When Grace came back in the evening from her outing with Neill, Rose was already gone, the house looked like a home again. She had done a fabulous job with it.
She unpacked Neill's bag, it had been a great day outdoors but now they both needed a bath. she was feeling sticky from the heat and Neill was being fussy, which was associated with a need for a nap, which made him also irritable.
After she was done putting Neill down for the night, grace sneaked into the guest bedroom, where her mini studio was set up. she had yearned for this time all day to be alone.
And after years of planning. tonight she did not want to plan what she was going to paint, and she didn't want to know what the end product was, but she merely took a brush, and paint and started working on a clean canvas. She worked until her hands went numb. she labored on that canvas for six hours straight. for her, this was more than just painting. she bared her soul on that canvas. it was close to midnight by the time she turned off the lights and dragged herself to bed. all things considered, it was a perfect day.
The next day the little town was abuzz with excitement. Men stood close by Charlie's Tavern bundled together in their oversized fancy suits, discussing a rumor, that an important man, who some believed was a businessman of some sort was in their town, everyone stood ready to meet such a man. and the ladies were cramped up at Charlie's dry goods, under the pretense of buying milk for their young ones, while Mrs. Dunns gave them the latest on the Handsome stranger down at the guest house. because no one had personally laid eyes on this man, no one dared questioned her. the air was stiff with curiosity. to an outsider, it looked like a holiday.
Grace was rinsing her coffee cup when she saw her neighbor Rose walking towards the house. she was carrying a basket and Grace noticed she was in her Sunday best topped with the Peacock hat that she only wore on special occasions.
"Morning Rose, what's in that lovely basket of yours?" she called to her as soon as the front door opened.
"Oh, I baked these. it's just that...you see. In case we had to entertain.." she trailed off as she set the basket on the island, it was full of freshly baked scones.
"thought you might like something for your tea or coffee as you young people usually favor" she was pulling at her ear as she changed her story.
this morning she didn't bother with greetings.
Grace ran her hands under the cold water tap and wiped them clean with a kitchen towel. and took one scone to her mouth.
"Mmm, these taste amazing." she was enjoying the taste.
"Aye, it was my ma's recipe, looked it up last night."
her eyes shone with pride on her crimson red face.
"Where you off to, looking your best this morning?" she managed between a mouthful.
"To help with baby Neill, why you ask?"
surely she didn't mean she was babysitting and helping with housework in that lime green taffeta two-piece and her most-priced yolk Peacock hat.
"Well...Miss Rose, you look like a picture."
She sat beaming at Grace
and when she couldn't hold her peace anymore, she spilled the news of the day.
"Miss Luis tells me that...their visitor down at the guest house has extended his stay by a few days, three days to be exact." she showed the number with her fingers
"That being said Grace, one ought to make a good first impression on such a man. should we bump into him?" she was pointing at her attire.
even though Grace didn't see a chance of that happening, she still nodded her head.
"And still no one knows what's the name of our mystery man."
"That is the good news, dear. Luis tells me that last night she took a good look, with her good eye that is, at the books, the man is booked under the name 'Nickolas Meyer." she scrutinized Grace's face suspiciously and noticed the color draining from her face but continued anyhow.
" Last night when I spoke with Mrs. Hayes on the phone, she insisted that, she and Mrs. Dunn together with old Duffy. Mr. Meyer spoke to them personally about his business here in Culmore."
Grace was no longer listening to the tale of the town about Nicko, and Rose like any wise old lady took in the change in her posture but said nothing.
she was like a ball rolling down a hill with town folk tales.
"Some Idiot down at Charlie's Tavern claimed he knew him from birth, that he is originally from Culmore, he left as a teenager but now like the prodigal son, he was back home at long last. what outer nonsense." she clapped her hands in disbelief
"Grace, dear be a darling and put that kettle on,"
she saw the relief on the young woman's face, she was happy to escape.
With her back turned to the older woman, she tried to calm her racing heart.
"Some say he is the businessman they heard will be building a fancy center where the rich and famous will dine and entertain themselves," Rose called out from her chair
" Who are the rich and famous in Culmore? surely he will be dining by himself." she chuckled.
What Rose failed to tell grace was that Miss Luis asked how grace knew the visitor at their guest house. It seemed he had been asking questions about a certain Grace Moon.
If the god-man had been anyone but Nicko, Grace would have found the whole predicament a funny one. but she knew it was Nicko, and her mind was fuzzy with questions.
was Rose right that they should dress to impress? but then they would look like clowns, dressed in fancy wear doing housework.
When she sat the cups down, her face was flushed.
she thought if Rose noticed the change in her mood, she was discreet enough not to mention it.
At least inside the house, she did not have to worry about bumping into him. she knew that was no consolation, soon or later, he was bound to knock at her front door.
the town was small enough, as soon the rest of the town folk knew of his true intentions, everyone would be eager to bring him to her hiding place.
Grace sat down opposite the older woman. she felt like she owed her an explanation, after all, she had done for her.
She cleared her throat.
"I'm, I knew Mr. Meyer once." she began
"Well...? it's always better when it's out." her face shone from the morning's excitement
"He...Oh, I don't know why he's here. but He's baby Neill's father."
With that piece of news, Rose almost fell off her chair. she knew there was a mystery with Mr. Meyer asking about Grace, but she never thought it was this good.