“Bob said you had another daughter, an older one. Is she here?”

Lili shook her head. “No, Annabel’s at a play rehearsal. I’m no use for digging right now, and the planting won’t happen until the raised bed is done. However, I noticed some little corner beds . . .” She pointed and Laura saw what she meant: two little flower beds, or rather potential flower beds. They were currently growing old leaves and candy wrappers. “I was going to suggest I work on those, but I need to check that it’s OK.”

“I’m in,” said Laura, following her over to where Edward was standing with a middle-aged couple who were clearly the owners of the garden.

“Hey there,” said Lili, smiling at everyone. Laura saw the tall man turn and see Lili, and watched in half envy, half admiration as his face transformed at the sight of her. He reached out his hand and cupped Lili’s shoulder, gently drawing her closer.

“Hello there,” he said, his voice soft. “Jon, Sandy, this is Lili, my fiancée.”

The couple smiled and nodded, and Lili said, “I was wondering if Laura and I could do a little rehab on those flower beds?” She pointed, but Sandy and Jon looked confused.

“Those corners?” Jon looked surprised. “They’re not really flower beds, are they?”

“They easily could be,” said Lili. “I promise.” She looked at Edward. “Did we bring anything that would work there?”

Edward rubbed his head. “No, but you can ask Bob if he has anything, it’s possible.”

“He has some little flowers in trays, I saw them in the truck,” volunteered Laura. “I don’t know what they are or anything.”

“Bob”—Lili raised her voice—“do you have any flowers?”

Bob stopped digging and stood there with his T-shirt clinging to him. He wiped his forehead with his arm and thought about it.

“I think I have one flat of color, but if you’re talking about those corner beds, they won’t do. Rose campion”—he looked at Edward—“needs full sun. You want something like Brunnera, or maybe Dicentra. Trillium, maybe?”

Edward frowned, and turned to Jon and Sandy. “How do you feel about ferns? Or leaves in general?”

Both Jon and Sandy looked confused. “Uh,” said Sandy, “I’m pro-ferns, I guess.”

“Honestly,” said Jon, “never given ferns a single thought.”

Edward nodded, taking the insult to ferns on the chin. “These main beds will be filled with flowering plants to encourage pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, but ferns also provide a place to hide for ground-feeding birds or other foraging creatures. Those two corners are in full shade, so ferns or hostas will be more suitable.” He turned to Bob, who looked more interested in debating planting choices than digging in the hot sun. “Hostas, Bob?”