Love’s Bloom

CHAPTER ONE

Misty Owens sat with several friends at the table usually reserved for locals in Jake’s Bar and Grill on Main Street in Lilac Lake, New Hampshire.

She was pleased to have their company. Since moving back to her small hometown following a disastrous relationship with an emotionally and physically abusive man who still troubled her dreams, she needed to feel connected to good people who truly cared about one another.

Of all the men who sat at the table that evening, she was attracted to David Graham, who owned a successful landscaping business with his father. Gentle, kind, and handsome, he was everything she wanted in a man if only she could get through her past issues.

She warmed under David’s friendly smile and knew he was interested in her.

But how would she ever be able to explain to him what had gone on in the past and how it had affected her?

Many in town had seen her bruises and heard her tale of running away from her apartment in Florida to the safety of her home.

But not many knew she still struggled with the aftermath of Vince Tucci’s abuse of her.

That issue would take time to get over, as would learning to trust a man again.

As Misty munched on her chicken Caesar salad, she studied the men and women sitting around her and listened as they caught up with one another’s daily activities.

She glanced at her sister, Crystal, who’d recently sold the Lilac Lake Café to a couple of Melissa Hendrickson’s friends from Boston.

As the town was growing and members of their group were pairing off, many changes were taking place.

Tomorrow, she’d move into the cabin she’d rented by the river flowing outside of town. It was the beginning of a whole new life. A happy one, she hoped.

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The next morning, Misty sat on the living room couch in the cabin and stared at the pile of boxes in the middle of the room. David and his friend, Aaron Collister, had moved the furniture and heavy items into the one-bedroom cabin. Now, all she had to do was unpack the boxes.

She leaned back against the couch cushions and sighed. This change was very important. In part, it meant having independence from her big sister. Crystal had always taken care of her because their mother was an alcoholic and addict who couldn’t. Now, Misty needed to stand on her own.

Misty was both scared and excited to be alone. She’d spent a few years teaching school in Florida before she’d escaped and returned to New Hampshire to stay with Crystal, who was nine years older.

Shaking off the memory of that frantic drive home, Misty got up and went to the sliding glass door leading outside, opened it, and stepped onto the wooden deck overlooking the river.

She loved living in one of the small, upscale cabins scattered in the woods along the riverbank.

Being outdoors among nature had always been soothing to her.

Even as a child, she often played quietly by the river or enjoyed activities with others on Lilac Lake.

Though their childhood had been difficult, the residents of their small town did what they could to help Misty and Crystal through the trauma of their lives.

While Crystal could remember when their mother wasn’t stoned, drugged, or drunk, by the time Misty became aware of such things, that’s all she saw of her mother.

Leaning over the deck railing, Misty listened to the song of a cardinal, saw a flash of red wings, and grinned. Cardinals were lucky for her. She hoped this bird had plenty of it to share. With this new chapter of her life, she was going to need it.

She went inside and studied the compact space whose white walls sparkled from care. This home was a lucky find for her. She and a new teacher friend, Hazel Belmont, had rented the last two available cabins. They’d already planned to save gas by taking turns driving to the local elementary school.

Misty had just opened a box and was staring at the lamps inside when David appeared carrying a large potted plant and a bouquet of mixed summer flowers.

“Thought you could use these,” he said. “It’s a healthy sign to have live greenery around. Something about Feng Shui.”

“They’re both gorgeous! I love them,” said Misty. “Thanks so much. Did these come from your company?”

David grinned and nodded. Graham Landscaping was a big operation in town. The business had doubled in size when David returned to town after earning his degree from Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The company now had maintenance contracts in both winter and summer for most of the businesses in the area.

The Woodlands, an assisted-living complex outside of town, and The Meadows, a new, upscale housing development owned by Brad and Aaron Collister at the end of the lake, had both retained Graham Landscaping for their services.

“Where do you want the plant?” David asked. “Maybe over there by the sliding door?”

“Perfect,” said Misty, hurrying to make space for it.

David handed her the flowers and then set the plant down.

Misty stared at the mixture of red and orange roses, yellow zinnias, and field flowers she couldn’t name. “These are beautiful.”

“I thought you might like them,” said David. His deep-blue gaze focused on her as he swept a lock of brown, sun-streaked hair off his brow. “I know this move is important to you, and I want it to be a positive experience.”

She returned his smile. “Thanks again. I’m glad we’re friends. You and Aaron did a great job of helping me move into this cabin. I couldn’t have done it without you. How can I ever repay you?”

“Just be safe here and enjoy this spot,” David said. “I’ve got to go back to work. See you later.”

“Thanks,” she said, walking him to the front door.

After he left, she put the flowers in a pitcher of water and wrapped her arms around herself. David was very special.

She was busy unpacking boxes in the kitchen when Crystal dropped in, carrying a carton. “I think I have this by mistake. It looks like books you might use in your classroom.”

With the sale of the Lilac Lake Café, both Misty and Crystal were moving out of the apartment above it.

Misty motioned for Crystal to set the box down on the counter. “Thanks. I would’ve eventually realized it was missing.”

“How are you doing with your share of our move?” Misty asked Crystal.

“Good, I guess,” Crystal replied. “I never realized how much stuff I have.”

They laughed together, remembering how easy they’d thought it would be.

Love and gratitude filled Misty as she smiled at Crystal, the sister she adored. Crystal was a blond beauty with lavender/blue eyes that matched the purple hair she’d dyed recently. Now, only a soft streak of purple remained.

Misty had always wanted to look like Crystal, but her tan skin, dark eyes, and straight black hair were no match.

As a teen, she’d dyed her hair blond, but after several years, she’d allowed her natural dark color to return.

Now, when people told her how pretty she was, Misty accepted it as the compliment it was meant to be.

“Where’d you get the flowers?” Crystal asked her.

“David Graham brought them, along with the plant, standing by the sliding glass door.”

“He’s such a sweet, interesting man,” said Crystal.

“Just before you moved back to Lilac Lake, his sister died after a long struggle with cancer. The family was heartbroken. David initiated a fundraiser to buy an empty lot in town so they could create a small, tranquil garden and park in her memory. It’s become a coveted spot where people can sit on a bench, enjoy the flower beds, and take a break. ”

“I’ve seen it from a distance as I drove by but have never taken the time to stop,” said Misty. “Next time I’m on that street, I’ll spend some time there.”

“Didn’t David also help you move in here?” Crystal said.

“He and Aaron,” Misty said. “Why?”

“Aaron’s another great guy,” said Crystal. “I love this town and how everyone is willing to offer help and support to others. Thank God. That’s what got both of us to this moment in time.”

“I remember how people rallied around us when we were growing up,” she said.

“And how they supported my work at the Café,” Crystal added. “I have them to thank for making such a healthy profit with its sale.”

“I’m proud of what you accomplished,” said Misty. “But then, you’ve always been the strong one.”

Crystal hugged her. “No, Misty. You’re the resilient one. You’ve gone through so much. I hope, now that you’re on your own again, you’ll find the happiness you deserve. And remember, you may be living alone, but your friends and I are here to help you.”

Warmth flooded through her. Misty squeezed her sister with affection. “I know that. Thanks.”

Crystal looked around. “This is such an adorable place. I love that in addition to the master bedroom suite, you have a small office, a big kitchen, and a fireplace in the living area for those cold winter days.”

“It’s ideal for me,” said Misty. “Hazel and I were able to get the last two renovated cabins. I like her and think we’re going to be close friends.” From the South, Hazel and her pronounced southern drawl enchanted everyone.

“I like her too,” said Crystal. She checked her watch. “I’d better get back to work at Emmett’s house. We’re trying to make room for my things yet keep the décor to what we both like.”

“Are you going to be sad to stop working permanently at the Café, helping out the new owners and being out of the apartment?”

Crystal thought for a moment. “It’s going to feel strange. That’s for sure. But I think the plan to work with Melissa on special events like gourmet dinners will be interesting.”

Melissa Hendrickson’s family’s restaurant, Fins, had been destroyed by fire, and though Melissa didn’t want to give up professional cooking entirely, she was thinking of doing some projects with Crystal.

“Something will work out,” said Misty. “Just like you’ve always told me.”