“Enough,” she fairly shouted and breathed deeply. Okay. Free time bad. Very bad. Evil beyond comprehension. And detrimental to her mental health. Hobbies would be taken up. Anything would be more acceptable than to be left to her own thoughts for any amount of time.
May looked up at the clock and breathed a sigh of relief when it read twelve-thirty. Now she could arrive at the nursery without the owners thinking she didn’t have a life. May bit her lip and looked around the spotless kitchen. Her gaze snagged on the two pieces of grass littering her floor and shook her head.
“That man,” she muttered and smiled. He didn’t know what he was up against. Stubborn was her middle name. If he thought his challenge would go unmet, he had another think coming.
May grabbed her black case and whistled as she walked out the door.
* * * *
The address the owners gave her took her to the outskirts of the north side of town. Untamed foliage exploded around her on the sides of the road, and May admired its natural beauty. She came to a stop sign and frowned at the corner of Brown and Broadway. The nursery was supposed to be on the northwest side. The only building she saw there was a woebegone piece of work with rotten wood boarded over broken windows. A two-story red brick monstrosity that looked like a strong wind would do major damage.
The entire yard was a mass of weeds, litter, and shrubbery. The weeds were easily three feet tall. No telling what lurked underneath.
Surely that couldn’t be the right address. May dug around in her case until she found the piece of paper she wanted. Her brown eyes narrowed on the address, and then she glanced back up.
“Oh, hell.” May rubbed her forehead and then shook her head. The owners’ plan airtight. What in the hell possessed them to buy this ramshackle property and attempt to fix it up? Surely they could have bought a better property? Something other than this realty clusterfuck?
Mist gathered on her window since she turned off the wipers when she reached the corner. May flicked the wipers on quickly and sighed. It would be an extremely short-lived meeting. One of two things would happen. May would insult their choice of buildings, and they would fire her. Or they had more money than sense. Either way, it would definitely be a brief meeting of the minds.
May pulled into the parking lot next to the building and turned her car off. The mist settled on her window again, and she rubbed her leg.
The ache fiercer now. The throbbing deep in her tissue. May reached down and grabbed for the umbrella she kept in the car. She sat back up with a muttered curse. Wonderful day to forget her umbrella. She blew out an unsteady breath and stepped out of the vehicle. Hell of a time for her leg to be giving her problems. It couldn’t be much better.
Even though the front lawn was overgrown with weeds, the path to the door was free of any impediments or uneven sidewalk. May said a silent prayer of thanks and navigated her way slowly to the front door.
A large chunk of mahogany fitted to perfection against a frame that looked like ten-year-olds nailed together. May leaned closer and inspected the door with a slight smile on her face. A work of art. The woodcarver seemed to nick at random until she caught the door in the right light.
There were fields and fields of flowers carved into the door. May recognized tulips, irises, and daffodils. The longer she looked, the more she saw.
There were children skipping along the rows of flowers with baskets hung over their arms and wide smiles on their young faces. It was magnificent, and she stood there enthralled.
The door swung open, and May straightened up with a slight blush on her cheeks. A gorgeous redhead stood there in a scarlet pantsuit. The top held up by two thin spaghetti straps while the pants flared over her ankles and settled slightly above matching sandals with rubies along the straps. The woman’s titian hair fell in wild waves across her shoulders.
The redhead smiled, and her emerald eyes shone. “Come in, May. We’ve been expecting you.” She held out her hand and cupped May’s elbow. May gladly stepped inside out of the rain.
“I hope you didn’t mind getting out in this weather. We’re on a tight schedule, and there are only so many days that allowed us this free time.”
May smiled and tried not to notice the cobwebs along every wall, the floor, and every wall sconce and lamp. There were ivory candles lit along the walls for light. Pieces of broken furniture littered most of the floor, although there existed a trail her hostess led her along.
It felt like walking into a haunted house from her childhood. And although she didn’t see any bugs, she was quite sure they were lurking around and waiting for the best time to jump on her.
The redhead laughed and stopped. She shook her head. “I’m so sorry. I’ve forgotten my manners. I’m Wilda. Sometimes the niceties escape me.” She held out her hand, and May took it.
“May Fairchild. Were you the one I spoke to on the phone?”
Wilda shook her head, and her glorious hair flowed around her. “You spoke to Kendra. She is our youngest sister. The rest of my family is waiting upstairs to meet you and discuss our little venture.”
May stopped in her tracks at the bottom of the stairs. She tilted her head and looked up the twenty or so steps to the top and sighed. Best to just let Wilda know where she stood now.
Wilda already on the third step when she stopped and looked down at May. “Is there something wrong?”
May fought the urge to rub her leg and nodded her head instead. “I have a slight disability in my right leg. Climbing the stairs in this weather isn’t going to happen.”
Wilda cocked her head to the side and studied May. “I understand your reticence. But I would be more than willing to help you to the top.”
May arched an eyebrow and brushed her brown hair back behind her ear. She counted to ten for her temper’s sake and then smiled. “Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear, Wilda.” May looked up into her eyes and spoke slowly. “I won’t be taking the stairs to this meeting. Your family may come downstairs, or the meeting is over.”
Wilda threw back her head and laughed in delight. “Oh, I like you, May.” She walked back down the stairs and stopped next to May. “Let us make a deal, May Fairchild. Will you listen to the terms?”
“I will.”
“You and I will both walk up the stairs together.” May opened her mouth, but Wilda held up her hand. “If you are in pain at any time and cannot continue, I will gladly respect your wishes. This meeting will be over, and you, in no way obligated to listen to us.” She paused, and her green eyes focused sharply on May. “But, if you navigate the stairs in no discomfort, you must listen to our plan and not think us eccentric women with more money than sense. Agreed?”
It was more than fair. And since Wilda summed up May’s thoughts with such a high accuracy, it seemed the least she could do was try to make her way up the stairs. May mentally shrugged. She would be lucky to make it to the third step. The last time she attempted steps had been in her own home. She ended up crawling. It had been one of the most embarrassing moments of her life. At least no one had been there to witness it.
The mist still swirled outside, and the damp weather affected her leg more than usual. The throbbing she felt earlier intensified for a brief moment, and May almost bit her tongue.
Then Wilda took her elbow again and started up the steps.
“We realize this building needs work.” Wilda laughed lightly again. “But we are determined to see our plans flourish here. The outside will have two greenhouses. And I’m sure you saw all the foliage on the way here. It’s almost an advertisement in itself. The bottom floor will have our cut flowers and bouquets. Unique vases. Everything a gardener could want or need for herself.” She nodded. “We also want to add fountains and bird baths eventually. Trees and shrubbery will have its own building. And we will pay special attention to holiday flora.” She glanced at May, and her emerald eyes shone brightly. “There is nothing more beautiful than a flower unfurling and opening itself into the light, is there?”
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May shook her head as she tried to wrap her thoughts around all the plans. They were much grander than the outline stated. She hoped the sisters had enough capital to make these dreams happen and enough ambition to stick to it.
Wilda patted her hand. “But I will let my oldest sister fill you in on all the plans. She is the mastermind of this little venture. I’m only here to help where I can.” She chuckled and looked at May’s outfit. “You have wonderful taste in clothes, though a little drab. Don’t suppose I could talk you into something a bit more vibrant?”
May blinked at the question and then stopped abruptly. Not only were they at the top of the stairs, they were actually six or seven feet past the last step on the landing. She turned slowly and glanced back at the path she followed. It seemed impossible. Her leg throbbed lightly at the exertion, but she hadn’t become a trembling mass of ache.
“I made it.”
Wilda smiled slowly. “Of course you did, my dear.” She patted May’s hand. “Your capabilities are so much higher than you give yourself credit for.” She chuckled. “And now you have to listen to all our hopes, dreams, schemes, and plans.” Wilda led her down the long hallway to the large door at the end.
May puzzled over her journey up the stairs but could barely remember any of it. She focused entirely on Wilda’s words and the plans of the owners. Now out of her haze, she studied the hallway they walked down.
A little better than downstairs, but not by much. The windows were intact, at least. Cobwebs stretched from floor to ceiling. Dust settled on every surface like an old lover. It spoke of neglect and apathy.
May glanced at Wilda in her vibrant designer clothes. She couldn’t see her guide with a broom or a duster. Maybe they planned to hire out the cleaning work.
Wilda stopped at the door and turned slightly. “This is the business office. Whenever we arrange a meeting, it will be here. We will furnish you with a key to the business in case we are not available for you. Is this acceptable?”
“Certainly.” May nodded. The door caught her eye, and she froze. The picture. It wasn’t possible. May ignored Wilda and reached out to touch the door. The scene carved into the wood hung on her hallway wall. And even though the scene was simply carved in wood, May saw it in color.
Four women with arms outstretched toward the sky. The artist painted them as if he or she were behind them. The first woman on the left bathed in fire while her hair floated freely in the flames. The second woman awash in blue waves while her blond hair moved with the tide. The third woman a striking ebony-haired beauty wrapped in a light green funnel of wind. Her dark hair danced along her back.
May paused at the fourth. The last woman was what stopped in her tracks at the Artist’s Fair. Although she couldn’t see a face, May knew the woman was beyond beautiful. Though the door didn’t show any of the colors, May could easily picture the curvy brunette encased in the greenest ivy she had ever seen. The woman stood on coppery brown dirt with blooms growing and clinging to her. The last woman had her arms outstretched, also. But her right hand held a blood-red bloom while her left boasted a palm full of golden butterflies. May straightened and looked at Wilda.
“Where did you get this?”
“It was a gift, May.”
May reached out and touched the wood again. She traced each woman and something flickered in her thoughts.
“Come. We will go inside and discuss our new venture.” Wilda took May’s elbow again and opened the door.
If every other square inch of the building spoke to neglect, this one room negated all of it. The wood shone brightly in the glare of the lamps sitting along the walls and on the large table in the middle of the room. Six hand-carved chairs surrounded the table with ivory and gold cushions.
Floral area rugs decorated the room and melded the different colors and designs. It all tied together somehow. There were two large bookcases on the right and left walls. Straight ahead, another window. But not an ordinary piece of glass.
Frosted flowers bloomed and twirled around each other and moved up the glass. An amazing work of art.
May had been so busy admiring the room she almost missed the two women sitting on the cream-colored couch to her right. They were as physically different as night and day. The one on the left had ink-black hair that tumbled down her shoulders. Striking in her dark green strapless dress with gold thread shot through the material.
The one on the right, more delicate. She appeared luminous in a sea-blue top and skirt that fell over her knees. Her blond hair pulled back into a ponytail that swung jauntily at her neck.
May suddenly felt extremely outclassed and out of place.
Both women stood with smiles and walked forward.
The dark-haired beauty extended her hand first. “I’m Tempest. Pleased to meet you.” Her dark blue eyes held a smile, and May relaxed a bit. She shook Tempest’s hand and turned toward the other woman.
The blond grinned and reminded May of a teenager. “I’m Kendra. We spoke on the phone. It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”
May shook her hand and returned the grin. “Very persuasive lot you have here.”
Tempest chuckled. “Well, that’s certainly the truth.” She motioned toward the table. “Let’s have a seat. Our oldest sister is finishing some business in her office. It should only take a couple of minutes.”
They walked toward the table when May heard a door open. She glanced up at the sound and froze where she stood.
The last sister walked slowly into the room and never broke eye contact with her. Older than the rest, May could see it in her stature and the maturity in her face. Yet, still incredibly beautiful and youthful. Chestnut hair fell unbound along her face to brush the tops of her shoulders. Solemn brown eyes studied her. Instead of designer dresses or silk clothes, she wore a simple pair of blue jeans and a peach Henley rolled up in the sleeves. Dark brown work boots completed the outfit perfectly.
This is the gardener.
May felt tears well up in her eyes which made no sense whatsoever while her pulse raced in joy. The scent of earth clung to the woman and filled the chamber. She closed her eyes to gather herself when the woman spoke.
“I am pleased you have agreed to this meeting, May Fairchild.” The soft voice washed over her, and May opened her eyes slowly.
“Have we met?”
“Perhaps a long time ago.” The woman smiled and held out her hand. “I’m Eden.”
The minute their hands touched, May jumped as if an electric shock went through her. Flashes of her past flew through her mind at a rapid rate, and she trembled at the intensity. Sunshine and her accident. Hospital rooms and reporters. Needles and surgeries. Sobbing parents and cards from fans. Stabbing pain shot through her leg, and she almost buckled to the ground. Eden held her hand tightly, and the pain eased away. May’s throat as dry as dust, she blinked away the tears.
“I need to sit,” she croaked.
Eden kept May’s hand in hers as she guided her over to one of the chairs at the table. Then she let go and stepped back.
May tried to regain her equilibrium and cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
Tempest glanced at Eden, and her mouth tightened. “Don’t worry, May. Sometimes these things happen.” She smiled and patted May’s hand. “Can I get something for you to drink? Soda? Tea?”
“Diet soda, please.” May rubbed her forehead and gathered her thoughts.
Tempest left the room, and silence reigned. It was eventually broken when Wilda tapped her fingernails on the table. “Wet weather we’re having.”
May, startled, glanced up at her and laughed. “You must be the master of small talk.”
Wilda grinned. “My attributes don’t run to subtleties.”
May looked at Wilda’s vibrant appearance and nodded. “I would never have guessed.”
Emerald eyes sparkled down at her. “I really, really like you, May.”
Eden cleared her throat. “As soo
n as Tempest returns, we will discuss the nursery.”
“You have a lot of work ahead of you.” It seemed like the understatement of the year.
Tempest returned with a bubbling brown glass of diet soda. She set it in front of May and sat back on the couch with Kendra.
May took a sip for her parched throat and set it down.
Eden’s brown eyes never faltered. “Though it will be a large undertaking, we are up to the task.”
May nodded. “I mean no offense, but I don’t see any of you personally picking up the cleaning equipment and giving this building a good scrub. You’re an elegant group of women. Will you hire out all the labor?”
Tempest opened her mouth, but Eden held up her hand. “None of us are afraid of hard work.”
Kendra wrinkled her nose but kept quiet.
May took another drink and leaned back in her chair. “The numbers you sent me were not for a project of this magnitude. Wilda explained that there will be several greenhouses and specialty plants. This building needs a complete renovation. The grounds will need a thorough overhaul. Then there are advertisements and employees. Have you ever taken on a task of this size?”
“Money is not a problem, May.”
May rubbed her temple. “That’s fantastic. But do you have any idea what you’re doing?”
Eden smiled. “Indeed, I do.” She cocked her head to the side. “Your concerns are valid, but my will in this matter will not waver. This ramshackle house and property are perfect for Elysian Fields. It calls to me. Do you understand that, May?”
She did. That’s what concerned her. May could see the greenhouses and the specialty plants. The hand-painted vases and garden stone. But there was a hell of a long distance between here and there with thousands of dollars between.
“Do you have the new projected figures?”
Eden grinned. “I have emailed them to you. I didn’t want to overwhelm you at the first meeting. I think you’ll see that this venture is a sound one.”
“What time frame have you put in place?” May calculated in her head that the renovation would take at least six months. Maybe the sisters wanted to open in time for the holidays or perhaps the new year.
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