But then, he was slowly gauging the turmoil of her bedroom and she knew the moment was gone. Regan had always kept a messy bedroom. She made sure it was picked up when he paid his house calls, but he’d been in Denver at a medical convention for the past four days and just returned last night. While he was gone, the clutter had gotten away from her.
“Regan, I love you, but if there was a fire or some other catastrophe, you’d trip and possibly kill yourself before you could get out.”
“You sound like my aunt and my sister.”
“Obviously two smart women.”
Regan knew she didn’t have a leg to stand on; never had her entire life. Her usual way of dealing with the lectures about her messiness was to promise to do better, and she would. However, as time passed, she reverted to her old ways as did her room.
“Consider this. Our daughter believes you walk on water.”
Regan smiled. “You know how much I love her.”
“I do. She’s beginning to mimic the way you walk, talk, ride. Anna is six. Suppose she begins to mimic—this?” He gestured towards the room. “At her age, if there was a fire, she’d never get out.”
Regan froze. The idea of Anna losing her life in such a horrendous manner would be heartbreaking and no doubt kill her and Colt. “You’re right.”
“I’m heading over to Odell’s. His gout’s acting up.”
“Okay.” After his departure, she cleaned her room.
When he returned a few hours later, he stuck his head in to let her know he was back and she asked, “Better?”
“Yes. I just worry about your safety.”
“I know, and you’re right about what might happen during a fire.”
“I wasn’t trying to patronize you or speak to you like a child.”
“I know but I’d keep this room much cleaner if you moved in with me. And if you say something plumb dumb about husbands and wives not sharing bedrooms, I will—not sure what I’ll do—but it will be something.”
He smiled.
“My aunt and uncle share their bedroom, so it’s not a far-fetched idea. I like waking up with you beside me, Colt.”
“I like that, too, and I’ve wanted to ask you about moving in, but it isn’t something I’m familiar with. My mother and father never shared this room. Adele and I never shared a bedroom.”
“Why didn’t Adele move in here?”
He sighed.
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to pry.”
“The problem was Minnie. She thought Adele might catch my mother’s cancer.”
“Can you catch cancer?”
He shook his head. “No, but Minnie was convinced it was in the walls, the floors, and rather than be browbeaten about it, Adele slept in the other room.”
“I’m glad Minnie’s gone.”
“So am I. It’s curious that she didn’t leave any instructions about her house though. No one seems to know if she wants it sold or rented out or what.”
Regan didn’t care about Minnie. “Back to you sharing this room with me. Will you?”
“I’d love to.” He looked around. “Is there space for my wardrobe, or will it have to be outside on the porch? You do own enough things to start your own store.”
“Be nice. We can put it over by the fireplace or by the door to the washroom, or wherever suits you.”