Page 22 of Accidentally in Bloom

maybe she found a secret pile of cash I forgot about? :fingers crossed emoji:

Rose smiled at her phone and tossed it across the room so she wouldn’t be distracted. She opened her laptop and furiously started her research. As she opened a flurry of spreadsheets and web pages, Rose saw her reflection on the laptop screen and realized she was smiling.

Oh my god. I’m having fun. She’d forgotten what it felt like to dream up an amazing future you couldn’t wait for. She was the mistress of her own destiny.

Gray’s face flashed in her head. Shit, well. If she could convince Gray to sign off on her plan for the shop. He’d probably be high and mighty about eventually selling the shop to someone else.

Rose chugged her bucket-sized cup of coffee and glanced at the clock. She only had an hour before her clandestine meeting at her dad’s greenhouse.

Time to get to work.

“Miss Parker, do you know where exactly your land ends?” The stocky, shy, bald man in a work vest peeked his head out of the well-worn greenhouse.

Rose stood outside, trying to get a better cell signal to email real estate agents. She needed to get her dad’s house listed for sale ASAP.

She flipped open her folder and combed through the paperwork she’d found in the depths of her dad’s shop. “It looks like the rest of this country block. About two acres.”

“Got it. I should have my report in about fifteen minutes.”

“Perfect.” She sent her most genuine smile back at the real estate evaluator. He blushed, scratching his head as he went back into the rusting greenhouse.

Rose wasn’t above using charm to get a higher evaluation for the property. If she could get the estimated price before negotiating with Gray, she’d have the upper hand. Her internet research said she could expect around $35,000, given the greenhouse was in poor but working condition.

She paced in front of the greenhouse door, tapping away at her phone. The drab sky was filled with clouds, and the air was thick with the threat of rain. A chill ran through her, and she pulled her trench coat around her tighter.

Her nerves were on edge from no sleep, too much caffeine, and not nearly enough food. Rose scrolled her “Get the Fuck out of Fairwick Falls To-Do list” and had the immense satisfaction of checking off one more box.

She didn’t need to involve Gray, despite what the will said. She’d just do it her way, which would be faster and obviously better.

A rumble sounded through the valley that made Rose stop doom-scrolling her to-do list.

Why did that sound so familiar?

Rippling brown hair and a leather jacket came into view, and a motorcycle turned into the greenhouse.

Ah, fuck.

Gray’s eyes were dark as thunder as he scowled at her. He parked next to the evaluator’s van and cut the bike engine.

The evaluator wandered out of the greenhouse, pencil behind his ear as he flipped through his papers, finalizing his report.

“What the hell are you doing?” Gray barked at her.

The property evaluator’s eyes flew up out of shock, and his clipboard went flying.

“Don’t worry about him.” Rose placed a hand on the evaluator’s arm and picked up the clipboard. “He’s just mad because I didn’t invite him to play.”

Gray hopped off the bike and marched toward her. “What are you doing here? Hey, Abe.” Gray threw the man a nod and a quick smile. Abe waved back with a nervous smile.

Of course, Gray knew everyone. Rose rolled her eyes. “Just moving forward with my to-do list.”

“Oh, the fucking to-do list.” Gray wiped a hand on his face. “We’re supposed to do this kind of thing together. Abe, did she con you into anything?”

“Don’t answer that, Abe.” Rose turned to the evaluator whose face was looking more nervous by the minute. She stepped toward Gray, nearly nose-to-nose. “Technically, we’re supposed to handle the estate together, but it will go much faster if you let me handle everything. I’m used to working at a much faster pace than you’d be comfortable with.”

His nostrils flared, and a small rush of delight swept through her. She loved seeing the flint of anger in his eyes.

Gray towered over her. “It would be much faster if you told me what the fuck you were doing so we could do it together like the will states. Or do you not care about your father’s final wishes?”

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