Page 110 of The Floral Arrangement

“Don’t sneeze,” Olivia said. “We don’t want a stampede at the festival.”

I rolled my eyes. “Are you ever going to let me forget that?”

“Umm,” Olivia replied, as if she was actually considering my request. “No.”

As I slowed the wagon to a grinding halt, Olivia waved at someone. I pulled on the parking brake and followed Olivia’s gaze. Fred.

I jumped out of the tractor and helped all the passengers get down from the hayride. Lottie, Mom and Dad headed toward the petting zoo, where Ronnie’s talk on chickens was about to start. Thankfully, Mom had become quite attached to the Mercedes-Benz they had tried to gift me, so they were no longer pushing it on me at every available opportunity.

“Should we say hi to Fred?” Olivia asked once the cart was emptied.

“Yes. I’ve been meaning to ask if he needs the van for his move,” I said, closing the gate to the cart.

“Roz, Olivia!” Fred said as we approached, holding out his hand. “I was just talking about you yesterday Roz… I ran into an old friend who works at Saunders & Company. It sounds like James’s appointment as global managing partner has been fairly rocky so far, and there’s been some internal rumblings about potentially trying to replace him. Your name has been flying about.” Fred raised an eyebrow. “Any interest?”

I didn’t even need to think about it. “Hard pass, thanks.”

Lottie came sprinting over, my parents in a slow jog a few feet behind her. “Did you know chickens do their poop and wee at the same time? It just all comes out together!”

“I did not know that,” I said. “And I’m not sure I wanted to.”

Fred chuckled. “On that note, I might go check out what wines Prue has to offer.”

“Enjoy,” I said. As he walked off, I realized I’d forgotten to ask him if he wanted the van. I was just about to run after him when I noticed Lottie was staring at something behind my shoulder, her jaw open.

“Mom!!!” she squealed as she sprinted past me.

I turned, my confused frown transforming into a wide grin.

Mel enveloped her daughter in a huge bear hug, lifting Lottie off her feet, tears streaming down her face.

Olivia and I walked over to Matt, who was looking teary himself.

“Does she have to go back again?” I asked.

“Nope,” he said, his smile wide. “She’s home for good now.”

Once Mel and Lottie had finished their exciting reunion, Mel walked over to where we were standing and we hugged.

“It’s so good to see you.” My voice was muffled by her hair.

“It’s great to be back.”

“This is my girlfriend, Olivia,” I said, disentangling myself from her arms and remembering my manners.

“Lovely to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” Mel grinned, and I wondered what exactly Matt and Lottie had said to her.

Lottie bounced up and down, tugging Mel’s hand. “Mom, can I show you Thelma and Louise?”

Mel’s eyebrows shot up. “Thelma and Louise?”

“They’re the cows,” Matt muttered.

“Ah. Yes, please!” Mel said, letting Lottie grab her hand and tug her toward their field.

That evening, after the last of the visitors had returned home, Olivia and I sat on the back deck, enjoying the quiet. The sky was fading from orange and yellow to black. The silence was punctuated by the occasional goat bleating and moos from Thelma and Louise.

“What a day,” I said, taking Olivia’s hand.

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