“If we wait for Bennett to get a clue, you’ll be on your death bed before he realizes what he’s missing out on,” Lottie says.
“Look who sounds so assured. Mom had to talk to you. Poor Brooks was like a dog behind a fence with a steak on the other side, panting to be let free.” Romy picks up one of the caramel candies we sell.
Poppy smacks her hand. “Are you paying for that?”
“She thinks everything around the ranch is hers for the taking.” Lottie raises her eyebrows. “Payback for throwing me under the bus. And you know how much I struggled with my feelings for Brooks.”
Poppy puts her arm around Lottie’s shoulder. “It’s all in the past now. You’re happily married.”
“That I am.” Lottie sticks her tongue out at Romy, but Romy only shrugs and searches the counter for something else to eat.
“Mom?” Leia runs out of the back room, Wren right behind her. She stops and stares at all the women, shrinking back into herself.
“Whoa, those eyes give her away,” Lottie says.
“So does the nose.” Romy points, then turns to Poppy. “How did you not see it?”
“Leave me alone, I didn’t know about…” Poppy lets her words trail off. “What’s up, girls?”
“Hi, Leia, I’m your Aunt Lottie, and the one with the mouth full of food is your Aunt Romy.” Lottie points at herself. “I’m the cooler one in case you were wondering.”
“Hi.” Leia lifts her hand, and she meets my gaze behind them all.
Wren comes up to her side. “We want to make flower arrangements.”
Lottie looks at Romy. “Us too. Get her hands busy so she can stop eating everything she sees.”
Wren is already rushing toward The Stem Bar. “Do we get to cut stuff?”
Leia steps closer, her voice softer. “Can we really make our own bouquets?”
I crouch down between them. “Absolutely. You’ll each pick out three flowers, then we’ll go over the next step.”
“You know, since Delaney started here, this little bar has been very popular,” Poppy says.
I look at her over my shoulder. “I’m sure it always was. It’s a great idea.”
“I think they like that you guide them and help.” Poppy smiles at me.
“I think you’re saying that so I’ll continue to work here.”
We had a conversation about me moving on a few days ago. It’s too hard to be around Bennett and not actually be with him. Neither of us can move into our new relationship roles when we’re together all day. As it is, I’m not going up to Blue Prairie much. Once a week maybe, to direct the workers and help solve any problems. I miss doing it myself, but I think it might be hard for Bennett to look me.
“Are you thinking about leaving?” Darla asks, settling into one of the armchairs nearby.
I show the girls how to strip the leaves off the stems and let them pick whatever colors they love. Wren pulls out every bright hue under the sun, whereas Leia, more careful, compares them to each other and pulls out more pastel ones.
“You have your daddy’s eye,” Poppy says to Leia, and she freezes, staring up at Poppy. “He’s just a very careful person, thinks things through. Not like our little Wren, who dives in and goes for what she wants and doesn’t second guess her decision.”
Poppy’s trying to make her comment better, and the frown she gives me suggests she regrets it.
“Both are great qualities,” I say.
“Does that mean I’m more like my mom?” Wren asks, her voice slightly shaky.
“It means you’re like me.” Darla raises her hand. “It’s not good or bad, just unique to you.”
Thank you, Darla.
