Although rarely at a loss for words, when Joanna came in and sat down without uttering a sound, Addison was stumped as to how to break the ice. It wasn’t going to be easy. Joanna’s cold-shoulder in the garden earlier that day had proven that. Frowning as words continued to escape her, Addison settled on the simplest. “Good evening.”

Joanna was trying to decide which of the paintings covering the walls she disliked the most when Addison’s voice interrupted her thoughts. Slowly changing her focus, Joanna said, “Good evening.”

The kitchen door swung open, and their meal began, and it wasn’t until the last morsel had been consumed when Addison found the courage to say what was on her mind. “I was wondering...” she said, putting down her fork. “Do you...do you still have the corporate card Fran gave you?”

Believing it to be a stupid question, Joanna rolled her eyes and said the first thing that came to mind. “No, I gave it to a homeless man.”

Addison leapt to her feet, her velocity causing her chair to tip over and bang against the floor. “You did what?”

Joanna tried to hold back her mirth, but unable to fight it, within seconds, she was reduced to giggles. “Oh my God, you should see your face.”

The intensity of Addison’s expression disappeared, and she placed her hands on her hips. “Was that some sort of joke?”

“Yep,” Joanna said, wiping away a tear. “And by your reaction, it was a good one.”

With her eyes remaining fixed on Joanna, Addison picked up her chair and sat back down. “All I did was ask you a question.”

Joanna bristled. “And it was a stupid one,” she said, putting her napkin aside. “Why the hell wouldn’t I still have it, and why does it matter? It’s not like I’m going to use it.”

“Yes, you are. That is if you’d like to.”

“What are you talking about?”

Addison took a sip of wine and then placed her glass back on the table. “That card has no limit on it.”

“So?”

“If you’re going to continue to work in those blasted gardens, then the stairs leading down to them need to be fixed.”

“The whole bloody patio needs to be fixed.”

“Then do it.”

“What did you just say?”

“I said, do it,” Addison said, pausing to take a drink of wine. “Hire someone in the spring and get it repaired.”

“Are you serious?”

“When have you known me not to be?”

Joanna slowly picked up her glass, and taking a sip of the Cabernet, she studied the woman at the other end of the table. “Why are you doing this?”

“I told you. If you intend to keep working in the gardens, you need to get to them safely. Besides, you keep saying you have nothing to do. This should keep you busy for a while.”