Page 151 of Butterfly Effect

Dad

There is a landscaping company at the nursery?

Finally.

The cupcake joins some hen-and-chicks, mini aloe vera, pinwheels, mother-of-pearls, and a couple of Burro’s tails on the other end of the counter before I wash and dry my hands to reply. More messages appear.

Dad

Sorry the question mark was supposed to be !

Dad

And a contractor measuring the driveway

Me

Very nice.

Dad

You shouldn’t have, bala

Me

I didn’t!

Dad

But they have a list of issues to correct specific to Terra Bella

He sends a picture of a printout from a place called GreenLeaf, showing an itemized five-year estimate of field care and greenhouse maintenance but without prices. Biweekly mowing and edging services, seasonal weeding, fertilization, and aeration. Replace current clear greenhouse cover with infrared thermal film. New hay bales.

Another printed estimate from Star Paving shows the steps, labor, and materials needed to convert the gravel parking lot and driveway to asphalt.

Dad

They’re adamant about completing their projects

Dad

Saying they already got paid a deposit

I narrow my eyes into the air, doing mental gymnastics while guessing the cost. Who cares about the nursery and could afford to?—

Wade bursts through my front door. The answer strikes like lightning.

“Honey, I’mhooooome!”

He loses his coat and sends a suitcase rolling across my condo like a bowling ball. When it bounces off the casing of the bedroom door, he hisses. “Oooh. So close!”

There’s no point stifling my smile when Pretty Boy jogs over in a Regents hoodie, face dimpling. He squeezes me in a side hug before flooding my face and neck with plucky kisses. “Missed you, Freckles.”

A laugh bubbles from my throat at the tickle. “We saw each other yesterday.”

“That’s too long,” he whines. “Tell me you missed me, too.” My low ponytail earns a few tender strokes from his fingers, molten eyes panning across me in awe, searching for validation. I give it to him.

“Yeah, I missed you.”

---