Chapter 11
Liz’s heart melted as she gazed at the small puppy in Echo’s arms. “You have a puppy.”
“This is Teddy. Isn’t he the handsomest fellow?”
“He certainly is.” Liz began cooing as she reached for the small pup.
“I got him from one of the other employees at the farm,” Echo said. “I hope it’s all right.”
“It is, although I don’t remember seeing a section in the rental agreement referencing pets.”
“There’s a line to add a pet addendum.” Lucy sifted through the agreement. She reached the last page and began writing. “It’s only you and Teddy I take it?”
“Just the two of us,” Echo confirmed. “Although there are more puppies still available. ”
Liz perked up. “There are?”
Echo slid her cell phone from her pocket. She tapped the screen and handed the phone to Liz. “I’m not sure how many he has left.”
Liz half listened as she gazed at the basket full of puppies, her eyes drawn to one with mischievous eyes and a playful tilt of her head. “This one is calling me.”
“Do you want to run it by Floyd first?” Gloria asked. “He’s out by the shed.”
“Yes.” Balancing Echo’s phone in one hand and the squirming puppy in the other, she flagged her husband down. “We’re getting a puppy.”
“A puppy?”
“From one of the farmhands.” Liz held Teddy up, who promptly scrambled toward Floyd, batting at his chin. “He’s a friendly little fellow. ”
“What do you think about this one?” Liz showed him the photo of the puppies. “The one on the right is adorable.”
“If you want a puppy, I’m all for it. I knew Tate had some, but I didn’t think you’d be interested, at least not right now.”
“A Shih Tzu would be the perfect companion. We’ll need to make sure he still has them.”
“I’ll give Tate a call.” Floyd fished his cell phone from his pocket and tapped the screen. “Hey, Tate. Floyd here. Liz is interested in one of your pups. He’s a little fella. Got a white face and a set of floppy brown ears. I see. You still have her .” Floyd cast his wife a glance. “How much are you getting for them? That much? Okay. Forget it.”
Liz playfully punched Floyd in the arm and snatched the phone out of his hand. “Tate. It’s Liz. We’ll take the puppy. Tomorrow? Yes. We’ll be home in the morning. Thank you.” She jabbed the end button and handed the phone back to her husband. “He’ll be by with our sweet little girl tomorrow morning before his shift starts. I can’t wait.” She bounced on the tips of her toes and planted a kiss on her husband’s cheek. “Thank you, Floyd.”
“You’re welcome. It’s nice to see your gorgeous smile again.”
Liz returned to the mobile home to give the others the good news. “We’re getting a cute little girl tomorrow morning.” She handed Teddy to Echo. “We need to execute the rental agreement.”
Lucy, Echo, and Liz went over the paperwork, and Ruth began installing the new locksets while the rest of the friends returned to the house to pack up.
“We’re done.” Lucy handed a signed copy to Liz and the other to Echo.
“So am I.” Ruth tested out the door lock and handed the keys to Liz and Floyd’s new tenant. “You’ll be needing these.”
“Thank you, Ruth. I can’t wait to move in. ”
Paige and Echo began unloading Echo’s car while Ruth, Lucy and Liz caught up with the others.
“I haven’t been down this road in ages, but if my memory serves me correctly, the old Pere Marquette Railroad bed, or what’s left of it, is in your backyard,” Ruth said. “Do you know if Cash Creek runs through the property?”
“I’m almost positive it does,” Liz said. “The creek is down at the crossroads by a covered bridge.”
“I wouldn’t mind checking it out if you have time.”
“I need to get going.” Dot consulted her watch. “I’m covering the food truck’s afternoon deliveries. We’re heading over to Hank’s encampment today.”
“You’re a saint, Dot.” Liz hugged her. “Thank you for your help and for lunch. I know how busy you are feeding the homeless.”
“I’m happy for you, Liz.” Dot eyed the gaping hole in the soffit. “I’ll admit I was surprised when I found out you planned to move here. ”
“It’s growing on me, although it’s hard to imagine I’m willing to live in the lack of luxury instead of the lap of luxury.”
“You have the right attitude.” Dot smiled. “Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone to realize what’s most important in life…our faith in God, our friendships, our health. Money can’t buy happiness.”
“I love Floyd. This place makes him happy, so I’m going to do my best to make it our forever home, somewhere we can live out the rest of our years together.”
Margaret patted Liz’s arm. “I’m leaving with Dot. I offered to help her deliver meals.”
“Thank you, Margaret,” Liz said sincerely. “Thank you for everything. For offering me a place to live when I moved back to Michigan, and not letting the cat out of the bag when Floyd and I first started dating. For helping today when I know you—all of you — have other things you could be doing. ”
“Dot’s right. Nothing is more important than helping friends. Besides, I must admit I was more than a little curious to see this place. It was exactly what I envisioned. It looks as if the season of change for the Garden Girls has rubbed off on you.”
“I suppose it has,” Liz said. “Whether I’m up to the task is another story.”
“You might have to sacrifice a fancy fingernail or two along the way, but I know you can do it.” Margaret winked before giving Liz a hug. “Call if you need anything.”
Ruth was itching to explore as soon as Dot and Margaret left. “How far away is the creek?”
“Not far,” Liz said. “We can walk it.”
Ruth, Lucy, Gloria and Liz fell into step, meandering along the two-track leading to the back of the property.
They reached the crossroads and stopped to admire the covered bridge first. Ruth seemed particularly intrigued by the patterned timber trusses. “I’m almost positive the old town and railroad bed are nearby.”
The women crossed the bridge and approached the fast-flowing creek. With Ruth leading the way, they covered several yards before she abruptly stopped.
“Check it out.” Ruth gingerly brushed at a mound of dirt, revealing a block of wood. “This is the railway sleeper. It’s the foundation for the rails.”
“That’s cool,” Lucy said. “You think there’s an old ghost town somewhere around here, too?”
“Yep.” Ruth dusted her hands. “We should’ve grabbed the map Liz and Floyd found. I bet it would’ve given us a better idea of the exact location.”
“I think we can figure it out. Let’s split up.” Gloria and the others began making a thorough sweep of the area .
“Hey,” Lucy called out. “I think I found a foundation.”
Ruth hurried along the side of the bank and joined her friend. “This is it.” She ran a light hand over the stone wall and shot Liz a look. “Would it be all right if I come back with my metal detector?”
“Absolutely. After finding the medallion and map, I have to admit I’m curious about the property’s history.”
“Someone’s been back here.” Lucy pointed to a set of fresh tire tracks.
Ruth eased in alongside her friend. “These tracks go all the way out to the road.”
“If I had to guess, I would say someone’s been back here within the last twenty-four hours,” Gloria said.
“Great.” Liz placed her hands on her hips. “Maybe my nosy neighbor Christi saw someone after all. It looks like they’re heading toward the house. ”
Liz’s cell phone chimed, and she pulled it from her pocket. “Dot’s calling. Hey, Dot. Did you forget something?”
“No. Are you still at the farm?”
“We are. Gloria, Ruth, Lucy and I are exploring out back by the creek. We found some fresh tire tracks and are trying to figure out if someone’s been messing around.”
“Can you put me on so the others can hear?” Dot asked.
“Sure.” Liz pressed the speaker button. “You’re on speaker. We’re all listening.”
“Hank is here with me. Do you remember him?”
“I do. He’s one of the homeless men who runs an encampment and helped rescue Paige.”
“That’s him. Hank is familiar with the Gagnon property and told me something very concerning. I’m not sure how safe you, Floyd or even Echo, will be living there.”