Cedar Lane Properties—The Wallace Brothers

Chapter 25—Cedar Farms

Sunday afternoon came all too quickly. Marissa and Edna had just left a half hour ago.

“I miss them already,” Crystal sighed. “I’m ready to help get this place up and running, whatever it takes, so we can have people in and out.”

“I’m very happy to hear you say that,” Mike responded and put his arms around her. “My wheels are turning for Christmas. It will be a lot of work, but I want to have a big Christmas here. Look at all the cedar trees we have.”

“What have you got in mind?”

“Big. Very big. But we have to start now.”

“I’m listening,” she grinned. “Winter Wonderland?”

“North Pole Winter Wonderland,” Mike matched her grin. “To the drawing board!” He flipped the whiteboard to the blank side.

“If we can get a connecting road put in through here, or here,” Mike pointed at the surveyor’s map,”it would make a nice, but manageable loop for our first year. We can then decorate the loop and somewhere in here,” he continued pointing, “build a Santa’s Workshop where families can stop, have their photo taken with Santa and get a little goody bag. We can charge a small fee per car—maybe give some tickets to radio stations to give away.”

“I’m loving this idea!” Crystal exclaimed.

“Me too! I think it’ll be the beginning of putting us on the map!”

They started making lists on the board of what they wanted and would need. A road, a workshop and, of course, running utilities needed, topped the list.

“We’re going to need a lot of Christmas decor,” Crystal suggested, “and therefor, storage.”

Mike added rafters to the list. “Oh yes—storage, for sure. Do you have any ideas for goody bags?”

“Actually, I do,” she replied. “I think the name Cedar Farms has a nice ring to it and I’m thinking of something with a picture of Squeaker, Bootsy and Lewie, some cedar trees and the words Cedar Farms. Something practical. Like hats and gloves.”

“That’s bloody genius,” Mike stared in awe at his love. “Lots of kids may not have warm clothes. Hats and gloves are perfect! I love the name, too. So much better than The Lodge. Do you want to have s*x now?”

“Yep! Race ya to the bedroom!”

**

With the help of Jacob and his crew, Mike and Crystal got busy building. They hired a young couple, Brian and Jessica Cole, from Mike’s first property to help take care of “house” and grounds keeping—jobs both had held at Cedar Lane property number 1 (which quickly sold for $750,000). The Coles were assigned to Airstream 1.

Airstream 2 and the RV spots were soon leased at a deep discount to the laborers that would clear trees, pour concrete for the Winter Wonderland Loop and run utility lines.

Inside the pole barn, Jacob’s crew built stairs, along with a platform on a pulley to help lift items up, and completed the upper level of the barn with plenty of storage and even a small apartment.

Mike turned an old wardrobe into a pantry for the makeshift kitchen, added a dishwasher and more counter space with a deep farm sink. Crystal helped with cutting boards and framing walls, but spent a lot of time in search of material to reclaim. She enlisted Jessica and her new friend, Kristy, to help on several occasions.

Cedar Farms was bustling with activity. As August and Mike’s birthday approached, Crystal called up Kristy to enlist her help again.

“I’m so glad you called,” Kristy sniffled.

“What’s wrong? Why do you sound like you’re crying?”

“Jake broke up with me,” Crystal's friend sobbed.

“I’ll be right there.”

“I’m at a hotel. I had nowhere else to go.”

Crystal found Mike and explained to him that she needed to go comfort her friend. “Let me know if you need anything,” he said.

“Do you have plans for the apartment in the barn?” She asked him.

“No, and if Kristy needs a place to stay, we can work out a deal.” They were pretty good at reading each other’s minds.

“Thank you, babe.” Crystal kissed him goodbye and went to see if Jessica wanted to go with her.

**

Crystal surveyed the scattered pizza boxes, wine bottles and pile of tissues. This was a serious case of heart break.

“Oh honey,” Crystal murmured and gathered her friend in her arms. “When did this happen?”

“Three days ago,” Kristy sniffled. “I saw it coming and should have been prepared—we’ve been fighting for months now. I just hoped we were going through a rough patch I guess,” she hiccuped.

“Well, maybe you are. Maybe he just needed some space,” Crystal tried to sound soothing.

“No. It’s over. He texted that he’s found someone else in Illinois and told me to pack up because he was putting the house on the market.”

“Well, f**k him then!” Crystal was furious.

“Girl, I think life did you a favor,” Jessica added.

“I think Jessica’s right,” Crystal agreed. “We just finished the second floor of the pole barn with a nice little apartment perfect for you until you figure things out.”

Kristy looked skeptical.

“Look, that snooty Country Club hasn’t given you that promotion you’ve been wanting and Mike and I could use your help. You know we’re going to be busy for—for the rest of our lives,” Crystal put her best puppy dog face on. “We’re adding a souvenir shop to Santa’s workshop and you could manage that for us. I mean, you did help with the logo,” Crystal lowered her voice. “That’s still a secret from Mike, by the way.”

Kristy’s tears finally ebbed and a little smile formed. “That would be fun,” she relented. “I’d be close to you, too.”

“Well let’s get this mess cleaned up and go see your new apartment. There’s nothing in it yet, but I know we’ve got plenty of furniture and dishes and whatever else you need.”

“Good, because I really only have clothes and a few knickknacks.”

Smelling the alcohol on Kristy’s breath, Crystal was glad she’d brought Jessica. Kristy wasn’t in any shape to drive.

“Why is the logo still a secret?” Kristy asked while they filled trash bags.

“Because I haven’t figured out what to get him for his birthday. I actually called you today to enlist your help. Something with the logo on it is all I’ve got so far.” Crystal explained.

“There’s a guy who does awesome wood burning and another who makes metal art. Neither are cheap, but they’re not overpriced either. Remind me to show you when I’ve sobered up,” Kristy hiccuped again. “Dammit, I hate these—hiccup—hicca—burp. Damn.”

“Hiccaburps,” Jessica cracked up laughing. “I once hicca-burp-farted!”

“Stahp!” Crystal cackled. “I’m gonna laugh and pee!”

The girls finally gathered themselves, and were ready to head to Cedar Farms. Crystal left a $50 bill for the housekeeper.