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internet out here?”
    “Well, there are phone lines out here, but we might have to talk to the cable company and see about the best way to get you set up. I’m more concerned about your being alone.”
    “I’m sure I’ll be fine,” she tried to assure him.
    “If you are sure that you’re happy with this, then here are the papers for you to sign. I must tell you though that I’ve already had a very substantial offer on the place, just this morning.”
    “An offer? How would anyone know the house was available?” she asked.
    “Well, this gentleman’s been trying to buy this property from your grandmother for, well, as long as I can remember,” Marlin admitted.
    “Why?”
    “I’m not sure, but he’s awful stubborn. Guess he figured with it changing hands that he’d see if you would be as stubborn as Rose.”
    “Well, if Grandma refused to sell it to him she must have had a good reason. It’s not like she was using it,” Ella said.
    “True, but part of it was to make sure it was here for you. She was very adamant about that.”
    “Well, you can tell the man that I’m stubborn too. The house may not be in great shape now, but it has a ton of potential. Where do I sign?”
    He handed her the papers and a fancy black pen. “Just sign where the little red stickers are.”
    “All right,” she said taking the papers and pen from him and finding a small table to write on. She proceeded to rifle through the stack of papers, pausing to sign wherever she saw a “Sign Here” sticker. “Done and done,” she said, handing the packet and the pen back to him.
    “Good, here are a few of my business cards to give to store owners for stuff you need. I’ll make arrangements to have everything delivered and installed, if need be. I’ll also get you copies of these papers by tomorrow and start setting up your accounts and changing the deed over to your name. Here is an envelope with five thousand in cash you can use to pay for the handyman and any other little odds and ends you might need until I get the accounts set up.”
    “Wow. You’ve thought of everything.”
    “Well, you are practically family, you know. Plus, it is what I do. And…I’ll have a little talk with Jeremy on the way out,” Marlin added.
    “Why?” she said a little embarrassed.
    “Well, we can’t have him thinking you’re a nut, now can we?”
    “Really, it’s okay. You don’t have to talk to him,” she said worriedly.
    “I want to tell him to contact the phone and cable company about the internet stuff and also tell him I’m setting up an account he can use at the hardware store.”
    “Oh, okay then. Thanks again, Marlin, for everything.” He nodded. She hugged Marlin tightly and reminded him to thank his wife for the provisions she had sent, and then he turned and let himself out.
    She turned and stroked her little black kitten, which was taking a cat nap after her food and fun on top of the sheets, and smiled. “Shopping spree,” she said quietly to herself excitedly and trotted off to the kitchen to add to her list.
     
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    Ella was putting some final items on her list which now filled almost every white space on the envelope, when Jeremy walked in the back door.
    “Hey,” she greeted him enthusiastically.
    He nodded in acknowledgement as he went to the kitchen sink seemingly to check that the water was working. It sputtered a bit and the first bit of water that came out was a horrible rust color, but it started to come out more clearly with time. He held his hand under the water for a while to check that the hot water heater was working. When he was satisfied that all were in working order he turned off the water and spun toward Ella, drying his hands on his jeans.
    “You want to go into town with me?” she asked.
    “No. I have work to do,” he replied.
    “Oh, come on. It’ll be fun,” she coaxed.
    “I don’t have time for fun. I’ve got a lot to do before I call it a day,” he explained,