The Brushstroke Legacy Read Free Page B

and she had coffee by herself in one of the booths. She said it gave her a bit of peace, and he enjoyed it. Up until he hit the belligerent phase several months ago and took a swing at one of the guys.
    She turned and gave her mother a hug. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “What could you do?” Tonight seemed to be one for sighing. Judy Clauson patted her daughter’s cheek. “That’s not why I wanted to talk with you two.” She dug in her pocket, then glanced over at the table. “Oh, there it is.” Indicating they should all take seats, she handed the letter to Susan first. “Read it aloud, please.” She sank into a chair as if too tired to stand.
    While Susan read, Ragni looked at her mother. She was aging while Ragni watched. Her eyes had lost their customary sparkle, and her laughter had left years ago and never returned. The way her pants bagged, she must have lost weight. If not for the heart-shaped face, it would be hard to believe she and her mother were related. Ragni tugged at her snug waistband.
    “So, what do you want us to do?” asked Susan.
    Ragni jerked her attention back to her sister, guilt digging in for a party. “Let me read it, please? Maybe I’ll get some ideas that way.”
Right, as if you heard what she said when she read it. Pay attention, Ragni!
    Dear Mrs. Clauson,
       I’ve been meaning to write for some time but just never got around to it regarding your cabin here on the LittleMissouri. The last couple of winters have been hard on it, and while I’ve covered the hole in the roof with a sheet of plywood, it really needs to be taken care of. Somehow one of the windows broke, too, and I just haven’t gotten around to fixing it. You might consider tearing it down before it collapses. You know I would gladly buy the land from you. Let me know what you decide. It’s been so long since any of you were here that I’m sure this comes as a bit of a surprise.
    Sincerely,
Paul Heidelborg
    Ragni glanced up at her mother. “This just came?”
    “Today.” Judy rubbed the knuckles on her right hand, a habit she’d adopted recently.
    “But what’s the rush?”
    “I just can’t deal with…with one more thing right now.” She glanced over her shoulder at a noise from down the hall. “I would love to go out there. I haven’t been for so long. But your father wouldn’t do well on a trip like that. He gets restless on the drive to the doctor’s office.” She started to rise, but when Susan put a hand on her arm, she sat back down—on the edge of her chair.
    “So we write to this Paul guy and tell him we’ll take care of it as soon as someone can go out there.” Ragni thought that made perfect sense.
After all, what’s the hurry?
She glanced at her mother. Was her chin quivering? She looked about to cry.
    “Ragni, think about it. When could we ever go?” Susan shook herhead. “I can’t take time away, not in the foreseeable future. And Mom can’t go, so…” They both looked to Ragni.
    No, no way.
She leaned way back in her chair, trying to escape. “I’m going to the spa and then to the shore. Remember, you both talked me into paying a fortune for the spa. You said I need this vacation to get myself back on track.”
    “You’ve always wanted to know more about Great-grandmother Ragnilda. This could be your chance.”
    “Some other time. I already paid for the spa, and it’s too late to get a refund.” Visions of peace and comfort streaked crossways behind her eyes. Ragni glanced at her mother. The knuckle-rubbing was about to take her skin off. Her mother had always been a worrier, so Ragni and Susan came by it honestly—not that either of them had perfected it to the degree their mother had. Mom could worry that she didn’t have enough to worry about.
    She had plenty now.
    I have to get over here more often
, Ragni told herself.
No matter how busy I am, she needs more help.
    “That cabin is the last thing I have of my family.” The simple statement dropped like