Page 31 of Love in Bloom

Wren’s regular employees, Cindy and Dale, arrived a few minutes later along with Cindy’s husband, Mark, who helped with holiday deliveries. They decided to let Miller make the first attempt at planning out the morning delivery runs since he knew all the streets but didn’t know how to bag the flowers and plants like Dale and Mark did. Wren told him delivering perishables was difficult enough, but add in below-freezing weather and the stakes got much higher. If it froze, it died, and the customer would expect a free replacement.

“Have Dale check your routes,” Wren reminded him as she walked to the cooler and pulled out another bucket of roses.

“He’s doing it now,” Miller said. “Dale will take the downtown and hillside areas with the delivery van so he can double-park. I don’t think he’ll need to since it’s Saturday, but you never know.” Wren nodded her head and looked at the work order in front of her.

“I’ll take the rest of the residential deliveries since my SUV is bigger, and Mark will take the country route.”

“That sounds good.” Wren smiled and stuck greenery into a vase. She looked at the clock.

“Have the guys show you how to box and load. The sooner you leave, the sooner you can be back for the next run.”

“Already missing me?” he teased. She glanced at him, but then her focus returned to the arrangement.

“Beat it, Counselor. But be safe out there. The roads might be slippery.”

“Careful, Wren. Sounds like you might care.”

“You bet I care. I don’t have time for an accident today.” She shoved another rose into the vase. “Why are you still here? Go!”

“Yes, ma’am!” Miller chuckled as he walked away to find Dale and Mark so he could load and go.

Once they loaded his SUV, he was off and running. Luckily, he didn’t have any trouble finding the houses on his route and he was making good time on his deliveries. One more left and then back to the shop. He didn’t need his GPS for this one: Michelle Swanson, who was still staying at her parents’ house. Miller looked at the steep, unshoveled driveway. Haven was a blanket of bright white that morning, having received four inches of snow overnight. This wasn’t the first snow-covered driveway he’d driven on this morning, and Miller didn’t think it would be his last.Good thing I’ve got AWD, he thought as his vehicle climbed the hill.

Miller kicked through the powdery snow and made his way to the front door. He pushed his sunglasses up on his head and rang the doorbell with his free hand. He heard someone approaching. Miller hoped it would be Bob.

“Well, hello, Miller. This is a pleasant surprise.” Diane beamed. “Come on in.”

“I really can’t stay. These are for Michelle.” Miller tried to hand the dozen roses to Diane just as Bob came around the corner. He stopped and looked at Miller and then at the flowers. At the puzzled expression on his face, Diane said, “Miller just brought these for Michelle. Wasn’t that sweet of him?”

“In that case, you’d better come in,” Bob suggested. Miller had a few minutes to spare, and if a partner at his firm invited him in, Miller was smart enough to comply.

“I’ll go get Michelle,” Diane said and hurried off with the bouquet.

“Can I get you a cup of coffee?” Bob offered, holding up his own mug.

“I’d better pass, thank you. I got an early start this morning helping Wallflowers with their deliveries, and I feel like I’m floating in coffee.”

“In that case, would you like to use the restroom?” Bob chuckled at the relief on Miller’s face.

“If it’s no inconvenience, I’d appreciate it.” Miller toed-off his slip-on boots and followed Bob’s directions to the bathroom. He passed the kitchen and saw Diane and Michelle. Mother and daughter were both attractive women with fair complexions and thick blond hair. Diane’s looked too bright to be natural, but she’d styled it in a perfect, smooth bob, no doubt hair sprayed to within an inch of its life. Michelle was sporting a tousled ponytail, the kind that took a lot of time to create. They were fully dressed, including makeup and accessories, like they were going somewhere important, but that made little sense to him since no one had shoveled.Who gets dressed up on a Saturday morning?Miller wondered as he dried his hands.

Miller left the bathroom and headed back toward the front door. He stopped when he heard Michelle ask, “Miller’s here?” He checked his watch and sighed.I was making good time.

“In here, Miller,” Bob said, poking his head out of the kitchen entry. “Sure you don’t want a to-go cup?” Bob asked, holding up the carafe of coffee.

The Swanson women were still in the kitchen, too. They sat next to each other at the table. Diane was reading the paper and Michelle was taking a picture of the flowers.

“No, thanks. I should be going.” He saw Diane elbow Michelle as he turned to leave.

“Thank you for the roses, Miller. They’re gorgeous.” Michelle smiled at him, her face lighting up.She’s a beautiful woman, he thought.Sweet, too.

“Oh, I’m just the delivery man today, but I hope you enjoy them.” He made a point of looking at his watch even though he knew the time.

“Michelle, why don’t you show Miller out?” Diane prompted her daughter. Miller made it to the front door and was sliding his feet back into his boots by the time Michelle caught up. She handed him his coat.

“Thanks,” he said, slipping into it.

“No, thank you.” Michelle stepped closer. She kissed him on the cheek and whispered, “Happy Valentine’s Day, Cupid.” Miller stepped back and fumbled for the door handle.

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