44


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • DECEMBER 2019


Intrigue deepens as barn repairs take shape Junkyard Frank’s relationship advice has Susan wondering about local customs


When we left off last time,


Newt Pullman was assembling a work party to remove Kenneth Henderson’s tractor from underneath the barn’s collapsed roof but work wasn’t underway before Junkyard Frank got wind of the tractor rescue and declared it a veiled attempt to win the fancy of Kenneth’s mother Susan. Rural Redemption, part 117, continues ...


Susan and Ashley arrived with an armful of mugs and a jug of coffee. Just as they started to pour it, Junkyard Frank chugged up the driveway and squealed to a stop beside them. “Heard you were going to


take a stab at patching things up. Figured maybe you could use some help.” “Nice of you to think of us,


Woodshed


Chronicles by BOB COLLINS


By the time Harb Singh


arrived the next morning, Tiny’s old barn was a hive of activity. Newt and Tyler Koski had been joined by Christopher, Doug McLeod, and Clay Garrison. The damaged tin roofing


and broken rafters had been removed and the beam that was resting on the old Massey’s rollover bar was rigged and ready to lift. Once the beam was out of the way, Doug and Clay hooked a chain to the tractor and Harb towed it out of the barn. Tyler directed the removal of three broken posts and the installation of some temporary bracing, then started making a list of the materials they’d need to rebuild.


Frank,” said Newt. “I think we’ve got things under control for now. Tyler’s making a list of stuff we’ll need, then we’re going to round it all up and take another


run at it tomorrow.” “Coffee’s ready, everyone” called Susan. “Would you like to join us Frank?” “Don’t mind if I do, thank


you very kindly.” Frank waited until


everyone else had been served, then struck up a conversation with Susan. “So, how did your picnic come off?” “It was very nice, thank


you. The weather was perfect.” “Yeah. You were lucky, though. Picnics are always kind of a risky do this time of year.” “Are they?” said Susan. “Oh yeah, picnic’s always been strictly a summer deal as far as I’m concerned. You can’t beat a nice restaurant


for my money.” “Well, perhaps we’ll try that


next time.” “You got something in the


works then?” asked Frank. “In the works? I’m not sure I understand.” “Sorry. It’s probably none


of my business anyway but you were saying next time and I just was wondering if Pullman’s already sprung some more dinner plans on you.”


Susan shot Frank a


quizzical glance and shook her head.


“Not just yet. Perhaps I’ll


have to try springing something on him next time.” “I wouldn’t jump the gun


on that,” said Frank. “No?” “Nope. This ain’t the big


city, and folks out here are a little old-fashioned. You’re liable to scare him off. Any fella worth his salt should be making the next move. I’d say your best bet would be to sit tight and see what happens. I’m betting you won’t have to wait long.” “Okay, then. Good to know.


Thank you, Frank.” “Don’t mention it, Ma’am.


It’s my pleasure. It’s been nice talkin’ to you.” Frank drained his coffee. “Be seein’ you, fellas,” he said as he drove away. “Not like Frank to miss a second cup of coffee., said Newt. “Probably got something cooking.”


Ten minutes later, Susan


and Ashley collected the coffee cups and headed back to the house. Tyler read out the list of materials they would need to repair the barn. Newt said he had a few sheets of tin roofing left over from when he re-did his barn a couple of years ago, and he was willing to donate it to the cause. Doug McLeod said that he had some nice fir logs on the deck at his little sawmill and if he could get Christopher and Clay to give him a hand, they could cut whatever post and beams they needed. Newt figured there were


probably plenty of nails and roofing screws and hinges and such tucked away in Tiny’s old shop so it looked like they might be able to pull the whole thing off without spending any money. Harb said he would pick up the posts and beams and such as soon as it was ready to go.


Harb wondered if they needed to get a permit. Newt said if they went that route it would take a month and cost a small fortune and besides, they had their own bonafide engineer right on site. Tyler said if they all clammed up and got on with it, they could probably be finished by tomorrow afternoon.


vvv Frank drove directly from


Tiny’s barn to the strip mall in town. He walked into Wendy Sutcliffe’s flower shop for the first time in his life.


vvv Back at the Henderson


house, Susan was pondering her conversation with Frank. Junkyard Frank seemed to be a pretty sketchy source of dating protocol, but she wondered if there might be some wisdom in what he’d said. She had thought of asking Newt over for supper but after mulling it over for more than an hour, she decided to play it safe and follow Frank’s advice. She had no sooner shelved the dinner plans when a small white van pulled into the yard. On the side it said: Sutcliffe All- occasion Florists | Serving you since 1997 | We deliver, on the side.


A bewildered looking


young man climbed out. “He looks lost,” said Ashley.


“I’ll go see who he’s trying to find.” Ashley returned a minute later with the young man in tow.


“Here she is.” The young man faced


Susan. “Are you Susan Henderson,


Ma’am?” “Yes, I am. How can I help


you?”


The young man held out a bouquet of 12 crimson sweetheart roses. “These are for you, and this note is with them.” “Are you sure these are for


UNIFORM, FLUFFY WINDROWS me?” The young man said he


was certain they were for her. He laid the bouquet on her arm and held out the little envelope that went with it, then bid them good day. “They’re beautiful, Grandma. Who are they from?”


“I can only guess.” “I’ll bet they’re from Mr.


Pullman! Here, let me hold them while you read the note. This is so exciting!” Susan took a small card out of the envelope:


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Dinner this Evening, Meet me, 7 pm Seaside Rendezvous Restaurant


Your Secret Admirer. ... to be continued


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