Read Online The Silver Rose by Rowena May O'Sullivan - Free Book Online

Creek.”
    Rosa rolled her eyes as she witnessed Alanna’s ego inflate, her eyes filling with no small amount of pride.
    Beth moved back into the tiny kitchen to check on the meal and joined the conversation. “We’re all obsessed, really. It’s not just Alanna. I’m crazy about embroidering and weaving tapestries and Rosa with herbal potions, the gallery, and her silver jewelry.”
    â€œMostly Rosa’s obsessed with us,” Alanna interjected. “Telling us what to do. How to live our lives. Yada, yada, yada.”
    Rosa wasn’t about to let her get away with that one. “I do no such thing. I merely point out the pros and cons. I like to make considered decisions.”
    â€œNever mind us,” Beth told Aden when Alanna and Rosa glared daggers at each other. “The world of responsibility was placed on Rosa far too early. Our parents died young, and she took over the mantle of parent. She grew up too fast. We all did, but it was hardest on Rosa. She had to work on keeping us together as a family unit. On convincing the authorities not to remove us from the family home.”
    â€œTell Aden our life story, why don’t you?” Rosa interjected. She moved swiftly to change the subject. Beth was far too open and trusting. But Aden surprised her by saying, “I can’t imagine what that was like for you all. As far as I can tell, she’s succeeded. You’re all still together and acting just as family do.”
    Rosa wondered what Aden’s family was like if he thought this bickering was normal. “Alanna’s just pissed she didn’t get the dolphin.”
    Alanna stuck her fists on her hips. “I never get pissed!”
    Beth and Rosa erupted into gales of laughter, and it must have been catching, as Aden joined in also. “I think I’m going to enjoy my stay in Raven’s Creek.”
    â€œMe too.” Alanna winked. “Especially when I get my one-off silver dragon.”
    â€œWe’ll see,” Aden acquiesced. “I’m not promising anything until I’m sure I can deliver. My work takes time, and I won’t relinquish a single piece until I’m one hundred percent happy. And what about you, Beth? What do you want?”
    â€œWooden spoon earrings,” Rosa joked, but she already knew what Beth would ask for.
    â€œI love fairies,” Beth told him as she headed back into the kitchen. “But I don’t expect you to make me anything at all.”
    Beth’s comment was typical. She was the exact opposite of Alanna. Soft, gentle and quiet. There wasn’t a greedy bone in her entire body.
    â€œEarrings!” Alanna thumbed an earlobe. “I want earrings too.”
    Rosa just shook her head.
Goddess, what were you thinking when you put the three of us together in the same family!
“Don’t feel compelled to make anything,” she told Aden.
    â€œI won’t,” he responded. “But you’ve all made me feel so welcome.” He winked at Rosa, and she flushed guiltily as they both knew it wasn’t true. “I’m not promising anything, but I’ll do my best to accommodate you all.”
    â€œThat’s all we can ask,” Beth said with a soft smile when Aden wandered into the kitchen. She placed a wooden spoon in his hand. “Make yourself useful. Give that pot over there a stir.”
    Rosa stood alongside Alanna and popped pistachios into her mouth one after the other while they watched the famous silversmith stir a figure eight in a pot.
    â€œWould you look at that? He might be able to work precious metals but the way he’s handling that spoon defies gravity.” A few wines and the tension of today had eased Rosa’s suspicions somewhat, and she was actually beginning to think just maybe it would be okay for Aden to be in their circle.
    â€œGoddess knows how he’ll fit in the studio next door,” Alanna ruminated. “But