Читать книгу A Mother to Love - Gail Martin Gaymer - Страница 10
ОглавлениеThe next day Angie hurried through the house, unpacking the last few boxes and making her living room come to life with lamps and decor except for the walls. She’d need help for that. She did everything she could to distract herself from the uneasy feeling that had settled in her.
“I’m being silly.” Her voice escaped into the room. Definitely silly. She needed a fresh perspective, and her gaze shifted to the bright window where she saw the sun spilling onto the grass, trees and landscaping around her home. Though well tended, her yard lacked flowers, and those little changes would make the house her home.
Needing a break, she slipped her house key into her pocket and stepped outside. The warmth struck her arms and the scent of lilacs swept past her. The blossoms on the trees were abundant, and the aroma floated on the air. The street name had captured her if not the house itself. Who didn’t love lilacs?
Deciding to get a closer look at her neighbors’ flower beds, she bounced down the sidewalk and turned right toward the jog in the road, her body buoyed by a renewed spirit. Rick had helped her so much, and she had only a few things to do to finish making the house livable. The neighborhood also lured her to anticipate new friendships even though Rema and her sadness hadn’t made the most upbeat impression.
Rema hadn’t dropped by since the day she’d appeared with the muffins, and Angie’s concern had faded. Since her visit, Angie had noticed Rema’s husband coming and going. He seemed to keep late hours and she wondered about his career...or whatever it was that kept him away.
Instead of her original attitude toward Rema, the thought of her as a wife with so much time alone and without children softened Angie’s heart. One day she should invite Rema over or drop by her house for a visit. She’d never been inside any other houses on the street, and she’d like to see what they were like.
She exhaled and studied her surroundings. She looked toward the corner and noticed the house for sale did have a sold sign and she’d missed it. While her attention darted from one side of the street to the other, she admired the flower beds and the variety of foliage. She would add plants to her landscape soon. Looking at the displays today made her anxious to tackle the flower beds.
As she approached a yellow ranch, she noticed an elderly man on his knees digging into the soil, a flat of flowers beside him. Age didn’t stop some people. She picked up her step as her shadow slipped past him.
He noticed and looked at her over his shoulder. “Hello, there.”
She faltered, pleased to see his smiling face, which reminded her of her grandfather, long gone to heaven. She grinned back. “You’re busy, I see.”
He hoisted himself up, taking a moment as if to balance himself before stepping closer. “I had tulips and spring flowers here, but they’re gone, so I’m adding a few more plants. If my wife were here, she’d have pushed me out the door a week ago with her honey-do list.” His eyes twinkled.
“My grandma had one of those lists, too.”
His eyes searched hers a moment. “You love family, too.”
She nodded, though aware she’d neglected hers in recent years.
“Too many young people go off and don’t remember where they came from. Know what I mean? Their roots and their faith training tossed into the wind.” He tilted his head. “Are you a woman of faith?”
Guilt crept into her heart. “I grew up in a Christian home, but I’ve been rather delinquent about acting on it.”
“Hmm. I knew you had the foundation. Sometimes I can just tell.” He gave her a wink. “I’m Elwood Barnes, but my friends call me El.”
She extended her hand. “Angela Bursten, and my friends call me Angie.”
El eyed his hand and brushed it off on his pants before he grasped hers. “Nice to meet you. I hope you’re enjoying your new home. I think you’ll like most of the neighbors.” He chuckled as if he’d told himself a joke.
“I love the house.” A grin stole to her mouth. “And I’ll love it more when I get things settled. You know how it is.” She shrugged. “I’m still finding places for everything and working out the kinks.”
“I know about kinks.” He did a little bounce from the knees. “I have a few of those myself.”
Cute as could be, he made her chuckle. “I think you’re doing well, Mr. Barnes, and I’ve had help moving in, so I can’t complain.”
He tilted his head toward the Durbans’ house. “You meet Rema?”
She eyed him a moment, questioning why he’d asked. She didn’t suspect the sweet man to be a gossip. “Yes. She dropped by with some delicious muffins, and we had a short visit.”
“Rema could use a friend or two.” A twinkle lit his eyes. “I hope she made a good impression, and I suppose the muffins helped.”
Grinning, she gave a nod as Rema’s words echoed in her thoughts—I’m sure we’ll be best friends soon enough. “I don’t see her husband much.”
His smile faded. “Trey...” He paused a moment. “He travels a lot. I think Rema’s lonely.”
Lonely. She’d been lonely, too, at times, but moving and Rick had filled her life with new expectations.
“Married?” El glanced at her left hand.
“No, not yet.” Yet? “No” would have been good enough. She managed to control a frown. “But a good friend from work came over and toted the heavy stuff. He’s a very kind man. Probably someone like you.” Angie spotted a hint of pride puffing his chest.
“Thank you.” He shook his head. “So this fella is just a good friend. Nothing else on his mind?”
An image sparked in her mind. Life with Rick? She found him attractive, but she’d avoided thoughts of anything more. At least, she tried to. “Right. Rick’s just a friend, and that’s good with me.” But her true feelings and reactions confounded her.
“Good girl.” He patted her arm as concern fell across his face. “Please, don’t think I’m the nosy neighbor or the morals police. I just admire young people who value the Lord’s expectations.”
“My parents gave me strong values.” Again she thought of her relationship with Cal and his friends. She’d let her values slip there, anticipating a ring on her finger. What a mistake. “And I don’t see you as being nosy. I think you care about people, and you’re a man of wisdom.”
“Thank you, but the Good Book’s filled with wisdom. I just have a good memory.”
His wit tickled her. “El, it’s nice to meet you, and I know if I need a little wisdom I can come to you, especially with that good memory you mentioned.”
He gave her a wink. “Love to have you, and you’ll find other good people on this street.”
She loved his smile. “I’ll let you get back to work and finish my stroll so I can face mine again. I’m determined to get things put away so I can get outside, too.”
He laughed and waved as she returned to the sidewalk and her trip around to the circle and back. Yet as she walked his comment about Rema being lonely knotted in her chest. Though she didn’t want to take on a needy friend, she couldn’t neglect her, either.
She headed back home on the far side of the street, admiring her new house as she approached. As it often did, Rick’s image popped into her mind. But so did El and his encouragement to read the Bible, as if it was something she needed. Maybe it was. She’d been without the Lord for a while, and like Rema, she’d been lonely, too. Lilac Circle had opened doors for new friendship and now El had reminded her of another friendship, one with the Lord. Like all new friendships, it would take time.
* * *
Though she’d slept poorly, Angie looked forward to the day and Rick’s visit. She bounced down the stairs with a sense of accomplishment. The linens lay in a closet in neat piles, her clothes stacked in drawers lined with scented paper, and her cosmetics and personal items had found their logical place in the bathroom drawers and cabinets. She’d even settled on which paintings and wall decor would look best in each room.
The extra bedroom had become a guest room, though she rarely had overnight guests. It looked neat with the bed made and a couple of knickknacks in appropriate spots to add a little life to the room. The second floor was finished except for hanging the wall decor.
Rick’s visit added a bit more hope. He could hang the pictures and anything else she’d selected to adorn the rooms while she made decisions about what to tackle in the yard.
She’d meant it when she’d told Rick she looked forward to meeting Carly. Rick seemed to dote on the little girl, and she’d learned enough to know that things weren’t always smooth between him and his ex-spouse. Problems didn’t make a good environment for their young daughter. Yet she had confidence in Rick. He would never do anything to hurt his daughter, so she suspected when trouble came he did all he could to hide it from Carly.
She poured coffee into a mug and nibbled on a buttered English muffin. Nothing else appealed to her. Egg? French toast? Pancakes? Although they sounded good, pancake recipes seemed to be for more than one person. She shook her head at her thoughtlessness. She should have invited Rick and Carly to breakfast.
To help pass time she busied herself by lining pictures along the walls where she wanted them hung, and she laid a couple of items on the bed that she thought might look nice in the bathroom—a cute wall clock set in a floral motif and a small shelf to hold a miniature vase and a pin box that had belonged to her grandmother. For her home office, she’d laid out a tapestry from her grandmother’s home as well as a dry board to jot notes to herself.
She eyed the kitchen clock. Nine. She suspected they’d be there soon, but with a little one, maybe not. Before she could question his arrival any longer, a sound from the driveway alerted her. She ran to the living room window and peeked out.
Her heart skipped a beat upon seeing his car. She spotted Rick leaning into the backseat, releasing Carly’s booster-seat straps. The girl jumped out, cute and spunky, her eyes the same shape and hazel color as Rick’s and bowed lips that must have been like her mother’s. Rick’s were full and more rugged than his daughter’s bowed ones.
Without waiting for their ring, she hurried to the door and swung it open. At work, Rick wore a sport coat or a shirt and sweater, but today he had dressed in jeans and a deep gold polo shirt that highlighted the gold in his hair.
Rick looked up and gave a wave. “I hope we’re not too early.”
“Not at all. I’ve been up for a while.” She hated to tell him she hadn’t been able to sleep and had thought about his visit throughout the night. She pulled her gaze from Rick’s and focused on the child. The girl had her daddy’s hair, the same golden brown with cute bangs and the sides curved beneath her chin. “Hi, Carly. I’m so glad you came to visit.”
The child gave her a shy look and glanced at Rick before her hazel eyes darted back to Angie. “Thank you.”
Polite and sweet. Angie’s heart gave a squeeze. She could see why Rick’s life revolved around the little girl. “Come in. I was just having breakfast.”
Rick’s smile faded. “Oh, I’d hoped I would catch you before that.” He lifted a paper bag she hadn’t noticed. “I brought you a breakfast sandwich.”
Her chest constricted. “Really? I couldn’t decide what to eat, so I’m nibbling on an English muffin.”
“Well, stop nibbling. I have a sandwich for each of us. Even Carly wanted to give it a try.”
She stood back, holding open the door as they entered.
Rick headed straight for the kitchen with Carly on his heels. When she came through the doorway, he’d pulled three packages from the sack and eyed the coffee carafe. “Do you have enough?”
She nodded and pulled a mug from the cabinet. “Here you go, and, Carly, would you like milk or some orange juice?”
The child glanced at her dad, who gave a nod. “Milk, please.”
Angie grinned and poured a glass of milk from the carton.
They gathered around the table, and when Rick bowed his head, Carly followed. As if a belated thought, he looked up. “Do you mind?”
“Mind? No, please.” Angie folded her hands and waited.
Rick gave Carly a nod. The child eyed her before beginning the prayer. “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest...”
The prayer leaped from the recesses of Angie’s mind. How often had she heard those words spoken around the table? Her father’s voice rang through her head and, fighting tears, she had to force herself to look up when Carly finished. “Thank you, Carly. I used to say that prayer when I was your age.”
“You did?” The five-year-old looked at Rick with question. “Is the prayer really old?”
Angie pressed her lips together to control her chuckle. Rick struggled with the same reaction as he explained it was very, very old. “Even your great-grandmother knew that prayer, Carly.”
The child seemed to ponder what he’d said as she delved into her breakfast sandwich. After two bites her expression made it clear she enjoyed it.
Angie enjoyed hers, too, but then she remembered Rema’s delicious muffins and wished she’d saved a couple. Maybe she’d have to learn to bake. Kids loved cookies, cake and muffins. Out of the corner of her eye, Angie watched the girl, hoping the child felt welcomed. “Carly, your daddy tells me you’re in kindergarten.”
Carly’s face lit with a grin, the sandwich forgotten. “Uh-huh and do you know what?”
“No. Tell me.” Angie leaned closer, enjoying the child’s animation with her hands raised as if ready to applaud.
“Our teacher gives us fun homework.”
“Fun homework?” She drew back, never remembering a time when she’d thought homework fun.
Rick’s eyes twinkled. “I reacted the same way until she explained. The teacher has them go outside for activities. They had to find samples of leaves, wildflowers and acorns, and then she gave the children a list of things to find in their yards.” He grinned. “See. That’s fun homework.”
“I imagine it is.” She got a kick out of the child’s exuberance.
Carly’s eyes widened. “And guess what I found.”
Angie shrugged. “A pinecone?”
“No. I found a dandelion.”
“I remember dandelions.” Angie pictured the yellow flowerlike weed, the bane of all the adults when, later, its puffy seeds landed in their yards. Yet her mind shot back to a day when her mom had put a dandelion beneath her chin and told her if it left a yellow stain she would find her true love. So much for dandelions.
Rick stood. “I noticed the house on the corner has a sold sign already.”
“I saw it yesterday. A new neighbor will move in soon, I suppose.”
His sandwich gone, Rick wiped his mouth and motioned toward the archway. “Which reminds me, where do we start?”
His eagerness tickled her. “How are you at hanging pictures and things?”
“A pro.” He gave a playful grimace. “Okay, I’m not exactly a pro, but I’m not bad. I have a good eye, but I’m even better if you have a level.”
A level? “Is that one of those wood things with the little bubbles?”
An odd expression came over his face, and then, as if a light had turned on, he chuckled. “I suppose a person could describe it that way. Apparently you don’t have one.”
“Apparently.”
“I can eyeball it. It’ll be fine.”
She loved his eyes, a deep tan sprinkled with gold dust. They twinkled as if they were mischief looking for a place to happen. “I’m sure you can eyeball it. You have very nice eyes.” She snapped her fingers. “How about a measuring tape? I have that along with a hammer and the right kind of nails for frames and things. I asked at the hardware store.”
“Sure, a yard stick or tape measure works.” He drew back his head with a tilt. “And you even asked at the hardware store.”
“I did.” She flashed a silly smile as he appeared to study her.
His look gave her goose bumps. Not the scary kind but the kind that confused her. His eyes drew her in as if he read her mind. And when his dimples flexed, then vanished, she sensed he’d told himself a joke, probably about her. His subtle sense of humor was one of his attributes she loved. But today only tension grasped her. She waited to see what he’d say or tell her what he wanted, but he didn’t say a word.
Instead he looked away without a response and slipped his hand into his pocket. After a moment, he took a deep breath. “Well?”
She rose from the table, buoyed with excitement. “If you’re ready to get started, let’s go. I don’t want to hold you up from—”
“That’s no problem.” He winked at Carly. “You and I saved the whole day for Angie, didn’t we?” She gave him a smile and nodded. “We have nothing else waiting, and we know you want to buy some flowers and get some planting done.”
“I do.” She pointed to the staircase. “So, let’s get busy. I’ll show you what needs to be done upstairs, and while you’re doing that, Carly can help me decide on the flowers.”
“I can?” Excitement flickered on her face along with the telltale dimples that validated she was Rick’s daughter.
“Absolutely.” She loved seeing the child’s enthusiasm. “You can even help me plant some of them. How’s that for an idea?”
“Daddy, I can help plant.” She bounced on her toes.
“I know. Angie is a glutton for...” He rolled his eyes. “Never mind.”
Carly tilted her head. “What’s a glutting?”
“A really nice person, I think.” Rick patted her head as his eyes shifted to Angie. “Let’s see what you have upstairs.”
She beckoned him to follow. Carly joined him as they traveled from room to room while she pointed to the various items needing to be hung.
“You really have a nice place here, Ang. I didn’t pay attention when I was toting boxes.”
Ang. No one had called her that since her dad had years ago. It had been a special signal they were pals. He’d never had the son he’d wanted, so she’d become his buddy. She loved their relationship. He’d taken her fishing and sometimes had let her help him do minor car repairs or maintenance. She’d forgotten it all now, but it had meant the world to her then.
Her mind snapped back and she shrugged. “Sorry. I went on a short memory trip. I like it here, too. Thanks.”
He gave her a playful wink and didn’t seem concerned about her distraction.
When she had finished pointing out the tasks, Carly joined her downstairs without looking back, and they headed outside. As she studied the yard, Carly did the same.
Angie lifted a pen to the notepad she’d brought. “What do you think? Where should we put the flowers?”
Carly skipped across the lawn and selected an empty space in front of the lilac bushes that would experience morning and early afternoon sun before being dimmed by the shade of the foliage in late afternoon. “That’s a good spot, Carly.” Her mind sought the kinds of flowers that could work, ones that thrived with partial shade.
“Back there.” Carly pointed to an area along the fence just beyond another cluster of large lilac shrubs.
She studied the place, which would have full sun most of the day. “That’s a good place. We could plant roses.” She made a note.
Carly spun around and headed back to her. “Roses are pretty.”
“They are.” She tucked her arm around the child’s shoulders, not sure how she would respond, but Carly drew closer without hesitation. Angie loved the feeling of Carly beside her and enjoyed showing affection to the little girl. From what she’d learned from Rick, Carly’s mother worked a job that resulted in travel and long office hours. The girl spent hours in an after-school program and often child-care services.
Angie’s chest tightened, picturing the bubbly child, eager to please and anxious to help, being raised by people other than her mom. Angie understood that some jobs were demanding and the woman had to make a living, but she couldn’t alter the emotion she felt for Carly. A lump formed in her throat and startled her. She’d been well loved by both parents as a child, and she wanted that for Carly.
She and Carly moved to the side of the house and into the front yard, where beds had once held flowers. They made notes of the kinds of plants she could buy. Though she had enough ideas to cost a fortune, she knew she could start small and add perennials each year.
Taking a break, they sat on the porch steps and talked about different kinds of flowers. Though Carly knew more about flower colors than kinds, she mentioned roses and tulips. Planting bulbs in autumn would add colorful spring blossoms to the landscape. Angie made a note in her book to help her remember.
“What do you like to do for fun, Carly?” The question came out of nowhere.
Carly looked thoughtful as if she had too many to list. Yet no ideas seemed to come.
“How about swings and slides at the park?” Angie watched her face brighten.
“We have swings at school.”
“Can you go up high on them?” She watched the girl’s face twist in thought.
“I don’t know how.” She faced Angie. “Do you?”
Tender feelings slid through Angie. “You’ll learn when you’re bigger, but one day we’ll have to take you to a park. Your daddy can push you a little bit high.”
“Really?” Her eyes sparkled. “And can we go on the slides?”
“You can. I think I’m too big.” She pictured herself trying to squeeze her hips down a slide. The picture made her smile. “Does your daddy take you to the park?”
“No, but we go shopping and buy groceries. And he takes me to the hamburger place that has tunnels and ladders, and he watches me play.”
“That’s fun. I don’t think they had that kind of play area when I was a little girl. You’re lucky.”
“I am, because my daddy is fun.” Her head lowered as if in thought and then popped up. “Daddy reads me stories, and we laugh. And he buys us pizza.”
“You are a very lucky girl.”
“Maybe he’ll buy you pizza, too.” She looked thoughtful before nodding her head. “I’ll tell him to.”
Angie silenced her gasp. “You don’t have to. Let’s see if he thinks of it by himself.” All she needed was to have him think she’d put the bug in Carly’s ear to invite her for pizza.
Carly nodded. “Okay. Let’s see.”
“See what?” Rick came around the corner of the house, a bright smile on his face.
“Nothing.” Angie jumped up. “We were talking about playing on swings and slides at a park. Carly would like that.”
His eyes widened. “Good. We have a park somewhere near us. Good idea.”
She suspected Rick hadn’t thought of the park. The child needed fun and ways to play, and she wondered what they did together other than grocery shop and eat burgers and pizza. Little kids needed stimuli.
His unexpected appearance surprised her. “Are you done with everything?”
“I think so. Do you want to check?”
The thought ran through her head and out again. “No. Later. Let’s go to the nursery for the flowers.”
“Let’s go.” Carly clapped her hands and skipped toward the car.
Rick reached for her, but before he captured Carly she spun away from him toward the car, wearing a silly grin as she beckoned to him to follow. A tender feeling oozed through Angie as she viewed the father-daughter antics. Though she had lost confidence in men and had no desire to marry, today a sweet sensation ran through her, and for once she understood the joy of being a family. With the image in her mind, she melted.
* * *
Rick pulled into Sunburst Garden and parked. He hadn’t felt this alive in years. Carly’s smile and excitement sent guilt creeping up his back. Why hadn’t he thought to teach her things like planting a flower or doing simple tasks? She’d cozied up to Angie as if she was a female Pied Piper. Though logic said he should feel a bit envious, he didn’t. Seeing his daughter’s spirit higher than the treetops—and over such simple things—lifted him into the clouds.
He jumped from the car and headed for Carly to unhook her booster seat, but she’d already loosened the belts and slipped out of the shoulder strap as Angie opened the door for her. She bounded from the SUV, skipping around them as if she had swallowed jumping beans. The sight made him laugh. “You are a bundle of energy.”
“I’m excited ’cause Angie said I can help plant flowers.” Carly gazed at Angie with admiration. “I’ve never planted flowers.”
“Okay, but if you’re good at it, then I’ll put you to work at home.” He gave Carly a wink.
Carly loved the idea and skittered ahead of them through the nursery gate into the outdoor area filled with all types of perennial plants.
He held back, longing for time to talk with Angie, but he suspected that wouldn’t be easy with Carly’s exuberance.
Angie found a shopping cart and placed an empty flower flat in it and then pushed it along with Carly hanging on to the handle. Rick followed, amazed at his little girl’s attraction to Angie and the whole idea of planting flowers.
Angie beckoned her toward the annuals inside the building and pointed to a flat. “See these flowers, Carly?”
She nodded. “They’re pretty.”
“They’re called wave petunias, and they’re beautiful when they grow in a garden, so I want you to pick out the colors that you like and put them in this box.” Angie picked up a box of pink petunias and set them in one of the little compartments. “We’ll fill this flat with all kinds of colors that you like, and they will grow so big you’ll be surprised.”
“I get to pick them myself?”
Angie nodded. “I trust you’ll do a good job, and I’ll be right here.”
Rick’s head spun hearing the dialogue between the two. Carly moved up and down the lengthy row, studying the plants as if she’d been asked to make a necklace from the crown jewels.
Angie stood back, an amazing smile on her face, her rounded cheeks rosy. Even without lipstick, her lips were pink. They curved in a warm smile. “Look at her, Rick. She’s a little treasure.”
He agreed. “I wish her mom could see this. Glenda’s work keeps her busy, and sometimes I feel she pays little attention to Carly. I hope she doesn’t notice.” He lowered his head and faced his own weakness. “And sometimes I don’t think I’m much better.”
“Come on, Rick. You’re a loving person, and you dote on her when you talk about her.”
“I know. I love her more than I can say, but sometimes I’m at a loss. I never would have thought to let her select flowers for a garden or help plant them. It’s something a mother thinks about, I guess. Watching you, I feel inadequate.”
“Stop thinking like that. You’re creative. At Carly’s age, she’s learning all the time, and you can help teach her things she’ll remember always.”
“You’re giving me more credit than I deserve, but thanks. I hope you’re right.” He touched her arm, feeling her soft skin beneath his fingers. “I’m definitely learning from you.”
She gave a head shake and shifted her gaze to Carly, who’d begun to fill the flat with thoughtful choices.
“Angie.” He drew in a breath, not wanting to ruin the moment or the day. “You’d make a wonderful mother. I really can’t understand why some man hasn’t snapped you up before now.” The only thing that made him know she’d heard him was the expression on her face.
Her brow furrowed a moment before softening. “To be honest, Rick, I was never asked.”
He drew back, unable to grasp what she’d said. “You’re kidding. That can’t be.”
“But it is. I don’t tell people this. Once I thought I’d found my true love, but...” She shook her head. “It wasn’t meant to be, and after I looked back on it, I realized it would have been a mistake. I’ve never been open enough to arouse a man’s interest, since...since—”
“It was the motorcycle guy, wasn’t it?” He recalled the impact the man’s death had on her.
She nodded. “We were too different. He knew better than I did. I still thought he’d ask me, but he was killed before he might have.” She gave him a feeble grin. “But the ‘might have’ is unlikely. He loved his bike, camping and hanging out with the guys and their girls. That wasn’t me.”
“Then what was the attraction?” The image bogged in his mind. The picture she painted wasn’t the Angie he knew.
“I think it was the unknown, the surprise and unfamiliar. I was pretty straightforward. Raised to get an education and a good job. Do all the right things. Go to church. He lived on the edge, and I wished I could be more like that, but...”
“But it doesn’t suit you.” Angie had become a woman he admired, one who would be a wonderful mother and a loving wife, a wife who would pitch in and work toward their mutual dreams.
Dreams. The word stopped him. His dream, not hers, and he’d already warned himself. His heart sank.
“It didn’t suit me. Not at all. When I really thought about the lifestyle, it frightened me. Still, I wanted to do something to stimulate my very mundane life.”
“And your faith? Are you still a churchgoer?”
She looked away, tension tightening her jaw. “No, I drifted. Too far, I’m afraid.”
He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “It’s never too far or too late, Angie. God’s bigger than that. Your faith is still there. You just put it to sleep for a while, but with sleep comes renewed energy. Faith doesn’t stray too far.”
Angie nodded, her gaze shifting to Carly. “You’ve done a wonderful job with her, Rick.” She strode to Carly’s side and helped her set the flat of flowers on the bottom shelf of the cart. “Now, let’s look for some roses.”
Carly’s eyes widened. “Roses smell pretty, but they have thorns.”
Rick slipped behind Carly, his hands resting on her shoulders. “Sometimes beautiful things have thorns that scare you away, but if you’re really careful, they’re worth all the trouble.” His gaze slipped to Angie, and he sensed she’d caught the analogy. From her expression he’d surprised her as much as his admission surprised him. He caught the handle of the basket. “Which way?”
Angie pointed toward the outside, and when she turned, he followed her. They made their way down the rows and found the roses in an area close to the back of the nursery where many kinds and colors were on display. She and Carly studied the plants, and Angie settled on some Knock Out roses, which she said bloomed all summer. Carly picked out some long-stemmed blossoms.
“Good choice, Carly,” he said. Angie signaled him to lift the plants into the cart while she watched Carly study other ones. An expression on her face warned him she had something on her mind. “Are you sure you want all these?”
“I love them.” She smiled at Carly. “This young lady did a good job of choosing some beautiful roses. But...”
When she faltered, he knew he’d been right. “But what?”
Angie eyed Carly before answering. “It’ll take a long time to plant these, and I’m thinking that today may not be the best day.”
He raised an eyebrow, letting her know he suspected she had left some things unspoken. “How long can flowers sit without being planted?”
“No more than a day or so. I’ll need to keep them watered.”
“What about tomorrow? Carly and I could come after church and finish the job.” His pulse skipped at his impulsiveness. She may have had enough of them. “That’s if you’d like us to.”
Her face brightened. “I’d love you to come if you really don’t mind.”
Carly’s eyes sparkled. “Can I help?”
“You sure can.” Angie slipped her arm around Carly’s shoulders and gave her a hug. “I’ve never had such a good helper in my whole life.”
“Daddy.” Carly bounced on her toes. “Can we come tomorrow?”
“If Angie wants to put up with us another day, we sure can.”
Carly clapped and twirled, then grabbed the handle of the cart and eyed Angie. “Are we done?”
“If you’re planting tomorrow, I have a few more ideas.” Angie chucked Carly under the chin. “What do you think?”
Carly gave a nod and waited for her to point the way.
They followed Angie down another row while his own excitement grew. With Angie’s willingness for them to return Sunday, he wanted to twirl down the rows as Carly had done. Two days with Angie felt like a gift to him as well as Carly. She made life fun and meaningful. Yet a flicker of concern tightened in his chest. He had to be careful. He’d already feared her hesitation to plant today was because of something he’d said.
“If we’re finishing the planting tomorrow...” She paused and looked at Carly. “We might have time to go to the park today.”
“The park? Really?” A gleeful giggle escaped Carly. “Can we, Daddy?”
“If we have time, why not?”
Carly jumped in place. “Why not?”
Angie gave him a wink, pleasure filling her face. She hurried down the row, selected a few more perennials, and after he loaded her choices in the cart, he pushed it toward the cashier. Many times things he longed to know flew into his head, but those kinds of questions needed time. Instead he trod lightly. A lifetime didn’t happen in a day. Angie clung to a private past she seemed unwilling to share. He could learn a lesson from her silence. Already he’d revealed too much.
