Little Cabin on the Lane

Chapter 5

“Hey, Justin,” John said as he came into the kitchen on the Kinney-Taylor side of Edna’s Treasures.

“Hey.”

“Have you got some time this morning?”

“Yeah, but I just got the kids off to school on the bus. I need to do a couple of things around here. I thought you were busy at Michael’s cottage. I saw you in there when I walked the kids down to the gate.”

“Isn’t the bus coming in anymore?” John asked.

“I think they would still come up the lane, but with the construction site, I told the driver I’d bring the kids down there, so the bus didn’t have to pass the site.”

“Better safe than sorry?”

“I know nothing would happen. You’re always ultra careful and safe, but I thought it would simplify matters.”

“You’re right. Better the bus doesn’t come in, especially right now with the earth movers still working.”

“I thought you had the foundation all worked out.”

“I thought I did too, but I keep getting input that I don’t really want.”

“What do you mean?” Justin asked.

“I’m expanding the foundation again, and it looks like we’ll be having a two storey house,” John said with a sigh.

“I think you need a coffee,” Justin said pouring a mug for each of them. “Come and sit down and tell me all about it.”

“My brother had no idea of the can of worms that he was opening up when he told Michael he’d build him this place.” John flopped into one of the kitchen chairs at the table. Justin sat down across from him.

“This sounds bad, John.”

“Every time I think we’ve got a plan, I get a call or a visit from someone who wants to change things.”

“Like who?”

“Ben, Michael, Debbie, Danny, Emmett.”

“Emmett?”

“Yeah, he would prefer not to have a big place across from his cottage. He was hoping it would be only one floor. That’s what I was planning. Yesterday I got a call from Michael. He really, really wants a balcony and deck where he and the family can sit out and enjoy the breezes.”

“Enjoy the breezes?” Justin asked.

“Yeah, a direct quote.”

“This log cabin sounds like it’s getting out of hand.”

“You think!” John said. “Here’s my interpretation of what it might look like with all the proposed changes and requests.”

John picked up the folder he had been carrying when he came into the kitchen. Justin hadn’t paid much attention to it, but he now realized that must be why John had come to see him. John pulled a sheet of paper from the folder and handed it to Justin.

Justin tried not to spit his coffee all over the paper that John handed him. He almost succeeded, but the picture in front of him made that impossible.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Justin said.

“Well, maybe I have exaggerated a bit, but this seems to be where we’re heading with the log cabin,” John explained.

“Shit! I know this isn’t what Brian intended.”

“I know that too, but how do I stop them all from interfering?” John asked shrugging his shoulders.

“Hm,” Justin said. He wished Brian was there. Brian never had trouble telling people the truth no matter how much it hurt. “What did you say Emmett wanted for the log cabin since he’s going to have to look at it across the lane?”

“His one request was that it be a single storey in height, and I don’t blame him. Almost all the buildings on the lane are one storey. He doesn’t know anything about all these changes. In fact, he’s going to go ballistic when he hears about all the changes.”

“Emmett won’t go ballistic, but he will have a queen out to rival the very best in the universe,” Justin said with a chuckle. “I don’t want to be around for all the tears and mayhem.”

“Drew will kill me, or Michael, or Ben … someone,” John said lamely.

“Then maybe you should make that the reason that you can’t do two floors. Emmett was here first, and he definitely has a say in what’s going to be built across from him.”

“Do you think Ben and Michael will listen to that?” John asked with a frown.

“They will if you tell them that’s how it’s going to be,” Justin stated.

“I’m not like my brother. I don’t have his way of cutting through the bullshit. I take people’s feelings into consideration,” John said. Suddenly a sad look crossed his face. “I don’t mean that to sound as bad as it does,” he added, once he had thought about how his words sounded.

“Don’t worry. We all know how Brian handles things, and he’s the only one who gets away with it,” Justin agreed.

“Maybe if I lay down the law, in my own style, I can make them see reason,” John suggested hopefully.

“It is Michael that you’re dealing with,” Justin said. “Reason isn’t exactly his forte.”

“Okay, okay,” John said scrubbing his fingers over his eyes. “Then I resort to a guilt trip.”

“Guilt trip?” Justin laughed. “How are you going to use a guilt trip?”

“I’ll tell Michael that Emmett is feeling so bad because Michael’s cottage is so much better than his, that Emmett is actually thinking of moving off the lane.”

“Now that’s something that Michael will understand,” Justin laughed. “He grew up with guilt trips his whole life.”

“I’m counting on that.”

“You are almost as evil as your brother … just in your own fashion.”

“Thanks, I think. He taught me well,” John said with the Kinney smirk that he rarely used.

Justin shook his head. “I wouldn’t want to cross either of you.”

“And I know you never will,” John said with a big grin. “I think you’ve earned a reward for all your help in figuring out what to do.”

“A reward?”

“I found a log cabin that’s abandoned over past Bridgeton. I thought I’d take you there if you have some time this morning. I think it’s what you were looking for.”

“Ooh, abandoned,” Justin joked. “That sounds more like what I was thinking of painting.”

“I thought it might be.”

“Come down to the site when you’re ready to go,” John said as he stood up. “I’ll be ready to go when you arrive.”

“Give me about an hour,” Justin replied. “And good luck dealing with Michael.”

“I can handle him … or I’ll call in the big gun.”

“The big gun will back you up,” Justin laughed, as John headed for the door.

 

*****
 

Some time later Justin was sitting in the passenger seat of John’s SUV. “Did you speak to Michael?” he asked.

“I called him.”

“And…?”

“I told him it was only possible to build a one storey house or Emmett would be very upset.”

“Did you tell him Emmett was thinking of moving?” Justin asked with a grin.

“It didn’t come to that, thank God.”

“So Michael gave in?”

“As long as I build him a barbecue area out the back.”

“He doesn’t even know how to barbecue.”

“I know, but he wants to learn … supposedly.”

Justin sighed. “Well, at least you kept his house to one floor.”

“We’re here,” John said pulling the SUV to a stop alongside the road.

“I don’t see a log cabin,” Justin stated looking around. “I don’t see anything but trees.”

“Through there,” John said pointing to a barely visible path just in front of the SUV. It was overgrown but Justin could see where it led off into the trees.

“How did you find this place?” Justin asked. “Nobody would know it was here.”

“I have my ways,” John laughed.

Justin grabbed his camera and followed John into the path. Once they left the road, Justin could make out an old building of some kind up ahead. They came into a clearing and there in front of them was a small log cabin that obviously had been left abandoned for a long time. It was falling down and overgrown with weeds and moss.

“This is great,” Justin said taking some pictures from a distance. “Just exactly what I was looking for.”

John stood back and watched as Justin gradually made his way closer to the old cabin, taking pictures all the way. When Justin was up close he began snapping pictures of various elements of the old structure. Broken boards and the hole in the door, and a broken window, some overgrown logs covered with moss. He took picture after picture. John merely watched.

After quite a while Justin turned around and gave John one of his sunshine smiles. “This is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks so much for bringing me here.”

“What are you planning to do?” John asked as they headed back to the SUV.

“I want to do larger than life studies of several of the elements of the cabin, but I’m going to incorporate what I think the log cabin would have looked like when it was still in use.”

“How are you going to incorporate that?”

“I don’t know for sure yet, but I plan to tuck it in somewhere in the painting so that you’ll have to really study the painting to find it.”

“Sounds interesting,” John said. They got back into the vehicle and headed for home, one very happy Justin Taylor with a big smile on his face.

 

*****
 

Tom was lounging on a chaise in the backyard of the B&B reading the latest mystery novel. Although the days were getting shorter, the September sun was still warm and the quiet of the lane too tempting to stay indoors, construction noises notwithstanding. He closed his eyes, relishing in the peace when slightly off key singing jarred Tom’s repose. Bopping to the music from his headphones, Todd pushed his lawnmower toward the back of the cottage.

“WHOA!” Todd shouted as he jumped a good five feet straight up when he felt the touch to his shoulder. “Don’t do that!” he yelled at Tom, who was turning beet red as Todd held a hand to his heaving chest. “You shocked the shit outta me.”

“I’m so sorry,” Tom apologized.

“What?” Todd asked, throwing his hands in the air, very perplexed. Tom grinned as he pointed toward Todd’s ears. It took a second but then Todd understood and removed his headphones.

“Hi, I’m Tom, how’s it going?”

“Fine,” Todd automatically responded then rolled his eyes. “I mean other than almost having a heart attack, I’m good. Wait, don’t I know you?”

“I’ve come to many a social gathering here, maybe at one of the parties?”

“You’re Father Tom!”

“Normally I am but for the next few weeks, I’m just Tom,” Tom said solemnly.

“Can you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Not be a ‘father’ I mean.”

“Yes. Think of it as a sabbatical.”

“Oh.”

“May I ask, what are you doing here?”

“Mowing the lawn?” Todd said with a lopsided grin. Tom chuckled and shook his head. “Brian called me. He told me he was going on an extended business trip so I’m here to keep an eye on the gardens. All of them.”

“All of them?”

“Emmett’s, Molly’s and at Edna’ Treasures. Brian usually does most of the work himself with help from Briana; the families on the lane all pitch in. But for the big stuff and generalized maintenance, we do it.”

“We?”

“The All Things Happy Garden Center. Brian and I are in business together,” Todd said proudly.

“He owns a garden center?”

“A partner, a very silent partner. He fronted me the money a couple of years ago.”

“Mm, I remember hearing about it. I also recall you having a partner of the more personal nature.”

“Gerry,” Todd said sadly.

“Not going well?” Tom ventured gently.

“Not going at all. He was given an opportunity to teach, in Chicago of all places.” Tom gave Todd a curious look. “I moved back here from Chicago, looking for a quieter life and to do the landscaping that I wanted to do. We left on good terms, no hard feelings.”

“But you did have feelings,” a statement more than a question.

“Yes, I did, to be honest. A lot more feelings than I thought I did.”

“Hurts, doesn’t it.”

“Yes, sometimes. So that’s when I become the hired help rather than the boss. I stick the headphones on, rev up the old mower and edger, and…”

“…work out some of life’s mysteries?”

“That’s putting it a bit more eloquently than what I would have said but you’re right. And today is a beautiful day.” Both Todd and Tom looked up at the clear blue sky and inhaled the clean fresh air.

“Then I’ll leave you to it,” Tom said as he turned back to his lounge chair and book.

“I won’t disturb you?”

Tom shook his head, no. “Perhaps, when you’re done with your labors, we can have lunch.”

Todd smiled. “I’d like that, Father.”

“Tom, just Tom.”

“Tom,” Todd said with a coy smile then got on with his work.

Tom watched the attractive man for a minute then walked back to his chair. He searched the sky looking for a sign, divine intervention, something to show him the way. “What the fuck am I doing?” he asked the sky then shook his head as he opened his book and began to read.

 

*****
 

“Kinney, what the fuck are you up to?” John snarled when Brian answered his cell phone.

“Okay, am I supposed to guess at what you’re referring to because right now I’m trying to arrange my flight plans,” Brian growled back.

John sighed, reining in his anger. “Tom is here staying in the big cottage.”

“Yesterday’s news, I invited him, remember?”

“Todd is here.”

“Good, at least the lawn will be done right….oooh,” Brian bought a clue and put two and two together.

“The light dawns,” John snarked.

“Are there sparks between the good friar and the lawnmower man?”

“Please tell me you didn’t do this on purpose.”

“I swear on blond heads I had nothing to do with this. Tom came to me with his crisis of faith, I guess you’d call it.”

“You of all people he goes to,” John muttered.

Ignoring it, Brian went on. “Look, Tom isn’t all as innocent as he seems.”

“Should I ask?”

“Probably not, you were raised a Catholic.”

“So were you,” John snarked. “Brian, he’s a priest; he took a vow.”

“He’s also a man, a man with a past and he needs to figure this out for himself.”

“How do you know about his past? I got the impression he wasn’t one of your favorite people, way back when.” John paused, suddenly getting on the same clue bus. “Holy shit, you didn’t.”

“I did.”

“You fucked a priest?” John said in a whisper that was two octaves higher.

“Hey, he wasn’t wearing a collar at the time. In fact, as I recall, he wasn’t wearing anything,” Brian said smugly.

“Oh my God!”

“It was dark, in a backroom somewhere. How was I supposed to know the occupation of the ass I’m fucking? Besides, it was over twenty years ago. Fuck I’m old!”

“Stop with the old shit. Brian, this is wrong.”

“No, it isn’t. John, he’s questioning his choices not his faith. Give him the courtesy of allowing him to make up his own mind. He’s not going behind anyone’s back, so to speak. He didn’t run away. He took a legitimate sabbatical so that he can come to a decision. Tom assured me that his bishop knows, and Todd…Todd’s a good man, hard working, kinda goofy, but he deserves good things.”

“He and Gerry didn’t work out?”

“No.”

“Too bad, Gerry was nice.”

“Yes, and he still is but he’s nice in Chicago. Long story,” Brian said before John could ask. “Now, what’s up with Mikey’s cabin? I’ve heard it’s turned into the Taj Mahal.”

“Yeah, I’ve had a lot of helpful tips and suggestions,” John griped.

“Sarcasm? What the hell is going on over there?”

“It’s all gotten away from me,” John sighed.

“Then stop it; stop them! Take back control. John, do you have a vision for the cabin?”

“Yes. I had to alter it slightly because Ben wants room for JR and Hunter, but yes, I have or had a plan.”

“Describe it.”

“A level and a half structure, almost ranch style with a stone foundation and a large fireplace in the middle of the living room. Michael and Ben’s room on the ground level with a full bath. Loft bedrooms just above, not a full second floor. From the outside it would look like one floor because the first level is sunken in. A shared upper bathroom between the two rooms. The wood and the stone will blend in with the surrounding forest.”

“Sounds perfect. You’re the builder, so build. And don’t let our cwazy wittle family get in your way. Put your big foot down; you’re the man with those three letters behind his name! Use them.”

“Yay,” John said with bolstered confidence. “I will. Thanks, Brian.”

“My pleasure. Now I have to pack.”

“Which way you headed?”

“Across the pond.”

“Justin will be disappointed.”

“I know but it can’t be helped. This is my company and I have to be a presence.”

“I understand and so will Justin. Later.”

“Later,” Brian said as he hung up and returned to the task at hand.
 

Return to Little Cabin on the Lane