Winter Wonders (Seasons in Colorado: Winter #2)

Chapter 1

Fiona

“Hi Mr. Carlisle! Your usual?” I can’t help the smile on my face as my favorite customer grins widely.

“Of course, my dear. Mrs. Carlisle looks forward to our weekly date and that includes whatever lovely bouquet you make for her.”

My hands immediately reach for the delicate ice-white roses and the pale-pink peonies. A little baby’s breath and some delicate fern fronds and voila!

I hand the pale bouquet to him and he smiles. “You always make the most beautiful offerings.”

I take his card and swipe it, handing it back. “I could make it even better if you told me what her favorite flowers are.”

He shakes his balding head and smiles wryly. “She has no favorite. She loves them all. And she loves the surprise of something new every week.”

Nodding, I lean down on the counter and rest my arms. “I get it. I love them all too.” Winking, I reach over and tweak a delicate green frond and he smiles again before he shuffles out.

“Thank you, dear. I’ll see you in another week.”

Waving good-bye, I glance over at the other side of the building, frowning. The glass wall that separates our two spaces is dark on their side. He hasn’t opened up at all this week. I hadn’t heard anything about him taking a vacation.

I wonder where he is?

Another person wanders in and I smile at them, my head immediately turning to my own issues. My own problems as it were.

The space is too small. Tripping over another bucket of flowers in the back storage room that’s chilled and full of cut flowers to choose from, I sigh.

No matter what I do anymore there just isn’t enough room for everything that I want back here. I eye that space on the other side of the building all the time and wish that we had it. But it was long ago given to Mr. Stephens.

Honestly, he’s a nice enough guy but it has always felt a little cramped in here. Her Murphy ancestors had given that section of the shop to the Stephens a long time ago. Thanks to a guilty conscience over a failed betrothal that is.

It’s been awkward and annoying since then. I mean, they weren’t at daggers drawn anymore like history showed. But they weren’t friends.

That’s why it’s not actually that surprising that Mr. Stephens didn’t tell anyone why he wasn’t there. They don’t chat with our kind.

Rolling my eyes, I mutter under my breath. “It’s not like we’re a different damn species. They just don’t like us.”

It’s been at least fifty years since the feud started but that doesn’t mean it’s gone by the wayside. Every new generation feels the sting of it.

Mine is no different. My cousin and I have worked our asses off to try and make a go of things with Mr. Stephens and he’s at least not rude anymore. But warmth and neighborly concern are not there.

Both of his sons have moved on to other things though. One’s a cop and one’s a handyman in some obscure little town in the southwest. Both of them ran when they had the chance.

I didn’t have that option. My mom and dad died ten years ago and left me the business and my cousin stayed because she didn’t have anything better to do, I think.

Harper walks in the door with a carrier of coffee for us. Two for me since I got here way earlier than her and this is my long day. I’ll be here past our closing. I’ve got inventory and ordering to do and as per usual I’m behind.

“Hey, cuz. Anything interesting today?”

“Mr. Carlisle picked up his date flowers.”

Smirking, she hands me my two cups and takes a sip of her espresso. I groan and take a sip of mine. It’s already been a long day and I need the caffeine desperately. The rich brew washes over my tongue and I groan again.

“Damn, that’s good.”

“I know right? I don’t want to cause a fight but I think Katie makes the best coffee.”

Snorting, I glare at her. “Don’t try and start a fight, you troublemaker.”

“Anyway, Mr. Carlisle’s flowers aren’t a new thing. I said anything interesting.”

“Mr. Stephens still isn’t open.”

She grins wickedly. “Wonder if he left town. Maybe we’ll still get a shot at taking over that space.”

“I don’t think so, ladies.”

My head whips around, my mouth falling open. My fingers clench so hard around the cups that I almost crush them.

I’d know those dark brown eyes anywhere. Every Stephens man has them.

Growling, I set my drinks down and slap my hands on my hips. “Excuse me. Do you often go around butting into people’s private conversations?”

“Depends on if they’re having their private conversations in public or not! Also, depends on if they’re talking about my family like they know the first damn thing about anything!”

His deep brown eyes narrow and his firm lips tighten into a straight line. My belly tightens and there’s a curl of desire unfurling inside me that makes me clench my jaw and shove all of that shit down.

Stephens men aren’t the kind of men you get involved with. Especially if your last name is Murphy.

“Where’s your dad?”

He huffs and leans on the counter, his big body taking up all the available space like it’s nothing. He’s huge. Intimidatingly sexy too.

Get your shit together, woman! This man is the enemy!

“Not that it’s any of your business since I just heard you wishing ill will on him, but he’s in the hospital.” There’s an edge to his dark voice that has me wincing in sympathy.

“We shouldn’t have said that. We didn’t mean any ill will on your dad. Mr. Stephens is a really nice man.”

His dark brow quirks and he grunts. “Unlike me, right?”

My lips curl in a sneer. “You said it not me.”

“Yeah, well, he’s in the hospital so I’m taking over the business for him until he gets out.”

My back straightens and my eyes widen. “You must be joking.”

“I’m not even. You’ll find that I have very little sense of humor when it comes to business.”

Rolling my eyes, I grunt. “I can believe that.”

“Anyway,” he smirks and grabs the untouched cup of coffee. He sips it boldly and my mouth drops open again.

“That was mine.”

“Oh. I thought it was open season since there are only two of you and three drinks.”

“Wow. You Stephens men don’t mind taking things that don’t belong to you, don’t you?”

“And you Murphy women love to stir up trouble over every little damn thing.”

Snorting, I whip around and head to the back fridge. “I’ve got stuff to do. Enjoy your coffee.”

He grunts but he doesn’t try and stop me and after another quick sip he heads over to the door and then out to go to the other side.

Like an idiot, I keep glancing over where the glass wall shows the grumpy man opening the shop, his little quirked smile tripping my stupid heart up.