Page 27 of Accidentally in Bloom

“I’m so sorry, Rose.” Violet joined their hug.

“It’s fine, really. A blessing in disguise. I want to prove I can do this.” She dropped her arms, and they stepped back. “If I can turn around this scrap heap for a profit, and it also helps save my little sister, I’m all for it.” Violet squeezed her hand like a lifeline.

Rose didn’t tell them, however, that she’d say this was the plan all along when she announced the store project on her podcast. To her listeners, it would look like she was taking a trendy break from corporate America to relaunch her family’s flower shop.

Rose’s business reputation was all she had. It was her worth, all she’d ever worked for. Her reputation was the one thing she couldn’t risk.

Time to start the pitch.

“An average flower shop makes around two to three hundred thousand per year here. If we got the business going again, someone might be willing to buy the entire business outright. It could make a huge dent in the taxes.”

Rose lifted the cover off the first giant corkboard holding several paint swatches, sketches, and photo inspiration. “What if we reimagined the space so it was a modern, style-forward floral experience?”

The color palette was clean and bold. The combination of bright white, a pale, almost neutral pink, and a dark, rich teal created a fresh and modern feel. It was accented with pictures of rose gold lighting fixtures playing up the shop’s high, turn-of-the-century tin ceilings. The old, wooden planked floor, rustic in its dark wood and rough finish, was blessedly back in fashion now. All the scuff marks and stains would be seen as character.

“The shop should feel fresh, light, and airy, with industrial accents in the shelving and light fixtures. I picture the walls a bright white, maybe using subway tile for part of it, and paint the lower wainscotting a dark teal.”

They glanced at the walls now. A dull, lifeless, kelly green covered the walls and original trim.

Rose uncovered the next corkboard. “For retail, we’d still sell cut flowers but make more modern arrangements. Maybe the artist in the family could help?” Rose pointed to the reference photos, which were beautiful, rustic arrangements featuring a combination of ivy, wildflowers, and roses.

“These are gorgeous.” Lily ran a hand over the photos. “They look lush and modern but still feel organic.”

“I have dogwood branches that would look amazing in these,” Violet added.

Rose swallowed a smile of hope. “We’d add gift items, like soaps and lotions, and start by selling on consignment. Give people a reason to come in more than just for Mother’s Day. Oh, and a large section of houseplants.”

Violet, not one for a poker face, clapped her hands with building excitement, her long curls bouncing. Lily considered the images in front of her. She hated being tied down to anything, and this was a big ask.

“Finally,” Rose continued, “I think we should rebrand. What if, by selling all sorts of gifts, we encourage more people to buy flowers? What if we make our brand synonymous with a modern, excellent taste and a store experience that people love? What if” —Rose finally revealed the last board— “we updated the logo and branding to Bloom.”

Violet audibly gasped. Rose had chosen a modern handwritten font that spoke to the future brand they’d build.

Lily’s eyes narrowed as she smiled at Rose. “You live with a designer, you know.”

Rose sent her a cheeky shrug. “I wanted to surprise you. This is just an example—I know you’d design something even better once we started.”

Lily rolled her lips together and kept looking at the photos.

“It would only be a few months, Lil. Just until we can get interest in someone buying the business. Or even just the building.”

Violet clasped her hands together, an eager smile on her face. “Lily, Fairwick Falls has nothing like this, and with the historic town tourism, it could support another gift shop.”

“Especially one with recurring revenue like wedding flowers, funerals, and holidays,” Rose added.

She’d spent so many hours as a kid dreaming about how she’d run things if given a chance. They’d be breathing new life into a piece of history. The building had beautiful character and was essentially the same since its unveiling in the late 1800s. It just needed a fresh coat of innovation.

Violet danced with excitement. “Rose, it’s absolutely amazing. I’d love to order and manage the supply. I even have some potted plants we could use right now.”

“Where would we get the money for the changes?” Lily frowned at the interior. “We’re gonna need a shit ton of white paint.”

“I have some savings, and we can get deals from people in town who knew Dad.”

“Maybe your dreamy motorcycle hunk can help you.” Violet shimmied her shoulders, teasing Rose.

Rose shoved at her hair. “That’s the other thing. I need Gray to sign off if you’re both on board.”

“I bet he’ll loooove that you’re going to stay in town for a few more months.” Lily made a face at Rose. “It’ll give him more time to pin you against something and have his way with you.”

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