All those things required a degree or training.
She sighed and glanced at the potted plant on the ledge above her. The leaves were turning brown and it looked like it was about to die. She stuck her finger in the pot. Her finger sunk into soggy dirt.
Getty returned and placed her breakfast in front of her. “I don’t know what’s wrong with that plant. I keep watering it but it seems like it’s destined to die.”
“This kind of plant needs more sun and less water.” Carolina picked up the plant and carried the pot to the window. She set it right where the sunlight was beaming in.
She returned to her booth and grabbed her napkin.
Getty gave her a strange look. “How did you know that?”
“Oh, I love plants. That’s the one thing I really need to do to the lake house. Put some flowers in my flowerbed. “ She gave her a wistful look. “I bet my mums are in full bloom right now. I planted them near my dining room window so I could see them when we ate dinner.”
Getty’s hand slapped the table.
Carolina jumped.
“That’s it. That’s what you need to do.”
“What?” Carolina frowned clearly confused.
“Landscape. Why, the owner of the landscape business, Green Thumb Nursery needs help. She’s an older lady and all her summer help went back to school.”
“Really?” Carolina cocked her head. “People normally landscape their homes in springtime.”
“That may be true. But around here, especially around the lake, people love doing up their flowerbeds and porches for Halloween and Thanksgiving.” Getty pulled off a piece of paper from her pad and scribbled. “Here’s her address. Go over there after you finish breakfast. I’m going to give her a call and tell her that I’m sending you over.”
“Really?” For the first time since arriving, her hopes lifted.
“Yes.” Getty patted her arm. “See, everything works out like it should.”
“I hope so.” She picked up her fork and dug into her omelet. The ingredients blended together in a wonderful medley and made her mouth water for more.
“This is wonderful.” Carolina’s eyes closed in pleasure.
“Glad you like it.” Getty sobered. “Oh and hun?”
“Yes?”
“The owner is an older woman, kind of set in her ways. But don’t worry. Her bark is far worse than her bite.” Getty nodded encouragingly.
“I’ll remember that.” She smiled. After dealing with her former mother-in-law, she could take on anyone.
Chapter 23
Carolina pulled up to the landscape business. The building was in need of paint and the sign out front had two missing letters. Lining the cracked sidewalk under the window that was in bad need of a washing, the summer plants were starting to die and the mums needed desperate attention. She saw some pumpkins and small hay bales off to the side but they were not arranged in any kind of presentation.
She slid out of her jeep and walked over to the area with the stone and rock. The owner had a nice assortment but she could do more to draw attention to her merchandise.
“I’ll be with you in a minute.” A woman called out from behind the building.
“Take your time.” Carolina returned the greeting and spotted the large greenhouses. She made her way over to the first one and peeked inside.
There were evergreens in all shapes and sizes and near the back were some asparagus ferns probably left over from the summer.
She exited that building and went into the next greenhouse. This time she smiled when she stepped inside. The three large tables were overflowing with mums in shades of yellow, red, orange, and burgundy. She was surprised to see so many inside and not set outside to showcase the merchandise.
Carolina proceeded into the third building which housed a table of pumpkins, again all shapes and sizes, and a table of poinsettias along with miniature Christmas trees.
