lot. After studying two rows of flowers, she spotted the coneflowers and hoisted a plant into her basket while her mind slipped to Kimmy. Time was ticking away, and she didn’t want to scare her or disappoint Doug by being late. With time on her mind, she spotted a sales clerk and caught her attention. “I’m in a new house without much landscaping, and I’m checking perennials but I want to make sure it’s not too late to plant. Can you tell me?”
“Sure. You have coneflowers there. It’s a good choice. They’re hardy flowers, and in Zone 5 the fall months are perfect for planting.”
She thanked the salesclerk and then asked directions to find the daisies.
The woman beckoned her to follow. With her guidance, she set three pots of daisies into the basket. Finally she circled back and grabbed three more colorful coneflowers to brighten her garden and her life.
She paid the bill, her mind everywhere but on her purchases. After she arrived home and unloaded, she realized Kimmy would already be waiting for her. Angry at her carelessness, she dashed to her car and headed down Oliver Street.
When she spotted the redbrick building, darkened with age, she slowed and pulled into the pickup lane. Only a few children were outside waiting, a couple others were getting into cars, but Kimmy wasn’t among them. Panicking, she pictured Doug’s frantic face and felt nailed to the seat. She sat a moment deciding what to do. Her only choice was to go inside. She drove to the parking lot and slipped out as her nerves set in. What would she do if Kimmy had been picked up by someone else. Kidnapped? Her carelessness rent her heart.
Breathless, she darted along the inside corridor, following the sign to the office. As soon as she reached the door, she spotted Kimmy. Her legs weakened as relief spread over her.
Kimmy’s eyes widened as she ran to her. “I thought you forgot me.”
“I’d never do that, Kimmy.” The words reverberated through her chest. She gave her a hug, noticing tears on Kimmy’s cheeks. Nina’s heart wrenched. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I would never forget you.” Her throat closed as she struggled to continue. “I went to the nursery for flowers and time ran away from me.” She tilted her head. “But I’m here now.” Thank You soared above her and stopped her cold. Thank You. Had she prayed? Warmth spread through her body as her fears flew away.
She pulled herself from the sensation, noticing a questioning look from the woman behind the counter. “I’m sorry I’m late. Doug Billings gave you my name, I think. I’m here for Kimmy. He had to work overtime today.”
The woman gave her a frown and checked a list near the phone and nodded. “You are?”
“Nina Jerome. Doug and I are neighbors.”
The woman nodded. “We have to be careful, and we also ask that you be on time.”
“Yes, I know. It won’t happen again. I guarantee.” She meant every word.
The woman gave a faint nod. “Kimmy, you can leave now and have a good weekend, okay?”
Kimmy grinned. “Okay.”
“And do you have all of your belongings?”
She nodded to the woman while Nina stepped away, wanting to escape before the woman had her scrubbing boards or banging erasers.
Kimmy caught up with her in the hallway “This weekend I have to find different kinds of leaves and things that grow on trees and bushes.” She adjusted her backpack. “Can we find them in your yard?”
“We sure can.” Nina slipped her arm around Kimmy’s shoulders and guided her outside.
When Kimmy spotted the car, she bolted ahead, and Nina had a hard time keeping up. Like a father, Doug had put the booster seat into the back of her car, and Kimmy slipped in and locked the seat belt. Captured by the image of Doug with his arms embracing a child of his own, Nina’s heart grew heavy. If only... Not wanting the thought to ruin her day, she headed for the driver’s seat and turned the key.
On the way home, she thought about the cookies she’d saved for Kimmy, but other than those, she had no after-school snacks for her. Her mind drifted until Kimmy broke her train of thought.
“Can we plant your flowers when we get back? Carly got to help Angie plant the flowers. She told me.”
Competition. Nina grinned. Though she liked the idea, today it wasn’t practical. “It’s late today, but let’s plan it for another day—maybe tomorrow—and you can tell Carly you helped me plant flowers. Instead, let’s do your homework. That will be fun, but first we’ll stop at the store for a treat.”
Kimmy’s face brightened. “I like treats.”
So did she, except for the calories. Again an image of Doug entered her mind, his smile the best treat she’d had in years.
She shook her head and pulled into a grocery store. Kimmy unhooked her seat belt, slipped outside, and they headed into the store. She guided Kimmy to healthy snacks and was pleased when she thought of string cheese. Kimmy liked those and peanut butter crackers. She selected multigrain. Another good choice.
In minutes, they were back in the car and pulling into her driveway. Kimmy lugged the grocery bag from the backseat, and they hurried inside for the snack and then the homework project.
Once in the yard, Kimmy slowed, her expression thoughtful. “Do you like my uncle Doug?”
Like? The question startled her, and her chest tightened. “I think he’s a very nice man, and I like you, too.” Her heart thudding, she studied Kimmy’s expression. “Why do you ask?”
“He’s happier since he met you. I’m glad you like him ’cuz I think he likes you...a lot.”
Heat rushed up her neck and warmed her cheeks. “Thank you, Kimmy. It’s always nice to be liked. I’m sure lots of people like you.”
Kimmy looked thoughtful. “But I think you make Uncle Doug happier.”
She made Doug happier? He made her happier, too, but this topic had to stop before she lost it. “Look there, Kimmy.” She pointed to the grass, grateful she’d spotted the pinecone. “Do you know what that is?”
“An acorn?” Kimmy eyed the cone a moment before shaking her head. “It’s the other one. A...”
“Right. It’s a pinecone. People make Christmas decorations out of them.”
Her eyes widened. “They do?” She picked up the cone and studied it. “How?”
Her brain went into gear. “I think they spray them with gold paint and tie a red bow on top. They can add artificial holly berries or other little Christmas symbols.”
“Can we make some for Christmas?”
“Christmas?” Nina’s heart weighted, doubting Kimmy would still be with Doug then. The old familiar loneliness spread through her. She drew in a breath. “We’ll have to wait and see. You might be home and busy with your mom.”
A shadow slipped across Kimmy’s face. “But I could come and visit Uncle Doug.” Hope washed away the gloom. “Then we could make them.”
