Must Love Flowers(36)

“Do you think you’ll go back to the group sessions?” she asked, although it was clear that Joan had enjoyed it.

“I will…only…”

“Only what?”

“You’ll never guess who else was there,” Joan said.

“You’re right, I probably won’t, so tell me.”

“Phil Harrison.”

“The landscaper?” That was a surprise.

“I assumed he was married, and now I’m unsure. He didn’t mention why he was in the group, and I didn’t ask.”

Maggie noticed the way Joan twisted her hands. “Does it bother you that he’s part of the group?”

“Not necessarily, although I’ll admit he didn’t say much. If anything, I believe he was as surprised to find me there as I was to see him.”

“Did you talk to him after the meeting?”

“I wanted to,” Joan admitted, “but I got distracted by Dr. O’Brien, who wanted feedback on how I thought the meeting went. By the time we finished, Phil had already left.”



* * *



—

Friday afternoon, Maggie was in a good mood. She’d taken the last of her finals and felt confident she’d done well. The morning had started out gray and cloudy as she headed to work and then to the college campus. By the time she finished the exam, the sky was a dazzling shade of blue and the sun was out.

Maggie spent the early afternoon at the school with the two children she tutored. Both Caleb and Victoria had made progress since she’d started working with them on their reading problems.

“We only have three more weeks of school,” Caleb reminded her, as if he was carefully counting down the days. It had been difficult for him to be still, and he repeatedly bounced against the back of his chair. “Mrs. Patrick said if I can read at grade level, I won’t need to attend summer school.”

“That’s amazing! You’re almost there, Caleb.” Maggie knew that would give him the incentive he needed to do his assigned reading homework. Grinning, Caleb nodded, as if it was a done deal.

“This doesn’t mean you can slack off, you know.”

One bounce, then two. “I won’t, I promise.”

“Good,” she said with a wink.

Her next student was Victoria, who was a shy, sweet girl. Maggie suspected she didn’t have a great home life and had little support from her single mother when it came to completing her schoolwork. With encouragement and praise, Victoria had made great strides in her reading.

“Look at you,” Maggie said, praising the youngster, who had sounded out the word magazine without any help. “Pretty soon you’re going to be reading at a college level.”

Victoria blushed and offered Maggie a timid smile.

Maggie had grown close to both her students and was proud of the hard work they had put in and the progress they’d made. Feeling invigorated, she headed back to the house, her mind churning over ways to reward her star pupils at the end of the school year.

When Maggie arrived at the house it was after four. She found Phil busy at work, mowing the lawn.

“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.