After going to the bathroom and changing into her sweats, Ronnie crawled into bed. “You sure you won’t fall asleep?” she mumbled groggily while arranging her pillows.
“No, I’ve had so much coffee I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.” Rose held her arm out. “Come here, let me hold you.” Soon Ronnie was nestled against her chest. “That’s right,” she began stroking the long black hair. “You rest and let me worry about you for a change.”
Rose was humming softly and gently rubbing her sleeping companion’s back when she heard the car pull into the driveway. Her eyes closed slowly with the realization that it was now Monday and in less than a minute Maria was going to walk through the door, completely unaware of the previous evening’s events. She looked over at Ronnie and knew she could not wake her for this.
“I’ll take care of it,” she whispered before slipping out from under and placing a gentle kiss on the sleeping woman’s shoulder.
She entered the kitchen just as Maria was closing the sliding glass door. “Oooh, that wind,” the housekeeper said as she removed her coat. She turned and realized she was not alone. “Oh, good morning, Rose. Is that Susan’s car in the driveway?” At that same moment she noticed the halfempty coffeepot and the newspapers strewn about the table.
“Yes.”
“Rose, what’s going on? Where’s Ronnie?”
“She’s sleeping. Maria, please come sit down.” Rose leaned her crutches against the island and pulled out a chair.
“Why is Susan here? Are the boys all right? Did something happen to Jack? Is…”
“No, they’re fine. Please sit down.” Rose let out a breath and waited for the housekeeper to take a seat before sitting down herself.
“You’re scaring me. What happened?” Maria’s voice was full of worry. Rose felt her throat tighten even before she spoke. “I wish there was an easy way to tell you this.” Realizing her words were only making the older woman more upset, she took a deep breath and continued.
“Tommy was killed in an auto accident last night.”
Like a mirror shattering, Maria’s face lost all composure and she broke down into tears. As she did with Ronnie, Rose took the grieving woman in her arms and comforted her. The housekeeper allowed the contact for a few minutes before standing up and wiping her eyes. “Well then, I believe there are things I should be doing.” She walked over to the coffee maker. “I’m sure a fresh pot would be in order.”
“Maria, you don’t have to do that.”
The older woman turned and looked at her. “Rose, I am not a Cartwright. Ronnie says I’m the housekeeper but that does not make me family. I remember when her father passed away. I worked for that man for twenty-five years and on the day of his funeral I was here making sure there was enough food for the people who were going to be arriving after the graveside service.”
“That’s awful,” Rose gasped. “Ronnie wouldn’t give you the day off?”
“Ronnie wasn’t in charge then, her mother was.” Maria poured the coffee into the sink and turned on the faucet. “She said she needed me here to take care of everything for her. What was I supposed to do?”
“I’m sure Ronnie won’t expect you to work.” She hobbled forward another step and spoke in a lower voice. “Beatrice is here too.”
“Well then, she’ll be expecting hot tea when she comes down.” Maria opened the cupboard and fished out the teapot. “What time are you going to wake Ronnie up?”
“I figured I’d give her another half-hour or so. She was up all night.”
“Hmm, Beatrice usually wakes up by eight. You probably should wake Ronnie once the coffee is ready.” Rose nodded in agreement. It would not be a good thing to wake her companion up and then make her face her mother immediately.
Maria followed Rose into the room and set the steaming cup of coffee on the nightstand. “I’ll start breakfast for the boys. I’m sure they’ll be up soon.”
“Thank you. We will be out in a few minutes,” she said, her eyes never leaving the sleeping woman. Once she heard the click of the door closing, Rose leaned her crutches against the wall and laid down next to her companion. She propped herself up on one elbow and looked down, silently wishing she did not have to wake Ronnie. Even in sleep the executive’s face showed the signs of grief. Closed eyes still showed the puffiness of crying and there was no peacefulness in the chiseled features. “Ronnie? Time to wake up, Hon.”
“Hmm?” Eyes that did not get enough sleep opened with momentary confusion. “What time is it?”
“About quarter of eight,” the young woman replied. Ronnie groaned and sat up.
“I guess I’d better get up then. I have a busy day ahead of me.” Her eyes widened at the sight of her coffee being handed to her. “Oh, thanks.” She took a sip and smiled appreciatively. “I needed this.” She took another sip, then looked at Rose quizzically. “Did you make this?”
“Maria did.”
“Oh God, Maria.” Ronnie put her hand to her mouth. “I have to…”
“I took care of it for you,” Rose said in a low tone, her eyes betraying just how difficult it had been for her to be the bearer of bad news.
“Come here.” The tall woman leaned her back against the headrest and held her right arm out.
“But you have things to do,” she said, although there was nothing more in the world she wanted to do at that moment than curl up in Ronnie’s arms.
“I can spare a minute.” Sad blue eyes looked at Rose. “I really need to hold you.” Careful not to spill the coffee, they snuggled up together, the blonde head resting against the executive’s chest.
“Thank you.”
“If there is anything I can do…”
“You’re doing it right now,” Ronnie said, pressing her lips against Rose’s head. “I just need a few minutes of peace with you before I go out there and face anyone.” She took another sip of coffee and began idly stroking the honey hair. “There are going to be hundreds of people going in and out for the next few days. Tabitha will be spending a lot of time in the laundry room.” She nuzzled her cheek against the soft hair then took another drink. “If Jack and Susan stay, would you help keep the boys occupied? They like playing video games with you.”
“Of course, Ronnie. Anything you need.” As much as she didn’t want to, Rose pulled away from the embrace. “I had better go back out there and see if Maria needs any help. Besides, I’m sure you want to get dressed before everyone wakes up.”
“Maria? She didn’t go home?”
“No, she’s making breakfast.”
“Tell her she can go home. She doesn’t have to work today.” Ronnie was surprised to receive a quick hug. “What was that for?”
“I knew you wouldn’t make her work.”
“Of course not. How could I expect her to work after this?”
“Your mother did when your father died.” She watched Ronnie’s jaw tense.
“I’m not like my mother,” she said tersely. She flung the covers back and stood up. “Rose, would you mind telling Maria?”