Page 130 of Wallflower in Bloom

She snorted as she snuggled into his nook, her new favorite place on Earth.

He lazily traced his fingers along her arms, and she thought of what their next week, month, forever might be.

Violet considered the idea of being on a cable channel. “What if I’m not up for the show?” she said, biting her lip.

She’d spoken to a whole room of people today, but it was a lot scarier being broadcast to millions of cable subscribers.

He snuggled her closer, kissing her head. “Then I’ll be away from home a couple weeks each year doing guest spots. College tuition will be even more expensive in twenty years.”

Whoa.

“And the Christmas movie this year?” she asked tentatively.

His hands danced along her stomach. “I hoped I could convince my girlfriend to join me at my childhood cottage in the English countryside for the duration of the shoot.” His hand cupped her cheek. “But if she said no, I’ll pass on the movie.”

Her breath caught. Fall in the English countryside with Jack. An actual dream come true.

She couldn’t, though. She’d let everyone down who depended on her here. “That sounds like a dream, but—”

He squeezed her. “The plant babies will be fine. Gerald Grant has already reported for Grand Plant Parent duty. Gray said he’d help with anything else you needed.”

“But the store—”

“—I told Rose I’d do a million ad spots so you can hire part-time help. After caring for everyone else for thirty years, you deserve a four-week vacation in England, surrounded by tea, biscuits, and books with no one to worry about but yourself.” He leaned back to look at her. The kind face of a man who loved her and cared for her.

Who wanted all of her.

Look at you, Violet. Look at you being loved by people who help you. By a man who cares for you and thinks you’re precious, lovely, and kind.

Violet marveled at herself as she permitted herself to dream of a life she never thought she could have. “And this will be home, but we can still go on adventures? Like to premieres?”

“Anywhere you want to go.” He looked tickled as she tested out what this new life outside her bubble might be.

She sighed and settled down into his arms, surrounded by the sound of cicadas and rustle of the apple tree leaves as the breeze blew through them.

She considered the future before her. This would be a new balance. But she had deep roots to keep her grounded and new lovely, long vines to explore the world with her love.

Maybe, just maybe, I deserved it all along.

Epilogue

THREE MONTHS LATER

VIOLET

“Lily, talk us through your sketches for Mrs. Maroo-Canon’s sunroom.”

Violet leaned against the worktable in Bloom and tried to ignore the enormous black film cameras and bright lights a few feet away.

Jack had his arm around her as they intently watched Lily talk through her designs for the pilot episode of Plant Parent SOS.

Lily pointed to her sketch as a camera got a close-up. “Since she wants a water feature, I’ve made a section here so any additional runoff will go into the Birds of Paradise, as these plants love a little extra water.”

“Smart,” Jack piped in.

Violet took the sketch from Lily and continued. “We’ll have planter boxes along the edge of the room filled with peace lilies, ZZ plants for foliage, and colorful spiky bromeliads. They’ll come with interchangeable inserts for easy maintenance.”

The bells on Bloom’s door rattled as someone opened it. Mrs. Maroo shuffled in with a large cardboard box, with it almost overtaking her.

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