Page 34 of Courageous Demands

“I’m going to grab the burgers and be right there.”

“Get one for Mom too – because I assure you, she will be bossing us both around, telling us what to plant where and explaining why.”

“I will – and thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being amazing and doing this.”

Alec got really quiet for a moment and didn’t say anything – and when he did speak, she could hear something in his voice. Obviously, he was thinking of his father, the meaning behind this whole thing, and where they were at in this rekindling of something once broken between them.

“I’ll see you soon,” he said simply – and ended the call.

That abrupt change in tone was an unwitting wake-up call she needed. No, things weren’t perfect, and they certainly were not celebrating a missed anniversary like his parents. It was easy to imagine that they were in love because she still felt all those emotions, but the fear of being hurt if things fell apart again obviously would linger much longer.

* * *

Not twenty minutes later, Willow was questioning the whole reasoning for this sudden need for a flower bed. Alec was grumpy and muttering sarcastic things under his breath; his mother was like a tyrant tossing about orders, and both she and Alec were in the dirt on their hands and knees, planting as quickly as possible.

“What did I tell you at the nursery?”

“About what?”

“Were you not paying attention?”

“I was probably trying to keep one of those big bumblebees from landing on me…”

“Ma, just spit it out. What’s wrong with putting this one here?”

“It grows to four feet tall – those go in the back. They are cannas.”

“Canna I get a little help?”

“Very funny, sweetie.”

“Who’s joking?”

“This was your idea, sweetie.”

“But it’s not for me…”

“Wait a second,” Willow retorted, looking at him in disbelief and getting to her feet, dusting off her knees - only to see Alec do the same. They stood there looking at each other. “You wanted this… remember?”

“Because you wanted flowers.”

“I’ve never gotten flowers…

“Alec!”

“Ma, not now. Willow? Ix-nay on the owers-flay…”

“Both of you quit bickering, and let’s get at it. Alec, grab the phlox, and Willow, go get the Shasta daisies.”

“Is that a new flavor of soda?”

“Oh, for phlox sake,” Alec muttered, slapping his forehead, pointing. “It’s the stringy green things that are supposed to have little white flowers on top.”

“Don’t you take that tone with me.”

---