Page 48 of The Pink House

“Let’s walk.” Maisie slipped her arm around Hannah’s.

Hannah was about to say the path was too narrow for them to stroll side by side, but then she saw that wasn’t the case. An opening as wide as a bike trail lay before them.

“Regret is a funny thing.” Maisie paused by a tree to sniff a cluster of maroon flowers. A smile curved her lips as she straightened. “The scent is heavenly.”

Though Hannah wanted to push, impatient for Maisie to answer her questions, she thought of how she’d vowed to take time to appreciate not only the people in her life, but the beauty around her.

Bending close, she inhaled deeply, then glanced over at Maisie. “You’re right. The fragrance is amazing.”

Maisie offered an approving smile. “You’re learning.”

Hannah pushed the hair that had fallen forward back from her face and offered a tentative smile. “I don’t understand.”

“Regret encompasses so much. It can be about something we’ve done or, like with your husband, something left undone. Whatever the regret, I believe the benefit is in what it teaches us. Hopefully, we learn and move on, wiser than before.”

“Brian wished he’d taken time to share with me some activities he’d done as a boy,” Hannah confided.

Bolstered by Maisie’s encouraging smile, Hannah continued. “They were such simple things—eating a snowball at the Frederick County Fair, fishing in Pigeon Creek and swimming in Devil’s Bathtub.”

“I haven’t thought of Devil’s Bathtub in years.” Maisie chuckled. “Does Merle still have No Trespassing signs posted everywhere?”

Hannah smiled. “He does. But he let Charlie and me swim there.”

Maisie arched a brow. “Charlie?”

“Charlie Rogan. He was Brian’s best friend.”

“Did you enjoy your swim?”

Hannah couldn’t stop the smile. “I can’t recall the last time I had so much fun.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. It’s often the simplest things that give us the most pleasure.” Maisie’s expression turned wistful. “Like sitting in front of a roaring fire or enjoying a meal and conversation with a friend or someone you love.”

An image of the lasagna she and Charlie had enjoyed had Hannah nodding. Then she refocused.

“What’s strange is the activities Brian mentioned weren’t ones I’d think he would particularly enjoy.” Hannah felt her breath hitch. “I admit it made me wonder for a second if I knew my husband at all.”

“People are constantly changing and growing.” Though Maisie’s hand didn’t move, Hannah swore she felt Maisie stroke her arm. “That may be why teenage Brian liked things that you can’t imagine the man you married doing. It’s also why you often have little in common with those who were once your childhood friends, while those who weren’t your friends growing up suit you now.”

“I’m reaching out to some friends from high school and hoping to get together with them in the next few weeks.” Hannah blew out a breath. “It’s anyone’s guess how that will go.”

“You’re putting yourself out there.” Maisie’s tone turned matter-of-fact. “If it works out, great. If not, you made the effort. No regrets.”

“I never thought about it in those terms.” Hannah stared curiously at her. "Thanks for the insight.”

A pleased look blanketed Maisie’s face.

“Imparting wisdom gained through experience is a…” Maisie paused. “It’s my pleasure.”

A comfortable silence descended, and Hannah was the first to break it. “Since the activities seemed important to Brian, I decided I would do them all. I hope they’ll make me feel close to him.”

“Did visiting Devil’s Bathtub do that?”

Shaking her head, Hannah tried not to think of how close she’d felt to Charlie. “I tried a snowball at the fair, too. I’m still deciding if I’ll try fishing. Charlie also mentioned that he and Brian did a lot of camping.”

“Embracing new experiences will allow you to stretch in directions that will help you get to know yourself better.” Maisie’s tone softened. “Take advantage of these opportunities. I didn’t always do that, and like your husband, I discovered that life is fleeting, and time is a gift.”

Hannah nodded. If the past two years had taught her anything, it was that life came with no guarantees. She cast a look around as she continued to stroll down the strange wide path with Maisie. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve searched these woods looking for you and the pink house.”

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