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I bundled up in multiple layers and checked in at the cafe, before heading out to explore Main Street. I left Snickety parked at Hairy's. I wanted to see what my new home town had to offer. The only local business I'd visited was the grocery.
My plan was to stop in any shop that might have something on my list. It didn't take long to see that Wilkins’ Gap didn't have a bustling downtown. I passed a barber shop, the post office, and a small medical clinic before coming to an antique shop that deserved a closer look. In the south, we take our antiques seriously. I was no expert, but this looked more like a second-hand store than a true antique shop. An oval mirror in a gilded frame caught my eye as I walked up and down the aisles.
"Are you looking for something particular," an elderly gentleman asked.
"Hi, I'm Everly Mason. I'm the new owner of Hairy's. I'm just exploring to see what I can find locally."
"It's nice to meet you, Everly. I'm Gene Taylor. I own this place and, like everyone in Wilkins’ Gap, I eat a lot of meals at Hairy's."
Gene walked beside me and kept talking as I explored his store. I would have preferred to shop on my own, but I reminded myself that another thing on my list was to meet more people in town.
I told Mr. Taylor I might be back for the mirror and headed on down the block. There just wasn't much to Wilkins’ Gap, unless there was a section of commercial development on the opposite end of town from where Hairy's was located. I crossed over to the other side of the street and walked past more offices, before coming to Yours, Mine and Ours, a consignment shop. Much like Mr. Taylor's shop, this one was more garage sale than antique store, but they had a lot of older furniture pieces. I found a dresser that would be perfect. I'd sand it down and paint it white, but I thought I could manage that with a little education on the internet. I made my way back to the front of the store where a woman about my age dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt stood behind the counter.
"Hi. You have a dresser in the back that I'm interested in," I said.
"You're Harry Wilkins’ niece, right?"
"That's right. I'm Everly Mason."
"I'm Laurie Beckett. It's nice to meet you. I heard you were moving here from Georgia. This must be quite a change for you," she said as she followed me to the dresser. "That's a nice piece."
"Yeah, I'm redecorating the apartment above the cafe. It only has a small closet, so I thought a big dresser with loads of drawers would help me get organized."
Laurie took the tag off the dresser and walked back to the counter, where she started to write up the sale. "When do you want to pick it up?"
"Fudge," I said, then realized I shouldn't have sworn. "Sorry. I forgot, I walked today and, even if I brought my car, this wouldn't fit. Do you have anyone that can deliver it?"
"Usually I'd volunteer Tom, my brother, but he's working a forest fire up north. Most people around here drive pickups or SUV's. If you can give me a couple of days, I can probably find someone."
I pulled out my phone. "Give me a minute," I said as I keyed in Jim's number. "Hi, Jim. It's Everly. Do you have a minute?"
"Hi, Everly. What a nice surprise."
"You may not think so after I tell you why I called." I explained about the dresser, and Jim said he could come pick up me and the dresser in ten minutes. While I waited, Laurie and I got better acquainted. She was single and had lived her entire life in Wilkins’ Gap.
We both looked out when Jim's SUV pulled up in front. "Here's my ride now."
"If you just moved to town, how do you know Jim Stafford?"
"He's the lawyer that handled Harry's estate. He's been a big help since I got into town." I saw a smile on her face I recognized. "Oh, it's not like that. He's just helping me get settled in."
Bells jingled as the door opened and Jim walked in. He greeted Laurie and I both as I took him to see the dresser. "Do you think it will fit in your SUV?"
"No problem. We'll take the drawers out to get it up the stairs, but it's doable."
"Great. Thanks, I really appreciate this." I paid for my purchase, and Laurie helped us get it loaded into Jim's SUV. We drove in silence to the cafe. "It’s so close, we probably could have just carried it."
"This was easier, plus it gave me a chance to see you again."
I didn't know how to respond, so I didn't. Once we had the dresser and drawers in my living room, I said, "Jim, thanks again. I hope I'm not taking advantage of you." He gave me a look that said he might be OK if I did.
"Maybe you do owe me," he said.
"I do. Anything I can help you with?"
"You can repay me by having dinner with me tomorrow night."
"Great. I can do that." Comping Jim dinner at the cafe was the least I could do for all his help.
"I'll see you tomorrow night then. Does 6:30 work for you?"
"Sure. I'll see you then."