Close To You
Chapter 3
“Ashley!” Bree called out as Ashley got out of John’s big SUV.
Ashley’s face lit up with a smile. “I’m so glad you invited me. I love my mother, but it’s not much fun being snowed in for days with her,” Ashley said as the girls walked into the house. “Our house is so clean you could eat off the furniture.”
“Don’t you mean ‘eat off the floor’?” Bree asked with a chuckle.
“That too.”
“I’m so glad you’re here. I need some female companionship,” Bree said with a sigh.
“My, aren’t you fancy! Companionship?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Let’s get your stuff into my room and then we can do something fun,” Bree said.
“About time you remembered I brought Ashley here for you,” John griped. He was standing inside the front door holding Ashley’s small suitcase.
“Sorry, Uncle John,” Bree said contritely. She put her arms around his waist and gave him a kiss on the cheek when he leaned down. She batted her violet eyes at him before taking Ashley’s suitcase. “Thank you so much for bringing Ashley here. We both appreciate it, don’t we, Ashley?” Bree stated.
“Absolutely,” Ashley said in reply. She was wondering if she should give John a hug but decided against it. “It was really nice of you to come get me when the roads aren’t the greatest.”
“No problem, little ladies,” John said. “I’m at your service whenever needed.” He made a sweeping bow before he took off to his side of the cottages.
Bree giggled.
“What?” Ashley asked.
“Oh, nothing really. It’s just that sometimes Uncle John and my Dada are so much alike.”
“You think so?” Ashley asked with a frown.
“I know so,” Bree said confidently.
A little while later after Ashley had got her suitcase unpacked and the girls had had a snack, Bree suggested they go for a walk.
“It’s pretty cold out there,” Ashley said uncertainly.
“We won’t be out too long.”
“Okay,” Ashley agreed somewhat reluctantly.
The girls bundled up in their snow gear and headed out the door.
“It’s really beautiful with all the clean snow and the sun shining,” Ashley admitted as they walked down the lane.
“Let’s make snow angels,” Bree said suddenly eyeing a patch of pristine snow.
“Okay,” Ashley said with a grin as they walked over and threw themselves down in the crisp snow.
The two girls waved their arms and legs making the necessary silhouette in the snow. As they were about to get up a shadow fell across them.
“What are you two doing lying in the snow?” Peter asked.
“Making snow angels,” Bree replied. “We have to get up without wrecking our masterpieces.”
“Masterpieces?” Peter said skeptically. “Want a hand?” he asked as he held out his mittened hand for Bree to take. He pulled her up and she stepped back into the lane. “Ashley?” he asked as he extended his hand to her. After they were both standing in the lane, the three of them studied their ‘masterpieces’. “They do look like angels,” Peter admitted.
Bree frowned and looked at Peter. “Haven’t you ever made a snow angel?” she asked him.
“Nope.”
“Then today’s the day,” she said.
“What?”
“We need a trio of angels,” Bree declared. “Lay down there next to my angel,” she ordered.
Peter shook his head but didn’t argue. He lay down where Bree directed.
“Now move your arms up and down several times, and then your legs in and out. Keep them straight.”
Peter did as he was told, then Bree and Ashley helped him up. They stood back admiring the holy trio they had created.
“They look great,” Bree stated.
“Not bad,” Peter admitted. “I never thought of myself as an angel.”
“It’s your alter ego,” Bree told him.
This elicited a chuckle from each of them.
“I know what we can do now,” Bree said suddenly.
“What?” they both asked simultaneously.
“Let’s make a snowman.”
“That sounds good,” Ashley agreed.
“Okay,” Peter said, “what do we do?”
“Haven’t you made a snowman before?”
Peter shook his head. He hated that there were so many things he had missed out on, especially when everybody else took them for granted.
“Okay,” Bree said. “Let’s move down the lane. We can make it in front of Grandma Debbie’s - for her and Grandpa Carl."
“I think she’d like that,” Peter said in a soft voice.
“I think she would too,” Bree agreed. They walked down closer to the small cottage. “This is good packing snow,” Bree said, “so start by making a ball of snow then roll it in a new patch of snow and watch it grow in size.”
“Okay,” Peter said doing as instructed.
Bree started a ball of her own and so did Ashley. Soon they each had a good sized ball.
“Mine’s getting heavy to roll,” Ashley said standing up and taking a deep breath.
“Hmm,” said Bree. “We need three different sizes. Peter, yours is the biggest so far, so me and Ashley will help you roll it bigger still and it will be the bottom of the snowman.”
They all got to work pushing the big ball of snow through more areas of fresh snow. Soon it was really big.
“I can hardly move it anymore,” Peter admitted. They had ended up just in front of Debbie’s
cottage.
“One more roll over there and it will be in the perfect position,” Ashley said.
They gave it one more push and then stood back to admire the size of the ball.
“That will work perfectly,” Bree decided. “Now we need to smooth it off and pack it firmly.”
They got to work fixing the bottom of the snowman then tackled the ball for the middle of the snowman. Quickly it was perched atop the first snowball. Only one more ball was needed to make the head. When it was ready, they got Peter, because he was taller, to set it atop the first two balls.
“You two smooth everything together so that it looks really cool,” Bree said. “I’m going to get a few things from home.” She took off up the lane.
“Leave us to do the hard work,” Peter groused.
“She worked as hard as we did,” Ashley said in defense of her friend.
“Yeah,” Peter agreed. “I’m just getting tired.”
“Me too,” Ashley admitted as she packed some snow between the balls to stabilize the snowman.
“I’ll be ready for some hot chocolate when we’re done.”
“Me too,” Peter said with a grin. He stood back and studied their handiwork. “That’s a pretty great snowman,” he stated, proud of their creation. “A snow angel and a snowman on the same day. Who would have thought?”
“Hey, guys,” Bree said as she returned. “He looks perfect.”
“How do you know it’s a ‘he’?” Peter asked.
“Well, it is a snow - man!”
They all chuckled.
“I brought his clothes,” Bree stated. She held up a toque. “Peter, can you get that around the head?”
“I think I can reach,” Peter said. He managed to stretch high enough to get the hat firmly on the
head of the snowman.
“Here’s his nose,” Bree said holding out a carrot. Peter stuck it into the face of the snowman. “I got an old pair of sunglasses to go on top of the nose.” Peter obliged.
“He needs a mouth,” Ashley said.
“I think Grandma Debbie has a box of old buttons. Will you ask her if we can have some?” she requested of Peter.
“Sure,” he said as he walked up the sidewalk to the cottage.
“I found this bent branch when I was coming back here,” Bree explained to Ashley. “It must have broken off when they were plowing. It’ll make a great arm.”
“Only one arm?” Ashley asked.
“Put it through here,” Bree instructed holding up a leather jacket that she had brought from home.
Ashley threaded the branch into the arm of the jacket then they attached the branch to the snowman by jamming it into the middle snowball. They brought the jacket around what would be the shoulders of the snowman and Bree stuck the bottom of the sleeve into the pocket of the jacket.
“If we loop this little stick through the eye of the zipper pull on the jacket, we can anchor the coat onto the snowman. He’s too big to close the zipper,” she said with a giggle.
“Here’s the button box,” Peter said as he returned.
They sorted through the buttons finding some colorful ones to press into the face of the snowman to make a mischievous smile.
“I think he’s done,” Bree said standing back to admire their handiwork.
“He looks great!” Ashley said.
“Impressive,” Peter added. They all smiled.
“Hey, squirt,” Brian said as he, Justin, John and Bobby arrived to look at the snowman. “Debbie told us we needed to come admire your masterpiece.”
Carl and Debbie came out of the cottage all bundled up to see the snowman.
“Looks just like you, kiddo,” Debbie said with a cackle as she winked at Brian.
“What?” Brian sputtered. “Is that supposed to be me?”
“He does have your jacket and sunglasses,” Bobby stated.
“And he has a cheeky smile just like yours,” John said backing up before Brian could give him a punch to the arm.
“And he is giving the world the finger,” Justin added as he leaned into his husband.
“That branch does sort of look like I’m giving the world the finger,” Brian said with a chuckle.
“But it couldn’t possibly be me.”
“Why not?” Carl asked.
“He’s way too plump, can’t even do up his coat,” Brian said with a twinkle in his eye as he took out his phone to take several pictures of the kids and their masterpieces.
“Oh Dada,” Bree began to gripe with all the attitude of a teenage girl. Brian scowled, arched a brow then growled out two words. “For Gus.”
Bree’s demeanor quickly changed; the pop to her arm from Ashley helped. The girls immediately mugged for the camera then pulled Peter into the frame. When Brian was satisfied, they all had a good laugh. Then Justin announced he had put the kettle on to make hot chocolate.
Everyone cheered then they all walked back to the sun porch for warm refreshments.
*****
Gus was sitting at the kitchen table quietly working on his laptop reviewing contracts and campaigns, looking so much like another Kinney who had the same habit. Within reach was an almost empty glass of juice. He would have turned on the coffeemaker, but the timer was already set, and Gus didn’t want to mess with it. He was re-reading an email regarding increased interest by a few German art galleries in Justin’s smaller pieces when the coffeemaker timer clicked the appliance into life. Within a few minutes an enticing aroma made Gus’ nose twitch. A few minutes after that a large mug of heart-starting elixir was sliding into Gus’ hand.
“Mmm,” Gus exclaimed. “I needed that. Good morning, Hudson,” Gus said smiling up at the efficient housekeeper.
“Good morning, young master Gus. I see you’ve been up before the birds again,” Hudson observed.
“Yes, well, I like the quiet,” Gus replied.
“And young master Raymond?”
“Not so much,” he stated with a smirk.
“He keeps regular hours, you would say,” Hudson noted as she started the toast.
“Exactly,” Gus agreed.
“You take after the master,” Hudson stated.
“I suppose so. Pop always knows what each branch is working on. He seldom interferes but he’s aware of each major contract and campaign,” Gus explained.
“And you’re following in the master’s footsteps.”
“I’m trying,” Gus replied. “Hudson, may I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Why are you always so formal? We’re just regular people and as far as I know, not a drop of blue blood anywhere,” Gus said with a smile. “I have no problem if you called me Gus. And I know Pop wouldn’t mind if you used his first name,” said Gus searching Hudson’s face for a reaction.
“Habit, I suppose and training. We were with the Rutledge’s for more than twenty years. They can trace their heritage back many generations on both their sides. They expected formality and we provided it. I could be a little less formal with her ladyship while in her private rooms but not often.”
“When you’re comfortable with us, you have my permission to use my first name whenever you wish,” Gus said with a sincere smile.
“Thank you, young master Gus. I shall remember that. Now, breakfast, can I interest you in a full English?” Hudson asked as Cook joined them.
Gus laughed as he nodded. He wasn’t sure of his schedule; he thought he might need a hardy breakfast. Hudson laid out the toast with a dish of butter and a pot of marmalade on the side as Cook began breakfast. His mug was topped off with more coffee. Gus took a very appreciated mouthful.
“Why does this coffee seem familiar?” Gus asked the room at large.
“It should, your father had several cases flown in,” Hudson replied. Cook grinned.
“I knew it!”
“We have them properly stored downstairs where they will stay safe,” Hudson added.
“Along with his favorite bottles of wine, I suppose,” commented Gus.
“The master is very particular,” stated Cook.
“That he is. He knows what he likes and how to get it but he’s reasonable about it,” said Gus with a smirk. “Mostly,” Gus added as he chuckled. Hudson and Cook smiled.
“Mmo’g,” Ray mumbled as he shuffled toward the table, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Still half asleep, he sat. As he did, a perfectly prepared mug of coffee magically appeared in front of him. Ray deeply inhaled the magnificent aroma then raised the mug to his lips for his first sip of the day.
“This is good,” Ray stated out loud making Gus laugh. “Wait, did your father…?”
“Yup, Pop’s little home away from home surprise. And don’t worry about it running out anytime soon, I have it on good authority we have cases of the good stuff downstairs,” Gus informed Ray.
“Of course, we do. He is the master,” Ray stated now that his brain was awake. “Morning all,” he said with a wave of his mug and a smile. “Something smells good.”
“Full English, would you be wanting some?” Cook asked as he expertly maneuvered pans and griddles.
“Yes, please,” Ray gratefully answered.
As breakfast continued, Hudson enquired about their schedule for the day, specifically if they were planning to be home for dinner.
“Good question,” Gus replied.
“That German rep is still hovering in Paris,” Ray said around a scrumptious sausage.
“Yeah, and I’m getting tired of these cryptic emails going back and forth,” Gus commented.
“You’re thinking we should go to Paris for a face to face,” Ray asked. Gus nodded.
“Isles first and confirm with Pierre if the rep is free to see us today providing our driver is free,” Gus said as he looked up at Hudson.
“Stuart is your driver, of course he is free,” Hudson confirmed.
“And we won’t be taking him away from his other duties in the garden?”
“Our daily staff is quite capable,” Hudson stated with confidence.
“That still doesn’t answer the question about dinner,” Ray pointed out.
“Beggin’ yer pardon, sir. Would a shepherds’ pie do for tonight? I can leave it in the warmer for ya,” Cook suggested.
“Perfect,” said Gus. “I love your shepherd’s pie.” Ray nodded in agreement. “Then that’s settled.” Gus was about to shut down his laptop when he noticed an email with several attachments from his father and one from his Uncle John. “Holy snowballs, Batman,” Gus exclaimed.
Ray leaned in closer. “Your dad wasn’t kidding about the storm,” said Ray. “Who’s that? Wait, is that Ashley?”
“And Peter,” Gus said as he pointed to the other person in the photo. Gus gave Hudson and Cook a brief history about Bree’s best friend and the latest addition to the Kinney clan. He turned his laptop around so that Hudson and Cook could see the pictures of the kids and all the snow.
“I don’t believe I have ever seen this much snow all in one place,” Hudson commented as Cook pointed to the structure in the background. “May I ask where this photo was taken?”
“On our lane,” Gus replied. “That’s Grandma Debbie’s cottage.”
“Is the roof thatched?” Hudson asked in disbelief.
“Yes, Uncle John built it. He had a whole bunch of people come from the UK to show his crew how to create an authentic thatched roof,” Gus said proudly. “Even my dad helped,” he laughed.
“Wait, I think he sent pictures from a drone. Uncle John occasionally uses a drone when he wants to check on a small cottage in our meadow,” Gus explained.
“Must come in handy when you’re snowed in,” Ray commented.
“Exactly,” Gus replied. “Wow, Pop said Peter was operating the drone and he did an excellent job. I bet Uncle John will hire him when he graduates.”
The drone took them over Emmett’s cottage first.
“Awe, his little greenhouse looks like a lean-to,” Ray commented as he pointed to a collapsing section.
“Yeah, Uncle John said that’s the first thing on his list to fix when the snow finally melts,” said Gus.
The next stop was the log cabin.
“Is that a real log cabin? ” asked Hudson.
“Yup, built by one gen-u-ine cowboy,” Gus laughed. “Uncle John grew up on a farm, he rides, and knows how to wrangle cows and sheep. He taught us all how to ride,” Gus proudly announced.
“A true renaissance man,” commented Hudson.
“That’s my uncle!”
“Looks like the trees protected the cabin,” Ray pointed out. Gus nodded. “I wonder if Molly’s little cottage made it through.”
The drone next hovered over Molly’s cottage then swooped around to circle the entire home. The front glass door and walls gleamed in the morning sun.
“There’s your answer,” said Gus. “Uncle John did say it could withstand a category five hurricane. Molly is Justin’s sister. She and her family use the cottage mostly in the summer, but it does have a furnace and a small potbelly stove for heat.”
“What an adorable little home,” Hudson said.
“How’s Rachel and George’s house,” Ray asked as the drone seemed to be going up the lane toward the largest home on the lane. “It looks like the snow hit their house the most,” Ray commented.
“That house is different than the others,” Hudson stated. Gus explained how the house was moved and replanted on top of the small hill on the lane. “Your uncle is a remarkable man.”
“Yes, he is,” Gus stated with pride. “Ooo, look at the meadow,” Gus exclaimed as the drone flew over the sunflower meadow toward the meadow cottage. The dried sunflower stalks that remained vertical resembled snowy scarecrows.
“I hope the cottage is okay.” said Ray with concern.
“Oh, how sweet,” Hudson remarked as the drone flew low, circling the cottage then over to check the roof. They all sighed with relief when no damage was spotted. “Who lives there?”
“Doctors Alex and Glen Wilder. It’s their summer retreat and occasionally for the holidays too,” Gus stated.
“And where’s your home?” Cook asked Gus.
“That’s a little complicated. I grew up mostly in the city with my moms, but I spent a lot of time on the lane too.”
“We both do,” Ray added with a bright smile. “It’s a nice quiet place when you want to recharge your inner batteries. Look,” Ray said as he pointed to the conjoined cottages.
Gus gave Hudson and Cook a brief history of how Justin’s mother found the place and his dad had John restore the cottage. Plus, the joining of John and Bobby’s cottage.
“You give a new meaning to moving house,” Hudson quipped. She gasped as the drone followed the arbor path to the greenhouse. “That’s remarkable.” Gus explained how the greenhouse came to be, the plants it contained and the waterfall fish pond. “Your family is very talented.”
“And here’s Grandma Deb’s cottage,” said Gus as the drone circled the small quaint cottage several times looking for signs of damage.
“It looks like it came from my village,” Cook said with astonishment.
“And here’s the last one on the lane,” Gus said as the drone inspected the B & B. Ray explained how their expanding family warranted a large guest house.
“Where’s the drone going now?” Ray asked.
“Not sure,” said Gus as he shrugged his shoulders. “Wait, I know,” he said as he bopped himself in the forehead. “The tollhouse,” Gus laughed. The drone followed the frozen stream, through the woods to the back of the tollhouse then circled it several times. Todd and Tom who were regularly up with the birds, waved up at the drone, smiling with shovels in hand. The drone dipped its wing several times then flew off.
“We think when this house was built, it was literally on a plot of land between the crossing of two major roads. It has multiple stories and a fireplace in each room. This poor house was neglected for a long time and has been through several owners recently, including my moms. But it finally has its forever owners in Todd and Tom, good friends of our family,” Gus further explained.
“And how has Miss JR, faired through the storm?” Hudson inquired.
“She’s texted. They’re fine,” said Gus. “Their house is fine and they were able to shovel out without a problem. She and her partner live in the city like my moms. The city plows out the street. The only thing JR’s concerned about is her wedding plans.”
“Speaking about wedding plans,” Ray began. “Has JR or Jacq said anything about the honeymoon?”
“Not that I know of. Why?” asked Gus.
“Well, what about here?”
“Here, here?” Gus asked as he made a circling movement with his finger.
“Why not? We have plenty of guest suites already. Even if we’re here in May, they’ll still have plenty of privacy with us down here. And even if they stay a couple of weeks, your dad won’t be back until Bree is out of school,” Ray surmised. “It can be our wedding gift to her and Jacq. Two round trip tickets to the UK.”
“That’s a great idea. Hudson, do we have a suite of rooms that could be ready by the end of May?” Gus asked.
“We’ve only assigned two suites so far on the third floor; the master suite and for the little miss,” said Hudson. “There are several more that are currently being updated. I am quite certain at least one will be suitable and available.”
“Excellent! I’ll let Pop know. Now we better get moving,” Gus said sliding back into work mode.
“Your car shall be ready within the hour, sir,” Hudson assured him.
“Thank you, Hudson,” both Gus and Ray said as they left the kitchen to get ready for their day.
