Page 6 of Love in Bloom

“I’d like you to rescind the subpoena,” Wren asked sweetly.

Miller moved several of the bottles in the ice bath. “Sorry, we don’t seem to be stocking that this evening.”

“If not this evening, how about first thing Monday morning?” the ice maiden persisted.

“Nope, not then either. But I can guarantee it when hell freezes over.” Miller winked.

“That’s not much of a compromise, Counselor.”

“The name’s Miller, remember? And I’m not compromising or rescinding. So, what can I get you?”

“Nothing. There’s nothing I want or will ever want from you,” Wren said through her forced smile. She grabbed a bottle of hard cider and walked away, reminding herself to unclench her jaw. If this kept up, her planned fake headache was going to be a real one.

She mingled with the other guests and then found her way to the food table. She assembled her hamburger with bacon and avocado and stared at the assorted side dishes.Two types of potato salad?! I’ve died and gone to heaven!Wren loaded up her plate and made her way back to the oversized lounger and collapsed onto it. She just needed a few minutes in this quiet, shady corner to pull herself together. She unscrewed the bottle cap and took a long drink of the cider.

The nerve of him! Standing there so cool and collected and looking so hot, so incredibly hot in that polo shirt.Wren stopped mid–mental rant to remember the way the soft royal blue fabric stretched tight across his chest and biceps and highlighted his blue eyes. Well, she had news for him. He may have won, but that didn’t mean she’d play nicely. She’d worked hard to build up her business, and it wasn’t fair that with one piece of paper he could ruin her credibility. He was smart. She was sure he could find other evidence for his client.Ugh! Lawyers.She’d thought she was done with them. She’d had to socialize with them in Knoxville, but she didn’t have to socialize now. She’d deal with the stupid subpoena and then Miller Lynch would be dead to her.

Wren finished her dinner in peace. She felt much better now that her belly was full and the cider bottle was empty.Time for dessert,she thought as she tried to stand. The lounger was low to the ground and her long close-fitting skirt made getting up almost impossible. After several attempts, Wren gave up and rolled off of the lounger, praying no one was watching.

She readjusted her belted gold tunic and smoothed down her Bollywood-inspired skirt. She loved the way the blues and purples swirled into each other and how the gold sequin patterns shimmered in the light as she moved toward the desserts.Brownies and cookies and pies, oh my!Wren surveyed the dessert possibilities and took a small piece of each. Parker and Croix joined her at the table, boxing her in like bookends.

“You’ll want more of these. Trust me,” Parker said, placing a few miniature chocolate chip cookies on her plate. “It’s Mrs. Hart’s secret recipe.”

“Take another of these, too.” Croix put a small chocolate caramel coconut bar on her plate.

“Croix, that’s called a hip-hugger bar for a reason. I can’t eat all this!”

“I know, that’s why I gave it to you. I’ve already had one of everything, and if I go back for more, Krista will yell at me for taking more than my share. But if you give it back to me, you’re sharing, and it would be rude to turn you down,” Croix explained.

“What’s your reason?” she asked Parker.

He shrugged his shoulders and had the decency to look embarrassed. “What he said.”

Krista approached the group and Croix and Parker eased themselves away from the table to stand behind Wren. “Emily asked me to keep an eye on the desserts. I’m just checking to see if any of the platters need refilling,” she said to Wren. “I think we’ll be good for a while, if you can keep these two away from the table.” She winked at Wren and then glared at Croix before walking away.

“See what I mean? She’s starving us,” Croix said. Wren handed their desserts back to them.

“Based on the look she gave you, I’d say you and Krista are still fighting,” Wren said.

“That woman is so stubborn!”

“You’re just mad Miller asked her to coach soccer with him and not you,” Parker accused.

“Yes, but not for the reason you think.”

“What do we think?” Wren challenged Croix. She loved it when other people told her what she thought because they were usually wrong. But, in this case, Croix would probably be right. She couldn’t wait to hear the antiquated sexist comment that was sure to come out of his mouth.

“You think I’m mad because I don’t believe a woman can coach a soccer team of 13-year-old boys. Right?”

Wren looked at Parker and nodded her head. “Got it in one,” Parker confirmed.

“That’s not it at all. Krista didn’t make All-State twice in high school for nothing. She still has crazy foot skills from playing in the rec leagues. She’s a natural with kids and she’d be a great coach.”

“So, what’s your issue?” Wren hadn’t known about Krista’s athletic prowess, but it fit her friend’s quickness and competitive personality.

“She’s already too busy working long hours at Hart and volunteering at the food shelf and the senior center. She’s burning the candle at both ends.” Croix shook his head. “Why can’t women say no?” He looked at Wren like she had the answer to this age-old question.

“I can’t speak for all women, but from what I’ve seen, Krista is a huge caregiver and problem solver. She wants to take care of everyone and make all their problems go away. She’ll keep saying yes until she has a good reason to say no.”

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