In Full Bloom: Sequel to 'The Crying Rose': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 2) by B. A. Beers

Molly’s food. He noted that the cordless phone was gone. She must have replaced it back on its base in the living room where the package had been moments earlier. He suddenly felt overjoyed knowing that his removal of the package and its contents was completed just in the nick of time.
     
    As he exited the back door, he had an overwhelming urge to whistle a happy tune. What the heck , he decided, and the tune filled the air around him. Picking up the brush, he secured Molly’s leash to her collar and made his way to the gate still in high spirits.
     
    Coming around the corner, he spotted Sami standing in the middle of the driveway holding the handle of the tote bag in her right hand. The lost expression on her face took the air out of his lungs. Steadying himself against falling into her trap, he picked up the tune where he had left off, and walked directly to her. Hearing his whistling, Sami glanced up and saw them coming toward her. Her lost feeling evaporated into thin air. Smiling, she realized that the man’s sheer presence was calming to her.
     
    Mark handed Sami the leash and took the tote from her hand as he passed. “This way, little lady, your chariot awaits.” Still whistling, he walked directly to his truck on the street. He did not peer back, hoping she would follow. He dropped the items in his hands over the tailgate of his truck. Retrieving his keys from his pocket, he pressed the proper button on his car alarm remote to unlock the doors. Stepping to the passenger door, he opened it, and still holding onto the door, glanced back. He was pleased to find Sami and Molly directly behind him. He opened the wing door of the extended cab and signaled Molly to jump. Sami held Molly back.
     
    “Molly should ride in the bed of the truck. I don’t want to damage your truck,” Sami explained.
     
    “Nonsense,” Mark retorted, pointing to the area behind the seats. “As you can see, it has already been initiated by my own dog.”
     
    Sami saw that the floor of the area was covered with a large comforter. She gathered that whatever vehicle seating should be there, either had been removed or folded-out to make the area one level. She giggled a little, thinking that this man spoiled his dog worse than she did Molly.
     
    “Okay, if you say so,” she said, releasing her grip on Molly’s leash.
     
    Mark smiled and directed Molly up into the truck. Closing the wing door behind her, he reached out for Sami’s hand. Sami took his offered hand, and he guided her into the vehicle. Mark closed the passenger door and almost sprinted around to the driver’s door. Getting in and starting the truck, he glanced over and saw Sami staring straight ahead, down the street, not at the house. Good, one hurdle over successfully , he thought, as he drove away from the little, white, house with the light blue trim.
     
     
     
    ***

 
     
     
     
     
     
    FIVE
     
     
     
    I t took a total of fifteen minutes for Mark to turn Sami and Molly over to Grandma Jo’s care. He informed Sami that he would be back later, after he had seen his patients that evening. She nodded, but he felt she had already dismissed him, as she searched through the kitchen cabinets for Grandma Jo’s cleaning supplies.
     
    Chuckling, Mark looked up into Grandma Jo’s worried face. He signaled her to follow him as he walked out of the room. At the front door, Mark turned. “Grandma Jo, don’t look so concerned and stressed. Please, let Sami clean if that is her thing. Besides, it will keep her day occupied and hopefully should keep her ‘evil twin’, Mrs. Carter, buried within her. You can always return your house to its normal state after the treatment program.” Mark watched Grandma Jo’s face as she pondered his reasons.
     
    Finally, her shoulders relaxed. “Mark, I am uncomfortable with her doing this project, but I can see your point.” Scanning the cluttered room, she continued more cheerfully. “I have been meaning to give this old