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I pulled out Jake’s estimate for Berta, my notes for the farm, and plans for the shop. I went through everything I needed to do for the farm to make it ready to rent out for events.
Maybe it was worth talking to Gia about whether brides would want to get married on the property. Even though I called it a farm, it hadn’t been a working one when my grandparents lived there. The house was grander than the typical farmhouses, with multiple balconies and a huge wraparound porch that my grandfather had expanded. Maybe Gia would have some suggestions.
I was excited in a way I hadn’t been since the opening of the flower shop. The possibilities seemed endless. I could play it safe and stick with the flower shop, but everything in my body was telling me the farm was the solution to my problems.
I made a list of businesses that might want to partner with me: the yoga studio, Gia’s wedding planning services, and maybe even local school and scouting groups. I could teach others about caring for plants.
Maybe I could even ask for volunteers to help with the planting. But that seemed ridiculous when my own family didn’t want to help.
I could ask the local shop owners for advice at the monthly Shops on Main meetings.
Usually when my mom visited, I felt defeated, wondering if she was right. But this time, I was inspired despite her dire predictions.
It wasn’t like she’d ever started a business before. She didn’t understand everything that went into it. It wasn’t her dream on the line. I couldn’t let her negative outlook affect me.
It was easier said than done, but I held on to hope. Grandma wanted this for me, and I had to give it my best effort. The alternative was going back to an office job I hated. There was no future for me in that. I’d wilt just like the cut flowers on my counter.
I snipped the head of a red dahlia and placed it behind my ear. The thought of not being around what I loved crushed me. I could be practical and purchase a used van to make deliveries, but my intuition was telling me to hold out for Berta. It was one of the things that made me unique. I couldn’t give up on her.
Even if that meant seeing more of the grumpy mechanic. Instead of my stomach filling with dread, those damn butterflies were back, fluttering around and stirring up all kinds of feelings I shouldn’t be having. Jake wasn’t a project for me. My hands were already full. I didn’t need another fixer-upper on my hands.
Four
JAKE
“You give any more thought to partnering with Petals?” Ryan asked when I ducked out from under the hood of the Dodge Charger I’d been working on all morning.
“Petals?” The name didn’t ring a bell, but I was focused on the engine in front of me. I didn’t like to be interrupted until I’d figured out the problem.
Ryan handed me a bottled water. “Petals is Lily’s flower shop.”
“Not really.” I hadn’t even thought about the fact that Lily was named after a flower, and she ran a flower shop. It was a weird coincidence, yet oddly fitting for her.
Ryan settled on a nearby stool, one foot on the bottom rung and one foot on the ground. “The more I think about it, the more I think it’s a good move for us.”
“It seems like you’re always trying to convince me of something,” I said before twisting off the cap and drinking.
Ryan huffed out a laugh. “That’s because you’re slow to make any decisions. Whether to start a business, buy this place, hire a receptionist, or renovate the waiting room. You’re slower than a snail.”
I set the bottle aside, using a nearby rag to snap his leg, eliciting a satisfying yelp from Ryan.
He moved a few feet away, holding up his hands. “Watch it.”
“Then stop giving me shit. I do things in my own time.” I’d always been shocked that my mother could just leave us. It seemed easy for her. I liked to be more careful about my decisions. Slow and methodical was the way to go.
“Business doesn’t operate at your preferred pace. Sometimes, we need to move quickly. Take advantage of opportunities.” Ryan’s voice raised in intensity with each word.
“What are you talking about?” I set the rag aside, sensing there was more he wanted to say.
Ryan sighed heavily. “I saw Lily’s blue van at the used lot down the street.”
“She’s buying a new van?” The idea grated. She didn’t strike me as someone who gave up easily. She had this sweet and innocent air about her, but when she dug in, I sensed nothing could change her mind. I admired that about her.
“Looks like she’s considering it.
I was torn because she needed a reliable source of transportation. At the same time, I knew I could restore Berta. The thought of Lily driving a new and improved van didn’t sit right with me. It wasn’t what she wanted, even if it was the practical choice.
“Isn’t that what you told her to do?” Ryan tipped his head to the side, considering me.
