Page 15 of The Birchwood House

Audrey squeezed her friend’s hand. “Don’t give up,” she told her. “Robert loves you. You’re right, marriage is really tough. But I know the two of you can get back to a good place again.”

Penelope smiled, nodding. “You’re right. I should be more positive about the whole thing. But enough about me! You’re the one running from actual troubles. We’re going to get you all glammed up today and then we’re going to have so much fun in the coming days. How long are you in town?”

Audrey grinned. “I have no intention of leaving at any point. My daughter Michelle and I moved in with my mom, into the mansion. Now that I’m back home, I can feel it in my bones that I’m never going to want to move again.”

Penelope did a comical dance of happiness which made Audrey chuckle. “That’s amazing news! I can’t wait to get toknow Michelle.” She grinned. “Honestly, I’m so thrilled that you’ve moved back. It’ll be just like old times.”

“It will. And I’ll never go to another hairdresser again—this is looking fantastic.”

“Do you like it?” Penelope seemed pleased. “Taking a little weight off is letting your curls bounce more. And you’ll want to keep straightening these bangs, but it won’t be too much work. You look very chic.”

Audrey smiled at her reflection as Penelope snipped away at her hair, putting the finishes touches on a haircut that she had to admit did truly look elegant.

I feel like a new woman,she thought eagerly.And I look like one too.

“There,” Penelope said finally, with a triumphant huff of air. “You’re all done. Ladies and gentlemen, the new Audrey.”

Audrey turned her head from side to side, inspecting her reflection and absolutely loving it. “Penelope, this is fantastic,” she said, feeling thrilled. “I guess I did need a makeover after all. I love this. Thank you so much.”

“Of course!” Penelope beamed at her. “I’m more than happy to do it. You deserve a pick-me-up like this after what you’ve been through.”

“Well, I’m grateful. And don’t be a stranger! Let’s get together soon, okay?”

Penelope smiled. “I’d love that. I can’t wait to catch up more and plan something fun for us to do.”

The friends exchanged another warm hug and Audrey left the beauty parlor, feeling a spring in her step. She felt light with happiness, and she was looking forward to seeing Penelope again. Even more than that, she was looking forward to returning to the mansion and showing her mother and daughter her fabulous new hairstyle.

She was halfway back to the mansion, enjoying the luscious spring weather and the charming sights of Corals Sands, when she caught sight of a man walking along on the opposite side of the street. He was staring at a clipboard as he walked, looking as though he might be in danger of running into one of the trees that bordered the sidewalk.

Audrey slowed down and stared at him. She was about to cry out, “Look out for that tree!” when he expertly side-stepped it and continued on his way without breaking his pace in the slightest.

“Huh,” she said, laughing a little, and then in the next instant she realized that the man was Evan McBride, the mayor. Although he was on the other side of the street, she could make out his features clearly—and she could also see that he had another deep frown on his face.

He looks as cross and as busy as ever,she thought, watching him for a moment before forcing herself to look away. She didn’t want him to turn in her direction and catch her staring at him.

She felt a sudden strong impulse to walk across the street so that she’d be in his pathway. She felt an urge to walk past him and flaunt her new hairstyle.

Oh, don’t be silly, Audrey,she thought a second later, shaking her head at herself.You don’t even know the man! Besides, considering he didn’t even look up at that tree, he’s hardly likely to pay attention to your hairstyle.

Still, she watched Evan for a few more minutes, both interested and somewhat amused by the way he seemed utterly focused on the clipboard in his hands.

She thought again about the way she’d spilled coffee all over his papers and she huffed a little laugh when she remembered his expression. She watched him for a few more seconds until he turned a corner and disappeared out of sight.

Shaking her head at herself, she started on her way again, looking forward to returning home to her mother and daughter.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Michelle dropped her cleaning rag as a huge sneeze overtook her.

“ACHOO!” She blinked and sniffled, wiping her nose yet again with the tissue that she kept stuffing back into her pocket.

She was in one of the upstairs rooms of the mansion, starting to tackle the shroud of dust that was at least seven years thick. She didn’t blame her grandmother at all for not keeping every room in the house clean, but the dust had gotten to the point where cleaning it up was decidedly daunting.

Still, I’ve been enjoying this, she thought, looking around with a smile.I feel like I’m an archeologist, discovering some old long-buried treasure.

She laughed softly and went back to scrubbing the dust off the brass headboard of the old bed. Even though she’d never felt more congested in her life—barring the times she’d been sick with a cold—she felt a kind of joy as she worked. Ever since she’d come to Coral Sands, something inside her had brightened. She felt more optimistic about her future than she ever had before, as if all of the beauty surrounding her made her certain that her life would be beautiful too.

Maybe that’s why I like this so much,she thought, wiping her nose again.I’m making this room beautiful, just like how I’m determined to make my life beautiful.