Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
What? Essie reread that paragraph. How had her aunt suspected she’d fantasized about putting together elaborate celebrations? That had literally been her dream since childhood.
Desperately missing Esther, Essie raised her eyes toward the ceiling and sent love toward her aunt in heaven. Of course Aunt Esther had known. Her insight had astonished Essie on so many occasions about people’s intentions and motivations. If Esther liked someone, they were trustworthy and good to the core.
Her mind raced with the possibilities. Ferguson’s Folly was a gorgeous location with the manor house and gardens. Some details remained to iron out, like parking, expanding restrooms, adding an event kitchen. Ooo! And an outdoor dining area.
The paper crinkled in her hands as she pulled the letter to her heart without thinking. “Oh, no!” Essie rushed to uncrumple the stationery and finish reading.
By now, you’ve either wadded this letter up for the trash, or you’ve started making the most delicious plans. I wish I could be there to help and celebrate as you make your dreams come true.
Aunt Esther
She stared at the familiar signature, mind boggled by the contents but sad she’d finished her aunt’s last message to her. Essie carefully folded the letter and slid it back into the envelope.
“Essie! Shouldn’t you leave for your meeting in a few minutes?” Sara’s voice called through the door.
“Oh, crap! Thanks!”
Essie skyrocketed into action and pulled on clothes before racing into the bathroom to put on makeup. With sunlight now flooding the room, she came to a screeching halt as she glimpsed herself in the mirror. Unable to process that anyone had seen her like this, Essie refused to replay Zander’s expressions as she tamed her wild hair sticking out in all directions on one side while smooshed on the other and removed the smears of makeup from her face. She’d never be able to face him again.
Chapter Three
Essie arrived home with her head spinning after her conversation with Mr. Woods and parked by the side of the drive where a shiny, polished commercial truck sat blocking the garage entrance with a battered one in the circle drive. What in the world was going on? She grabbed her purse and the papers Mr. Woods had given her and rushed to the front veranda where two men stood.
“Hi. Can I help you?” Essie asked.
“Hi, ma’am. I had a meeting set up with Esther Ferguson. Are you Esther?” His pressed uniform shirt introduced him as Ben from Continental Home Construction and Remodeling.
“I did as well,” the other man blurted out. He wore an unmarked denim work shirt and well-worn jeans. “I’m Ivan Clarke of Clarke’s Remodeling Services.”
“Gentlemen, my apologies. My aunt passed away last week. I’m Essie Ferguson, the new owner.”
Ivan shook his head slightly. “I’m sorry to hear that, Miss. Your aunt was a lovely woman.”
“Yeah, that’s sad. Are you interested in remodeling? I’ll be glad to give you the estimate instead. I’m Ben from Continental, the largest construction company in town. We’re the biggest for a reason.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ben.” Essie couldn’t help but be impressed by his professional appearance and attitude.
“While I was waiting, I walked around and found several urgent things you should take care of immediately on the exterior of your home. Guttering, the porch is sagging, and that back door is stuck closed.”
“Miss, I’d be more concerned about the wood rot on the roof. You’re going to have a big leak soon,” Ivan told her with a serious expression.
“He’s right,” a deep voice said in her ear.
Essie jumped three feet into the air. Well, probably not that high. The men took a step back from her sudden movement. She noticed they didn’t react to the voice.
“Are you okay, miss?” Ben asked.
Essie turned slightly and rubbed her arm. “A mosquito just bit me.” She glimpsed the old-fashioned man standing behind her. Edmund shifted to stand next to the group. He studied the men. After all she’d read overnight, Essie wasn’t afraid of the apparition. He hadn’t spooked her aunt. Surely, she was safe.
“That’s not the first time someone’s accused me of being a pest,” Edmund told her as she glanced his way.
She could imagine Esther giving him trouble over the years as he hung around chatting to her while everyone else was unaware of his presence. Essie pretended she couldn’t see him either. Having people gossip about the new owner of Ferguson’s Folly who talked to ghosts? That would sink any hopes she had of establishing a new business.
Leave it to Aunt Esther to give her another push to follow her dreams. Essie would investigate a bit more, but she’d made her decision.
“Gentlemen, I appreciate you coming and giving me some advice about what I need to do. I am looking to add some bathrooms and other features to the mansion and grounds. Would you be able to help me on some projects?”