Chapter 1357

• Two Man Job-
• Seventy-six Windy Gate was a small triangular house that resembled a pointed hat, or that appeared as if perhaps there was a larger house under the ground that was beginning to sprout. A hedge of wild roses shielded the neat lawn from the road. At the end of the gravel driveway was a sign, painted purple and green on black, that read Thistle Studio & Tearoom and beckoned passersby to stop in for a visit.
• Not today, though. A sandwich board on the oppo- site side of the driveway read CLOSED ON SUNDAY. No fresh scones or tea with sugar cubes for aging vaca- tioners. No delightful view of the garden with butter- flies for the little ones to chase. Tourists following road signage to the award-winning establishment could hammer on the front door all they liked, but Gracie Hammond wouldn’t be greeting them with a smile.