indicating that a fire had been lit there recently. She pointed it out to Nathan.
“That’s all we need … a teens’ campfire getting out of control and burning the museum down.” He shook his head as they moved to another corner of the yard.
“We thought it would be great to add to and expand the classes and exhibits that we hold.” Nathan waved his hand around. “The preliminary plans include setting up tables and chairs in this section here and serving light refreshments. We understand that there can be a good profit margin in such a thing. We could also hold outdoor gardening classes, wreath making classes, plant sales, and teach courses on heirloom plants and seeds. The space is big enough and perhaps one day we could add a greenhouse on this side.” Nathan pointed.
Lin thought the ideas were good ones. “It would add another dimension to the museum. I think it would draw in a good number of people.”
Nathan Long smiled and looked relieved by Lin’s comments. “I’m so glad you agree. Does that mean you’ll take the job?”
Lin didn’t want to drag Leonard into the work since he would be very uncomfortable running into Martha Hillman. She thought she could hire the couple who often helped out on some jobs if she needed them. “I’d be pretty much handling this myself as my partner is involved in dealing with some of our bigger contracts right now. If you wouldn’t mind it taking a bit longer, then I’d be glad to work up some numbers for the project for you to present to the board.”
“That would be wonderful.” Nathan gestured around the yard. “Shall we walk the space so you can hear what else we’d like done?”
Lin pulled out a large pad of paper to jot notes and to make preliminary sketches. She and Nathan walked from side to side of the garden as he pointed out more of the board’s ideas for the garden.
When they had finished, they sat down on wobbly chairs next to a rickety old metal table. Lin placed her pad on the table and showed Nathan what she’d sketched. “These are the notes I took as we strolled around.” She pointed to how the patio would be repaired and expanded and discussed some things she thought of adding. “You might think about a water feature here. It would help to create a peaceful atmosphere.” Lin looked at the building. “Where would the kitchen be located? It’s important to know how that would be accessed and how to lessen the impact of waitstaff bustling back and forth.”
Nathan stood and led Lin to a door positioned at the back of the building which led into the above-grade basement. He took out a key and pushed the door open.
A flutter of anxiety pulsed down Lin’s back causing her to hesitate before entering. Sensing her reluctance, Nathan said, “Don’t worry. The space is clean and open with windows all around. No rodents or insects allowed.”
Lin forced a chuckle and stepped in. Nathan followed behind. A wave of unease washed over Lin and made her head spin. Feeling dizzy and unsteady, she rested a clammy palm against the wall.
Nathan started to speak, but noticed Lin’s distress and he turned to her. “Are you okay?”
Lin sucked in a breath and forced a smile. “I’m just a bit dizzy. I have swimmer’s ear from being in the ocean.” Lin made up a tale to cover her odd behavior. “Some water is trapped behind my eardrum and causes me some dizziness, but it passes quickly.”
Nathan nodded accepting the explanation and then he turned around and gestured about the basement space. The walls were whitewashed and the floor was tiled. The room was spacious and clean. “The plan is to turn this into a kitchen. Surprisingly, there’s an old dumbwaiter built into the wall between the floors.” He pointed to the back of the space. “It’s been blocked off for ages. There’s a storage closet above it now, but it could be repaired and we could use it to bring food up to the first floor should a function be hosted upstairs in the
“That’s all we need … a teens’ campfire getting out of control and burning the museum down.” He shook his head as they moved to another corner of the yard.
“We thought it would be great to add to and expand the classes and exhibits that we hold.” Nathan waved his hand around. “The preliminary plans include setting up tables and chairs in this section here and serving light refreshments. We understand that there can be a good profit margin in such a thing. We could also hold outdoor gardening classes, wreath making classes, plant sales, and teach courses on heirloom plants and seeds. The space is big enough and perhaps one day we could add a greenhouse on this side.” Nathan pointed.
Lin thought the ideas were good ones. “It would add another dimension to the museum. I think it would draw in a good number of people.”
Nathan Long smiled and looked relieved by Lin’s comments. “I’m so glad you agree. Does that mean you’ll take the job?”
Lin didn’t want to drag Leonard into the work since he would be very uncomfortable running into Martha Hillman. She thought she could hire the couple who often helped out on some jobs if she needed them. “I’d be pretty much handling this myself as my partner is involved in dealing with some of our bigger contracts right now. If you wouldn’t mind it taking a bit longer, then I’d be glad to work up some numbers for the project for you to present to the board.”
“That would be wonderful.” Nathan gestured around the yard. “Shall we walk the space so you can hear what else we’d like done?”
Lin pulled out a large pad of paper to jot notes and to make preliminary sketches. She and Nathan walked from side to side of the garden as he pointed out more of the board’s ideas for the garden.
When they had finished, they sat down on wobbly chairs next to a rickety old metal table. Lin placed her pad on the table and showed Nathan what she’d sketched. “These are the notes I took as we strolled around.” She pointed to how the patio would be repaired and expanded and discussed some things she thought of adding. “You might think about a water feature here. It would help to create a peaceful atmosphere.” Lin looked at the building. “Where would the kitchen be located? It’s important to know how that would be accessed and how to lessen the impact of waitstaff bustling back and forth.”
Nathan stood and led Lin to a door positioned at the back of the building which led into the above-grade basement. He took out a key and pushed the door open.
A flutter of anxiety pulsed down Lin’s back causing her to hesitate before entering. Sensing her reluctance, Nathan said, “Don’t worry. The space is clean and open with windows all around. No rodents or insects allowed.”
Lin forced a chuckle and stepped in. Nathan followed behind. A wave of unease washed over Lin and made her head spin. Feeling dizzy and unsteady, she rested a clammy palm against the wall.
Nathan started to speak, but noticed Lin’s distress and he turned to her. “Are you okay?”
Lin sucked in a breath and forced a smile. “I’m just a bit dizzy. I have swimmer’s ear from being in the ocean.” Lin made up a tale to cover her odd behavior. “Some water is trapped behind my eardrum and causes me some dizziness, but it passes quickly.”
Nathan nodded accepting the explanation and then he turned around and gestured about the basement space. The walls were whitewashed and the floor was tiled. The room was spacious and clean. “The plan is to turn this into a kitchen. Surprisingly, there’s an old dumbwaiter built into the wall between the floors.” He pointed to the back of the space. “It’s been blocked off for ages. There’s a storage closet above it now, but it could be repaired and we could use it to bring food up to the first floor should a function be hosted upstairs in the
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