Page 44 of Must Love Flowers
“You should be happy with whatever your mother has planned.”
Nick snorted softly. “Okay, fine. I’ll be happy, even if it’s liver and onions.”
“It isn’t.” Joan seemed amused at the banter between the two. “You stopped by for a reason?” She directed the question to her son.
“Can’t I come see my mother anytime I want?” he challenged, grinning.
“Of course, but it’s rare enough to pique my interest.”
Maggie sent Nick a knowing glare, which he ignored.
“I came to see how you were faring with the puppy,” he said, and added, “and if you needed anything.”
“That’s thoughtful of you,” Joan said, as she opened the refrigerator door. “And seeing how worried you are about what’s for dinner, I’ll tell you. We’re having crispy chicken salad with fresh tomatoes, olives, and shredded cheddar cheese.”
“Sounds good. By the way, the yard is really taking shape.”
“I hired a maintenance company, Harrison Lawn and Landscaping.”
“It’s a bit early to get started on dinner, isn’t it?” Maggie asked.
As if unaware of the time, Joan glanced toward the kitchen clock. They didn’t normally eat until after six, and it wouldn’t take long to assemble a salad.
Joan thought about that for a moment. “It is earlier than normal. I was hungry. I hadn’t felt that way in a long while,” she said, and cocked her head to one side as if the realization had surprised her.
“That’s good, Mom. You’ve lost a lot of weight since Dad died.”
“I have?” She didn’t seem to have noticed. “Listen,” Joan said, “why don’t the two of you take Edison out for a walk? By the time you return, I’ll have dinner going.”
Nick looked to Maggie for the answer.
“Sure,” she said, although Edison was a bit small for much of an excursion. She had put him on the leash before, without much success. He’d twisted his head around and tried to chew on the cord.
While Nick collected the leash, Maggie got the puppy. They were about to head out the door when Maggie remembered Phil had asked her to give Joan a message.
Glancing out the front door, she saw that his truck remained parked outside, so he was still at the house.
“Joan, I almost forgot. Phil asked to talk to you.”
“Did he say why?”
“He didn’t.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“You ready?” Nick asked, tugging Edison along behind him. Maggie could see it was going to take some effort to train the puppy to the leash. As she stepped onto the porch, Phil was coming up the steps.
“Tell Phil I’ll be out in a minute,” Joan called.
“Did you hear that?” Maggie asked the landscaper.
“I did. I’ll just wait here.”
“She won’t be long,” Nick added, and the two started down the street with Edison.
Edison resisted, and they ended up nearly dragging him along, to the point that they were both soon laughing.
Just maybe they could be friends after all, Maggie mused. Good friends.
