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Chapter 11

The Surprise

Everyone has taken a deep breath and life got back to normal. It's been six months since Mildred Thompson's funeral and that unpleasant period in their lives had become history. Ian Michael has earned the nickname of Lil Guy at least that's how it started out before Lil Guy morphed into just Guy. At 42 months Guy was talking everyone's arm off and growing like a weed. Eve was spending more and more time with Quinn, it was beginning to look like their friendship was developing into a more serious relationship regardless of the age difference.

Peter and Martin were spending more of their time out in the back pastures since Quinn's time was becoming more occupied with Eve and Guy. Michael and Ian were still living with them at the P.M.Q. Ranch and have volunteered to handle the business end of things which had picked up substantially. They had purchased a pickup and were thinking of building their own house. They felt welcome here but weren't sure just how the others felt about having such long term guests.

The topic of building a house came up at dinner one evening and Peter asked why? "There's plenty of room and it's great having you here with us." Michael explained that he and Ian weren't sure if they were overstaying their welcome. "You, Martin, and Quinn have made us feel like part of your family but we've never really talked about what we should do since we've decided to spend most of our time in Australia."

Martin was speaking about as fast as an auctioneer as he said, "You are family, you can't just up and leave, who's going to take care of the books and finances, and who's going to look after us. Let's put it to a vote all in favor of not splitting up our family say "Aye". Peter, Martin, and Quinn all said "Aye".

Quinn said, "Now if you don't mind, can we finish our meal in peace without anymore of this nonsense?" Ian started to laugh as he said, "Are you guys sure about this?"

Quinn reached over and smacked Ian in the back of his head, "I said I didn't want to hear anymore nonsense Ian, and I meant it."

Michael almost fell out of his chair laughing at the expression on Ian's face. Peter calmly said, "I hope that answers your question Ian." Rubbing his head Ian replied "It did, but a simple yes would have sufficed."

Six more months have passed and Eve's Lil Guy was now in what's often described as growing pains. The family preferred to say it was more like the exciting fours. Guy was absorbing knowledge like a computer. His language skills were accelerated for a child his age, and there was nothing that didn't interest him. Quinn had finally gotten up the courage to ask Eve to marry him. Eve's answer was a happy yes. Guy was already calling Quinn Daddy and then just dad.

The interesting part of Guy's physical development is that of his coloring. His light skin, brown hair and blue eyes were much the same as Quinn and Martin's. This was due of course to Eve's light complexion, blond hair, and blue eyes. It's doubtful anyone would ever question that guy wasn't a combination of Quinn and Eve's gene pool. There was no resemblance to Pierre's coloring. Which a person could say actually was a blessing in disguise.

The question that arose as the wedding day grew near was where they would live. Quinn would like Guy to grow up on the sheep ranch which was fine with Eve other than she hated to leave her father alone in the big house.

It turned out that Emerson had been thinking of turning his house into a Bed and Breakfast even before Eve and Quinn's wedding plans. This way Eve could live out at the ranch if she and Quinn preferred and she could drive in to help Emerson during the day if his idea of turning the house into a B &B worked out.

The setting was perfect; the sprawling brick house was on a hill overlooking manicured gardens with a magnificent view that continued even beyond the gardens. There were stables and horses for guests that wanted to go off on their own and enjoy the countryside. And it was just a short drive from Sydney and close to the charming village.

Five months later the house revisions were completed and a housekeeper, a cook and an extra stable boy had been hired. One wing was kept private for Emerson, Eve, and her son although since her marriage to Quinn most of Eve and Guy's time was spent at the ranch. The rest of the space provided five bedrooms for guests plus all the rooms in the main part of the house outside of the private wing.

A professional photographer took photos of the Bed and Breakfast house, gardens, the nearby village, and the P.M.Q Ranch which would allow guided tours given by the stable boys from the B & B. The Pamphlets had been distributed throughout Australia, England, and the continent.

In less than two weeks all five bedrooms had been reserved, one for a week, three for two weeks, and one for an entire month. The opening weekend Emerson was nervous but excited; Eve and Quinn were there to help as guests arrived and the opening went smoothly. Within a couple of months Emerson had everything running like clockwork. Reservations were filled as guests left; there was always a list of people waiting to visit. Eve told Ian she had never seen their father happier than he was now.

Chapter 12 coming up: