Page 4 of Holiday Hitch

She shook her head as she looked around at Garden and Fountain. The money the town had donated to keep her shop running after the Garden Showdown had gone a long way. Besides paying off her overdue mortgage payments, she had been able to pay Robin to fix up more of the nursery’s neglected bits.

She still thought it was bullshit that Robin wouldn’t do it for free, but that was besides the point.

Daryl grumbled, “Why do you always come to me with absurd propositions? Like it’s not enough that you want an elaborate floral arrangement in the middle of winter with just a few weeks notice?”

Zoey flashed a charming smile and fluttered her eyelashes, “Because you’re so goddamn good at what you do.”

Waving her off, Daryl rubbed her face as she thought about what Zoey was asking for. It would be a huge undertaking in addition to the floral arrangements they had already promised Jamie and Dani, and with the amount of time she and Leah were already splitting between their two shops, Daryl wasn’t sure how she’d find the time or money to get all of it done.

“Plus, there’s a pay increase if you agree,” Zoey added with a wink.

“Consider it finished,” Daryl relented.

Robin laughed, “That’s all it takes?”

Daryl shrugged, “I mean the donation last summer helped, but I have big ideas for the shop.”

Daryl working on the shop was music to everyone’s ears. Leah had done wonders to get Daryl out of her rut and thinking of ways to improve the business.

Since the competition, Garden and Fountain had been booming with business, even in the usual dead season. Leah had even gotten Daryl to host a weekly gardening class, teaching locals how to care for their plants and start their own gardens.

Helping people become self-sufficient and protect the environment had been something Daryl was passionate about from the start of her career, and it made Leah smile to see her usually grumpy girlfriend so impassioned about her work.

Zoey clasped her hands together and smiled, “Well if you’re on board, we’ll be in touch with more details soon. Pleasure doing business with you.”

Robin checked her watch, “Babe, we gotta move if we want to make this appointment.”

A stranger could have sensed the anxiety that fell over the room as the couple began to leave the shop.

“Wish us luck,” Robin called over her shoulder.

Daryl and Leah hollered back, “Good luck!” as the door slammed behind them.

Taking in a deep breath as silence washed over the shop, Leah mumbled, “I hope it goes okay.”

“Me too, hon,” Daryl said as she wrapped her arms around Leah.

She was still getting used to having a girlfriend again after decades of being single. She loved it, but was still getting used to all of the rules and sacrifices she had to make in order for Leah to feel loved and seen. “Do you think you’ll make it up to see Dad? He could really use some help putting up lights this year,” Leah asked as she stepped away, nervously tapping her fingers along the display table in the center of the shop.

Daryl took a breath. It was the other major obstacle of their relationship: the hour-long drive between Sugarties and New Winford. Sure, it was mostly highway. But all said and done it was almost two and half hours out of each of their weeks every time they wanted to visit one another.

And even though they had been able to afford more time out of their shops for a few weeks, it was becoming more and more important for them to not be away from their respective businesses for more than a day at a time.

Daryl had really grown to love Leah’s family, but a decline in her father’s health had necessitated more and more time in Sugarties. And while of course she wanted to be there for her girlfriend during this difficult time, she would be lying if she denied how much of a toll the constant travel and caregiving was taking on both of them.

“Would I be able to come a little late? I really don’t want to miss another book club,” Daryl said. She loved spending time with John and fixing up his house, but Daryl missed her routine too.

Leah nodded, “Yeah, that’s okay. I’ll just close up early and head to dad’s so my brother can step out to get his kids from school.”

Daryl tilted her head, “Are you sure?”

Stepping closer to Daryl, Leah smiled and looked into her eyes, “Yeah. But seriously, you do need to hire someone. Kiera issohelpful when I’m down here.”

“I know,” Daryl grumbled. But she was still worried Garden and Fountain wasn’t ready for the new expense. She had already increased her spend on inventory and maintenance costs to increase business. She still feared what would happen if the mortgage money ran dry again.

After all, she didn’t want to rely on the kindness of the people of New Winford forever.

Stepping closer to Daryl, Leah smiled and tried to catch Dar’s gaze.

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