Chapter 36
Chapter thirty-six
Rhett
Saying I love you didn’t change much between Audrey and I, not on the surface at least. We were both still busy with work, and the next weekend her car was parked in my driveway, her lightness filling my house.
My kitchen had also been taken over by baking pans, and my freezer was now full of cookies. I could get used to this.
My dad always said love did things to a man, made him do crazy things. I used to roll my eyes, always a teenager who was too tough for feelings. But today, as I finished up a job early, I decided to do something that made no sense.
Being in love with Audrey Elson was the only plausible explanation as to why I slowed my truck down and pulled into the nursery on the corner of my street.
Blackburn Farms was a family run business that ran a U-pick berry operation and sold landscaping plants. I’ve passed this place every single day, only stopping once or twice over the years, but today, I stopped there with an idea that quickly rooted itself.
“Hi, can I help you find anything in particular?” An older woman beamed up at me with a garden hose in her hand.
I knew it being mid-July meant the plant selections would be slim; you either already planted your garden, or you had to wait till fall.
But I didn’t care. Love didn’t make sense, like my old man said.
Squinting against the sun, I chuckle, knowing she is going to think I'm daft. “Yeah, I am actually looking for hydrangea bushes.”
The woman’s sweet smile falters, but her voice remains chipper. “I think we may have a few left but I have to warn you, this isn’t the best time to plant them. You’d be better off to wait until September or October. They will probably die if you attempt to plant them now.”
I figured as much, but I shake my head, smiling back. “That’s alright, I’d like to give it a shot. Can you point me in the right direction?”
She led me down the aisle lined with greenery, her steps slow, hesitation practically radiating off her small frame. But I was determined to see this through.
Six small bushes with wilted blooms sat in plastic containers at her feet.
“This is what we have left. They are 50 percent off if you really want them.”
“I’ll take them all.” I was about to pull my wallet out when I remembered something essential. “Will these ones produce blue flowers?”
She pulled her lips to the side. “Well yes, they will, but only if your soil is acidic, not alkaline. If you’re not sure what type of soil you have, we sell testing kits in the store.
” She sighed and pivoted to point to flowers on the riser behind her.
“Sir, we also have loads of purple coneflowers which would tolerate being planted right now.”
“Thank you for the help, but I'll just be taking the hydrangeas. And throw in a soil testing kit.”
“Okay. The plants are final sale.”
I nod, my lips curling up. “Perfect.”
There’s no going back now.