Page 60 of Lakehouse Promises

“Because I’ve had calls this morning asking how much it would cost to decorate their porch and front door. They said they saw your front door and want something like that for theirs. They’re also asking to be put on the list for Christmas decorating.”

Carolina clasped her hands together with delight. “That’s wonderful! That will certainly drum up business for you.”

Bernice fisted her hands at her sides. “I have no idea how to decorate peoples’ porches. I’m in the nursery business not the décor business.”

“Just give it a chance. It seems like there is a demand so you can price it whatever you want. Besides I’ll do the decorating.” Carolina smiled.

Bernice snorted. “People aren’t going to want to pay what I want to charge.”

“I bet you’ll be surprised,” Carolina challenged.

A car pulled up and both women turned their attention to the customer. To Carolina’s surprise it was Hannah.

“Hi, Hannah.” Carolina greeted her.

“Hello Carolina, hello Bernice.” She walked toward them wearing jeans and a cream colored sweater paired with a long pair of black leather boots. She had her blonde hair pulled back in a messy bun and silver earrings dangled from her ears. She looked like she stepped off the cover of a travel magazine.

“What can I do for you today? Want some mums for your house?” Bernice pointed at the flowers.

“I wanted to come by and get some ideas for my front porch. I saw the wonderful job that Carolina had done with hers and I want to give it a shot.”

“That’s great. You have a wonderful entryway and porch so you’ll need a lot of mums and accessories.” Carolina pulled out her phone. “I have some ideas here that you might like.” She pulled up her Pinterest page and turned the phone where she could see.

“I love this one. And of course I’ll need some for my back deck and outdoor living area as well.” She glanced at her car. “I don’t think it will all fit in my car.”

“We can deliver to you.” Carolina offered.

“We can?” Bernice gave her a weird look.

“Sure. Now let’s pick out the colors you want, and we have a few ferns left over that would look great as well. They are discounted so you’re getting a deal on those.” Carolina walked Hannah over to the greenhouses and spent the next thirty minutes discussing ideas. By the time she left she’d spent a great deal of money.

“See, it’s already paying off. You made more on that sale than what you made all week.” She showed her the bill of sale.

“Yeah. And how do you suppose we get all that over to her house? Between your jeep and my car it still won’t fit.”

“Perhaps Thomas would let me borrow his truck.”

“Not likely. He had to take Stanley to his doctor’s appointment. I saw them at the diner this morning.”

“Hmm. Well let me think.” If nothing else she could rent a truck for the day. “I wonder if I call Freddy how much he’d charge for delivery. I bet he’ll do it for a low fee.”

“There’s another customer. You go talk to them while I finish watering the mums. I’ll call Freddy and confirm with him about delivery.” Bernice grabbed the water hose and headed in the direction of the greenhouse.

Carolina watched a young couple get out of their SUV with two kids in tow.

“Welcome. Can I help you find something?” Carolina smiled.

“Yes, we were wondering if you had any experience with decorating a porch for the fall?”

Carolina smiled and looked over her shoulder. Bernice was rolling her eyes at Carolina.

“Yes of course. Just follow me and we can get you all set up.

Chapter 37

Carolina had just finished drying her hair when her cell phone rang. She frowned at the unknown number but answered it anyway.

“Hello?”

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