to work on the muffin top won’t make a difference.
Ryan walked in with Katie dancing by his side. “Jennifer made you some muffins if you feel up to eating anything.”
“Smells scrumptious. You bet I’ll eat one, maybe even two, before I go to work.”
Iris and Ryan both frowned at her.
“What? I’m feeling good. I can’t just sit around here all day, I’ll go crazy.”
Ryan looked at Iris. “I have to go to work. I’ll let you deal with your stubborn daughter. Come on Katie. Jennifer is taking you to the playground today.”
Iris grinned at Lily. “You can stop sucking in your gut now. You certainly weren’t doing it to impress me.”
“What? You could tell?”
“If Marigold was here, she would have been able to tell. Listen, honey, just be yourself. You’re much more interesting with all your imperfections. Perfect is not remarkable.”
“I was just trying to be perfect like you, Mom.” Lily managed to keep a straight face for about three seconds, then they both howled with laughter. “Are you coming to the shop with me to make sure I don’t overdo it?”
“Do I need to?” Iris asked with a your-mother-knows-best look.
“Nope. I promise to take it easy and Daisy will be there to help.”
Lily savored every crumb of the muffins, even licking her fingers. “Ryan is gonna get fat if Jennifer stays with him. She’s a great cook and she seems to like it too. I hope she always makes enough for me.”
“Go take a shower. See how that goes and then decide about going to work.”
The hot water pelting on her felt like it was washing all the fear away. She couldn’t put her finger on what was making her feel fearful but there was something lurking in the background. She still couldn’t remember what happened at the museum. Something happened and it had seeped into her dreams. Was someone out to get her? Work was the best remedy to clear her head.
Dressed in her usual uniform of jeans and a t-shirt, she was good to go. “I’m ready. Feeling like a new me.”
Iris was skeptical but Lily was a big girl and she could learn the hard way if that was the way she wanted it. “ Let’s go. Do you want me to carry anything for you?”
“All I need is my tote. It should be here someplace but I can’t find it. Not that important, maybe I left it at the shop.”
Lily walked into chaos at her shop. Besides the phone ringing, customers lined up and Daisy furiously wrapping flowers, she inhaled the sweet scent of the flowers which always helped her feel better. This was her sanctuary whether it was hectic or quiet. Daisy looked up when the door jingled. “I’ve never been happier to see you, Lily. Get the phone, I’ll take care of these customers.” So much for a moment of reflection.
Lily jotted down the phone order and saw the list already waiting to get done. She hurried to the design area to get going on the list of orders. Jack, who was managing the local greenhouse, walked in the back door with buckets of flowers. “Where do you want these Lily? I’ve got snapdragons, alstroemeria, hybrid delphinium, dianthus and hosta leaves.”
“Perfect timing. Put them wherever you can find room. I’ll process them when I have time. Everything’s in water already?”
“You bet. How are you feeling? I heard you got whacked last night.”
Lily grinned. “ I’m feeling pretty good, thanks for asking. News sure does travel fast in this town. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, you do have a direct link to Tamara and everyone knows how she likes to share news.”
Jack nodded. “About as fast as a pat of butter melting on a hot griddle. Let me know if you need anything else. ”
“With the look of these orders, I’ll need another delivery later in the week.”
Lily finished up a couple of arrangements and put them in the cooler along with the ones Daisy had already made.
The rest of the day flew by without much peace and quiet. Lily and Daisy worked well together, anticipating what needed
Ryan walked in with Katie dancing by his side. “Jennifer made you some muffins if you feel up to eating anything.”
“Smells scrumptious. You bet I’ll eat one, maybe even two, before I go to work.”
Iris and Ryan both frowned at her.
“What? I’m feeling good. I can’t just sit around here all day, I’ll go crazy.”
Ryan looked at Iris. “I have to go to work. I’ll let you deal with your stubborn daughter. Come on Katie. Jennifer is taking you to the playground today.”
Iris grinned at Lily. “You can stop sucking in your gut now. You certainly weren’t doing it to impress me.”
“What? You could tell?”
“If Marigold was here, she would have been able to tell. Listen, honey, just be yourself. You’re much more interesting with all your imperfections. Perfect is not remarkable.”
“I was just trying to be perfect like you, Mom.” Lily managed to keep a straight face for about three seconds, then they both howled with laughter. “Are you coming to the shop with me to make sure I don’t overdo it?”
“Do I need to?” Iris asked with a your-mother-knows-best look.
“Nope. I promise to take it easy and Daisy will be there to help.”
Lily savored every crumb of the muffins, even licking her fingers. “Ryan is gonna get fat if Jennifer stays with him. She’s a great cook and she seems to like it too. I hope she always makes enough for me.”
“Go take a shower. See how that goes and then decide about going to work.”
The hot water pelting on her felt like it was washing all the fear away. She couldn’t put her finger on what was making her feel fearful but there was something lurking in the background. She still couldn’t remember what happened at the museum. Something happened and it had seeped into her dreams. Was someone out to get her? Work was the best remedy to clear her head.
Dressed in her usual uniform of jeans and a t-shirt, she was good to go. “I’m ready. Feeling like a new me.”
Iris was skeptical but Lily was a big girl and she could learn the hard way if that was the way she wanted it. “ Let’s go. Do you want me to carry anything for you?”
“All I need is my tote. It should be here someplace but I can’t find it. Not that important, maybe I left it at the shop.”
Lily walked into chaos at her shop. Besides the phone ringing, customers lined up and Daisy furiously wrapping flowers, she inhaled the sweet scent of the flowers which always helped her feel better. This was her sanctuary whether it was hectic or quiet. Daisy looked up when the door jingled. “I’ve never been happier to see you, Lily. Get the phone, I’ll take care of these customers.” So much for a moment of reflection.
Lily jotted down the phone order and saw the list already waiting to get done. She hurried to the design area to get going on the list of orders. Jack, who was managing the local greenhouse, walked in the back door with buckets of flowers. “Where do you want these Lily? I’ve got snapdragons, alstroemeria, hybrid delphinium, dianthus and hosta leaves.”
“Perfect timing. Put them wherever you can find room. I’ll process them when I have time. Everything’s in water already?”
“You bet. How are you feeling? I heard you got whacked last night.”
Lily grinned. “ I’m feeling pretty good, thanks for asking. News sure does travel fast in this town. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, you do have a direct link to Tamara and everyone knows how she likes to share news.”
Jack nodded. “About as fast as a pat of butter melting on a hot griddle. Let me know if you need anything else. ”
“With the look of these orders, I’ll need another delivery later in the week.”
Lily finished up a couple of arrangements and put them in the cooler along with the ones Daisy had already made.
The rest of the day flew by without much peace and quiet. Lily and Daisy worked well together, anticipating what needed
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