Page 100 of Crazy for You

“It needs fleshing out, obviously,” Angela said with a smile.

“It will be beautiful,” Emma told her. “The lodge looks amazing. It should be a great addition to the area once it’s open.”

“You might be wondering why I’ve brought you here,” Angela said, giving Emma a shrewd look.

She smiled. “I did wonder, yes.”

“Well, I was very impressed with your work on the new memorial. I’ve gotten the chance to know Lucas and Mary Pratt while I’ve been in town, and they speak very highly of you. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’d like to hire you.”

Emma’s mouth popped open. “Hire me?”

Angela nodded. “I’d be so pleased if you would design and maintain our gardens for us. It’s very important to me to work with local professionals wherever possible. I’m from a small town myself, although on the West Coast. I’ve opened a string of hotels across the country, but not a chain. Each are independent, unique, and tailored to their surroundings. I like you, Emma, and your work is vibrant and exciting, yet reflective of the local flair.”

Emma’s mind was reeling. Designing the gardens for this lodge? That was a big job. Whoa… “You got all that from seeing the memorial gardens?” she asked faintly.

“And from talking with Lucas and Mary. They were kind enough to show me some of your other work.”

“Wow, Angela. I’m really flattered.”

“I’m not sure if you have room in your schedule for a project of this size. Construction on the lodge is moving along quickly, and we hope to be open for business by the end of the year so I’m afraid I’d be monopolizing a lot of your time between now and then.”

“I’ll…well, I’m sorry. Lucas and Mary must not have mentioned that I’m leaving town next week. I’ve enrolled in the University of Georgia’s landscape architecture program.”

“Ah,” Angela said. “I didn’t know. My loss then.”

“If I weren’t leaving town, I would jump on this project in a heartbeat. It’s exactly the kind of work I want to do.” Emma felt a crushing sort of sadness settle over her that she wouldn’t get this chance. “I’ll be sure to stay here when I visit.”

“That’s very kind,” Angela said. “Well, I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavor.”

Emma stayed for a few more minutes, talking with Angela, then walked back to her car in a haze of mixed emotions. That, right there, had been her dream job. Exactly the kind of project she wanted to work on. As she drove back over the winding roads to Haven, a niggle of doubt began to work its way through her.

What if she stayed? What if she opened her own landscape company now, sans degree, took this job, and made a go of it?

Was that totally crazy?

She picked up her phone and dialed Mary. “Why didn’t you tell her I was leaving town?” she asked after filling Mary in on her meeting with Angela Davenport.

“Where are you?” Mary asked.

“Almost in downtown.”

“I’m at the bakery. Swing by, and let’s chat.”

“Okay.” Emma drove down Main Street and parked at the commons near the new memorial. The red poppies made her smile every time she walked by, although today her smile was bittersweet. She entered the bakery and waved at Carly, spotting Mary at a table near the back.

“Your usual?” Carly called out.

“That would be awesome. Thanks.” Maybe a coffee and a cinnamon bun would help her sort out this crazy-confusing morning. Really, the last two days had been such a roller coaster. At this point, she had no idea which end was up.

“So,” Mary said when Emma had sat across from her, “I want to tell you a few things, and I’m not sure how you’re going to feel about them.”

“Okay,” Emma said, a vague sense of unease settling in her stomach. Carly swung by with her coffee and cinnamon bun, and she took a welcome sip of the hot brew.

“When we first started planning our retirement this year, Lucas and I had talked about passing Artful Blooms on to you,” she said.

“What?” The coffee mug nearly slipped from Emma’s fingers. She set it on the table with a clunk.

“You’re our protégée. We’re both so proud of you, and we knew Artful Blooms would be in great hands with you. In fact, that’s why we originally chose you to lead the memorial project. We were preparing you to take over for us. But then you told us you’d enrolled in college and wanted to start a new career for yourself in Georgia, and we were thrilled for you, Emma. We didn’t want to hold you back. You’re right in thinking that there are opportunities for you there that you just won’t find in a little town like Haven.”

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