THE INHERITANCE - part eight

THE INHERITANCE – part eight ………

Welcome home

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Kate Sullivan inherited the house that once belonged to her great-grandmother. The old stone house sat on the edge of a ten-acre plat of land in Aughacasla, Ireland. Two weeks ago, she’d never heard of the small town and now, she owned a piece of it.

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As she was walking towards the door, she smiled and said, “I’m so glad I’m here, mo abaile”, then turned and closed the door behind her while she was sure she felt the small golden cross begin to vibrate.

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Her first stop was at the local bank. She hoped that the bank’s manager, Terry O’Malley, could help steer her in the right directions that might enable her to cross a few items of her to-do list.

After walking inside, she glanced at his windowed-walled cubicle and noticed that he seemed to be immersed in paperwork. She walked to his door and rapped gently on the glass.

He looked up, smiled, and said, “Kate! What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?”

Today, she noticed that he’d worn eyeglasses, something she didn’t notice the past day.

“Hi Terry. Do you have a few minutes to spare for me? I’ve made a list of things I need to purchase but don’t know where to get anything. I’m hoping you can help me.”

“I’ll always have time for Kathleen’s granddaughter.”

They went over her list and with the bank manager’s help, Kate wrote notes alongside each item. First was to return the rental car and purchase her own.

“Terry, with what my great grandmother left me, I should have enough for what I need. Plus, I did have my own savings and I can still work from home, once I get the electricity turned on.”

She held up a hand to stop him from commenting. “Yes, I know my home can turn on the lights, but I’ll need my computer to keep working and I’m not sure if my grandmother’s power can handle more than what I already have.”

“I understand completely. Kathleen, from what I understand didn’t use much electricity, so visiting the power company should be the second item on your list. If you don’t have any objections, I’ll drive you to the rental company and then take you to look for a car. My lunch break is approaching so I won’t be missed here.”

It didn’t take long for Kate to pick out a car she considered suitable. “Ah,” she thought, “this will do nicely. A candy-apple red Jeep! I love it.”

Terry smiled and asked, “I suppose you know that red was Kathleen’s favorite color?”

As she ran her fingers across the front of the car, she looked at Terry and said, “Hmmph! Just one more thing grandma and I have in common.”

They ate lunch and Terry drove back to the bank while Kate drove to the local B&B to pick up her belongings.

The owner asked, “So, then, Miss Kate, are ya leavin’ us or just movin’ out?”

Kate smiled. “Mrs. Anderson, I’m just moving into my grandmother’s home. I fell in love with it; so, I guess that means I’m just moving out.”

Mrs. Anders replied, “I didn’t know your grandma, but I knew OF her. I’m sure you’ll be very happy.” She leaned toward Kate, gave her a gentle hug and a gentle kiss on the cheek. “I hope to see you around town, soon. Well, have a good day, Miss Kate.”

Kate sat behind the wheel of her new vehicle and said, “Grandmother, I don’t know if you can hear me when I’m not in mo abaile, but if you can, thank you for everything. I hope I really am like you and if I am, can I intrude and ask you guide me?”

Once again, she felt the cross which hung around her neck begin to vibrate. “Guess, I’ll take that for a yes.”

She completed a few more items on her list, then headed to the market.

As she pulled up to her rusted fence, she was surprised to see someone walking up and down the length of it.

Exiting the car, she asked, “Can I help you?”

“Ms. Sullivan? I’m Ryan O’Neill from O’Neill’s fencing. I’ve come to talk about your plans for the fence.”

“Oh, right. Sorry. The woman in the office said that someone would stop by, but I didn’t expect anyone so soon. Come on in and give me a minute to unload the car.”

He glanced at her many bags and boxes and insisted he help carry them inside.

“You know, Ms. Sullivan, Ms. Kathleen’s cottage has quite a history. My grand da knew her and often stopped by to help with whatever she needed. It’s good to know it won’t be vacant any longer.”

Kate watched as the tall, gray-haired gentleman stacked four large boxes on top of each other, then lift the stack, carry them inside, and place them side by side on the table. She carried two large grocery bags, one in each arm, then placed them on the kitchen counter. Mr. O’Neill walked back outside to retrieve her suitcase. “Miss, I’ll just put this right here, if it’s all right.”

She had the overpowering urge to give him a friendly, thankful hug, so she did. “Oh, Mr. O’Neill that would be wonderful and thank you so much for helping me with all of this. It would have taken me at least twice as long if I had to it alone. Please sit. I’ll put the kettle on, and we’ll discuss that old, rotted fence.”

Kate placed the perishable groceries in the cold room. “For some reason, I have this strange feeling that I’ve known you my entire life, but since I’ve never been here before, I don’t see know that’s possible, oh, and please call me Kate.”

He smiled and gently touched her cheek with the back of one finger. “I’ll call you Kate only if you’ll call me Ryan. You know, Kate, you look just like her. Anyway, when Marjorie said you wanted suggestions regarding your fence, I took the liberty of drawing a few designs. I’d like to incorporate your ideas into my feeble drawings.”

She perused his pencil sketches and saw one that drew her attention immediately.

“This one! This is it! Ryan, this is exactly what I had in mind. How could you possibly have known?

Ryan O’Neill smiled and said, “Because you’re just like your great-grandmother.”