MEADOW BROOK COTTAGE (DAY 3, LETTER M)

CHAPTER 3

MEADOW BROOK COTTAGE

Goldwynn rested her palm lightly on the door and it opened a crack ! “Hello! Anyone? Hello, Bears! Lost in the woods. Can I rest here a bit before I'm on my way?” The silence was a heavy veil in the cottage. Perplexed, Goldwynn entered with trepidation.

Perhaps the Bears were out collecting honey and berries…

Meadow Brook cottage slumbered amidst the trees, its sturdy interior brick walls holding a gentle patchwork of pinks, blues, and yellows, like a basket of meadow flowers left to dream in the sun.

The air was gently perfumed with woodsy potpourri while the fireplace sighed a tired wisp from the cherry wood logs.

The Bears were here a while ago…they might return soon....

Goldwynn made her way inside.Winsome furniture crouched on the floorboards facing the fireplace. A sunflower yellow couch with plush bear pillows looked so darling. A round ivory white dining table was flaunted near a sunny window around which comfy chairs huddled. The kitchen counter was sprinkled with crumbs of raisin cookies and sticky drops of mushroom risotto…a messy affair indeed to the otherwise stark tidiness.

A grandfather clock ticked sleepily, its pendulum drooping. The setting sun was a tangerine fireball casting leaf patterns on the bare floor through the lace curtains.

Goldwynn walked over to the honey-gold wood mantel place the surface lovingly smoothed by years of polishing The photos that lounged on it were a cozy jumble of mismatched frames.

A burnished silver frame showcased Papa Koala crushing a bouquet of fragrant eucalyptus.

A rustic frame bordered by pinecones showed Mama —Coco Koala holding a wicker basket of acorns, her round glasses perched on the end of her nose.

A strand of leaf-green yarn trailed from the basket. A dainty, powder pink, lace-trimmed frame tilted precariously, showcasing Tasha Koala giggling with a straw sun hat askew, her tiny paws waving.

And in an old, ornate frame with gilt edges was a young girl with a mischievous grin, wearing a flannel dress with puffy sleeves and a ribbon in her hair. Her eyes sparkled like she'd just pocketed a handful of stars. Goldwynn drew in a sharp breath.

The girl looked like her – same spark in the eyes, same curve of the smile. But... that wasn't her. The dress, the hairstyle, the faded sepia tone... this was older. Much older. The name beneath, in a gilded plate read "Goldilocks".

A shiver skittered down her spine. Great-Grandma GOLDILOCKS!!

The one who had wandered into the woods, found the Bears' cottage, and lived with them for a spell. The one who'd brought back tales of adventures, cookies, and porridge.

Goldwynn's fingers brushed the frame, half-expecting a spark of magic. She felt a flutter in her chest. The woods had a lot to unearth. Her mysterious teleportation here!

To Be Continued....

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This post is part of the Blogchatter A2Z Challenge 2026.

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