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Chapter Nineteen
Jaime
“I’m going to need help with deliveries this afternoon. I called in Rachel, who fills in occasionally for me when I’m in a bind. She’s coming in at two to watch the shop. I have to take all of the arrangements over there to Serenity Chapel and Jupiter Bay Hospital,” she says, pointing to the workbench loaded up with dozens of plants and arrangements. “And I’d like you to take all of the smaller deliveries. There’s three business stops in downtown, plus another six to go to other places. That okay with you?”
“Of course. Whatever I can do to help,” I tell her. I’m a little nervous, though. It’s my first official delivery run.
“Okay, well, why don’t you get this place straightened up the best you can. I’m sure once we get all of these arrangements out of the way, Rachel will be able to clean up better while we’re gone,” Payton suggests.
I glance around at the mess we’ve created today, since just before lunch. In fact, lunch consisted of sharing a sleeve of Ritz crackers with Pay while we put the finishing touches on a dozen arrangements to go to a memorial service at one of the local chapels. Today was, by far, the busiest day I’ve had at Blossoms and Blooms, and it’s barely after one.
“You take my car. I’ve got boxes in the back with holes cut out to help hold the arrangements. That’ll keep them from falling over while you’re driving. I’ll take the van because there’s no way we’re getting that plant into my little Ford,” she says, pointing to the three-foot tall potted Peace Lily plant that she’s delivering to the hospital.
For the next thirty minutes, we work to strategically place all of the orders in either the shop delivery van or her car. It’s like a giant jigsaw puzzle, each piece needing to go in just right to ensure easier transport.
A few minutes before two, Rachel comes flying through the door. She’s in her early twenties, with shoulder length blond hair and sparkling blue eyes. She reminds me a lot of a young Reese Witherspoon, circa Cruel Intentions.
“I’m here! And I brought smoothies,” she adds, setting a container with three strawberry smoothies on the counter.
“Oh my God, you’re a lifesaver,” Payton groans as she plucks one of the cups from the tray and takes a long pull. “Soooooo goooooooood.”
“Clearly we didn’t get much to eat for lunch,” I chime in, reaching for the third remaining smoothie. “I’m Jaime, by the way.”
“Rachel. Nice to meet you. When Payton mentioned you guys worked through lunch, I thought you could use a little pick me up. This smoothie is rich in…well, it’s rich in sugar and carbs. But, hey, the strawberries they use are fresh, so that has to count for something, right?”
“Right!” I chime in at the same time Payton says, “Absolutely!”
“And besides, something had to offset the healthy, so I had them add extra whipped cream,” Rachel says without pulling her mouth away from her straw.
“Genius.” I’m practically chugging the fruity drink, anxious to get to some of that whipped cream that’s layered on top.
“Anyway, we’re going to go. You know what to do with the store, but call me on my cell if you have any questions,” Payton says before grabbing her purse from behind the counter.
“Got it. Go make your deliveries, and I’ll take care of everything here,” Rachel says before turning and grabbing a broom. The floors are covered with remnants of leaves, flowers, and ribbon.
When I get out to Payton’s loaded car, I’m instantly assaulted by twangy country music. I was always more into pop, but Payton always steered towards country. When we were growing up, sharing a room, our differences in music always caused petty arguments. It’s not that I didn’t like that style of music; it’s just that I preferred Maroon 5 and Britney Spears over Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan.
My first delivery is to an insurance office only two blocks down from Blossoms and Blooms. The receptionist smiles when I deliver a beautiful arrangement of red roses from her husband. The next two stops are equally as excited to receive their flowers.
I head off the main drag and start to hit my other deliveries. There are four to houses, one to a hotel, and the final one to an agency that wasn’t around when I lived in Jupiter Bay before.
Addie’s Place is housed in a large home on the west edge of town, clear on the opposite side of the Bay. The house is familiar, of course. Back when I grew up here, and until the time I graduated high school, a local physician and his family lived in this home. It’s a two-story, white home with pillars on the front porch that extends all the way up to the second story. Blue shutters frame each window, and the entrance is a beautifully carved oak door with ornately etched glass spanning both sides.
I step up to the door and ring the bell. A series of harp-like chimes can be heard echoing throughout the house. It only takes a moment before a woman wearing jeans and a fitted tee comes to the door. Her smile is friendly as she looks between me and the flowers I’m holding.
“Can I help you?” she asks.
“I’m from Blossoms and Blooms and I have a delivery for Jasmine Ferdinand.”
“That’s me,” she replies, that smile widening, blue eyes twinkling.
“Then these are for you,” I say, holding the bouquet towards her.
Behind her, a phone begins to ring, pulling her attention back into the house. “I’m sorry, could you step inside for a moment? I have to answer that,” she says, holding the door open.
Stepping inside, I realize quickly that, while it’s an older home, it’s bright and cheerful and tastefully modern. The old woodwork remains the same, but it’s painted a soft beige color. The walls are a darker taupe with brightly colored paintings adorning every wall. In fact, upon closer inspection, the paintings appear to be original pieces, possibly done by a child.
My attention is drawn to the fireplace where instead of logs and a fire, it’s filled with tractors, cars, trucks, and airplanes of every shape and size. Instead of a couch, loveseat, and chair, as you might normally find in a large living room, the room is filled with smaller plastic chairs, bean bags, and a card table with a half-finished puzzle on the top. There’s no television, but there’s a mural depicting children playing at a playground.
