Chapter 22 #2
“Okay,” he murmured, already discussing the merits of the liners he wanted to install. I had no idea there were that many decisions to be made.
I almost danced with delight in the garden center. The plants I wanted to look at were there, but there was so much more. Garden art, metal sculptures, urns, baskets, and all sorts of cool items caught my eye.
I added a gorgeous set of metal butterflies to my cart, thinking how lovely they would look hanging by the front door.
I found a pretty new outdoor rug for the back deck.
A colorful welcome mat for the front door.
A fabulous double shepherd’s hook for baskets.
Baskets I would plant with flowers. Pretty garden flags that would look so cheerful fluttering in the wind.
I stopped by a pair of urns I loved. They were tall, shaped like a tulip, and would look amazing by the front steps. I paused, knowing Thorne wouldn’t want one on his side. But if I planted it and put it there, he’d love it once he saw it. I’d water it.
I bent to pick one up, surprised at how heavy it was.
There was no way I could load it in the cart.
I spied a rolling flatbed and ran over, grabbing it.
It was a struggle to get the urn onto it, but I did it.
I was just about to attempt the second one when Thorne appeared, scowling and looking grumpy.
“What the hell are you doing?” he whisper-yelled at me.
“Oh good. You’re here. Can you lift this onto the flatbed?”
“I can—but I won’t.”
“Why not?”
He looked askance. “We’re here for wood and plants, Casey. Not vacuums, totes, and especially not those .” He indicated the urns with a flick of his hand. “And what the fuck is all that shit?” he growled, looking at my cart.
“Stuff I need.”
“Shit you don’t need.” He pulled out the butterfly sculpture, holding it up, one eyebrow raised in question.
“It’s for by the front door.”
“No.” He put it on the shelf. Then he took out the shepherd hook.
“For baskets.”
“Not happening.” He looked in the cart. “What is the rug for?”
“It feels nice on a hot summer day under your feet.”
“So does warm wood.” He poked around. “Flags? Why do you need flags?”
“They’re pretty.”
He groaned, then he lifted a box. “A spinner?”
“It helps keep bugs away from the plants,” I lied.
He rolled his eyes and slid it back onto the shelf.
“Where are the plants you were supposed to be getting?”
“I haven’t gotten there yet.” I frowned. “I suppose you’ll say no to a fountain?”
He leaned close. “No fountains. No sculptures. No urns.”
I slammed my hands on my hips. “I’m not moving without them.”
“Fine. Have it your way.”
And once again, I found myself over his shoulder.
JESSE
Good God, the woman knew how to push my buttons.
She gasped as I flung her over my shoulder, carrying her out of the garden center.
“Let me down,” she demanded, smacking my back.
“No. You’re going to the truck.”
“I didn’t get my plants!”
“Because you were too busy picking up shit,” I snarled.
“It’s not shit! It’s decorations!”
“Same thing.”
I passed a man who laughed as he saw Casey over my shoulder. “I got one of them too,” he chuckled. “Gotta drag her out of the place before she breaks the bank.”
Casey huffed and grabbed at my ass. At the truck, I slid her down my torso, stepping back and waiting for the explosion. It didn’t take long.
“How dare you drag me from the store like a…a toddler having a tantrum,” she seethed. “If I want urns and baskets, I can have them. I’m not spending your money. I’m spending mine, you dipshit.”
She had a point. But I didn’t want that stuff all over my house.
“You would have to hang your sculpture on the wall,” I stated. “And I don’t want holes in it.”
“I was going to use the outdoor hooks. Not drill something in. I have a brain, you know, Thorne.”
“We don’t need all that crap.”
“Not we . Me,” she stressed. “I want it.”
We stood toe-to-toe, glaring at each other. She was riled up, her chin stuck out, ready to go to war. Her eyes snapped in anger and I knew she thought she looked fierce, but she was utterly adorable. My lips twitched, and I had to look away.
“You find this funny?”
I couldn’t explain it, so I held my phone up to my eye level, turning on the camera and switching it so she could see the screen.
“What?” she snapped.
“Look at yourself from my perspective, Pixie.”
She frowned, staring up into the camera. “It’s just me.” She paused. “Okay, I look a little short.”
“Short?” I snorted. “With your little chin stuck out so far it’s almost pointed and how endearing you are when angry, I feel as if I’m arguing with one of Santa’s little helpers. One more word and I’ll be put on the naughty list.”
“It’s where you belong,” she muttered, then giggled. “I do look ridiculous from up there.”
I lowered my arm, and she took the camera, aiming it up at me. I knew I was a lot taller and bigger, but I loomed over her, irritated and scowling.
I tilted my head. “Do I scare you?”
“No, you annoy the shit out of me.”
“Back at you, Pixie. Or should I call you Elf?”
“I am not an elf, you giant ape!”
I leaned down. “That’s true. I’ve never seen an elf with a spectacular rack like yours.”
Her mouth curved upward, and she struggled to say mad.
“That’s it,” she informed me, her voice haughty. “You’re on the naughty list—permanently.”
I started to laugh, and so did she. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. “Fine, Pixie, you win. We’ll go get your shit. But only one urn. I don’t want one.”
“But the porch will look lopsided.”
I sighed as we walked back into the garden center. “Fine. But you look after them. The plants die, not my fault.”
She hugged my arm. “Okay.”
I muttered something about being whipped, but the truth was, I didn’t really care. I liked being bossed around by Casey.
“And no more throwing me over your shoulder,” she demanded.
“I dunno,” I mused. “I like you over my shoulder. Makes walking places go quicker.” I smirked down at her teasingly. “Those little legs of yours don’t go very fast.”
“You like my legs. Especially when they’re wrapped around your waist.”
I winked at her. “True enough.”
She grinned. “Funny Jesse is back.”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
“I’m sure growling Thorne will show up again later, but I’ll deal with him then,” she said with a wink. “For now, I win.”
I let her think that.