Page 59 of Finding Her Strength

“Yep.”

“Um, okay, well—”

“Yeah, so I already got a job and don’t need this one anymore.”

“Oh… Uh, thank you for coming in to tell me.”

“Sure.” She turns on her black combat boots and walks right back out the door. Silence descends on the store for a second while I stare at the now empty space Anna was previously standing in.

“Well, that was unexpected,” I say, finally breaking the silence.

“I think it’s the theme for the day.” Claire’s laughter pulls me from my stupor.

“Right? I guess I’ll go work on paperwork since I’ve got some extra time now.”

“I’ll let you know when the last one arrives.”

“Thanks.”

Once I’m in my office, I dig into all the admin stuff I’ve been putting off while I wait for the next interview. Who knew finding part-time help would be so difficult? I was onlynervous about asking the right questions. Not about the people interviewing.

An hour later, Claire pokes her head around the corner of my office door. “Hey, your next interview is here.”

“Thanks, do you mind bringing her back?”

“Not at all.” Claire’s smile is mischievous, which I don’t fully understand. I’ll ask her about it later when the interview is over. She comes walking back around the corner, and behind her is not a girl like I thought but a teenage boy.

The résumé said Sam Waters, which made me assume they would be a woman. I was definitely wrong. Not even our emails to set up the interview tipped me off. He’s maybe seventeen if a day older.

“Hi, Sam, my name is Hope Langley.”

“Hi, Hope. It’s nice to meet you.” His smile is gentle as he shakes my hand. His curly mop of brown hair falls in his eyes as he sits in the other chair in my office. He’s got on a blue button-down shirt and a pair of nice, dark jeans. I would wager a guess these are his church clothes.

“So, tell me about yourself, Sam.”

“Well, I’m seventeen. Uh... I go to Sonoma High, and I play baseball.”

“And tell me why you’re looking for a job here.”

“My mom said I had to get a job if I wanted to start driving myself places. I used to help my grandma in her flower garden.” His voice grows quiet. “She passed away last fall, though, so I haven’t been around flowers in a while.”

Well, he’s officially the cutest thing ever. His résumé was the least experienced, but he wrote his knowledge of flowers, so I knew he had some background in plant life.

“I opened this shop because of my own grandmother’s love of flowers. She started my obsession, and even though she’s long passed, I feel her in this store every day. Maybe you’ll find the same peace, as well, Sam. I’d be honored tohire you if you’re willing to learn how to make arrangements.”

“I’m definitely up for learning.” He grins.

We discuss the pay and hours as well as my expectations for when he’s here. He’s going to start this weekend to give us plenty of time to get him trained. When we’re finished with all the paperwork, I lead him out of the shop. He gives Claire and me a wave before he steps out the door.

“He was the one, right?”

“Yep. He used to help his grandmother in her garden before she passed away last fall. The kid is the sweetest. I couldn’t say no.”

“Good. I had a feeling we’d like him.”

I smile at Claire, understanding her mischievous smile now.

“Oh, I grabbed the mail earlier. Forgot to put it in the basket.” She hands over a stack of envelopes I tuck under my arm to take back to my office.

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