Crimson Highway by David Wickenhauser (brene brown rising strong TXT) 📗

she had to admit that Hugh’s little sister definitely seemed like the real deal—a very sweet kid.

Mary went to a closet, and pulled down a beautiful flannel nightgown. She held it up to Jenny for size. “Perfect,” she said.

And Jenny had to agree that it was as if it were made for her.

Mary then went around her room, drawing things out of her closet and dresser drawers.

With Jenny’s hands full of just about everything Mary thought Jenny might need, Mary guided her toward the guest bedroom. Martha was in there already, turning on lights, and arranging pillows and covers.

“Hi, Jenny. This room has its own bathroom already stocked with brand new toothbrushes, and everything else you might need,” Martha said.

“Thank you, Martha. I just don’t know what to say. I’m overwhelmed by your kindness … all of you,” Jenny said, looking at Mary as well.

“You’re welcome Jenny. For as long as you are here, we’ll refer to this as ‘Jenny’s Room,’” Martha said.

“Thank you,” Jenny replied, barely able to hold back her tears.

Martha and Mary turned to leave. Then Martha hesitated, and turned back.

In a quieter voice than what she had been using, Martha said, “I’m sorry Jenny, I just have to ask.”

Jenny nodded.

“Things are awfully strained between you two. Has my son hurt you in any way? Are you … OK?” Martha left the “OK” part open to interpretation.

“Oh, Martha, no,” Jenny cried. She literally cried. “Your son is the most wonderful man I have every known,” she said, tears pouring from her eyes, and sobs coming with the words. “I am the one who has hurt him. I hurt him so bad …” She couldn’t finish her words. Crying was all she could do.

Martha took Jenny in her motherly arms, and Mary joined them. They hugged her, letting her cry until she didn’t need to cry any more.

“You know what, Jenny?” Martha said, stroking Jenny’s hair. “Everything is going to be alright. You are with us now. Whatever it is, we’ll fix it.”

Jenny nodded her thanks, believing her.

“Good night, dear. Sleep in as long as you need to. We’ll see you in the morning,” Martha said, then gently closed the door behind her.

Jenny just stood there for several moments, emotionally drained. She could not remember when was the last time she had cried like that. And especially when was the last time she had cried in the arms of a loving mother. She realized now that it was something she had been needing for a long, long time.

When she had gathered herself together, she put down the clothes and other things that she had been holding, and took a look around her room. It was an extremely pleasant room that was very nicely appointed. It was the guest bedroom, so it was neither a boy’s room, nor a girl’s room.

"Well, look at that," she said quietly to herself, as she glanced over the titles on the single bookshelf of reading materials that were available for the guests. There, sure enough, was a Dale Brown hardback novel. She pulled it off the shelf and opened it to the first blank page. Inside, was penned, “To Hugh, best of wishes to you, Dale Brown.”

She then went into the bathroom. Like the bedroom, it was thoughtfully supplied with all the amenities that a guest might need who had showed up with nothing of his or her own.

She decided to take a shower, so she went back into the bedroom, and collected the things that she would need from what Mary had given her. Dear, sweet, thoughtful Mary. What an incredible family.

She went into the bathroom, and took off her clothes. When the shower temperature was just right she stepped in, luxuriating at how good the hot stream of water felt. It had been ages since she had been able to take a good, long, private shower somewhere other than at a truck stop.

Then, with thoughts of guilt over how she had so deeply hurt a man who had come from such a wonderful family, her emotions began to well up in her again. With the shower water coursing down over her head and shoulders, she leaned with both hands against the shower wall and let her body heave with more huge, wracking sobs.

Finally, all spent, she turned off the shower, dried off, put on the flannel nightgown and climbed into the bed.

The bed, like everything else in this dream house, was perfect—perfectly comfortable. For the first time in a long, long time she felt safe, loved, and relaxed. Her last thought before drifting off to sleep cocooned within the soft sheets and thick down comforter, was that she was definitely going to make things right with the man she loved.

Jenny woke to perfect silence. The huge log structure absorbed sound. None of the outside noises, nor anything going on inside the house downstairs made it upstairs to her room.

She made herself presentable in her bathroom, and then donned the clothes that Mary had selected for her. The blue jeans fit perfectly, and the knit pullover top was fashionable, yet practical for doing casual things around the ranch.

She admired the look in her full-length mirror. We could be twin sisters, she thought, and she certainly appreciated Mary’s taste in clothes.

Jenny descended the stairs, fully expecting to see the family assembled around the breakfast table. Instead, all she saw was Martha, who was just finishing up the morning dishes.

“Well, good morning, young lady,” Martha greeted her warmly. “I saved some breakfast for you. Do you eat breakfast?”

“I’m starved, thank you,” Jenny said. “But, I don’t want to be any trouble. I see everybody else has already been here and gone.”

“It’s no trouble, dear. Hugh hasn’t come down yet, either.”

That bit of news surprised, Jenny, as she knew that Hugh