Discovering Treasure by Crystal Mary Lindsey Read Free Book Online Page B

appreciate me having some manners. I will also thank him for his goodness to myself and my mother over the years.” She pondered this some more then added. “Before I put that last bit, I will ask him if he knew about my beginnings and what I meant to aunty, and then I’ll see what his answer is.” Treasure folded the letter and replaced it inside the envelope. There was more she wanted to speak to Ella about, but first she needed to light the lamps and decide what dinner was to be.
    *****
    Ella took care of clearing up and washing the dishes. It had been a quick meal of fried liver and vegetables, with some lovely apple cobbler purchased from the baker’s shop. Paris devoured the leftovers, even the veggies. She would be given porridge in the morning for breakfast the same as her owners. It was good to see her lying contented on a floor rug between them.
    Treasure still thought of her as him, having purchased a new collar with a length of rope. Ella promised to take Paris for a walk to the produce store the following day to talk to the vet. They had learned a Mr. Wallace—; new in town, had a small room for an office at the back of the store. He was preparing to build a house, with two rooms on the front as a veterinary clinic. Treasure met his young wife and little son Jason when she purchased the collar and found them to be very pleasant.
    Pleased to find other new residence’s to the town, Treasure spent a half an hour listening to Mrs. Wallace’s excitement about having her house built. In the meantime the family lived at the hotel. The following day was Wednesday, so Treasure thought it might be nice to invite Mrs. Wallace and her son over, the week after. By that time they’d be settled in and have time for company.

6
    Meeting the town folk
    The next morning, while Ella took Paris for her vet visit, after –Treasure had versed her not to disclose much about their previous life. Treasure herself went to talk to the man who owned the hardware store. She soon learned he was a country man named Jeb, who didn’t like to be called Mr. James. His long moustache intrigued Treasure; and she wondered what he did with it while eating soup. Besides that, he was a barrel of information. He knew a handyman by the name of Kelvin Thompson who could repair their side fence, and build a swing at the side of the house where two tall trees stood. They were far enough over not to fall on the house in event of a storm he informed. He also asked whether she would be interested in hiring a widow, Mrs. Ryan, a lady in need of a job and place to live.
    This sounded a wonderful solution to Treasure. Since her house consisted of five bedrooms, if the lady proved suitable, then she could occupy the room with its own sitting area towards the back, allowing privacy all around. Apparently, this Mrs Ryan once worked for another family who recently moved away, leaving her to live in the hotel. Understanding this might be an urgent situation, so Treasure informed Jeb to send the lady over at eleven thirty that day.
    She scarcely arrived back home when a knock sounded on the door, and Kelvin Thompson, the handyman to fix the fence, stood on the threshold. Treasure liked him immediately. He seemed a special type of person, who continually laughed a lot which was enjoyable. However, she decided that even though she would employ him, his wages would be collected from her lawyer. Telling him this she noted his casual reaction and knew her judge of character was just – he was an honorable person. Kelvin agreed to make and take care of a vegetable garden, as well as keep the yard tidy on a weekly basis. As they walked the grounds, Treasure showed him where she’d like a swing and some of the fence’s repaired. “We have a dog you know and I don’t want any other dogs wandering in or trying to fight with her.”
    Kelvin disclosed he knew a lot about dogs, and asked what breed it was.