Bobby smiled. “We have two flats full of flowers. You’ll get to do plenty!”
Birdie whooped and ran to do cartwheels down the length of the yard. Cassie laughed as she sat back on her heels. Sunlight bounced off her wedding ring, catching her eye. Henry had placed it there on their wedding day, and she’d worn it ever since. It had become a part of her, a symbol of the beautiful relationship she’d shared with her husband. But she would always have those memories, wouldn’t she? Whether she wore the ring every day or not, Henry would always be a part of her.
After a long, slow exhale, she twisted off the ring and stared at her bare hand, testing out the sensation. The pale circle of skin normally hidden under the ring stood out like a brand, but the overwhelming grief she usually experienced when thinking about what the ring symbolized, about life without Henry, didn’t strike her. She flexed her fingers and realized her free hand felt okay. Maybe not completely normal, but okay.
“I should set this aside for Birdie to have one day.”
Bobby nodded. “If you’re ready. You’re the only person who can know that.”
Nick’s face flashed through her mind, but this wasn’t just about him. This was about her and her readiness to move on with her own life.
“I think it’s time.”
She slipped the ring into her pocket. She’d put it in her jewelry box when she went back inside, and someday, she’d give it to her daughter.
“Who planted all those flowers?” Birdie ran up to them, ready to plant again, and pointed to the perennial beds along the fence and below the white mulberry tree.
“They’re perennials. I planted them a long time ago, and they come back every year,” Bobby said.
Birdie reached out and took another begonia from Bobby. “Why don’t you plant sunflowers?”
Bobby stilled at the question, her hand suspended over the flat of begonias resting on her lap.
Cassie pushed herself to her feet, brushed the dirt off her knees, and kept her voice casual. “Maybe they won’t do as well here. Or maybe Bobby doesn’t like them.”
Bobby folded her hands in her lap. “No, that’s not why. Sunflowers are pretty, but sometimes they make me sad.”
Birdie wrapped her dimpled hand around Bobby’s knobby one and leaned over to whisper, “Is that because they were Alina’s favorite?”
A chill ran down Cassie’s spine.
Bobby’s breath caught, and her clear green eyes focused on the girl. “Yes, and my father’s, too.”
Cassie bit back the questions poised on her tongue. Bobby wouldn’t answer them, but hopefully, after talking with Nick this afternoon, she’d know more.
Cassie found Nick on the couch as she emerged from Birdie’s bedroom. “Hi. I just got her down. Thanks for coming over.”
“My pleasure. Your grandmother let me in, then she went to take a nap herself.” He stood up and took a few steps toward her. “It’s nice to have an excuse to see you again so soon.” His cheeks reddened, and he shoved his hands in his pockets. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that last part out loud.”
“It’s okay.” Cassie blushed furiously. “I know you didn’t mean it.”
“Oh, I meant every word of it.” He looked down, then peered up at her through thick eyelashes. “I just probably shouldn’t have said it.”
“Oh.” Cassie’s mind went blank. “I’ll, uh, I’ll go grab everything and meet you in the kitchen.” Grateful for the reprieve, she went to her room and grabbed the box. After taking a few calming breaths to slow down her racing heart, she made her way to the kitchen.
“That’s a lot of sunflowers.” Nick looked up from Birdie’s latest pile of drawings, then moved to take the box from her.
“Yeah, Birdie has developed quite the obsession with them.”
“They’re the national flower of Ukraine, you know.” He set the box down. “Did she always like them?”
“No, it’s a recent development.” She sat down and felt a rush of excitement when he scooted his chair closer to hers before sitting. This is ridiculous. I’m like a lovesick teenager.
Without thinking, Cassie put a hand on his forearm. “I’m grateful for your help.”
Nick covered her hand with his own. “I’m honored to be a part of this. Are you ready?”
Cassie left her hand there, sandwiched between his arm and his calloused hand, for several seconds. It felt so natural to touch him. To be near him. His eyes locked on hers and her breath hitched.