Peter was very quiet during the short ride. Grace didn't know what to say, so she kept quiet, too. The silence was so very uncomfortable that Grace finally blurted out, “What's the matter? Is there something I should know?”
Peter hesitated in his reply, “It's really none of my business, ya know. But Donavon said you are selling the cottage. Is that true?”
“Peter I can't live and work in Dublin and manage a B&B here in Swatragh at the same time. It's just what has to be done,” Grace replied in such a cavalier way that she surprised herself.
“Guess you'd never consider staying in our little town and running the B&B. Guess you're just a big city lass,” Peter sounded a little put off by Grace's attitude.
“It's not that Peter. I have a good job and a flat in Dublin. All my friends are there. It's where I live,” Grace kept seeming to have to justify herself.
“Guess so,” Peter responded and cut the conversation short as they arrived at the market.
Grace went her own way with her list of things she needed for the next few days. She would be leaving on Sunday to return to Dublin and didn't want to leave anything behind that would spoil, or that she could not take home with her. The cottage needed to be spotless for the property consultant to show to prospective buyers. But there were a few dishes that she wanted to make before she left.
One thing she would really miss from this area were the farmhouse cheeses that could not be found in Dublin. She made sure to get enough so she could take some back with her. Once she had all her items she found Peter waiting for her near the door with his bag of groceries.
“Looks like you are planning a party there,” Peter said as he loaded Grace's groceries in the truck.
“Just still trying out more of Aine's recipes. I don't have a large enough kitchen in Dublin to do this kind of cooking. Which reminds me. Why don't you come to dinner tomorrow evening? I'm making an Irish Lamb pie. Could be very interesting.” Grace thought it only polite to invite Peter to dinner since he had helped her so much.
“I'll only come if you make some of those delicious scones too!” Peter smiled at Grace as he said this and it seemed that the uncomfortable feeling from before was now gone.
“But scones are for breakfast,” Grace protested laughing back. She knew how much Peter loved the scones and they really could be eaten at any time, especially with some orange marmalade laced with some Irish whiskey. She was so glad that she had purchased some clotted cream for an extra treat.
Talk was light and upbeat on the drive back to the cottage. Both Peter and Grace stayed away from the discussion of the sale of the B&B as it was such a sore spot. Mostly they chatted about doing some running together again as this was their common ground.
As they turned into the drive they noticed that Sheila and Peter's car was gone. Grace was glad to see that they had left. Peter helped Grace into the cottage with her groceries. As they passed the sitting room Grace noticed a note on the table. As soon as they groceries were put on the kitchen counter Grace and Peter headed to the sitting room to read the note.
“As we had always done with Aine, we leave a note for the hostess. Our stay was very welcomed in our lives. It was so important at this time to return to that special place we spent on our wedding night as this would be our last trip together. We just knew if we could rekindle the special feeling that we had many years before, it would make what is to come in the near future an easier burden to carry.
It really will be such a shame for the spirit of Aine not to carry on here for she brought so many of us such joy. I will remember that always. We do thank you for the one night we were able to stay. Sheila and Peter”
Grace was dumbfounded. She could not control her emotions after having some of the thoughts that she did earlier about anxiously awaiting Sheila and Peter's departure. The tears came so quickly she could barely stand. Peter put his arm around her and helped her to the over-sized chair in Aine's room.
“I had no idea,” Grace said through her tears. “How was I to know?”
“Grace, I don't think there was any way you would have known. They didn't say anything.” Peter was feeling very awkward about trying to comfort Grace. She seemed to want to be alone, so he headed for the kitchen to make some tea and put away the groceries that needed refrigeration. As he was finishing Grace entered the room and took the cup of tea he handed her.
“This is all just so much to handle. I never expected anything like this. Peter, if you don't mind, I need to be alone.” Grace was trying so hard to hold her emotions in check. “But please do come for dinner tomorrow night and I promise I'll have scones,” she indicated forcing a smile so Peter would think she was okay.
Peter left reluctantly, but knew there was nothing he could do to comfort Grace. He hoped by tomorrow she would have a better perspective on everything.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 19
Grace was up early and getting scones and breakfast ready for Sheila and Peter. They had only requested tea and scones with some marmalade, and Grace was thrilled not to have to make a full Irish fry. She did have a little fresh fruit left and put that on the table also.
Sheila and Peter raved about what a great night's sleep they had. The best they had had in a while. With the fresh country air and comfortable night they had their window open to the quiet of the countryside.
While they were finishing up Grace heard a vehicle pull into the driveway. She looked out to see her running friend Peter and wondered why he was not stopping by from a run, but driving instead. She excused herself from the table with Sheila and Peter and opened the door.
“I hadn't seen you in a while, so I thought I'd stop by and bring you something that I happened to find. It might look very nice in your garden.” Peter blurted out. He was obviously very uncomfortable giving Grace this gift.
“That's so very nice of you Peter. Why don't you come in? I have some guests staying here overnight,” Grace kept trying to emphasize to herself that Sheila and Peter were only their for one night.
“I'm on my way to Maghera for some groceries, but I guess I could stop in for a few minutes. Did you make scones? Oh and, here it is,” Peter was almost stammering he was so awkward but loved the scones that Grace made and wouldn't pass up a chance to have one.
“It's a rose,” Grace responded, "And yes, I made scones. Come on in."
Sheila had walked up behind Grace to see who she was talking to.
“Grace, lassie, this looks like a recent cutting. So sorry to but in. I'm Sheila. Peter and I are staying here.” It seemed Sheila seemed to think they were staying for more than one night.
Peter could not have been more confused. “But Grace, I thought...”
Grace cut him off before he could finish, “Peter, come on in and meet Sheila's husband, Peter. And have a scone.”
Sheila was fascinated with the rose cutting that Peter had brought. “Peter do you know what kind of rose this is?”
“All my friend said was it was his Grace. I told him I knew someone named Grace and he said then I must give her this,” Peter was slightly embarrassed.
“Goodness gracious, this must be one of David Austin's roses. He had a beautiful one called Grace. I only have one David Austin rose in my garden. They are so costly,” Sheila was obviously surprised to be seeing this. http://bit.ly/gIPy4p
“Lassie, this will be a beautiful addition to the garden. But you must wait to plant it. It still needs to develop in this pot for a bit. It's got a beautiful fragrance too.”
Grace thanked Sheila for all the information. She would not have had a clue as to what to do with this as a cutting. Now she needed to clear the table and hopefully see Sheila and her husband on their way.
Grace had an idea and hoped it would work.
“Peter, you said you were going for groceries in Maghera? Could I catch a ride with you? I'm getting short on some supplies. Sheila, I hope I'm not rushing you out?” Grace thought this might be their cue to leave.
“No problem Grace, we'll be on our way shortly. You go ahead with Peter there, and we'll lock up when we leave. It's not like we haven't done this before when Aine was here,” Sheila was quite explicit and expected to be doing as she pleased.
Grace looked at Peter and all he could do was shrug his shoulders.
“Guess it's okay,” he said to Grace.
“Now off with you two, and we'll be sure to lock all up before we head out,” Sheila said as she escorted Grace and Peter to the door.
Grace was very unsure of this, but since Peter seemed to think it was fine, she went along with it. They headed off to Maghera for groceries in Peter's truck.
Sheila and Peter raved about what a great night's sleep they had. The best they had had in a while. With the fresh country air and comfortable night they had their window open to the quiet of the countryside.
While they were finishing up Grace heard a vehicle pull into the driveway. She looked out to see her running friend Peter and wondered why he was not stopping by from a run, but driving instead. She excused herself from the table with Sheila and Peter and opened the door.
“I hadn't seen you in a while, so I thought I'd stop by and bring you something that I happened to find. It might look very nice in your garden.” Peter blurted out. He was obviously very uncomfortable giving Grace this gift.
“That's so very nice of you Peter. Why don't you come in? I have some guests staying here overnight,” Grace kept trying to emphasize to herself that Sheila and Peter were only their for one night.
“I'm on my way to Maghera for some groceries, but I guess I could stop in for a few minutes. Did you make scones? Oh and, here it is,” Peter was almost stammering he was so awkward but loved the scones that Grace made and wouldn't pass up a chance to have one.
“It's a rose,” Grace responded, "And yes, I made scones. Come on in."
Sheila had walked up behind Grace to see who she was talking to.
“Grace, lassie, this looks like a recent cutting. So sorry to but in. I'm Sheila. Peter and I are staying here.” It seemed Sheila seemed to think they were staying for more than one night.
Peter could not have been more confused. “But Grace, I thought...”
Grace cut him off before he could finish, “Peter, come on in and meet Sheila's husband, Peter. And have a scone.”
Sheila was fascinated with the rose cutting that Peter had brought. “Peter do you know what kind of rose this is?”
“All my friend said was it was his Grace. I told him I knew someone named Grace and he said then I must give her this,” Peter was slightly embarrassed.
“Goodness gracious, this must be one of David Austin's roses. He had a beautiful one called Grace. I only have one David Austin rose in my garden. They are so costly,” Sheila was obviously surprised to be seeing this. http://bit.ly/gIPy4p
“Lassie, this will be a beautiful addition to the garden. But you must wait to plant it. It still needs to develop in this pot for a bit. It's got a beautiful fragrance too.”
Grace thanked Sheila for all the information. She would not have had a clue as to what to do with this as a cutting. Now she needed to clear the table and hopefully see Sheila and her husband on their way.
Grace had an idea and hoped it would work.
“Peter, you said you were going for groceries in Maghera? Could I catch a ride with you? I'm getting short on some supplies. Sheila, I hope I'm not rushing you out?” Grace thought this might be their cue to leave.
“No problem Grace, we'll be on our way shortly. You go ahead with Peter there, and we'll lock up when we leave. It's not like we haven't done this before when Aine was here,” Sheila was quite explicit and expected to be doing as she pleased.
Grace looked at Peter and all he could do was shrug his shoulders.
“Guess it's okay,” he said to Grace.
“Now off with you two, and we'll be sure to lock all up before we head out,” Sheila said as she escorted Grace and Peter to the door.
Grace was very unsure of this, but since Peter seemed to think it was fine, she went along with it. They headed off to Maghera for groceries in Peter's truck.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 18
“Well, I guess I could take you in for the night. But just one night as I have plans for tomorrow,” Grace was trying to make sure there was no more than a one night commitment for this.
“That would be fine lassie. I'm Sheila, and this is my husband Peter. It's been such a long time since we've been here. Is the front room at the top of the stairs available?” Sheila was obviously familiar with the cottage.
“Yes, it is all set up for you. My name is Grace. I'm Aine's granddaughter. Please come in and I'll show you the room,” Grace thought she should at least sound like she ran a B&B.
“Sweetie, no problem, Peter and I know where the room is. It's where we spent our honeymoon,” Sheila replied with a wink in her eye.
“Have you had any supper yet?” Grace was thinking about the recipe she had tried earlier and had more than enough left overs.
“That would be wonderful. When we came here we always called ahead and asked Aine to have a meal for us.”
Sheila and Peter got settled in their room and washed up for supper. Sheila was bubbling with enjoyment about how fresh the room looked, and Peter just smiled as he looked at his wife. He was mostly quiet, but did thank Grace as she served the dinner.
Grace put out the roast pork and potatoes with a side of carrots and some brown bread she had made earlier. Sheila and Peter declined any wine with dinner, but they did accept an offer of some hot whiskey when dinner was over.
“Grace, please come and chat with us and let us know what has happened,” Sheila pressed Grace for some information.
Over the course of the next couple of hours Sheila and Peter recounted how they came by Aine's cottage on their wedding night and ended up spending their honeymoon in the room upstairs. They talked about all the other visitors they met; poets, writers, and musicians who came here for some quiet and calm. Some also came for inspiration from the nearby Sperrin Mountains. They told of the unique visitors that they had met over many trips to the cottage.
The cottage had become a sort of respite for people stressed from busy lives. Aine treated all her guests as if they were friends, but knew their needs and catered to even the little things. Her garden was something that Sheila had helped with when she visited. Aine taught her about the different roses and plants so that Sheila could create her own garden when she left.
Sheila said that often it was difficult to get a room because of the popularity of the cottage, adding that Aine's cooking added to it's fame. While most B&B's were only busy on the weekends, Aines' cottage was busy every day.
It was about that time when Grace told Sheila and Peter that she was fixing up the cottage for sale as she lived and worked in Dublin. Sheila was heartbroken, and even Peter was teary-eyed.
“Is there no way that this B&B could stay open,” asked Sheila.
“Not unless the new owner wants to open it again, but I doubt it would be the same,” Grace felt bad for Sheila and Peter as they had just found the cottage again.
It was a late night and Grace knew she needed to wake up before Sheila and Peter in order to have breakfast ready for them. They did tell her they would be up a little late, so that gave Grace a little extra time. Her dreams were filled with images of what the B&B was like when it was full all the time seeing her grandmother moving throughout the rooms, chatting with all the guests, and cooking in the kitchen. If only the cottage could be like that again....
“That would be fine lassie. I'm Sheila, and this is my husband Peter. It's been such a long time since we've been here. Is the front room at the top of the stairs available?” Sheila was obviously familiar with the cottage.
“Yes, it is all set up for you. My name is Grace. I'm Aine's granddaughter. Please come in and I'll show you the room,” Grace thought she should at least sound like she ran a B&B.
“Sweetie, no problem, Peter and I know where the room is. It's where we spent our honeymoon,” Sheila replied with a wink in her eye.
“Have you had any supper yet?” Grace was thinking about the recipe she had tried earlier and had more than enough left overs.
“That would be wonderful. When we came here we always called ahead and asked Aine to have a meal for us.”
Sheila and Peter got settled in their room and washed up for supper. Sheila was bubbling with enjoyment about how fresh the room looked, and Peter just smiled as he looked at his wife. He was mostly quiet, but did thank Grace as she served the dinner.
Grace put out the roast pork and potatoes with a side of carrots and some brown bread she had made earlier. Sheila and Peter declined any wine with dinner, but they did accept an offer of some hot whiskey when dinner was over.
“Grace, please come and chat with us and let us know what has happened,” Sheila pressed Grace for some information.
Over the course of the next couple of hours Sheila and Peter recounted how they came by Aine's cottage on their wedding night and ended up spending their honeymoon in the room upstairs. They talked about all the other visitors they met; poets, writers, and musicians who came here for some quiet and calm. Some also came for inspiration from the nearby Sperrin Mountains. They told of the unique visitors that they had met over many trips to the cottage.
The cottage had become a sort of respite for people stressed from busy lives. Aine treated all her guests as if they were friends, but knew their needs and catered to even the little things. Her garden was something that Sheila had helped with when she visited. Aine taught her about the different roses and plants so that Sheila could create her own garden when she left.
Sheila said that often it was difficult to get a room because of the popularity of the cottage, adding that Aine's cooking added to it's fame. While most B&B's were only busy on the weekends, Aines' cottage was busy every day.
It was about that time when Grace told Sheila and Peter that she was fixing up the cottage for sale as she lived and worked in Dublin. Sheila was heartbroken, and even Peter was teary-eyed.
“Is there no way that this B&B could stay open,” asked Sheila.
“Not unless the new owner wants to open it again, but I doubt it would be the same,” Grace felt bad for Sheila and Peter as they had just found the cottage again.
It was a late night and Grace knew she needed to wake up before Sheila and Peter in order to have breakfast ready for them. They did tell her they would be up a little late, so that gave Grace a little extra time. Her dreams were filled with images of what the B&B was like when it was full all the time seeing her grandmother moving throughout the rooms, chatting with all the guests, and cooking in the kitchen. If only the cottage could be like that again....
Sunday, March 13, 2011
All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 17
While Grace did not realize it, she was becoming very comfortable with staying in the cottage. In her mind she kept telling herself that she needed to get back to Dublin, and back to work in the city, and that the cottage needed to be put up for sale.
The next morning Grace went out for a short run. She had gotten over her pulled muscle and with the weather as beautiful as it was she wanted to take advantage and get in a short run. As she was returning to the cottage from her run she slowed down to look at the newly painted cottage with the refreshed garden. It was so inviting. She also noticed that she was not the only one looking at the cottage.
Donovan was standing by his front gate looking at the cottage.
“Lassie, it looks like it did many years ago,” Donovan said with a hint of a tear in his eyes. “I never imagined I'd see it this way again. You have done a wonderful job with this.”
“Thank you Donovan. I hope it brings a lot of offers and a good sale,” Grace responded knowing this would be a surprise to Donovan.
“Oh, so you are not going to open it as a B&B again?” Donovan asked already knowing the response.
“Donovan, I can't run a B&B, and live in Dublin and keep my job. It would be impossible,” Grace needed to have Donovan on her side.
“What ever you decide lassie. I'm sure the cottage will be fine, now that it's all fixed up,” a dejected Donovan replied and turned to go back into his home.
Grace felt bad but there was nothing else she could do. She headed inside to make some lunch for Donnie from the last night's leftovers. As he had before, he complimented everything she served. He would be finishing up the painting today and Grace could contact the real estate company tomorrow. She wanted to take some digital pictures of the cottage, inside and out, that the real estate agent could use.
It must have been close to 7:00 while Grace was going through more paperwork when she heard a car pull into the gravel front drive. When she got up to look out the window, she didn't recognize the car, or the woman getting out. Grace headed to the front door.
“Oh, honey, look. I'm so glad we found it,” the older lady chirped. “It's just like it was before. This is just perfect.”
Is there something I can help you with?” Grace asked the woman from the porch.
“Oh, sweetie, we really hope you are not full up tonight. We've been traveling all day to get here. Where's Aine?” the woman asked.
Grace still had trouble talking about Aine's death. “She's no longer with us. She passed a while ago.”
“So sad, so sad. Are you running the cottage now? We'd really like a room for tonight. There are no other B&Bs in the area here and we've driven so far today.” The lady was putting Grace in a bad spot and Grace didn't know what to do.
It's not like Grace had something special to do that night. All the rooms were set up to show for a Realtor. So why not. And this couple seemed very nice. What could one night hurt?
The next morning Grace went out for a short run. She had gotten over her pulled muscle and with the weather as beautiful as it was she wanted to take advantage and get in a short run. As she was returning to the cottage from her run she slowed down to look at the newly painted cottage with the refreshed garden. It was so inviting. She also noticed that she was not the only one looking at the cottage.
Donovan was standing by his front gate looking at the cottage.
“Lassie, it looks like it did many years ago,” Donovan said with a hint of a tear in his eyes. “I never imagined I'd see it this way again. You have done a wonderful job with this.”
“Thank you Donovan. I hope it brings a lot of offers and a good sale,” Grace responded knowing this would be a surprise to Donovan.
“Oh, so you are not going to open it as a B&B again?” Donovan asked already knowing the response.
“Donovan, I can't run a B&B, and live in Dublin and keep my job. It would be impossible,” Grace needed to have Donovan on her side.
“What ever you decide lassie. I'm sure the cottage will be fine, now that it's all fixed up,” a dejected Donovan replied and turned to go back into his home.
Grace felt bad but there was nothing else she could do. She headed inside to make some lunch for Donnie from the last night's leftovers. As he had before, he complimented everything she served. He would be finishing up the painting today and Grace could contact the real estate company tomorrow. She wanted to take some digital pictures of the cottage, inside and out, that the real estate agent could use.
It must have been close to 7:00 while Grace was going through more paperwork when she heard a car pull into the gravel front drive. When she got up to look out the window, she didn't recognize the car, or the woman getting out. Grace headed to the front door.
“Oh, honey, look. I'm so glad we found it,” the older lady chirped. “It's just like it was before. This is just perfect.”
Is there something I can help you with?” Grace asked the woman from the porch.
“Oh, sweetie, we really hope you are not full up tonight. We've been traveling all day to get here. Where's Aine?” the woman asked.
Grace still had trouble talking about Aine's death. “She's no longer with us. She passed a while ago.”
“So sad, so sad. Are you running the cottage now? We'd really like a room for tonight. There are no other B&Bs in the area here and we've driven so far today.” The lady was putting Grace in a bad spot and Grace didn't know what to do.
It's not like Grace had something special to do that night. All the rooms were set up to show for a Realtor. So why not. And this couple seemed very nice. What could one night hurt?
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 16
Grace returned from the nursery in Maghera with a trunk load of flowers and herbs. She chose plants that would add color to the front garden and herbs that would add some interesting scent. She was anxious to plant the colorful flowers to brighten up the cottage and to go with the paint that Donnie would bring.
As she drove down the narrow road to the cottage she could spot the yellow cottage from quite a ways away. It was a little brighter than she planned on but the paint was at a good price and did make the place stand out. Now it really needed the color of the flowers that she had purchased. Donnie waved to her as she pulled in the driveway.
“So how's it look, lassie?” he called from up on the ladder.
“Bright and fresh, Donnie,” Grace was smiling at the color with the cottage looking like a flower in full bloom. “Are you ready for some lunch?” she called to Donnie.
“Be down in just a few, lassie. I just want to finish up around this window.”
Grace left the plants in the car and headed for the kitchen to put together some lunch for Donnie. Part of their deal was that she would provide him with lunch while he was painting. She brewed a nice large cup of tea to go with the biscuits and ham that were now part of her regular inventory as she tested Aine's recipes.
Grace sat on the porch with Donnie as he ate and talked about the Swatragh area and his life growing up in the countryside. She refilled his tea, and brought him some cookies she had baked. Donnie could not compliment her enough on the tasty lunch and told her he looked forward to what she had in store for him the rest of the week. He kidded that he might prolong the painting just so he could sample more meals. They both laughed at his humor as he finished up the cookies.
Donnie headed back to his ladder and started to paint the trim a nice bright white while Grace unloaded the flowers and plants from the car. As she looked over the garden as it was, she carefully placed the flowers to bring out the pathway to the front entry and fill in any empty spaces left from flowers that had died during the time the cottage was empty. Since Donnie had completed painting the front of the cottage, Grace could look at it as if it was completely painted even though Donnie needed to finish the sides and back.
A short stone wall divided the road from the gravel entrance and garden. For this Grace bought some Sweetheart Roses. The tag said Cecile Brunner, but she had seen these roses at some of the gardens in Dublin. They would eventually cover the stone wall beautifully with pink blooms. She also bought some for the side of the house were the old climbing rose had to be pulled. It would take some time for them to really develop, but as they aged, they would be stunning.
As for the herbs in the garden Grace bought English Lavender, Feverfew, and Black-Eyed Susan. These would fill in the empty spaces where weeds had wanted to take over.
After placing all the pots around the garden, Grace stepped back and looked at the front of the cottage. It was as if she had transported back in time to when she came to visit as a young girl. She shook off the feeling as quickly as it came. Can't be too nostalgic, she told herself.
Time to get planting. It was late afternoon when Donnie appeared around the front of the cottage looking at Grace covered in dirt from working on planting her purchases. Gardening was not Grace's strong suit, but she knew how to dig a hole and put in a plant with some watering. Grace was a woman on a mission. She wanted to get back to Dublin and get this place on the market for sale.
“Time I'm heading home for today, lassie. Looks like you've got yourself quite a project there,” Donnie chuckled as Grace tried to brush some dirt off of her face.
“I'm doing fine Donnie. A little dirt never hurt anyone,” Grace smiled back.
“The morrow then,” Donnie said a he climbed into his truck and drove away.
Grace finished up the planting and headed inside to shower. She had worked up an appetite for dinner from all the planting and had another of Aine's recipes to try for tonight.
As she drove down the narrow road to the cottage she could spot the yellow cottage from quite a ways away. It was a little brighter than she planned on but the paint was at a good price and did make the place stand out. Now it really needed the color of the flowers that she had purchased. Donnie waved to her as she pulled in the driveway.
“So how's it look, lassie?” he called from up on the ladder.
“Bright and fresh, Donnie,” Grace was smiling at the color with the cottage looking like a flower in full bloom. “Are you ready for some lunch?” she called to Donnie.
“Be down in just a few, lassie. I just want to finish up around this window.”
Grace left the plants in the car and headed for the kitchen to put together some lunch for Donnie. Part of their deal was that she would provide him with lunch while he was painting. She brewed a nice large cup of tea to go with the biscuits and ham that were now part of her regular inventory as she tested Aine's recipes.
Grace sat on the porch with Donnie as he ate and talked about the Swatragh area and his life growing up in the countryside. She refilled his tea, and brought him some cookies she had baked. Donnie could not compliment her enough on the tasty lunch and told her he looked forward to what she had in store for him the rest of the week. He kidded that he might prolong the painting just so he could sample more meals. They both laughed at his humor as he finished up the cookies.
Donnie headed back to his ladder and started to paint the trim a nice bright white while Grace unloaded the flowers and plants from the car. As she looked over the garden as it was, she carefully placed the flowers to bring out the pathway to the front entry and fill in any empty spaces left from flowers that had died during the time the cottage was empty. Since Donnie had completed painting the front of the cottage, Grace could look at it as if it was completely painted even though Donnie needed to finish the sides and back.
A short stone wall divided the road from the gravel entrance and garden. For this Grace bought some Sweetheart Roses. The tag said Cecile Brunner, but she had seen these roses at some of the gardens in Dublin. They would eventually cover the stone wall beautifully with pink blooms. She also bought some for the side of the house were the old climbing rose had to be pulled. It would take some time for them to really develop, but as they aged, they would be stunning.
As for the herbs in the garden Grace bought English Lavender, Feverfew, and Black-Eyed Susan. These would fill in the empty spaces where weeds had wanted to take over.
After placing all the pots around the garden, Grace stepped back and looked at the front of the cottage. It was as if she had transported back in time to when she came to visit as a young girl. She shook off the feeling as quickly as it came. Can't be too nostalgic, she told herself.
Time to get planting. It was late afternoon when Donnie appeared around the front of the cottage looking at Grace covered in dirt from working on planting her purchases. Gardening was not Grace's strong suit, but she knew how to dig a hole and put in a plant with some watering. Grace was a woman on a mission. She wanted to get back to Dublin and get this place on the market for sale.
“Time I'm heading home for today, lassie. Looks like you've got yourself quite a project there,” Donnie chuckled as Grace tried to brush some dirt off of her face.
“I'm doing fine Donnie. A little dirt never hurt anyone,” Grace smiled back.
“The morrow then,” Donnie said a he climbed into his truck and drove away.
Grace finished up the planting and headed inside to shower. She had worked up an appetite for dinner from all the planting and had another of Aine's recipes to try for tonight.
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