Authors: Melanie Greene
Retreat to Love (28 page)
Now she fixed her eyes on me, “Do you think it came to you by accident? You weren’t seeking anything like this, you were off secluding yourself for your work, and the knowledge found its way to you. You were fated to be the messenger, because you were the one she was most receptive to hearing it from. You didn’t kill your Gran, love.”
Sentimental hippie foolishness. But the stranglehold on my solar plexus loosened, and I could once again take a deep cleansing breath.
“Come on.” Bernadette took my arm in hers. “I’m showing you our secret fishing hole.”
Like I didn’t know where the secret fishing hole was. Just cause I hated fishing didn’t mean I wouldn’t accompany Pappa on his clandestine trips down there. I wouldn’t gut the poor creatures, but for a few youthful years, I’d eat them once they were charred over Pappa’s fire.
We went anyway. It was probably somebody’s backyard, now, but who cared. It was still peaceful. I climbed into the crook of the live oak, while Bernadette found a long stick and poked around the water. “There are still some mud puppies down here, if nothing else.”
“Jordie-cat used to always bring those back for Gran.”
“I remember. His mama used to do the same thing.”
We watched the water, listened to the wind in the trees. Communed.
“Bernadette?”
“Yes?”
“She told you the whole thing?”
She nodded. “On the Monday, I think. When we had lunch.”
“How was she?”
“Oh, goodness. She was upset some, but she was okay. Calm.”
And Bernadette told me about their lunch, and about Gran’s upset that Pappa had been severed from his family at the whim of his sister, and how secretly—she was laughing at herself about this, by then—she was glad of it because if Pappa had known his son was living in Ireland, he’d have returned, and Gran would not have had him herself. I nodded at the truth about Gran and Pappa I could see.
We got back to the house, and found separate bathrooms to wash our splotchy faces. I’d missed a message: “Ash love, check your email, see what you think. I’ll call you later.”
Bernadette said, “You’re sure about this moving with him thing, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
“But so far away?”
“Now you sound like Frank.” I looked from the screen to her. “You know, you’ve always wanted to see the Grand Canyon. And the hiking out there is supposed to be fantastic.”
We smiled at each other and dabbed at our eyes as I clicked on the links and photos Caleb had sent me. The first three places were fine, nothing bad but nothing great. The next one though, made Bernadette gasp.
“Oh, Ash. Click over there,” she pointed to the pics of the rooms. I enlarged them, and one by one we scrolled through the big open living area, the three bedrooms with great light, and the garden with a pinion tree in the middle and a small fish pond in the corner.
I looked at my mom. At the shot of an eat-in kitchen with walls three shades lighter than Gran’s kitchenette set. Back at my mom. “So? What do you think?”
“Ashlyn.” She closed her hand over mine. “I think he’s found your home.”
Ashlyn and Caleb’s story has been a part of my life for so many years, and it’s such a joy to bring it to the world at last. Without my grandmothers, the one a Texan, the other an immigrant, Ashlyn’s world would lack color and depth. I miss them both, but I know they would both be proud that I’m flying after my own dreams.
Jennifer and Jennifer, my sisters, know when to comfort and when to light a fire. Jen W in particular inspired me to never stop seeking the creative life I craved. Thank you for saying such nice things about this novel. My godmother Charlotte, my mom Karen, and my friend Karen all gave me background on their sculpture, sewing, and photography. Thank you for letting me pick your brains! Mom, you raised me without suspecting I would end up stealing your button jars; I can only repay you with my thanks.
R, D, K: nothing about my life as a writer would exist without my life as your wife and mom.
Melanie Greene is a native Houstonian. She shares her life with her hometown hunk of a husband and children so amazing they defy superlatives.
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Also by Melanie Greene
The Roll of the Dice Series:
RETREAT TO LOVE.
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2015 by Melanie Greene.
This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the author. For information, contact Melanie Greene at
www.melaniegreene.com
First edition: March 2015
Retreat to Love/by Melanie Greene
ISBN: 978-1-941967-06-5
Cover Design by The Killion Group
www.thekilliongroupinc.com