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The next morning, after breakfast, they were greeted by Pastor Bryce in the lobby of the Inn.
“Good morning to you folks. Are you ready to see the site?”
“Yes!” She blurted out enthusiastically. He laughed at her enthusiasm. Mrs. Hawkins groaned at her outburst and Jennifer composed herself.
“Then let us be on our way.”
They stepped out into the warm summer air. The village, although small, was bustling with activity. There was plenty of room for all of them to walk. It was nothing like the crowded streets of London. The pastor began to point out buildings to them as they walked along.
“Across the street there is the general shop, if you need anything. There is a bank right next to the Inn here...” he went on and on about every building passed. She was very excited to hear the details of what each building was as they walked along toward the end of the High Street.
“This is it. This is the site of the new church. Your building site.”
“Excellent. This is an incredible place to build. It is already very flat. I can tell that the bedrock underneath is solid. That will make it very easy to build the foundation. Let me have a look around,” Michael told them as he began to walk around this site, very focused.
Jennifer also had a look around, now that they were out of the village area. She could see all the way around. In the distance there were a few rolling green hills. She could see a couple of cottages sitting on top of them. She put her hand over her eyes to shield them from the sun as she looked in that direction.
“What catches your eye Miss Christian?”
“Oh, Pastor Bryce. I was just taking a look at those cottages up on the hills. It is possibly the most happily situated cottage I have ever seen, except for one.” She thought of Jacob’s cottage when he nursed her ankle. That was perhaps the happiest place to her. “I would very much like something like that one day,” She said.
“That one there is mine, on the left,” he pointed.
She gasped. “You do not say?!”
“Yes, It was just built a month ago. I am still settling in and getting everything situated. But I am very happy with it.”
“Then I am very happy for you. It does indeed look very pleasant. I am sure that Mrs. Bryce is also very happy with it,” She said trying to pry into his personal life without being rude.
“I am not married. Or engaged, Miss Christian,” he said with a smile. She stared into his green eyes. They were kind and soulful. They had a sparkle to them as he told her that he was not engaged to any woman. Then she suddenly felt guilty as she remembered that her heart truly belonged to Jacob Leary.
“Pastor Bryce!” Michael said, grabbing his attention from across the building site.
“Yes, Mr. Hawkins. Coming,” Pastor Bryce said as he walked to him.
“I would like to begin surveying the site as soon as possible. I am told that I will have men to help me?”
“Yes, they are men of this Parish. They have been informed of your arrival and are ready to work when you summon them. Although, the materials will not be here until next week. I am afraid they have been delayed. As you can see, there are not too many trees here, and they have to be cut down and brought from the East.”
“That is not a problem. I can begin work with my blueprints, laying out the lines of where the foundation will go. There is much to be done before the actual building.”
“Excellent. Come then, I will introduce you to Mr. Charles. He is the lead of these group of men we have assembled. Most of them have building experience. In fact, Mr. Charles built the cottagaes of most of the worker men.”
“That is good news. Always good to have men with experience in these things. I am ready to meet him when you are ready to introduce them,” Mr. Hawkins said.
“We can go there now. He also runs the blacksmith shop. Though I am not sure the ladies would find the environment comforting,” Pastor Bryce said.
“I think you are right, Pastor. I do have a notion to go to the general shop,” Mrs. Hawkins said.
“Well, let’s escort the ladies to the general shop and to Mr. Charles after,” Michael said.
“Yes, this way back toward the Inn,” Pastor Bryce said.
They headed back down the High Street into the village. Mrs. Hawkins and Michael walked side by side in conversation.
Pastor Bryce walked beside Jennifer. He did not say a word but had a smile for Jennifer, a smile that she returned.
Soon they stopped in front of the general shop. Michael and Patrick tipped their hats at them in goodbye and then walked away.
Mrs. Hawkins and Jennifer entered the general shop. It smelled like fresh cut wood as soon as they walked in. The storekeeper greeted them, letting them know that he had never seen them before. Everyone knew everyone in the village, it was so small.
While Mrs. Hawkins told him that her husband was there to build the church, She looked around. The shelves were sparse, and that suddenly made everything on the shelves much more precious than the crowded shops of London that had so much. Everything on this shelf took a very long time to arrive in the countryside and Jennifer realized just how appreciative she now was for such things.
She had taken for it granted in Cottered. Everything out in the country was so special. Building materials had to come from far away and therefore were more precious. The natural beauty of the landscape provided fresh air and space for everyone. Indeed, she was learning and enjoying more than she ever could.
“Sarah, this is they type of soap I like for baths. I want you to get acquinted with all my needs so that I may send you to the store when needed. We will also need fans for the sermon on Sunday. Since it is outdoors in a crowded tent, I believe it might get very hot,” Mrs. Hawkins said.
“Yes, Mrs. Hawkins,” She replied. She smelled the blocks of soap and picked out a lovely scented one. She found a white fan that was simple and would go with everything Mrs. Hawkins owned.
“Please charge these to my husband’s account, Mr. Michael Hawkins. You may send the bill to the Inn where we are staying and he will pay the bill.”
“Yes, Mrs. Hawkins,” the shopkeeper said as he wrapped the goods.
When they returned to the Inn, Jennifer helped Mrs. Hawkins out of her clothing and corset so that she could lay down for a nap.
Jennifer was glad for the time alone in her room. She was much appreciative of this new line of work. It was not backbreaking work like the factory and though Mrs. Hawkins was very bossy, she truly did not need much help. Jennifer realized she was more of a companion than anything, which was quite fine by her.
Later, Mrs. Hawkins awoke and summed Jennifer to help her dress so that they may have afternoon tea. It was then that Jennifer noticed this was the life of Mrs. Hawkins, often sitting alone because her husband worked so much. Though Mrs. Hawkins was not much for conversation, it was obvious to Jennifer that she simply wanted another woman to sit with her, even if she had to pay her.
“There is my lovely wife,” Michael entered the Inn, taking off his hat.
“How did it go, dear husband?” Mrs. Hawkins said.
“Very well. I am very pleased with the men of the parish. They are very smart and will make good partners in construction. But I have news. Pastor Bryce has invited us to early dinner at his home. But because it is so far away, we must have early dinner to have ample time to return back to the Inn before it is too dark.”
“That is very kind of him. Then we shall finish our tea and return to our rooms for a quick rest before getting dressed. Sarah, I think you can tell the Innkeeper to prepare a bath in your room so that it is waiting for you when we are done here, as you have not had one since we arrived, as well as arrange a carriage for us to take us to Pastor Bryce’s cottage,” she ordered.
“Yes, Mrs. Hawkins, of course,” Jennifer jumped up from her chair, excited to see Pastor Bryce’s house on the hill. This was going to be quite pleasant indeed. Plus, she rather enjoyed conversation with him. She looked forward to the dinner.
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