Page 27 of The Estate
“Oh,” Rachel said. “Do you know the family?”
“Not that well,” Mrs. Mac said hesitantly. “I’ve just seen them in here and around town. They had a couple of kids. Boys, I think? But I don’t recall meeting their children. At least, not that I can remember. Just the parents. They’re… they’re not the warmest couple.”
“I’ve only met them once,” Rachel demurred, holding back her surprise. From what she knew about Mrs. Mac, the woman never said an unkind word against anyone, so her saying something spoke volumes.
“I’m working with their son Cal out on the estate,” she added. “Actually, that’s why I’m here. I got some grease or something on my white blazer and shirt, and I was hoping you might get the stains out.”
“Oh, let’s take a look.”
Rachel put the garments down, running a finger over the jacket. “This is one of my favorite pieces. I hope it’s not ruined.”
“Well, this doesn’t look too bad. We can probably fix them up. I’ll have Cynthia take a look to confirm. Just leave it with us for a few days.”
“Thanks so much, Mrs. Mac. I’m really grateful.”
“My pleasure. Just fill out the contact info on this form, and we’ll give you a call when it’s ready.”
As Rachel filled in the customer card, Mrs. Mac asked, “Have you seen what Lottie’s working on now?”
“I have. It’s a wedding gown with some Swedish influence, right?”
“Yes. I’m so thrilled for her,” Mrs. Mac gushed. “Watching her come into her own and be proud of who she is and what she can do. It’s been a genuine joy to walk with her as she finds her own path. And obviously now that she and Adam have found each other… It’s been an exciting time.”
Rachel pushed the completed form across the counter. “I happened to be over there the other night. I guess Lottie’s also been getting some wedding gown donations and picked up a few formal dresses? It sounds like she’s really spreading her wings.”
The other woman beamed. “She is, and it’s a pleasure to see. Now,” she said, coming around the counter. “Don’t let me hold you up.” She held out her arms and before Rachel could react, Mrs. Mac had wrapped her up in a hug.
Rachel stiffened. She hadn’t been expecting that, but she quickly relaxed into Mrs. Mac’s embrace. How long ago was it that she’d really been hugged by someone? Not for doing something or hugging someone else for support. Just had someone wrap their arms around her just because? The truth was, she couldn’t remember. And that was a harsh truth to accept.
So she hugged Mrs. Mac back. Closing her eyes to imprint this moment on her soul. After a moment, Mrs. Mac leaned back. “Now you get yourself to work and no more playing in grease, okay?”
Rachel smiled, “That I can manage.”
She left with a wave and a happy heart. She could conquer the world, or at least another meeting with Cal.
???
Entering the grounds, she saw a large landscaping truck by the house. Pulling into the parking area, she got out and glanced around. When she spotted Cal near one of the trees along the driveway, he waved her over, introducing her to the landscaper when she got closer.
“Stephen and I are discussing some long-range plans.”
“Oh,” she replied. “What have you got in mind?”
“Stephen has recommended some additional plantings for the pathway to the chapel. I like the idea of adding a kind of landing area along the way. Like a gazebo or archway. And there are some trees by the road to the old barn that I’d like pollarded. If that’s to be the distillery one day, I’d prefer the trees not crowd the road.”
“Pollarded? Gesundheit,” Rachel said, earning a bark of a laugh from Stephen. Well, at least someone found her as amusing as she found herself.
Cal merely sighed before explaining, “It’s a method of cutting back the trees to limit their eventual growth.”
Rachel wasn’t certain she understood what that meant but kept quiet as the two men continued to talk. Surveying the property, she couldn’t help wondering if Cal was just wasting his time. If his parents didn’t keep White Hall, there would be no use to pollard or polka or whatever else he wished to do to the trees.
After several minutes, Stephen left with the promise of emailing over a quote. Rachel waited until he was out of earshot to ask the obvious. “Don’t you think that’s a little premature? We haven’t even started gathering all the data needed for the recommendation to your parents and you’re getting quotes on landscaping as if it’s a done deal.”
“I understand where you feel it’s a bit presumptuous, but if my parents retain the property for events, then with the quote in hand, we’re poised to move ahead quickly with some needed upkeep before winter settles in. If they decide to go a different route, then plans and quotes could be a bonus to potential buyers.”
Rachel let it go, even though she didn’t entirely agree. They began moving in the direction of the house. “I guess I can follow that.” She hesitated, not wanting to ask anything too personal, but he must have sensed she had more on her mind.
“What?”
