The First Gardener by Jones Denise Hildreth

Author:Jones, Denise Hildreth [Jones, Denise Hildreth]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: FICTION / General, General Fiction
ISBN: 9781414360478
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Published: 2011-07-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

Mackenzie closed the folder in front of her and let the routine that had once again engulfed her have its way. “I think that looks good, ladies. We have successfully charted out the next four months. Thank you for all your hard work.”

She stood and nodded gratefully to the staff. They were the ones responsible for making sure the causes Mackenzie believed in and wanted to promote were benefiting fully by her presence in the mansion.

“Thank you, Mrs. London,” Chandra said as she and Susan walked toward the door. “We’ll see you shortly at the tea.”

Jessica closed the door behind them.

“Will the tours be over by two thirty?” Mackenzie asked her.

“The last group comes in at two. We will have them out before the duchess’s car arrives. I’m going to run to the bathroom, then grab a cup of coffee. Do you need anything before we go over the tea events?”

“No. No, I’m good. If I drink anything else, I’ll just have to pee again.”

Jessica smiled. “I’ll be right back.”

Mackenzie turned from her glass-topped worktable to the hand-painted French desk that overlooked the north lawn. The tea was at three, but she had some business to tidy up before she met her guest, the Duchess of Wilshire, at the north entrance. She slid another one of her monogrammed thank-you notes inside its envelope. The notes were going to all the volunteers who had given of their time to decorate the mansion for Christmas.

She was grateful the holidays had come and gone. Maddie’s absence had been so glaring then. She’d rammed into it every time a child laughed or a commercial for a toy appeared on television. She and Gray had actually fled to Florida for Christmas, relying on the change of scenery to keep their focus away from what they had lost and on the new life inside her. Their gift from the ruins.

Now that January was here, though, things were easier. She and Gray were even talking seriously about his upcoming reelection campaign. Gray was created to be governor. Mackenzie had no doubt of that. And she was created to love people, serve them, believe with them. Championing their causes. Listening to their stories.

She ran her hands across the small pooch in her stomach. Her yellow wool dress clung to it. She loved being pregnant. And she loved the freedom she’d had the last two months to let it show.

Over the weekend, the last bit of furniture had come in for the baby. Several times a day, Mackenzie or Gray would walk past Maddie’s closed door—she still couldn’t go in that room—and visit the now completely decorated nursery.

It was their little shrine of hope.

Eugenia walked through the door and right to a sofa, throwing herself on it with an exasperated sigh. “If I ever say I’m bringing those women anywhere again, just shoot me.”

Mackenzie didn’t even turn as she placed a stamp on the last of the thank-you letters. “You take them everywhere, Mother.”

“I know. I’m pathetic. I need to get out more.

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