The Secret of Spring Hollow by Jan Weeks

Author:Jan Weeks [Weeks, Jan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781477884461
Amazon: B00ECD2VO4
Goodreads: 18800931
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Published: 1998-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Saturday dawned cool and damp, and the threat of rain hung in the clouds that covered the western sky.

“I hope Ed brings those things out soon,” Caitlin commented as she peered through the kitchen curtains at the dark clouds curling down to hide the peaks.

“Yeah. I’d like to get the sign hung, too,” Jeff said. The sign lay propped up against the kitchen wall, taking up a lot of space. Jeff caressed the smooth, polished edge and traced the letters that were carved deeply into the redwood. “I’ve got the eyebolts screwed into the cross-piece. I just need some help getting it up.”

“I’m sure Ed will be glad to help, if it’s not pouring rain,” Caitlin said. The entrance to the lane was framed by two upright logs that held another log notched across the top to form a gateway of sorts. Everything was ready for the final hanging.

“It’s going to look super,” Linnie said. “You did a really good job on it.”

“When you’re good, you’re good,” Jeff joked, but his eyes shone. “Did I tell you I got an A plus on it?”

“Only about a million times.” Linnie rolled her eyes.

Jeff stuck his tongue out at her. “I think I’ll go feed the chickens. At least they appreciate me.” He left, only to pop back in. “I just saw Ed turn into the lane,” he said. “I’ll be right back. Don’t start without me.” Then he raced toward the barn.

Caitlin pulled on her old gray work sweater. “You’d better have a jacket,” she said to Linnie. As she stepped out the door, she was astonished to see not only Ed Bauer’s truck and trailer, but seven or eight other vehicles pull into the yard and park near the guesthouse. Linnie and Caitlin exchanged puzzled looks as they trotted out to the parking area.

“What’s going on?” Caitlin asked Ed. “What’s everybody doing here?”

Ed grinned. “I told you that you kids weren’t alone, and that we’d all help. Well, we’re not going to let you open the place without some kind of celebration.” He pointed to friends and neighbors piling out of their cars and trucks. “You just show the women where to put the food, and we men will take care of the rest.”

“What’s happening?” Linnie stood close behind her sister, astonished at the cavalcade.

“Here, Cait. This needs to go in the refrigerator.” Mae Bricklin held out a bowl containing a dessert made primarily of whipped cream.

“Thanks, Mae,” she said as she led the way up the walk to the kitchen door, “but what on earth are you all doing?” Caitlin held the door open as neighbor after neighbor trooped into the kitchen, each bearing some sort of food.

“We need the oven for this,” Alma Owens said. “Put it in at three hundred and twenty-five degrees and it’ll be perfect by lunchtime.” A large ham filled the roasting pan she held.

Linnie hurried to carry out her directions, and then put another pot of coffee on. The kitchen filled with conversation and activity as their neighbors laid out salads, breads, and casseroles for lunch.

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