Blue Dahlia

suitcase—the rest, ones she hadn’t been able to bring herself to sell, were still packed in the trunk of her car—and slipped into bed.
    She opened it to where she’d left it bookmarked, prepared to settle herself down, as she did most nights, with an hour of reading.
    And was asleep with the light burning before she’d finished the first page.
     
    AT ROZ’S REQUEST, STELLA ONCE AGAIN WENT INTO her sitting room and sat. Roz poured them each a glass of wine.
    “Honest impression?” she asked.
    “Young, bright, proud. Honest. She could have spun us a sob story about being betrayed by the baby’s father, begged for a place to stay, used her pregnancy as an excuse for all manner of things. Instead she took responsibility and asked to work. I’ll still check her references.”
    “Of course. She seemed fearless about the baby.”
    “It’s after you have them you learn to be afraid of everything.”
    “Isn’t that the truth?” Roz scooped her fingers through her hair twice. “I’ll make a few calls, find out a little more about that part of the Ashby family. I honestly don’t remember very well. We never had much contact, even when he was alive. I do remember the scandal when the wife took off, left him with the baby. From the impression she made on me, and you, apparently he managed very well.”
    “Her managerial experience could be a real asset.”
    “Another manager.” Roz, in a gesture Stella took as only half mocking, cast her eyes to heaven. “Pray for me.”

seven

    IT DIDN’T TAKE TWO WEEKS. AFTER TWO DAYS, STELLA decided Hayley was going to be the answer to her personal prayer. Here was someone with youth, energy, and enthusiasm who understood and appreciated efficiency in the workplace.
    She knew how to read and generate spreadsheets, understood instructions after one telling, and respected color codes. If she was half as good relating to customers as she was with filing systems, she would be a jewel.
    When it came to plants, she didn’t know much more than the basic this is a geranium, and this is a pansy. But she could be taught.
    Stella was already prepared to beg Roz to offer Hayley part-time work when May got closer.
    “Hayley?” Stella poked her head in the now efficient and tidy office. “Why don’t you come out with me? We’ve got nearly an hour before we open. We’ll have a lesson on shade plants in Greenhouse Number Three.”
    “Cool. We’re input through the H’s in perennials. I don’t know what half of them are, but I’m doing some reading up at night. I didn’t know sunflowers were called Helia ... wait. Helianthus.”
    “It’s more that Helianthus are called sunflowers. The perennial ones can be divided in spring, or propagated by seeds—in the spring—or cuttings in late spring. Seeds from annual Helianthus can be harvested—from that big brown eye—in late summer or early fall. Though the cultivars hybridize freely, they may not come true from the seeds collected. And I’m lecturing.”
    “That’s okay. I grew up with a teacher. I like to learn.”
    As they passed through the counter area, Hayley glanced out the window. “Truck just pulled in over by the ... what do y’all call them? Pavers,” she said before Stella could answer. “And, mmmm, just look at what’s getting out of that truck. Mister tall, dark, and totally built. Who’s the hunk?”
    Struggling not to frown, Stella lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “That would be Logan Kitridge, Roz’s landscape designer. I suppose he does score fairly high on the hunk-o-meter.”
    “Rings my bell.” At Stella’s expression, Hayley pressed a hand to her belly and laughed. “I’m pregnant. Still have all working parts, though. And just because I’m not looking for a man doesn’t mean I don’t want to look at one. Especially when he’s yummy. He really is all tough and broody-looking, isn’t he? What is it about tough, broody-looking men that gives you that tickle down in the belly?”
    “I couldn’t say. What’s he doing over there?”
    “Looks like he’s loading pavers. If it wasn’t so cool, he’d pull off that jacket. Bet we’d get a real muscle show. God, I do love my eye candy.”
    “That sort’ll give you cavities,” Stella mumbled. “He’s not scheduled for pavers. He hasn’t put in the order for pavers. Damn it!”
    Hayley’s eyebrows shot up as Stella stomped to the door and slammed out. Then she pressed her nose to the window, prepared to watch the