her father, or perhaps confirm Cathy’s suggestions.
And Monica offered her the perfect opportunity the following day when Emily showed up for work.
As Emily set out her carrot cake, Monica breezed in from the workroom and groaned. “You are going to make me fat.”
“But think how happy you’re making your customers.”
“I don’t know. This used to be an occasional thing for me, but with you here, I’m starting to hear from people how much they look forward to sampling. Are they even buying when they come in, or are they just getting fat themselves?”
Emily laughed. “No, they’re honestly buying. I sold that lovely ceramic vase Mrs. Ludlow painted.”
“Oh, good, because that’s been here a while, and I was starting to feel guilty whenever Mrs. Ludlow asked about it. She’ll get a nice check when I do the monthly consignment payout.” She glanced at the carrot cake again. “You know, Missy was down here late last night. She’d left the apartment to make a call on that smart phone that never leaves her hand. When I came down to work on the Thalberg arrangements, I caught her eating several of yesterday’s mini cupcakes. You’d have thought she was committing a crime. God forbid a sister have hips. We’re not alike in that department.”
Emily smiled, but it faded as she studied Monica. “Are things any better between you?”
Monica shrugged. “Mom keeps us busy when we’re together, visiting family, shopping in Aspen. You’ve been a big help letting me get away. I’m feeling guilty that you’re not able to work on your renovations as much.”
“Don’t be. Now that the drywall is up, and that cracked wall mirror gone, I’ve been able to start the prep work before painting.” She hesitated. “But I didn’t mean to sidetrack from you and Melissa.”
“There’s no me and Melissa anymore, so let’s not discuss it. We’re two people with different interests, and living with her is helping me come to terms with that.”
That didn’t sound like they’d made any progress at all, but Emily knew it was time to drop the subject.
Monica briefly consulted the large calendar on the counter. “You up for doing a delivery for me this morning?”
“Of course!” Emily had already driven Monica’s minivan adorned with the flower-shop logo.
“Several arrangements have to go to the Silver Creek Ranch. I think Mrs. Thalberg’s sister is coming to visit, and she wants fresh flowers to liven the place up.” Monica eyed her. “I assume you don’t mind visiting Nate’s family? His dad’s waiting for the delivery.”
Emily grinned. “It’s such a hardship, but I’ll bear it.”
“I made up the arrangements last night, so they’re waiting in the coolers out back. Let’s go load them in the van.”
Soon Emily was on her way to the ranch. It was the first really warm day of late spring, and she’d worn a sleeveless flowered dress and sandals for work, so she felt presentable for the Thalbergs. Maybe she’d get to meet Nate’s mother. She didn’t call Nate and tell him she was coming out—it was for work, after all. And if she was honest with herself, she didn’t want to hear if he sounded upset about it. They were getting along so well, it would hurt her if he still didn’t want her near his family.
So much for keeping things casual when she already knew he had the power to hurt her. Well, she’d always felt things too deeply; she would have to get over it. She didn’t need a man’s approval anymore.
After crossing the First Street bridge, she glanced down the road toward the boardinghouse, realizing how much she missed the chatter of the widows every morning. She would have to invite them to dinner, now that she had enough places for everyone to sit!
She was sort of surprised at herself, wanting to entertain in an apartment that was so tiny. But it was . . . hers, and she wanted to invite people in and show them what they meant to her.
She followed the winding dirt road to the ranch house, a two-story building made of rough logs, with porches wrapping around both levels. The roof was bright red, matching several of the barns. It was well cared for, and lots of spring flowers grew in the landscaped beds surrounding the house. Several barns rose behind in the distance, as well as other small buildings.
She backed the van up near the front porch, but before she could even bound up the steps, Doug Thalberg was coming through the front door.