Chapter 4
four
Don’t compare her to sunshine and roses when she’s clearly orchids and moonlight.
—Melody Lee
TESSA
Tessa was flat-out broke. After the sale of Mountain Blooms Farm in Asheville was completed, she’d ended up with far less than she’d hoped. Fees, mostly, plus taxes. She thought about asking Dawson to double-check the math, but she knew his response would’ve been outrage at the sticky fingers of government. Instead, she spoke to an accountant friend and discovered the figures were correct—she just hadn’t thought there’d be so many bites chomping away at the final sales figure.
She’d been left with enough to purchase the foreclosed property in Sunrise, and just enough for demolition. That was a huge relief, because if that old house couldn’t have been knocked down right away, she wasn’t sure she could live in Sunrise. Happily, that part all worked out. And now the field was empty. Waiting for its next chapter.
An expensive next chapter. It would require steep costs to get the field prepared to become a flourishing flower farm. Renting equipment to plow the fields, purchasing amendments, poly hoop houses to protect the young plants this winter, plus seed, bulbs, tubers ... and then there was Dawson’s salary. She needed him here, she wanted him here, she couldn’t do this flower farm without him. But that meant a boatload of money.
She nearly forgot the greenhouse! Dawson wouldn’t consider a greenhouse if he didn’t think it was the right time for it. Maybe the amount saved from not digging up the concrete slab foundation might equal the amount of the greenhouse.
Which ... really didn’t matter because she didn’t have the money for either. She was nearing the limit on her credit card, and her bank account teetered on being overdrawn. Tucked in the back of her mind was the knowledge that she could probably ask her parents for a short-term loan, but she didn’t want to. They didn’t understand her dedication to flower farming. They spoke of Tessa’s passion as if it was something she’d grow out of, or worse, get bored with. She wanted to make this farm work without depending on a rescue from Mom and Dad, or anyone else. She’d done too much of that in her life. This field had been redeemed from a dark period in her life, one full of regrets, and she wanted to see it all the way through. Maybe it was her redemption too.
She parked her Vespa in front of Rose’s house and cut the engine, took off her helmet, and hung it on the seat. A door closed and she turned to see Chris Reid holding two suitcases. Behind him was Rose. Chris stopped short when he saw her, a shocked look on his face.
“Looks like you’re going somewhere,” Tessa said.
Still surprised, Chris tipped his head toward Rose. “She is. I’m taking her to the airport now.” He came down the porch steps. “You’re looking well, Tessa. It’s good to see you.” He turned to his aunt. “We have a few minutes to spare. I’ll put these in the car and wait for you.”
Tessa moved out of his way and whispered a thank-you as he passed around her with the bulky suitcases. She owed him more than that, but it was a start. Rose waited for her on the porch steps. She was dressed for travel, not in the work apron Tessa was accustomed to seeing on her. And something else Tessa noticed—Rose wasn’t at all surprised to see her.
“So I hear that you bought a field,” Rose said.
Tessa gave her a weak smile. What made her think that anything in Sunrise could be kept quiet? “I should’ve come sooner. I just needed to get rid of that house before I could do anything else.”
Rose nodded as if she knew. Did she? Was the relationship Tessa had had with that neighbor something that everyone knew? Shame covered her like a lead blanket. “Rose ... I...”
Rose lifted a hand. “Not now, honey. When I return, we’ll all have a good long talk. For now, Tessa, keep your focus on the future.”
Holding on to the porch rail, she came down the steps to wrap her arms around Tessa, the way she used to. No one hugged like Rose. It triggered something deep down in Tessa and sobs welled up. Big, huge, gasping sobs. Rose just kept holding her, patting her back until Chris started the engine to his obnoxious Mustang.
Rose released her but held on to her shoulders. “My chariot awaits.”
Tessa watched Chris help Rose into the car, treating her like she was spun sugar so tenderly that she batted his hands away. The familiar interaction between them made Tessa smile, then laugh. She felt so lighthearted! Rose had forgiven her.
She waved as the obnoxious Mustang pulled out of the driveway and roared down the street. It occurred to her that she had no idea where Rose was going, but she hoped it was a lovely vacation on a warm beach. Rose deserved it. “Lord,” Tessa prayed as the car disappeared around the corner, “watch over her.” Short, to the point, because praying was new for Tessa. Dawson said not to overthink it, just to do it, especially in those moments when things were beyond her pay grade. She hopped on her Vespa and plopped her helmet on her head.
A flower farm was waiting for her.