A Year on Ladybug Farm - Donna Ball [34]
“Now,” she went on chattily, “have you had much chance to get out and look around? Finding everything you need? You know the best prices are at the supermarket on the highway, but Jason’s Grocery in town has the best smoked bacon in the state, and he cuts his own meat. His milk is delivered twice a week, but you need to be careful to check the expiration date on his dry goods—I don’t think he moves them fast enough to keep them fresh. I know I showed you the bank and the post office, but if you need a good mechanic . . .”
And so as they sat on the porch sipping coffee and nibbling on muffins, Maggie filled them in on the details of their new community. Cici could get whatever building materials she needed from J&J Lumber three miles west of town, and they delivered the same day—for free. Doug Hasting’s Chevron was fine for gas and oil, but never let him fix your car. The town library had a Charlottesville telephone directory, which would be helpful for finding contractors, and high-speed Internet. And Family Hardware on Main Street was worth spending an afternoon browsing even if you didn’t need hardware.
Bridget said, “Oh, that reminds me! When we were checking the fuse box this morning we found a room in the cellar we didn’t even know was there. We think it was the maid’s room. There was a Bible there from 1951—I think the name was Simpson.”
Maggie nodded. “It probably belonged to Ida Mae. She took care of this place for, oh, as long as I can remember. She used to make fruitcakes at Christmas and take them to all the neighbors. I think she went to Mountain Rest Nursing Home after Mr. Blackwell died.”
“Maybe I’ll send it to her there. It looked like a family heirloom.”
“That’d be real sweet, honey.” She finished off her second muffin and said, “Now those were just delicious. Where did you get the pecans?”
When Bridget confessed she bought them, Maggie gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “You won’t be doing that anymore! See all those trees up and down your driveway? Pecan trees! And all behind the house here are hickory and black walnut. Some people make a hickory nut cake, but give me black walnut any day—as long as you can keep the squirrels away from them! Be careful not to get the juice on your hands, though. You’ll never get the stain out. That was what the Indians used to dye their clothes.”
She cocked her head and said, “Well, that sounds like Farley coming down off the ladder. He’ll be wanting to get back.” She pushed back her chair and stood while Cici hurried to get a ten dollar bill for Farley.
Bridget and Lindsay walked with her around the porch to the front of the house. “You ladies certainly do have your work cut out for you,” Maggie said, stopping to gaze back appreciatively as she descended the steps. “But my, this is a marvelous old place, isn’t it?”
They agreed that it was. Then Lindsay said, “We sure could use some help with the yard work. I don’t suppose you know a high school boy looking to pick up a little extra cash.”
“No, I can’t say that I do. But I’ll ask around for you.”
Farley was already in the car, and Cici was squinting up at the roof, admiring the job he’d done.
“Oh by the way, I love your sign,” Maggie called as she reached the car. “It’s a little crooked, though. I’ll have Farley fix it for you when we go by.” She opened the driver’s door. “Ladybug Farm. Is that the cutest thing? Welcome home!”
They waved as she drove away, and then turned back to gaze up at the big old mansion. “Home,” repeated Lindsay. “Wow.”
And Bridget added, with a note of wonder, “Imagine that.”
Cici was silent for a moment, nodding thoughtfully, and then she grinned. “I think I can get used to it,” she decided.
Linking arms, they mounted the steps and went inside.
While Bridget spent the morning scouring and rearranging the pantry, Cici drove into town for her first visit to the lumber store, and Lindsay decided to tackle