I shook my head even if he couldn’t see it. “I can handle Violet.” I pulled into the parking lot and parked in a space on the side of the building. “And speaking of my sister, I’ve gotta get goin’.”

When I walked into the nursery, Violet took one look at me, then shot a glance toward the clock.

“I’m on time, Vi,” I said, plopping my bag on the counter.

She lifted her eyebrows but didn’t comment. Okay, she’d told me to be there at 9:40 and I’d shown up at 9:42. She bent down and pulled out her purse, looping it over her elbow. “At least you remembered.”

I would have offered a retort if I hadn’t almost forgotten, but Violet read between the lines and shot me a teasing grin.

Anna stood on the other side of the store with a watering pitcher in her hand, eyeing us with interest.

Violet glanced at Anna before returning her gaze to me. “I like this girl, Rose Anne Gardner. So please don’t corrupt her.” I started to protest, but then she winked. “Bye.” She waggled her fingers as she walked out the door.

Who was this woman who claimed to be my sister? She’d told me she was going to change and from all appearances, she was making great strides. I hated being at odds with her, so I only hoped this phase would last. I watched her climb into her car, wondering what had finally pushed her into making the effort. Could the thought of irreparably harming our relationship have been enough of an incentive?

I heard the clink of a knick-knack moving on a glass shelf and turned to look at my sister’s new employee. Anna eyed me with a seriousness I hadn’t expected. Then I realized she’d taken Violet’s words to heart.

“Don’t listen to Violet. She was just joking around.”

She nodded and gave me a meek look, her shoulders slumped, but I saw a determination in her eyes that belied her body language. There was a story there. I was curious, of course, but I could hardly begrudge someone else for choosing to keep a secret. Especially when I had so many of my own.

“Violet tells me you’re new to Henryetta,” I said, moving around behind the counter and opening my bag.

“Yeah.”

“Where are you from originally?”

“Mississippi.”

“Do you have family here?”

“No.” The force behind the word told me to back off.

I pursed my lips in surprise. It still struck me as strange that anyone would move to Henryetta without an honest-to-God reason for it, but she was apparently not in the mood to discuss it. “Well, I hope you like it here in Henryetta.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, going back to her watering task.

We only had a few customers over the next hour, but Anna greeted each one with a bright smile and sunny disposition. It was enough of a contrast to make me question whether she held a grudge against me, although for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why she would. But her helpfulness gave me plenty of time to work on my landscape designs. I considered scouring the recently discovered journal, but I was paranoid enough not to want random strangers to see the book. I had begun to price out the designs when the door tinkled, and I heard a voice that made my shoulders tense.

“Well, hello, Rose,” Hilary said, gliding through the door. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” She lifted her eyebrows as she scrutinized me. “But I have to say the apron doesn’t suit you. You seem more at home in the muck and dirt.”

Anna was restocking a shelf a few feet away and her mouth parted in worry as she looked at Hilary.

I was going to be nice to her if it killed me. “Good morning, Hilary. I’m surprised to see you here.”

“I just got finished with my doctor’s appointment. Before I went home, I thought I’d spend a few dollars to help keep your business—” she glanced around with disgust, “—afloat.” She waved her hand. “Supporting local stores and all that.”

“How generous of you,” I said with a sweet smile. “If you decide you’d like to get a job like the rest of us, I hear they’re hiring at the Stop-N-Go.” So much for my resolve to be nice.

She laughed and began to peruse the shelves. “You’re so cute.” But her tone suggested otherwise. She rubbed her small baby bump. “In any case, my appointment went well. The baby’s heartbeat is strong and I’m about to enter my second trimester. Before you know it, Joe and I will know if we’re having a boy or a girl.” She gave me a dazzling smile, and despite the malicious intent behind her litany, I could see happiness in her eyes. She really did want this baby.

I wasn’t sure what she wanted me to say, so I bit my tongue.

“Where’s Violet?” she asked, looking around.

“She’s at a doctor’s appointment.”

“Oh?” she asked in surprise. “At the Henryetta Family Clinic? I didn’t see her there. She must have been in an exam room.” She shrugged. “Isn’t that funny? I could have just asked her at the doctor’s office.”

“Asked her what?”

She beamed. “To decorate the nursery. Since I’ll be finding out the baby’s sex soon, I’m eager to start planning the room. I hear Violet has a fabulous eye.”

“What?” Had she lost her mind?

But she’d gotten exactly the reaction she’d hoped for. “I have connections with Inviting Arkansas magazine. I’m sure I can get them to do a spread on my nursery and how Violet is an up and coming decorator. Her business will start booming.”