It occurred to me it might be a good background for a painting.’ Jake waved to the wooded area behind the motel units. Zoe frowned. ‘I didn’t even know there was a residence. Your mum didn’t get time to show us the whole property. Apparently, she had to go off to her gardening club or sewing club or something.’ Jake chuckled. ‘Her gossip club you mean. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my old mum lift a spade or pull a weed in her life. It’s just six old women who like to get together a couple of times a week and pull everyone to pieces. In a nice way, of course.’ Zoe couldn’t help but grin. Jessie Lord was a real treasure and if she wanted to indulge in a little gossip, that was okay with her. Provided the old women weren’t ripping someone a new one in public, it was harmless enough. Following Jake’s lead, Zoe pushed through the tangled garden filled with ancient lavender bushes, sweet-scented old-fashioned roses, and an abundance of other plants and flowers found in any respectable English cottage garden.
