Chapter Four

Spring came early. I opened up Seth's house and did a deep clean. I love spring cleaning. He grumbled that I was throwing away all his 'treasures' but I assured him that his fishing magazine collection wasn't needed at the Smithsonian and he hadn't looked at them in over a decade if not longer. Next we went through old copies of medical journals, then chess magazines. His closet held an endless supply and his grip on them was tight until I told him they were just fuel for a fire. It made him think and he agreed to get rid of them.

It freed up a lot of room and I was able to turn the closet into a linen one that held all his bedding and linens. He had been storing them in different cupboards and now those could be used for other things.

He was enjoying his herb garden and had expanded it so it took up more than half the counter now. Tom Jenkins, at the hardware store, told me I could switch out the kitchen window and add a different one. So I waited for Seth to go to the hospital to deliver a baby and Tom came over and installed a greenhouse window in the kitchen. It held all of the herbs and there was room for a few more.

To say Seth was delighted was an understatement. He had time to do more cooking and I was enjoying the fruits of his labor. They broke ground on my new house. The final plan actually ended up smaller than my former house but definitely much more efficient. I included a lot more storage space. The bedrooms had large walk-in closets. The kitchen had a walk-in pantry and a broom closet. There was still room for a table and four chairs.

The dining room would double as an office for me. I was going to upgrade to a word processor since my typewriter was lost to me. I had a built-in china cabinet/butler's pantry on one wall and opposite it was a built-in filing cabinet/workspace. There was a wall of windows looking out onto the street.

Seth helped me design my bedroom. He claimed he had proprietary interest in it. The fireplace in the great room continues upstairs so now I have a fireplace in my bedroom/bathroom. After Frank passed I had painted the cream colored walls pink and added as many frills inside that I could. Seth told me it was a pretty room and suited me but I think he was pleased when I told him I wasn't planning on having the same colors.

Our relationship was going strong. Since I was staying with him, the townsfolk weren't aware of our bedroom activities or the changes between us. Seth went walking in the morning. I joined him on Saturdays before we went to the diner for breakfast, a long standing tradition. I went running or walking right before lunch when his office was busiest. I was in the library three or four days a week researching my newest book. I warned Seth to prepare to return to his guest room if he wanted a good night's rest.

If everything went well and the weather cooperated, the house would be ready in late August/early September. I was excited about the house and almost every evening Seth and I walked over to see what was new. One day we spent almost an hour opening and closing the new windows. I loved them!

On Memorial Day we went to Portland to visit the large cemetery there and afterward we went to the bike shop where Seth insisted I get a new one. I had lost my previous one since it was leaning against the house when the fire began and I had put off buying a replacement. Frank and I had purchased bikes together and while I had given his bike away to a young man that appreciated it, I had a difficult time buying one for me.

While I was trying to decide between a red one or a blue one, Seth wheeled over a pretty pink bike. It had a white basket with pink, yellow, and white flowers. I couldn't help smiling. The salesman told me my name could be engraved on it too. Stolen bikes weren't uncommon in Cabot Cove.

With my new bike I had taken to riding out for an hour or so each morning. The breeze felt good and I would ride to the cliffs and look out over the water. I loved the thought of being in my own house but I was sure to miss Seth. I still considered his house a temporary residence for me. He wasn't fussy about me making changes so I painted his bathroom one day and he said it looked really good.

I put up new curtains with sheers underneath to let in more light. I didn't think he noticed but he surprised me by saying he liked the airy feeling. He confided in me that he was only renting so he didn't make many changes but I told him he lived there for years and could still make the house feel like his own.

When I first moved in with Seth I wasn't feeling very social and avoided people for a few weeks. Eventually I began to feel better and started speaking with others more than a simple greeting. I went back to Loretta's Beauty Salon to get my hair done and I got lots of sympathy, especially when they learned all my makeup and hair products were gone and I had to begin anew. Loretta was a huge help there. She ordered from her vendor catalog and I had better brushes than I had before.

I was going in for a trim today. As soon as I walked in I saw that the whole gang was there. I don't know how Eve Simpson and Phyllis Grant manage their businesses. They always seemed to be at Loretta's.

"Jessica!" greeted Eve. "We were just talking about you.

I was pretty certain they spoke about me often but I like to think it wasn't anything negative.

"I know you'll be happy to be in your own house again," commented Eve. "Imagine having to live with Doc Hazlitt for so long."

"Now Eve, I told you, Seth is fine. I get out of the house when he's seeing patients." I smiled at everyone. "You know he used to come over to cook every Tuesday and Friday and now he cooks every night." Seth cooking at my house was gossip for over a year before it died down.

Phyllis nodded her head. "That is a bonus. I get so tired of cooking just for me."

"But what if you want to entertain?" asked Eve. "I can't imagine doing anything with Doc around."

"Entertain who?" I asked.

Ideal tilted her head. "Well, you have us there, Jessica. I wish you would get out there and start dating."

I looked down at my feet. Everyone thought I was still in deep mourning for Frank, and I did mourn him, but I learned that if I didn't comment and looked down, someone would change the subject. This time it was Loretta.

"Why don't you come over for your shampoo, Jessica." She led me away but I didn't miss the warning look she sent to the other women.

I could hear the women talking but not clearly with the water running. By the time my shampoo was over they were discussing the Fourth of July picnic and who would bring which dish to eat.

"How is the new house coming along, Jessica?" asked Phyllis. "I know you're excited."

I smiled brightly. "It's going to be two or three more months but it's closed in and they're finished with the wiring and they'll be putting in the floors soon. I can't wait although I'm going to miss having Seth around." I couldn't help the naughty thoughts flowing through my brain and decided to give the women a nugget they could gossip over. "I forgot how lonely it can be being by myself although when Seth makes noise at two in the morning to go out to deliver a baby, I won't miss that!"

Everyone laughed.

Eve came over closer. "Jessica, it's not too late for you and Seth to get together. You're alone with him every evening. What did you do last night?"

"We played Yahtzee," I said. It was true. The women laughed again. Ideal chimed in next.

"Well, you could make a nice dinner for two with candlelight and wine."

"Ideal, Can you imagine candles or a centerpiece at his house? Besides, he does all the cooking and does it better than me. Maybe I can ask him to move to my new house. I made the kitchen larger."

Eve groaned. "Jessica, I don't think you have a romantic bone in your body."

I shook my head before remembering Loretta was working on it. "Eve, I think a man cooking for me could be romantic, right after mopping floors and cleaning the bathroom."

Everyone laughed again.

"Jessica, you're hopeless. I can understand you not wanting to get involved again." Phyliss leaned over and whispered loudly. "I think you should ask the doctor to be your roommate. That way you have company and he watches your house when you're gone anyway."

Jessica shook her head. "I would feel like I was using him."

Eve looked at Phyllis. "No, you would be saving him a pile of money. He could sublet his place upstairs and only rent the lower half. I know for a fact that Beverly's lease is up soon on her apartment."

Jessica smiled inwardly. Now the women would try to set her and Seth up. Again.

"Live with a man? In Cabot Cove? Eve, I was a teacher. I would lead my former students astray." I hope I wasn't laying it on too thick.

Loretta tapped my shoulder. "Jessica, when that man burned down your house I thought if you hadn't been alone, it probably wouldn't have happened."

I turned to look at her, surprised.

"Besides, you've been living with Seth for over six months already," she added.

I felt the blush fill my cheeks. "He insisted. I was going to ask Eve if there were any rentals available. Is everyone thinking…"

"Oh no, Jessica! No one is thinking anything improper is going on between you two," assured Phyllis. She had seen the blush and I'd bet millions they were thinking I was mortified of causing a scandal.

"Well, he's pretty old fashioned so I don't think he would want me for a roommate anyway, even if it saves him money," laughed Jessica. I saw the looks passing between the women and ignored it. I would tell Seth that evening. He would get a laugh out of it.

For some reason I forgot about the conversation at Loretta's that day and concentrated on my new house. It was only when Seth crawled into bed one night that I remembered.

"Jess, is there something you want to ask me?"

"Like what?" I hadn't turned off the lamp yet so I could see his puzzled expression.

"Mort just told me that if I moved in with you I better do my share of the housework and not leave it all to you," answered Seth. "And Ideal Molloy told me just this morning that it's important that I let you choose the colors for the rooms."

I laughed lightly. "I wanted to know how the gossip about us was being twisted. Apparently everyone thinks we're just roommates with you helping me out after the fire."

"So why do they think I'm moving in with you? He asked.

"Well, I may have mentioned I was going to miss having you cook for me," I smiled. "They told me I was unromantic but Phyllis Grant told me I should ask you to be my roommate so I'm not lonely. Also Beverly's lease is up and she could rent the upstairs for a reasonable price."

"Word has gotten around it seems. People are telling me it's practically my duty to become your roommate especially since you have spare bedrooms," added Seth. "They tell me someone famous as you need someone around to keep you safe from the crazies."

I took in his serious expression and wondered what he wasn't saying. "What is it, Seth?"

"I was hoping it was true that you wanted me to live with you." He didn't look at my face.

I paused. While he has made it easy to live here with him, could I be as generous with my house? I believe I could.

He reached over me and turned off the lamp. I switched it back on.

"I didn't think you would agree. We both know you're more conservative than I am and the gossip would be tremendous. You're Cabot Cove's premier physician." I took hold of his hand, both to provide comfort and so he wouldn't try to get away from me.

"When have I let people tell me what I can or can't do?" he huffed. "I like being here together with you. I was worried we wouldn't fit well but we do."

I leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Yes, we do and I would love for you to be my roommate." I believe he was surprised.

"Let's not tell anyone yet. I'd like to throw a monkey wrench at the town and their gossiping ways."

I laughed. "I think I'm in bed with one of the biggest gossips."

Seth leaned over and quieted my laughter. It was a long while before we continued our conversation.

Cabot Cove was enduring the last of the heat wave. August had been even hotter than usual. Seth and I decided to have a housewarming party to invite everyone over all at once. None of the furniture was in the house but the appliances were and the new house had air conditioning. I hired a caterer, rented tables and chairs, and had something called a DJ to play music and dance.

We were thankful the house was empty as it seemed half the town turned out for the gathering. I was grateful we went with hardwood floors and not carpeting. The women discussed the colors I had chosen while the men discussed the merits of two smaller hot water heaters over having one large one. People inspected my dishwasher and stove. I told everyone the move in date was the end of September as I was waiting for furniture to be delivered. The stairs were roped off. I considered my bedroom a private space and not for public inspection.

While the front had been landscaped by the builder, no plants had been added to the back or side yards. I had plans drawn but the nursery told me it was too close to cold weather for the plants to be installed without major risks. I didn't mind waiting for next spring. It would give me a chance to cement my plans and decide whether or not I wanted a small gazebo. I liked the thought of writing outdoors.

Seth wanted to bring his bedroom set to the new house and put it in his official bedroom although he would be sharing my room with me. I told him he could bring whatever he liked except for his kitchen table (too small) and his recliner (too ugly). I was surprised he was leaving his coffee table and the rest of his furniture for Beverly, who had agreed to sublet upstairs. He did bring the rug Ruth purchased and put it in 'his' bedroom.

Once my new bedroom furniture arrived, we moved into the house. It only took a few hours since we had been taking my things over gradually during the past few days. The town was delighted Seth was going to be my roommate. We laughed every night when he told me the suggestions people were giving him to woo me and help me begin dating again. They told him not to be discouraged if it took time.

I was ensconced in my new home office trying to finish my book so I could attend the local football game with Seth. He was being honored during half-time for his participation in the team's fundraiser. He had a donation can in his office that accepted contributions and the team was able to purchase much needed practice gear beyond the school district's capabilities. Budget cuts had been particularly harsh this school year.

The colors on the trees were changing and I found myself staring out the windows often. Nearly a year ago I was at one of the lowest points of my life. I felt untethered. I feared I was losing my identity. I was in a cycle of grief and despair that was hard to emerge from without help, Seth's help. His assistance was invaluable and while I may have coped without him, it would have taken much longer and might have done irreparable damage to my psyche.

My relationship with him was very different from my life with Frank. We had a traditional marriage, mutual love and respect, and faith in each other. Seth encourages me to be my own person, to grow daily. I think Frank was ahead of his time but I'm not sure he would have supported my writing in the same manner Seth does. Don't get me wrong, Seth hates my traveling, but he doesn't try to stop me. Not much. It's a necessary evil in his book.

I powered down my computer, giving up writing for the day. Hopefully I will finish it tomorrow. I went upstairs and put on my Cabot Cove High School sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. I grabbed my jacket and a stadium blanket and stood on my front porch waiting for Seth's arrival. I love Autumn and my love for the town was strong. I had timers on the lamps in the house so I no longer had to leave lights on when I left the house and it gave it a homey glow.

The ladies at Loretta's would be working the snack bar at the football game along with other volunteers. They're attempting to tell me how wonderful Seth is and maybe I should try thinking of him in a different light. I still didn't have furniture in my great room. There was a delay and it would take a few more weeks.

We had settled in so easily. Our first night in the house was strange. There were different creaks and sounds and not the ones I had grown accustomed to hearing. I love my master bathroom so much that Seth often has to chase me out. He generally uses the one off the other bedrooms if he is in a hurry. I regretted not having a window in the kitchen for his herbs but I found a cart and we had it on the service porch where there was plenty of light.

Ten months ago if you had told me within the year I would be living with a man in a loving relationship I would have called you crazy. But I wake up each morning looking forward to a new day. A day filled with love and laughter again. On the first day we moved in Seth had a picture taken of us standing out in front. He had it framed and it was placed next to the picture of Frank and me in front of the old house. I'll spend the rest of my life feeling grateful for sharing my life with him.