Jill Churchill: The Accidental Florist

Late in the afternoon, she called Mel and said, "I'm making chili this evening. I know it's winter food but I have a craving for it. I want to show you my new shed as well."

"A new shed?"

"To clear out the other side of the garage for your car," r she explained. "All the big stuff is already in there and most of the rest is going out in the trash."

She didn't mention the pictures she'd found of Mike and Katie going camping as little kids with their father. They grabbed at her heart. He was a good dad. Just not a faithful husband.

Mel looked a bit wrung out when he arrived for dinner. "Your mother?" she asked.

"Yup. I won't even tell you what she said."

"It was probably as bad as what my mother-in-law said to me yesterday. Forget it. I'm sticking to my guns about the rules. No matter how mad your mother is, does she understand that I mean it?"

"She does. But I need to reinforce it several times

before the wedding."

After the chili was chowed down, she called for Todd and John to come show off their work. Even Mel was impressed. "Now let's see the garage." He was pleased.

Jane said, "Wait for what will impress you more. Let's sit outside for a while."

When Mel had carried the table, umbrella, and chairs back to the patio, and they'd taken their coffee cups and some store-bought chocolate chip cookies to nibble, Jane sprang her plan on Mel.

"I'm building you an office just behind the dining

room."

"Jane, you can't do that. You don't know how, in the first place, and it would be too expensive. You could just clear out that big closet-sized sewing room."

"It's too small. And where would I put my sewing

machine?"

"When did you last use it?"

"Oh, I think it was around 1923."

That made Mel laugh again. He hadn't even smiled

earlier.

"I've consulted Uncle Jim. He put in a room for his retirement hobbies. He knows who to ask. As for the expense, consider it a long-term wedding gift. You would feel too guilty to ever leave me."

"Jane, quit joking. It would cost the earth."

"Mel, I don't think you realize how much money I have. When I married the first time, my husband was a one-third owner of the family pharmacy. They were about to go under. It was a rental and the owner raised their rent by half again what it had been. I used a fairly large inheritance I'd received to help them get a better location."

"That was good of you," Mel admitted.

"Not really. If the business had gone belly-up my husband would have lost his job. Anyway, he wrote a will in which it said that if he died before I did, he wanted his third of the business profits to go to me for all time. And he did die. Running off to meet his bimbo on an icy night."

"You never told me that part," Mel said. "You just said it was a car accident."

"I don't tell many people. Only my kids and Shelley know. And the kids don't know why he was out that night and never will. So the upshot of this long story is that the family pharmacy has spread like a veritable plague. There are Jeffry pharmacies all over the Chicago area, and they're opening two in St. Louis this month and one in Indianapolis. I still get my third share of the profits. And they're substantial. In short, I can afford to build out a new room where you can have lots of space, lots of light,and all your stuff. And if you don't want to use it, I'll do it anyway as a storeroom. By the way, my first book about Priscilla comes to the bookstores in a week or two and I also make a nice little wad of money when it does. I could store my author's copies of my book in that room if you really don't want it," she said with a sly smile.

"Then I'm going to take you up on this. Without feel‑

ing like a kept man."

"Too bad. I intend to keep you at least until we're both using walkers and hauling around oxygen canisters on rollers to go to cheap buffet dinners."

Mel laughed out loud. "It's a deal, Janey."

Chapter

FIVE

T

he architect Uncle Jim had recommended was quick to contact Jane early the next morning. "Jim and I are old friends. We shared a dorm room back in college. He told me you needed advice on adding a room for your soon-to-be husband. He thinks the world of the man you're marrying. So I'd like to meet with both you and Detective VanDyne as soon as possible. By the way, I'm Jackson Edgeworth." He gave her his office number.

"Anytime is good for me except this morning," Jane said. "A friend and I are attending a class Mel recommended. I'll call him and ask if later today suits him, if that's convenient for you," Jane said, thinking how timely his call was.

She phoned Mel, saying, "The architect my uncleJim suggested wants to know if you could be free this afternoon?"

"I'm due some time off. I could just take today off if you want."

"I'll call him back right now and tell him to pick the time and let you know."

When she reached Mr. Edgeworth, she said, "Mel and I are both free anytime today in the afternoon if you wish to choose a time."

"How about one in the afternoon? I have an appointment this morning."

"May I confide in you?" Jane asked.

"I suppose so."

"Whatever amount of space Detective VanDyne suggests, increase it by half. He's worrying that it will be too expensive. And I'm not."

The man chuckled. "Half again as big is nowhere near half again the price. I'll make that clear. Give me your address and I'll get my secretary to check the city codes and setback allowances and all that bothersome stuff before I come over."

Jane reported back to Mel and he agreed to the time. She didn't mention her concerns about the size, but did pass on that Mr. Edgeworth would know all the township rules before he arrived.

The class in Women's Safety was about traveling around. "If you get off the El at the wrong station, and find your‑

self in a frightening part of town, go to the nearest shop, a deli or such. Bevery pleasant to the clerk. They're more likely to be helpful. Find out when the next train comes. Most places carry schedules. Buy something. A bottled drink and a pack of chips, and if you prefer to ask them to call a taxi for you, wait inside at a window for it, not on the street, exposing yourself to criminals."

Miss Welbourne paused for this to sink in and then added, "Make sure you look confident. Don't fret or look as if you're scared. Don't stand around reading a map or a magazine. Keep your eyes out for anyone watching you. If you've called a taxi, walk briskly out of the shop and get in it fast. Same thing if you go back to the El station. Stand on the platform looking brisk and confident. Not worried. Keep your back to a wall so nobody can come up behind you.

"Malls, too, can be dangerous. Especially dress shops," she went on. "If you want to try something on, don't hang your handbag on the hook on the door. Place your bag under a chair as far from the door as you can and throw your own clothing over it to conceal the bag.

"If you're going to a movie or the theater, don't sit at the end of a row. You're more vulnerable there. If you can help it don't sit near anyone who looks suspicious. Keep your handbag on your lap with your hands crossed over it. Don't put it under your seat at all costs. Someone behind you could just hook a foot under the chair and take it."

Most of the class was making notes and Miss Welbourne waited patiently for them to catch up.

Then she went on. "If you go to a bar or restaurant try to get a booth. If it isn't possible, sit where you aren't in a chair that many people have to walk by. Don't sit near an aisle that leads to the bathrooms. There will be a lot of people walking past you. Keep your handbag on your knees and cross your legs while you study the menu and eat. While you're waiting for your food to come, keep your bag in your lap with your hands crossed over it. Don't read a book or magazine while you are waiting for your drink or food. Keep an eye out for anyone who is staring at you and don't make eye contact once you realize it.