Community Gardens (Community Garden Series Book 1) Read Free

memory of the mayor's letdown, she glanced at the coffee pot. It
was still dripping. Unable to wait, she carefully exchanged the glass
pot with her coffee mug.
    The
first day went better than planned. The spring inventory sold. The
lettuce baskets were gone and Zack had cut the ribbon like a master
instead of the mayor.
    Why
hadn't the mayor shown? Was it really forgetfulness? When her mug
filled, she switched the pot back.
    She
sighed and looked at Willie's green eyes. “What do you think
buddy? Did Sara really forget? If so, why hasn't she returned my
calls?” Willie licked his paw. “So are you telling me
it's no big deal? Hmm, I don't agree. If she forgot our ribbon
cutting ceremony, will she forget our box garden project too?”
    She
recalled the day Sara listened to her talk about the benefits of the
box garden project. While unrolling the blueprints, she explained how
restoring and landscaping the weed infested area behind the library
would raise property values. The boxes would be arranged between
curved walking paths covered in pine mulch and stepping-stones. The
paths would be made wide enough that box gardeners could easily use
wheelbarrows and large tools, making maintenance less of a chore. The
project had enough aesthetic appeal that it could function as a
garden park for the city. It could also function as an environmental
science lab for students.
    Sara
had certainly listened closely when they discussed the landscaping
costs. She also studied the pictures of successful community gardens
from other cities. She seemed convinced the project would be a great
replacement for the library's empty lot. She had promised to promote
the project at the next city council meeting and at the grand opening
of the Community Gardens.
    Joan
grimaced. Did I misread Sara? Do I need her to get council
approval? Sara had grown up in Sand Hill Cove. On the other hand,
Joan was just a transplant from Michigan who had moved back to Sand
Hill Cove two years ago.
    She
crunched on a piece of toast. “I could propose it myself,”
she thought as she washed down the toast with coffee. She wondered
how the gardeners who signed up to rent a box garden would feel if
she failed to launch the project. They were new customers referred by
Ivy, president of the garden club. She had to figure out how to get
the project approved or risk losing customers.
    A
hoot coming from upstairs distracted her. She glanced at the clock.
Seven a.m.
    “Off
the Xbox Zack,” she shouted.
    Zack
hooted again.
    “Time
for school.”
    “Almost
ready Mom.”
    Joan
spread peanut butter across his toast while she waited for him to
come downstairs. “I'll make a backup plan this afternoon, just
in case Sara forgets again,” she thought.
    Zack
jumped down the stairs and sprung into the kitchen. She checked his
dress; backpack zipped, clean shirt and jeans. “He must have
scored a victory,” she told herself.
    “Thanks
for toast mom.”
    “You're
welcome. I take it you won from the sound of it.” Joan teased.
    “You
betcha. Getting faster too.”
    “You
playing a lot?”
    Zack
squirmed. “Some.”
    Joan
smiled at her son. She didn't mean to make him feel guilty, but his
constant Xbox playing concerned her. Since school had started, he had
become more interested in Xbox, than getting to know kids his own
age. Granted, he was helpful around the shop. Still, she questioned
whether moving so soon after his father's death had been wise. Zack
was like his father, flexible and adaptable. He absorbed information
like a sponge and that hadn't changed since the move.
    “Well,
I'm glad you're perfecting the game. How about I walk you to the bus
stop? It's lovely outside.”
    “Sure.”
    As
they headed across Town Park, Joan noticed the grass was spongy
underfoot and the Magnolia blooms sweetened the morning air. April
showers bring May flowers, her
mother had always said. S he was five years old when she
heard that rhyme for the first time and that was when her love