CHAPTER SIX
The blockage on the road behind the car was almost as bad as the one in front. After some discussion, they decided they might as well wait it out. As though it was a signal that they had made the right decision, a helicopter flew over, circled back and dipped at them, to let them know they'd been seen. When they had struggled back through the fallen trees to the car, Charly opened her briefcase and removed a couple of sheets of blank paper.
"Know how to play battleships, McKinnon?"
"Sure. But it's been about twenty years since I last did it."
"No problem. Make your grid with ten squares, numbered from 1 to 10 across the top and A to J down the side. I think it's a 5-square destroyer, a 4-square submarine, and a couple of little 3-square something-or-others."
"Okay. First one to sink all the other's boats wins, right?"
"Right."
They settled down to play, concentrating on the game and the battle of wits. But Charly had forgotten how much in tune with each other they were, and realized almost immediately that McKinnon was reading her mind to pick off her boats, just as she was reading his. The first game ended almost as quickly as it had begun.
"So McKinnon, you not only send messages telepathically, you receive them as well. I told you we were compatible. Now we will have to create new strategies." Charly figured she still had an advantage over McKinnon because she had often tried to use her mental powers in games before with more than a little success. But this time, she couldn't believe it when he sank all of her boats in record time. She had only one hit on his boats and one small one sunk.
"How did you do that?"
"Pure logic. I knew you'd be concentrating on blank squares, so I ignored what I was picking up from you. Then I simply concentrated on my boats, hoping you'd assume that I was thinking of blank squares as well."
"Very clever, McKinnon, very clever. Want to try one more?"
But the next game never happened, for just then they heard clearly the sound of a heavy engine. Charly watched as McKinnon helped the road crew clear the trees with chain saws and axes. She would have offered to help as well, but knew they would refuse. When one of the workers commented on the fact that they had been very fortunate, Charly threw a warning glance at McKinnon, and he just agreed that they had indeed been fortunate.
The drive back to Picton seemed to pass very quickly. There was such a sense of kinship with McKinnon now that Charly found it very difficult to remember he was her superior, although the manager was her immediate boss. They had established a close rapport last night, and it was impossible to go back to their former sterile relationship.
It seemed that McKinnon felt the same way. "I want you to promise me something, Charly. I won't be going out inspecting with you any longer, so if you have problems with anyone, I want you to let me know immediately. We've told the office staff not to take any verbal abuse from anyone - clients or brokers. So now I'm telling you the same thing. If anyone gives you a hard time about their insurance, you refer them to the manager or one of us. Just don't let them be rude to you. You'll be a little more exposed to that kind of thing than the girls in the office, so you'll have more difficulty dealing with it. They can always hang up the phone. Promise?"
"Promise, McKinnon. And thanks. I won't deny that there will be problems of that nature. I saw it yesterday. But if I go out without the expectation of running into it, it won't happen."
"More witchcraft?"
"No, just positive thinking, another thing that works very powerfully, if people but knew it. As I told you before, thoughts are things, so you do bring to yourself whatever you focus upon."
Looking over at her with a half-grin, McKinnon said, "Will you have dinner with me in the near future, Charly? Call it a belated celebration of your hiring, but really I want to talk to you more about these things."
"Perhaps. I expect we'll be too busy for a while, though. There's going to be a lot of cleaning up to deal with. And I imagine your Claims Adjustor will be run off his feet for the next while."
Her words proved to be very true. Everyone in the office was pressed into service as information was gathered, assembled, and claims were sorted out and dealt with. Most of the storm victims had found shelter by the time Charly and McKinnon had returned to civilization.
Friday afternoon she was just leaving the office when she saw McKinnon walking towards her. Pausing on the steps, she waited for him to reach her.
"How are you holding up, Charly?"
"Fine, McKinnon. I heard you were busy working with the cleanup crews. How are they progressing?"
"Quite well. Hydro and phones have been restored, most of the streets are open now, and people are beginning to think about rebuilding. But there's still plenty to do. I'd like to take you out for that dinner tonight, if you are free."
"I could be, I guess. I'll need an hour to go home and get changed. What did you have in mind?"
"Something relaxed and quiet in Belleville. I've already got reservations for eight."
Grinning at her, he continued, "You see I'm psychic too. I knew you'd say yes. I'll pick you up at seven-thirty."
"Don't get too sure of yourself, McKinnon. I might turn you into a frog."
"The sooner the better, little witch. Then you'll be obliged to kiss me to get rid of the spell. See you later." And he ran down the steps to his car, before she could think of a suitable retort.
Charly dressed carefully for her dinner date. She had to admit that she was excited about the prospect of dining with him. She enjoyed their conversations and the feeling of understanding that was developing between them.
When McKinnon arrived, he came in and visited with her parents for a few minutes. Charly admired the easy way he had with them and the fact that he appeared in no hurry to run off with her.
Driving to Belleville, he commented on how comfortable her parents' home seemed to be. She wondered if he was unconsciously comparing it to his own, before his divorce. If what he had said about his wife was true, she was sure his home must have been anything but relaxing.
When the wine he ordered had been brought to the table, he toasted 'our new little Inspector' and somehow Charly didn't mind being called little. It had often annoyed her in the past, especially during her school years.
Once again, the restaurant lived up to expectations, and they talked little as they dined on escargot, filet mignon, baked potato and asparagus tips. As they relaxed over Spanish coffee, though, they fell into easy conversation, like old friends meeting after a lengthy separation.
"So, Little Farm Inspector, have you run into any problems yet?"
"Hardly, McKinnon. I've been helping in the office since we got home the other day. But I do have a problem. Can you tell me of any houses to rent, preferably out in the country? I want to get out on my own now that I'm gainfully employed."
"You really are a witch, Charly. And there's nothing you can say now that will convince me otherwise." He was staring at her again, with an expression of amused bafflement.
"What made you say that? I just asked if you knew of a house I could rent." She frowned at him, confused.
"Remember what you told me about writing out something I wanted every night for thirty-three nights?" Charly had forgotten, but she smiled and asked, "What's that got to do with anything?"
"Open this and read it." Taking a small envelope from his inside breast pocket, he handed it to her. Wednesday's date was written on the outside of it and the envelope was sealed.
"You sure you want me to open this?"
"Indeed, I do. In fact, I wish you would hurry up."
Shrugging her shoulders, Charly tore the end from the envelope. She pulled out a slip of paper and unfolded it. The words jumped from the page.
'I have a responsible, reliable tenant for the dwelling on my second farm.' the affirmation stated, written in a bold hand. She read it, then read it again.
"Now do you see
what I mean? Pure witchcraft. The house was obviously meant for you." He looked at her with an accusatory grin. "I thought you said this would take thirty-three days."
"Usually, but not always. It depends on the circumstances, your ability to believe, and the needs of any other people involved in your request." She stopped speaking suddenly and then asked, "Are you saying that you have accommodation for me?"
"Available immediately, reasonable rent, major appliances included, and all utilities paid. The former owners spent most of their capital fixing up the house. It's a thirty-year old bungalow, and they renovated it completely. Then they had a couple of poor years with their cash crops, and finally had to think about declaring bankruptcy. I happened to hear that they were in trouble, so offered to buy them out for a fair market price. They accepted, and there I was with a beautiful second home sitting empty. I was almost ready to pay someone to look after it for me. When can you move in?"
"How about Sunday afternoon? I don't have much except my clothes and a few necessary items like bed, kitchen table and chairs, and my computer and desk, left over from my apartment days in Guelph. I think my mother has some furniture she's been saving in the basement for a few years in case I ever did move out."
"Would you like me to help with the move? I have a truck we can use."
"That's one offer I won't even hesitate over. Of course, you can help. I'm sure my dad will be very appreciative. Now, tell me all about the house. How many bedrooms, is there a den, laundry, what colour are the carpets? I can't wait to see it." It was just beginning to sink in that she would soon have her own home and she was getting more excited by the moment.
"That's no problem. I'll take you over for a grand tour right now, if you like."
"Oh, believe me, I like!" She was impatient to be off.
The house was all he had said and more. It was very apparent to her that the former owners had spent a great deal of money, because the wiring was newly updated, and the oil furnace had been removed and replaced with a heat pump and electric furnace. All of the rooms had been recently decorated in a colonial theme with warm autumn colours predominating. She hurried from one room to the next, inspecting everything, and by the time she reached the den in the basement and found the fireplace, she felt like she had truly come home.