“I can’t imagine Sarina having a romantic interest in Denny,” Max said. “Not this soon, anyway, and not knowing if her husband’s coming back or what’s going to happen.”

For a time they were silent. Hannah’s eyes strayed to the window and to the hillside beyond where pines rose one above the other. Max broke the silence.

“Did you know that colors like orange, rust, pink, and red in a restaurant stimulate people to eat faster and leave sooner? Blues and greens relax people and they linger longer.”

“I didn’t know that. So what color is Jose using?”

“Jose decided on an attractive shade of rust-orange, and the booths will be what the salesman calls persimmon and a pleasant shade of yellow. Should be very nice, don’t you think?”

She nodded. “Yes, nice. When do you begin to advertise?”

“Next week. I’m going to place ads in the Asheville, Weaverville, and Madison County papers, the Mountain Xpress, and Rapid River magazine, and an ad, maybe the whole back cover, in that woman’s magazine.”

“Western North Carolina Woman’s Magazine? Is that the magazine you’re talking about?” she asked. “I intended to suggest that. It’s a very good magazine. We ladies all read it every month and enjoy it. Brenda knows the two women who started it, Sandi and Julie. They’re hardworking gals. Good people. We ought to place an ad telling folks about the gardens and the historic village, maybe take the entire back cover and run it several times a year, especially during tourist season and the holiday season.”

“Good idea. I’ll tell Molly to prepare ads, meet with them, and work something out.” He rose from the rocker and stretched his back and arms. He ached all over, stiffness that had nothing to do with this rocker, and which he knew would work itself out when he started moving. That was the trick. Moving seemed to oil old arthritic joints. “Well, honey, you rest and don’t worry about anything. Wayne’s gotten a lot done on the Oriental garden. The aquatic plants arrived and a load of rugged-looking, lightweight boulders. Wayne placed them. He said he thinks they’re where you want them. If not, he’ll move them. The water in the pond’s clear now. I had the man test it the other morning, and the pH is finally what you wanted. All in all, it’s going well, and the rain has stopped so the earth’s had a chance to dry out.”

She raised her hands and beckoned him to her and kissed him on the lips. “Have a good day, a productive day. See you for dinner.”