She didn’t realize how sharp she’d been with him. “Sorry. I’m just feeling overwhelmed with all of this. It isn’t a good time for them to visit.”
“I have some free time tomorrow afternoon. I could help you take them somewhere.”
“I don’t expect you to entertain them. I appreciate you offering though.”
“I’d like to get to know them, Peggy. I may not be a teenage boyfriend, but I’d still like them to approve of me. They have to get to know me to do that.”
She laughed. “I understand. And if you
“I don’t feel obligated.” He reached to put one arm around her and draw her to him, then kissed the top of her head. “I want to help my favorite person not feel so stressed. I’m sure she’d help me out if I needed it.”
She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. “You’re better than I deserve.”
“How can you say that? How many people would have done what you did today for a woman they hadn’t seen in twenty-five years? Not many.”
“How many women come all the way to Asheville without calling first?”
“Exactly. Crazy
“Always there and very dear. That’s what I love about
“Thanks. I’m like an old bathrobe.”
“A very nice, sexy, good-looking, irresistible bathrobe.”
“That makes me feel
Peggy laughed. “What can you expect from a woman who’s crazy?”
“I suppose that’s true.” He sighed. “I never know what to expect from you next.”
“I like the way that sounds.”
“You wouldn’t if it was me. I worry about you all the time.”
“You worry too much.”
“I doubt it. Don’t forget, I’ve seen you do some
THE AFTERNOON WAS BUSY at the Potting Shed. Deliveries of new plants, potting soil, and other garden necessities came and went. The after-work crowd was bigger than usual. Everyone was getting out in their gardens or thinking about having a garden. Once the warm spring breezes started calling, few could resist.
Of course, later, many would neglect what they diligently planted in the spring. Peggy always tried to tell those gardeners from the more committed. If she sold the sometimes gardener the right plants, they would practically take care of themselves. That way, sometimes the gardener wouldn’t be disappointed.
They sold three Charleston benches and a large light kit for a walkway in an hour. “You wouldn’t be interested in designing and creating walkways, would you?” Peggy asked Sam when he came in to get supplies for the next day.
She secretly wished he’d change his mind about becoming a surgeon and be her partner in the business when he finished school. She didn’t know what she was going to do without him when he was gone.
Sam laughed, perfect white teeth flashing. His sky-colored eyes met hers. “Have you finally figured out how to clone me?”
“I’m working on it.”
“Seriously, Peggy, you’re going to have to hire at least one other person to help with the landscaping end of this. Keeley and I are swamped this year. It keeps growing, which is good. But we need help.”
“I know. And I think I’ve figured out a plan.”
“Okay.” He hefted another bag of fertilizer into the back of the truck.
“I’ll start another crew and hire someone to work with me.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Why?”
He paused and took both her hands in his larger gloved ones. “I don’t see a callus on either of these. You wouldn’t last a day.”
“I always wear gloves. And I think I could manage.”
“All right. It’s your business.” He shrugged and started loading the truck again. “What are you going to do about another truck?”
She gulped. “Get a loan?”
“Wow! We must be doing great for you to say those words. I know how much you hate getting loans.”
“Sometimes when you want to move forward, you have to be willing to take a chance.”
“Nicely said.” He flicked his hair out of his eyes. “By the way, what happened up in Asheville? Did you find your friend?”
She told him about Rosie and the reason she left school so suddenly.
