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I smiled as I looked at the arrangement. “I hope so.” It was a mixture of dark-red and variegated light-red carnations, greenery, and baby’s breath. The choices had been the perfect selection for this order, as she stated she wanted something simple. “I think she is going to love the bear you chose.”
“Thanks. She really wants to get this house sold. She said it’s been on the market too long for her liking, but then she says that all the time.” Alex rolled her eyes and then giggled. “I’m hoping it will help me also. The more people who see what I’m capable of with staging and interior design, the faster I’ll build.”
“My dear, you are going to do just fine.”
“You sound exactly like Serenity.” Alex smiled. “Although we have a few exciting listings coming up.”
“Yes, I saw Serenity the other night as I was leaving the grocery store. She mentioned the same thing. Don’t forget to bring over any flyers you want added to the community board.”
“Great! I’ll let her know.” She grabbed the bag and the bear and walked out the door, waving as she went.
I made my way over and pushed the door open, placing the little wedge underneath so I could get some fresh air inside. I grabbed the small wagon I’d pulled from the cooler and began setting up the displays outside. I’d just finished and glanced down the road to the left and then the right and immediately spotted Ethan heading this way.
My stomach fluttered with nerves as I watched his tall, powerful frame walking toward me. He’d been in town for over two weeks now, and aside from the morning Melinda had him bring me breakfast, the only contact I’d had with him was through email, which I thought was weird for someone who said they wanted to get to know me better.
I adjusted a couple of pails of flowers and then made my way inside, determined to make myself look busy. Then I remembered Melinda lived right around the corner from me, so perhaps he was going to visit her. Either way, I needed to be prepared, I thought to myself.
I made my way into the small bathroom and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I ran my hands over my hair, making sure that there were no fly-away strands. Then I looked at my nails. Just as I suspected: dirt. We’d spent the morning out at the park, planting the rest of the flower planters for the summer festival. Despite wearing gloves, the dirt had done a number on my hands. I grabbed the small nail brush from under the counter and quickly began scrubbing away as I caught my reflection in the mirror.
“You are being so silly. He’s probably going to see Melinda,” I whispered to myself, continuing to scrub away. When I finished, I stepped out of the small bathroom and made my way over to my work area. I quickly checked my email, once again seeing nothing from Ethan. I let out a breath and turned my focus to the next order when I looked up and met the eyes of Ethan Alexander.
He looked even better today than he had the first night he’d stepped in here. He wore a pair of well-worn jeans and a black shirt that brought out his blue eyes. The scent of his cologne was taking over the store, enveloping me at the same time.
“Good morning, Peggy.” He smiled, stepping closer to the counter where he placed a bag from The Crispy Biscuit. “I went to see Melinda this morning. Thought I’d bring you breakfast…” He shoved the bag toward me.
I reached for it and opened the paper bag. I could already smell the cheese omelette and bacon. “Thank you, but you didn’t need to do that.”
“I know I didn’t. I wanted to.”
“Thank you. I had an early start this morning and didn’t have time to have anything.” I smiled. “We finished the last of the planters for the festival.”
“Well then, eat up.” He winked. “Can’t have a busy day without being fully prepared for it.”
Shyly, I removed the container from the bag and opened it. Taking the fork, I dug into the hot cheesy omelette. While I took another bite, Ethan walked over to the cooler and began looking inside again.
“How did Melinda like the flowers?” I questioned. “You never did tell me.”
“She loved them. I do, however, need another arrangement.”
“Oh? For Melinda again?”
“No, not for Melinda this time. I’d love it if I could get a yellow rose bouquet, but I don’t see any here. Do you not have them in?”
I put my fork down and nodded. “Oh, that is because they are in the back of the cooler. Just came in yesterday. I haven’t had time to bring them out yet. How many stems?”
“Twelve please.”
I went around into the back of the cooler and grabbed twelve yellow roses and a little greenery and came back around to the counter, where I quickly assembled them. “Did you want them in a vase?”
“Yes, please.”
I tied a cute yellow ribbon around the vase and placed it up on the counter. “What about a card?”
“Yes, please.”
“Would you like me to fill it out like I did last time? Or would you like to do it?”
“You already know your writing is better than mine, so I’ll have you do it.” He chuckled. “I’m surprised you could even read my letters.”
