Anyway, Brynna was determined not to think about him today. In fact, she felt she’d reached a place where she truly wished Dirk and his young wife nothing but blissful happiness. At least, that’s what she told herself. Some days were easier than others. As she entered the Riverside Gardens parking lot, which was quickly growing crowded, she knew this was a day for sweet pleasures. By sundown, she expected to have dirty fingernails and a lovely patio garden to enjoy. And maybe someday, when she was feeling really bold and confident, she would consider selling her condo unit. She’d heard that real estate values were on the rise in her neighborhood. Her new terrace garden might even help sell the place. She might have enough equity to purchase a charming little fixer-upper, one with a big yard outside of the city. Her old dream of having a farm was probably too much for a single career woman to manage, but she wouldn’t give it up completely.
Brynna parked near the coffee kiosk on the edge of the parking lot. As she waited for the barista to make her latte, she admired the pretty window boxes overflowing with pink geraniums, variegated ivy, and delicate bleeding hearts. Lovely! She wondered if she could grow something like that in the shaded corner on her patio. She knew she’d mostly need heartier plants that were able to withstand the afternoon sun. Perhaps she’d put up a sun umbrella like her neighbor Ella had done last summer. She could imagine herself at a little table, enjoying her morning coffee ... or in the evening, with some lanterns or string lights. It could look sweetly romantic.
As she picked up her latte, her mind wandered back to the conversation she’d had with her colleagues the day before. Perhaps she hadn’t given up on men entirely. There might still be one or two good guys out there. Who knew? Her heart felt light and bright and hopeful as she strolled through the open gates of the nursery’s entrance. She claimed one of the last wagons and, inhaling the scents of earthy growing things, headed toward the area wherepots and planters were displayed. Spotting an aromatic section of lavenders, she paused, bending down to simply breathe it all in. She’d definitely come back for some of these later. Oh, what a wonderful way to launch a perfectly delightful summer!
“I don’twantRussian sage,” a woman’s shrill voice insisted. “I want petunias. I already told you we’re planting nothing but petunias in the strip in front of the lawn. Purple petunias. That’s what I want.”
“But this tag says they’ll have purple flowers, Ashley. And it says they’ll get nice and tall, and they’re low-maintenance,” another voice countered.
“But I already told you. I want purple petunias, Dirk. Just like my mom’s house.Remember?”
The hair on the back of Brynna’s neck bristled and she stood up straight. She recognized not only her ex-husband’s voice but his new wife’s too. They had to be here today? Arguing over flowers? Really? Brynna glanced over her shoulder, hoping to be invisible. To her relief, her ex and his young wife had their backs to her. But as they continued to disagree over flowers, Brynna’s flip-flops seemed adhered to the asphalt beneath them. Like witnessing a train wreck, she felt slightly sickened by the sight but couldn’t stop staring.
Ashley had on a pretty pink floral sundress and delicate white sandals with kitten heels. Not exactly gardening garb, but fairly typical for the slightly frivolous young woman. Meanwhile Dirk wore khaki shorts, an OSU T-shirt, and Adidas. Nothing unusual about that. But what did seem noteworthy was the fact that Dirk and Ashley were at a nursery together,picking out plants. Since when had Dirk given a hoot about landscaping? Or spending a precious Saturday at a nursery?
Although aggravated at having her fun day interrupted by them, Brynna was surprised that she wished them no ill will. Pretending to sip her latte, she inconspicuously watched the couple head for the colorful section of annuals. Really, purple petunias? Howconventional and unimaginative. But as Ashley turned to pick up a small tray of blooms, Brynna felt as if the wind was knocked out of her. So stunned, her latte slipped from her hand, tipping and pouring down the front of her white tee. Oblivious to the hot liquid, she simply gaped in disbelief at Ashley’s very rounded midsection. Unless the young woman was hiding one of Dirk’s soccer balls beneath her sundress, Ashley was very, very pregnant. Like she could have the baby any minute!
With wobbly knees, Brynna turned away from the sight and, leaving the spilled coffee and garden cart behind, hurried from the nursery, across the parking lot, and straight to her car. Her hands trembled so violently, she couldn’t even manage her key fob to unlock it, so she just leaned her forehead against the driver’s side window and quietly cried. How could he? It was bad enough that Dirk was planting stupid petunias in his yard, but the same man who’d refused to have children with her was about to become a dad!How could he?
Chapter 4
Brynna was still crying when a shadow crossed over her and someone tapped on her shoulder. She jumped in surprise, looking up to see Jan Barton staring down at her.
“Are you okay, Brynna?” Jan demanded, though her tone held concern.
Blinking in shock, Brynna wiped her wet cheeks with her hands and attempted to appear perfectly normal. “Yes, yes, of course. I’m fine.” She stood straighter.
“You don’t look fine to me.” Jan frowned. “What’s going on here?”
“Nothing.” Brynna finally managed to click her fob, unlocking the door.
Jan pointed to Brynna’s brown-stained and still soaked T-shirt. “What happened?”
“Just a little accident. It’s nothing.” Brynna opened the door.
Jan continued to pester her with questions. “What are you doing at the nursery?”
“I was, uh, getting plants and things.”
“Where are they?” Jan glanced over Brynna’s shoulder into her car. “Your plants and things?”
“Well, I, uh, I didn’t get any.”
“Is that why you’re crying?” The woman’s head tipped to one side as her tone grew sarcastic. “Were they all out of pansies?”
Brynna’s pain morphed into anger. “If you must know, I just ran into my ex and his pretty new wife. And she ispregnant.”
Jan’s dark brows arched. “And that bothers you? That she’s pregnant?”
Brynna’s hands balled into fists. “Of course it bothers me. Dirkneverwanted children. For years I begged him. I nagged and pushed and prodded—everything I could to convince him. But he always rejected the idea of fatherhood.”
Jan looked surprised but said nothing.
“And you know what he did for his thirtieth birthday?He got himself a vasectomy!” Brynna couldn’t believe she’d disclosed this much, but it was too late to reel it back now.
“Hmm ... must’ve gotten it reversed.”
Brynna’s eyes filled with angry tears. “I’m just so—so—enraged about it. I feel like my head’s going to explode. I’d like to throw something or hit something or spit or—”
