Page 8 of A Future in Blossom

Tessa lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “I think that will still be a wait. I just saw her. Chris was taking her to the airport.”

“Airport? Where was she going?”

“No idea. She had big suitcases. I should’ve thought to ask, but I guess I was ... well, nervous to see her for the first time.”

And with that vulnerability, Jaime started to relax. Her hands loosened from a fist. “I’ll tell youwhat. I felt the same way.”

Tessa smiled, and then Jaime smiled, and things felt almost normal again. Almost.

A text came in on Tessa’s phone and she read it, a serious look on her face.

Watching her, Jaime took another sip of her now lukewarm coffee. Tessa’s fingernails. They were cut short, lacking polish. Tessa’s nails had always, always been polished. Her long blond hair, still thick and lush, didn’t look salon-highlighted like it always had. More like sun streaked. And she wore overalls! Jaime and Claire had always been in awe of Tessa’s meticulous grooming, her stylish clothes, and the latest shoes. Her mother was a former beauty pageant contestant and took great pride in the appearance of her daughters, especially her youngest one. Yet somehow, this new and uncoiffed Tessa was even more attractive. She’d never needed all that fuss. “So where is this land you bought?”

Tessa set her phone face down on the table. “Actually, it’s three acres next to my parents’ former summer house.”

“Wasn’t that ...?” Jaime stopped herself from saying “the mystery author’s house.”

“I bought the property and tore down the house.” Tessa frowned. “The slab foundation is still there. We’re going to put a greenhouse on top. Dawson found one that fits the slab.” She flipped over her phone and handed it to Jaime. “It’s huge.”

Jaime looked at a picture of an enormous greenhouse. “Yes, ma’am. That is one huge greenhouse.”

“Due to arrive by week’s end.”

She glanced at Tessa. “You don’t sound very excited.”

“I think I’m just in shock. Dawson’s always kept the brakes on expanding too fast. This ... this is a departure for him.” She sat back in the chair. “It’s the right decision. In fact, it’s brilliant. We can reuse the slab foundation instead of having to demo it and haul it away. It’s just ...” She rubbed her forehead, like she had a headache. “I’m just a little short on cash right now.” She blew out a puff of air. “Maybe a lot short.”

Jaime was still looking at the picture of the greenhouse on the phone. In her mind’s eye, she suddenly saw it at night, lit with soft lighting—maybe even a chandelier or two, and fairy lights—with people milling around inside ... and her heart started to pound. “Tessa, what kind of condition is that greenhouse in?”

“Condition?”

“Is it used? Beat up?”

“No ma’am. This greenhouse is brand spanking new. Dawson found it from a supplier who’d made a mistake in ordering it and couldn’t return it.” Tessa let out a breath. “Never used at all.”

“Then, no mice yet?”

Tessa laughed. “Mice?”

“The greenhouses I’ve been in have mouse traps tucked all over them. Mice like warmth and they like seeds.”

“Duly noted. I’ll add mouse traps to our long shopping list. I’m sure every mouse in Sunrise will find us by springtime.”

Jaime couldn’t hold back a smile. “I’ll tell youwhat!”

“What?”

“I might just have a way to kill two birds with one stone.” She tucked her notepad into her purse and stood up. “Let’s go have a good look at your land.”

Still seated, Tessa looked hesitant, but then she rose from the chair. “Hope you’re okay on the back of a Vespa.”

She strode toward the door, Jaime following behind, asking, “A what?”

six

If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.

—Frances Hodgson Burnett

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