But she did have flowers to plant. She’d gone into town yesterday and picked up two new planters and several flats of flowers, along with the potting soil mix that she used. She would get that finished today, then cool off in the pool. Tomorrow, she would tackle the front flowerbed. She’d already unloaded some of the stones and bags of compost and mulch for the larger bed. She figured she could get that one done in a couple of hours. Thursday would be mow day. Friday morning she’d try to finish up the smaller bed nearer the driveway. Everything should be ready to go for Cassidy’s weekend party. However, trying to cram all of that into a few days meant there’d be no time to have her mother over to the pool. She’d shoot for next week on that.

She heard the tap, tap, tap of a woodpecker on a tree and looked around, trying to find him. He was hammering on a small, dead oak, and the ringing of her phone startled both him and her. She found herself smiling, though, as Cassidy’s name appeared.

“Hey,” she answered.

“Hey, yourself. What are you doing?”

“Trespassing,” she said with a grin.

Cassidy laughed. “Figured you weren’t in the pool. My guys should be there by now.” She paused. “Trespassing where?”

“I’m out in your woods. I’m trying to find the leaning tree.”

“And the leaning tree is what?”

“Something from my childhood. I used to climb it. Great sunset view.”

“That’s right. You said you used to play out there when you were a kid.”

“I did. Almost every day. Did you really never come out here?”

“Not that I remember. Certainly not when I got older. I think my father almost forgot he had the place.”

“We never knew who owned it. When I was a kid, I mean. To me, it was like this giant park that I had all to myself.”

“I can hear the smile in your voice,” Cassidy said, causing Laura to smile broader.

“Good memories.” She leaned against a tree. “Why are you calling, anyway?”

“Oh. Just…you know, checking in.”

“If you’re worried I won’t have your yard looking presentable for your party, don’t be. I’ve got a handle on it.”

“Not worried. Have you spent all my money yet?”

Laura laughed. “Hardly. I got two more planters to match the other two by the pool. I plan to get those planted this afternoon, after your pool guys leave.”

“Okay.” A pause. “So…listen. Why don’t you plan on coming to the party on Saturday?”

Laura’s eyes widened. “Your party?”

“Yes, my party. You might, you know, meet someone.”

“Oh, I don’t think so. I’ve seen the women you’ve had over.”

“That’s right. Bad taste,” Cassidy said with a laugh. “You can still come over,” she offered.