Page 54 of An Adventure For Aster

“Flowers in the back of the van for them to make the oils. Don’t worry, I didn’t load it. I don’t need Trace on my case.”

Violet was pregnant. “Who did?” Zane asked.

“Two of my employees are working this morning. I knew I could find someone here to unload it.”

“We’ve got it,” Aster said, moving out of the building with Zane and pulling out the beds of flowers that Violet transported over.

“I miss making the oils,” Violet said. “Not that I did it much, but it’s just so much fun to play with them in all sorts of ways.”

He didn’t reply. No reason to. Plus if he did, Zane might bust his ass over it in their joking way. “What is Trace doing?” he asked. “Does he need some more help with his book?”

“He’s writing away today, but I told him I wouldn’t work long. I’m sure he’ll be reaching out soon. I heard him mumbling something last night about parts and guns or something breaking.”

He laughed. Aster did enjoy talking with Trace and helping him with his books. Luke gave some input on things too, but mostly Trace was on top of it having been in the service too.

“I’m around if he needs me,” he said. Talking with people who served with him kept his head still in that part of his life without having this huge hole inserted in so quickly.

When Violet was gone, he and Zane were back to work. “Before I forget, Lily wanted me to tell you she is running an ad for a Director of Operations in the plant and she wants you to sit in on the interviews.”

“Huh?” he asked. “Why are you telling me and not Lily? She’s my boss.”

Though it was laughable because he might be an employee of Blossoms, but he got more of his directions from Zane.

Zane looked at the grin on his face. “Come on now,” Zane said. “We know Lily is the boss of both of us.”

He laughed. “And you’re not complaining in the least, are you?”

“Never,” Zane said.

Lucky bastard.

18

GAVE HER HOPE

Almost a month later, Raine was excited to go to the Blossoms' Christmas party.

She felt things were going well with her and Aster. They had fun and tried to do different things, but with the cooler weather and shorter daylight, it was hard to find things to do outside of going to eat or cooking.

Then she had to remind herself, she didn’t need to cram it all into her life right away because she didn’t get to experience the world of dating when she was younger.

She didn’t regret that really, but she felt she missed out too.

And maybe that was part of her problem before. That those she dated didn’t always want to do the same as her because they’d already experienced it.

“I’m glad you could come tonight,” Aster said.

“I wouldn’t have missed it,” she said. “I’m thrilled you asked me. I bet you’re not a party person, are you?”

“Not really,” he said turning to look at her. They were in his truck and almost at Mona’s now for the party held in the back of the restaurant.

She’d asked Ivy how to dress because Aster was clueless. He said he was wearing dark jeans and a button-down shirt. He didn’t even own a tie and his dress pants probably didn’t fit him anymore.

Raine thought that was funny. Ivy said to dress festive, but it wasn’t fancy.

That made it easier for her when Aster only scratched his head.

So she pulled out dark gray trousers with a pair of black heels that she rarely wore because there was no way she was chasing kids around the room in them, but she put on an emerald green fitted sweater that had some sparkles on the cuff.

---