Page 5 of Dead Love
Shea floated into the room like a sunny sky. She seemed even-tempered for once. Now was my chance to talk to her about my latest plan.
Shea headed to the display cooler, and I followed behind her.
“You remember I said there was something I wanted to ask you about?” I said.
“Not now, sweetheart,” she said, thumbing through the boxes of daisies and roses. “I’m trying to see if we have any Middlemist Red camellias. Someone told Quiet Meadows that we’d have them in stock, andnow,they have a special request.”
Everyone always had a special request when it came to flowers. Especially funeral customers.
“In a few minutes?” I asked.
Shea folded her arms and faced me. “What can I help you with, Kora?” It was her words for customers, as if she knew that whatever I wanted to ask her about, was going to irritate her. On any other day, I might have backed out, waited until a better time to approach her. But this was it; my only other friend besides Nyla was bringing in the final draft of the business proposal today, which meant I had to broach the subject now.
“You know the empty lot next door?” I said. Shea raised her brows, then shoved a lock of dyed brown hair behind her ears. “I was thinking maybe I could build a greenhouse.”
She blinked, then leaned in, lowering her voice: “Did you saybuilda greenhouse?”
“I could be right next to you, and I’d still be able to learn about growing, rather than—” I shrugged, “—arranging flowers.”
“What’s wrong with arranging?”
“Nothing,” I said, my voice squeaking into a higher pitch. I always had to be delicate with my mother. “I just like growing things. And the independence of owning my own greenhouse could be a great learning experience for me. And I would be nearby, so we could always—”
“Sweetheart,” Shea said, letting out a long, exasperated sigh. “How on earth do you think you’ll be able to manage Poppies & Wheat when I’m gone,anda greenhouse? It’s hard enough as it is running this shop with just you and Nyla. And if I’m gone and you’re managing the flower shop and the greenhouse, just imagine how stressed you’ll be.” She put a hand on my shoulder, her grip heavy. “It isn’t good for your health. Now, I appreciate that you’re trying to make it work for both of us, but you have your garden at home. Don’t mistake a hobby for a career.”
I held my breath, fire burning inside of me. “I—”
The store’s phone rang. The three of us startled.
“I’m sure it’s Quiet Meadows again,” Shea said, clicking the phone’s answer button. “Poppies & Wheat,” she said, then she waited. “I told you to tell Vincent that I would look. But Middlemist Red is sought after for that very reason. It’s extremely rare. Yes, I know that there’s a rumor that it grows on Mount Punica. But I can assure you—”
Shea disappeared into the back rooms. I finally exhaled.Vincent.That name sounded familiar. He worked at the funeral home, didn’t he?
“At least you tried,” Nyla said.
I forced a smile. “Try and try again,” I muttered. There was no use in fretting over what my mother had said. I would have to find another way to take care of her, and still do what I wanted.
The door chimed. I turned to go to the storeroom, but when Shea whipped around and saw that it was Andrew, one of the county cops, she smiled and motioned me forward. Shea had watched Andrew when he was a baby, before I was born. And though he was five or so years older than me, my mother and father had always dreamed of us getting married. His crisp uniform fit his muscular body, and the color brought out his blue eyes. Hair so white, it shined around his head like a halo. And while Nyla practically drooled over him, he was just Andrew to me. Shea lifted the phone, showing Andrew that she would be available in a few minutes, then returned to the storeroom again.
“How are you, Miss Nyla?” Andrew asked.
“Just fine, here, Officer Andrew,” she winked. He tipped his imaginary hat, thumbing his belt loops, showing off his stature. His eyes landed on me. “I see you’re looking well today, Miss Kora.”
He laid the charm on thick, no matter who it was. But Nyla always said he had eyes for me, and yet that was easy when he was one of the only men my mother would let me talk to—the only other man, besides my father, that she trusted. Andrew lifted a manilla folder, holding up the business plan. Over the last few months, he had worked with the banks and some of his lawyer friends to get me a solid plan to open up my own place. Andrew was good with his connections, and it helped that he worked at the police department.
“I asked her about the lot next door,” I said.
“How’d it go?” I sucked in a labored breath, and Andrew let out a whistle. “That good, huh?” I nodded. Shea returned to the main room, and Andrew turned to me.I’ll talk to her,he mouthed. Relief swelled through me.
“I told Quiet Meadows that if Mr. Erickson wants a Middlemist Red, he’ll either have to go to Wild Berry Trailhead to look for it himself,orhe’ll have to, heaven forbid, come down here to Poppies & Wheat so we can discuss his options.” Shea turned to Andrew, a smile springing to her face. “And how are you today, Officer?”
“Fine as ever, Miss Shea.”
She smirked. “You make me feel young again.”
“And my, what a fine lady you are.” He took her hand and kissed it. She fanned herself, a blush creeping across her cheeks. Nyla’s chin dropped. Andrew put an on Shea’s shoulder. “Now, Miss Shea, I heard about something here. You know the lot next door?” He led her into the storeroom.
Once they were gone, I smirked at Nyla. “Pick up your jaw,” I said. Nyla stripped another rose stem.
