#220
Mark pushed the wheelbarrow slowly, and even then, Clora wasn't spry and able to keep pace. He unloaded the items in their wagon and took Clora by the grocery store. "she needs to sit and do no work," he warned the ladies. That Clora made no protest, clued the ladies that Clora was unwell.
"We'll take care of her," Rennie promised her father-in-law, and Mark felt her promise to be good. Out the door he went to push the barrow up to Tess's.
"Clora, you are just the woman we wanted to see," Rennie seemed to be the spokeswoman for the group. "Tess has mentioned the Inn was vacant, and that Abby went on a walk-about for greener pastures. She said the owners had also been killed and it's evidently up for grabs.
Some of us are pretty curious about the place and if we might take over operations, or what the situtation might be?"
Clora smiled. "First I want to say that Mark and I, Tess and her boys will be moving on. Those that are willing are welcome to join us. And no, we aren't interested in operating the Inn," she added to the looks of relief on some of the ladies' faces.
"Belnap is a small town, and many of the shops and buildings are empty. Abby has told me that there is a vacant medical clinic, and many houses are available. There are probably 50 or so people in the surrounding town, so there is demand for services. The people have been coming down to buy from Georges store, so there is a need for a grocery. Now for the Inn, I believe Abby said it had twenty five rooms to rent, but that there is a company that ferries travelers down from the North, and they come about every two weeks for meals and lodging."
In the background, the three sisters were whispering among themselves, looking interested in the prospect of a hospitality business. Trish and Phoebe were talking low, Judy and Clara were conferring, Sally was talking to Millie and there was so much talking going on, that the hum of it all made Clora happy.
Rennie and Honey were talking, but not looking pleased with one another.
Clora said no more, preferring to let the women work with the news, settling some of their ideas.