Chapter 49
Sage
Today was a big day. Kipp might be thinking that he was pulling a fast one, but we’d had a heads-up from Hattie.
No way were we missing another Holt wedding.
They might have chosen the courthouse, but I was definitely getting Hattie a bouquet to walk down the aisle with.
I already had flowers at Rhodes’ too, in case we could convince them to come celebrate there with us for an impromptu reception.
We’d managed to slide all the way into May without any incidents, and I wasn’t sure whether I was more on edge or just desensitized. Rhodes and I had our routine now.
On Mondays, I stayed at my place so I could check on things and talk to my plant babies.
Ellis and I ordered in and drank tequila shots together.
I even ordered him a pair of plant pants so we could match.
He wouldn’t wear them yet, but it was the thought that counted.
The rest of the time, I stayed at Rhodes’, sleeping in his bed and falling further in love with him.
I was in a frightful hurry today as I pushed through the doors of my shop. I’d been delegating more work to Cedric than ever, and he had been handling it well, stepping up to the plate eagerly enough.
“There’s my favorite person.” Cedric peeked out from the small area he was working. “I’m just getting these ready to go out front. He gestured to the tall galvanized buckets he was filling with blooms.
During late spring and summer, we had a rack of flowers on the sidewalk where people could make their own bouquets in a 5-for-5 situation. It was a great option when we had extras, and we always sold out.
“Hey, Ced.” I gave him a wide smile. “Those look great. I have a few minutes to help before I have to meet everyone. Ellis can carry the rack out front.”
My bodyguard didn’t need any further direction and lifted the heavy iron frame without help.
It typically took two of us to do it, and I struggled with carrying my side.
Ellis’ eyes narrowed on Cedric for just a moment.
He’d mentioned before that he wondered what I saw in Ced, but he’d worked with me for years.
Cedric was always on time, and the customers never complained.
He could be a little touchy-feely, but he was a great employee.
“So, Hattie and Kipp?” He sat in a chair with exaggerated care. “Where’s the ceremony?” His questions were casual, but he was looking at me intently.
His hands moved efficiently as he selected different flowers and stems for the buckets and separated them. One of the things that made the display so impactful was that they were separated by type, so everything was color-coded. It generally looked like a little rainbow.
I scanned the cooler and shook off the weird vibe as Ellis came back inside. “Yeah. They’re doing a courthouse thing, but I’m going to do a bouquet for her to hold. Just something simple. We may do a get-together at our place after.”
“Weddings. How romantic.” Even as he moved with practiced efficiency and his voice dropped to an almost conspiratorial whisper, he edged closer.
“Help me finish up these tubs real quick, and I’ll help with the bouquet,” he paused, then slid another look my way.
“Your place, huh?” The words were dripping with scorn.
I stared at him in surprise for a second before mechanically moving to the daffodils and starting to add them. I suddenly felt uncomfortable. I hadn’t meant to say ‘our’, but it felt right. I’d been thinking about Rhodes’ offer to move in with him, but apparently my brain had already decided.
Cedric was typically chatty and friendly, but right now he was acting weird. He was a great employee, but we’d never been the kind of friends who socialized outside of work. Sure, we talked, but it was just idle chatting. His comment was pointed and judgmental.
“How are things with you? Didn’t you have a date with someone over in Bend? How’d that go?” I tried to deflect. I didn’t want to explain my personal life to him, and didn’t think I should have to.
For the years he’d worked here, he’d dated casually, telling me he was waiting for Ms. Right to come along, and he’d been stingy with the details. I’d been rooting for him to find someone. He was funny, good-looking, and he had a stable job.
“Not good, babe. Another dud. I’m not sure why I bother.” He clipped another tulip stem and plopped it in the bucket.
“What about you? With everything that’s been going on lately, including that scary slash-and-grab at the gas station, I wondered if you were going to get your fairy-tale ending.
You deserve one, though. Sounds like you are.
That stalker is still out there, right?” Another flower went into the bucket, and mechanically, I added some daffodils to mine.
“It's almost like someone's been keeping a close eye on you, isn't it? Watching out for their favorite florist. It’s kind of sweet.”
Ellis shifted against the wall where he was leaning, and even as the words hung oddly in the air, I tried to rationalize their meaning.
It just came out wrong. That was all. Cedric knew all about the deliveries and the gas station incident.
By this time, the whole town knew, but the way he phrased it sent a chill down my spine.
Trying to clear away the awkwardness, I kept my tone light.
“Well, you know my family.” I waved away my own anxiety.
Then I jabbed a thumb at Ellis. “And I’ve got this guy looking out for me.
” Even as I did so, my pulse quickened under my skin as I finished up the daffodils and sped through the geraniums.
“Ellis, can you put these in the rack?”
“Sure.” He gave me a pointed look. “But we’re going to need to hustle.”
That was a blatant lie. We weren’t in a huge hurry. I’d made sure to allow myself plenty of time to stop in and check on the shop today, even though I wasn’t scheduled to work. But I appreciated the out, because I was weirdly uncomfortable.
“Yeah, I’ll get going on that arrangement for Hattie. It’ll just take me a few minutes.” Ellis tipped his chin to me in acknowledgment.
“Looks like they boss you around a lot,” Cedric grumbled, his voice a little hollow as he filled the last container.
“Well, better safe than sorry and all that.” I kept my tone light even as my heart thudded wildly. “No need for guardian angels or sweet stalkers when I’ve got the Holts and Redhawk at my back.” I winked at Ellis as I headed to the cooler to gather the blooms I wanted to work with.
“What about me?” Cedric frowned. “I’ve been your friend, haven’t I?”
Looking over my shoulder at him, I suddenly felt like an absolute bitch at the sight of his crestfallen face. I was being paranoid and weird.
“Of course you are, Ced. You’re a great friend.” I went over and gave him a side hug, ignoring Ellis’ warning look. “I appreciate you so much. I hope you know that.”
He gave me a tight smile. “I’m just going to put these outside.” He tipped a look to the last of the buckets for the rack.
Watching him maneuver them outside, I breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to make the bouquet I had in my head.
I busied myself removing the thorns from the roses I selected, grouping them tightly with anemones and some eucalyptus.
Tying it off with a soft moss-green ribbon, I gave the velvety blooms a final adjustment.
“That looks nice.” Cedric leaned around to look at the posy, his fingers touching the ribbon.
“Thanks.” I edged away slightly. “Simple, but I wanted her to have something to hold during the ceremony.”
He nodded, giving me room to stand. “You know, if you ever need anything…” he trailed off. “I’m always around. Your safety is important to me.”
The front bell chimed, signaling a customer, a tourist by the looks of them, as they started to browse.
“Welcome to Wild Bloom,” Cedric called out, but his eyes were still on me.
“Thanks, Cedric. I’ll see you later.”
Ellis held the door for me, and outside, the warm day was bright enough for me to lift my sunglasses to my face, hiding the fact that I was startled by Cedric’s behavior. We’d not spent much time together in the last few weeks, but maybe he’d always been a little weird.
“Rhodes will be here in two minutes.” Ellis looked at his watch. “You need to tell him about that whole thing.” He was frowning.
Clutching the flowers, I looked back at my little shop with the green awning and cheery sign. My shoulders tightened even as Rhodes’ truck pulled around the corner.
“I know. Just give me until after the ceremony.” Ellis frowned at me, but he gave a curt nod. “Let’s just enjoy Kipp and Hattie’s day.”
“Fine,” he ground out, but narrowed his eyes at me.
On any other day, I’d have laughed at him or made a joke, but instead I took comfort in the safety he represented and kept my eyes on the truck as it slid to the curb. Opal was already waving at me from the backseat, a big grin on her face. God, she was a cutie.
“You coming with us today?” I asked Ellis as he opened the door for me.
“Nah, I’m going to take a few hours. Rhodes has you from here. I’ll see you in a little bit for the shinding.” He gave me a wink. “Don’t forget what we talked about.”
I nodded in agreement as he closed the door. Rhodes wouldn’t say I was overreacting, but I would still make sure to tell him. I just wanted to enjoy Kipp and Hattie’s wedding first.
“Looks like you did good.” He scanned my face as I climbed in, the posy clutched in my hand. “That’s perfect for Hattie. She’s going to love it. I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.” Settling into the seat, I let the calm settle over me now that I was with Rhodes. When I was around him, there was a sense of peace that came over me. Maybe that’s why it was easy to decide then and there that I would move in with him.