The Cherry Crush Flower Shop (Maple Falls #3)

Chapter 1

ONE

ZOE

Zoe Hart drew a steadying breath as her eyes swept over the flower shop. Ribbons tumbled from drawers and there were buckets of velvety roses and deep green sprigs waiting to be arranged. Her cat Whiskers rested on the counter, one gray paw perilously close to a steaming mug of spiced tea.

The earthy, fragrant air in her shop had always soothed her. But today, her pulse said otherwise. Where on God’s green earth were those wedding flowers?

Rain whispered against the bay window, turning Maple Falls’s main street into a soft watercolor. The town’s mayor would soon be here with his bride-to-be to see their sample arrangements. But the flowers had not arrived.

If she didn’t impress them, Maple Falls’s most high-profile couple would take their business—and her reputation—to Petals and Pearls, the rival shop one town over. Even the name sounded smug.

“This is bad,” she whispered, pressing a hand to her forehead. “Like career-ending bad.”

The rain outside intensified, a slow, steady rhythm that matched the thud of panic in her chest. Her eyes wandered over all the little nooks where dried oranges and cinnamon sticks hung from hooks and candles stood in rustic holders.

The bay window at the front looked out onto the main street, Oak Way. A cushioned bench covered with floral-print pillows sat beneath the glass with a few stacked gardening books. The perfect place to sip tea, watch rain fall and maybe curl up with a good book.

It still amazed her that the shop was hers now. She’d dreamed of running it since she was little, helping her mom arrange bouquets. The Cherry Crush Flower Shop meant the world to her, and now she was about to screw up her most important job yet.

With that job she’d also be one step closer to having the funds to launch the Local Blooms project with her best friend, Jackson.

They were so close to making their dream of running nature programs for kids—and for veterans like him—real.

But every time they worked side by side, she felt it, a pull she couldn’t ignore.

Wishing Jackson were here now, Zoe took out her phone to see a delivery notification from earlier. “Oh, thank the flower gods.” She raced to the back and flung open the door. There was a box on the mat, soaked from the drizzle, the label smudged.

She dragged it inside, sliced it open, and stared at the seed packets, biodegradable pots, and fertilizer.

“The Local Blooms project,” she breathed. “Of course.”

The delivery meant for Jackson’s farm had somehow arrived here. That meant the wedding flowers were mostly likely sitting over there instead… Gorgeous of course, just completely out of reach. Rather like him, in fact.

Zoe set the box aside, tugged her light brown hair into a messy bun and wiped her damp palms on her apron. Her blue eyes darted to the clock. They’d be here any minute now. Maybe she could stall them with coffee? Or divine intervention?

“Zoe? You back there?” came the cheerful voice of Mayor Bloomfield as the bell chimed over the door.

Oh no. She pasted on a smile. “Coming!”

Mayor Bloomfield came in, rain misting his pastel-yellow suit. His white shirt was embroidered with miniature white daisies. Beside him was Edith, every bit the picture of quirky Maple Falls charm, with her silver-streaked hair tucked neatly into a floral scarf.

“Zoe, dear,” Edith said warmly, untying her scarf. “We’ve been so looking forward to seeing your ideas for our wedding.”

Zoe’s throat went dry. “Y-yes! Of course.” It suddenly felt impossible to tell them the truth. “I thought we could start with… ribbon!”

She ducked behind the counter and emerged with an armful of spools which rolled across the counter. “We have lavender, ice blue, traditional white, or—ooh—ivory!”

Edith picked one up with a smile. “There used to be a beautiful flower this color in Maple Falls. Silvery-blue, with a soft white center. We had a saying, blue as the sky, white as the dove, carry the bloom, be blessed in love.”

The mayor nodded. “Haven’t seen one in forty years. Or more. Back when I still had hair.”

“Magical flowers and honest men,” Edith added. “Both endangered species.”

Zoe grinned. “Perhaps I could try to find it for your wedding?”

“Oh, wouldn’t that be wonderful!” Edith’s face lit up. “Now, could we see those samples?”

Her stomach lurched. “Right. They’re, um—”

The front door swung open.

Zoe turned—and forgot how to breathe.

Jackson Hawthorne stepped through the doorway, carrying a large box like it weighed nothing. Rain beaded in his dark hair, glinting under the shop lights. His gray Henley clung to his chest, the fabric darkened by mist.

Heat crept up Zoe’s neck. She swore she saw Edith glance at her knowingly.

Zoe told herself to look away, to stop staring, but it was useless. Jackson had been her best friend since forever, and her daily test in emotional restraint.

She’d been drawn to him for as long as she could remember. He was like an underwater current that tugged at her soul, pulling her closer, deeper until there was only him. A woman could drown at the sight of that man.

Jackson was broad-shouldered, all muscle and grit, with a quiet strength that made everyone else seem smaller somehow. But it wasn’t just his body, though, good grief, that could have been carved from stone.

It was the depth he carried. He always had, but now there was the guarded set of his jaw. The storm brewing behind those eyes. War had changed him, leaving scars she couldn’t see but always felt. His twin, Liam, was charming and easygoing, but Jackson… Jackson was raw, untamed.

And oblivious.

He didn’t seem to notice the way Zoe’s heart hammered when he stepped too close. Or the way she stumbled over her words while her mind fought not to run away with fantasies.

“Excuse me for one minute,” Zoe said to the mayor and Edith, then turned to Jackson. “You are literally my hero right now,” she whispered, dragging him into the workroom.

He arched a brow. “It’s just a box, Zo. You’re a little dramatic.”

“Dramatic?” she shot back. “Try explaining to the mayor and Edith that you lost their wedding flowers and see how calm you feel.”

He set the box down, mouth twitching—the closest he ever came to a smile. “Fair point. Where do you want it?”

“The countertop right there is great.” She gestured. “Stay, I’ll be right back.”

“Giving orders now, are we?” His eyes glinted as he folded his arms. “Fine. But are you any good at following them?”

Her breath caught. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

He chuckled. “Maybe I would.”

Zoe shook her head. It was just like Jackson to be a flirt with her. If only he knew…

She turned on her heel and headed back out front to the mayor and Edith. “I have a few extra flowers that were just delivered. I’d love to show them to you. Could you give me an hour?”

Mayor Bloomfield twirled his hat. “Hmm. That’s just enough time for a slice of pie.”

Edith’s eyes brightened. “From the Pumpkin Pie Bakery?”

“Where else?” He grinned. “Their maple-pecan crumble has been calling my name since breakfast.”

“Don’t have to twist my arm.” Edith looped her arm through his. “We’ll go grab a table by the window.”

“Perfect.” Zoe exhaled. “Tell Emily I said hi—and if she’s got any cherry pie left, save me a slice?”

The mayor winked. “Consider it done.”

The bell chimed as they left, their laughter drifting back with the scent of rain, leaving Zoe alone with her heartbeat and the ticking clock.

“I can’t believe these came to you,” Zoe said, walking back to Jackson. “I think they just switched orders.”

She sighed. Cuttings, ribbon, and petals were strewn over every surface. Her creative haven had officially become a hot mess express.

Jackson eyed the space. “Some people would call this a disaster zone.”

“It’s creative chaos,” she insisted. “Organized genius at work.”

“Organized?” The corner of his mouth tipped up.

“Okay, semi-organized. Fine—it’s chaos. But I know where everything is.”

“Right,” he said. “And I’m the Queen of England.”

Zoe shoved the bucket into his hands. “If you’re so desperate for order, Sergeant Tidy, make yourself useful.”

He chuckled. “Good thing I’m finished at the farm. The llamas have been fed, the barn’s clean, and I’ll take Xavier out for a ride later.”

“Meanwhile, I’m over here begging the flower gods for twenty extra minutes.”

“Guess it’s lucky you’ve got backup,” Jackson said, with the quiet confidence that seemed to roll off of him. Zoe forced herself to focus as they worked side by side, and they finished just in time.

Mayor Bloomfield and Edith returned, cheeks flushed, and Zoe walked them through her vision.

Edith clasped her hands. “Zoe, they’re beautiful.”

Zoe exhaled, her knees weak with relief. “Thank you. I’d be honored to do this for your wedding.”

After they left, she let out a deep sigh and met Jackson in the back room once more. “Well,” she said breathlessly, “that went better than expected! I’m hired. And get this, they want me to find and include this long-lost legendary bloom!”

She gestured wildly, almost knocking over her now cooled tea. Whiskers bolted for safety under a chair.

“I mean, can you imagine?” Zoe went on. “A lost flower! Blue with a soft white center—like this.” She cupped her hands in the air. “I bet it’s gorgeous, Jackson. Come on, you can’t tell me you’re not at least a little curious?”

He shook his head, almost smiling.

Rain was falling steadily outside, making the hour feel later than it was. The streetlamps flickered on, golden light pooling through the window. Zoe walked over to the front door and flicked the lock before switching the shop sign to Closed.

She turned back to find Jackson in the shop, watching her. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing the bottom of a tattoo Zoe had never seen before, and the corded muscles below.

Zoe didn’t know what came over her. Before she could second-guess herself, she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him. She was considerably shorter, but somehow they fit together.

“Thank you,” she said quietly against his strong chest.

For a heartbeat, he tensed. Then he relaxed against her, his arms wrapping around her shoulders.

“You’re welcome.” His voice rumbled in his chest, and Zoe felt it move right to her core.

She could’ve stayed like that forever, in the arms of her perfect man, her real-life hero, and the star of her fantasies.

But out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw someone watching them through the window.

Before she could turn around or pull away, she looked up at Jackson.

Big mistake.

His dark gray eyes held a fierceness, a protectiveness, that Zoe could feel down to her bones.

The whole world narrowed to the scent of rain and roses and the warmth of his gaze. All thoughts of anyone watching were forgotten.

And for one suspended moment, she wondered what it would be like if he were there to protect her, to hold her, every day for the rest of their lives.

But to Jackson, she was just Zoe, his oldest friend. As that thought hit, she wondered how she was supposed to keep working beside him every day, building their dream. Could she ever tell him how she felt?