Free Lost and Found in Cedar Cove by Debbie Macomber Page A

cooling on wire racks along the countertop. “It shouldn’t be a problem.”
    “You’re sure about that?” He might not find planting a rose garden particularly significant, but she did. This garden would be a tribute to her husband, to Paul. While it might not mean anything more than a job to Mark, it was important to her, and his cooperation in this would be greatly appreciated.
    Mark scowled and shrugged.
    Jo Marie set two cookies on the plate and brought it over to the table, where he’d plopped himself down. He’d eaten both by the time she returned with her own coffee and sat across from him. Rover curled up at her feet.
    “When can you get started?” she asked, unwilling to be put off.
    “That depends.”
    “On what?”
    “Where do you want the rose garden?” he asked.
    “I’d like to have my guests view it as soon as they pull into the driveway.” That made sense to Jo Marie.
    “You’d better show me.”
    “Okay, fine.” Reaching for a sweater, she led the way outside. The morning was dark and gloomy, the skies overcast with thick slate-gray clouds that threatened more than the customary March drizzle.
    Standing on the top porch step, she pointed in the direction that seemed the best choice to her. The chill got to her, and she wrapped the sweater more tightly around herself.
    “The drainage there might be a problem.”
    Jo Marie hadn’t thought about that. She’d assumed roses would bloom wherever they were planted.
    “Where else would work?”
    Alongside the shed, she guessed, but she’d hoped to have the gazebo close by, and she’d rather it not be close to any of the outbuildings. “Around the other side of the inn, I suppose.” She wasn’t keen on that idea, although it was an option.
    “Let me check it out.”
    “Okay.” She followed Mark as he led the way down the steps and along the pathway that meandered around the inn. Rover dutifully followed.
    With his hands braced against his hips, Mark surveyed the area. “I’m going to need to do a bit of research first.”
    “For what?” This sounded like a delay tactic to her.
    “I want to read up on roses, learn what I can about planting and growing them before I start tearing up the yard. Then you and I can decide where would be the best spot for your rose garden.”
    He came across as practical, and she didn’t have an argument. “Okay, but I want to remind you I’d like this done fairly quickly.”
    “If you want to hire someone else, that’s fine by me. I’ll do my best, but I’m not making any promises.”
    “Okay, okay,” she muttered and shook her head. Oh my, he was in a rare mood this morning. She led the way back into the house. “How much do you figure this will cost?” she asked, reveling in the welcome warmth of the house.
    “That depends,” Mark said.
    To show good faith, she replenished his plate with two additional cookies. “Just a rough estimate is enough.”
    “I’ll be fair.”
    “I know you will,” she said, sitting down across from him. She was half tempted to offerto pay him in cookies, but he might take her seriously, in which case she’d be baking for him for the next several years.
    “What do you want me to do first? Put together a bid or research where best to plant the garden?”
    It wasn’t an easy choice. “Do whatever will get my rose garden in by Memorial Day,” she suggested.
    “Fair enough.” He quickly ate the two additional cookies and emptied his coffee mug. “I’d better get started, then.”
    “Perfect.”
    “I’ll head down to the library and get a few gardening books and get back to you by the end of the week.”
    “Sounds good.”
    Standing, he carried his mug to the sink. “Those are some of your best cookies yet.”
    A compliment? From Mark? This was worthy of a reward. “Why don’t I give you a few to take with you?”
    He almost smiled. “I won’t turn them down.”
    Unable to hide her amusement, she looked down at Rover, but her faithful companion