Jane left the store about half an hour later. Jim had continued on about the Ghost for quite some time. Even though he could see the disbelief in her eyes, he never wavered from the Tale. Pete jumped into the truck holding a huge beef bone the kindly butcher from next door, had given him as they were loading the truck. Sitting erect in the seat, he held his head up high, bone in his mouth as if he was showing off a prized possesion for all to see.
Jim had given Jane the name of a local man who could deliver the bulk of her supplies by boat. Pulling the truck away from the curb, she headed down to the shoreline and the small cluster of buildings around the town pier.
Moments later she pulled into a parking spot in front a weathered shanty made of wooden planks. The wood had aged to a dull brown and stood out against the white trim of the windows and shutters. An anchor was bolted to the door that faced the street and the name "Albitross" was neatly stenciled across the bottom of it. The mail box out front had the name Brian Chappman painted on it. Glancing at the slip of paper she held in her hands, Jane shut off the truck and told Pete to stay.
Jane walked up to the door and knocked three times. As she waited, she was drawn to the view of the harbor out back. The blue water came right up to within a few yards of the building. She was about to knock again when she heard the strains of "Canon in D" by Pachebel coming from around the corner. Walking around the back corner of the building, she saw the "Albitross" docked at a wide pier. A tall, ruggedly handsome man was wrapping a net around a crate, preparing to load it onto the boat. He looked to be perhaps in his mid 30's and had long red hair that hung in a ponytail. His face was weathered and had a short well trimmed beard.
Looking up he smiled and greeted Jane. "Good
Morning! Can I help you?"
Jane returned his smile and replied, "Yes, I
hope so. Are you Brian?"
"Well thats the name on the bank papers for this
old tub, and seeing as it's my boat I must be him."
he replied good naturedly.
Jane smiled again and continued. "Well Jim at
the general store told me you would be the one to see
about having some supplies shipped out to "Eagles
Point"."
"Well yep I can do that, But it will be at least
a day or three. At the moment I have to get this
generator up to Mackinaw. After that, Your next,
fair enough?" Brian said as he finished securing the
net.
Jane pulled a list out of her pocket and walked
over towards him. "Great, here is a list of what you
will be bringing."
He took the list and surveyed it for a minuet.
"Ah good, nothing here that's gonna break my back."
Extending his hand he said, "Brian Chappman, at your
service. You most certainly must be the lighthouse
guide for the summer."
Jane shook his hand and laughed, "Yes, that's
me. Seems everyone knows who I am in town by now.
Jane Tolenz, Mr Chappman pleasure to meet you."
"Well Jane, you got to understand nothing passes
in this speck of a town that folks don't know about.
We all heard you were coming to care for "Our Lady"
this summer .
Jane looked him straight in the eyes and chuckled
"You can spare me the ghost story. Jim had the
pleasure of pulling my leg with that one."
Brian looked at her with clear blue eyes and
said, "Well now Ms. Tolenz, You may have your
doubts, but the locals take the tales of Amanda Grey
very seriously. I for one grew up here and heard
these stories all my life. Even saw the old gal
once, I think."
"You think?" Jane asked.
" Well I was 16 and truth be told, pretty drunk
with a few buddies. We went out there that night to
see if we might see Amanda" he remarked.
"Hmmm, well you will have to tell me that tale
someday." Jane said politely.
"I just might. You may well be a bit less of a
sceptic by summer's end. Well I have to get up
north. I will be bringing your stuff on Wed. most
likely. "
"I'll be there, I have tons of work to do.
Thanks, and have a good day Mr Chappman."
"Well I woke up, the boat still floats and I
got to meet the attractive lady of the light, Seems
like it's shaping up to be a good day." He said and
gave her a warm genuine smile.
"Ok, bye now" Jane said, turning so he would not
see the blush rising on her cheeks.
TO BE CONTINUED
Part 10 coming August 30th.
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Part 10
