Page 14 of Love in Bloom

“No, so you can imagine my surprise when I realized my temporary escape had become my permanent life.” She stopped wandering and settled on the stool next to him. “This wasn’t supposed to be my life, but I’m glad it is. I have great friends, a thriving business, and I love Haven during the warm months.”

“You don’t like winter?”

“Only a crazy person would.”

“Consider me crazy then.”

“I already do, Counselor.” She’d caught herself in time. She’d almost said Miller. But to get through tonight, she’d have to stick with the deal. Tonight, she needed to call him Counselor and be mad.Easy peasy, especially if he keeps looking around the shop with that scowl on his face.Even when he scowled, he was the most attractive man she’d ever met. She put her hand over her belly to steady herself.

“I’ll admit it, if I’d known you weren’t computerized, I may have thought twice about subpoenaing you.”

“But you still would have,” Wren finished for him. “You want to do the best job you can for Mrs. Nelson, and I respect that.” Wren shuffled papers around to avoid looking at Miller. “Now, before I say anything else I’ll regret in the morning, let me explain the system.”

She reached past him for a thick three-ring binder and her breast brushed against his arm. Miller didn’t move, but she thought she heard his breath catch. Wren felt herself blush and used all of her muscles to heft the heavy binder and sit back down without touching him again. She cleared her throat. “These are the daily delivery sheets. I’ve been scanning them for the mistress’s address. When I find one, I then pull the work orders for that day. They’re stored chronologically and each month has its own box.”

“Seems like a good system.”

“Good, but slow,” she admitted. “Before you showed up, I figured I had about six more hours to go.”

“So, now it’s three, plus time for cake.”

Much to Wren’s surprise, they worked well together. Miller reviewed the delivery sheets and when he found the address, Wren then pulled the work order. By the end of the evening, they had about a dozen orders. Mr. Nelson had ordered four of the bouquets over the phone and had paid for them with his business credit card. Since they were phone orders, there was a record of what the card’s message was. Both were lovey-dovey, and in Wren’s mind, damning to hell. The rest of the orders, however, he’d paid for with cash, and Mr. Nelson had filled out the card personally when he’d stopped in to order them. They didn’t know those messages.

“Will this be enough or will you need to depose me?” Wren asked cautiously as they cleared off the counter. She’d spent most of her time that evening fighting the need to be near him. There was something about him that just pulled at her, like gravity. Tired now, she gave up the fight and stood next to him at the counter.

“You sure know your legal terms.”

“Lots ofLaw and Order,“ Wren lied. “And you didn’t answer my question, Counselor.”

“I didn’t answer it because I think you already know the answer.”

“You’re sorry, but you’re going to depose me, right?”

“Yes. I need you to identify the man who paid cash.”

“OK, just tell me where and when.”

Miller stood there, stunned. Wren lightly touched the bottom of his scratchy jaw and closed his mouth. She couldn’t stop herself.

“Careful, Counselor, you’re losing your poker face,” she warned. Her fingers tingled.It’s from the whiskers, nothing else, she told herself.

“You’re not fighting me on this?”

“No, Counselor, I’m not. You should probably take your cake and go before I change my mind.”

“Quit while I’m ahead?” Miller was no fool. He slipped on his suit coat and gathered his cake and the remaining work orders.

“Something like that,” she agreed, and once again opened the back door for him.

“I’ll call you with some options for the deposition.”

“I’m sure you will,” Wren agreed.

“Sure you don’t want me to stay? According to the clock, you have about half an hour left to be mad at me. I wouldn’t want to deprive you.” It sounded like he was mocking her.

“I appreciate your concern, but I’m quite able to be mad at you even when you’re not here,” she assured him. “Good night, Counselor.” She heard him laugh as she locked the door behind him and set the alarm system.

Wren slumped against the door and gently knocked her head against it three times. It was too late to knock any sense into her, but it would serve as minor punishment. Not only had she let him help her, but she’d also let him feed her! To top it off, she’d told him how she’d bought the business. So much for keeping him at arm’s length. She hated to admit it, but everyone was right. Miller was a nice guy. After getting over the fact that her orders weren’t computerized, he’d dug right in and did whatever she’d told him to. They’d made a good team tonight, and she hoped this boded well for the wedding planning.

---