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While Harper worked through the orders in her inbox, Isla had taken a number of video orders. After completing the two wedding orders, she had a list as long as her arm from both parties.
The order of a client who wanted the arch of fragrant sweet roses would take some time to assemble as she liked to do things with precision, and the colour combination would take some careful arrangement so it didn’t look garish.
As for the other order, they wanted individual flower displays for every table and pew. As though walking into a rainbow, but in pastel colours instead of vivid colours. The two females had differing opinions on which display to use, so she spent a lot of time trying to find a compromise they both liked.
Muted oranges would be difficult to find. There was a natural deep orange glow that flowers held. She was considering dyes or fake flowers placed between real ones so it didn’t break up the pastel look they insisted on.
Harper called, “Isla,” as she searched for the smaller Number in the area behind her.
Walking around the side of her house to the shaded area, she snipped at any dead flowers. Among the various plants, she observed Isla tidying a lilac at the end of its flowering season.
“Hey, I was wondering if you were interested in lunch.” Harper glanced at the house, rubbing her hands together in anticipation of the delicious meal.
“You can have some of my Barbecue Bites,” she offered, rubbing her hands together.
After laughing and brushing her hands against her thighs, Isla stood up. “Okay, you’ve won. I guess it has been busy, and we could use a break.”
“It might be a good idea for me to hire more people,” Harper commented.
“Yes, you should, but not everyone is interested in working with flowers,” said Isla.
“No, you’re right. There are few Numbers that are designed to sit still and perform soft tasks such as this. They like the challenges of security and the possibility of embarking on a mission to find rogue scientists.” Harper and Isla both shuddered, then smiled and laughed together. “No, that’s not for me.”
As Harper stepped inside, she began to heat the food and almost salivated as the aroma filled the home.
“Perhaps I could hire humans?” she wondered aloud.
A frown appeared on Isla’s face as she sat at the table. “Hum…humans?” Isla stuttered.
She could have slapped herself. Isla, of course, wouldn’t be at ease around humans. “Only on days you are not at work. Perhaps, they can handle orders for me. We can provide customers with pressed samples and a booklet.”
“You could open a store in town,” Isla suggested, and Harper considered it while setting the food on the table.
“That is a fascinating idea. By opening up in town, I will be able to get more business from humans, so my business can grow.”
“Do you really need to?” Isla asked, immediately pulling a face to indicate she didn’t mean it. Harper didn’t mind Isla feeling how she did. She would never judge her for that.
Harper lightly tapped her arm with a smile. “Obviously, this would place more pressure on me to be between the two places.” She bit her cheek, then shook her head. “I don’t think I can do it.”
“Have two people work in-store, showing samples from your gardens and a back office separate from your store where one member can handle orders and support staff out front. It would free up your time.”
She considered that for a moment. “You know what? That might work. You’re exactly what I’m looking for in a business manager. I should hire you.”
“Don’t you dare!” Isla gasped in mock horror.
“I am confident that you can handle it. I’m sure you can,” Harper declared strongly.
“Like how you handle Nick?” Isla asked with flaming cheeks and a shy glance.
She paused as she reached for her mouth, clutching a piece of chicken covered in sticky barbecue sauce. She licked her lips and allowed the piece to fall back into the container. “Is it really that obvious?”
“No, it is only a base layer fragrance. It is very subtle. Maybe you’ve been spending more time with him, so it’s more noticeable than it once was. It’s probably because I’m around you a lot that I caught it.”
“What do you think?” Harper was concerned about how everyone would react. However, she was prepared to point out that all three Alphas had mated with humans and were deliriously happy.
She was concerned that some people would judge them due to their age difference. Her love knew no boundaries; age shouldn’t be a factor. Nick wasn’t quite a silver fox, but he would be in some years. She would love him regardless of the grey hairs of superficial thin lines.
“Does he make you happy?” Isla asked as she nibbled, humming her appreciation for a small barbecue chicken bite.
