Memories from Acorn Hill

by Melody Carlson

“I sure did. And I almost forgot, I saw your friend Dr. Graves as I was leaving, and he asked me to tell you that he and Adam were taking a day trip. He would’ve told you himself, but you were gone.”

  “A day trip?”

  “He said he was going with Adam to pay his respects to the gravesites of the young man’s parents.”

  She nodded. “I see.”

  “It’s a sad thing to lose your family like that.”

  “Yes, I feel bad for Adam.”

  “Anyway, Dr. Graves wanted me to let you know so you wouldn’t worry.”

  “Thank you,” said Alice. “I appreciate it.” Although she did appreciate it, she felt sad that she had missed the chance to talk to Mark. Perhaps it would work out better this way. Maybe Adam was getting to the place where he would be ready to confide in Mark in the same way he had confided in Laura.

  “What are your plans today?” asked Jane as Alice helped her to clean up after breakfast.

  “I’m going collecting.”

  “Collecting?”

  Alice grinned. “The prizes for the Easter egg hunt. I sent out the letters to the local businesses about a month ago. Now it’s time to go around and see if they are willing to help out.”

  Jane made a face. “Good luck.”

  “Yes, I’ll probably need it.”

  “You can put me down for chocolates,” said Jane as she rinsed a mixing bowl. “I thought I’d try making some cute decorated eggs that I saw in my cooking magazine. I’ll make a batch for the inn, and if they turn out well, I’ll do more for the baskets. How many are you going to fill?”

  “We’re planning on ten,” said Alice. “The ANGELs and I will put them together tomorrow night.”

  “I’m sure they’ll think that great fun.”

  “I hope so. It all depends on what the businesses want to contribute.”

  “I hope it won’t be a bunch of old, useless stuff like last year,” teased Jane. “What kid wants a shoe horn in his prize basket?”

  “Or a tea ball.” Alice chuckled. “Well, I was very specific about contributions this year. I said they must be child-friendly and I even gave them the age categories.”

  “Well, I can’t wait to see what you get,” said Jane.

  Alice put on her walking shoes again. Just as she was about to head out the door, the phone rang, and she went to pick it up. It was Aunt Ethel asking for help moving her couch. Alice promised to come by later to help her, then she took a sturdy shopping bag and set out on her mission. She decided that she would start at the hardware store. She knew that she could count on Vera’s husband Fred to come up with something nice.

  “Howdy, Alice,” he said as soon as she entered the store. Alice loved the familiar old smell of this store. More than a hundred years old, it was as if the old walls could tell stories of the days gone by. Some of the merchandise probably could too— Alice felt certain that some of these same items had been on the shelves when she was a child. “Hi, Fred.” She smiled and stood at the counter. “I’ve come collecting for the Easter baskets.”

  He grinned. “I thought maybe that’s what the bag was for. Well, you’re in luck this year.” He stooped down to get something from behind the counter. “I got in far more of these things than I thought I’d ordered.” He stood up and placed an assortment of water guns in varying sizes and colors on the counter. “There’s ten altogether.”

  “That’s great!” Alice nodded. “I’m sure the children will be delighted with those.”

  “The parents may not be too thrilled.”

  Alice began loading them into her bag. “We won’t worry about that, will we, Fred?”

  He chuckled. “Kind of like being a grandparent.”

  “Right. You can spoil them and not worry about the results. Any idea what the weather will be like this weekend?” Fred was an amateur meteorologist.

  He rubbed his chin. “Well, the news is predicting cloudy, maybe even showers, but I think it’ll be all cleared up by the weekend.”

  “I hope you’re right.” She put the last squirt gun in her bag. “Thanks so much, Fred. These are great prizes.”

  The General Store’s contribution was not too generous, but at least packs of gum were better than nothing.

  She crossed Chapel Road to Nine Lives Bookstore. After entering, she paused to pet one of the shop cats, then went up to the counter.

  “Good morning, Alice,” said Viola as she lowered her glasses and set aside a thick book.

  Alice quickly explained the reason for her visit. “If you haven’t got anything, I’ll understand.”

  “Of course, I have something,” said Viola with a twinkle in her eye. “I think you’ll be impressed too.” Then Viola reached down below her counter and pulled out a stack of picture books. “These are hot off the press. Not only that, but they are signed by the author.”

  “Really?” Alice picked up a book for a closer look.

  “These are wonderful. Thank you. They will be a great addition to the baskets,” Alice said as she walked toward the exit.

  Her next stop was down Berry Lane at Wilhelm Wood’s Time for Tea. “Good morning, Wilhelm,” she said in a cheerful voice.

  “Hello, Alice. I’ve just brewed some of my new spring blend. Would you like to sample it?”

  “Certainly,” she told him, waiting as he poured her a small cup.

  “It’s a green tea,” he said, “that I infused with a bit of peppermint.”

  She took a sip. “Oh, this is lovely. It’s very refreshing. I bet it would be good iced too.”

  He nodded. “Yes, that’s what I thought.”

  Alice picked up a box and set it on the counter. “I’d like this, and I’m also here to see if you’d like to contribute anything to the Easter egg hunt prizes. Did you get my letter?”

  “Yes, and do I have something for you. You said there would be ten baskets, right?”

  “That’s correct.”

  He went into his backroom and returned with a small basket of what appeared to be tiny fabric teapots. She picked one up. “What is it?”

  “Smell,” he said.

  She took a whiff and was surprised that it smelled faintly of roses.

  “They’re sachets,” he explained, “filled with potpourri.” He looked slightly embarrassed now. “Mother makes them. She wants me to carry them in here, but I’m not so sure. What do you think, Alice?”

  She studied the small calico teapot trimmed with lace. “This is very sweet. I think someone who loves tea and teapots would like them very much.”

  Wilhelm smiled. “They are rather cute, aren’t they? Sort of a novelty item. Perhaps I should keep a basket of them up by the register.”

  “Do you have more?”

  “Do I have more?” He groaned. “I probably have a hundred by now. Mother just keeps making them.”

  Alice laughed. “Well, maybe this will be a way to introduce them to the community.”

  “Yes,” he said. “Perhaps you’re right.”

  “Thank you, Wilhelm. And thank your mother too.”

  “By the way, Alice …” Wilhelm had a curious expression on his face. “What’s going on with you and the veterinarian? Clara Horn is going around town telling everyone that you two will be married by summer.”

  Alice tried to laugh. “Oh dear, I better straighten poor Clara out.”

  Wilhelm frowned. “So, it’s not true?”

  “Not in the least.”

  “Dr. Graves seems such a nice fellow.”

  “Oh yes, he’s very nice, and we are good friends.” Alice made a movement toward the door.

  “But no wedding bells?”

  “Not for me.”

  He shook his head. “Too bad.”

  Alice just smiled and exited. Really, she wondered, why would he think it was too bad? Wilhelm himself was not married and, as far as Alice knew, he did not intend to marry anytime soon. While there were several single women who bought far more tea than they could use, Wilhelm did not seem to
think of them as anything other than customers. It seemed to Alice that people always wanted someone else to get married. Maybe it was simply for the festivity of a wedding, or something to talk about, or perhaps some people assumed that one could not be happy without the blessed bonds of matrimony.

  Alice sighed as she walked back over to Hill Street. The Good Apple bakery donated ten gaily wrapped giant cookies. “What kid doesn’t like a cookie?” said Clarissa with a bright smile.

  “You’re right,” said Alice as she slipped them, one by one, into her bag. “Thank you.”

  Next, Alice went to Nellie’s Dress Shop. After she greeted Nellie Carter, she felt somewhat apologetic. “I’ll understand if you don’t have anything to contribute,” Alice told her. “I mean a dress shop —”

  “Not at all,” said Nellie. “I think I might have something rather fun. Well, at least I think the girls will like them. Maybe the boys can give them to their sisters or mothers.” She laid some pairs of brightly colored socks on the counter. “See,” she said, “some have Scotty dogs, others have cats, this pair has pigs, and there’s even a pair with pink elephants.”

  “Those are fun,” said Alice. “Thank you so much!”

  Alice was not too sure about Sylvia’s Buttons, the local fabric shop, but since she had sent a letter, she knew she should stop by. “Hi, Sylvia,” she called.

  “Alice,” said Sylvia Songer. “How is the quilt coming?”

  “Not as quickly as I hoped.”

  “Well, you’ve still got plenty of time before the baby shower.”

  “I hope so. Easter season is a bit distracting.”

  Sylvia smiled. “And then, of course, you’ve got the distraction of Dr. Graves as well …”

  Alice shrugged. “Oh, that’s not so distracting.”

  “That’s not what I hear.”

  “I’m guessing you’ve been talking to Jane.”

  Sylvia leaned forward on the counter. “That Jane has hardly told me a thing. You’d think she’d been sworn to secrecy or something.”

  Alice laughed. “Well, it’s only because there’s nothing to tell.”

  “That’s not what the rest of town is saying.”

  Alice decided not to bite.

  Sylvia’s eyebrows went up. “Don’t you want to know?”

  “I can guess.”

  “Well, your dear aunt has been dropping hints all over the place.”

  “No one takes Aunt Ethel too seriously.”

  “Let’s just say there’s plenty of speculation.” Sylvia looked disappointed now. “So, you’re really not going to tell me anything.”

  Alice sighed. “As I said, there’s really nothing to tell.” Then she forced a smile to her lips. “Now, I’m here on a mission, Sylvia. I know you may not have anything to contribute, but did you get my letter about the Easter egg hunt prizes?”

  “I did and I do. I think you’ll be pleased. I’ll be right back.”

  While she waited, Alice looked through a pile of new fabric. Then Sylvia returned with all sorts of soft-looking fuzzy critters in her arms.

  “They may be a bit young for some of the kids, but aren’t they cute?” said Sylvia as she spread them over the counter.

  “They’re adorable.” Alice picked up a soft blue bear.

  “I taught a class on recycling chenille bedspreads, and I gave the ladies a nice discount on everything in my shop if they agreed to sew and contribute one item for the Easter basket prize.”

  “Oh, Sylvia, you’re a genius. These are wonderful.”

  “Aren’t they!”

  As Sylvia loaded the stuffed toys into another bag since Alice’s shopping bag was already rather full, Alice spoke in a lowered voice. “Now, if things should ever change between Mark and me, I promise to give Jane special permission to let you know.”

  Sylvia smiled. “Why, thank you, Alice.”

  “Thank you!”

  Alice felt as if she had struck it rich in town today. Perhaps it had been a good idea to send out that letter of explanation beforehand after all. Her ANGELs would be thrilled with all the goodies to put in the baskets tomorrow night. These baskets would be so much better than last year.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Oh, Mark called,” said Jane that evening as she sifted flour into a large mixing bowl. “He and Adam aren’t going to be home in time for dinner tonight. He sends his most sincere apologies.”

  “How did he sound?” asked Alice. “Could you tell how it was going?”

  “Well, to be honest, he sounded a little stressed to me. I think he was disappointed that he wasn’t able to speak to you.”

  Alice started to prepare a salad. “Yes, I wish I’d been here. What time did he call?”

  “It was while you were helping Aunt Ethel move her couch. Maybe I should’ve come over and gotten you.”

  “That’s okay,” said Alice. “Although I would’ve appreciated a rescue.”

  “Where did she want it moved to anyway?” asked Jane.

  Alice laughed. “Good question. First, she wanted it moved over by the window, but it didn’t fit quite right. Then she wanted it in the center of the room, sort of like a room divider.”

  “In that tiny room?” Jane shook her head.

  “Exactly,” said Alice. “It looked odd.”

  “So where did you finally move it?”

  “Right back to where it was in the first place.”

  “Well!”

  Alice nodded. “My reaction exactly.”

  “I should’ve gone over to help,” said Jane. “I would’ve simply told her that there was only one place for her couch and that’s where it already was.”

  “Oh, I think she probably knows that already. She just enjoys rearranging things every once in a while.” Alice transferred the lettuce that she had washed and spun dry into the wooden salad bowl. “Did Mark say anything about their visit to the cemetery?”

  “Just that Adam was supposed to be giving the directions and that they got lost a few times. Adam didn’t seem to remember where it was. Even when they found the memorial park, it took forever to find the right section.”

  “That must have been frustrating.”

  “That Adam,” said Jane as she cracked an egg. “He seems to frustrate people even when he’s not trying to.”

  Alice told Jane a bit of the conversation that she had overheard last night. “I know it wasn’t much,” she said, “but it did give me hope, and I wanted to tell Mark about it.”

  “Speaking of Adam,” said Jane, “I wonder how that poor kitten is doing. Do you think he left it here?”

  “Goodness, I don’t know,” said Alice. “Should I check his room just in case?”

  “I think so. That poor creature could be up there starving for all we know. Didn’t Mark say it needed to eat every few hours?”

  Alice nodded as she set down her knife and wiped her hands. She went to the office, grabbed up the keys and hurried to the second floor. She did not like intruding on Adam’s space, but the sisters did go into guest rooms to replace linens and whatnot. As usual, she tapped on the door, although she knew no one was there, then she unlocked the door and let herself in. She was surprised to see that Adam was actually keeping things rather neat.

  She glanced around the room, looking for the cat carrier that Mark had bought, but she didn’t see it anywhere. Finally, satisfied that the kitten was not there and, consequently not suffering, she started to leave. But something stopped her. She noticed that a Bible, one of the ones that Louise had placed in each room, was sitting on the night-stand, opened up as if Adam had been reading it. Well, that was something, after all.

  She quietly closed the door and locked it.

  “Who’s that?” said a voice.

  Alice jumped and turned around to see Laura standing in the open doorway to the guest room she was sharing with her parents.

  “Oh,” said Alice. “It’s just me, Alice. Goodness, you startled me. I didn’t realize anyone was up here.”
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br />   “Why were you in Adam’s room?” Laura adjusted her sunglasses in such a way that Alice almost felt that the young woman was studying her, although she knew that couldn’t be.

  “Well, I just learned that Mark and Adam have been delayed and won’t be back until late. Jane and I were worried about Adam’s kitten. We thought that poor Boots might be stuck up here without—”

  “Adam asked me to watch Boots for him today.”

  “Oh, good. That’s a relief. How’s the little guy doing?”

  Laura smiled. “I think he’s okay. Do you want to come in here and check on him? I mean Adam showed me how to open the can of food and how much to give him and stuff, but my parents have been gone and, well, I just hope I haven’t done anything wrong, you know.”

  “I’d be happy to check on him, but I’m sure he’s all right.”

  Alice followed Laura into the room, watching as Laura felt her way around the bedroom furnishings. “You’re getting around much better, Laura.”

  “Yeah,” said Laura when she made it to the roll-away cot and sat down. She leaned over and reached for the cat crate that was right beside it. “I guess I’m trying a little harder.”

  Alice watched as Laura opened the latch on the cat crate and then carefully extracted the small black and white kitten. She held the kitten up, and Alice reached out and caressed its soft head. “He looks perfectly fine to me, Laura.”

  “I’m trying not to handle him too much,” she said. “My mom told me that kittens could get sick if you hold them too much.”

  “He looks perfectly fine and happy too.”

  Laura smiled as she held the kitten against her cheek. “That’s what I thought, but I wasn’t sure.”

  “Sometimes I think we can tell things better with our hands than with our eyes,” said Alice. “For instance, I sometimes work in the neonatal nursery at the hospital when they’re shorthanded, and I’ve discovered that I can tell as much, and more, by the way a baby feels, breathes and sounds as I can by simply looking at it.”

  Laura nodded. “Yeah, I guess that kinda makes sense.”

  “In fact, I think we can be deceived sometimes when we rely only on our eyes. It’s as if God gave us these other senses to help us to understand life better, but often we forget to develop them fully.”