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“Blush ranunculus and eucalyptus greens for Autumn,” she mumbles, setting them on brown paper. “And red poppies, baby ranunculus, daisies, and kumquats for Clementine.” She secures the flowers for Autumn in the brown paper with black ribbon. Clementine’s flowers are artfully arranged in a mason jar with the same black ribbon tied around the jar threads. Shelly sets a vase on the counter. “When you get home, add water to the mason jar. After you give Autumn her flowers, put them in this vase and do the same.”
Although I am thankful for her step-by-step instructions, she talks to me as if I have never bought my mom or sisters flowers here. I let her do her spiel, though. “Thanks, Shell. They’re perfect.”
I pay for the deeply discounted flowers and we exchange one last hug before I leave.
Next and final stop before home; the grocery store. I breeze through the aisles, man on a mission, and pick up all the ingredients for the dinner and dessert I have planned. Once I check everything off the list, I load everything on the belt at the register and exchange Valentine’s chitchat with the cashier. She tells me my lady friend is a lucky woman.I consider myself the lucky one.
Minutes later, I haul everything into the house and let Spartan out. I stow the food and flowers while I set up one of the gifts. Finished, I package up the only other present that didn’t have a gift wrap option. I set out several candles and light them before filling out a card I bought for Clementine and writing a love letter to Autumn. Once that task is complete, I straighten up around the house and prep dinner and dessert.
Cutting the last of the strawberries, I check the time. Just after four.
“Whatd’ya say, Spartan. Should I tell the girls they can come over now?”
Woof, woof, woof.
“Will do.”
I wipe my hands on a towel, then snag my phone from the counter.
Jonas:Whenever you’re ready, come on over.
Autumn:Almost done prettying ourselves. Be over soon.
I smile at the screen. Neither of you needs to pretty yourselves, I mumble.
The buzzer on the stove goes off and I take the angel food cake out of the oven. I adjust the temperature of the oven and blend the ingredients for the baked five-cheese macaroni. Sprinkling it with bread crumbs, I place the deep dish on a sheet pan and slide it in the oven.
As I deposit the mojo chicken in the oven, Spartan barks like a loon. Which can mean only one thing… they are here.
I open the door to see my girls walking up and Penny waving behind the wheel of Betsy. My cheeks grow painfully tight as I wave back at Penny.She’s letting Penny take the car.
Spartan tackles Clementine before they reach the door. “Come on, bud. Let them inside.” After another lick or two, he runs back in the house, barking for Clementine to follow.
“Hey,” Autumn whispers as she sidles up to me.
I lean down and kiss her. “Hey, scarlet.” Another kiss. “I have surprises for you both.”
We walk into the house. “Oh yeah…” Her voice trails off the moment she spots the flowers on the breakfast bar. “Jonas.” My name rolls softly off her tongue. “You didn’t have to buy me flowers.” She pivots to face me, a gentle smile on her lips. “You didn’t have to buy us anything.”
I snake my arms around her waist and draw her closer. “True. But I wanted to.” I drop my lips to hers and bring her hips flush to my body. “And there’s still more.” I step back and weave my fingers through hers, walking her to the bar. “For you.” I point to the ranunculus and letter. “For Clementine,” I say, pointing to the mason jar of flowers next to a card.
“Thank you.” She lifts the flowers to her nose and inhales. “They’re beautiful.”
“You’re welcome. Glad you love them.”
“Clementine?”
Her head pops up from the couch where she and Spartan appear to be having a serious conversation. “Yeah, Mama.”
“Come see the flowers Jonas got you.”
I kiss the crown of her head. “You two enjoy those a moment while I check on dinner.”
Autumn and Clementine ogle over the flowers and read the notes I left them. When I peek over my shoulder to see if they are still reading, I spot a tear roll down Autumn’s cheek. Normally, I would worry. But the constant smile on her lips tells me the tears are happy ones.
“About ten more minutes until dinner,” I announce. Autumn lifts her gaze to mine and I stop breathing. Her cognac irises swirl with admiration and passion and something powerful. Love.She loves me.The confession plain as day in her eyes and on her face, but I won’t force the words from her lips. She will say the words when she is ready. “In the meantime… Clementine?” She glances up at me from her card. “Would you like your other Valentine’s present?”
Her face lights up as she hops off the stool and bounces. “Yes, please.”
