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My father is a perfectionist through and through. That much of the gossiping nanny’s story was true. I’m not exaggerating when I say nothing I did was ever good enough.
If I got a good grade on a test, he asked why I’m not doing that in all of my classes. If I made him dessert, it was always too sweet, too dry, toosomethingfor his tastes. Heck, I got him a gift for Father’s Day a few years ago and he reprimanded me for needlessly spending money on such a trivial thing.
He’s nitpicked every choice I’ve ever made and I could feel myself wilting like a flower the longer I stayed there with him.
So, when the unexpected chance popped up to start a new life away from all that negativity, I was ecstatic. I’ve grown a lot in the short time I’ve been here in Cherry Falls. When I first arrived, I second-guessed everything I did. I constantly heard my dad’s disapproving voice in my head, scoffing at me. That has faded over time, and slowly, I’ve become more confident in who I am.
I take a swig of my coffee, washing down the memories and getting focused for the day. Setting my coffee aside, I turn on the lights. I have a few orders that I need to fill today and I get to work arranging the bouquets and checking the flowers that are out for sale in the fridges.
“Hey,” Caroline says as she comes into my shop and I grin at her.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
“I came for more cream cheese danishes,” she admits with a slight blush and I laugh.
“They are good.”
“I know, right?”
I laugh as she looks over some bouquets.
“How’s Charlotte?” I ask and Caroline smiles softly.
It’s obvious that she loves her and I feel jealous that she’s about to have two kids and a husband. I always thought that I would be married and settled down by now. I try to stay positive, to remain upbeat, but I can’t help but wonder when I’ll find my happily ever after.
“How have you been?” Caroline asks and I take another sip of my latte.
“Good, keeping busy. I got these new bulbs and I’m excited to grow them. I think they’re going to be a bit hit. They’re lilac and like this deep navy blue and they kind of look like irises.”
Caroline smiles as she leans on the counter, smelling the bouquet that I just got done with.
“Who are these for?” she asks and I look at the note attached.
“Uh, they’re for… Glory from Corby,” I say, reading off of the order form.
“They’re pretty.”
“Thanks. Want me to make you a bouquet? I can do one for you and another for Charlotte,” I offer.
“That’s so sweet of you, but you know who I think could really use some color in their life?”
“Who?” I ask, finishing up the second bouquet.
“Ken Coleman.”
My stomach drops at his name and I look up at her. I’m not surprised that she’s caught on to my crush on Ken, but it still feels like the secret is out now.
“Oh yeah?” I ask casually but I can feel the blush staining my cheeks. My whole face feels hot and I can feel Caroline studying me. I swear she can read my thoughts. Thankfully, she doesn’t call me out on it.
“He’s been maxed out for weeks. He needs to find a nurse soon or he’s going to burn out.”
I nod, agreeing with her. Sometimes I wish that I was a nurse so that I could help him out a bit but blood grosses me out. I’d be more of a burden than a help in his office.
“Maybe you’re right,” I murmur and I see Caroline grin out of the corner of my eye.
“I should get to the diner. Heath dropped Charlotte off at school this morning so I could sleep in a bit.”
“I’ll try to stop in later and we can catch up more,” I promise and she leans over, hugging me before she heads for the door.
