Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“What?” Maddie practically screamed. “That was Pastor Martin! I was meeting with him about renewing our wedding vows. How could he not remember Pastor Martin?”
Sean jumped up. “You were leaving a hotel with him! What was I supposed to think?”
“That’s because we were married there, you idiot! I was booking the same reception room where we got married. Sean, why in the world would you think I’d ever cheat on your father?”
Declan and I exchanged amused looks.
“I’m sorry! And I didn’t see who you were with this morning.”
“It was your father!”
There was an awkward silence before Declan asked, “So…have you and Dad always been into sex in the kitchen, Mom? I just need to know where to avoid when over for dinner.”
I reached over and hit Declan’s arm as Sean groaned.
“I am hanging up now!”
The line went dead, and Declan started to laugh. “That is how you nip shit in the bud, little brother.”
Sean looked like he was about to be sick. “I don’t know what’s worse. Thinking Mom was having sex with a stranger, or knowing it was her and Dad.”
He gagged and covered his mouth.
“As fun as this family drama has been, I’ve got to get ready for work. Sean, you know the way out.”
“You’re kicking me out?” he asked.
All I did was lift my hand and wave.
Declan
The bell above the door rang as I stepped into Crazy Daisies. There were about four people in the store, and it didn’t take me long to find Harper. She was behind the counter wrapping a bouquet of flowers in pink tissue.
“How exciting!” I heard her say, as I moved farther into the shop.
A woman was looking at some flowers in a vase, and she turned toward me as I neared. “Do you work here?”
“Um, no, but I can try to help.”
“A good friend just received a promotion, and I hoped to send her flowers. Is there a certain flower that means congratulations? Like a red rose means I love you, a white is for purity…that kind of thing.”
I glanced around the area. “You can’t go wrong with sunflowers, tulips, carnations, or even daisies.”
“Are these daisies?” she asked, as she pointed to some Gerbera daisies.
“They are, yes. And they’re one of my favorites. Gerbera daisies are what they’re called.”
“Wonderful! I’ll take these. But can I get them in a vase? Oh, do you deliver?”
“We do deliver, and yes, you can pick out any vase you’d like,” Harper said, approaching with a wide smile. “Deliveries will go out early this afternoon, unless you need another day.”
The young woman smiled back. “This afternoon is perfect.”
“Great, the vases are all over here,” Harper said, as she motioned for the woman to follow.
Standing behind the counter was someone I’d never met before. She looked to be in her early twenties, with blonde hair pulled back into a low ponytail, and very blue eyes that I could see all the way from across the room. I made my way over to introduce myself.
“Hi, I’m Declan.”
The young girl’s face lit up. “It’s so nice to meet you, Declan. Harper’s been talking about you a lot today.”
“She has?” I asked with a smile.
The girl giggled, looked over to Harper, then back to me. “I’m Lucy Miller, I work part time for Harper, along with my brother, Nik, who does the deliveries. I’ve been working here the past two summers when I’m home from college.”
“That’s nice. You’re from Moose Village, then?”
Lucy nodded. “Our family moved here about six years ago. My mother inherited the ice cream shop on Main Street from her aunt. Now, she and my father run it.”
“The Sweet Spot?”
Her smile grew. “Yep. It’s been there forever. My mom remodeled it, so it looks more like the way it did when it first opened in the 1940s.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m glad to know it’s in good hands. I have a lot of happy memories at that place.”
“I hope you have more to come.” She gave me a sly grin. “Did you know that Harper has a weakness for ice cream?”
Glancing over to Harper, I couldn’t help but smile. “Does she now?”
“Yep, and I even know her favorite flavor.”
I focused my attention back on Lucy. “I don’t suppose I could pry it out of you?”
She giggled. “I’ll offer it up freely. She likes the triple-chocolate moose.”
I winked at the girl. “I owe you one.”
Waving me off, she replied, “I’m just glad to see Harper so happy. I think this is the happiest I’ve ever seen her since I started working here. I’m going to guess you have something to do with that.”
“I sure hope so,” I replied, stepping aside so Lucy could help a customer. Deciding to get out of everyone’s way, I headed to the back and looked around. The tables were cleared off, unlike before, when they were covered with vases and flowers. The table closest to the front of the shop did have buckets sitting on it, each stuffed with various flowers. Next to those sat a bundle of the tissue paper used to wrap up bouquets.