Chapter 9
Laurel, despite her claim to have no green thumb, really stepped up to help in the yard.
Whether it was to be around Marcus or just to lend a hand, it didn’t matter.
By noon, Windy, Laurel, and Marcus had everything under control.
Not only with planting but weeding and preparing beds and pots as well.
Windy, the true gardener, took the lead.
“We need at least six bags of potting soil,” she told Riva. “And probably that many bags of organic compost as well.”
“I can take you to get it in my pickup.” Marcus laid his shovel in the wheelbarrow.
“No, you can’t, Stormy,” Windy told him. “You and Laurel need to finish getting this raised bed cleaned up so we have a place to plant my veggie starts and seeds.”
“I can get the dirt and compost in my SUV,” Riva said.
Marcus tugged a key ring from his shorts pocket. “Here, Riva, just take my truck. It’ll be easier to load and unload.”
“And cleaner for your rig,” Windy added. “Those bags sometimes break open, and the compost can really stink up a vehicle.”
Riva took the keys from Marcus. “You’re sure you trust me with your pickup?”
He grinned. “Hey, you’re trusting me with your wheelbarrow.”
She laughed. “Good thing I have comprehensive coverage.”
At the end of the day, Riva’s backyard was transformed, and the workers were dirty and tired and hungry. “Thank you all so much,” Riva told them. “It looks amazing out here.”
“Many hands make light work. Although that wasn’t exactly light work.” Laurel rubbed her back. “I can’t wait to soak in the tub again tonight. What a treat to have a tub!”
“I never dreamed we could accomplish this much in just one day.”
“Too bad we didn’t make a video,” Windy said. “We could have our own DIY yard-flipping show.”
“With one episode,” Laurel said.
“What about the front yard?” Windy asked.
“Thankfully that’s smaller.” Riva didn’t even want to think about that yet.
“I can handle it on my own if you want, Riva,” Windy said. “But at least now we have this gorgeous space to enjoy.” Windy leaned the broom she’d been using by the door.
“It’ll be fun to use the backyard again. I just wish I had the energy to fire up the barbecue and grill you guys some juicy T-bones,” Riva told them.
“No, of course not.” Windy patted her back. “Don’t even think of it.”
“But how about pizza?” Riva pulled out her phone.
“Suits me,” Marcus said, and the women chimed in. So as they went inside to wash up, Riva ordered a couple of pizzas and several salads to share before heading to her own room for a quick shower.
In her bathroom, she was surprised to see what a mess she was.
Her hair was sticking out all over, and there was dirt on her face.
Her clothes and hands and feet were filthy too.
She took a fast shower, promising her hands and nails further attention later, then dressed.
She took a brush through her still-damp hair and was just slipping into flip-flops when she heard someone at the front door.
When she got there, Marcus was thanking and tipping the delivery worker. “I thought we should eat on your patio,” he told her as he carried the pizza boxes. “To celebrate your yard’s revival.”
“Revival?” she echoed. “That sounds about right.”
“I already set out some plates and things,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not in the least. Thank you.”
“I looked around for paper plates to keep it simple but couldn’t find any.”
“I don’t like paper plates,” she confessed. “I’d rather run the dishwasher.”
“And I opened a bottle of sauvignon that was left over from my cellar foraging last night. I hope that was okay.”
“Of course. That’s a wonderful idea.” She followed him out the French doors to the patio.
“Oh, the temperature is just perfect to eat outside.” She glanced to where the old table was neatly set with four places, a bottle of wine, and even a hurricane candle.
“Wow, this looks great.” She glanced at him.
“I’m thinking you’re a real renaissance man, Marcus. You’re good at so many things.”
He laughed as he poured a glass of wine and handed it to her. “Well, I’ve never been called that before, but I suppose I like a lot of different things. After all, variety is the spice of life.”
With wine in hand, she sat down and looked around her orderly and attractive yard. “It smells so good out here,” she murmured. “I don’t remember it smelling this good before.”
“I think it’s the lilac bush in your side yard.” He sat across from her. “As well as the freshly cut lawn and damp soil. But I agree it’s a good smell.” He lifted his glass. “Here’s to lots of happy times spent out here.”
She clinked her glass to his, then took a sip. “I feel sort of bad I let it go while Paul was ill. And then I never came out after that. But seeing how pretty everything looks now, I’m sorry I didn’t do this sooner.”
“All things in good time.” He nodded with satisfaction. “But I have to say, even though it was a lot of work, the results are well worth it.” He glanced toward the house. “Are the other ladies joining us?”
“I think so.” She peeked into a pizza box. “But we don’t have to wait for them. I don’t know about you, but I’m ravenous.”
“Me too.”
And so they both dug in. They were already going for a second piece each when Windy and Laurel came out. “Save any for us?” she teased as she sat next to Marcus, helping herself to pizza.
“We waited for you like one pig waits for another,” Riva replied glibly. “That’s what my grandma used to say.”
“Looks yummy.” Windy dished out some salad.
“Good thing you didn’t dillydally too much or we might’ve polished it all off.” Marcus filled two more wineglasses.
“Imbibing again?” Laurel’s brows arched. “Riva, darling, I didn’t know you were this extravagant.”
“Blame it on me,” Marcus said. “I thought it was a celebration.”
“Here’s to your new and improved yard.” Windy toasted.
“Here’s to lots of fun times out here with friends.” Laurel smiled, her eyes fixed on Marcus. “I bet you’re good with a grill.”
He shrugged. “I’m probably a little rusty.”
“You should taste his tri-tip,” Windy told them. “He marinates it all day, then wraps it in bacon and cooks it on the grill. Believe me, it’s delish.”
They continued to eat and drink and visit, but Riva could tell the energy levels were down considerably from last night.
Finally, they were done, and Riva couldn’t help but let out a yawn as she gathered up the empty pizza boxes.
“I won’t tell anyone else what to do, but I’m exhausted. I plan to turn in early tonight.”
“Me too.” Windy was already stacking dishes from the table. They both went into the kitchen, but Laurel and Marcus remained outside, visiting. Riva had overheard something to do with a school board issue and what they felt needed to happen.
“Those two have a lot in common,” Windy said as she rinsed a plate.
“Yes. It just occurred to me they both worked for the school district.”
“And Laurel seems to really like Marcus.”
Riva paused from stuffing a box into the trash compactor. “So you’ve noticed that too?”
Windy laughed. “How could you not?”
Riva shoved the second box into the compactor, then closed it and turned it on. It growled and crunched.
“Plus, she told me yesterday that she was fond of him,” Windy admitted. “And you saw how much she fixed herself up the last two nights. That’s not like her.”
“It’s kind of sweet to see her smitten like this.”
“Yes, she does seem a bit smitten, huh?” Windy gazed out the window, then lowered her voice. “I just hope she doesn’t get hurt.”
“By Marcus?”
“Well, she’s putting herself out there. But if he doesn’t feel the same . . . well, it could be tough.” Windy rinsed another plate, then looked at Riva. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but Laurel was not too happy when you and Marcus left in his pickup this morning.”
Riva winced. “I was a little worried about that.”
“I’m not mentioning it to trouble you, Riva. I mean, really, it’s between Laurel and Marcus. But I thought you should have a little heads-up.”
“Heads-up?” Riva knew what she meant but was surprised that Windy felt the need to say it.
“Well, you know that if you’re not careful, well, you could be stepping into a romantic triangle.”
“Oh, that’s impossible.” Riva rinsed her hands. “I have no interest in a romantic anything. And certainly not a triangle. No worries there.”
Windy looked relieved. “Okay. Good to know. Enough said.” She sighed, then gazed out the window again. “It’s so pretty out there this time of evening. And even though you have no interest in a romantic anything, your yard feels rather romantic.”
Standing behind Windy, Riva peered out at her backyard.
With the candle still glowing on the picnic table and fresh plants happily tucked in here and there, it was magical and altogether lovely in the dusky light.
If a person was in the mood for romance—and again, she was not—her own backyard wouldn’t be such a bad place to start.