Must Love Flowers(26)

“Good news, I hope.”

“Very good.” Joan spent the next thirty minutes updating her sister on the positive changes she’d made since her birthday.

“Whoa,” Emmie said, clearly overwhelmed. “You took in a boarder, and you’ve seen a counselor.”

“Yup.”

“Anything else you’ve tackled since we last talked, like the homeless situation in Seattle or world peace?”

“Very funny, but I did find a really good landscaper…one with a heart.” She explained how Phil had stepped in to help with the situation between Maggie and her father.

“Is he cute?”

“Oh, come on, Em, he’s married.” Although he hadn’t mentioned a wife, she’d made the assumption. Before he’d left, he’d said it was time to head home, as dinner would be waiting.

“You’re still young, you know. You could easily remarry.”

Her sister was right. Joan was still young enough to consider another relationship. The truth was, she didn’t want to live the rest of her life alone. However, now wasn’t the time to even think about dating again. She had to heal first, and she was a long way from that happening.

She was about to explain her feelings further when the doorbell rang. Still holding on to the phone, she went to the front door, thinking it might be Phil. He’d been early before and was due within the hour.

Only it wasn’t Phil.

There, standing at her front door, was her son, Nick, with an adorable puppy in his hands.

“It’s Nick,” she told her sister. “I have to go.” She opened the screen door for her son.

“Hey, Mom, I brought you a late birthday gift.” Nick thrust the puppy in her direction.

“Nick, no.” She automatically shook her head. No way did she want a dog, and especially not a puppy. They made messes, stinky ones, and chewed on expensive furniture and shoes. They demanded constant attention and love. She didn’t have the time, the inclination, or the desire for a dog in her life.

“You can’t turn down a gift, Mom,” Nick protested.

“Yes, I can.”

Nick was just as adamant. “You said you were thinking of taking in a boarder, remember?”

“Yes, well…”

“You’re lonely and this dog is the perfect solution.”

Joan continued to shake her head. “He’s not a solution; he’s a nuisance.”

Her son refused to listen. “Look into his eyes and tell me you aren’t smitten.”

“I’m not smitten,” she insisted, while avoiding looking at the dog, who whined softly.

“You can’t resist this, can you?” Nick continued, sounding downright gleeful. “You might think you don’t need a dog for a companion, but you do. I’m here to see that you don’t have a reason to be lonely ever again.”

“I don’t need a dog for a companion,” she repeated, and then added, “because—” She didn’t get to finish as her son cut her off.

“You’ll thank me later, I promise you.”

“Nick,” she pleaded again. “No.”

“Here, take him.” He placed the dog into her arms and hurried down the front steps.

“Where are you going?” Joan shouted after him, intent on giving the puppy back to her son.

“I have food, a crate, and a few toys to entertain him. They’re in the truck. I’ll be right back.” He made a quick run from the truck to the house and set everything down in the small foyer. “Sorry, Mom, I’ve got to run. I’m on my lunch break and I gotta get back to work. Love you.”

“Does he have a name?” she shouted.

Nick shook his head as he hopped inside his truck. “You get to name him.”

Great. She looked down at the tiny dog in her hands and he looked back at her and licked her arm.

“Well, well,” she muttered. “I guess we’re stuck with each other.”

The puppy looked up at her, and Joan had to agree with her son. He was adorable.

Just then he peed, as if he’d been holding it far too long. The warm liquid ran down the front of her silk blouse.

As she looked in horror at what he had done, Phil Harrison’s truck turned the corner and pulled up to the front of the house.





Chapter 12





Joan rushed into her bedroom and quickly shucked off her wet blouse and wiped herself down with a washcloth. The puppy sat obediently at her feet as she shuffled through the hangers in her closet, seeking another top. After considering several, she chose a long-sleeved cotton pullover.

Phil had the lawn mower out of his truck and paused when she came onto the front porch. “I see you’re ready to get to work.”

He grinned. “Johnny-on-the-spot is what I like to tell my customers.”

“I appreciate it. Listen, I…hope you don’t mind, but I baked you something. I wanted to thank you for all your help the other day with Maggie and her father. I don’t know what I was thinking, involving you the way I did.” Even now she marveled at how Phil hadn’t hesitated to step into what might have been a delicate situation with Roy Herbert. His insight into Roy’s behavior spoke of a deep compassion and understanding. His wife was a lucky woman.