Room to Grow

by Lisa Heaton

  When he took the cup from her, he sipped the steaming liquid. “Just like I remember it, strong enough to pour itself.”

  “You know it.” She moved to the patio table and set her mug there.

  Before she could sit, he said, “There’s time to sit later. I’m here to motivate you.”

  Soon enough they were digging out the dead plants from her pots on the patio. All winter they had only added to how dismal the backyard looked.

  Josh stood and wiped his brow with the back of his arm. “I figure we will start at the fence line there.” He pointed toward the end of the house near Sophie’s bedroom. “Then we’ll move around the perimeter of the fence until we get it all tackled.” He looked back at her. “We can at least make it to your butterfly bush today.”

  “That’s a good plan.” She stopped and looked at him. “My stepping stone! I haven’t thought of that in years.”

  Josh followed her to where her bare and spindly butterfly bush draped over the stone. Sophie moved the limbs back and scraped mulch from it to uncover a now faded butterfly. “You gave this to me.”

  “I did.” He knelt beside her. “I thought of it when you mentioned a butterfly garden to Mrs. Wilkes. Butterflies always remind me of you.”

  “They do?”

  “Yeah.” He smiled. “I’ll never forget your words that day when you said, ‘Attract what you like. If you want butterflies in your yard, plant a butterfly bush.’ When I asked what my lesson was, you said, ‘No lesson. I just like butterflies.’”

  He stood again. “That always made me smile, but now, I see a connection. I’m glad I planted my butterfly bush when I opened Room to Grow.”

  “I’m the butterfly in this scenario, I suppose?”

  “You are.”

  His warm expression prevented her from replying. She swallowed hard and tried to tear her eyes away from his. For a few seconds, though, they both stood and stared.

  He looked away first and at the beds around them. “It’s not as bad as you made it seem. I see the beauty here. We just need to clear out last year’s spent growth.”

  “Taking care of the patio was a big help,” she said, trying to get her mind focused on something other than that odd moment between them.

  “Yeah, it was. Makes you realize how silly it is to hang onto what’s gone, huh?”

  Sophie nodded, and even as she did she understood his meaning. He was referring to Kevin. She didn’t respond to his comment, but it gave her much to ponder. Was she still hanging on, even after their horrible ending?

  Truth be told, she didn’t like Kevin and hadn’t for several years before the divorce. Whatever she was hanging onto wasn’t him. If anything, it was the security of marriage that she missed. It was nice to know someone was coming home. Home hardly felt homey all alone.

  The two worked in unison over the next hour. Little was said other than one or the other giving directions as to what was next.

  When they reached the end of the first fence line, Josh said, “I think a break is in order.”

  Back at the table, Sophie found her coffee cold. “Let’s go in and heat our coffee. Have you had breakfast?”

  They ate breakfast together on stools at the island. After finishing his first muffin, Josh said, “I remember these. You make the best blueberry muffins.” He reached for two more.

  “I keep them in the freezer. They’re easy to defrost for breakfast on the go.”

  “You can bring them to work anytime.”

  She smiled. “I’ll do that now that I know you like them so much.”

  When finished, they went back out and worked another hour. They chatted about what they were doing, but on occasion Josh would ask questions. Mostly, he was curious about how things had ended with Kevin.

  “I heard it was someone else.”

  “Several someone elses over the years. I guess his last one was worth leaving over.”

  “Ouch! I’m sorry.” He sat back and gave her his full attention. “Why did you stay?”

  “Mostly for Chloe. She was always so close to her dad.”

  “And now?”

  “She’s hardly spoken to him since he left.”

  “I know it was hard on her,” he said. “It was hard on you both.”

  Sophie nodded and looked around at how much was still ahead of them. “This is enough for today. There’s no law that says it all has to get done in one day.”

  “Why don’t we sit for a while?” he said. Even before she answered, he walked over to the patio table, removed his gloves, and dropped into a chair.

  “At least you got to keep the house.”

  She sat across from him. “I fought like a crazy person to keep this place. Looking back, I’m not sure why I did. It’s big and lonesome and only serves to remind me that the whole ugly mess took place.”

  “Why did you fight so hard for it?”

  “It’s where I raised Chloe.” She scanned all her elaborate beds filled with years worth of hard labor. “I had all this. I can’t imagine starting over somewhere else.”

  “You’ve done a fantastic job. It’s hardly the same place as when I helped you.”

  “I remember it like yesterday. The day after Chloe started kindergarten, I stood looking out here at a blank canvas. All I had ever done was take care of her. I needed something. This place gave me a purpose for years. Once it was filled to overflowing, I moved indoors and redecorated every room.”

  “Kinda sums up your life, if you think about it,” he said.

  “How’s that?”

  “Maybe you’re maxed out here. You’ve raised your daughter. You’ve created a beautiful garden and home. Is it possible that this place is the end of a chapter you refuse to stop reading?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it that way.”

  “From what I saw back then, this garden was your escape from Kevin’s control. You were in charge out here. Now that he’s gone, you don’t know how to live normally.”

  “How do you know he was controlling?”

  “I’ve thought about it over the years. Even the times he would step out to say a few words before or after work, he was critical and demeaning. I can’t remember one time when he said what a great job you had done – or anything positive, for that matter.”

  “I can’t remember that either. I probably remember only a handful of compliments over the years, and those usually had to do with something he had picked out for me to wear.”

  “He’s gone now, Sophie. He was a liar. It’s okay to let go of the liar and the book of lies.”

  “Wise words,” she said.

  He leaned up in his chair. “What do you want your next chapter to look like?”

  “I have no idea. I’m only now realizing that I have a next chapter.”

  “I think it’s safe to assume you have many new chapters ahead.”

  Sunday afternoon after church, Sophie found herself back in her garden working and thinking of the day before. Josh’s observations were eye-opening. As he had said, for whatever reason she was still holding onto that dead life she had once lived with Kevin. Often, she found herself looking back at her marriage idealistically. Time had blurred the reality of it. Instead of the way it was with Kevin, she looked back at what she outwardly pretended they had together. To an outsider, they were living the dream. Kevin had a good position at a prestigious law firm. She made the ideal home for him.

  Behind the scenes, though, they hardly interacted with one another. She smiled and held his arm when attending Kevin's work functions. They did all the expected family activities together, but when alone at home, he watched sports or worked in his office after a dinner that most often disappointed him. Unaffected by his withdrawal, Sophie had spent her evenings hovering over Chloe. She had always been okay with that.

  It was after Chloe had left for school that she understood how empty her life had become. Over the years, more times than she could count, Kevin had said all she was qualified to do was be a mothe
r and maid. Because she never finished her degree, he often reminded her that she couldn’t get a decent job if she tried. Karen’s offer to work at the boutique became a lifeline to the outside world, one where she had reason to interact with others.

  “I should have known I’d find you here,” Josh said from the gate.

  “Are you back for more?”

  “Not this time. I came to pick up your desk. I thought we could move you in today so that you can get organized tomorrow.”

  “That works for me.”

  Together they loaded his truck with several items she wanted to take. Not all were for her office. She had a pair of leather parsons chairs that would look professional in front of Josh's desk.

  After unloading the furniture, Josh suggested they go out for a burger. By the time she arrived home, it was late, barely enough time to make a special surprise for Josh before bedtime. What used to be a life filled with time to kill had become full of unexpected twists and turns. Because of Josh and her new job, she had a sense that letting go of what was long dead would become natural. It was easy to loosen her grip on the old when reaching for something so spectacularly new.

  Sophie arrived on Monday earlier than seven. She had a treat for Josh and hoped to give it to him before the others came in for the meeting. The front door was open when she tried it. Josh wasn’t at his desk when she entered, so she snuck into his office and placed the container on a stack of invoices, then turned to go. It was then that she noticed her desk had been moved to the room across from Josh’s.

  When she went in to have a closer look, she saw that he had cleaned the shelves, and the chandelier was missing. There was a fresh coat of paint on the trim.

  “I’ll get this hung back up so you’ll have more than sunlight today.” Josh moved past her and to the ladder.

  “What have you done?” she said as she noticed even more of his handiwork. The shutters had been cleaned and the floor scrubbed.

  “I tried to clean this while it was hanging, but it needed a real bath, so I let the crystals soak overnight. I just got it all dried off.”

  “You must have stayed up all night.”

  “Close.” He was holding the fixture above his head. “Hand me that screwdriver.” He pointed to the desk.

  “You didn’t have to do all of this.”

  When he finished and stepped down from the ladder, he came to stand before her. “Now you won’t have to. You can get your desk organized and then get back to work on my stuff.”

  “You’re a great boss.”

  “I have to be to keep great employees.”

  He glanced at his watch. “The team will meet in my office today since I shoved that table in the doorway of the junk room. We will make a real conference room before next week.”

  With a nod toward the kitchen, he said, “Get some coffee. We’ll wait on you.”

  By the time Sophie got back, Rodney and Justine were already waiting. Another younger woman was there sitting on the corner of Josh’s desk eating a cupcake.

  “These are amazing,” she said as she licked her fingers.

  “Hey, where’d these come from?” Josh lifted the lid of the plastic container and looked up at Sophie. “Whaaat? You made me red velvet cupcakes?”

  “I missed your birthday by ten days, so they’re overdue. Plus, I kind of owe you for the yard work. You’re not supposed to work for free.”

  Josh opened the container and offered one to the others. Sophie watched with little pleasure as the group bragged over her cupcakes. The dark-haired girl sitting on Josh’s desk was what had her attention at the moment.

  “This is Avery,” Josh said. “She works at the garden center with Justine part-time.”

  “Nice to meet you, Avery,” Sophie said with a semi-forced smile.

  Avery nodded and mumbled out a “you too.”

  The meeting was brief. Josh began with his schedule for the week and all the appointments he had. Sophie made notes. Then Rodney gave an outline of the jobs planned, which ones were new and which were still in process. Justine gave her report of what deliveries were scheduled and how they impacted Rodney’s jobs. Avery only sat there swinging her legs and looking at Josh. Several times she interrupted, but Josh kept talking as if she hadn’t.

  When all were finished, Josh said to Sophie. “I’ll get a few things together so we can head out.”

  “Okay, I’ll run get my jacket.”

  Even before she was out the door, she overheard Avery.

  “Why is she helping you? If you need help, I can help.”

  Sophie didn’t stick around to hear his answer, but she did get the sense that the plot had just thickened.

  The morning was spent at two different appointments. Before heading back to the office, they stopped for lunch. Conversation came naturally for them most any time. Several times Sophie was tempted to ask about Avery, but she never did. More than anything she wondered if the two were dating. There was something intimate about the way the girl had sat on Josh’s desk and gotten into his cupcakes without asking. Then Avery’s tone when she had asked about him hiring Sophie spoke volumes, one more jealous than curious.

  Just as he finished his sandwich, Josh said, “Do you think you will like working with me?”

  “Without a doubt. I love it already.”

  “What do you love about it?”

  “I like getting out and roaming with you. I appreciate how you value my opinion when we’re talking to clients. I love organizing.” She shrugged. “I don’t know. What’s not to love about the job?”

  “Once you’re up to speed on all the jobs, will you be ready to take on client calls?”

  “Absolutely. I’ll take on whatever you’ll give me.”

  “Good to hear. I’m behind on everything. I pay every other week, so payroll is my priority this week. I have a stack of invoices to be paid, and I still need to write up the estimates for the end of last week.”

  “Let me help with more, at least until you get caught up.”

  “I’ll be okay.”

  When she didn’t say anything else, he said, “Whatever it is, just say it. I can see that you want to.”

  “You don’t have to run the world by yourself. I’m here now to help. I may not know how to do some of it, but if you show me, I will pitch in.” She hesitated. “I couldn’t help but overhear on my way out this morning. Avery has offered to help. Let someone help.”

  Josh shook his head. “She was hired for the garden center, nothing else.”

  “If she’s willing, though…”

  “I’m not willing.” His answer was blunt.

  “I see that. You’re stubborn.”

  “No, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m not refusing all help, just her help.”

  “Oh.” She wasn’t sure what that meant.

  Eventually, she said, “Is it something personal between you two?”

  “I like her, but…” He shook his head. “I don’t trust her, not as I trust you.”

  “You haven’t given her a shot, it seems. She may surprise you.”

  “Not that kind of trust.”

  Sophie was lost. “I think maybe we’re having two separate conversations.”

  “Justine hired her as part-time help. Next thing I know, she’s coming to our team meetings and giving her input when no one asks, sitting on my desk and eating my cupcakes.”

  Funny how he echoed her earlier thoughts. “You’re the boss. Do something about it.”

  “What am I supposed to say?”

  “Have Justine tell her she's not needed in the meetings.”

  “Justine’s too nice for that. She’s tried to be subtle, but Avery ignores her.”

  Sophie grinned. “You do realize she likes you, right? That’s why she’s there.”

  “I do realize that.” He rubbed his chin. “I’m not interested in her if that’s what you think.”

  “Then why not be professional and tell her you would rather she stay in the garden center?”
/>
  “I don’t know. I guess I just don’t want to hurt her feelings. The one time I tried to say something she cried. I freaked and never tried it again.”

  “You’re kinda stuck, then.”

  His face brightened. “As my office manager, maybe you could handle it.”

  “Oh, no!” she said with arms raised in defense. “I’m not the office manager. I’m just some guy’s right hand.”

  “Congratulations on your promotion!”

  Chapter Five

  Week two of her new job had Sophie so busy she didn’t know if she was coming or going half the time. Her phone rang non-stop with client questions, she rode with Josh to every estimate, she took over payroll, and she kept Josh as organized as possible. Since she was fielding client questions, that often kept her in contact with Rodney, a man she liked more with every interaction. There wasn’t one minute of any day that she didn’t love her job.

  The only problem she had encountered so far was Avery. They had few occasions to cross paths, but when they did, Avery went from indifferent to flat-out rude to her. The past Friday when Sophie had taken her paycheck to her, Avery had all but snatched it out of her hand. Sophie said nothing. She decided not to mention it to Josh either. It was evident that Avery saw her as some kind of threat.

  Another Monday had passed with Avery attending the team meeting. Josh had glared at Sophie as if to prompt her to ask Avery to leave, but Sophie pretended not to see him. At the time she had been there less than a week and was put in a position to reprimand another employee. That was more than she had bargained for.

  “Josh said you need to see me.”

  When Sophie looked up, she found Avery standing in her office door.

  “He did?” Sophie blinked in rapid bursts, trying to think.

  “He said it’s about Monday.”

  Sophie stood, drawing all the courage she could from her years of mothering. She had given unwelcome news plenty of times and withstood a tearful response. She had this.

  “Come on in and have a seat.” Sophie walked around the desk and pushed the French door closed. Avery was close to Chloe’s age, a fact that made Sophie dread this even more.