Merry's Plan

By DM Wiseman

Merry was from a high society family and just didn't fit in. She also had made a name for herself as an author of woman's novels, that were full of hot steamy sex. A horribly failed engagement, as well as her family not backing her in her time of need, made Merry leave the Boston area, and move to the Pretty Marsh, Maine area to live in peace and hopefully with out the high drama her family could bring. Meeting tow women that were introduced in the first two installments of the Pretty Marsh Trilogy, Bryn and Brie, along with their husbands and friends, bring Merry into a family all her own. And, along the way, she finds love in a man named Jack. It wasn't in the plan, but a nice way to go.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DM Wiseman
• Release date: Mar 3, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458034434

DM Wiseman

I am a retired Nurse - in my everyday life, but I am a self diagnosed 'reader-aholic' - I read all types of fiction and have been writing stories for a long time, and finally have decided to publish my novels using the Smashwords.com site. I am married, have two sons, with families (3 grandkids!!) as well as a spoiled rotten Old English Bull Dog We recently moved from rural Michigan, to Florida and enjoy spending time at our home on Lake Mariam. The first book I published on Smashwords is not the first book that I wrote, but the first I actually published. I wrote this novel during the NaNoWriMo.com November 2010 which I wrote in under the 30 day deadline. I feel that I have more stories to write, and will be publishing additional novels as fast as my fingers can type...

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Merry's Plan

By

D M Wiseman

Merry's Plan

Copyright 2011

by

D M Wiseman

Smashwords Edition

Cover image by Rita Toews at [e-mail]

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter One

Pulling up to the GPS co-ordinates that she put in herself from the papers she signed yesterday at the realtor's office; Merry put her truck into park, and getting out she stretched. After driving nearly three hundred miles in two days, the last hundred this morning; having gotten up at 5am to get to her new 'house' early enough to get a lot of work done - her muscles were tight, and she desperately needed to use the 'facilities' as her mother always called them. She just knew she needed to pee, and so did Vader - if the whining coming from the back of the Jeep, was any indication. She didn't have the key to the chain with the lock keeping the log fence (badly in need of fixing, she thought to herself) together.

She opened the back of the small utility trailer she pulled behind the Jeep, and getting her tool chest out, pulled the huge bolt cutters she had in the bottom of the box, she went back to the lock and cut it clean. She had another one in her possession, and she wasn't going to let anyone else have a key to her fence.

Pushing the fence open, actually kicking it open more than most of the way, Merry then drove the truck and trailer through the thick forest of trees and underbrush, to a clearing before her house came into view. Stopping the vehicle, she put the truck into park and turned it off. She stared at the house. It was a mess.

It was a wonderfully, awful, trashed out mess. And it was hers! She had gone to a realtor and spelled it out for him. She wanted at least 20 acres, wooded with water access even if it was a creek or pond, and it had to be secluded. She picked an area in Maine that she would love to be near. That was over three months ago. It could be a fixer upper - like this one was. She was in heaven.

She purchased a 25 acre stretch of land off of Route 102; that backed up to Seal Pond. The property was between a village called Pretty Marsh, and Seal Cove on Mount Desert Island - that was the home of the Acadia National Park. She loved that area, ever since going on a road trip once in her first year of college, camping near Bar Harbor. So, she had picked Maine, and got lucky.

The property was in foreclosure, from the death of the owner, and no one had come forward to pay the property taxes. There was no other lean on the house and she snatched it up, sight unseen. She went on line and found out everything about the area, the little village and the property. She knew that it was virtually untouched for the last five years, since the death of the old man, and no one had lived there since. And, having paid for an aerial survey to inspect the terrain, she was surprised at the size of the clearing. She didn't plan on there being no road, though.

One of the changes she had done to the property before she came out, was to have the realtor hire a bulldozer and 'make' a road by plowing from the 102 to the house, and making a circle drive along with it. She wouldn't have to worry about always turning around, when she had the trailer on her Jeep. She wanted to do all the other updates and finishing touches by herself. Then, she'd build a garage as well.

To put herself through college, Merry had worked in construction. Her father was a construction contractor, had taught her all forms of work: she could do electrical, plumbing and even finish carpentry. She had her cards, and as soon as she was able to take the test - gotten her contractor's license as well. She worked on her own crew, and was looking forward to doing most of the work on her own house, except for the road - she didn't drive the big machines. She also didn't hang dry wall. She could, but she hated it. That she would hire out, if it was needed.

Merry looked at the house, and smiled. It would be good to swing a hammer, get some of the cobwebs out of her head. The past couple of years had been hard on her, and she was done with that whole scene. She would work on her house, and write her next novel in her own house, without anyone expecting anything from her. She had her tool box, her computer, and her dog. That was what she could live with.

Letting Vader out of the Jeep, she told him to stay close. He was a three year old male Neapolitan Mastiff - almost totally black, with the huge jowls that hung off his wrinkled face, and was beautiful only to her. He weighed nearly 200 pounds at his last weigh in. She adored her drooling, snoring, big old smelly dog. No one else appreciated him, except other Mastiff owners. And she didn't know many.

Getting her 'key maker' out of the Jeep once again, she cut the chain that was holding the door to the wall and the door almost fell on her. Pushing it open and blocking with her legs, she got it lodged, and could let go. Vader bounded in and stopped, sniffing the air. Yep. It stunk.

First thing Merry did, was open the back door as well. It was in better condition, and she propped that with a piece of wood from the huge pile next to the house. The breeze blew dust and dirt through the house, and she smiled. It was a start. Thrilled that there was at least two cords of very seasoned wood piled next to the back porch, she would have wood for her fireplace. She would need more, but two cords was a good amount to start with.

Nearly two hours later, the three windows that she could open, were now open, letting in the breeze as well. She had a long list going of things she needed to do to make the inside livable. And she hadn't even started on the outside yet. The first thing was to empty one of the rooms so she could bring in her stuff, to empty the trailer so she could fill it with the trash that she needed to get out of this house. Then, tomorrow she could clean the rest of the rooms.

Bringing her Honda generator out of the Jeep, she put it on the porch, mentally noting that there were a few boards that needed replacing. Merry did the first thing to clean her house. She sand blasted the biggest bedroom until it was clean - well cleaner. She put it on the lightest setting and made sure she didn't strip off the wood, just the years of dirt and grime. Then she vacuumed the debris up with a shop vac. Trudging to the waterfront (her own waterfront property!) she carried three large buckets full of water to wash the room down, and then the walls. She would need to get the well primed, and if didn't give her water, then she would have to call a well guy.

She did a quick wipe down of the ceiling leaving the windows for last. She was hungry, dirty and feeling grungy. It was only six o'clock and it was starting to get dark. So she wasn't sure if she wanted to try for the village café. She had a cooler with some cheese and crackers, a few pieces of pizza from her meal last night in, Bangor.

She was going to share her meager dinner with Vader, when she decided to call ahead, and order out. That was how she could do it, without needing to clean up. Unhooking the trailer, she put Vader into the house, and told him to stay, giving him his dinner of 6 cups of kibble with the pizza cut up as a celebration dinner. She wasn't sure if he would jump out the windows or not, so the stay command was good, as well as the pizza. He was really good at both eating and staying.

She was just six minutes from the village and had called ahead for the daily special. She was going to be early, so she just drove up, and parked to wait. She was leaning back on the seat and started outlining her next chapters, to think through the situation she had left her characters in, two nights ago. She was an author, was on her seventh novel. The six was being edited and due out in a few months. She had a loose deadline, so she could still get her house up and running by the time true winter hit the Maine coast line. She figured a month of cold, then the snow would fall, by the end of October, first of November. It was September 1st, the Tuesday before Labor Day weekend. She had time yet.

Merry looked in the rear view mirror, and seeing herself, made a face; then spit cleaned the dust that was all over her face. It wouldn't due to scare the locals if she wanted to be part of them. She wanted the 'little town' to be like she expected them to be - protective of their own. And she wanted to be part of them as well as anonymous.

She pulled her hair out of her rubber band, and ran her fingers through the long black hair that hung to her waist. Pulling it back into the band again, she got out of the truck and shut the door. Walking up to the café door, and went in.

The entire place went silent. The waitress didn't move, the handful of diners stopped eating, and even the cook, leaned out the door to look at the woman who ordered the special and gave her name - a stranger's name.

I am, um, here to pick up my dinner. Is there something wrong? I have cash, if that's what you're thinking. Merry was not used to people giving her looks like this. They acted like she was homeless. Looking down at herself, she looked homeless. I have been cleaning out the dirt from my house. I am a construction worker and didn't have time to change.

The waitress finally stopped staring and went to the counter to get her meal. Handing it to her, she realized she still hadn't said a word. She cleared her throat.

I'm sorry we didn't know anyone sold a house in Pretty Marsh. There are no houses for sale that we know of. Her name tag said Joanne. Merry just looked at her and stared back. There is that horrid place on the way to Seal Cove that's empty, out on Route 102 but that's not even livable. So, we can't figure where you bought, or are living, you know, where you are staying?

Merry looked at her and didn't say a word. There was nothing to say, to even think to say. She was not sure what to say. Day one and having to answer questions already. She reacted poorly to constantly be questioned, followed by photojournalists, and people who wanted either money or autographs.

Well that's the house I bought, so now you know where I live. Can I pay for the meal, or do you need my social security card too? There was no way she was going to let this waitress knock her down. She was going to love living here, if she had to go all the way to Camden for food from now on.

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings - sorry. It's eight fifty with tax. I hope you like meatloaf with mash potatoes. Joanne said and really did sound sorry.

I'm really a construction worker, and that 'horrid' place will be wonderful - and very soon. I will make it so you won't even recognize it. Merry said, handing her a ten and told her to keep the tip. I'm Merry. It's nice to meet you, Joanne.

Joanne was smiling when Merry turned to leave as a police officer was walking up to the door. He held the door open for her, and smiled. He was one of those drop dead gorgeous types and he looked even better in uniform. She didn't give him a second look, but he gave her a full on, as she passed him, and then the long stare as she went to her car.

Getting into her car, she turned around, and saw him still standing with the door open to the café and caught him staring at her. She raised her eyebrows at him, and then she slammed the Jeep's door. Not giving him another thought, she drove back to her horrid house, happier than she had been in a long time.

Eating dinner, she was ready for bed not long after, and didn't even feel like doing any writing tonight. Vowing to write for at least four hours tomorrow, if not more, she went to bed just after it was dark. Vader by her side, she was snuggled down, and asleep in no time.

Sleeping on the floor, on six blankets to be the mattress, and her extra thick sleeping bag, Merry was very comfortable, until the next morning, when her bladder made her have to get up. Going out to the yard, balancing on two logs, she decided that the first thing she was going to do was fix the plumbing. She needed a bathroom that worked and the well would have to be checked. Next, she wanted electricity.

Unloading the trailer into the one room that was as close to being livable as she could make it be in one day, she then ate a piece of pizza standing up - she didn't have her desk set up yet, hadn't bought a table either. So eating standing up was all she could do. Next, she began the fun job of filling up the trailer with the trash that she had 'bought' with the house. And the trash needed to be taken out before she could possibly live here in the house.

Two hours later, hardly even a dent made in the trash, she decided to take a break and get out in the air. She got her ladder out of the back room, and took it out back. Putting it up against the house, she made sure she had all the needed tools in the bucket next to the ladder and told Vader to stay. She hooked the rope onto the belt that she fastened around her waist. Double checking the ladder and its stability, she walked up the ladder, and then pulled the bucket up, and put it on the roof.

Checking the roof for missing shingles, and obvious issues, she didn't see any rot or missing shingles. It had a second roof on it, and it looked in good condition. In her research, she knew that just about seven years ago, a permit was pulled for the roof, so she was hoping it was still in good condition. What she was worried about was the chimney. She wanted to be able to use the huge fireplace, to heat as well as to look at on cold winter nights. So, she needed to check for cracks, check the caps and for any missing bricks. And she wanted to make sure that there weren't any critters or bird's nests in the flue. She needed to get it cleaned out and ready to burn.

Sitting on the roof, at the peak by the chimney, she was just snaking down the pipe, when she heard a vehicle coming up her drive. She waited.

Chapter Two

Wolfe Burns drove as Marcus Mooreland sat shotgun in the front of the new Ford Explorer truck that he had just bought last week. In the back, one of the newest officer to work in the area, sat Jack Samuels and they were having a lively discussion on which team would win - The New England Patriots or the Detroit Lions. They were on the way to Camden for a last minute delivery to the Peas in a Pod baby store for Marcus' wife's business. Wolfe drove, so he could show off his new truck.

Wolfe was a FBI agent and worked in the computer fraud department, and was now married to Bryn that ran the area's newspaper. Her friend Brie was married to Marcus who was also an officer in the sheriff's department, and Jack was one of the newest officers in the area. Brie owned and operated an organic baby food business. So, they all hung out together, spent hours having dinners, and went on hiking trips when the women were all busy. Jack felt somewhat of a 'fifth' wheel, since he had moved to this area, after meeting the men last fall. After he got off probation, he changed departments, and now worked with Marcus.

So this day, there was a 'thing' that Bryn and Brie were going to - a baby shower for one of their friends, and the men didn't want to be anywhere around Marcus' house - where the shower was being held. So they agreed to take the baby food delivery to Camden, and were planning on having some beer, some wings, and watch the game. Everyone was betting on the Patriots. No one wanted the Lions - but promised not to tell Brie, who used to live in Michigan.

Hey, stop. Wolfe, I just saw someone on the roof of a cabin. Marcus said and Wolfe stopped the truck. Back up to that new driveway, about 100 yards back. He shook his head. It had to be a mistake. He was seeing things. No one would be at that place. It was locked up and condemned, he thought anyway. And no one would or should, be on that roof.

Driving up the very new driveway (well a path made by a bulldozer that was obviously very new) they drove up to the house and stared. A woman, by the length of her hair, was sitting on top of the roof, sitting there near the chimney. They got out of the truck and stared openly. It was a woman, a very good looking woman sitting on a roof of a rundown abandoned house in the middle of nowhere.

Miss - this is private property. Marcus said finally finding his voice, moving towards the front of the truck. You need to come down immediately.

Yes, I know this is private property, and you can get off it. A throaty voice said from on top of the roof. She didn't look like she was moving to get off at all. I own this property, and you are the ones trespassing.

Well, we'll see. I am from the sheriff's department, so you need to come down and talk with me. Marcus continued, and then stiffened. He heard a growl and reached for his gun. Jack reached for his at the same time, and as Wolfe grabbed for his, a very large black dog came around the building, growling and barring his teeth.

Stop! Merry said loudly. Vader, hold! She stood up and very easily, walked across the roof, and down the opposite side of the house, and in less than a minute, was around the side of the house, her hand on the dog's collar.

Good Vader. Sit. She looked at the men. They were staring at her, with no one saying a word. She waited for them to explain themselves.

Well, damn. Marcus said and openly stared at her. She was tall, 5' 9' at least, wearing the tightest bibbed blue jeans, ripped and dirty but they looked perfect on her. She had a long sleeve white t-shirt, sleeves pushed up to her elbows. She had her hair in a pony tail, with a baseball hat on, the hair through the back hole. Sun glasses on the bill of the hat, she just stood there in her Doc Martin boots, hand on the huge dog, the other holding a hammer.

Well, damn Wolfe said and admired the whole look, thinking his wife would look good all dirty and thought to tell her of his newest fantasy. She'd hit him, and then get that 'hum' look in her eye, and laugh. He just stared at this woman and continued his fantasy.

Wow. Three brain dead men with guns. Go figure. Didn't think I'd see this up here in Maine, only down south. You can get off my property, unless I'm breaking the law by cleaning the chimney all by little ole' self. Merry said, still holding the hammer and the dog.

Well damn. Wolfe said again, and she shook her head.

I, well, damn. Marcus said frowning thinking that she had just insulted him, because of his southern accent. He was originally from South Carolina, and hadn't lost his entire twang as of yet.

Yes, you've said that all ready. You need to work on your big people words. Merry shifted her weight. The dog made a growling type sound, and she gave a finger tug to his collar which made him quiet once again.

The three men just stood and watched. They honestly didn't know what to say. She was drop-dead gorgeous and still dressed like a carpenter, as well as being quite filthy.

My name is Marcus Mooreland; I am one of the sheriff's in this area. This is Wolfe Burns, and Jack Samuels, who is also with the sheriff's department. I just wondered about the house. No one has even been here for a while. Marcus found his head, and looked at the dog, instead of the woman. It was safer that way.

I bought this house through the county. It was in foreclosure due to non-payment of the property taxes. I have the papers, and you can check with the county, if you don't believe me. So, you can leave now, I need to finish the chimney. She said speaking as clearly as she could. These three weren't so bright.

Can I see them? I mean the paper work, so I know for sure. That way I will feel good about checking up on things. Marcus continued to look at the dog.

I have them in the house. Stay. She said to Vader, but all three men stood there as well. Jack put his gun back into his waistband, but the others just held on to them.

Merry grabbed the folder with the papers she had signed and frowned. They wouldn't know her name up here - she hoped. She didn't want to be known to anyone, not this soon. Going back out in the yard, the men were still in the same position, except the one called Jack - he had put his gun away.

Showing the papers to the one officer, she waited. She still had the hammer, but now it was hanging from the 'come-here' hook on the side of her jeans. Wolfe seemed fascinated by the swing of the hammer as she walked. She shook her head and wondered why and how he got to carry a gun.

Merry looked at the third man that hadn't said a word yet - Jack. He was intently staring at her, not the dog. She recognized him as the officer that opened the door to the café last night. The man looked better in jeans and a t-shirt, but she didn't care to really think about it. She was not in the market.

Ok, Ms. Sherman. I just needed to make sure. We're sorry we bothered you. And welcome to the area. Come into the village this weekend, we put on a big picnic for the whole area. It's all pot luck. The list is at the paper - you can go online to see it as well, so you know what to bring with you. Marcus welcomed her to the village. You can meet practically the whole village. Everyone comes. It will be nice for you to meet everyone, being someone new.

Merry smiled and said she'd think about it. She had a lot to do fixing the house up, but she'd think about it. Wolfe mumbled something that sounded like 'Well Damn' again, and the third still didn't say a word.

They got into the truck and left. Vader growled a little bit, and Merry shh'd him. She was a bit worried. But, this was a little village, maybe they didn't know her. But, the one named Wolfe looked back and she knew he was writing down her plates of the Jeep and was probably running her and the plates on the way to where ever they were going.

Shaking her head, she went to the back of the house, and going up the ladder once more, she went to finish checking the chimney. She would need it soon, if the weather report was correct. As she wasn't sure about getting the gas hooked up as of yet, she wanted the fire place going for heat. She wiggled and prodded each stone of the stack until she was satisfied that it was quite safe.

She then spent over an hour cleaning and vacuuming the flue. Deeming it clean, she was happy with the results. Mentally checking the fire place and chimney off the list to do, she got off the roof and cleaned up her tools. Deciding she needed to make a list of what she needed to do in what order, Merry and Vader went into the house to do just that. As well as make the list, she wanted to get something to eat.

The three men that came by earlier spooked her. She did not need to have everyone know about her this quickly - she hadn't been here two entire days yet. Merry was not just Merry Sherman. She was a Sherman-Potts. She was the oldest adopted child of a rich family, and never quite felt like she fit in. She didn't feel the same things were important, didn't like a lot of the same things,