uncharacteristically sober, his hazel eyes dark and weary. He sighed. “I’m not yet ready to celebrate. If the wedding took place in a couple more weeks, or even better a few months, things would be different.Iwould be different. At least I hope so. I’m changed, of course. I suspect everyone in Sweetwater Springs is.”
His words and weary countenance stirred Rose’s empathy. She reached out and touched his arm. “How could you not be changed from going through such a horrible experience, Andre?”
“Just now, I think…just right now…I need quiet and books…and the companionship of a good friend. Perhaps that will be the case for a while. Can you understand?”
For a moment, Rose studied his dear face, seeing in the shadows of his eyes the emotional burden he’d described. “Icanunderstand. More than understand. I need those things, too.” She bit her lip and then sighed. A feeling of acceptance, almost a kind of peace, settled over her.
She reached out and clasped his hand. “I’m glad we can be good friends again, Andre.”
Somehow, I’ll find a way to forgive you.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
After returning from the Flanigans and missing what Delia described as a beautiful wedding, Rose and Andre settled into a comfortable partnership. They made visits to individuals and families known to have money, lots of books, or both, to encourage people to donate to the library. Although house calls weren’t her forte, being with charming Andre eased the discomfort and kept the focus on him, not her.
Cold weather descended. With Brian Bly healed, Cora returned home in time for Thanksgiving. Although her niece seemed in high spirits, something about her demeanor had changed, although Rose couldn’t put her finger on what. But since Cora didn’t confide in her, Rose could only watch and hope the young woman would eventually open up and also make good decisions.
The day before Christmas Eve, the temperature registered three degrees above freezing, and everyone battened down inside the house, only leaving when necessary. Dark clouds held snow that wouldn’t fall, and the sun, when the pale orb bothered to appear, ran a shallow arc across the sky.
Just before dusk, the clouds dropped lower, shutting out the light. Then came the snow, falling all night to blanket the town in frozen white. In the morning, fat, lazy flakes floated on the wind to the pristine ground, adding an inch an hour.
The snowfall tapered off midmorning, leaving a pristine winter wonderland, unlike anything she’d ever seen. The wind died down and the temperature rose slightly.
Rose moved from room to room to admire the different landscape views before settling in the parlor, imagining she’d ended up in the land of the Snow Queen from Hans Christian Anderson’s book, although without any of the evil mirror splinters.
A fir tree covered with silver tinsel, blown glass ornaments, and marzipan candies dominated the large room. Pine boughs lined the windows and the fireplace mantel, with glass angels and gold stars tucked among the branches.
With a fire crackling in the fireplace, a glass of eggnog and plate of gingerbread on the table next to her, and the scent of pine in the air, Rose contentedly readThe Birds’ Christmas Carole, sometimes looking up to watch the view outside the window.
Andre entered the parlor and walked over to her chair. “The day you arrived, I promised you a spin behind the Falabellas. We haven’t yet taken that drive, so today, I want to take you on a short sleigh ride with the little horses. The next two people I’d like to visit are Dale Marsden and Hester Smith, who live here in town.”
Rose had seen that tiny sled in the stable and, as relaxed as she now was with Andre, she wasn’t about to huddle with him in such a cozy space. “That’s not necessary, Andre. The day is fine enough to walk.”If one ignores the freezing chill and the foot or more of snow on the ground.
“The day is fine enough todrive,” he corrected. “Snow packs the streets. People are out in sleighs. Haven’t you heard the bells as each one goes by?”
She had heard them and wished for a sleigh ride—but in the big double-seater sleigh—where she wasn’t squished next to Andre.
“Mr. Marsden and Miss Smith are neighbors, on a street with big parcels of land. They’re about my age, and both have the most beautiful gardens. I believe there’s a bit of rivalry between them over their yards. Too bad everything’s covered in white, so you won’t see anything but trees and bushes poking through the snow.”
“I’ll enjoy seeing the gardens in the spring and summer.” She stood as if to leave the parlor.
“Once after church, I tried to engage Miss Smith in a discussion of roses, but she stuttered and fluttered and skittered off. You’d think I had leprosy or something equally horrid.”
Rose laughed at his puzzled expression. “Then why are we calling on her?”
“I’ve heard she’s a book lover.”
“And you’re hopingmypresence will make a difference?” she teased.
He flashed his charming smile. “Haven’t you noticed yet? I’malwayscounting on you to make a difference.”
Her heart did some stuttering and fluttering of its own, and since she certainly couldn’t skitter out of the room, Rose remained silent lest she stuttered over any response she uttered. Then she wished she could give in and share her silly thoughts. Years ago, they’d enjoyed playing word games.
Andre glanced down and cocked an eyebrow, obviously expecting her to respond. “Rose?”
She just shook her head and took some deep breaths until she felt level again. “Perhaps we shouldn’t visit Miss Smith until I’m introduced to her elsewhere. I don’t want her to feel cornered in her own home. I’ll ask Delia to do the honors after church this Sunday.”
“Then we’ll visit Mr. Marsden today.He, at least, Ihavespoken to. We’ve had several gardening discussions, and I’ve even given him a tour of the conservatory and showed him the plans for the park.”
