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)
“We’ll be glad to create a master plan for bringing your home up to snuff. Continental will even provide financing so you can get started next month,” Ben announced proudly before adding, “Bathrooms are tricky. You’ll need all new plumbing. That’s a big project.”
“I’ve added several bathrooms to older buildings before. Often, I can access piping in the vicinity to expand. I can start tomorrow if you would like,” Ivan told her.
Edmund walked behind the two men. He stood slightly behind them, studying each man before moving to Ivan’s side. Edmund even pointed at him to make sure Essie understood his recommendation. Relief flooded her at not needing to choose.
“How about this. Ivan, would you come tomorrow, and we’ll walk through the house and grounds to talk about my plans? Ben, let’s set up a date next week if you have availability to do the same.”
Ben pulled out his phone and checked his calendar. “Sorry, I’m booked solid. How about the following week?”
Essie agreed on a date and time, knowing full well she’d cancel that tomorrow after speaking to Ivan. Who wanted to work with a contractor who was never available? And Edmund thought Ivan was better.
Thanking the men, she watched them return to their trucks before looking around to spot Edmund again. He had vanished. “Thanks, Edmund. You show up and point before disappearing before I can ask why?” she mused aloud.
“He visited again, huh?” Sara asked from the porch.
Essie turned to face the housekeeper who had come outside when she heard the flurry of activity. “Edmund? Yes. Aunt Esther had set up appointments with two contractors. While I was talking to them, he chose one for me.”
“Interesting. Come inside for some tea. You can tell me what Mr. Woods said. I’m assuming Edmund chose Ivan Clarke?”
“He did. Okay. You have to share what you know. And a cup of tea sounds amazing.” Rubbing her forehead as she walked up the stairs, Essie hoped a bit more caffeine would fend off her looming headache.
Sara ushered her inside and led the way to the kitchen. There, Essie discovered the kind housekeeper had already set everything out. A plate of her favorite sugar cookies with blue icing stood in the middle of the table. Essie still didn’t understand why the blue ones tasted so much better, but they did. With a sigh of delight, she sat down and nabbed one with a bunch of icing and sprinkles.
“You are spoiling me,” she told Sara.
“Of course. That’s my job now. How did your meeting with Mr. Woods go?” Sara asked as she poured fragrant tea into two cups.
“He clued me in on some challenges,” Essie admitted.
“I told Esther not to leave me anything. I can always write you a check….”
Essie interrupted her. “Absolutely not! Aunt Esther did exactly the right thing by making sure you’re taken care of after all these years you’ve kept Ferguson’s Folly going. And I’m going to rely on your assistance just as much as my aunt did. Unless you’d rather retire?” She had to at least offer that opportunity to the older woman.
“Pfft! Like I’d be happy in a rocking chair watching soap operas. I will admit some of the heavier cleaning jobs are beyond me now.”
Essie could tell the housekeeper had hated admitting she needed help. “We are definitely going to need to increase the number of hands around here. I’m going to count on you for your insight in choosing who will benefit us the most. And I’ll be here as well. Put me to work too.”
“Oh, I couldn’t…”
Interrupting Sara, Essie rushed to assure her, “Yes, you can. In fact, I’m counting on you to direct everyone. Okay?”
Her inner struggle to agree showed on Sara’s face. Essie took a bite of the cookie and chewed, giving the housekeeper time to think. “These are so good.”
“You don’t have to butter me up, young lady. Fine. I’ll create a list of jobs that need to be completed, and everyone can pitch in.”
“Thank you, Sara. That would be perfect. Would you like me to share what I’ve decided for the future of Ferguson’s Folly?” Essie asked.
“Yes, please.” The older woman sagged with relief, and Essie immediately realized how disconcerted Sara must have felt—Esther’s death had pulled the rug out from under the housekeeper’s feet.
“I’m going to make the estate a premier location for events. Like tea parties, weddings, balls.”
“Oh, we haven’t had a ball here for years. I had to be in my twenties. I’d love to see the ballroom used again.”
“Me, too. I would never be happy just lazing around doing charity work. This will give me a job and create income to sustain Ferguson’s Folly for years to come,” Essie said. She forced herself to pull her head out of the clouds and face reality.
“This idea is going to take a lot of work and an investment. There’s always a risk I won’t be successful. But if I do nothing, the estate will run out of money. I don’t want to see a row of apartment buildings and strip centers filling this land.”