Violet shook her head. “Never mind. Have you seen Miss Mildred?” She bit her lower lip and surveyed the crowd.

“No, but I wasn’t lookin’ for her either.” The less I saw of that woman, the better.

“She promised me she’d be here. As president of the garden club, if she doesn’t come…”

“She loves you, Violet. If she said she was coming, she’ll be here. Maybe she had trouble getting her car started. You know how old that thing is.”

“You and I both know that old Cadillac is like a cockroach. Even a nuclear bomb couldn’t kill it.” Violet took a deep breath and smoothed a hand over her stomach. “I’m so nervous I feel like I’m gonna throw up.”

I grabbed Violet’s hands. “You are amazing, Violet Mae Gardner Beauregard. You created this from nothing! Two months ago it was an abandoned building, and look at it now! It’s bursting with flowers and happiness. You did that.”

“No, Rose. You’re just as much a part of this as I am. You and Joe.”

“But you had the dream, Violet. You did the homework. This would never have happened if it weren’t for you.” I looked at the assembled crowd. There were over fifty people present, and I suspected they weren’t just here for the sheet cake. “The townspeople of Henryetta love you, Violet. That’s why they’re all here, ready to cheer you on and buy flowers from us. They’re here to support you.” Part of me was a tiny bit jealous of that fact, but I’d lived with it for long enough to accept it. This was Violet’s moment, and I wouldn’t begrudge her that. “Now get up there and cut that giant ribbon.”

Her eyes flew open. “We’re doin’ it together.”

Violet’s world was hanging on this business. Mine was hanging on the man walking toward me. “I’ll come up there with you, but I’m gonna stand to the side and let you do all the talking.”

She nodded and turned to face the crowd, smiling as she walked to the front of the store. Someone from city hall had draped a red ribbon across the sidewalk in front of the entrance and tied it to the racks holding flats of flowers.

When Joe reached me, he was beaming with pride. “It’s your big moment, darlin’. Now get over there with Violet.”

Neely Kate’s eyebrows rose. “He’s right. You earned it.”

“After all the work you’ve done, you’re coming too.” I slipped my hand into Joe’s and pulled him with me.

Brody MacIntosh, the recently elected mayor, stood at Violet’s left, holding a ginormous pair of scissors. Brody was a good-looking man, and newly single since his wife had taken off with the manager of the Walmart in Lafayette County. Every unattached woman in Fenton County was after him, and a good portion of the married ones too. Since he owned the local lumber yard, he had looks and money, and his newly gained political position also gave him power. Although, for the life of me, I couldn’t see how being able to vote on the trash pickup day made him more attractive.

I kept to the side and let my sister have her moment of glory. I hated to be the center of attention, but it would be odd if I wasn’t at the front with Violet since it was the Gardner Sisters Nursery. I scanned the crowd, thankful almost everyone was focused on my older, more beautiful sister. My gaze stopped when I locked eyes with Mason Deveraux, the assistant district attorney, and he offered me a hesitant smile.

I had been introduced to Mason when I was picked for—and then kicked off of—the jury for Bruce Wayne Decker’s murder trial a couple of months ago. Mason and I had a rocky start after I literally bumped into him in the courthouse, but we ironed out our differences and became friends. That’s why I found it odd, and more than a little hurtful, that he’d practically ignored me the few times we’d run into each other since then. Whenever I mentioned Mason’s behavior to Joe, he’d just scowl and change the subject, not that I was surprised. The two of them had known each other in Little Rock, but they refused to elaborate on the circumstances. In any case, it was clear that their acquaintance had been less than amicable. As far as I knew, the only time the two of them had gotten along was when they worked together to get me out of jail.

Jonah Pruitt was also in the crowd, standing toward the front with his too bright smile and some of his church people flanking him. A cameraman stood next to them, his camera pointed at the ground.

I scanned the crowd for Miss Mildred, surprised to see her hobbling over to the crowd from the sidewalk. Her face was red, and she looked flustered. Maybe the heat was getting to her, because despite what I had told Violet, Miss Mildred was never late for anything.

Brody got everyone’s attention and gave a little speech about Henryetta being built on entrepreneurial spirit and how supporting the Gardner Sisters Nursery was supporting the determination and drive of single mothers, starting right here in our own hometown. He gave Violet an appreciative grin and although her back was turned to me, I could feel her practically swoon.

Violet was not immune to the Brody MacIntosh charm.

He handed her the scissors, and the two of them cut the ribbon together.

Joe tensed, and I grabbed his hand. I knew he was feeling indignant on my behalf, but it didn’t bother me. Much.

The crowd broke into applause when the ribbon fell, and Jonah Pruitt immediately walked sideways toward Violet, making sure not to turn his back to the crowd. The cameraman had his camera pointed at the reverend as he stepped in front of Brody and snatched up Violet’s hand in a handshake. Turning to the camera, Jonah flashed his toothy smile. “I’m Reverend Jonah Pruitt, the pastor of the New Living Hope Revival Church. As a new member of this community who wants to support local businesses, I’d like to be your first customer and order enough flowers to cover the grounds of the New Living Hope Revival Church!” The crowd broke into loud applause.