Page 66 of Refuge for Flora

“Okay. Here we go.” He backed out of Mrs.Murphy’s driveway and pointed his truck homeward.

They’d only been in the house for about five minutes when a voice rang out from the vicinity of the front door. “Yoo-hoo! You here?”

“Yeah! Come on in.” They’d been working in the kitchen, and a small, round woman appeared in the doorway, a big casserole dish in her hands. Barrett headed straight for her. “Is this the baked beans?”

“Yes, honey. You asked and I delivered. Your dad’s unloading the extra tables, and Kirby’s out there helping him. Need any help with anything else?” she asked as her eyes darted toward Flora.

“Oh, yeah! Mom, this is FloraStevens. Flora, this is my mom, BethQuarles.”

Flora extended a hand, but Beth walked right past it and threw her arms around the younger woman. Her hug was magical, all warm and soft, and she smelled like sugar cookies. “I’m so glad to meet you, honey. Barrett’s told us wonderful things about you.”

“He’s said a lot of great things about you and his dad too. I’m glad to meet you. You look just like the picture!”

“So what do you two need help with? Got some tea made?”

“No, we don’t, so that would help a lot.” Barrett set a big pitcher out on the countertop. “The tea’s up there in the cabinet over the sink.”

“Got it.” Beth got to work and Flora kept shucking the ears of corn Barrett had picked up from the farmer’s stand.

“Well, look at this! Looks like a hive of little worker bees!” a female voice called out, and Flora looked up to see a stunning woman standing in the kitchen doorway, a big casserole dish in her hands.

“Oh! Let me take that. Landee, you know my mom.”

“Yes! Hi, Mrs.Quarles! It’s good to see you!”

“And you too, honey. Where’s Annalise?”

“Out helping the guys get the folding chairs set up. And you must be Flora.” Landee strode toward the shorter woman and held out her hand. Flora took it, and Landee clapped her free one on top of their joined ones. “It’s so great to meet you. I told Barrett to bring you over sometime and we’ll all sit around the pool.”

“Yeah, he made me buy a swimsuit. I’m glad to finally meet you. He really thinks a lot of you and Zyan.”

“And we think he’s a pretty great guy. What can I do to help?”

Barrett gave a head toss toward the refrigerator. “Wanna devil the eggs?”

“Oooo, yeah! I love deviled eggs! I need mustard, mayo, and relish. Oh, and paprika.”

“Everything’s in there. Babe, would you look right up there and grab the paprika for Landee?”

“Sure!” Flora dug around in his spice cabinet until she found the bottle. “I think there’s enough in there.”

“I’ll just sprinkle it on every other egg. That way if somebody doesn’t like it, they can choose one without. Got some onion and garlic powder up there too?” Flora rummaged around and found a bottle of each. “That’s perfect. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Flora went back to shucking the corn and realized something important.

She was happy. She and Barrett were working shoulder to shoulder on the corn. Two other women were there with them, and everyone was cheerfully doing their part, chatting and laughing as they worked. It felt like home. Like family. Even though none of them had said it, she felt loved, and even more so because the whole purpose of the day was to introduce her to everyone who was important to Barrett.

“Hope we’re not late!” a male voice rang out from the front of the house.

“No! You’re right on time! Come on in!” Barrett called out.

A tall man stood in the doorway and with him, a woman who wasn’t very tall and was fairly thin for her height. Her head listed to one side and one of her eyelids drooped. “You must be Flora! I’m Bud, and this is my wife, Martina.”

Flora knew who they were instantly. “Oh! Barrett had lunch with you.”

“Yeah! I’m really glad to meet you.”

“I’m glad to meet you, and you too, Mrs.…”

---