Guiding Ms. Charlotte: Regan Brothers, #1

ACKNOWLDGEMENTS

I want first thank you as my readers and hope you enjoy the story.

To the individuals who help me answer questions about dairy farming and cheese making. Also I’d like to thank Autumn, for answering questions about photography.

To Dalene Dunkerley for answering medical questions and your friendship and support.

To Gina Chipman for editing and helping me along the way. Thank for everything you have done and your support.

To JJ Ellis, my Author friend, thank for your support and your friendship. Thanks for the help you have offered me.

To my husband, Stephen Wells for his love and support through this experience. He is truly a blessing to have in my life.

I especially want to thank God for giving me the courage to go for this adventure and for giving the wisdom to write this book.

In my new series the Regans are an Irish family and most of the nicknames I found are from a Gaelic or Irish dictionary.

One of the characters you will come across is Massy. Her name is actually Dutch and is pronounced Macy.

Aiden gives Charlotte the nickname Macushla. It’s pronounced Ma-shoe-la.

Enjoy the first book...Guiding Ms. Charlotte.

ONE

April 01, 1999 ~ 11:56 am ~ Madison, Wisconsin

Charlotte Peterman, or Charlie as she was best known as, was just shy of her twenty seventh birthday and was at the crossroads of her life. Was this what a midlife crisis entailed? Could she even consider it a midlife crisis? It had been almost three months since she lost her mother and her father had died shortly after her thirteenth birthday in a car accident. Her only brother died when she was very young and she never knew her grandparents. In a sense she was all alone and at the moment very broke.

Anita Peterman had fought a long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) before finally succumbing to the disease in her sleep. Then almost a month after her death the unwelcomed bill collectors started calling. Anita’s health insurance had not covered all her medical bills but, thankfully, the life insurance had covered her burial. The bills were piling up and Charlie’s business had been the one to suffer.

She had built her photography studio in the basement of the house she had grown up in. Towards the end of Anita’s life, Charlie had started to slowly cut back until she had barely any clients left. Her bank account was almost in the red and she knew if something did not change soon, she would have to file bankruptcy. Sighing, she sat back in her chair and pinched the bridge of her nose as she contemplated her next step. Maybe it was time to close up her studio and find a job elsewhere.

The sound of the door bell almost made her jump. Groaning, she eyed the door nervously hoping it was not another bill collector. Slowly, she made her way to the door and found a couple standing there with smiles on their faces. The man was maybe in his late forties with balding hair and a belly like Santa Claus. The woman next to him was close to Charlie’s age with long blonde hair and a figure that made her jealous.

Can I help you? she asked as he clutched the door handle.

We are looking for Charlotte Peterman, the man replied. Dear God it was another bill collector.

Calming her nerves she faced the man and gritted her teeth. I’m her.

He extended his hand out and smiled. My name is Carl Wright and I’m the mayor of King’s Hill.

A politician? her mind screamed before lifting her chin and facing the man. Let me stop you right there, Mr. Wright. I’m not making any donations for your campaign.

He laughed. No ma’am, I’m not here for that. I’m here to offer you a job. Her eyes widen in surprise which had the couple on the porch laughing. May we come in? the man asked. Nodding, she ushered them into her humble abode and led them to the living room.

Could I offer either of you something to drink?

A glass of water for me please, the man answered Massy?

I’m okay for now. Charlie quickly excused herself to retrieve the water for her guest. Upon returning she handed the man his water and sat in the recliner watching the couple. Did they want to hire her for a wedding? He had to be at least twenty years older than Massy but Charlie would not judge. It would be an earned income.

Ms. Peterman...

Oh please, just call me Charlie.

Very well, you may call me Carl and this is Massy.

Nice to meet you both. What’s the job?

As I was saying earlier, I am the mayor of King’s Hill, Wisconsin, which is an hour east of here. We’re a small farming community and each year we have what is known as the harvest festival. People come from all over just to attend the events. Next year we will be celebrating our centennial and we’d like to get the word out about our celebration.

Oh. I’m sorry but I’m just a photographer.

Yes and a damn good one.

Have I done work for you before?

Not me but last June you did a wedding for my sister. Actually for my niece, Jessica and her husband, Adam. They were married at a church here in Madison.

Jessica and Adam Parker?

That’s them. My sister raved about your work and she said you do pamphlets as well.

Well I work with a stationary company who makes them. I just take the photos.

Right. So the job is yours if you want it. Massy has all the information you’ll need. Mayor Wright stated.

At the mention of her name, Massy stood and handed Charlie a piece of paper. As you can see the festival goes from the first week of May until the last week of August.

Oh and what is it you want me to do?

Our farms take turns hosting events from breakfast on the farms with guided tours to petting zoos. There are other events around town and we would like you to capture the events, the families that host them and the tourists. Do you think you can handle all that? the mayor asked.

Sure but, ummm.... How did she ask for extra money for travel expenses?

But what? Carl asked.

Well, the expense of traveling and...

Oh don’t you worry about that. The City Council wants you to come live in our community for the three months you are working for us. We will provide you with anything you need as well as room and board.

She must have looked shocked at the offer because Massy snickered as she moved to hand her more papers before she spoke. This is the contract we have drawn up. Feel free to look it over.

Should I get an attorney to look at it?

You can if you like but it’s not a legally binding contract. As you can see, you are free to leave or quit at anytime. You will be paid a monthly salary just like all city employees. There is a blank check in there for the cost of any expenses you will need to prepare for the trip.

I’ll need to hire someone to watch over things here while I am away.

Massy is a pro at that kind of stuff, Mayor Wright stated as he stood. I have a meeting with a senator downtown. I’ll leave Massy to help you coordinate. The man then shook her hand and let himself out. Charlie was too stunned to move. Had she just agreed to take the job?

Wow, she finally blurted out.

I know. Massy giggled. He’s very persistent. When he first offered me a job he went to bat for me even though I had no skills. He got me a good starting salary and his wife helped me find a nice place to rent.

Is everyone in the town like him?

Pretty much. You’ll get use to it. Massy moved closer and they started going over her contract.

Where will I be staying? she finally asked.

We don’t have a hotel, so you will be staying on the Regan farm. They have plenty of room and are very nice people. Charlie nodded and once again offered to get the woman something to drink. This time she accepted and Charlie went to make them each a cup of tea.

The two women spent the afternoon going over the contract and getting to know each other. By the end of day they had bonded and Charlie was happy to have a new friend to count on in a strange place.

––––––––

The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. By: Socrates

TWO

April 22, 1999 ~ 09:16 am ~ King’s Hill, Wisconsin

Aiden Regan was stark raving mad as he stormed into City Hall. Like an unruly child who had been called to the principal’s office, he had been summoned to attend a meeting at the mayor’s office. There was only a week to go until the start of the harvest festival and he had been bombarded with more issues than any one man should have to deal with. For the life of him he could not understand why the mayor even needed him to attend the meeting. He had other family members to do that. Everyone knew how busy Aiden was and calling on him was just a big no-no.

He had recently taken over the duties of the family dairy farm after his father, Cordial Regan, had suffered a massive stroke. Just a month after turning twelve his mother had died of an unknown illness leaving him to step in to help raise his siblings. He had six brothers and they each were doing their own thing. Brendan, who was a veterinarian, had taken over the animal hospital and the no kill animal shelter. Conor was the town’s only doctor but was on call at the emergency room at Grant County General Hospital. The man was a genius in his own rights. Dillon had served eight years in the Marines before coming back to become the town’s youngest Police Chief. Aiden had been sure that was only due to his last name. The twins, Frank and Garret, owned and operated the town’s only feed store. They had spent summers and holidays working for Mr. Clump. When the man passed away he had no family and left the store with the only two people he trusted. Hayden, the youngest, inherited a horse ranch from their uncle. Roy Weston was their mother’s only brother and had never had a family of his own. Hayden, being a horse lover like Roy, had taken over the ranch when their uncle died in the summer of 1997.

The three younger ones tended to stir up trouble where ever they went. So as he entered the office he wondered which of his troublesome brothers had done what and why Dillon wasn’t the one taking care of it. He approached Massy’s desk with a frown and tapped his knuckle on the counter.

She looked up and smiled. Hello, Aiden. Are you okay?

Not really. What’s this meeting about?

You’ll have to ask him yourself. They are waiting for you, she said as she nodded toward the adjoining office. With a grunt he pushed away from the desk and headed toward the closed door.

Inside he not only found the mayor but his brother, Dillon, and two members of the city council.

Aiden, my boy. Come in, come in, the mayor exclaimed as he stood and extended his hand to Aiden. Nodding, he accepted the man’s hand and sat next to his brother.

Whatever happened I’m sure we can come to an amicable understanding.

Dillon let out a snort. Well, hello to you too, big brother.

Aiden glared at him before scanning the faces in the room. Which of my boneheaded brothers did what and what’s it going to cost me?

Wow, right to it, uh. Don’t you have any faith in your brothers? Dillon chuckled.

Have you not met our brothers? So which is it, Frank, Garret or Hayden? Or perhaps it was all three.

Neither. Just listen to what they have to say, Dillon whispered. Crossing his arms over his chest, Aiden leaned back and glared at the mayor.

There is no trouble, Aiden. We wanted to talk to you about the centennial celebration.

That’s a whole year away.

Ignoring his rude comment, the mayor pulled out a folder and opened it. What we plan to do is have a photographer come in and take photos of the upcoming harvest festival. In the end we’ll make up pamphlets and start advertising for the celebration sometime around Christmas. The man handed Aiden some flyers that he quickly glanced at.

And all this affects me how?

The Regan family is the last founding family in this area and you know more people. The mayor then leaned forward, propped his elbows on the desk and folded his hands like he was going to pray. He was silent for a bit and Aiden grew increasingly uncomfortable. The committee has all agreed that with you being the oldest you are the perfect candidate.

Candidate for what?

You’ll show the girl around, introduce her to other folks and take her to the events.

No. I don’t have time for...

They aren’t asking, Aid, Dillon whispered.

At this point one of the committee members leaned forward and handed a folder to Aiden. Last August you took out a loan to upgrade equipment on the farm and then after the storm that hit in December you had to take out another one to repair a few buildings. What we are suggesting is that if you agree to do as we ask, the loans will be considered paid in full.

Aiden closed his eyes and dropped his head in his hands. After their father’s stroke the state had come in and demanded they upgrade their equipment or they would be fined or shut down. All that had hit the family pretty hard and Aiden had