Back Home In Bristol Pines

By Bob Mandala

(Bristol Pines Book 3)Although Bryan Sotherby’s obvious skill is entertaining large crowds and producing chart-topping albums, his true talent lies in his ability to help others. ‘Back Home in Bristol Pines’ takes us briefly into the music and art worlds while keeping the story grounded in the reality of challenges in local shelters and the plights of kids forced to turn to them for help. The story ends in triumph, love, newfound family, loyalty, and romance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9780359926930

Book preview

Back Home In Bristol Pines

Back Home in Bristol Pines

Bob Mandala

Copyright 2019 © by Bob Mandala   All rights reserved

2019

Bob Mandala

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This is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination.  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Some celebrity names are used in this work only in the context of the storyline.  No intent on the author’s part to neither exploit these celebrities nor use them as a means to additional sales.  These names are not known to the reader until well into the story.

ISBN # 978-0-359-92693-0

Chapter 1

J

enny leaned her head against the car seat and closed her eyes. No matter how many times I hear his music on the radio, I can’t believe its Bryan. 

I know, right?  He is good, though.  I think he has a great voice and millions of others do as well.  Those signed copies of his three albums we have will be worth plenty someday.

Like we’re going to sell them?  I wouldn’t let anything happen to those records.  He’s my Cuz’

I know, I know.  I’m just sayin’.

Jenny Eggleton and Joe Montoya were traveling back to their home in Bristol Pines. They loved living in this quaint ski resort town in the mountains above Boston, Massachusetts, known for small-town charm, a vibrant Main Street filled with shops and restaurants that residents and visitors both loved.

On the way, they were listening to Bryan Sotherby’s latest album release.  Since his smash, Grammy-winning Christmas album two years ago, he had taken the music world by storm, and it was a rare radio station that didn’t play his music often. Bryan had vowed not to stay in one lane, and he had proven critics wrong by doing both country and pop albums. They opened at number 1 on the Billboard charts, and his popularity continued to soar.  He was planning a countrywide tour that was scheduled to begin in a few months.  Bryan had done regional concerts, and they had been very successful, but he was reluctant to do the countrywide dates because it would keep him away from home for so long and away from his fiancé, Cora.

Jenny and Joe had been married now for almost two years.  Jenny owned a one-half interest in The Flower Petal along with Molly Sotherby, nee Watson.  Molly was married to Bryan Sotherby’s dad, Chuck, and they, too, lived in Bristol Pines.  In fact, they all lived in a gated ranch known as Bristol Sky Ranch.  Each couple had their own spacious home but shared all the amenities the ranch had to offer:  horses, stable, barn, fitness center, pool, and tennis courts.

Bristol Sky Ranch was Bryan and Cora’s idea.  Because they both loved being around family, and Chuck and Bryan owned a vast Christmas Tree farm, they all decided that the concept would work and started working on it right after Bryan’s first album success.  They had already sold a large portion of the farm to Marigold Research Laboratories, a progressive firm interested in testing alternative uses of tree farmland.  Bryan had a degree in Ecology and wanted to make sure that Marigold agreed to keep and maintain a large portion of the actual tree acreage and allow those who wanted to support the maintenance and eventual sales of trees for the holidays do just that.  It maintained jobs for those who had worked with the Sotherby’s as well as remaining a source of Christmas trees for existing and new residential and business customers.

Since Molly and Chuck were married about two years prior, they had been traveling substantially and agreed that they would not be able to maintain an active role in their respective businesses.  Jenny had done a remarkable job as the manager of the flower shop, where business had increased substantially since she took over.  Chuck realized that he was much happier being with Molly than trudging through the treed acreage, making sure all kept running smoothly.  Financially, they were both doing well and didn’t need to work, so it all worked.

Bryan loved coming home to the Ranch, where he could relax completely and be himself without any scrutiny or demands of fame that he had learned could be extremely stressful. Known as one of the most humble performers in the business, Bryan took great pains never to take his fame for granted, always showing the fans the gratitude they deserved for the success they bestowed on him.  Yes, maybe he was a talented singer, but it was the fans that decided just how successful a celebrity would be.  He never wanted to dismiss their impact and would never take advantage of his achievements as a musician – achievements made possible by his fans.

Jenny and Joe pulled into the compound and wound around to their home.  Molly and Chuck were there to welcome them. 

Welcome home, you two!  How was the trip?

We had a great time, Uncle Chuck!  It was worth the wait.  We weren’t sure if we would adapt very well to camping because neither of us had been much of a wilderness person before we got married.  However, we made a discovery while on this belated honeymoon of ours.

And that is?

They answered together, We hate camping. 

Molly asked, So you still prefer room service and indoor plumbing?

Oh, yea.  Joe finally mastered putting up the tent, but I never did get the hang of cooking freeze-dried biscuits and gravy, so granola became our go-to meal.

You make it sound so inspiring, you guys.  You mean those sessions you went to at REI didn’t help?

No, they did.  I learned how to make a mean fire.  That was the best part.  Sitting by the fire at night, watching the flames and drinking coffee or hot chocolate with the love of my life.  Truly unforgettable.

Sweetie, what a nice thing to say.  I loved that part, too.  In fact, let's build fires in our back yard here.

Do you want me to put up a tent?

No, no.  That’s OK.  We can sleep indoors.    But, maybe some of the freeze-dried stuff will work in the microwave.

Uh, no.  That’s OK.  I’m going to the market tomorrow. We can pack away the freeze-dried gourmet meals until next time.

Next time?

Joe, have you not been listening to this conversation?

Just kidding, sweetheart.  But at least we tried, right?  It wasn’t horrible – just not our thing.  We’ll find something that we both love.  We’re just getting the search started.

I love hotels, room service, and hot tubs at sunset.  You know, some hotels are designed so that the lobby and rooms look as if you’re outdoors, but of course, you’re not.

I think those are mostly for parents with kids.

Yes, I know.

So, you wouldn’t mind having a bunch of kids running around while we’re trying to enjoy our vacation?

Probably not.

Well, that’s definitely a 180.

Well, I like kids.

So do I, but there’s a time and place.

Joe, when’s the time and where’s the place?

Oh, I don’t know.  Maybe I’m just not used to the whole idea.

Could you get used to it?

I guess. Hey, why all the questions about … hey, are you trying to tell me something?

Sure am, meathead.  It took you long enough.

Jenny!  Are we pregnant?

I don’t know about you, but I sure am!

Oh, my God.  Jenny.  Are you sure?

Yup!  As sure as the stick I…well, you know.

Chuck and Molly had been standing there watching this all play out and couldn’t believe how long it took Joe to catch on.  They both said simultaneously, Congratulations, you two!

Jenny, I am so happy for you, sweetheart. When did you find out? Molly was hugging Jenny.

I was pretty sure before we left on vacation, but now I am very sure.

You’ll have to get an appointment with the OBGYN at the hospital to confirm.  That’s so wonderful.  I am so happy for you.  Molly started to tear up a bit.  I know your Mom would have been so excited.  She was so looking forward to being a grandma.

Jenny had gotten pretty good about covering up her feelings about her Mom, but it was particularly hard now that Molly, her Mom’s sister, had brought it up.  She hugged Molly, and the tears came.  I know, Aunt Molly.  I know.

Joe reached for Jenny, and although not an emotional guy, he found himself welling up when he realized that he was going to be a Dad.  He very overwhelmed but very happy.

Chuck offered Joe a hearty handshake.  Joe, it’s the best job in the world, but sometimes the hardest, and the scariest.  I sometimes wished that Bryan would have come with an instruction book.  But that doesn’t happen.  So most of it is on-the-job training.  We all eventually figure it out and then they're gone.

Well, Mr. Happy Dance.  That was a truly un-inspiring speech, Molly lovingly shoved Chuck a little.  They had been married now for about the same time as Jenny and Joe.  Molly didn’t have any children of her own but had been a surrogate Mom to Jenny since her mom died way too young about three years ago.

Hey, I’m just trying to pass on some fatherly advice.

Well, I think that’s enough advice for one night.  Let’s let this two get to telling everyone they need to tell.

Oh, my God.  My parents!  They are going to be over the moon.  This will be their first grandkid.

Here, use my cell phone to call.  I want to talk to them also. When you’re done, I want to call Bryan.

Chuck and Molly hugged and kissed Jenny and Joe some more, and they were on their way.  They didn’t have to go far - They just lived down the road.

They’re great, aren’t they?  I’m sure glad they found each other.

Me, too.  Jenny deserved to have something good happen in her life.

Molly, you sure provided something good for her before Joe came on the scene.

I know.  But this is different.

Chapter 2

M

olly had not only brought Jenny into her life to live with her after her Mom died, but she had given her a great job in her flower shop, The Flower Petal.  When she realized that Jenny was a natural working there and made sure that she wanted to make it permanent, she gave her a 25% share of the business and made her manager of the store.  Then, recently, as promised, she had upped it to 50% to make Jenny a full partner. The business had ‘blossomed’ under Jenny’s leadership with new business coming in every day because of the reputation that not only Molly had earned, but because of the latest designs and services that Jenny instituted.  Customers and staff alike loved her.

Jenny and Joe will make a great Mom and Dad, nervous or not.  They have the temperament and willingness to learn. And they are both hard workers.

Those are all wonderful parental qualities, suggested Chuck.  I think that Joe will be a father who participates rather than sits back and watches the Mom do all the work.

I agree.  He’s a terrific guy and compliments Jenny’s personality very well.

Joe and Jenny had met in the flower shop over two years before when he came in to buy a bouquet for another girl.   They had talked for a very long time before Joe left.  A couple of hours later, he came back and gave the flowers to Jenny.

I’m sorry you are bringing them back.  Didn’t your lady friend like them?

I didn’t give them to her.

Why, what’s wrong with them.  Jenny was starting to get a bit irritated at that point.

Absolutely nothing.

I don’t get it.  Why did you bring the flowers back then?

I want to give them to you instead.

I don’t understand.

The flowers are beautiful.  I would rather you have them because…well…you’re beautiful, too, and I would rather you have the flowers.

What’s your name again?

Joe.  Joe Montoya.

Well, Joe Montoya.  That may be one of the nicest things that anyone has done for me.  But isn’t your girlfriend going to be upset?  And by the way, I don’t want to be in the middle of you breaking up with her or anything.

No, it’s not like that.

Well, Joe Montoya how is it then?

I haven’t gone out with her yet.  It was a blind date, and I called her and said that something had come up and I couldn’t make it.

What came up?

You.

Oh.

I would like to send her some flowers and apologize officially.

That’s nice of you.

"So, will you accept these flowers?

OK…thank you.

You’re welcome.  And would you have dinner with me?

When?

Tonight?

Kind of short notice, isn’t it?

Yeah.  I’m sorry.  But, I didn’t know you until today.

Oh, yeah, that’s right.

So, dinner?

Ok.  I get off at 6:00.

I’ll be here.  Oh, yeah.  I know your first name, Jenny.  Do you have a last name?

"Of course I do.’

Well, you could be a one-name person like Cher or Beyoncé or Madonna.

Nice try, but no.  I’m not famous, so I need a last name to get on in the world.  It’s Eggleton.  Jenny Eggleton.

OK, Jenny Eggleton.  I’ll see you at 6:00.

Bye, Joe.

See ya.

And they had been together ever since.  Joe came back before 6:00 that day and, true to his word, sent flowers to the girl he had skipped out on.  He hoped that she wouldn’t be too upset although he had never met her and never would.

Where should we go Joe Montoya?

I made reservations at La Dolce Vita down the street.  Is that OK?

More than OK.  I love that place.

Good.  So do I.  Hey Jenny.  Can I ask you a question?

Sure.

Are you always going to call me by my first and last name?

I’m not sure yet.

Oh…OK

Do you mind if we walk?

I don’t mind at all.  I love to walk at this time of night, just as the sun is going down.  The sunsets here are beautiful.

Agreed…but so are you.

That’s nice.  Hey, can I ask you a question, Joe?

Sure.

Are you always going to be so charming?

I’m charming?

Yes, Joe Montoya.  You are.

I'm just me.

Well, I like you then.

I like you, too.

And so it went for several months as they became inseparable and he finally popped the question.  It was nothing elaborate.  They had long decided that they weren’t focused on         'fancy' and overwhelmingly romantic stuff.  Joe had remained charming enough for Jenny, and Jenny was perfect for Joe.  They decided to get married at City Hall and postpone any honeymoon until they could afford a lovely trip and have the time to do it.

Jenny was always busy in the flower shop, and Joe was trying to get a small mechanic shop off the ground.  He had bought the shop from a gentleman who retired and had let the number of customers he serviced dwindle to almost none.  So Joe had to start getting the word out, and advertising was expensive.  Jenny had helped him learn about social media marketing, which she was very good at, and Joe knew absolutely nothing about. The time he spent was starting to pay off as people began rediscovering the mechanic shop and bringing their cars in.  Joe was a good mechanic, charged reasonably for his services and made sure that customers were satisfied.  He used good old-fashioned customer service as his mantra, and people recognized and appreciated it.  The word got around, and Joe had to hire another mechanic to keep up.  The added salary expense made it that much harder to stay afloat, but, they were also able to service more cars, so it worked out ultimately.

When Bryan Sotherby approached them about building a home in the newly established Bristol Sky Ranch compound, Jenny and Joe weren’t sure if it would work for them even if they could afford it.  They didn’t want to live in a commune.

It won’t be like that, Bryan had explained. Think of it as similar to a small neighborhood where all the people know each other very well, instead of hardly at all.  It will be safe, spacious, family-friendly, and reasonably priced."

Joe was thinking out loud.  That’s one of the biggest things that concerns me, Bryan, is can we afford it?  You don’t have to worry about money, but Jenny and I do.  We can afford a down payment and the monthly mortgage, even if we qualify, has to be low enough for our budget.

Well, see, that’s the other good part.  Dad and I already own the land.  We could build the house for you, to your specifications, and they lease it out to you at a reasonable monthly rate and have all the lease payments count towards the purchase of the house when you’re ready to buy.  We would still own the land, but you would own the house, and if you ever wanted to move, we would buy back the house from you at market rates at the time.

You would do that for us?

Of course.  You’re family!

Bry, I don’t know what to say.  We both have had to work so hard for anything we have had.  And then first Molly and now you come along and give us opportunities that are more than we could ever hope for.  Jenny was tearing up at this point.

That’s what families do, you guys.  It’s true.  I have been very fortunate with this career of mine, and in some ways, I am waiting for the bubble to burst, but I need to use some of what I have been fortunate enough to earn to help others.  Not just our family here, but others who are less fortunate than me.

I don’t know what to say, except thank you.  Joe and Jenny looked at each other and silently agreed that they would accept Bryan’s offer.  We would love to become part of Bristol Sky Ranch.

Excellent.  I can’t wait to tell Cora.

Chapter 3

B

ryan and Cora had met over two years ago at the St. Francis Hotel in Boston during the annual Puppies on Parade fund-raiser for the Humane Society.  Cora was working the event as an event planner for the hotel, and Bryan and his Dad provided the Christmas Trees to decorate the ballroom.

It was at that event also that Bryan was discovered as a very talented singer and guitar player when he was asked to fill in when pop star Casey Stewart’s doctor committed her to vocal silence a couple of hours before she was to perform.  Jenny had suggested Bryan to the event chairs, and they were desperate for a replacement, so they decided to go for it.  And a good thing they did.  Bryan was so successful that evening that Warranty Records immediately and aggressively pursued him; however,  he ended up signing with Quincy Jones.  The rest was history as they say.

Bryan’s first album, ‘A Bristol Pines Christmas,’ was the first Christmas album ever to win a Grammy for Album of the Year and Bryan also was awarded Best New Artist of the Year. Bryan had debuted the record at the Bristol Pines High School auditorium, and it included duets with pop sensation Casey Stewart and country star Joey Rush. Both cuts were hit singles, and the album included both traditional and new holiday music.  The duet with Joey was written so it could be heard on the radio throughout the year, but had special meaning for the holidays. Bryan had done regional concerts but was just now preparing for a countrywide tour to promote his two follow-up albums, one country, and one pop.  He was hoping the albums would appeal to a mixed audience of pop and country fans as well as people of all ages, including families.  He even wanted his tour to possibly be the first concert that younger kids had ever attended.

Bryan had proposed to Cora at the end of the Grammy broadcast after he accepted the Grammy for Album of the

Year alongside Quincy Jones.  He had walked out