Must Love Flowers, page 12
“The yard is looking amazing,” Maggie said, as she headed up the few steps toward the front door. His efforts had made a dramatic difference already.
Phil acknowledged her words with a gentle smile.
“When you see Joan, would you mind telling her that I have a few things I need to go over with her when it’s convenient?”
“Sure thing.”
The instant Maggie entered the house, Edison galloped toward her, jumping up on his hind legs, begging for attention.
“How’s my puppy doing today?” she asked, picking him up and nuzzling him against her chest. He really was a joy, and so energetic.
Joan peeked her head around the kitchen door. “How’d your test go?”
“Great. I have a good feeling about it.” Like Maggie was with the two children she tutored, Joan had become her champion, supporting her with her own schoolwork. She didn’t mention that a second scholarship had fallen through. Maggie refused to give up hope. There remained a chance still, and she was determined to remain positive.
“I never doubted you for a moment,” Joan said, boosting Maggie’s spirits. “Not with all the hours you put in studying.”
“And now I have the next few weeks free. My supervisor at Starbucks was happy to give me more hours.”
“I don’t doubt it. She had nothing but praise for you when I talked to her.”
It was a relief to know Maggie would be able to save for school in the fall. “Did Edison have any accidents today?”
Joan sighed and wrinkled her nose. “A couple, but he’s learning. Patience is the word for the day.”
“For sure.” Maggie headed upstairs to change her clothes. With the sun out, she pulled on a pair of shorts and a summer top printed with strawberries. It was one of her favorites. She had her playlist going and bounded down the stairs when she remembered she hadn’t told Joan that Phil had something to ask her.
Halfway down, she stopped abruptly when the front door opened, and Nick Sample walked inside. When he saw her, his smile froze. Their eyes locked like clashing swords before a frown settled on his face, twisting his features.
“Why are you here?” he demanded, ignoring Edison, who begged for his attention.
Maggie straightened her shoulders, her heart pounding with such ferocity it felt like it was about to fly out of her chest. “I live here.”
“What the hell?” His eyes rounded with shock.
“Nick?” Joan came into the foyer.
“Mother,” he returned, looking none too pleased. “You didn’t tell me you’d taken in a boarder.”
“No, I guess I forgot to mention it when we last talked. Oh yes, I didn’t have a chance. The last time we talked was when you dropped off this puppy. And as I recall, you couldn’t get away fast enough.”
While playfully spoken, Maggie didn’t miss the sarcasm.
“I had to get back to work.” Nick had the good grace to look chagrined.
Joan shrugged, as if this was really none of his concern. “We discussed me taking in a boarder, remember?”
“And I said I didn’t think it was a good idea.”
“And I took your words into account and made my own decision,” Joan returned without the slightest hesitation.
“Why rent it to her,” he said, as if Maggie wasn’t standing right there listening in on the conversation.
“What’s wrong with Maggie?” Joan wanted to know, sounding perplexed. She looked from one to the other.
“Maggie and I have a difference of opinion,” Nick said, as if that explained everything.
“What he means is that he asked me out and I told him no,” Maggie clarified, infuriated that he didn’t appreciate the position she’d been in when he’d asked her for a dinner date.
“It seems a lowly construction worker isn’t good enough for Miss High and Mighty.”
“That’s not true.” Maggie couldn’t believe he’d say anything so asinine. Was that what he thought? “I…I figured out you were Joan’s son, and I didn’t know what to do. Surely even you could understand how awkward that would be.”
“You should have said something,” Nick flared back.
“I…couldn’t…not with a line of people behind you ready to place their orders.” He was smart enough to recognize her confession then and there would have been impossible.
“You made me look like a fool,” Nick returned, apparently unwilling to accept her excuse.
“If anyone needs to apologize,” Maggie flared back, “it’s you. I heard what Kurt had to say about you ditching your mother on her birthday and then pawning the puppy off on her.”
“That’s enough,” Joan said, coming to stand between the two. “I’m sorry to hear you two got off on the wrong foot.”
Maggie folded her arms over her chest.
Nick narrowed his eyes at Maggie as though to say what he thought of her and crossed his own arms.
Joan exhaled and seemed to collect her thoughts. “Now, it seems both of you have jumped to conclusions about each other. This can all be easily settled. Maggie,” she said, turning her attention to her, “Nick is a good son, and while he wasn’t able to be with me on my birthday, he later treated me to dinner at a restaurant that meant a great deal to his father and me.”
Nick smirked and nodded at Maggie as if to say he’d redeemed himself and she should appreciate his thoughtfulness.
“What about the puppy?” Maggie asked, and held back from reminding Joan of the sleepless nights they’d suffered when the puppy had cried and cried.
Joan glanced at her son with a pinched look. “Yes, well, that gift was a bit much and certainly unexpected.”
“I gave you the dog because you were lonely,” Nick insisted.
“But, Maggie,” Joan addressed her again, “you have to admit that Edison has been a joy. Yes, those first few nights were a trial, but we survived. We’ve both come to love this puppy.”
This was a truth Maggie couldn’t deny.
“Like I said,” Joan continued. “You two got off on the wrong foot. I would advise you both to reconsider your feelings toward each other. Knowing you’re living with me is a shock for Nick.”
“You can say that again,” Nick muttered.
“I know my son and he’s a great guy.”
Maggie lowered her gaze and rubbed her palms together. Joan was right. She’d handled it badly when Nick had asked her out and she regretted not accepting and telling him the truth earlier.
“And about the puppy,” Nick said. “My intentions were good. Edison had been abandoned at the construction site. When I found him, he was dehydrated and nearly starved to death. I brought him home with me and did what I could to nurse him back to health. But I work all day and I had to leave him in the crate. I was racing back to my apartment at noon and didn’t even have time to eat.”
Maggie remembered overhearing Kurt mentioning that.
“After a few days he was doing better,” Nick added, “but I hated leaving him in the crate all day. My mother hasn’t been herself since my dad passed, and I hoped this sweet little dog would help her. If you want to condemn me for that, then I’m grateful you turned down my offer for a date.”
Maggie looked away, unable to respond.
“Nick, you should know,” Joan said, “having Maggie live with me has been a blessing. I should have mentioned her earlier, but I hadn’t heard from you and decided you’d find out on your own sooner or later.”
“I wish you had said something.” Nick sighed. “What I want to know is which bedroom did Maggie take?”
Joan shared a reassuring look with Maggie. “I gave her the option of either room, and she chose yours.”
“No way…” Turning toward the stairs, Nick raced up, taking them two at a time. Maggie followed behind him and Edison attempted to follow, but his short, stubby legs wouldn’t let him. Maggie reached down and pulled him into her arms, tucking him under her chin as she followed Nick.
She arrived just as he opened the door to her room and went stock-still. “What happened to my Coldplay poster?” he demanded.
“It’s rolled up and stored in Steve’s bedroom. I believe your mother put it in the closet.” The puppy wiggled in her arms, wanting down. She set him on the carpet, and he happily bounced his way into Maggie’s room.
Nick’s gaze remained focused on the room. “And my Russell Wilson autographed football?”
“It’s there, too, along with your soccer trophies.”
He continued to stand just outside her bedroom, his shoulders slumped in defeat. He was acting as if she’d personally deprived him of everything important from his childhood.
Maggie sucked in a deep breath, deciding it was up to her to make things right with Nick. “Your mother is right. Perhaps we could start again?” she asked hopefully.
Nick hesitated, shrugged, and then agreed. “Is it true what you said about the company frowning on dating customers?”
“No…I made that up as an excuse.”
“That’s what I thought.”
Rather than hash over her babbling response to his invitation, she said, “I want you to know how much I admire your mother. She’s been a godsend to me.”
“I haven’t been around as much as I should have been. I knew she was lonely without my dad, but I didn’t know how to make that better for her. I considered moving back home and would have if she’d asked, but I was afraid I’d become a crutch. Mom needs to find her own path.”
“And she is.”
He agreed with a half-smile.
“I’m hoping we can be friends, Nick. I’m sorry I turned you down. I figured out you were Joan’s son when you mentioned the puppy and I didn’t know what to do because you didn’t know I was living here.”
“I’d like for us to be friends, too,” he admitted. “When I saw you here, I didn’t know what to think.”
“Your mom is wonderful. I owe her a great deal, and I promise you I’ll do my best to be a good tenant.”
“I’d appreciate that.” He gave her a genuine smile.
Maggie felt a wave of relief. At least they were both of the same mind when it came to Joan. “Let’s go assure your mother we won’t be at each other’s throats,” she suggested.
“Let’s. Can I hold Edison?”
“Of course.”
Nick tucked the puppy into the crook of his arm. “Where did he ever get that name?”
“Your mother and I came up with it.” True, Maggie had been the one to suggest it, but the idea had come from Joan.
“I like it. It suits him.”
“Your mother said he brought light into her life.”
“Which was exactly what I hoped would happen.” Nick sounded pleased with himself.
Joan was busy in the kitchen. She turned when Maggie and Nick joined her. “Did you two settle your differences?”
Maggie glanced toward Nick to discover he was watching her.
“Yeah, all good,” he answered. He set Edison down on the floor, and the puppy raced over to a chew toy.
“Excellent. Will you stay for dinner?” Joan looked to her son.
“What are you making?”
“Nick!” Maggie chastised.
“What?”
“You should be happy with whatever your mother has planned.”
Nick snorted softly. “Okay, fine. I’ll be happy, even if it’s liver and onions.”
“It isn’t.” Joan seemed amused at the banter between the two. “You stopped by for a reason?” She directed the question to her son.
“Can’t I come see my mother anytime I want?” he challenged, grinning.
“Of course, but it’s rare enough to pique my interest.”
Maggie sent Nick a knowing glare, which he ignored.
“I came to see how you were faring with the puppy,” he said, and added, “and if you needed anything.”
“That’s thoughtful of you,” Joan said, as she opened the refrigerator door. “And seeing how worried you are about what’s for dinner, I’ll tell you. We’re having crispy chicken salad with fresh tomatoes, olives, and shredded cheddar cheese.”
“Sounds good. By the way, the yard is really taking shape.”
“I hired a maintenance company, Harrison Lawn and Landscaping.”
“It’s a bit early to get started on dinner, isn’t it?” Maggie asked.
As if unaware of the time, Joan glanced toward the kitchen clock. They didn’t normally eat until after six, and it wouldn’t take long to assemble a salad.
Joan thought about that for a moment. “It is earlier than normal. I was hungry. I hadn’t felt that way in a long while,” she said, and cocked her head to one side as if the realization had surprised her.
“That’s good, Mom. You’ve lost a lot of weight since Dad died.”
“I have?” She didn’t seem to have noticed. “Listen,” Joan said, “why don’t the two of you take Edison out for a walk? By the time you return, I’ll have dinner going.”
Nick looked to Maggie for the answer.
“Sure,” she said, although Edison was a bit small for much of an excursion. She had put him on the leash before, without much success. He’d twisted his head around and tried to chew on the cord.
While Nick collected the leash, Maggie got the puppy. They were about to head out the door when Maggie remembered Phil had asked her to give Joan a message.
Glancing out the front door, she saw that his truck remained parked outside, so he was still at the house.
“Joan, I almost forgot. Phil asked to talk to you.”
“Did he say why?”
“He didn’t.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“You ready?” Nick asked, tugging Edison along behind him. Maggie could see it was going to take some effort to train the puppy to the leash. As she stepped onto the porch, Phil was coming up the steps.
“Tell Phil I’ll be out in a minute,” Joan called.
“Did you hear that?” Maggie asked the landscaper.
“I did. I’ll just wait here.”
“She won’t be long,” Nick added, and the two started down the street with Edison.
Edison resisted, and they ended up nearly dragging him along, to the point that they were both soon laughing.
Just maybe they could be friends after all, Maggie mused. Good friends.
Chapter 17
Joan walked over to the sink to wash her hands before venturing outside to talk to Phil. As the warm water poured from the faucet, she realized she was nervous. He’d said so little during the group session, and she feared it was because of her.
They’d both been flustered at the unexpectedness of finding each other there. While in the group, Joan had been completely surprised by the way everyone had welcomed her. Already she’d heard from Mary Lou, and the two had planned a lunch out. It’d been such a long time since Joan had enjoyed female companionship—that is, until Maggie had come to live with her. Mary Lou, however, was her contemporary. She felt an immediate kinship with the other woman.
Drying her hands with unnecessary zeal, Joan suspected Phil wanted to talk to her about the group, and secretly she would be glad to clear the air. It was best to talk this over so there wasn’t any discomfort on either side.
“You asked to speak to me…?” she said as she met him on the porch.
Phil nodded and motioned toward the flower bed. “I had a few ideas, and seeing how important loving flowers is to you, I felt obliged to offer a couple suggestions.” His eyes twinkled as he spoke.
“You’re going to enjoy teasing me about that ‘must love flowers’ comment, aren’t you?”
“Yup.”
She was pleased to see that any discomfort he had felt with her in the group didn’t show.
“I was thinking blue star juniper would go nicely. It’s easy to maintain and attractive to the eye.”
Joan was familiar with the plant. Juniper was an excellent suggestion, and one Joan wished she’d thought of herself. The shrub was resistant to insects and diseases and a perfect complement to the lavender rhododendron she’d planted several years earlier. Rhododendrons were the Washington state flower. “I like that idea.”
“If you’re looking for a bit more color, how about a dwarf burning bush? It is a brilliant red and a hardy shrub.” As he went on about why he thought it would flourish in her yard, Joan realized he was uneasy mentioning the elephant in the room.
Joan folded her hands in front of her. “That’s another good idea. But I prefer the blue star juniper.”
“Great, I’ll get one ordered.”
“Perfect.”
Again, he hesitated, and Joan knew she would need to take the initiative. “Was there something more than the plants you wanted to discuss, Phil?” she asked, amused at the way he delayed what was really on both of their minds.
He exhaled and shrugged, aware she had found him out. “Suggesting the flowers was a good excuse, although I really do love flowers. They’re a must,” he added, grinning.
“They are,” she agreed. “But I have the distinct feeling what we really need to talk about is the grief therapy group.”
His shoulders relaxed. “Yeah, you’re right. I wanted to apologize.”
“Apologize?” She couldn’t imagine why.
“The thing is, I’d wanted to tell you about the group soon after we met, thinking it might help you. I’ve found the support meaningful, which is why I’m still attending after five years. I regret that I didn’t, and then when you arrived, I was kicking myself for delaying. Plus, I wasn’t sure if I should mention that I already knew you or not.”
“I was thinking the same thing. We were both being ridiculous, you realize. When you didn’t say anything about knowing me, I thought it best to remain silent.”
