Chapter 11
The next couple of days flew by quickly. The men worked diligently down at the woodshop and the women in the sewing room. Peg and Mary despite their ages kept up with the younger women. Intermixed with the sewing was the housekeeping, decorating and cooking meals.
Peggy looked out the sewing room window at the graying skis. She frowned, “It’s a good thing that Peter and Meg looked over the old Hardwick place yesterday afternoon. Another Northeaster is moving in.”
Mary nodded, “The visitors at the Appleton Inn have had more than they bargain far this Christmas. I’m amaze that they got it ready by fall.”
“Well I gave Jessie a good talking to about not taking her meds. She thought I wouldn’t find out.” Peggy chuckled.
“Not taking her meds?” Meg asked.
“She forgot to take her bp meds and drove up to the inn from Kirk after a long plane ride. She almost had a stroke. If Felica Bell hadn’t been driving to Eagle Lake to check out the old campgrounds for trouble Jess would have.” Peggy explained.
“Sounds like we have our work cut out for us around here.” Meg replied.
“Well things have improved since they closed most of the bars and clubs on Cannery row.” Julie said. “There are a few left but they’ve cleaned up their act.”
Laura listened to the gossip and smiled, “Girls, this is what real family time is all about. Abby, you will discover that you will know everything and everyone in the area to some extent. It will be either personally or though someone else.”
“I’ve already met Jill Sabor, Amy Gordon, Susan Collins and Debra Jefferson by IM. Thanks to Deb and Babs. Once they knew I was a seamstress they gave them my email addy.”
“We figure that she needed to get a good start at being a local gal.” Deb laughed.
“Well those are the right gals to start with. Peg and I have known all of them since they were in diapers.” Mary Chuckled.
Peggy laughed, “And we’ve change more than a few of them too.”
“I’m quickly learning that in a small town you can’t help but know everyone.” Gabby said. “Oh they wanted to know if they could come over on Saturday to meet me personally.”
“Why those four scamps know that they don’t need to ask.” Laura laughed.
“Well they all live at the inn and it is a nice sleigh ride from the inn to here.” Peggy said.
“Well I hope they know they are coming to work.” Sue laughed.
Gabby removed some pins from her mouth, “They know. They reminded me of it!” Gabby laughed.
“Most kids in these parts know that work comes before play.” Meg said.
Gabby stepped back from the seamstress dummy. She smiled at her handy work. The pattern had been from somewhere from 1910 to 1919. The note on the envelope said that someone named Ellie Parker had given it to her great Grandmother in 1931. The dress was as out of date as could be but Gabby wanted to try it on. It still needed a hem.
She looked at Barbara, “Babs I need your help measuring this hem.”
“Sure, go and put it on. It’s a very old style but to most girls it will look new.”
Debbie nodded, “I want one just like it. It will make a nice casual outfit.”
“I already have a customer.” Gabby laughed.
“Customer nothing, I’m making one of my own.” Debbie replied with a grin.
“Oh you will have plenty of customers once people see your work. It’s hard to believe that it’s mostly machine made.” Meg said proudly.
“On a manual machine to boot.” Mary agreed.
“Well I’m saving the butcher block pattern I made from the original pattern. I need a large envelope though.”
There are plenty in my cramped office.” Laura replied.
“Why did you sew the arms and collar by hand on the dummy?” Sue asked.
“I don’t trust myself with a machine for those.” Gabby explained, “When I get use to the manual then I will.”
Gabby went and changed into the dress. She came back in and stood on an old crate. Barbara measured the hem and put pins in to hold it. Gabby got down and went and changed back. She sat down and started sewing it. “I’m going to make a mid-length version too. One for casual affairs and one for school. I will need a new wardrobe that doesn’t say southern California all over it. One that really matches who I am.”
“You have good horse sense.” Laura said, “Well the runner is done. How are the place mats coming along?”
“I’m almost done with my quilting.” Julie replied.
“We’re done with ours. Julie, don’t forget to name and date it.” Terri reminded her.
“I’m working on that now. Another twenty minutes tops and I will be done.”
“Aunt Laurie all of ours are done.” Barbara said.
Laura smiled at the good nature banter. She felt really at home at last. The family was together and whole. She thought about Hank and how easily he made himself a part of them. She looked at her youngest second cousin. Tammy was a quick learner she had mastered needlepoint and simple embroidery already. “Tammy, you’re not bored with this?” She asked her.
“Aunt Laurie this is fun, more fun than my gameboy.” Tammy said.
The nine year old had been too young to go with them to the Meadow to look for nuts. She had found her niche and now felt like she was a part of the family. She missed not having her fraternal twin at first but now she was glad to be on her own. They had both been inseparable since both could remember; she smiled at everyone, “So when the cooking starts again what will I be doing?”
“Making sugar cookies, it’s time you learn to start cooking.” Peggy said.
“Tammy it won’t seem like work.” Gabby said.
“That reminds me, Laura you’re well enough to start some real work. You can come downstairs and help with the baking and cleaning.” Meg told her.
“Well you did say I would be ready to help with the cooking. I haven’t needed anything for my pain since yesterday.”
“Good, you have been sitting around long enough.” Mary laughed.
Laura stood up and looked around the room. She took the runner and headed to the dining room. She put the runner on the table and smiled at it. There was still more decorating to do. She looked at clock and smiled. Her family was whole and her neighbors were all doing very well. A long sabbatical would do her good. Laura was having trouble with her new novel because she couldn’t decide on which pranks to put in it.
She went into the kitchen and looked out the window. The graying skies had opened up. The snow on the field was glistening in the sun but so far they hadn’t taken Tammy and Tommy out to the field to make a snowman. The unclouding skies reminded her that the weather could change at any moment.
Tiffany joined Laura at the window, “It looks pretty out there. Laurie, I feel like I am finally back home.”
“So do I. the pictures all matched but this old place was still missing something. Once the family was here then the restoration was complete.”
Tiffany smiled, “Even pa and uncle Tom are here in spirit.”
Laura nodded, “The magic continues. Hank was feeding horses last night and he felt someone put a strong arm around his shoulders. Dad was giving Hank his blessing. Hank says that Dad and Uncle Mike were guiding his hands when he had to make the new carvings.”
“You are going to take a long time on your next novel. I can see it in your mood. You’re ready for a rest.”
“Yeah I need more time to wind down. That last tour as left me drained and a little bitter over what happened on that tour.”
“Well the sewing will be done by tonight. Mom and Aunt Mary says that tomorrow can be a rest day,”
“Good we can finish decorating the parlor. I want to take Tony and Tammy to the meadow. I think one of the reasons that those girls want to come is to go there and gather holly mistletoe and pine for wreaths. Eagle’s Lake doesn’t have much there. Those old camps will take time to recover. So which of our farms do you want to move too?”
“Mrs. Pierce’s farm. I’ve always loved that old place.”
Laura chuckled, “It’s a short walk over here. We have love over flowing here in this old place. So much magic is going on all around us.”
Tiffany hugged her cousin, “Never stop believing Laurie, I know that I won’t.”
Laura nodded, “We need to start lunch. See if that lamb loin has thawed. We need some nice hot traditional Irish stew and brown bead for supper. After lunch we‘re going out to that field and make a big snowman.”
“It should be I put it in the frig last night. So how much time did you spend at Jess’s inn?”
“All of spring-break. I was doing workshops on writing and proper grammar for the Kirk cheerleading program. Hank helped restoring some of the carriages and their sleighs. That is where he got his passenger sleigh. He finished in mid-august. They took out those old campgrounds and replanted trees and made eco-friendly nature paths that follow animal paths. It is a beautiful place, but it is a lot of hard work.”
“I know I was there on Columbus Day weekend. With several of the program girls working and staying there they have plenty of help. Alex Ross has been good for Jessie; they certainly got hitched awful fast.”
“I guess when you know something‘s right you don’t waste time.”
“Have you and Hank set a date yet?”
Laura laughed, “We’ve talked a little bit about that and we both like the idea of a harvest theme.”
“Good where’s it going to be at here or down at All Soul’s?”
“Oh All Soul’s is a must.” Laura laughed.
Laura got two thermos bottles and filled them with some hot spice cider. “I’m taking the guys some cider and tell them lunch will be ready in an hour. Start warming the ham and I’ll be right back.”
Laura watched the snow birds and the squirrels looking for food. She looked at the old abandon herb garden now choked by dead weeds. She shook her head has she wondered if she could find the heirloom plants that would make it perfect. There was much worked left to done or so she thought. She had no idea how much Hank had done when she had been on tour. Except for garden and some minor clean up the restoration was complete.
The path to the woodshop was covered by well-worn blue stone pavers that contrasted with white snow that lined either side. Tommy, Adam and Tony had shoveled it clean. Laura took her time because of the threat of ice patches. She entered the old shop and smiled.
Pete looked up from painting animals for a Noah’s ark. It would be a gift for Sue. Greg was setting a wooden horse next to its companion. Pete looked at Laura, “So I guess Meg told you it was time to get off your lazy bottom and do some work.”
Laura laughed. “Brought you gents some spiced cider. Where are Hank and the boys?”
“They went over to our new place to take some measurements for some shelves for the mudroom.” Pete said, “They will be back soon. Hank has taught them a lot.”
“We are back; Hank is putting Dasher and Blitzen in the barn.” Adam said, “Dad, there is a large back parlor that would be good for Abby’s sewing room.”
Pete nodded, “Meg thought the same thing. They called that the family parlor and the one in the front was the company or courting parlor.”
“There is a large bedroom next to it. Hank and I are going back to put a door between the two rooms. If you and mom will agree. That way Abby can go right from her room to the sewing room.” Tommy replied.
“Go head that means you get one of the smaller bedrooms.” Pete laughed.
“Dad compared to my old room it is an upgrade. It is the first house I’ve seen that was all on one level and it is huge! You could put two of my old bedrooms in the smallest bedroom.” Tommy chuckled.
“Well our work on that place starts now. Next time take Faye with you to get some photos of the place.” Pete replied with a chuckle.
Jessie shook her head, “Lunch is in an hour. Just grilled ham sandwiches today with fried potatoes.”
“Sounds good to me. This cider hit’s the spot.” Greg said.
Laura headed back to the farmhouse she almost slipped twice but caught herself. There was some stinging pain in her back. When she got to the kitchen she sat down.
Tiffany looked at her with concern, “Let me go and get Meg,” she said.
Laura nodded, “That last slip did something back there. I shouldn’t have tried going down there today. Too much too soon I guess.”
Tiffany hurried up the stairs as Laura tried to block out the pain in her back. She felt her back and her shirt was damp. She reached under it and pulled out her hand. She looked at it and winced. It had blood on it.
Meg came into the kitchen and saw Laura’s hand. “One of your staples must have come loose or dropped off. I hope it dropped.”
“This much blood?” Laura asked.
Meg nodded, “Your top is probably making it look worse than it is. Pull it up and let me have a look.”
Meg examined her back then replaced the bandage. “You dropped two staples that is why there was a little more blood. I think you must have a minor muscle spasm. I’ll give you another shot to ease the back pain. What happened?”
“I took some spiced cider down to the work shop. I slipped a couple of times coming back but caught myself.” Laura replied with a sheepish grin.
“Good you needed the walk. Just be more careful from now on.”
“Let’s finish lunch then.” Laura laughed.
“What, you think I was just to let you sit there and watch us?” Meg chuckled.
“Well I was hoping!” Laura laughed.
Laura got up and took a butcher knife and sharpened it. She started slicing off sandwich size slices off the left over ham. Tiffany began to peel potatoes while Meg got the grease ready in the deep well fryer on the stove.
Sue joined them and started making tea. She looked around and smiled at the scene. Her husband’s family was nothing at all like hers. They were cold and distant while Greg’s was warm and loving.
“You seem happy, this place has a way of sucking you in and not letting go.” Laura laughed.
“I’m with my family and not with those that are family in name only.”
“You are a little hard on them.” Meg replied.
“Meg, with them it’s all about status. They have never accepted Greg, well Grandma Beth did and I‘m lot like her. To the rest he’s just a county bumpkin. No matter how successful he was it was never enough for them. I couldn’t take it anymore without disrespecting them so when Greg said he wanted to move back here I didn’t blink.”
“That is sad. Material things are so fleeting. I can understand your feelings. It must have been stressful on your marriage.” Meg said.
“Greg is a good man so he held me when I needed him.” Sue explained.
“I almost lost a good man too. Pete and I were having problems last year. The stress of our work and living in LA were too much for us I guess. Anyway we went off one weekend to a mountain cabin and worked things out. Just being gone from the city helped us. So when Doc Greer called us about coming back here to take over his practice it was a no brinier. Our only concern was what the kids would think of it. Well it turns out that we were worried about that for nothing.” Meg explained.
“Yeah that did work out for the best. I’m just glad that my oldest came to his senses.” Sue laughed.
“Yeah all it took was a scolding from Pa.” Laura giggled.
“Well Adam needed a good slapping. That girl had him twisted around her finger just not very tightly.” Sue chuckled,
“How did you turn out to be so practical?” Tiffany asked.
Sue had a twinkle in her eye as she laughed. “My upstairs maid and Grandma Beth weren’t afraid to give me what for when I screwed up. The maid is my special friend. Grandma Beth refused to let me become a spoiled brat.”
A sweet smiled crossed Laura‘s face “Well when you met Greg at college he fell for you like a ton of bricks.”
Sue nodded, “We clicked right off. None of my other beaus ever did that. That’s because Greg was real and they were fake as a three dollar bill.”
Tiffany hugged her cousin in law, “Well one thing I am sure of, you belong in this family.”
They heard a knock at the door. Tiffany answered it, Angel Pierce stood there with her son Ted. Ted smiled when he saw Tiffany. “Ted it’s been ages since I saw you. You two come on in.” She said.
“Hello everyone. Sue and Meg, you two are a sight for my old eyes. How are you both?” Angel asked.
“We’re doing great Mrs. Pierce. How are you?” Meg asked.
“Well Doc Greer says that I’m fit as a fiddle. Ted and I stopped by see everyone. I didn’t know my son owned a sleigh and two fine draft horses.” Angel chuckled.
“Ted I don’t see a wedding band on your finger.” Sue laughed.
“Just haven’t found the right gal I guess.” Ted chuckled.
“You and Tiffany were an item back in the day has I recall.” Laura bated her cousin.
“Well that was a long time ago. Besides Ted was the hottest hunk in school in spite of what Tasha Wade thought of her boyfriend.” Tiffany blushed.
“Oh you two girls argued over that constantly.” Meg nodded. “Now Tasha is living with five other women in a complex arrangement and you’re still single. It is funny how life works out.”
“Tasha and Marsha are living at Appleton Inn now. It got two crowded at their place. Lynn Carson is engaged to Ken Alard a guy she met and fell in love with several years ago in Australia. He showed up out the blue with his friend Alex Ross in Appleton just has Lynn was coming out of Abe’s Market. Alex swept Jessie Gordon off her feet.” Laura laughed.
“That was a quick engagement.” Angel chuckled. “Jessie looked fantastic in her gown.”
“Tara Rogers now has that old farm to herself. Tasha and Marsha could move back to their place at any time. I wonder why they haven’t.” Ted mused.
“Their strong Catholic faith. Tasha and Marsha don’t want to hide the fact they have a strong faith and their companions have a hard time accepting that. It kept things strained and it was better for them to leave their arrangement than to cause any more pain.” Faith said has she entered.
Laura nodded, “Tasha has renewed her romance with Bobby Allen and Marsha is more relaxed than I’ve ever seen her.”
“It is sad that it took getting crowded out for them to realize why they weren’t happy.” Tiffany agreed.
“Oh they knew but like Julie and Ric they were just too stubborn to admit it.” Angel replied.
“Well not anymore, Ric and Julie are back together.” Sue laughed.
“Well that is best Christmas card I could have gotten.” Angel beamed.
“Let me go and get Aunt Peg and Mom. Ted, have a seat, no need for y’all to rush off.” Laura told them.
Laura went upstairs while Tiffany and the others continued to work while Angel and her son sat and talked. Peg and Mary came into the kitchen and grabbed their aprons.
“Angel, it is good to see you again.” Mary said, “I need to come up here more often.”
“It’s hard at our age to do that. It’s gotten to where I’m afraid to drive.” Peg replied.
“Mom, the way people drive these days so am I.” Tiffany replied.
They started catching up on a lot of the happenings in the area. They were just getting ready to send someone to get the men when they came in. Hank kissed Laura as he took the platter she offered.
“We are done with the woodshop for now. We can start on our place right after Christmas.” Pete said.
“That reminds me, Hank says you own the old Smith farm too. Is it all right for me and Sue to look it over?” Greg asked.
“Sure but we haven’t had time to start restoring it. It is in great shape though. Eli and Lacy kept that place in peak condition.” Laura said.
“I’m glad Eli maintained it. They were using it has a vacation home, how come they finally sold it?” Mary asked.
“Too much work and not enough time anymore with four Grand kids and two dogs.” Julie said as she entered. “They came to me but I had just bought a share if the Smuggler’s inn. Oh I’m thinking of selling my share of that. I want to be a full time mom. It will be hard on us though.”
Ric hugged Julie, “Well if we can overcome what we have been through the last year then nothing will be to hard.”
“Well I have two more vacant farms and Hank has three.” Laura laughed.
“We have 5 vacant farms.” Hank reminded her.
“Not counting your place.” Laura teased.
“That’s an idea. Almost the whole family will be up here.” Ric nodded.
“Well Mary and I have missed this place so much. But with Laura and Hank needing their newlywed space I think we can be happy with just visiting on occasion.” Peg laughed.
“Aunt Peg, Hank and I have had the place to ourselves long enough. You and Mom are welcome to come back home.”
“Yah, you are welcome to live here with us.” Hank replied.
“No, trust me, you two will need lots of space for while anyway. I remember when Tom and I first married. Finding alone time was a chore.” Mary chuckled.
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