Free Susannah's Garden by Debbie Macomber Page B

a short drive,” she said pleasantly. She turned on the ignition and the air-conditioning kicked in, flooding the car with an influx of hot air until it gradually cooled.
    Vivian remained quiet.
    “You didn’t tell me there was a Wal-Mart in town,” Susannah said in conversational tones. “Want to go?” Her mother had always loved shopping.
    “Oh.” Vivian smiled then and the tension eased from between Susannah’s shoulder blades.
    Instead of going back to the house to drop off the groceries, Susannah detoured and drove past the first of the assisted-living facilities she’d contacted. It was a modern complex that resembled a nice hotel, with balconies and a fountain in front of the circular driveway.
    Susannah didn’t say anything, but slowed as they drove past.
    “You apparently don’t know your way home anymore,” her mother said, ice dripping from every word.
    “Oh, I know where Chestnut Avenue is,” Susannah murmured. She shook her head. Vivian had never been to the assisted-living facility, but she knew exactly where it was located.
    “I don’t want that milk to spoil.”
    “It won’t.” Susannah turned and drove toward the house.
    In less than five minutes, Susannah was unloading the car. She put the refrigerator items away and left the rest of the bags on the kitchen counter, afraid that if she delayed too long her mother might change her mind.
    “You ready?” she asked.
    “For what?” Her mother blinked as if confused.
    “We’re going to Wal-Mart, remember?”
    Vivian studied her, apparently not sure this was something that interested her.
    Yeah, right, Susannah thought. She had trouble hiding a smile as the two of them went back to the car. The Wal-Mart parking lot was nearly full. This time her mother didn’t slide her arm through Susannah’s, but after a few steps she clasped Susannah’s elbow.
    “I don’t think I’ve seen this many people since the Fourth of July parade,” Vivian said as the blue-vested store greeter steered a cart toward them.
    “Payday at the mill,” the woman said, commenting on Vivian’s remark.
    Carolyn was doing well this season, Susannah mused as she allowed her mother to push the cart. Having something to hold on to helped Vivian keep her balance.
    They’d started down the first aisle when Susannah heard someone call her name. She turned to find a tall, slightly overweight woman watching her. It took a moment to realize who this was.
    “Sandy? Sandy Thomas?”
    “Susannah Leary?”
    They broke out laughing at the same time. “My goodness, it’s years since I saw you.” Sandy’s eyes sparkled with unabashed delight.
    Sandy had been a good friend, the kind of person who always saw things in a positive light. They’d kept in touch after graduation, and Susannah had served as a bridesmaid in Sandy’s wedding when she’d married Russell Giddings, the local pharmacist’s son.
    “I didn’t know you lived in Colville,” Susannah said.
    “Russ and I have been back for ages.”
    Susannah smiled at Vivian. “You remember my mother, don’t you?”
    “Yes, of course. Hello, Mrs. Leary.”
    “Hello, dear. You were Susannah’s friend, right?”
    Sandy nodded.
    “My daughter’s trying to move me out of my home,” Vivian announced, loudly enough for several heads to turn in their direction.
    “Mother!”
    “Well, it’s true.” Vivian leaned against the cart. “You think I don’t know what you’re doing?”
    “My mother’s living over at Altamira,” Sandy said. “And she loves it. She told me she was sorry she waited so long to move.”
    Susannah smiled her gratitude.
    Vivian crossed her arms in defiance. “I’m not leaving my home, and that’s all there is to it.”
    Sandy shared a sympathetic look with Susannah. “Let’s get together soon,” she suggested.
    Susannah shrugged, unsure what to tell her. Getting Vivian settled was her top priority. “I’d like to,” she began, “but…”
    “I’m in the phone book, so call