“Consider it done!”

“What are you two laughing about?” Cassidy asked as she came over. She smiled at Laura. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

“She wants a picture of you.”

Cassidy grinned. “You told her about the wedding, didn’t you?”

“I did.” Tanya turned back to her, still smiling. “They were lilac-colored, shoes to match.” Then she laughed. “And a big, floppy hat. The look on Cassidy’s face is so like ‘I’m going to kill you when this is over with’ that I break into a fit of giggles every time I see it.”

Laura laughed again, surprised at the blush on Cassidy’s face.

“You will so not share that picture with Laura.”

“I so will.”

“And you wonder why I haven’t invited you over before.”

“Oh, please. I’m just thankful you were able to squeeze us into your busy social schedule.” Tanya touched Laura’s arm. “I hope you have a swimsuit on under that. I’m ready to get in.”

“You two go ahead,” Cassidy offered. “I’m going to show Derrick my gym.”

“Have you had a tour yet?” Laura asked Tanya.

“Not yet. I think Cassidy is stalling. It’s huge.”

“Yes, it is. I’m surprised she doesn’t get lost in it.” Laura pulled off her top and kicked her flip-flops to the side of the table where a familiar bucket of beer sat.

“A lot of it the designer added on his own. I think she got tired of fighting him,” Tanya said. “He called daily.”

“I love the kitchen, though. And have you seen the pantry? It’s as big as a bedroom.”

Tanya laughed. “Yes, she did open the door so I could see. Cassidy loves to cook.”

They walked down the steps in the shallow end of the pool. The cool water felt good as the hot sun beat down on Laura’s shoulders.

“I understand you’re responsible for these lovely flowers.”

Laura nodded. “I went a bit overboard, I think.”

“They look great. Cassidy is very proud of them. Especially the flowerbed that she claims she helped build. Is it true?”

“It’s true. I made her do the hard part—hauling stone.”

“Well, everything looks great. I’m envious. I have a brown thumb. As Derrick told me once, I’d probably kill a plastic plant!”

“I get it from my mother. She’s always had a green thumb.”

“She lives next door too, right?”

Laura nodded, wondering just how much Cassidy did tell Tanya about her. “Technically, I’m living with her, not the other way around. When her husband died, she needed help here. She’s partially disabled,” Laura explained.

Cassidy and Derrick came out and Derrick’s eyes were wide. “Man, you should see that gym. I want one!”

“Sure, honey. As soon as you start using that treadmill you just had to have,” she said with a laugh. “This is Laura. Laura…my husband, Derrick.”