Monday Nov 25

Maddy survived the crash and burn of her sleepover and Bobbie only beat herself up a little while for putting her in a situation she wasn’t ready for.

Monday was an at home day. Bobbie and Will took turns playing with Maddy and ordering lights and trees and decorations for both the market and the motel. When she called George at the hardware store he laughed and asked if she was decorating the Eiffel Tower. He said the special order would be there before the weekend and he’d let her know when to pick it up.

They found sponsors; they contacted the hospital, the community college, the local radio station, where Trixie was making her show and Bobbie talked George into and decorating a tree at the market. So, all 4 trees on stage would be decorated and the motel would decorate the big tree at the entrance to the market grounds. Bobbie kept track of all the details and expenses in her spreadsheet.

Tuesday Nov 26

Tuesday Bobbie woke up early and listened for Fossie or Maddy. She picked up her phone and saw a text from Will. He must have been working late. Chase was off disability and back on salary. That was good news. He would be coming in today for a half day.

She got up and put coffee on and got some scrambled eggs ready to make for Maddy’s breakfast. Fossie came out of Maddy’s room and Bobbie gave him his breakfast and went in to see if Maddy was awake. “Good morning Sweetie, I hope you had a good snooze. Do you need to go potty?

Maddy nodded and slid out of bed. She hugged Bobbie and walked out the door to the bathroom and sat on her little potty. Bobbie pulled up her covers, making sure that the bed was dry. She smiled and tidied up the small room and got out some clothes for Maddy. Most of the things she brought were getting too small. She wondered if Eddie and Jen kept any of Laura’s cast offs. Suzy was likely wearing things Niko had outgrown.

Maddy came back and Bobbie helped her dress. “I’ve got some cheesy scrambled eggs for you this morning.”

Maddy walked over to her highchair and climbed in. Humm thought Bobbie maybe she’s outgrowing the highchair. Really, it was just a higher seat at the island and more convenient than a booster. The tray was in the closet with Suzy’s chair.

Bobbie was cleaning up from breakfast when Frank texted. “Bobbie, I have news about the money in the trust and Tilsey really wants to discuss things with you.”

She told him to come right over. She set Maddy up with a large-scale puzzle and put cartoons on in the theatre room and unlocked the back door for Frank.

“Good morning, Bobbie, I bring tidings of great inheritance.”

“Frank what are you talking about?”

“We finally got the money that Townes was using to build his property and expand the developer side of his company and it was more than I expected. I was talking to Tilsey, the architect and told her about your new granddaughter and she didn’t want to bother you but she sent some plans for you to see about your ranch.”

“So, there’s enough money for me to go ahead with building the ranch house?

“We can call it a business expense. After all you need to be there to manage your ranch business… If you like Tilsey’s plan, it can be ready by spring.”

Bobbie poured Frank a coffee. “I’m going to text Johnny to come look at the plans too. Do I still have to sell or trade the condo project to Greg?”

“I’ve been talking to Trixie and we don’t need to do that unless you want to.”

“Oh, I have to talk to Trixie and Barb, they are managing the contractors for me.”

“You can pay Trixie back for what she paid the contractors already and carry on paying for the last stage of the project. Also, you can buy the reception building. I gave Greg and offer and he’s conditionally accepted; we can leverage the motel more if we have the reception building too.”

“That sounds dangerous. What if I lose them both?”

“You have capital but I need to invest the rest of the trust so we can make the payments on the expanded motel and the new ranch building.”

“Wow, maybe I should just leave it all to you Frank this is blowing my mind. What is the budget for the ranch house anyway?”

Frank laughed. “You want to make a spread-sheet, don’t you?”

Johnny and Will arrived. Will was excited because he had finalized the details of getting beef from River City to Crow harbour, for Mark to use in the kitchen. Johnny had fresh muffins from Mark. He went into the kitchen, grabbed a bowl, unwrapped a muffin and put it in the bowl. Then he carried over to the media room. “Hi Maddy, I brought you a muffin are you ready for a snack?”

Maddy squealed and stood up. “Uncle Johnny.” She took the bowl and sat back down, said thank you and continued watching TV as she broke off little pieces of muffin and ate them.”

Johnny went back to the island. “So, let’s see these plans?”

The house would be about 3000 square feet. The front would face the road and the river on the other side of the road. The site plan showed the barn and the existing bunk house the house was closer to the road but still had a front yard.

Johnny held down one corner of the plan. “Look Bobbie you’ll have a circular driveway. I’ve always wanted one of those.”

The next plan showed the floor plan of the actual house. The front was expansive and the main door led to an entryway that was mostly for access to the back and the side wings of the house. One side held the kitchen, dining room and living room, there was a patio with sliding doors along the whole side to the patio and then the other wing had 4 bedrooms each with a sliding door to the big patio. The whole back yard was fenced.

Bobbie nodded. “It’s shaped like a big C with the patio in the middle. I think it looks great. I told Tilsey that I didn’t need a pool. I won’t be there all the time to maintain it and it would need a big fence to keep animals out of it.”

Johnny nodded. “I had no idea how much it costs or the time it takes to maintain a pool. It’s a good thing that my nephew Kirby, Mitch’s kid Sid and Sipho’s brother Denny like to swim and helped me close it for the winter. Soccer season is over so the boys are in school. They are big grade sixers now and all in the same class. They are fast friends for sure. They hang around Myra’s place after school most of the time.”

“Myra is still living in your place? Aren’t you almost finished renovating it?”

“Mostly, she’s helping my paint everything. I’m not sure if I’m going to sell it yet. I might just let them stay there a while. Myra can pay a little rent when she gets a job.”

Bobbie’s phone began to ring. It was Tilsey.

Hi Bobbie did you see the plan I was nervous because you never came down to talk to me about it. I have a few contractors champing at the bit if you finalize the drawings.

I loved it Tilsey! It’s everything I wanted. I think we can go ahead if you clear all the money stuff with Frank. When it’s done; I’ll definitely come down and bring my new granddaughter with me.”

“I heard about that Bobbie, you are very brave to take on raising a child now that you are retired.”

“It’s not what I planned but the maternal instinct never really leaves you, I guess. I have a lot of help.”

Frank promised to call Tilsey after lunch and they chatted a while and then Bobbie thanked them and they left because She had a lunch meeting with Mark and Joan. Joan’s catering company was going to cater several Christmas parties that were already booked and Mark was going to coordinate the Water Wheel kitchen with Joan.

Joan arrived first. “Hi Bobbie, I have to thank you for thinking of me to help with your catering. You could have hired your own staff. Mark is perfectly capable of managing big events.”

“Joan, will you come work for me? See, it’s like I am hiring extra, not to mention excellent, staff except you and Mark have to share management.”

“Point taken. Truthfully, I have a couple of sous chefs and wait staff and along with the food; I have my hands full with managing them. I’m happy to have you and Mark handling the rest.”

Mark arrived and they got Maddy set up at the island and they talked about their events and the menus and nibbled on the samples that Mark and Joan provided. Bobbie took notes. Maddy sat at the island and nibbled too and just as they were finishing up, Maddy’s little head began to nod. Bobbie excused herself and took Maddy for her nap. “After your nap we’ll take Fossie for a walk and say hi to Uncle Chase.”