The loud ringing of Laney’s cell phone startles her out of a deep sleep on Sunday morning. Expecting one of the girls, she sits bolt upright to accept the call, but falls back against the pillows at the sound of Hugh’s voice. “Where are you?”
“I’m at home. The doctor released me around three this morning.”
“How’d you get home?” Hugh asks, suspicious.
“Bruce drove me.”
“Whatever,” Hugh says in a disgusted tone. “I thought you’d want to know Dad has regained consciousness. He can’t speak, and he’s paralyzed on his right side.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Hugh.” Her tone is genuine. She is sorry for Daniel. But not sorry enough to forgive Hugh for what he did to her.
“I’m moving into The Nest where I can oversee his home care and recovery when he’s released from the hospital. I’ll be by later this morning to get my stuff.”
Laney sits up again. “I don’t want you in the house. I’ll pack up your belongings and leave everything in the garage. You can pick them up after three this afternoon.”
“Are we really going down the divorce road, Laney?”
“I can’t believe you would ask me that after what you did to me last night. Goodbye, Hugh. My divorce attorney will be in touch.” Tossing the phone on the bed beside her, she draws her knees to her chest as she looks around the room. She’s spent her last night in the guest room. Today, she reclaims her life.
Laney calls the alarm company to change the code on their security system and locates a locksmith willing to work on Sunday. While he changes all the locks on the house, she cleans up the kitchen and scrubs the bloodstain from the wooden floor near the front door.
The girls arrive home from their sleepovers around lunchtime. At the sight of Laney’s face, Ella lets out a loud sob, and Grace beams red with anger. “I assume Dad did this to you.” Without waiting for Laney to respond, she adds, “I hope you kicked him out.”
Laney, unable to speak for fear of crying, nods.
“It’s about time,” Grace says, and darts up the stairs.
Ella throws her arms around Laney. “Oh, Mama! Are you okay? Does it hurt much?”
Laney strokes her daughter’s hair. “I’m fine, sweetheart, aside from a little headache.”
“I’ve been so scared. I know he’s my dad, but I hope he never comes back.”
They hold each other for a long time until Ella finally pulls away. “I’ve gotta ton of homework. I’d better get started.”
Mother and daughter walk up the stairs together. When Ella disappears into her room, Laney goes to the attic for empty boxes.
For the next several hours, she folds Hugh’s clothes in boxes and stores them along with his golf gear in the garage. She gives the master bedroom a thorough cleaning before moving her things over from the guest bedroom. She’s missed her bedroom with its adjacent marble bath, built-in shelves and drawers, and sweeping view of her backyard. She can hardly wait to slip beneath the clean crisp sheets in her king-size bed later tonight.
For dinner, Laney orders pizza and a Greek salad from their favorite Italian restaurant. They sit down at the table for the first time as a threesome. While Hugh’s chair is noticeably empty, the conversation is livelier than it’s been in months as the girls talk about their innocent shenanigans at their sleepovers.
Turning serious, Grace asks, “Where is Dad living now?”
“At The Nest for the time being.” Laney explains about their grandfather’s medical emergency, which leads to a long discussion about strokes and subsequent lengthy recoveries.
Grace’s face is pinched when she asks, “Will you have to share custody with Dad? Because I never want to see him again.”
“I’ll have to ask the divorce attorney, honey. I’m not sure how the process works. Since you girls are older, I would think you’d be allowed to express your wishes to the judge.” Laney takes a sip of her sweet tea. “I realize you’re upset with your father right now. And understandably so after the past few months. He needs help. Hopefully, the divorce will prompt him to get it. For now, you can be comforted in knowing he’s never coming back here to live.”
This appears to appease them, and the mood at the table once again lightens. They have a long road of healing ahead of them, but at least tonight was a start.
* * *
Laney finds Hazel waiting at the shop’s back door when she arrives at nine thirty on Monday morning. “What’re you doing here?”
Hazel studies her bruised face, but she doesn’t comment. “I thought you might need some help this week. I know little about flowers, but I can take phone orders and greet customers. With your . . .”—she touches a finger to her cheek—“I figured you might not want to see people.”
Laney laughs. “You’re so right.” She unlocks the door and motions Hazel inside.
Hazel, needing little instruction, gets right to work sweeping the showroom, wiping down the countertops, and answering the phone. Laney creates bouquets to sell on the sidewalk and prepares for the week’s upcoming events.
Around noon, Laney hands Hazel a twenty-dollar bill and sends her next door to Delilah’s for sandwiches. They prop open the swinging door to watch for customers while they eat at the workroom table.
“When did you first realize your marriage was over?” Hazel asks.
Something in Hazel’s tone makes Laney wonder if Hazel and Charles are having marital problems. She sets her sandwich down and wipes her mouth. “On a hot summer night in July of last year. I told Hugh I was thinking about getting a job, and he went ballistic.”
Hazel removes a slice of unripe tomato from her sandwich. “But you already had a job doing wedding flowers.”
“Hugh never considered that a job. And I was hoping for something more time-consuming. Anyway, a horrible fight ensued. Our problems were too serious to handle on our own, but when I suggested we see a marriage counselor, he adamantly refused. I moved into the guest bedroom that night. I’ve been sleeping there ever since.”
“Wow,” Hazel says, her doe eyes wide.
Laney can tell something important is on Hazel’s mind, and she waits for her to say more. When she remains silent, Laney pries, “You seem troubled. Is there something you want to talk about?”
Hazel stares down at her sandwich, her honey-colored hair hanging in her face. “I’m bored out of my mind. I left the accounting firm to start a family. That obviously hasn’t happened.”
“Have you given up trying to have children?” Laney asks, sipping her sweet tea.
Hazel shrugs. “I haven’t given up. But Charles doesn’t believe in fertility treatments. I’m not sure he even wants children anymore. He’s not the same person I married.”
“How so?” Laney asks, taking a bite of her chicken salad croissant.
“He used to be fun. Now he’s always in a sullen mood. That sounds petty. I shouldn’t complain. Charles is an excellent provider, and he’s reliable. He comes home every night for dinner at six on the dot.”
Laney remembers Hugh saying Charles often leaves the vineyard for lunch and never returns. She wonders where he spends his afternoons. “Do you two argue?”
“Actually, it’s the opposite. We hardly ever talk. We still do outdoorsy stuff every weekend, like hiking and rafting, but we don’t connect anymore. There’s no romance. It takes two to make a baby.”
Laney reaches for her hand. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry.”
Fat tears appear in her enormous eyes and slide down her cheeks. “I’ll be thirty-nine in November. I thought about divorcing him, but by the time I find a new husband, my child-bearing years will be over. If I want to have children, Charles is my best shot.”
“I understand your logic.” Laney squeezes her hand before letting go. “Have you considered going back to work, to take your mind off of things at home?”
Hazel nods as she wipes her eyes and nose with a napkin. “But I don’t want to go back to accounting. I’d like to do something fun. Like what you’re doing here. And you’re right. It feels good to get out of the house. You don’t have to pay me, but I can continue working here this week while your face is healing.”
Laney sits up straight. “Are you kidding? You’re a godsend. Of course I’m paying you. I’ve been thinking of hiring a full-time assistant. Let’s see how it goes. If you like the work, we can talk more at the end of the week.”
Hazel’s face brightens. “That’d be great. Tell me more about your business.”
While they finish eating, Laney tells her about the weddings and holiday parties she’s booked for the coming months.
“Gosh, that sounds like a lot.”
Laney laughs. “I know! Just talking about it overwhelms me.” Getting to her feet, she gathers up their sandwich wrappers. “Are you worried how Charles will react to you working for his brother’s soon-to-be ex-wife?”
Hazel hesitates before responding. “For the first time in a long time, I don’t care how Charles feels. I’ve devoted myself to a dead-end marriage. I need to save myself before it’s too late.” She stands to face Laney. “But I’m scared. Charles and I have been married for ten years. I don’t know how to live life without him.”
“Of course you’re scared. But you’re stronger than you think.” Laney pulls her in for a hug. “A friend gave me the courage I needed to stand up to Hugh. If you’ll let me, I’d like to do the same for you.”
“A friend is exactly what I need right now.” The tension leaves Hazel’s body as she crumples into Laney’s arms. They embrace for several long minutes until Hazel pulls away. “Will you show me how to do an arrangement?”
Laney smiles. “You bet. It’s easier than you think.”
Hazel knows more about flowers than she let on, and she has a natural knack for putting together an aesthetically designed arrangement. They slip into easy conversation as they work, and they learn more about each other in one afternoon than the ten years they’ve been sisters-in-law.
Hazel has already gone for the day, and Laney is locking the front door when she notices Diana, elegant in a black jumpsuit, coming up the sidewalk. She steps outside to greet her.
“Why that rotten bastard,” Diana says in response to Laney’s bruised face. “I had a gut feeling I should stop in to check on you today. I hope you kicked his sorry ass to the curb.”
“I did.” Laney smiles, touching her finger to her busted lip when it stings. “But I think the feeling in your gut was for another reason. I was going to reach out to you. Is the building still for sale? And how much are you asking for it?”
Diana tells Laney the asking price. “But make me your best offer,” she says, sinking her long nails into Laney’s arm. “I just sold my house in Lovely, and I’m motivated to sell this building too.”
Laney turns to face the building. “I will talk to the bank first thing in the morning.”
“The building is a sound investment. But why would you need the apartment if your husband is out of the house?”
Laney looks up at the second-floor windows. “I’ve grown fond of the apartment. I may use the living room as my office. I hope Hugh will cooperate with the divorce. In case he doesn’t, knowing I have a safe place gives me peace of mind.”
“That makes sense. And truthfully, the rent on the apartment and the shop combined are probably less than a mortgage.”
“True.” Laney walks with Diana to the end of the sidewalk. “I’ll be in touch once I figure out my finances.”
“I’m not in a hurry, Laney. I want you to have the building, and I’m willing to wait until you can make that happen.”
Laney, her voice tight with emotion, croaks out, “You’re too good to me, Diana. I can never repay your kindness.”
“Seeing you thrive is all the thanks I need.” Diana places a gentle hand on Laney’s cheek. “You’re on your way. Go chase your dreams, pretty lady.”
As Diana lowers her hand from her face, Laney kisses the inside of her wrist. “I will.”
Laney watches Diana’s tall, lean figure disappear into a crowd of people on the sidewalk before finishing locking up. She’s getting in her car when, on a whim, she darts up the stairs to the apartment. She throws open all four windows in the living room, letting the crisp autumn air flow through. Why does this place have such a powerful hold on her? Is it because she feels safe tucked up here, away from the world? Or is it because it might be hers one day? Her very own piece of real estate she bought with money she earned herself.
She roams about the living room, imagining her office space. The room is big enough for her to section off a corner for her desk and filing cabinets, leaving plenty of space for the sitting area.
The sound of loud banging on the shop door downstairs draws her to the window. She hollers down to Bruce, “Yoo-hoo. I’m here. Come on up.”
She hears footfalls on the stairs, and he appears in the doorway with two cups of gelato. “It’s pistachio, your favorite,” he says, holding a cup out to her. “I would’ve brought you flowers but . . .”
She laughs, taking the cup. “I have all the flowers I need. You didn’t have to bring me anything. But I’m glad you did.”
“I’ve been thinking about you all day. How’re you holding up?”
“Better than expected. But I’m tired. Let’s sit down.” In club chairs opposite each other, Laney tells him about Hazel’s surprise appearance this morning, her visit from Diana at closing time, and the possibility of buying the building. “My business is doing better than I ever imagined. Besides, if my budget gets tight, I can always rent the apartment. The previous owner’s husband was planning to rent it through Airbnb.”
“That’s an excellent option as well. As fast as this town is growing, you can’t go wrong.”
“How’re things at the vineyard?”
“Not great, honestly. Hugh’s on a rampage, making everyone miserable. He pulled me aside today. He’s convinced you and I are having an affair. He told me he’d fire me if we weren’t so close to launching the varietals. I’ll drag it out as long as I can, but once the new wines are launched, I know he’ll force me to resign.”
Laney’s face falls. “Where will you go?”
“In order to continue my career, I’d have to move back to California. Since your divorce agreement will likely prevent you from leaving the state with your girls, and since I’m not leaving you, I may take a job at the hardware store.”
Laney bursts out laughing. “Admit it. You have a burning desire to sell hammers and nails for a living.”
“Maybe,” he says, shoveling a spoonful of gelato into his mouth.
“Hugh won’t fire you. He wouldn’t dare go against his father’s wishes. And Daniel loves you.”
“But Daniel is in a bad way right now. He may never fully recover. We’ll have to wait and hope for the best.”
Laney digs her spoon into her gelato. “How are the other Love children handling Hugh’s wrath?”
“Sheldon has taken a leave of absence until after the baby comes. I haven’t seen Charles. He didn’t come in to work today. And Hugh’s bossiness is making Casey a nervous wreck.”
“Sounds like war is brewing at Love-Struck. I’m glad I’m not involved.” She takes their empty gelato cups and walks them to the trash can in the kitchen. When she returns to the living room, Bruce is standing at the window.
“Penny for your thoughts,” she says, standing beside him.
He turns toward her. “I know it’s inappropriate for me to kiss you. But is it asking too much for me to hold you?”
“Not at all. You’ve been a true friend to me, Bruce. I would never have survived these past weeks without you.”
He extends his arms, and she walks into them. She rests her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. And what a lovely sound it is.