Chapter 5

The next morning, I had just started trimming the stems of a fresh delivery of white roses when the bell above the flower shop door rang.

Claire walked in holding Mia’s hand, as if she had an appointment.

Mia wore a pale yellow raincoat and clutched a faded stuffed rabbit. She studied the dried flowers beneath the glass ceiling, then looked at me without hiding.

“Hi,” she said politely.

“Happy birthday,” I said.

Claire clearly had not expected me to speak to Mia first. She smiled and gently nudged the girl forward.

“She wants to pick out some flowers to…