“These bedrooms are over the theater, playroom, and indoor pool,” Madeline explained. “The suites on the other side are above the laundry and garage. I thought I’d put you in Seth’s suite, he can bunk up with Caleb. There’s an empty suite on the left that Ridge can stay in. Caleb will get him settled then I’ll check on him.”
They walked through the door and again Breeze was stunned. The morning sun sparkled through clean windows showcasing a large bedroom with its own sitting area and a bed bigger than her entire bedroom at home. She could see a bathroom beyond with a glass shower and jetted tub. What she would give to soak in that tub.
“It seemed Ridge was more comfortable with Caleb, but do you think he’d welcome some attention from me or be averse to it?” Madeline asked quietly.
Breeze’s gaze darted to this classy mom. “He’s pretty shy so he’ll probably act awkward, but he’ll eat it up. There’s a lady next door back home who’s always bringing us treats and such and she forces Ridge to hug her. He looks as awkward as a stripper at church, but I can tell he loves it, and needs it.”
Madeline smiled. “Have you seen many strippers at church?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Breeze liked her. “My friend Ivy, she pays her tithing in dollar bills.”
“Oh, my.” Madeline chuckled. “Okay. Rachel will bring you in some clothes. I’ll have Seth come get his junk out of here. He told me you’d be coming so we’ve already had the maid service freshen the bathroom and change the sheets. I had them leave bath salts, lotions, and hair products for you on the counter. Feel free to take your time, take a bath, whatever you want. Are you okay with Cosette finding your scent?”
So Seth had known he’d talk her into coming, even after she ran from him last night? That rankled her ego, but this all felt too much like a dream to be upset with him.
“Oh, yes,” she told Seth’s mom. “That’d be a dream. I’ve always wanted to buy one of their perfume bottles. Just a small one, I’m not greedy,” she hastened to add. “I smell them every six months when I drive all the way to Logan for supplies at the Wal-Mart.”
Madeline looked her over. “Have you had a hard life, sweetheart?”
Breeze shrugged. She’d heard people say how “hard” she and Ridge had it, but where she came from, nobody was affluent or famous like these people, and everybody pitched in and helped everybody through their trials. Maybe if Breeze was a little more comfortable with accepting help, things wouldn’t be quite so tight for her and Ridge. Even being here and having these people be so generous with her rubbed her the wrong way. She wanted to be gracious. If only she’d been trained on how to do that.
“I’ve worked hard and raised Ridge on my own so I guess some would say that’s hard.”
Madeline looked proud of her. “That’s impressive.”
Breeze wanted that look to continue. “In my time off I’m getting my degree and going to be a teacher soon.”
“Good for you. What do you do for work now?”
“I’m a reading specialist at the grade school near my house and a waitress at Joe’s Café every night but Sunday.”
“Two jobs?”
Breeze shrugged. “I had to get Ridge through school. He’s brilliant wrenching on everything but especially with motorcycles and snowmobiles. Sadly, he’s an idiot with money and drugs and gambling.”
“I’m glad he has you. Some kids just have to find their spot, see the darkness to know how good the light feels.”
“It doesn’t seem like any of your perfect kids have struggled.” Maybe she shouldn’t have said that, or at least not let her voice be quite so full of envy.
Madeline shrugged. “Everybody struggles in their own ways. Seth and Caleb have blown up half this town and it’s a wonder that they haven’t hurt anybody or been arrested. Eve ran away to Vegas and married some jerk who got her pregnant and then dumped her. Cosette struggles with social situations, lost her mom a year ago, and she and Isaac were almost killed by her ex-fiancé.” She drew a breath and continued, “Jade hates her parents and it was hard for her to trust anyone, including Joshua. Joshua was almost ruined by a girl in college and didn’t trust anyone, until Jade. Luke thought he got his high school girlfriend pregnant and yet was broken-hearted tonotbe a teenage father. Mar has no family, grew up in foster care, and though she fakes confidence and is very impressive, it hasn’t been easy for her to be successful.”
“Mar?” Breeze’s jaw was hanging open now in shock. In her mind, this family was perfect, and she could hardly believe the list of troubles they’d each had, but most especially Mar. There was no way someone as put-together and amazing as Mar could have a rough past like Breeze.
Madeline put a gentle hand on her arm. “I don’t tell you any of this to disparage my family. Of course I think they’re brilliant, inspiring, and beautiful, but everyone goes through hard things, Breeze. It sounds like you’ve had to be strong and independent your entire life. I’m proud of you and I don’t want you to feel intimidated by anyone, even this perfect family of mine.” She grinned as if they shared a secret.
Breeze was still too shocked to respond.
Madeline removed her hand and turned toward the door. “I’ll let you have some time to relax and clean up. Rachel will be in with clothes and Cozy with your scents. I hope you feel comfortable here, sweetheart.” She gave her one more smile and then left.
“Th-thank you,” Breeze called through the open door.
“You’re welcome,” she heard back.
Breeze looked around at the gorgeous room. It was clean and spacious. How in the world did Seth’s beautiful mom expect a redneck like her to feel comfortable here? She walked around, staring out the huge windows at the thick forest and looking for evidence that this was indeed Seth’s room. In the closet she found his clothes hanging, shoes lined up, and drawers full of his stuff. She noticed a t-shirt hanging over the clothes hamper. Grabbing it, she lifted it to her nose and let out a soft sigh. It smelled like his intriguing cologne.
She walked back out into the main area of the suite. She couldn’t take a bath until Rachel brought her clothes, so she reasoned that she’d simply enjoy this smell and how close she felt to Seth just by holding his shirt.
A soft rap on the partially opened door made her jump.