Twisted Roots (DeBeers 3)

Chubs didn't see her, but he immediately looked down at the floor. Mrs. Stanton hoisted her eyebrows and tucked her mouth in at the corners, releasing a small, but audible groan of despair.

The young woman started toward me. Heyden stepped up beside me protectively. The young woman stopped a few feet in front of me and shook her head. She was very pretty with an appropriate peach complexion to compliment her dazzlingly turquoise eyes. She had high cheekbones and a perfectly shaped mouth with full lips. There was a very slight cleft in her chin,

"When did you come home? Why didn't you come right upstairs to see me. Rosemary. Grandma." she said, turning to MTS. Stanton, "why didn't you tell me Rosemary was home?"

To my surprise. Mrs. Stanton replied. "She just this moment arrived. Bess."

"Where's Nolan?" Bess asked, looking around. "Isn't he back, too?"

MTS. Stanton shook her head slowly, her eyes blanketing with sadness. I looked at Heyden, whose eyes were wide with confusion. Chubs closed his and then turned slightly away. Uncle Linden looked pensive, concerned.

"Oh, well, at least Rosemary is back." Bess declared and threw her arms around me, pulling me close to her. She had the aroma of lavender about her, something that smelled like scented bath oils. I thought. Her embrace was strong. tight. I didn't struggle

against it, but looked instead at Mrs. Stanton, who now seemed on the verge of tears.

Bess finally released me and then put her hands on my shoulders to hold me away stiff-armed while she looked into my face and scowled.

You naughty, naughty girl, running off like that with your father and leaving us worried sick. I should be very, very angry with you. Rosemary. but I won't be," she said, dissolving the scowl into a soft, loving smile. "I'll be goad and I'll make sure you're not unhappy anymore."

She dropped her right hand to seize my left and turned,

"Come along with me immediately." she said. "and see what improvements I've made in your room. Come on," she urged, tugging harder,

"But I'm not Rosemary," I protested. Bess stopped, but clung tightly to my hand. She scowled again.

"Now, don't start that business again. Rosemary. You are who you are no matter what anyone tells you. Besides," she added. smiling. "why would you want to be anyone else?"

"But..."

"Tell her. Grandma."

I looked at Mrs. Stanton. She appeared to be breathing hard, her shoulders rising and falling with great effort. Whatever was happening was so terrible it was causing her to choke on her internal tears. Her face was losing color. She looked as if she might collapse.

"It's all right," I said quickly, indicating I could deal with this.

Bess didn't appear to be dangerous. She was someone who had obviously suffered some terrible emotional trauma. Years and years of nurturing Uncle Linden gave me the patience and compassion I needed for something like this. I thought, and besides. whether I wanted to admit to it or not. I was my mother's daughter.

"I'm fine, It's all right." I whispered with assurance.

Mrs. Stanton's face took on color immediately. The relief traveled up her neck and relaxed her shoulders. She looked at Bess, who was waiting anxiously for her response. She looked like she was holding her breath, in fact.

You are Rosemary," Mrs. Stanton said to me and then recited. "You are your mother's daughter, my great-granddaughter, and you should be happy here. You never have run off with your Daddy."

"See?" Bess cried, releasing her breath. "Come along." she urged again and tugged my arm as she stepped toward the doorway, "Let's not waste another moment,"

I followed her, glancing back once at Heyden, who looked frightened for me. I nodded my head to indicate I was fine and then continued to follow Bess, who rushed toward the stairway,

All I have done since the day von left is plan and plan for your return." she said as she marched up ahead of me.

Heyden was at the bottom of the stairway, looking up. Chubs moved to his side.

"I'll be all right. Get the motor home," I said.

"We'll be back as soon as we can." Heyden promised.

I continued after Bess, who was now waiting at the top of the stairway.

"I can't forgive your father for telling you a story like that. Why, anyone who looked at the both of you for only a moment would see how strong the resemblance is. Of course Nolan is your father.