Inside, Addie was all the more certain this was the place for her. There was a sweet little living area with a nice fireplace to heat the house. The kitchen was very small, but certainly big enough for Addie. In the back were two small bedrooms with a bed and dresser in each.
“We’d like to sell the furnishings as well. You could just buy it all, save our personal bric-a-brac,” Patagonia announced. “They’ve already hooked us up to sewer. Did it last year, and we have running water and electricity. Throughthat door, we added on an indoor bathroom.” She pointed to the door at the back of the house—between the bedrooms. “It used to be a mud porch, but it was thoroughly made over. We hired it professionally done.”
Caledonia nodded. “We thought it would be a nice convenience.”
“I love it,” Addie said. “It’s charming and exactly what I need. Why don’t we sit down and discuss the price?”
“We have a good friend who can draw up the papers and bring them to you tomorrow, if you let us know where you live.” This came from Patagonia, who suddenly seemed just as eager as her sister to vacate the property. As if fearing this might drive Addie away, she added, “We’ve a sister who lives in Spokane. She’s recently widowed and has begged us to come and stay with her. She has a very large house.”
“That sounds like a wonderful thing. All the sisters together again.” Addie couldn’t begin to explain to them how she had always longed for a sister. She reached into her bag and pulled out one of the cards advertising the Fishers’ shop. “Here is where I’m working. You can have the papers sent there, and if the price and terms are agreeable, I will happily purchase your house.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful,” the one said, looking to the other. “And we needn’t worry about that sign.”
Addie nodded. “By the way, my name is Adeline Bryant, but most folks call me Addie. I wonder if you ladies would like to have a picture taken of you in front of your sweet little house as a memory keeper?”
“Are you a photographer?” Patagonia asked.
Addie held up the camera. “That’s what I’m doing at the expo. We are called Camera Girls, and we’re going aroundthe fair to encourage the purchase of these Brownie cameras. We take people’s photos and then explain how easy it is to use the camera and show them what marvelous pictures it takes. I’m certainly not trying to sell a camera to you, but I think it would be nice to have a picture that you can keep to remember this place by. It won’t cost you a cent. It’s my treat.”
“I think it would be grand,” Caledonia declared. “Let’s do it, sister.”
Patagonia gave a giggle and nodded. “I say yes. What marvelous fun.”
Addie looked at the developed photo of the two old ladies. She went to pay Pearl for the picture, still smiling.
“What’s that?” Pearl asked.
Addie handed her the ten cents Otis was charging and smiled. “I took this picture of two sisters who just sold me their house.”
“What?” Pearl looked more than a little surprised. “Why did you not seek counsel before agreeing to buy it? Otis will be terribly hurt.”
“I’ll explain it to him. I don’t want him to be offended. Still, it was one of those things I felt compelled to do, and you know how it is when I feel a thing is right to do.”
“I know, but it happens so rarely. I suppose that provides all the more surprise. Where is the house located?”
“It’s just beyond the expo down on Lake Washington. It’s a little cottage, and it’s perfect for me. I fell in love with it at first glance. I’d gladly keep the old ladies too, but they want to move to Spokane to be with their sister.”
“Goodness, how did you accomplish all of this in an afternoon?”
“Well, it’s not finalized. They’re having a lawyer bring over papers tomorrow. They’ll come here to the shop so Otis can have a look at them before I sign them.”
“I’m glad you’re at least doing that much.”
“It really is a wonderful home. And it’s been fully modernized with sewer, electricity, and running water. It even has an indoor bathroom. And they are selling me most of the furniture and items that aren’t of sentimental value—like dishes and pots and pans. I’ll be fully set up and ready to go without having to do much at all.”
“Well, I have to admit it does sound like a good deal.”
“Don’t worry about me, Pearl. I think it will be perfect. You and Otis can come with me tomorrow night after we close the shop and see the house if you like. Otis can tell me if he thinks there are any problems. Remember,” she said, leaning close to Pearl, “I can afford to fix things up. It’s not like I’m spending all my money buying the place.”
Pearl considered this a moment, then took the photograph from Addie. “They look reliable.”
“I think they are, and I want to believe God put us all together for just this reason.” Addie’s brow raised. “You’re always telling me that this is how God works, just when we least expect it. Now, pray about it if you must do something, and I will try to as well.”
Pearl handed back the photo. “I will pray. Otis, too, when I tell him all about this.” She smiled at Addie. “I hate the idea of losing you. I love having you live with us.”
“I’ve enjoyed my time with you too. You and Otis are as dear as anyone could ever be to me. I don’t intend for thatto come to an end. And besides, we’ll both be here at the fair working, and you can come and see me at the house anytime you like.”
Nodding, Pearl reached out and hugged Addie. “Perhaps that will make it so that I miss you less, but I doubt it.”
