Using a weak fertilizer solution, she watered them.

 Pleased with the progress, she moved through the back opening and into the perennial area. She checked the section—plants recently started from cuttings, those started more than a year before that would be ready for sale in a few months. She watered and tended, then moved to stock plants to take more cuttings. She had a tray of anemones begun when Stella stepped in.

 “You’ve been busy.” Stella, with her curling red hair bundled back in a tail, scanned the tables. “Really busy.”

 “And optimistic. We had a banner season, and I’m expecting we’ll have another. If Nature doesn’t screw around with us.”

 “I thought you might want to take a look at the new stock of wreaths. Hayley’s worked on them all morning. I think she outdid herself.”

 “I’ll take a look before I leave.”

 “I let her go early, I hope that’s all right. She’s still getting used to having Lily with a sitter, even if the sitter is a customer and only a half mile away.”

 “That’s fine.” She moved on to the catananche. “You know you don’t have to check every little thing with me, Stella. You’ve been managing this ship for nearly a year now.”

 “They were excuses to come back here.”

 Roz paused, her knife suspended above the plant roots, primed for cutting. “Is there a problem?”

 “No. I’ve been wanting to ask, and I know this is your domain, but I wondered if, when things slow down a bit after the holidays, I can spend some time with the propagation. I’m missing it.”

 “All right.”

 Stella’s bright blue eyes twinkled when she laughed. “I can see you’re worried I’ll try to change your routine, organize everything my way. I promise I won’t. And I won’t get in your way.”

 “You try, I’ll just boot you out.”

 “Got that.”

 “Meanwhile, I’ve been wanting to talk to you. I need you to find me a supplier for good, inexpensive soil bags. One pound, five pound, ten, and twenty-five to start.”