Eastover Treasures

by Dawn Brotherton

  “I wonder if the dining hall took any damage,” Pat said.

  Aury looked up at the stone structure where they had eaten their meals during the retreat. A tall tree was leaning, threatening to fall at the sign of a stiff breeze. “We should warn Scott to come cut that down before it has a chance to fall and cause more damage. That’s the last thing he needs.”

  “It looks like that building’s been here a long time. I’m surprised it hasn’t taken a hit before now.”

  “I wonder what it was before. It’s too far from the manor house to have been an outdoor kitchen,” Aury observed.

  “It could have been a stable. See how the roof’s shaped? And where those double doors are, I bet that could have been a barn door.”

  Aury could see it as a barn. The peaked roof could have been a hayloft. “That’s beautiful stone. I wonder what it is.”

  They strayed from their search by the pond to examine the dining hall more closely.

  “I never paid much attention to the details in this building before. It’s amazing how they could fit the pieces together so well.”

  “Crude, but effective,” Pat said. “They weren’t cut stone. They probably used whatever they could find.”

  “Check out the ironwork on that lantern.” Aury pointed to the black lamp attached to the side of the rockface. “I wonder if it’s original too.”

  “If it is, it’s been upgraded. It’s electric now.” Pat pointed to the wires running up the outside of the rock.

  Aury had a sudden thought. “But what if it were here in Mary’s time? Or at least something in its place? They would have needed light for the stable. Why not on the outside against the rock that wouldn’t catch fire?”

  “I suppose. So?”

  “The building’s made of rock. What if this is the rock we should be looking for? Not down by the water?” Aury was excited. She ran her hands over the rough stone, starting at the base under the light and working her way up the wall. Pat caught on and started helping her.

  “The clue says, ‘catches the light.’ What would catch the light?” Pat asked.

  “Metal. Certain stones. A mirror.”

  “Water,” Pat tossed out.

  “We’re too far away from the pond for it to reflect the light from a lamp here,” Aury said.

  “But if this was a stable, wouldn’t there have been a water trough?”

  Aury’s eyes sparked. “Great idea.” She backed up and looked at the ground in front of the dining hall. Pointing, she said, “There’s a raised line of rocks parallel to the front wall. Do you think that could have been it?”

  Pat went to where she was pointing. “It’s the right shape.”

  “If there was a trough here, where could Mary Townsend have hidden a treasure?” Aury sat on the ground next to one end where the rocks were piled slightly higher than in the middle. She pushed and pulled on the stones, trying to move them. They didn’t budge.

  Pat sat on the opposite end and tried the same thing. “I give up. If there was something here, it must be gone by now.”

  Aury leaned on her hands, thinking. Her eye caught a gleam from the ceiling above the lamp.

  Jumping to her feet, she got closer to the building. “I can’t reach it,” she said.

  Pat looked around but the storm had blown everything away that might have been useful. She made a cradle of her hands and allowed Aury to put her foot in it for a boost.

  Aury pushed on the shiny piece of metal and it gave slightly. Rust flaked down into her hair. She pushed it again, and the sheet slid out of its fasteners.

  She placed her hand in the opening but nothing was there. “I’m sure this had to be what she was talking about. The metal was put there to reflect the light and make it brighter, like a mirror would.” She stepped down, and Pat shook out her hands.

  Aury walked to the other side of the door and inspected the ceiling. “Here’s another one,” she said.

  “There might have been a light there too at one time,” said Pat. She made another foothold for Aury.

  “Your turn,” Aury said, cradling her hands.

  “No way. I’d hurt myself. You go. Just be quick.”

  Stepping up, Aury moved the metal sheet in one try. A larger hole appeared in the opening. She reached her hand around the inside edges and came out with a small container.

  With both feet on the ground, she considered the cylindrical item. “My grandmother used to have tins like these. They were for storing teas, spices, and baking powder. Almost anything,” Aury said. “Only hers had pictures on them. She used to collect them and display them above her kitchen cabinets.”

  “That one is rusted. Can you get the lid off?”

  Aury struggled with it for a few minutes to no avail.

  “Let me see it,” Pat said. She took the tin and tapped it gently against the building. Rust flakes sprinkled the ground. This time, when she twisted the cap, it came off, leaving her hands with reddish-brown stains. She handed it to Aury and walked out to the grass to wipe her hands.

  Aury tipped out the contents. She picked up the piece of paper first, anxious to read the next clue.

  “Find the oldest variety

  That from an acorn grew

  Look under the roots

  To find the next clue.”

  Pat picked up the remaining item, a two-inch by two-inch tile of wood. It was unfinished with bark still on one side. On the other was an indistinguishable pencil drawing. She held it out for Aury to inspect.

  “It looks a lot like the first drawing,” Pat said. “We need to use the magnifying glass again to be sure.”

  Aury smacked her hand against her forehead. “That’s why the first drawing looked familiar.”

  “What?”

  “Come here.” Aury led Pat along the path then turned to face the dining hall. She held her arms out. “What do you see?”

  “A building. I don’t get it.”

  Aury pulled the leather pouch from her pocket. She turned it upside down and handed it along with the magnifying glass to Pat.

  “It’s a barn!” Pat cried. “She drew a picture of a barn.”

  “That’s why it looked so close but not quite. The dining hall has changed a lot in one hundred and fifty years.”

  “And it’s a crude drawing. She wasn’t an artist or anything.”

  The talk of art reminded Aury of their quilts. “Oh, we need to get the fabric we hung in the trees before Scott comes to pick us up,” Aury said, putting the trinkets inside the tin. “We’ll have to resume the hunt later.” She placed the tin in her pocket.

  As Pat and Aury walked to the motel, Aury thought about how life must have been for Mary Townsend. No electricity, no indoor plumbing. The winters must have been brutal.

  “Do you think you could survive in the 1800s?” Aury asked.

  “Sure. Remember, it isn’t like they were used to things one way and then lost them. They never knew any different. They must have been thrilled with every invention.”

  “We’re spoiled. Think about washing clothes. We spend five minutes throwing clothes in the washing machine, then transfer them to the dryer. Can you imagine hauling clothes down to the river and spending hours with a washboard? Then hanging things to dry?”

  “What about those downed trees? They’d have to clear them away with an ax and hand saws. Yep, no time travel for me. I think I’ll rough it in current times with an occasional loss of power,” Pat said.

  Aury agreed. When they reached the motel, they pulled the fabric off the branches and folded it up. “That worked out well.”

  “At least it won’t stink. We can stick it in my car, and I’ll wash it when I’m home.”

  They loaded the fabric into Pat’s trunk and headed to the manor house. Fewer puddles covered the path as the water had absorbed into the soil.

  Chapter 19

  Scott was sitting on the front porch when they got back. “I thought you gave up on me and decided to hike out on your own.”

/>   “Sorry,” Aury said. “We had to finish packing stuff up at the motel.”

  “I didn’t forget about tools to clear that brush. Everything’s tied up trying to clear the primary paths.”

  “No worries. There’s nothing we can’t live without,” Aury said.

  Pat agreed. “Those sewing machines don’t work without power anyway.”

  Aury pulled out the tin can. “We found our next clue.” She showed him the piece of wood and the clue.

  “There are so many trees around here, it would be hard to know where to start,” Scott said.

  “It must have been a unique tree—otherwise, why would she think the kids could figure it out,” Pat said.

  “Sorry, but I think you’ll have to hold that thought for now. We better go, or Alan will wonder if we got lost,” Scott said.

  “Do you mind if I take these clues with me?” Aury asked. “I’ll bring them back.”

  “You’re welcome to them. I think it’ll be fun to see what you figure out.”

  The walk to the hole in the road went quickly as Pat and Aury filled Scott in on what they had found so far. When they cut through the woods to emerge on the other side where Alan waited, he greeted them with cold sodas and cookies.

  “You’re always feeding us,” Pat said.

  “It isn’t a buffet, but it’s better than stale crackers and whatever else you found to snack on,” Alan said.

  “We’re quilters. We’re used to snacking our way through the day at retreats. Quick energy boosts are all we need,” Aury said.

  “There’s hot food waiting for you back in town. The diner set up grills and has been cooking up as much of their meat as they can. They’re practically giving it away,” Alan assured them.

  As they bumped their way along the dirt road in the open maintenance cart, Aury felt a strange sadness about leaving. She took in the greenery, lush after the recent rains. Squirrels chased each other next to the path, and Aury laughed aloud when they noticed the vehicle looming over them.

  She didn’t remember taking the time to observe such things in her neighborhood. It was as if she were constantly in motion, repeating the same routine and not making headway.

  Even with hot food awaiting her, she didn’t relish giving up Eastover.

  * * * * *

  While Aury waited for her burger to come off the grill, she borrowed Alan’s phone.

  “Don’t you worry about me,” her grandmother assured her. “They’re taking good care of us. They have a back-up generator, and we’ve been coping without a hitch. I was so worried about you, though. When the storm hit, and I hadn’t heard from you, I figured it was the power outage. When it had been over a day, I started to panic. Good thing your friend called when he did.”

  Aury smiled. When Gran started chatting, it was hard to get a word in. “I’m fine. I just desperately need a shower. And my car is still trapped at Eastover.”

  “Well, honey, you know where my keys are. Help yourself to whatever you need. Oh, the kitchen is going to be a mess. Don’t go opening the fridge until you’re ready to deal with the odor.”

  “Thanks, Gran. I’ll have Alan drop me to pick up your car, then I’ll come see you.”

  “Might want a change of clothes. I doubt they restored power at your place yet. You won’t have any hot water.”

  “Good thinking. I’ll do that. Do you need anything else?”

  “Just to see your smiling face. I want to hear all about your adventures,” Gran said.

  “I’ll be by in a few hours. See you then.”

  Aury disconnected and handed Alan his phone. “Thanks. I feel better now.”

  “Anyone else you want to call?” he asked.

  “No. My parents died a few years ago in a car crash. No siblings, so it’s just me and Gran now.”

  “Sorry to hear that. I’m sure she’s glad to have you looking out for her.”

  “We look out for each other.”

  Alan smiled. “Let’s fetch some food and get you home.”

  Chapter 20

  Afew hours later, freshly showered and dressed, Aury sat with her grandmother in the lounge of the hospital. The elder woman was much improved health-wise, but the doctors wouldn’t release her until she had somewhere to go with power available. They didn’t want her to relapse.

  “And that’s about it,” Aury finished up with a recap of the quilting retreat. “They’ll let us know when we can go out and collect our stuff.”

  “What a shame. That Scott fellow sounds like a nice young man.”

  Tilting her head, Aury lowered her chin and gave Gran a knowing look.

  “What’s that expression for?” Gran asked.

  “No matchmaking. I’m not ready.”

  “Who said anything about matchmaking?”

  “I hear it in your voice.”

  “Just because your ex was a snake doesn’t mean all men are.” Gran placed a reassuring hand on Aury’s arm.

  He was a snake, Aury thought. But I wasn’t much better. She recalled the many fights they had because she married him expecting him to change. As if by her will alone, he would stop bar hopping and spend more time with her. She became the nag she always dreaded.

  They didn’t enjoy the same things, but she pushed and begged until he gave in and accompanied her on one adventure or another. It always ended in a fight, so she didn’t know why she bothered.

  “All I’m saying is I hate to imagine this Scott-fellow losing his family’s dream.” Gran’s voice brought her back to the present.

  “I know. I wish I could do something. I still have a few more days of vacation. I’m thinking about asking if he needs some help cleaning up.”

  “You were always handy with a chainsaw,” her grandmother commented. “Scared all the boys away, I reckon.”

  Aury laughed. “It would be wonderful if we could solve the riddle and find some treasure for him.”

  Gran lounged in her chair. “Let’s think about this.

  “Find the oldest variety

  That from an acorn grew

  Look under the roots

  To find the next clue.

  “You’re right. It does sound like a tree. Pass me the piece of wood you found.”

  Aury dug it out of her bag and handed it to Gran.

  “I’m not sure what kind of tree it could be. Maybe some type of oak. You could ask the Master Gardeners,” Gran suggested.

  “Who?”

  “They’re a club in town. Love to talk anything plant related. You’ll see.”

  “I’ll give them a call. I also want to find out if the library is open yet. They may have historical documents about Eastover.”

  “Good idea. Don’t just focus on those computer files, either. Good libraries have the original records stored someplace,” Gran said.

  “There’s a drawing on the other side.”

  Gran flipped the tile over. “It doesn’t seem like much. Just some squiggles.”

  “That’s what I thought, too. It could simply be scratches in the wood.”

  Holding it closer to her face, Gran squinted at it. “No, I would say more than scratches. But nothing I can make out.”

  “With all that happened, I can’t say I wish you were there, but it was quite the experience. The manor house must have been beautiful in its day.”

  “I’m sure it was. Oh, and what a view of the river it must have. We’ll have to go out there together once he gets it cleaned up.”

  “You would love the quilts we found. Handstitched and in great shape. They kept us warm throughout the storm when we had no heat,” Aury said. “I should offer to have them cleaned for Scott. It’s the least I can do. He won’t want to store them after we used them.”

  “That would be lovely. Did they have labels on them?”

  “I didn’t even think to look,” Aury said.

  “The practice of affixing labels has been around a long time, so maybe whoever made the quilts labeled them, and if so, they should at least have
a date and location. Possibly even the person they were made for and a message.”

  Gran smiled at a memory. “Your grandfather had labels made for me, embroidered with my name and lilacs because they were my favorite flower. Then all I had to do was add the other information.”

  “I have one of those on the quilt you made me. I didn’t know Grandpa had them made for you. What a thoughtful gift.”

  “He knew how much time I spent on each one of those quilts and wanted to make sure people knew I was the creator.”

  Aury leaned over and squeezed her grandmother’s hand. “I’ll check the Eastover quilts when I go back. It’ll be interesting to see how old they are. I hoped they’re labeled.”

  “I think I’m going to lie down a bit,” Gran said.

  Aury stood and unlocked the wheels of the chair. “I’ll give you a ride to your room.”

  “Why don’t you take a drive around town and fill me in on how things look? I want to know how people are faring,” Gran said.

  “I can handle that.” Aury guided the wheelchair through the hallway as her grandmother waved at various people, calling out to nurses and patients alike.

  * * * * *

  Having tucked Gran into her hospital bed, Aury followed her suggestion to go for a drive. Downed trees littered yards in the neighborhoods but had been cleared from the streets. Usually peaceful communities were humming in various pitches from multiple generators resourced to keep the basic necessities going.

  Some houses had boards over windows while others displayed tape Xs used to discourage the glass from shattering in the storm. Aury assumed those folks hadn’t returned from their evacuation yet.

  Many of the principal streets appeared to have power restored, and the parking lots were full. Long lines snaked out of the gas station as people waited to purchase fuel for their generators.

  Aury was pleased to find the library’s lights were on. Parking spots were hard to find, and she had to drive several blocks away before she found street parking.

  The library had more people than Aury had ever seen in there before. A sign next to the computer terminals let people know the internet was still down.

  Luckily, Gran had mentioned there should also be paper records somewhere in the library. Aury approached the reference desk.