Page 138 of Ghost

There were four men who suddenly walked around the corner of the house.All were wearing a green uniform of sorts.Each had a logo, that Mason couldn’t read from where he was.By the time that he had also exited the vehicle, Martin and Fred, along with the four other men, began to pull the coffin from the hearse.

Ellen, followed by Gerald of course walked towards the woman as she directed the men about where to place the coffin.

“Hello, Judith.It’s a pleasure seeing you again,” Ellen said, extending her hand.“I assume that everything is in order?”

“It’s wonderful to see you again, Mrs.Trudeau.I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances, though.And I’m very sorry I wasn’t here for your last visit, but I was in Atlanta, as you know, attending the wedding convention.”

Ellen waved her hand away.“Please, do not be sorry.My dear cousin has been dead a very long time.This is just closing another chapter for Hobonny.”Ellen turned to Mason.“Mason, let me introduce to you Judith Simpson.She is the manager here and keeps everything running smoothly.She’s a treasure I could never do without.”

“My pleasure, Mr.Montgomery.Ellen has spoken fondly about you.”She looked at Ellen briefly.“I may have to ask your opinion as to what to do with my kitchen.My cousin who lives in town says you’re a magician in renovations.”

Mason gave a short laugh.“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Ms.Simpson.”Mason looked towards Ellen questioningly.

“Mason, perhaps you should look at how the kitchen functions here at Hobonny as well.It has been ages since any major work has been done in that regard.”

A white van pulled in behind the limo.Sharon got out of the front passenger seat.“Hi everyone,” she greeted everyone.“I have to say I love flowers, but there was so much fragrance in such a small space, I spent have the trip sneezing, so forgive my red nose and watery eyes.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Sharon,” Ellen said looking a bit distressed.“I didn’t even think about that.”

“Don’t worry about it, Ellen.I survived.”She looked up at the magnificent house.“I’m always in such awe of this place.You’d have thought I’d be used to it by now, but I’m not.It always takes my breath away.”

“Everyone that has ever come here had said the same thing,” Francis commented, smiling proudly.“It gets into your very soul, I believe.”

“I have some refreshments set up in the dining room,” Judith said, extending one arm towards the grand front door.“I’ll have the men take your bags up to your rooms as soon as they are finished in the front parlor.”

Mason extended his arm to Ellen, so she could use him to balance herself.“Thank you, kind sir.”She smiled up at him.

Francis had suddenly disappeared, not that Mason was surprised.He knew what this meant to him.

“I’m sorry about the heat,” Judith said.“I do have the fans on in each room and the cupola is open, but the heat and humidity are always dreadful this time of year.”

“I’m sure we can manage, Judith.”Ellen followed her into the dining room.

“I hope that there will be a little time for me to go over the books while you’re here.I think you will be pleased.”

“Of course, I will make the time.”Ellen glanced at Mason.“I’d like Mr.Montgomery to sit in on our meeting as well.”

That seemed to fluster Judith a bit.“Of course.Whatever you’d like.You are the boss, after all.”

“Oh, Judith, you’ve outdone yourself,” Ellen exclaimed as she saw the food that was covering the top of the buffet, which was rather long.

“We have lemonade, of course, iced tea and some soft drinks.If you’d like spirits or beer, I can have that brought out for you.”Judith looked around the room.“Just ring if you need anything else.So, please, help yourself and I’ll be back shortly and check in with you.”

“Thank you,” Ellen said as Mason pulled out a chair from the table.

Ellen sat and Mason helped her get settled.

“May I get you something from the buffet, Ellen?”Mason offered.

“I’d like a tall glass of lemonade with lots of ice.It is indeed quite warm."

There was a standing fan set in the corner of the room.“I’ll move the fan to where it’s blowing more on you.”

“Just don’t put it on high,” Ellen said quickly.“I can’t have my hair blowing all over the place.”

Sharon got the lemonade for Ellen, then asked what Mason would like.

“Ice water, please, Sharon,” Mason answered.