Max worked his job while I packed our bags for tonight's Ghost and Trolley tour. I listened to Max make calls he needed to, and I sat down to work on my social media and books. I took out my notebook to organize what I work on every day. We had discussed taking the Ghosy Trolley tour when the storm picked up outside. Max chuckled and said, "I guess Mother Nature decided we needed to stay home for now and slow down."
Pirate and Treasure Museum, The Old City Jail, Spanish Military Hospital, and my personal favorite is the Ghost and Trolly Tour.
Chloe Phillips- Max Best Friend-Mike Brother- Mr. Jackson Grandpas lawyer-Ted Dad- Sharon Mom-
Mack Maxs uncles- Miss Milly farms cook- Suzette-Maxs Mom Stan-Maxs dad Ben-Maxs brother
Marshal Phillips- Grandfather(May)*
Larry- Military friend of Grandpas(Sue)
Claire- park manager St Augustine
blog, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube (horror book) (travel book)
Brooksville Florida to Saint Augustine: Macks Farm, Dade Battleground and State Park, Ocala National Forest (Pittman Center), Palatka Florida (Mural tour), *Carnival, Weather videos from St Aug RV --- Saint Augustine RV Grounds
A strange new world
The Main House: Attic, basement, three master suites, 3 master closets, 3 master baths, 4 bathrooms+c, 2 bedrooms+c, laundry room+c, kitchen, breakfast nook, dining room+c, lounge+c, office+c, library+c, pantry, butlers pantry, formal sitting room, coat room, maids room a bathroom+c, butlers room w a bathroom+c, mudroom, entryway+c, 14 storage closets, 3 landings, 3 sets of stairs, music room, enclosed porch, glass garden. Garden shed (109 ghosts)
Three greenhouses with storage rooms and bathrooms. (1/5- 2/3- 3/4)12
Working barn with 14 stalls, 2 storage rooms, bathroom and office. (30 Ghosts) 3/5 in gh
Hunting cabin with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, kitchen, pantry, dining room, enclosed porch and supply room. (28 ghosts)
Workers building- 14 bedrooms w bathroom and closet. Three kitchens with pantries, 3 lounges and 2 enclosed porches. (29 ghosts) 5/20 ghost hotel
12 cabins with 2 bedrooms with closet, bathroom, kitchens, pantries, 2 enclosed porches, living rooms. (1/10-2/5-3/3-4/4-5/2-6/4-7/2-8/3-9/1-10/1-11/3-12/5)43
Gaming building with bathroom, kitchen, three storage rooms and a pantry (45 ghosts)
Ballroom with kitchen, 2 pantries, six storage room, 3 covered porches, and 4 bathrooms. (29 ghosts)
Mens retreat with 4 bedrooms, bathrooms, closet, kitchen, pantry, lounge, and dining hall (33 ghosts)
Ladies retreat with 5 bedrooms, bathrooms, closet, kitchen, pantry, lounge, and dining hall storage room (57 ghosts)
Work shop with bathroom, enclosed porch, and small kitchen. (30 ghosts)
Seven outer storage buildings. (1/2-2/3-3/1-4/2-5/1-6/3-7/4)16
Decorative barn with office, kitchen, 18 stalls and 4 storage rooms (42 ghosts)
Music hall with kitchen, pantry, 4 storage rooms (40 ghosts)
Boat house with six storage rooms (31 ghosts)
Garage 1- 3 storage rooms, bathroom (10 ghosts)
Garage 2- 3 storage rooms, bathroom sitting area (15ghosts)
6 sheds (1/2-2/3-3/1-4/2-5/1-6/1) 10
6 Gate house with bathrooms (1/2-2/1-3/1-4/3-5/1-6/1) 9
I am part of one of the oldest covens in the world. Some of our families are descendents of witches from Salem. Yes that part. So basically the witch trials were a way to punish people and take land. They were a little off on who was an actual witch. But our families got the hell out of dodge as soon as they could. Come follow me to see what happens in our world.
CHapter 1
My alarm went off, and I went to throw the alarm clock across the room when my husband grabbed it and kissed my cheek as he said, "Come on, Maddie, you have to get up and work on your store."
"Max I do not want to leave this bed," I said moaning and curled up around him.
He chuckled and said, "Mads I have to leave for work after breakfast. Come on I will make you tea."
"But baby," I said. "I want to stay in here with you."
He climbed out of bed and said, "I will be back with your tea."
I threw the blanket off of me and went into the bathroom to start my day. I pulled on yoga pants and a tank top. As I slipped on a pair of flip flops, Max came in and handed me a cup of tea. He asked, "What is your plan today?"
"I have to cut back all my herb plants in the greenhouse," I said. "Then they will go into the dehydrators. I have jams that need to be made with all the fruits I have in the fridge, located in the greenhouse. Vegetables to can or pickle. I also have a greenhouse full of produce that needs to be harvested, canned, pickled freeze dry or dehydrated. Also need to harvest honey and beeswax. But first, I have to go pick up my jam and honey jars from the store, my new display jars from the glass makers, and bags for all the dehydrated and freeze-dried foods."
"Have you checked to see how much light hits your store window?" Max asked.
"I did," I said. "When you made the overhang over the order window, it blocks all the excess light so my display window in my greenhouse is perfectly shaded."
He picked up his bag and said, "I see you will be having a very busy week. You know if you need help, I will be glad to help after work."
Kissing his cheek I said, "I may take you up on it. With October next month, things will be super busy with Halloween around the corner."
Max left and I went to the kitchen started dinner in the crock pot. I emptied a bag of Thanksgiving in a ball to the crockpot with a mix of gravy. You may ask, Maddie what do you do for a living? Well that is easy. I am a kitchen witch and run a store out of my greenhouse. My home is a three-bedroom home and I have a 1 acre greenhouse attached to my main house. I have three windows of items for sale and a vintage 1940's vending machine where they put the money in a window and can purchase items without me being open. I also have a change machine attached to my greenhouse so people can use the vending machine.
I placed a sign on the window that said, Open later this afternoon, please use the vending machine until I return. I made sure the vending machine was full with new items and checked to see how full my overstock was. I saw that my shelves were light with stock from yesterdays sales. I saw the stock in my storage bins and decided I would wait to fill the shelves until I got back. Then I could rotate the shelf items to the vending machine.
As I joke with Max, organization is key. Grabbing my cash out of my office safe, I picked up my purse and headed to the glass maker. I sold dehydrated and freeze-dried herbs and vegetables by weight, and I ordered new display jars for the windows. Then I went to pick up the mason jars for all my new canned items. When I got to the counter the worker asked, "Do you have a vehicle big enough for the items?"
I pointed to my truck with the covered cab, and I led the way, and they loaded all the mason jars into the back. When I mentioned I should have ordered more, the worker said they had more and asked if I wanted to buy more.I decded to buy another thousand jars, and they filled my truck halfway. I went to the store to pick up my packaging and stickers with my business name, "Maddies Enchanted Wonders"
When I was done, I went to a few local farmers and picked up, bones to make beef and chicken bone broth, extra fruit, assorted vegetables, a metric ton of onions, cucumbers, peppers, spicy peppers, watermelon, beeswax, tomatoes, garlic, lemon, limes, orange, grapefruit. one of my local witches sold me her over stock to make smudges for protection, money, love, peace. Then I picked up the lotion base to make peppermint lotion, lemon lotion, coconut lotion, lime lotion and lotions that help with arthritis, migraines, exzema and stress. Then if things could not be anymore busy I picked up all the items to make tea, seasonal, peppermint, Halloween tea, floral tea, lemon, orange, herbal and mint tea.
When I got home Max was there and when I opened the back of the trck he said, "I figured you would need help bringing it all in. Where do you want it?"
"Please place everything on the long table," I said. "As soon as I grab myself a drink and check dinner, I will get to work."
Stirring the crock pot, I went out to the greenhouse and added the shelved items to the vending machine. After I placed everything from back stock into the shelves, I clicked on the open sign and went to the table to start processing what was on the table.
I took out my roaster pans and started adding bones to them to make bone broth. After I started the bone broth, I grabbed the three cases of onions and started to work on making dehydrated onions, onion jam, pickled onions, and onion powder. As I worked on the onions, I would help customers who came to the window to purchase window items.
By the time I closed the shop, I had all the onions prepped for the followig day and placed in air-free bags to keep them fresh till the following day. Then I strained the bone broth and started to add it to mason jars to can in assorted sizes. Waste not want not I placed the bones in a bowl in the fridge to grind up after they were dried tomorrow.
By the time Max came home from work, I had all the jars from the first batch of bone broth on the counter cooling. I made sure all the produce that needed to be refrigerated was in the fridge along with all the bone broth bones that needed to be roasted and boiled. He found me in the kitchen making mashed potatoes to go with dinner.
He came over ad kissed me. Looking at the food he said, "That looks great I am starving."
"Why don't you go take a shower, and this should be done in a few," I said.
Looking at the food he said, "I want to eat but I may crash after I eat. You don't mind waiting for a few do you."
"Not at all," I said. "You look exhausted baby was the world of construction rough today?"
"Yeah," He said. "It was hell and back. At least its cooler now."
I have to cut back all my herb plants in the greenhouse,they will go into the dehydrators (mint, bayleafs, parsely, chives,cilantro tea, thyme, dill, oregqno. I have jams that need to be made with all the fruits I have in the fridge (strawberrys, apples. lemons, limes blueberry, raspberry watermelon), pickles from vegetabls(onions)carrots, beets, eggs, greenbeans, garlic, peppers) I also have a greenhouse full of produce that needs to be harvested, canned, pickled, and dehydrated.(carrots, onions, potatos, zuchinni, squash, pumpkin, sweet peppers, three colored peppers, seranos, jalapenos, peas, cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli,tomatoe, cucumbers, leeks, habenero lmon, lime oranges Also need to harvest honey and beeswax to make candles and salves.
When I was done, I went to a few local farmers and picked up, bones to make beef and chicken bone broth, extra fruitstrawberrys, apples. lemons, limes blueberry, raspberry watermelon, assorted vegetables, a metric ton of onions, cucumbers, peppers, spicy peppers, watermelon, beeswax, tomatoes, garlic, lemon, limes, orange, grapefruit. one of my local witches sold me her over stock to make smudges for protection, money, love, peace. Then I picked up the lotion base to make peppermint lotion, lemon lotion, coconut lotion, lime lotion and lotions that help with arthritis, migraines, exzema and stress. Then if things could not be anymore busy I picked up all the items to make tea, seasonal, peppermint, Halloween tea, floral tea, lemon, orange, herbal and mint tea.
Maddie- main "Maddies Enchanted Wonders"
Max- husband
I live in a legitimately crazy small town, and the people here are insane. We live in a small town in Northern Maine, and in all honesty, I sometimes think there are reasons we are in the middle of nowhere.
Chapter 1
I woke up and ran to the bathroom. After I finished using the bathroom, I waddled to the kitchen and put on a pot of tea. Looking down at my bulging belly, I groaned and said, "Well, little one, I think you're trying to get me to pee myself. If you would be so kind, I would like to not pee my bed."
The baby caused a string of flutters as it moved. As my tea steeped, I went into my room and dressed for my day. I looked into the mirror and thought about what brought me to this moment. My ex-fiancé and I had been together for five years. When I became pregnant, he decided he could not be in a relationship anymore and went to live in his grandpa's fishing cabin. I knew where he was and that he was dating people in town. Life went on, and I prepared to be a single mom.
I took my tea out to my patio and sat on the porch swing. I was off today and needed to get errands and cleaning done before my work week started. I rubbed my belly and said, "Okay, kid, we are going to meet your Aunt Sarah at the diner and get some food before we go shopping."
Driving my car to the diner, I met my best friend, Sarah, who already had juice and tea waiting for me. She stood up and called out, "Damn Molly, you are one fine ass pregnant woman. If I liked chicks, I would make you mine."
Everyone chuckled, and when I sat down, I said, "Sarah, if I didn't like dick, I would take you up on it."
She nodded to the counter and said, "His brother is here, and he was on the phone with him earlier."
Sighing, I said, "His family agreed with him breaking up with me. If he had a financial obligation, then he couldn't give them money when they wanted it."
"That is insane," She said. "What are you going to do?"
"I will be working at the office until I am thirty weeks," I said. "Then I will work from home until the baby is born. After six weeks of maternity leave, I will do half-time at work using my vacation and PTO. Then at the twelve-week mark, I will be working full-time from home."
"How did you arrange that?" She asked.
"Easy," I said. "I am damn good at working in customer service and tasks. I think the company wants to have more people working from home. Then they can have a smaller office."
She laughed and said, "Well then, great job!"
Missy, the head waitress, came over and said, "Molly, Sarah is right, if I liked women I would chase you as well."
Chuckling, I said, "Missy, there is a problem with your theory."
She asked, "What is that, Molly?"
"You are happily in love with that sweetheart of a husband," I said. "So I know you would not be chasing me."
She let out a hearty laugh and said, "True. So what would you like?"
"I would like a Belgian waffle," I started. "Two eggs, firm scramble, breakfast potatoes, 5 slices of crispy bacon, Wheat toast, and a fruit cup."
The baby started to kick when I listed the food, and Sarah said, "Oh my sweet niece or nephew, you like a good meal."
Sarah ordered a duplicate meal with a few changes, and Missy said, "Well, ladies, I will have this out for you shortly."
As we sat talking about how things have been, the door to the diner opened, and Gabriel came in and sat next to his brother. I turned my chair so I would not have to look at him. I felt his eyes on my back and a few minutes later I heard, "Molly can I have a word with you?"
Looking up Gabriel was standing over me and I said, "What do you need I would rather like to eat my meal without indigestion."
"Can we speak in private?" He asked.
"No," I said. "First you smell like weed and alcohol I will not go anywhere with you for the safety of my baby. Second, you told everyone I was a bitch and that was why you left me. You gave up five years and started dating anyone who would open their legs. But guess what, I do not care, when the baby is born, you will be paying child support, and since you spend all your free time drinking and whoring around you will only get supervised visitation."
"I will not be paying child support," He said. "You cannot force me to."
"That is where you are wrong," I said. "You already did the blood test and have proven your Charlie's or Charles father. If you do not pay support you will not be happy with the consequences. I mean the town has started putting people in jail after 6 missed payments."
He bent down to look me in the eyes and said, "You will not like what is going to happen."
"God you reek of whisky," I said. "Get away from me before you make me physically ill."
"Gabriel," A voice warned from the door. "Get away from Molly and go sit with your brother or leave."
Looking past Gabriel, I said, "Thank you, Sheriff Riddle."
Gabriel walked over to his brother and sat down. Sarah asked, "Are you alright?"
"Shr is better than him," Sheriff Riddle said. "She will have a village help her with this baby instead of the town drunk and his troublemaker family."
Sarah asked, "Sheriff, would you like to join us?"
"As much as I want to say yes," He said. "I am meeting Maddie later today, and she promised me a large lunch."
"Tell Maddie we miss seeing her," I said. "We will see her at the baby shower."
Missy came over with our food, and Sarah said, "Thank you, Missy."
I smiled and started placing butter on my Belgian waffle along with syrup. I dug in and started to eat. Missy laughed and said, "Girl, how are you staying so hot eating so much?"
"Easy," I said. "I am growing this baby who is sucking away my fat, and I stopped stress eating now that the trash took itself out."
I continued to happily eat as I felt Gabriel's eyes on me. I continued to eat as I spoke with Sarah. When I could not eat anymore, Missy boxed up my leftovers. Sarah said, "Do you want me to go with you today?"
Chuckling I said, "Nah I am good, I am going to run my errands, then I am going to start decorating the baby's nursery."
Sarah waited for me to get in my car and drive away. I drove the local crafting store to pick up things I needed to decorate the nursery. As I was adding things to the cart, I heard, "Well look who it is."
Looking up from the shelf Gabriels sister in law was walking towards me. I said, "Becca wat do you want?
She gave me a huge smile and asked, "How does it feel to know he has been fucking everyone while you have become a whale?"
Looking at her up and down i said, "Becca, are you still upset I didn't cry or use my pregnancy to get Gabriel to marry me? I mean, entrapment is something you do, not me."
She got mad, and she said, "How dare you?"
"What, Becca?" I said. "You want to be that way with me I will call you out. I work a full-time job, I own my own home, and I walked away when Gabriel was brainwashed by you lot. That is fine with me. The baby and I will be fine without him, and none of you will get to know it."
"He will sue for custody," She said.
"Then he will have to pay child support," I said. "We have a whole town that knows the breakup. The reason why we broke up and how he has acted since then. He will not get away with things."
Becca looked at me and said, "Well just because you can't keep a man."
Chuckling I said, "Again, Becca, I am not into trapping a man to keep him. That is all you. Now, if you do not mind, I want to finish shopping and go decorate my baby's nursery. You know, because my house doesn't hold a billion family members."
I walked past her while she had a look of pure hate on her face. After I finished getting the items to make for the babies decor, I drove to the local Dollar Tree to get the items I needed from there. Then I finished my shopping day at the grocery store.
Pulling up in the driveway my neighbor Mr. Miller came over and said, "Good afternoon Molly! Let me help you get these into the house. Would you like them on the kitchen table?"
"Yes, Mr. Miller," I said. "Thank you."
Mr. Miller helped me carry everything in and asked, "Are you doing okay? I heard through the grapevine that ex of yours is playing the single ladies in town."
"Honestly Mr. Miller," I said. "If he could hop into all their beds he never loved me. So let him be stupid and get another girl pregnant. I will still get child support."
"Good girl," He said. "You will be right as rain. If you need anything, you come see me or Matilda, we will be glad to help you."
"Thank you," I said.
After he left I went to the kitchen and started to put the groceries away when there was a knock at the door. Opening the main door I saw Gabriels cousin mitch at the door. He placed his hands out and said, "I come in peace."
Laughing I said, "Come in."
He asked, "Did my stupid cousin come to his senses yet?"
"Do you honestly think he would?" I asked.
"One could hope," He said. Grabbig all my dry goods he placed them on the counter and pulled out my mason jars to fill them. "He is giving up what most people want. His damn family uses him so bad."
"How did you escape the trauma?" I asked.
"I came out as gay," He said. "That and I had a great support system when I came out. I didn't need their craziness."
I sighed and the baby started kicking me hard. Mitch chuckled and said, "See she agrees with me."
"She?" I asked.
"Yes," He said. "She. She is going to be just like you. If I ever decided to go straight, you would be the perfect woman for me."
It was my turn to chuckle as I said, "Mitch love the day you go straight I will whore myself like Gabriel."
"Molly," He said. "You know if you need anything, I am here for you. I am not a double agent I live in a real home with a real partner. Speaking of Jay sends his love and will see you in after he gets back to town. When you get closer to your due date, Sarah, Jay and I will be with you around the clock."
Tears started running down my face and Mitch hugged me. I asked, "Why wasn't I good enough?"
"Molly," he said. "Do not think this was ever on you. Gabriel is a fool. Our family are horrible, manipulative asshats. When you guys made it to a year together i thought he had gotten out. Everyone thought that he broke our family curse."
Taking a breath, I said, "He wanted the baby. He was so excited and then a week later we went to see his family and things started to change."
Mitch said, "They brainwashed him or guilted him. There is nothing you can do about it."
I let out a heavy sigh and said, "It is bull shit."
He nodded and said, "I agree. I think this is going to be a only time will tell situation."
Mitch helped me put everything away, and we went to the nursery. I was going to start decorating when I started feeling exhausted. When I could not stop yawning Mitch said, "Woman, let's pause the decorating and Jay and I will do this later this week. Go to your room and take a nap."
"But we had plans for the day," I said.
He turned me to my room and said, "I am not leaving you are going to nap."
He walked me into my room and lifted my covers. I climbed in, and he shut the light off as he said, "Get some rest, Molly. I am here and will be when you get up."
I did not realize how tired I was because I fell asleep fast, and when I woke up later in the afternoon, I smelled food cooking in the kitchen and heard the sound of rain in the distance. I made my way to the kitchen and found Mitch taking a pan of oversized biscuits out of the oven. I asked, "What is all this?"
He smiled and said, "This my dear is me meal prepping for you. You have a kitchen to die for by the way."
"That first pile of containers are chicken soup, I have two in the fridge and these are for your freezer," He said. "Those baggies are pancakes, the next set are bacon, egg and cheese on waffles, those containers are lasagna portions. These buiscuts are for your chicken biscuits I am making. There is a italian pasta salad in the fridge along with a large garden salad prepped. I also cleaned as I went. You are stressing and drining yourself. So I decided to help you along."
I said, "Mitch you are amazing. Where did all this come from."
"Well doll," A voice said behind me. "I happened to get into town early."
Turning around Jay was standing there with a gift bag and I said, "You brought me gifts."
He puled me into a hug as he said, "Of course how can we forget our favorite Mama to be. I hope you like this. I found it at a farmers market they have at night after I was finished with my meetings for the day."
I pulled out a larger sweatshirt that said, "Boss Mom." Then I pulled out a smaller sweatshirt, and it said, "Boss in training."
Looking at the sweatshirts, I said, "They are perfect! Thank you so much, Jay."
"So when will we find out if we are having a boy or a girl?" Jay asked, sitting at the counter.
"We should have known already," I giggled. "However, little one did not want to cooperate."
Mitch leaned over and placed his hand on my belly as he said, "As long as they are alright, that is all that matters."
Molly- main (research, outbound calls, emails, tasks, podcasts, slideshows, and graphic design)
-------------------------->Gabriel-Ex / Brother- Becca(w) Mitch-Cousin(good guy)Jay-partner
Sarah- Best friend
Missy-Head waitress -------------------------> Husband
Sheriff Riddle-------------------------- Wife- molly
Mr. Miller------------------Neighbor, matilda-wife
I layed in ed thinking about a releationship with Simon.
I set up a larger playlist and hit play. I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep. When I woke up Ella said, "Good Morning!"
I asked, "Ella can you show yourself or do you need to be hidden?"
I saw a flicker in the corner of the room and smiled. I heard, "I never tried to be honest. I would like to show myself to Ella."
"In due time," I said. "I would like to mention you to Ella today once I am back from hiring workers. Do I have your permission to do that?"
"Yes," She said. "Tell her no pressure, though. I want her to be comfortable with me."
Nodding I said, "Understood. Don't worry I will be very empathetic and let her know its when she is comfortable and ready."
I got in my car and drove to the front gate. Simon was talking with Mason. When he saw me, he gave me a bright smile and walked over to my window. He said, "Hey Franny. Are you heading down to town?"
"I sure am," I said. "Do you want anything from town?"
"No," He said. "I think we should be good for now with supplies. One of the things I am doing is tracking things as we go. We are stacking the bricks from the buildings up front, I am hoping to use them as a pathway eventually, so we shall see. Be safe on the road."
"I will," I said. Driving into town, I passed Charlie, Walt and Shawn as they headed to the hospital. Getting to the store I saw about ten workers. Pete was one of them.
Getting out of my car I said, "Good morning everyone! I am glad to see you all here. If you are ready please line up and fill out your info and you can head up to the hospital."
They all lined up and signed the form. When Pete came up to me he said, "I am gonna give you a chance Miss Franny. I am sorry that I have been a dick we have been screwed over before."
"Pete," I said. "We are only as good as our word. I promise you that you work you get paid. If you work hard enough you may just get that invitation to come there instead of waiting for the invite."
He nodded and put his hand out. He said, "Franny I am glad you feel that way. I like you. You are smart and you keep your word. I will see you up there."
He left and as I was ready to leave I heard a woman call out, "Franny wait. Is it only men your hiring?"
Turning back I saw a older woman coming towards me with a back pack. I looked up and said, "Not at all I have an invite already to a younger woman. Did you want to join us?"
"She nodded and said, "I do. However, I cannot lift a lot. My husband has taken ill and he cannot work for a while. Do you happen to have some work for me?"
I asked, "How do you feel about working alone?"
She said, "Are you asking me if I mind working in a potentially haunted building?"
"Yes," I said.
"I will be their worst nightmare if they scare me," She laughed. "But I have no problem working by myself. I just have to get a ride up and I can call my son to get me later."
"Pointing to the car I said, "You can ride up with me. Just sign the paper I have to get some stuff from the supply store. What did you do previously for a job?"
She signed the form and said, "I did filing for the lumber mill until I was laid off. My husband does road work, however, he was diagnosed with cancer and my son is going to take him to treatments."
"I am sorry about your husband," I said. "Lets go into get supplies and I will explain what your going to do."
We went into the store and I bought them out of permanent markers and all the gallon ziplock bags they had. I also grabbed walkie-talkies and we checked out and went to the car. On the way up I said, "Your job is going to be a bit different then most. But it will hopefully help your back and you are gonna get me ahead on a project that will be coming soon. You are going to be in the library all day, bagging books and sweeping up the trash in the areas."
"Are you sure it is not pitty work?" She asked.
"Not at all," I said. "There are thirty rooms in the medical library. There are books, records and items in all the rooms. The books are going to be going for $200 a piece. Records are going to be going for $50 a piece. I have a wagon that you can fill and bring to the relic store. The medical library is close enough to the front, I am thinking this is going to be a good building to work on when the weather starts to get rainy. But we need to clear and clean before we can start any work."
She smiled and said, "Thank you, I appreciate all the work I can get."
"Well, lets see how you do today," I said. "If you do great I will give you a invite."
Sharon looked very happy with that information. When we got to the hospital she whisteled and said, "I forgot how big this place was."
Simon came over and I asked, "Did everyone get assigned?"
He nodded and said, "All but Sharon. Did you have a special job for her?"
"I sure do," I said. "Do you have that pull cart?"
He went into the shed and brought it out. I loaded the supplies along with the broom and trash bags. Smiling I said, "Follow me, you two."
As we walked I asked, "Simon do you know any roofing companies?"
Both Simon and Sharon said, "Martin Smith."
Laughing I asked, "Simon can you call him and have him come out to get us an estimate for the medical library? I think on days when the weather gets bad we can start inside the buildings. Sharon needs some work but has a bad back so she is gonna be our go to girl and start the first book room to get things priced and in the relic store. Then she will get the garbage out and ready for us to start working on rooms."
"What a great idea," He said. "I will call Martin and have him come up for an estimate."
When we got to the building, I said to Sharon, "Will you be able to get the cart up and down the ramp?"
She looked and said, "Sure can. Show me the room."
As we went in I said, "I heard footsteps and saw shadows when I came in here. But you are going to be fine."
She nodded and called out, "Whoever is here, I am going to be working in a room. Please be respectful of me, and I will be respectful to you."
Leading her to the first book room I showed her all the book shelves and teh boxes of files. Pointing to the table and chairs I said, "Sit if you need to and when you fill the cart bring it to the relic store. There are shelves to the back of the store. The books and files need to be placed there with the prices we talked about."
She nodded and said, "Perfect. I have my lunch here."
"You can join Ella and I for lunch if you want. We will come by at lunch time." I said. "We are a work family."
She walked to the first shelving unit and took the broom sweeping off the dust and dirt. She looked up and said, "If there are any books that cannot be salvaged I will add them to the empty crate there for you to go over. That way nothing is thrown out unless you say so. But it looks like these are all good except for the dust."
"We will let you get to it," I said.
Simon and I walked out and headed towards the front. He said, "Sharon is a wonderful woman. It is a shame about Stan though. He is a tough man and for her to have to work again it is serious."
"I will keep her on then after today," I said. "As long as she works hard I have no issue keeping on the harder working people."
We parted ways at the store, and I headed to the cottage. I set up the walkies to charge and called out for Ella. She popped her head in and said, "Good Morning Franny. I have most of the China cabinet emptied. But you have to see what I found, you are going to love this."
She showed me the hidden drawers in the china cabinet and I said, "Oh wow. I was thinking if we were going to keep this and I think we are. I guess we are ready to start the primer."
We got to work in the laundry room. By lunch time we had primed the laundry room two times. We headed to the library and called out for Sharon. She popped her head out and said, "Hey Franny and Ella. I am ready for lunch, but first come see what I got done."
Walking into the book room, I saw she had cleared all the files from the main table. I saw she swept the floor, and she found an old-fashioned duster to dust the books. Looking at her I said, "Wow Sharon this is amazing. What a great job. How is your back?"
She laughed and said, "My back is great. I have been sitting at the table after I move a few stacks of books. The duster was in a file box so it has helped a lot. So far I have moved three carts of books to the relic building and I made sure the price is able to be read and it's printed large."
"Well lets go to my RV and eat," I said. "This is great work and Sharon you have an invite back. The library is now officially your baby."
"Really," She said. "Thank you. I cannot wait to see the other rooms."
We headed to my RV and ate our lunch. When we got inside I heard the videos going and saw the dip in the bed. While I ate I said, "Ella you know about your Grandma passing. What if I was to tell you that her spirit is here."
Ella looked up and said, "She is a ghost?"
Nodding I said, "Yes. She has seen you and would like to talk to you when you are ready. There is no pressure, however, she would like to get to know you when you are ready."
She smiled and said, "Is she here now?"
"Yes," I said. "She likes to watch travel shows so I leave them on for her while we ar working."
She said, "Hi Grandma. I am sad that you could not move on. My mom passed two years ago from a car accident. Grandpa told her all about you, and he never remarried. He is still alive and all he talks about is his Ella. Know that he raised Mama in your memory and he talks about you often."
The blinds opened and closed again. I said, "She can move the blinds and she is trying to show herself and be heard without the spirit box."
Ella smiled and said, "When your ready Grandma. I am here on the weekdays for work and you can visit and watch me anytime you want."
The door opened and closed. I said, "I believe she is going to watch us work after lunch."
Sharon took Ellas hand and said, "You are a very lucky girl to have her watch over you."
We all talked during lunch and we walked Sharon back to the library. I handed her a walkie and said, "Use this is you need us."
She walked back in and we walked back to the cottage. When we got back we found the living room was searched. I pushed Ella back outside and said, "Let us find Simon."
We found all the guys eating lunch by the relic building. Simon saw the look on our faces and asked, "Whats wrong Franny?"
"Did anyone go to the cottage?" I asked.
"No we have been together all day," He said. "What happened?"
"The living room was tidy when we left for lunch," I said. "We were gone around an hour because we checked on Sharon and went to eat lunch. The living room was searched hard while we were gone. We did not go inside when we saw it."
The guys stood up and Simon said, "Let me go search the building. You ladies stay outside until we are done."
Sharon called out on the radio. "Hey are any of you in the library. I am hearing a lot of movement upstairs."
Simon took the walkie, "Sharon get out now. We are sending a few guys to search the building now."
Pete said, "We will go search the library."
A few men left with him and Simon and the rest of the guys headed to the cottage. Pete called over the walkie and said, "Boss man we are hearing the movement but have not found anyone yet. It looks like someone jimmied the back entrance."
Simon said, "Okay give me a few we are gonna come there as we have not found anyone in the cottage."
We headed back to the library and I pulled Simon aside. "I do not want to leave Sharon alone. Can we have one or two workers start weeding around the building to keep an eye out for her?"
He nodded and said, "I was thinking the same thing."
Turning to the guys he said, "Listen I think we may have snoopers and we are gonna have a meeting after you all leave today. Sharon the building is clear do you feel okay going back in and working?"
She nodded and said, "Sure. I am good to work I thought it was weird I heard nothing until we got back from lunch."
He said, "Okay then go back in and start back to what you were doing. We are gonna shift our work around. I need two people stay here and work on the outside of the building."
Pete said, "I will stay here and work Simon. I do not want to leave Sharon alone knowing Stan is sick."
Charlie said, "Same sir. What would you like us to do?"
"There are a lot of loose bricks around the building," He said. "Let us gather them and start taking down these weeds that surround the building. When you're done if there is still time then we will start cutting down the low-hanging branches and adding the wood to the wood bin near the cottage. But one of you stays here at all times so you can take turns. Pete, go get the cart so you guys can drive the bricks and branches. Weeds can be brought up to the compost bins we built today and dropped in there for when we start the gardens."
Sharon went inside and Pete went to get weedwackers, a saw, and the cart to go back and forth. Simon walked Ella and I back to the cottage and said, "We did not find anything but a hand print on the china cabinet and it was a mans handprint. I am going to be near here and keep a walkie on you in case you hear anything."
Ella and I went inside the building. She said, "I guess whatever is here wanted to make its presence known."
We started to paint the laundry room. We finished the first coat and went to the dining room to sort and price. By the end of the day we had gotten two coats on the laundry room. We also bagged and priced the items from the China cabinet. I used the walkie and said, "Its that time everyone. Lets start wrapping it up."
Sharon called through the walkie, "Ella you think I can get a ride to town?"
She nodded and replied through the walkie, "Sure thing Sharon."
We cleaned up and I sent Ella's pay to her cash app. Sharon brought the books she had to the relic building and she said, "You can send my pay to my cash app as well. Also I went through a third of the bags so you may want to buy more bags soon."
I pulled up my phone and placed a online order. I order a hundred cases from Sams club. Smiling I said, "They will be here tomorrow afternoon."
After they left I paid the guys and when they left Simon joined me in the relic building. He said, "I pulled Pete aside and he is going to be coming back by invite. He is a great worker and deserves the chance."
"I invited Sharon back as well," I said. "When she was leaving with Ella, Ella was offering her rides when she needed it. We are getting a good crew."
He looked at all the books and items we brought over he said, "Sharon worked hard today and organized this so well."
"That is one of the reasons I am keeping her," I said. "That and I remember when Grandpa was ill. If this helps her and her husband, I am happy to keep her working."
He said, "So the mysterious intruders."
"Yeah," I said. "I think we need to keep workers near her. I am thinking that it may have been unseen residents."
He nodded and said, "I agree. So what are you doing for dinner?"
Laughing I said, "The last of the leftovers. Want to join me?"
He said, "Sure let me run and shower first. Give me about thirty minutes."
"Same," I said.
We headed to our homes and when I got out of the shower I had enough time to put on Pjs before he knocked at my door. I pulled out the leftovers as he pulled the plates and I said, "So what are you going to do at the medical building?"
"Well we have the estimate for the roof tomorrow," He said. "I am going to have the guys continue maintaining that area and we are going to do forms around the building to create flower beds and walking paths."
"Well," I said. "When sharon gets here I am gonna have her continue on. Ella is gonna clean out the cabinets in the kitchen until I get back. We also have a Sams Club order with 100 cases of gallon ziplock bags for the library. We can bring the order to the library when it gets here. Except for two cases for the cottage."
We spent the rest of night talking about random things while we ate. When it got a bit late Simon took my hand and thanked me for dinner. He kissed my hand and went home. I laid in bed setting up a play list for Ella and slowly fell asleep.
I must have been sleeping when my phone rang. It was Simon and he said, "Franny I called the police there are lights coming from the library. Stay inside until I call you."
The spirit box shifted and I put it on. Her voice whispered, "It's an older woman and a young man."
I asked, "Human?"
"Yes," She said. "I think they are looking for treasure. Shall I look?"
"I do not want you to get hurt," I said.
"I am a ghost," She said and I heard the door shut.
I called Simon and when he answered he said, "I felt a rush of air and the door shut in front of me."
"Go to the gate and let the police in there are two of them,"I said. "Ella is watching them."
"They are locked in an upstairs room," She said. "Carl is not happy they tried to steal from his library."
"Carl," I asked.
"He is the librarian," She said. "He is happy the books will go to a good home."
Simon came up to the RV with two officers and I said, "The spirit of the library locked them in an upstairs room."
The officer chuckled and said, "Carl at it again? He was my granddad's poker buddy."
We walked towards the library and saw four officers walking out an older woman and a younger man. I looked over the woman and said, "Aunt Flo?"
"I deserved this place Franny," She huffed.
"So you decided to try to steal from me?" I asked.
"Well my son decided to work for you instead of getting what was rightfully ours," She said. "Where is the treasure? Where did you hide it?"
This land is the treasure," I said. "what did you take?"
She laughed and said, "There is nothing worth taking here."
The young man with her said, "Jewerly and some documents that are in the trunk of the car. A few nicknacks from the house as well and silver from the kitchen. I am sorry miss she was blackmailing me to come with her."
Looking at the officers I asked, "Will you need to keep the items till the trial is over?"
Aunt Flo asked, "Why would there be a trial?"
"Because I am pressing charges on you," I said. Turning to the young man I asked, "How did you meet Flo?"
"I live in town maam and she saw me breaking into a car," He said. "I should have just gone to jail. Instead, she blackmailed me. My mother is going to kill me."
Aunt Flo said, "Well if I am going down then so are you?"
Looking at the officer I asked, "Can we have a word in private?"
He nodded and we walked a distance away, "How can I help you?"
"Can I press charges on her and leave him out of it," I asked. I proceeded to tell him about the passing of my Grandfather, Aunt Flos behavior at the will reading and her comment she would take what she thought she deserved.
He asked, "What about the young man?"
"Community service up here," I said. "One hundred hours, and then if he does well, I will offer him a job."
The officer nodded and said, "If you are sure I will explain what he will have happen and bring him home. When I looked at his license he only turned eighteen last week."
We walked back over and they loaded Aunt Flo into a cruiser and then the officer told the guy,"Listen you only turned eighteen last week. Franny here is offering you com.munity servuce, 100 hours and then if you do well you may be offered a job. That way you will avoid jail. You need to be up here at 7am."
He said, "Thank you. I will be up here at 7am. My mom is going to be pissed."
Simon said, "Well then do not mess up what we are offering you."
The officer said, "Come one kid I will bring you home and explain to your mom what you did. You best be thankful Miss Franny is being so generous."
As they left Simon said, "See you romorrow kid."
After they left I said, "Well that was some excitement."
We looked towards the medical library and I saw a shadow on the porch. I called out, "Thank you Carl!"
The shadow raised his hand and walked back inside. We heard the front door close behind him. Simon said, "Come on Franny let us get you home."
He walked me to the door of the RV and I said, "Thank you Simon I appreciate your help."
He said, "No worries at all. I will see you around six."
I watched him walk away and I went back to bed. As I laid down I said, "Good night Ella... again."
The light flickered, and Ellas voice came over the spirit box, "You did good offering him a job. Sleep well."
Falling asleep fast I settled into a deep sleep.
Waking up the following morning I heard my phone ringing and I said, "Hello?"
"Franny its uncle Shawn," He said. "We heard about Flo can Mike and I come up and meet you?"
Yawning I said, "Yes I will be back from getting daily workers in two hours."
"See you soon," I said.
March 23- Ella, Charlie, Walt, Shawn, Sharon, Pete
Aunt flo
Simon- Caretaker
Mason- Wall repair
Mike- Construction supply store Russel- Electrician Martin Smith-roofer
Caretakers house-
small apartment- bedroom 1, living room, bathroom/closet, k+itchen/dining room, closet
Main building- Master bedroom, master bath/closet, guest room, bathroom, office hallway top attic
kitchen, dining room, living room, sun room, mudroom/laundry room ,hall way bottom, stairs, bathroom
Franchesca- Main Matt-Brother Exploration Adventures
Mr. Jenkins, mitch- Lawyer/Grandpa lover Frank- Grandpa Nancy-assistant Sandy- Grandma
Simon, groundskeeper
Chris ex-fiance shelly ex friend
Marley- Butler Shiloh-Maid
Aunt Flo- Grandpas sister
Mathew- Grandpa and grandmas youngest son 3 kids Mandy wife