Janet said, "I have never been in
the attic, and I have always been curious about what is up there. I
would be happy to help you look."
That was enough convincing for Claire. They
took the back staircase to the second floor and made their way to
the attic, double checking each of the rooms as they went. When
they reached the attic door, Claire remembered that she was going
to bring a better light. Not wanting to waste another minute, she
pulled out her cell phone and used the flashlight. Shining the cell
phone light, she began looking in wardrobes, behind boxes and
discarded furniture. Just when Claire thought the painting wasn't
there, she heard Janet yell.
"Here it is, I found it!" Janet said
enthusiastically. "Let's take it downstairs where the light is
better."
"Thank God, I was afraid it might be gone
forever," Claire said.
By the time they reached the first floor
Claire was so eager to see it. She leaned it against the wall in
the foyer while Janet turned on extra lights.
Elizabeth was stunning with her beautiful
red ringlets falling down past her shoulders and a dainty baby blue
ribbon tied in a bow on top of her head. The dress she wore was the
same blue as the ribbon in her hair. On the bodice was a long row
of tiny buttons surrounded by beautiful crewelwork and a large
bustle in the rear which only accentuated her tiny waist. She had
her mothers delicate features and her fathers sky blue eyes, but
instead of sadness or hatred Elizabeth's eyes showed of love and
hope.
Like Claire, Janet couldn't to take her eyes
off of the painting, "Wow she is beautiful."
"Yes she is, and she looks exactly how I
pictured her. But I wonder why the painting isn't hanging somewhere
down here like the rest of the family?" Claire asked.
Janet looked up for the first time, "Your
guess is as good as mine, but it's your home now and you can hang
it wherever you like."
Picking up the painting Claire carried it
into the kitchen. Looking for something to clean the dust off with
she said, "I will ask Daniel if he can help me hang it tomorrow.
I'm sure he has an anchor in that big tool box on his truck."
Janet looked puzzled, "Do you and Daniel
have plans tomorrow?"
Claire spoke as she continued to clean the
portrait, "Yes we are going to look at the building I want to use
for the antique store. He is going to check and see if a loft can
be built so I will have extra space."
"Well if anyone can do it, I know Daniel
can. I know you probably think I'm just saying that because he is
my son. But he has done work on many of the buildings in town and
there just isn't anyone else I trust. He is very good at his job,"
Janet said with pride.
Glancing down at her watch, Janet said, "Oh
no, look at the time. Steve will be home soon and I need to start
dinner," and with a quick hug she was gone.
After eating dinner, Claire grabbed the
journal and headed upstairs to her room. She had been worrying for
days about finances and wondered if she would be able to afford the
remodel of the home and shop. Or if she could even support a home
like this at all. The utilities and taxes were probably
astronomical on a home of this size. She had money tucked away from
Adam's life insurance. And there was a sizeable amount from the
insurance of the drunk driver who hit them, but that was supposed
to be her safety net.
After getting under the covers on the bed,
she picked up the envelope James had given her when they met. She
looked over the forms that would make the home hers. She decided
she would find an impartial attorney to look at them. Turning to
the pages of information on the investment properties, she was
astounded as she scanned the pages. She found 138 properties as
well as the estate. Most of the properties were the old buildings
on main street that housed businesses on the main level and loft
apartments on the upper floors. There were a few other buildings in
the newer part of town, just beyond
the attic, and I have always been curious about what is up there. I
would be happy to help you look."
That was enough convincing for Claire. They
took the back staircase to the second floor and made their way to
the attic, double checking each of the rooms as they went. When
they reached the attic door, Claire remembered that she was going
to bring a better light. Not wanting to waste another minute, she
pulled out her cell phone and used the flashlight. Shining the cell
phone light, she began looking in wardrobes, behind boxes and
discarded furniture. Just when Claire thought the painting wasn't
there, she heard Janet yell.
"Here it is, I found it!" Janet said
enthusiastically. "Let's take it downstairs where the light is
better."
"Thank God, I was afraid it might be gone
forever," Claire said.
By the time they reached the first floor
Claire was so eager to see it. She leaned it against the wall in
the foyer while Janet turned on extra lights.
Elizabeth was stunning with her beautiful
red ringlets falling down past her shoulders and a dainty baby blue
ribbon tied in a bow on top of her head. The dress she wore was the
same blue as the ribbon in her hair. On the bodice was a long row
of tiny buttons surrounded by beautiful crewelwork and a large
bustle in the rear which only accentuated her tiny waist. She had
her mothers delicate features and her fathers sky blue eyes, but
instead of sadness or hatred Elizabeth's eyes showed of love and
hope.
Like Claire, Janet couldn't to take her eyes
off of the painting, "Wow she is beautiful."
"Yes she is, and she looks exactly how I
pictured her. But I wonder why the painting isn't hanging somewhere
down here like the rest of the family?" Claire asked.
Janet looked up for the first time, "Your
guess is as good as mine, but it's your home now and you can hang
it wherever you like."
Picking up the painting Claire carried it
into the kitchen. Looking for something to clean the dust off with
she said, "I will ask Daniel if he can help me hang it tomorrow.
I'm sure he has an anchor in that big tool box on his truck."
Janet looked puzzled, "Do you and Daniel
have plans tomorrow?"
Claire spoke as she continued to clean the
portrait, "Yes we are going to look at the building I want to use
for the antique store. He is going to check and see if a loft can
be built so I will have extra space."
"Well if anyone can do it, I know Daniel
can. I know you probably think I'm just saying that because he is
my son. But he has done work on many of the buildings in town and
there just isn't anyone else I trust. He is very good at his job,"
Janet said with pride.
Glancing down at her watch, Janet said, "Oh
no, look at the time. Steve will be home soon and I need to start
dinner," and with a quick hug she was gone.
After eating dinner, Claire grabbed the
journal and headed upstairs to her room. She had been worrying for
days about finances and wondered if she would be able to afford the
remodel of the home and shop. Or if she could even support a home
like this at all. The utilities and taxes were probably
astronomical on a home of this size. She had money tucked away from
Adam's life insurance. And there was a sizeable amount from the
insurance of the drunk driver who hit them, but that was supposed
to be her safety net.
After getting under the covers on the bed,
she picked up the envelope James had given her when they met. She
looked over the forms that would make the home hers. She decided
she would find an impartial attorney to look at them. Turning to
the pages of information on the investment properties, she was
astounded as she scanned the pages. She found 138 properties as
well as the estate. Most of the properties were the old buildings
on main street that housed businesses on the main level and loft
apartments on the upper floors. There were a few other buildings in
the newer part of town, just beyond
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