She leaned on the hoe for a minute to rest, then went back to work, chopping at the grass that the old tiller hadn’t pulled up. The back of Frankie’s truck was loaded with mulch and compost and a pallet of stone. She’d hoped to get all that put out today, then pick up flowers on Monday. By the looks of it, she’d be finishing up the flowerbed on Monday and flowers on Tuesday. That is, if she could stay out of the pool.

The sound of Cassidy’s gate opening made her jerk her head up. The familiar black Mercedes drove slowly up the driveway, managing to squeeze by Frankie’s old truck by inches. Cassidy smiled at her as she drove up to the house and parked.

“Great,” she murmured as a rather thin, rather young, rather bleached-blond beauty got out of the passenger’s side. “I look like Farmer Brown and she’s got a model with her.”

Cassidy headed her way, still smiling, followed closely by the model. Laura leaned on the hoe again, barely resisting the urge to yank her ball cap off and tidy her hair.

“Hey,” Cassidy said in way of greeting. “This is Ashly,” she said, pointing at the model. “Ashly…meet Laura, my neighbor.”

Laura nodded at her with a brief smile, then turned accusing eyes at Cassidy. “You’re early.”

Cassidy nodded. “Yeah. A little.”

“You must have a cushy job.”

Cassidy laughed. “Well, I’m the boss.”

“Of course you are,” she said dryly. “In the future, if you could let me know you’re going to be early, I’ll be sure to get out of here before you come home.”

“It’s no problem that you’re here.” Cassidy stepped closer. “You’ve got some…some dirt here,” she said, rubbing Laura’s cheek with her thumb. Laura’s breath held as their eyes met. “And some here,” Cassidy continued, brushing across her eyebrow.

Laura swallowed with difficulty. “Thank you.” She finally took her cap off and ran a hand through her hair, conscious of the model staring at her.

Cassidy took a step away, still smiling. “So…this is how you build a flowerbed, huh?”

“Yes, well, it’s a little more elaborate than I’d planned.” She put the cap back on, hiding her sweaty, dirty hair. “I’m sorry I won’t finish it today.”

“No hurry. Although if you could have it finished by next weekend, that would be great. Memorial Day Weekend. Party.”

“Oh. Goody. Can’t wait.”

Cassidy laughed. “We’ll try not to be too boisterous.”

The model cleared her throat and Cassidy glanced at her apologetically. Laura wondered if Cassidy had forgotten she was there.

“Well, I guess we should leave you to it,” Cassidy said, motioning to the mound of dirt. “I promised Ashly an afternoon swim.”

Laura forced a smile. “You two have fun. I’ll clean up out here before I leave.”