Page 22 of Protecting my Zinnia

I can see the same determination in her eyes that I've seen in Evan's. Someone who wants to get the job done. Someone who wants to take care of everyone, just because they can. His overprotectiveness really does come from a place of love.

And he's loved me from the first time he held me.

Everything clicks into place.

Pulling my phone from my purse, I scroll for Dad's new number. "Video call?"

Cora fluffs her hair. "Perfect. How's my lipstick?"

12

EVAN

All through my job, my mind is on Zinnia.

I know that asking her for a favor right after she asked for space was one hundred percent not the right thing to do. Yet she instantly understood that all rules go out the window when it comes to taking care of your mother.

Plus, I could tell instantly that Mom adores her. That's obviously a great sign.

As I walk into Mom's house with three bouquets — mixed flowers for Mom and Renée, and an arrangement of zinnias, obviously — I'm not pleased to hear a male voice coming from the kitchen.

Rushing in, I see a phone propped up on the table while mom is seated at it, dusting kourabiethes with icing sugar.

"And another thing, Albert," Mom declares. She's obviously been going on in this vein for a while. "Your sister Douglas is beloved in Sandersville. Your daughters will be treated like royalty here. There's less than zero reason to worry about them."

Tiptoeing into the room, I place the flowers on the end of the counter, making sure that I stay out of the way of the video call.

"They're going to be protected to within an inch of their lives. Heck, my son wouldn't even let Zinnia meet with a client in a coffee shop alone. He barged in there as if he were her bodyguard or something."

Sneaking a look, I watch the reaction of the man on the screen. He's not attractive like his daughters. Just an average, bland suit. Yet he's smiling and nodding at my mother.

"So, Evan understands that young ladies need someone watching over them?" he asks, nodding approvingly.

"He thinks he knows, but I'm going to have a word with him about that to set him straight," Mom says. Her fingers wave slightly in my direction, telling me she knows I'm there.

Zinnia is standing near the sink, her bright eyes wide as she mouths, "Holy crap."

"So the final thing, Albert," Mom says in her best don't-mess-with-me voice. "The girls just moved and are only finally getting settled. Zinnia won't be moving again. Partly because she doesn't want to. And partly because I have never had a more capable and efficient baker's assistant."

"That's hardly—"

"I wasn't finished," Mom says in the tone that is never to be ignored. "I barely know them and I can already tell these girls aren't natural travelers. They're homebodies. They want to work at home, the sisters want to stay together with their Aunt, who I know for a fact is keeping a very close eye on them, by the way."

Her eyes dart to Zinnia, who shrugs.

"Well, I'm glad we had this little chat," Mom says. "Now if you'll excuse me I need to coach Zinnia on how to clean these pans properly. Thanks for the chat, and have a nice day. Toodles."

Albert starts to sputter in protest, but she stabs the end call button with her index finger as if she were queen of the universe.

My heart almost explodes as Zinnia flings herself into Mom's arms. "Thank you!" she gasps. "I've never heard anyone tell Dad off so politely, but so thoroughly." She straightens up. "Actually, nobody has ever told Dad off at all. He's a lawyer who loves to argue."

Mom howls with laughter. "Hilarious. He's not like a lawyer with me."

I come over to give each of them a kiss on the top of their heads. "That's because you have a supreme mother energy that cannot be denied."

Mom smiles up at me, then takes my hand, smacking the back of it lightly as if I were a toddler who'd just tried to touch the stove. "I know you mean well, but you will not be stalking Zinnia at her meetings anymore. She should not have had to tell you that twice."

"You're right. I'm sorry."