Olivia's Garden

By Irene Martini

Olivia Edwards is a teacher who started her garden to help her cope with a tragic loss and now uses her garden to teach her Advanced Biology students about life as well as science. She shows them that life can be beautiful at times and challenging to survive at times. In so doing unbeknownst to her, she is giving them life lessons that some never forget.
Leif Holverson is a radiologist living with an ongoing nightmare from his past feeling that no one will ever want to love him because he has so much responsibility to care for disabled parents while dealing with a hateful brother and his wife both of which never allow to him have a life of his own always demanding he give all of his free time to helping with his parents who are bitter and angry after the accident that robbed them of a normal life. Meeting Olivia Edwards while working, he finds that his heart is drawn to her. Although denying himself the freedom to love, he finds that she and her garden have the ability to heal his broken family by revealing secrets that set him free from self inflicted restraints.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 20, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465379658

Irene Martini

I was born and raised in the Bay Area of California where I attended school and met a teacher that not only inspired me to love reading but writing as well. Combined with my need for adventure, the two made a great addition to my life and my writing. I started writing when reading wasn’t enough anymore. I have been able to travel from the West coast to the East coast and visit almost all fifty of the United States and part of Canada. I never sought higher education I sought the physical adventures like traveling Camping, hiking, white water rafting. I share those adventures in some way with my readers as my experiences become part of my characters lives as well. I now live in Tennessee with my husband where we still share adventures together and watch our daughters teach and share with their children the adventures we always took them on. Now I am taking the leap into publishing sharing some of my experiences in the form of inspirational and intriguing romance stories based all over the United States and Canada. For me it’s the beginning of a new adventure.

Book preview

Chapter One

OK, class, I expect to see you this Saturday, and I expect you to be ready to work, Olivia Edwards told her students, hearing moans when it was going to cost them a Saturday.

I have plans, one of her students told her as she handed out the directions to her farm, where all her students contributed to the huge garden she used for teaching when the weather was good.

I informed everyone of this day three weeks ago. It is part of your grade, and if you are unable to participate because you did not plan ahead, you will lose a half a grade point, she warned her watching her huff, before grabbing the papers from her hands passing them back. Remember, people, I told you about these outside projects when classes started back in August. I also informed you they would sometimes be held on Saturdays, weather permitting. All of you signed a form of acknowledgment. she reminded them so no one else would complain, and all that felt it wasn’t worth their time, knew they would lose a half a grade point. Since we are on location on Saturday, tomorrow will be a light day, she added, hearing everyone murmuring happily. See you Saturday. Class dismissed, she said with a smile, walking back over to her desk. She loved teaching botany, and she loved using it to extend her garden: the whole reason she had invested in several acres when the market was ripe. Packing up her satchel, she smiled heading for the exit.

Hey, Livy, we are all going out. Want to join us? Heidi Mendoza, a fellow botanist and a good friend, asked.

Sure. Where to? she answered with a friendly smile as they walked toward the parking lot.

Michael was suggesting Hap’s, she said with a wink, knowing Livy loved that place.

Michael has good taste. I am going to run by and check on my mother. Then I will be there, she told her, tossing her bag on the passenger seat of her car, ducking inside. With Heidi’s nod, she backed out heading home. Mom? she called out after passing through the house not finding her inside, and it was a beautiful day even though it was slightly chilly. Stepping out onto the deck, she smiled watching her mom sitting in the gazebo, sipping her tea, and visiting with her friends. Hi, I see you have company. Molly, Dana, good to see you, she said, hugging her mom’s shoulders.

Are you staying in? her mother asked, about to pour her a cup of tea.

Actually, I was invited to go out tonight, at least for dinner. I won’t be late, she told her, not taking a seat.

OK, have a nice time, she said with a smile. Returning her smile, she left her mother to visit with her friends and giggled when her mother told her friends that Livy needed to find a man and settle down. Ever since her father had died, her mother had lived with her. It was going on four years now, and although she had dated a few times, no one showed any real interest in her or her profession in anyway. She loved gardening, and she loved sharing that with others: one of the reasons she was a botanist and had bought enough land to let her students practice what they learned in class. Changing into something more casual and comfortable, she tossed her dry cleaning on the chair. She would drop it off tomorrow before she headed to work. Although her students were going to have a light day, she was not, at least not all day. She would have to turn in grades and take care of a few other things she hadn’t had time to do lately. Looking out the window, before she left, she heard her mother laughing and loved the sound of it. She missed it. Her mother had withdrawn after losing her dad, and it had worried her a lot: one reason she had moved her in with her. It was a large house on several acres, and with her students’ help, she was turning it into a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, no matter what the season. Reaching the restaurant, she joined her friends at the bar while they waited for a table. Ordering her usual virgin daiquiri, she smiled at the bartender and then giggled when Michael teased her about not drinking so much. All of them pretty much just ordered one drink and then made it last through the wait and partially through dinner. Taking a seat at the table, they talked about the upcoming schedules and breaks.

So I hear you have a class project Saturday? Michael asked as he sat beside her at the table, wishing she would agree to go out with him.

Yes, it’s one of many. She giggled, finishing off her drink before switching to water to go with the seafood dish she had chosen.

That’s too bad. I was going to invite you to join me and my family on the lake, he said with a warm smile.

Olivia looked at him with a smile: glad she was busy. He didn’t seem to take her seriously when she told him dating and the workplace was not a good idea. She had tried it once, and afterward, it had become very awkward for both of them. And it had never matured to anything more than a few kisses before she knew he just wasn’t that man she was looking for, especially when he saw her garden and said it was a lot of work and maintenance he would never want to deal with. It was like insulting her baby because, right now, her garden was like a child to her: she nurtured it, fed it, watered it, and loved spending time in it. Thanks, but you know how I am when the weather is perfect like it has been, she told him, not acting as if it were any big deal that he had mentioned asking her out again even after she had made it clear she was not interested in him that way.

Maybe next time, he said with disappointment, looking over at Heidi. How about you? Are you free? he asked with a smile.

Actually, yes, I am, she answered with a smile and then winked at Livy. If she wasn’t interested in him, perhaps she wouldn’t mind if she accepted his invite.

Excuse me, Livy said, pulling out her phone before getting up to answer it. Hi, Mom, she said with a smile. What happened? she asked with concern.

I’m sorry, honey. I just slipped off the step and fell. I think I twisted my knee, she told her with pain in her voice.

It’s OK, Mom. I will be right there, she assured her, going back to her table. I have to go. My mom fell, she told them, grabbing her purse and tossing the money for her meal on the table.

Will she be OK? Heidi asked with concern. She liked Jessica Edwards. She was a sweet, caring person.

I’ll let you know. Sorry I have to leave so suddenly. See you tomorrow, she said in a hurry, turning to leave. Reaching the house, she went inside, finding her mother still sitting on the patio steps, her hands at her knee. Mom, can you move at all? she asked, kneeling down beside her.

With some help, I could probably make it to the car, she told her, allowing her to place her arm around her shoulders while she gently helped her to her feet, noticing how she grimaced with pain. Moving slowly, she placed her in the car, running around to get in behind the wheel.

I’m sorry, Mom. I guess I should make the steps a little easier for you to get down. I actually thought about a ramp. How would you feel about that? she asked, trying to keep her mind off the possibilities.

It was just an accident, Livy. Nothing you should change on my account, she told her with a weak smile, staying in her seat until Olivia came back with a wheelchair. Making sure she was seated, she ran to park the car and then came back to push her inside. After getting her registered, she sat back and waited, and then jumped up when her mother moaned passing out.

Help! she called out, trying to support her so she did not fall out of the chair. With a nurse rushing out to get her and take her immediately back, she gathered up her things, trying to keep up. Coming around a corner, she collided with a man, gasping as her purse fell to the floor along with her satchel of papers she needed to grade. Glancing up, she looked into his incredibly blue eyes. I am so sorry, she hurried to say as she tried to gather her things up and see where they had taken her mother.

It’s OK, he told her looking around, when he saw her eyes locked on the woman in the wheelchair being placed in a room. When she got up, leaving her things and running for the room, when they called for a doctor to come quickly, he watched her gasp, running straight into the room. Finishing picking up her purse and the papers, scattered across the floor, he carried them back to the room she had gone into. Knocking softly, he pushed open the door, seeing her holding a woman’s hand, her eyes filled with worry. I thought you might like to have these with you, he told her with a soft smile, placing them on the counter.

Thank you, she told him forcing a smile, because he had been so kind to do that for her. With a nod, he left the room while she waited for her mother to wake up. It had just been the pain making her pass out, no heart problems or any other thing other than the pain from her fall. Waiting in her room while she was taken to x-ray, she straightened out the papers making sure they were all there. Going through her purse, she tried to straighten it out the best she could, considering she had just started shoving everything back into after spilling it out. She needed to clean it out. She had too much stuff in it. Stepping out of the room looking for a restroom, she freshened up stepping out to see the man she had collided with earlier standing just outside her mother’s room. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to run into you like that, but my mother was…

No need to apologize, he told her with a smile. I’m Leif Holverson. I just took the x-rays of your mother’s leg. I was just about to give them to her doctor, he told her so she would know why he was standing outside her room.

Oh, OK. Well, is she going to be OK? she asked, pushing open the door.

Placing them on the light panel, he looked them over, with her doctor telling him what he saw. Will I need it replaced? Jessica asked as they spoke. She had had problems with it for years. It wasn’t the first injury and had been told it could lead to this.

Actually, it is repairable this time. And with advanced technology, we can hopefully prevent replacement for a long while, her doctor told her.

When you say repairable, what are you saying she needs done? Olivia asked nervously.

Well, she tore some tendons and strained some ligaments, but with some repair work, we can have her up and walking in a few months’ time, he told them with a smile as if that was hardly any time at all.

Watching the radiologist remove the x-rays from the panel, she couldn’t help but notice the light reflecting off his blond hair. He was strong and handsome, she thought, unable to pull her eyes away from him until he happened to look up catching her watching him. I will make sure her orthopedic doctor gets these, he said with a smile, before leaving the room. Stepping out of the room, while her mother discussed things with the doctor, she walked over to the counter where the radiologist stood talking with one of the women seated behind it.

I just wanted to thank you for everything, she told him with a genuine smile.

You are welcome, he told her, handing over the file of x-rays to the woman he had been chatting with. I am sure she will be fine once she has the surgery she needs to repair the damage.

I hope so. My mom would not like being immobile. Two months is going to drive her crazy, she told him with a slight giggle.

It would drive anyone crazy, he told her with a chuckle, liking the way her hair slipped over her shoulders when she looked down at her phone when it vibrated but didn’t answer it. He also liked the startling dark turquoise color of her eyes when she looked back up at him.

You have a point. She giggled again, before noticing the woman at the desk looked a bit annoyed that she had interrupted their conversation. I should get back. I just wanted to thank you and let you know I appreciated you bringing me my purse and things. I normally would never have just got up and left them like that, but I was so worried, she explained.

All in a day’s work, he teased, walking her back over to the room her mother was in. I think she will be going home here shortly. Perhaps you would enjoy some coffee? he asked, not wanting to just forget about her. She was beautiful and friendly.

Do they have a place I could grab a cup? she asked with appreciation, knowing they would be a little while longer.

Yes, right down here. He showed her a room where he poured her a cup, handing it to her, and then one for him.

Olivia Edwards, she told him offering her hand, thinking she should at least let him know who he was having coffee with. Although most call me Livy, she added casually as she added cream and sugar to her coffee.

Livy, I like that, he said without thinking and then smiled trying to cover over his friendly tone. So, Livy… he said with a chuckle, watching her giggle again. Are you seeing anyone? he asked boldly, making her laugh.

No, she answered him, shaking her head no.

Then perhaps you would consider going out with me? he asked again boldly, making her pause in drinking her coffee and look up at his handsome face.

When? she found herself asking, a feeling of nervousness coming over her. She had never in all her life went out with a total stranger she met some place.

I work this weekend, but perhaps Monday if you can make the time? he told her, stirring his coffee and placing the spoon down as he looked over at her. He hadn’t dated anyone since he had moved back here, and for some reason he just felt he had to ask this woman out.

I think I can arrange that if my mother is able to be left on her own. She lives with me, and I want to make sure she is alright before I leave her alone, she told him so he would understand her answer.

I can understand that. Here is my number. Just call if you can’t make it. Otherwise, I can either pick you up or meet you some place, he told her with a smile.

He seemed to be accommodating and friendly. And he had seen the x-rays, so she knew he understood her reasons for wanting to make sure her mother was OK before she left to go out on a date with anyone. I can meet you some place. Did you have any place in mind? she asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

You choose, he told her, not having gone out much.

OK, how about Strizzi’s? It’s nice yet casual. Centrally located, she told him the reason for her choice.

Say six then? he asked, making sure that everything was planned ahead of time.

Six, she agreed with a smile.

Leif, you are needed in radiology. The same woman he had been speaking with earlier told him as she stepped into the room.

Thanks, Monica, I will be right there, he said, placing his cup in the trash. Following her out, he held the door for Livy. Leaving her at her mother’s door, he went on to work. He could not believe he had actually asked out someone so boldly like that. All through college and his other job, he had never just boldly asked someone out like that. Glancing back, he saw her stepping into the room. Why had he been so bold with her?

Did they say when you could leave? she asked her mother, taking a seat in a chair while they waited.

Just waiting for some routine tests to come back, then I can go, she told her, touching the brace on her leg. I hope this all works out this time. I hate not being able to get around on my own, she said looking over at Livy.

I know, Mom, she said, getting up to take her hand. We will work something out so you can get around. And until you are back on your feet, I will see about getting home health in at least once a day so you don’t have to do everything on your own, she told her looking up, just as her doctor came in. Releasing her with instructions, they helped her into a wheelchair and pushed her outside to get into the car. On the way home, she assured her mother she would be home all weekend but did have a class project in the garden on Saturday morning. With a smile, her mother nodded; she liked it when she had her students over. She would sit and watch them work and normally provide refreshments, but this time, she would just be sitting. Making sure she was in bed and needed nothing else for the night, Livy went to her room, dropping onto her bed with exhaustion. It was after midnight, and she had to get up so early. Lying back, she closed her eyes for a few minutes.

Livy! Her mother called out from her room. Livy rolled to her side glancing at the clock. Sitting up, she gasped it was after seven. She should already be at the school getting ready for class. Running a bit late? her mother teased as she helped her to the restroom.

More than a little. Livy giggled, leaving her for a few minutes to make the necessary call. She would go in, but she was going to be a bit late.

So how is your mom? Heidi asked, seeing her coming through the door just after nine.

She hurt her knee. It’s going to require surgery. But not full replacements, thank goodness. You know, my mom, she hates being immobile, she told her as she entered her classroom, relieving the sub between classes.

So how long will she be laid up, and will you still be able to go with the class on our nature walk next month? she asked waving at Michael, when he stepped out of his room.

They are talking a couple of months, but I think I can get one of her friends to sit with her that day. I don’t want to miss it if I don’t have to, Livy told her looking up, when she noticed who she had been waving at, wondering if after she left last night, they had enjoyed being one-on-one. She only hoped it did not end up like hers had when she was working at the university.

Well, just let me know, because I will need to replace you if you can’t make it, she told her casually, her eyes still watching Michael. Isn’t he just the cutest guy? she asked with a giggle.

He is nice-looking, yes. She had to admit because he was. But she had to think Leif Holverson was what she would consider a hunk: his strong jawline, blond hair, and strikingly deep blue eyes, with his tan skin and straight white teeth, not to mention his build. He definitely had a nice build and all of that; she had noticed about a total stranger from the moment she laid eyes on him. Michael—she had worked with for four years now and still hadn’t paid much attention to his physical attributes other than his friendly smile. He was a colleague, and she just didn’t let herself look at them as potential interests.

We stayed after you left last night. Did you know his family owns a boat they take out on the lake all of the time? They live in the estates, and it’s my guess he comes from money, she said with another giggle, pulling her eyes away from Michael and looking at her friend who hadn’t said a whole lot.

He mentioned the boat once, but I did not know anything else. I am sorry, Heidi, I overslept and I ran late. Can we visit at lunch? she asked her calmly as she went through the papers she needed to hand back today.

"Actually, I am having lunch with Michael. Both of us are off after lunch so we are going out on a lunch date. See, we get everything done on time," she teased, watching how Livy scrambled through her satchel looking for papers she needed to grade.

Livy looked up at her with a smirk, making her friend laugh. I would have had them finished had I not been at the hospital most of the night with my mom. She giggled out knowing Heidi was just teasing her.

I know. See you Monday, I guess, she said walking toward the door when the bell rang and students began entering their classrooms.

Livy looked out the door, noticing Heidi and Michael talking and laughing before heading to their rooms. She smiled, knowing Michael was a nice guy, and Heidi was a kind and loving person. Maybe it would work out for them. Closing her door, she turned to her class with a smile.

Saturday morning at eight, she was opening her front door to the first students that were arriving. Since she taught seniors, most brought themselves or carpooled with friends. So after making sure everyone was there, she offered sunscreen, hats, and water before she took them all out back. Her mother was sitting in the gazebo and most stopped to say hello, before following Livy out to the area they would be working in this year. OK, this is your classes’ project area. Each of you will be assigned a six-by-six-foot section, and I expect you to learn about the soil, the plants you choose, and the environment surrounding them. I already have the sections marked off and your names are on them. As you plan out your area, be sure you advise me of any water or electrical needs as I have electrical installed. I want you to use your imaginations. Design and plant your area with plants that capture your attention and can survive the climate here. Water features can use no more than a quarter of your subject area, and the results of your work will be your final grade at the end of the year. I will be happy to assist you in choosing plants. There is a list of local nurseries in the area and online sites you can order from also, she told them handing out the lists. Today, I would like to see you sit in your area and map out what you want to do with it. I want a detailed drawing by Monday. Make sure to list plants you would like to use and do your research as far as what’s available and then list the scientific name as well as all the attributes of the plant. Make sure one can coexist with another. No walls will be allowed over eighteen inches and have to be made of natural elements: wood, stone, etc., she explained as she walked them around the large area, letting them see how other classes had used their areas: some were flourishing, others struggling. Any questions?

Yeah, how long do we have to stay here today? Chelsea Hendricks asked with little interest in the actual project.

You are free to leave after planning out your idea: a rough draft is fine. Make sure to take a sample of the soil to test over the weekend and add the results to you report. Feel free to take your time—you have until noon. Look around at some of the other areas and get ideas, but I would prefer you made it your own, she told them with a smile, not missing how Chelsea smirked as she glanced around. Why she was in this special class puzzled her. She was very smart, but seemed to have little interest in gardening, so why botany? Why applied sciences? OK, find your section and have fun. I will be in the gazebo with my mother if any of you have any more questions, she told them before watching them disperse to find their assigned areas: some chattering excitedly, others just chatting about what they were going to do once they left here. Sitting at the table with her mother, she picked up her coffee.

Looks like you have a few students that are not all that interested in gardening this year? her mother said as they sat watching the kids looking at the garden and the areas they would be working, while some were settling down right in the dirt to map out their ideas, others stood back sizing it up. Then others were just sketching without even showing much interest in their area.

Yes, one in particular seems very disinterested, and it puzzles me why she is in this class, she told her as her eyes moved to Chelsea and how she just stood there doing nothing—not browsing, not drawing, and not even taking a soil sample.

She seems angry and unhappy to be here, Jessica said as she looked at the young woman her daughter’s eyes were locked on.

She is. She had other plans. But they lose a half a grade point if they don’t show up, Livy told her before getting up to check on some students that had stepped behind some tall growing plants. Finding them embracing and about to kiss, she cleared her throat. Humm ummm. Startling them she tilted her head toward the work area and fought not to giggle when they both blushed walking back toward the bare ground they were supposed to be working on. Everyone! she called out, waving for them to gather near the work sight. As romantic and relaxing as gardens can be, I have to ask that you keep to your work assignments and leave extracurricular activities for another time, she said, not mentioning whom she had caught that spurred that announcement, but making it clear that kind of behavior during a school project at her home was not going to be tolerated. She did not want anyone accusing her of allowing that at her home. I understand it’s a Saturday and you would probably rather be out enjoying your time in other ways, but this is considered a school project, and I must enforce school rules, she told them calmly yet firmly. With their understanding nods, she left them to walk around seeing what some were coming up with. Chelsea, this is really good, she told her, seeing the beautiful sketch she had drawn.

It’s a start. Can I go now? she asked, sounding bored.

Did you get your soil sample? she asked, making sure she had before she left.

No, I didn’t bring a container. Can’t I get it next time? she asked with annoyance.

No, come with me. I will lend you a container and a kit. But next time, try to come prepared, she told her, walking her over to where her mother sat and reaching in the box she always kept extra supplies in. Handing her the test kit and a small jar, she sent her back to her area. You should see her ideas. If she can make it work, she is going to really be an asset to the botany field, she told her mother as she watched Chelsea stoop down to dig out some dirt and place it in her container. Straightening, she placed it in her pocket.

I am done. Can I leave now? she asked after returning to her.

Yes, and thank you for coming, she told her with a friendly smile. There was just something about this girl that got to her: not in a bad way, in a curious to find out her story way. As the morning passed, she took her mother inside and waved as the last few students got into a car to leave. It had been a successful morning. Mom, I need to run to the store. Do you want to come? she asked, not wanting to assume she would want to stay home just because she was on crutches.

No, honey, I think I am just going to stay inside today, getting a bit warm out, she said after being seated in her lounge chair with a remote in her hand.

OK, well, do you need anything? she asked, picking up her purse after placing her hair in a clip.

We are getting low on bread and bottled water, she told her with a smile before clicking on the television. Kissing her on the cheek, Livy left the house heading to the nearest nursery first, then to the grocery store. She always made up a gift set for one of her students. Names were drawn, and it supplied several tools and items needed for working in the garden along with a gift card to use online or in a store for whatever plants the student might need. And she always contributed at least one plant off each students list since it was her property, and they were actually making it the beautiful area she enjoyed on her days off. Returning to the house, she went inside, pulling a throw over her mother as she napped in her lounge. Stepping out back, she walked over to Chelsea’s area and pictured it the way Chelsea had drawn it. It had a fountain and a small pond and lush green plants and a small palm. She wondered how she planned on paying for all of it—most started with small plants, inexpensive ones, that she had to nurture after classes ended and the students went on to college. Her whole garden was planted by four years of students and all their hard work—some having come back to see them once in a while, others never even were asking about them again. But she enjoyed them and kept up the student’s names that had designed and planted each section. Some students would work together blending their areas, which for her was even more beautiful because it was so cohesive. She never made straight lines. All her beds were curved and had stone pathways leading to and around them, benches to rest on, and shade trees to sit under. Walking around to the first area she had ever let her students use, which had been a pet project for her since it was her first attempt at getting the students involved, she smiled dropping down to pull a few weeds and touch some of the beautiful plants that swayed in the warm breeze. It was the middle of September. Planting would begin within two weeks for the newest area, and this one was always growing and flourishing since it was close to the house and had so many varieties of plants and flora that she found herself sitting in the tiny area with a table and two chairs made out of wrought iron. Running her hand over the table, she thought about the student who had designed it, telling her she just wanted a place that was quiet and all her own. She had gone on to attend college and now worked at a university in the east. She had lived a difficult life and had very little money to contribute for her project, yet the simple things she did and the way it was presented had won her first place in the class voting. She had also won the drawing for the gift basket to help with her project, which is what kept Livy always giving them out. And this year, she may just give out two, one by drawing, and if it wasn’t the student she thought needed it the most, she would give her one for the beautiful drawing she wanted to see come to life. But she would never forget Amber Milligan, her first recipient of the gift basket. Smiling, she got up to go inside. She needed to grade papers and start dinner. She was going to have a busy week ahead of her.

Leif glanced at his watch before leaving work. It had been a long, tiring day, and he was looking forward to having tomorrow off. He would stay home and do his general cleaning and laundry before he prepared for his date with Olivia Edwards—a date he was looking forward to more than any other he had gone out on. He had enjoyed a few dates while going through college, but he had only loved one other woman, but since her, he had not found someone that actually grabbed his attention like this one beautiful woman had. There was just something so unique about her. She had thanked him for doing his job—for bringing her purse into her, then actually accepted a date offer from him. Perhaps instead of being so eager, he should be more cautious. He had been hurt before when he asked someone he knew out, what if this turned out worse than that? But how could it? She knew nothing about him or his family. He had looked up Strizzi’s. It was slightly high for his budget right now, which mostly went to paying back his student loans and living expenses. He would have to break out his credit card, something he hated having to do. He only hoped it turned out to be worth the expense. Somehow he felt it would despite his negative attitude at the moment. Tossing his keys on the table, he grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat down to turn on the game: it was football season.

Chapter Two

Rushing out to her car, the rain beating down on the umbrella she held over her head, Livy threw her purse on the passenger seat, sitting her satchel on the floorboard. She had just enough time to get home, make sure Molly was still able to sit with her mother, and then change and meet her date. She was looking forward to it. It had been so long since she had gone out on one that she was nervous but ready. At least she knew what he did for a living. And he seemed so laid back and friendly. Would he like her garden? Would he enjoy walking through it with her? Too soon to worry about, considering this was only the first date, at least she hoped it was only the first of many. Could he be Mr. Right? Making sure everything was OK at home, she changed into a dress that was not too fancy but at least pretty. It was a bit chilly, so she grabbed a jacket before kissing her mother’s cheek and dashing back out into the rain to make it on time. Stepping from the car, she popped up her umbrella, walking quickly to get inside, hoping to see him already waiting. Smiling, she joined him at the bar ordering her usual. Hi, was hoping you would already be here, she said, sitting on the stool beside him.

Barely, I had the day off, but I had some things I had to do, he told her, not telling her what. But I was not going to stand you up, he assured her seeing a smile brighten her face.

I guess I should have given you my number in case something had come up, she told him, accepting her glass from the bartender before getting up to precede Leif to their table. He must have made reservations since they were seated so quickly after coming in.

Only to let you know I might run late, not cancel, he told her, pulling out a chair for her. Once she was seated, he took the seat beside her, not across from her. He loved the smell of her perfume, and when she removed her jacket, he saw the pretty dress she was wearing beneath. She had definitely taken this date seriously. She would never have accepted another date with him had he not shown up, and although his brother was angry at him for bailing on him before the work was done, he knew it was worth it to see Livy’s pretty face smiling back at him like that.

Then perhaps I should give it to you so we don’t have to worry about it anymore, she teased, jotting it down on a napkin to hand to him. With a chuckle, he added her name to it before placing it in his pocket. She was definitely worth it.

So, Livy, you know what I do. What is it that you do? he asked after they placed