Page 68 of Accidentally in Bloom

“I mean, that's what you say, but it still ain’t paid, so my job is to put some pressure on ya.” He lit a cigarette and blew it into their faces.

“You can't do this. This isn't legal.” Rose walked to the back of Violet's car and planted herself between it and the tow truck.

“You think standing there with your little twig body is gonna stop this tow truck?”

“Look.” Rose shoved a hand through her hair, causing her robe to rise higher. A leer crossed the pale, greasy face in front of her, making Rose shudder. “We’ve already sent in forty thousand dollars. We just had our store opening. My dad’s house was just listed for sale. We will happily send all that money when it comes into our bank account at the end of the month.” Rose spoke in short, clear sentences so the Neanderthal in front of her could follow.

“All I know is the big guys don’t got their money.” He shrugged at her. “Maybe your fancy boyfriend can help you out.”

“Boyfriend?” Violet turned to Rose with surprise. “Do you—”

“No!” Rose glared at him. “I don’t—we don't have boyfriends.”

He threw the cigarette down onto a flower patch and stomped it out with his foot, crushing the blooming hyacinths.

Violet lunged at him. “You monster.”

Lily, despite being half Violet’s size and height, caught her. “He’s not worth it, Vi.”

Rose planted her feet and sent him her steeliest stare. “I promise you I will send a deposit in two weeks. Just leave us the hell alone, and do not move this car.”

The oil stain in front of her took a long look at her. “Two weeks, but only cause I got such a good show when you was walkin’ out this morning.” He ogled her breasts, and she clutched her robe closer around her.

Violet huffed out a growl. “This calls for pancakes.” She marched back inside.

Rose stayed put until he drove his tow truck off the driveway and gave them the middle finger salute as he left. She returned it with an equal amount of maturity.

“Your finger sure showed him.” Lily shuffled back into the house.

Fuck. This was not in the plan.

They walked back into the kitchen, and Violet had already made coffee and vegan pancakes.

“So while that guy is a complete asshat, he’s not wrong. We still don't have the money to the IRS. Even after yesterday’s opening day and the house and greenhouse sale, we’ll barely have a third of what we need. I am taking all ideas.” Rose grabbed a soul-sustaining cup of coffee.

“Hmm, a couple of weeks.” Lily tapped her finger against the counter, thinking. “What could we do in a couple of weeks? God, that would be early May already.”

“It's almost Mom’s birthday. I always put flowers on her gravestone. You guys want to come with me this weekend?” Violet said quietly, ladling batter on the griddle.

Unfortunately, their mother’s birthday was always near Mother’s Day, which caused a double edge stabbing sensation in Rose’s heart. She was grateful it only happened once a year. She could wallow and then move on.

An idea percolated on the edge of her brain. “Mothers...” Shit, that’s it. Mothers. “What about a mother-daughter event?”

If she was going to experience pain, Rose preferred to monetize it.

“Oh, like a fancy mother/daughter lunch?” Violet asked.

Rose stood up, her vision flowing now. “A fun, luxurious one. Nothing stuffy. Maybe people could buy a package for themselves and their mom? Mimosas, massages, make a special bouquet together?”

Lily clapped her hands together. “Ohmygosh, I love it!”

“But Mother’s Day is only in two weeks. Is that enough time?” Violet handed Rose a plate of fluffy heaven covered in syrup.

Rose speared a bite of pancakes. “It’s got to be. I can get started on the pricing and invites if you can start on the social posts, Lil.”

Lily was inhaling a stack of pancakes, so she sent Rose a thumbs up.

“Maybe Nick could help?” Violet suggested. Rose had forgotten that Aaron’s husband was originally a massage therapist.

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