While Martha would be sorely missed, nurses came and went frequently. Quinn owed some residual time on his sabbatical project but his class commitments were nearly at an end. My termination was a sorry-we'll-miss-you-what-was-your-name? Howard was unemployed but was forced to eat an expensive lease.
Mr. Cooms moved fast, and so did we. We travelled to Keene and our two families and Howie contacted separate realtors. In three days we all fulfilled our dreams.
Betsy was enthralled with the area and became an immediate student of the history. When we were shown a 1792 restored Inn in the nearby village of Surry, New Hampshire, it was love at first sight. Betsy's customary frugality flew out the window like a November robin with the last ticket south.
The home, now known as Eight Maples Farm, had been a gathering place for travelers seeking good music and refreshments, over two hundred years ago. It was a short distance from Surry Mountain Lake and park, and about seven mile from our recently established office in town. The house was far too large for us with five bedrooms and three baths but Betsy had plans!
Massive maple trees shaded back and front. Four and a half acres contained a barn larger than the LeBlanc's Peabody home, beautiful gardens and plush lawn. The interior begged to be furnished with period pieces. There was a four foot wide Double Christian Door, Indian Shutters and "Pumpkin Pine" colored wide board flooring. And the price was about the same as the tiny Cape Cod house the LeBlanc's owned in expensive Massachusetts.
The LeBlanc's located on Greenbriar Road in one of Keene's well established neighborhoods. Their house was a traditional four bedroom colonial that sat on a beautiful lot. There was a large attached two car garage. Quinn was thrilled with the property and immediately purchased a second vehicle. Martha and Betsy chatted constantly over decorating ideas and their new hobby, scouring the area for antiques.
Howie surprised us all by buying a fairly large home north west of town on the Old Walpole Road. His house was situated seven miles from the office and about the same distance from Betsy and me. There were three bedrooms and an open concept kitchen dining area with a cathedral ceiling. Additionally, there was a delightful backyard and three acres of land.
Mortgages for all of us were quickly processed through a private bank owned by one of Merrill Cooms' entities.
For working quarters we secured a thirty year old building, recently vacated, on the beautiful main street of Keene. Quinn took charge of our working accommodations. The basement contained a sealed room that we soundproofed. The main floor exhibited three offices which we stocked with multiple secure computers. There was a pleasant reception area. Our company name was modestly displayed by the front door for all to see. Before we finished renovations, there was a sophisticated security system installed. In less than a month in early spring our lives were totally changed and we loved it.