Emma shook hands with everyone. What in the world was she doing here? Uncertainty swam in her stomach.
“The town has recently approved a memorial to be built here in the town square honoring our local men and women who have given their lives serving their country,” Mayor Clemmons told her.
“Oh, wow.” Emma clasped her hands in front of herself. “That sounds wonderful.”
“Mary and Lucas have done fantastic work for us in the past so we brought Artful Blooms in on the project,” he said.
“And Lucas and I will be backing you up, but we want you to lead the project, Emma,” Mary told her, her eyes shining with affection.
“Me?” Emma breathed. This was a big project, a huge responsibility, and much more public exposure than she’d ever had in the past. This was the kind of work portfolios were built on.
Mayor Clemmons’s dark eyes were kind. “Your brother Derek’s name will be on the memorial, of course. When Mary and Lucas suggested you, we thought it especially fitting that you would be the one designing the memorial garden.”
Emma pressed a hand to her heart. “I’m really honored, you guys. I don’t know what to say.”
“We’re very humbled by your brother’s sacrifice and the other men and women whose names will be memorialized, and we know that you will do them proud.”
“Thank you.” Although her connection to Derek made her a little uneasy. Had she gotten this job on her own merit or only because her brother died in Afghanistan? Either way, she was going to throw herself into it full force and make sure no one regretted choosing her.
They talked for a few more minutes before the town representatives headed back to their offices. Lucas and Mary lingered to go over some preliminary details. Emma was already so indebted to them both. They’d hired her when she was a teenager with no family, no money for college, and desperate for work. She’d always loved to be outside and get her hands dirty so helping to install their landscape work had been a perfect way to earn a paycheck.
Over the years, she’d discovered she really loved landscape design and had worked her way up to managing her own projects. Lucas and Mary planned to retire at the end of the year, which was one of the reasons she’d finally taken the plunge and applied to the program at the University of Georgia. She would need a new job when they retired, and she’d always dreamed of opening her own landscape design business. A degree would be a good first step, plus a new beginning, leaving Haven behind.
Emma looked at the empty stretch of grass in front of her, the space she’d just been tasked with filling. Butterflies flapped around in her belly.
“The Town Planning Committee is rather well known for being difficult to please,” Mary said. “Don’t be discouraged if it takes you a few tries to come up with a design they like.”
“Really?” It felt like one of those butterflies had just lodged in her throat. What if she screwed this up and didn’t come up with a design they liked in time?
“They’re an eclectic bunch,” Lucas said. “They’ll be expecting something traditional but unique.”
“Traditional but unique,” Emma repeated. “I can do that.”
“And Lucas and I will be here to back you up anytime you need us.” Mary rested a hand on her shoulder. “Maybe you and I can get coffee later this week and go over some ideas?”
Emma sucked in a breath and nodded. “I’d like that.”
“This might be our last project together,” Mary said, a hint of sadness in her tone. “You’ll give us a beautiful new addition to the town commons before you go off to college.”
“I hope so.”
“You will.” Mary nodded. “It’s true what they say: When one door closes, another one opens. The end of Artful Blooms will be the beginning of something new and beautiful for all of us. You’re beginning the next step in your career, and Lucas and I will enjoy the luxury of retirement.”
“Yes.” Emma could barely speak past the lump in her throat. “What do you guys have planned after you retire?”
“Just booked a trip to Paris this fall,” Lucas said. “Always wanted to visit Europe.”
“And we plan on spending a lot more time with the grandkids.” Mary smiled at her husband, then at Emma. “Which might bring us out your way.”
“Oh, that’s right!” Emma had completely forgotten that Lucas and Mary’s daughter Beatrice and her family lived outside Atlanta. “Maybe we can get together when you visit Bea and the kids.”
“That’s a definite.” Mary pulled Emma in for a warm hug. “You’re like family to us, Emma. That won’t change when Lucas and I retire.”
“I know.” Emma swallowed past the knot in her throat because truthfully, shedidn’tknow, not for sure. People promised to stay in touch, but in her experience, once life carried them in separate directions, they rarely did. And Lucas and Mary had come to mean so much to her. The thought of losing touch with them…it hurt. A lot.
Mary brushed back a silver lock of hair. “Well, we’re running late to another appointment. I’ll call you later about coffee tomorrow.”
After Mary and Lucas left, Emma walked to a bench along the edge of the square and sat, elbows on her knees, just staring at the ground. Derek would have turned thirty this year. She didn’t let herself dwell too often on the “what ifs” of life, but sometimes…sometimes she wondered what he would be like now. Would he still be in the military? He’d barely reached adulthood when he died. She had no idea what kind of man he would have become.
