When We Found Home. Susan Mallery

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      “I only had a few days to get your room ready,” Carmen said. “If you want to make changes, go ahead. I have no idea if you like my taste or not.”

      The bedroom was huge, maybe twenty by twenty, with big floor-to-ceiling windows. The walls were cream except for the dark gray wall behind the bed. The head and footboards were upholstered in cream, the bedspread was the same color with a woven gold pattern in the center. The cream-and-gold color theme continued with a fuzzy cream rug. Dark wood accents—the dresser, the legs of the ottoman and the chair in the corner—added contrast. The nightstands were mirrored with glass-based lamps.

      Callie had never been in a five-star hotel in her life. Come to think of it, she’d only ever stayed at a Quality Inn, her first two nights in Houston, but if she had to guess, she would say this was what a five-star hotel room looked like.

      Carmen showed her the big bathroom with a long vanity and a separate tub and walk-in shower. There was a closet nearly the size of her rented room and a second room attached to the first.

      “Malcolm uses his spare room as an office,” Carmen told her. “I set up Keira’s as a living space.” She smiled. “I went brighter with her colors. Again, if you want to change any of this, please let me know.”

      The color theme continued. There were two sofas and a chair, all upholstered in cream, another tufted ottoman, plenty of small tables, floor lamps and a fun faux-fur throw rug done in a gold-and-white zebra print.

      “I’m overwhelmed,” Callie admitted. “Thank you so much for all of this.”

      “You’re welcome.” Carmen pointed to her right. “Keira’s room is next to yours.” She waved toward the left. “Malcolm’s room is beyond the staircase. Your grandfather sleeps on the first floor. The stairs are more difficult for him these days. I have a suite of rooms on the third floor. Please make yourself comfortable, explore the house. You’re welcome in the kitchen anytime you’d like. I keep a running grocery list. Just tell me what you’d like and I’ll get it.”

      “I’ll do that,” Callie promised as her head began to throb. She just wanted to be alone and try to figure out how to process all of it.

      “Then I’ll leave you to get settled. Dinner is at six thirty. Just come downstairs and turn right.” She paused. “Your grandfather is very happy you’re here.”

      Good to know, Callie thought, not sure how she felt about her new circumstances, but determined to be polite. She followed Carmen to the hallway and thanked her again before shutting the bedroom door. She felt her legs start to give way but forced herself to keep moving. She sat on the bed, then turned on the nightstand lamps before checking out the tray Carmen had brought only to be overwhelmed once again.

      There was a large antipasto plate filled with slices of several kinds of cheese and meat. There were olives and almonds and walnuts, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. Crusty rolls sat on a smaller plate next to a ramekin of butter. A third plate contained a half dozen different kinds of cookies. S-shaped and pinwheels, frosted lemon drop cookies and chocolate-dipped butter cookies.

      Even as her stomach growled, she honestly wasn’t sure she could eat a bite. Not with her whole body fighting the need to bolt.

      She ignored the food but sipped the tea as she checked out the big closet and saw there were more drawers there, along with built-in shelves and racks for her shoes. Back in the bedroom she found the remote for the television on the dresser, then walked into the huge bathroom.