Out of the Blue Bouquet (Crossroads Collection)

by Amanda Tru

  You couldn’t make enough money that way, despite the generous tip promised - and his big plans to nap later.

  But at the Eyjanian palace, you did as you were told.

  No more palace deliveries for him - not unless the tip was always this fantastic.

  A few minutes later, the door to the security office opened. Surely, the harried young woman wasn’t Katrín. Her nearly black hair frizzed in a halo around her head, and her apron had more wet spots than dry.

  “You wanted me?”

  The guard nodded toward Joel. “He has flowers for you.”

  Katrín actually snorted. “Nope. Not for me.” She turned to Joel. “No clue who’s playing a trick on you, but you need to double check your order.”

  He held out the card. “It says Katrín.”

  She took it from him. “But my last name doesn’t start with a Z, so it’s not mine. I’ve got to get back to work. You might try opening the card or calling the shop.”

  Joel closed his eyes and tried not to snap at her. It wasn’t her fault the flowers were addressed wrong. When he opened them, she was gone, so it didn’t matter what he might have said.

  “What are you going to do?” the guard asked. “Your cell phone won’t work down here. If you need to call the shop, you can do so from the phone on the table next to you.”

  “I can’t get data?” he asked. If there was data, he could just text the guy who owned the shop.

  “No.”

  Joel looked up the phone number in his list of recent calls. A minute later, he spoke with the owner. Ten minutes after that, the owner called back after finding the error. Two orders. Listed next to each other. One name. The other address. Both spelled wrong.

  Clari Sørensen. Because that looked nearly the same as Katrín something-with-a-Z.

  The guard looked her up. “She manages the Queen Mother’s social media. I don’t know if she’ll be able to come down here to pick them up, and you can’t leave them.”

  Never again.

  The palace was a place he’d always wanted to tour, especially after delivering several times - including twice to actual offices - but he didn’t think he’d deliver again.

  This time it took nearly ten minutes for someone to arrive.

  “You sent for me?” This woman didn’t seem nearly as annoyed though she typed furiously with her thumbs as she propped herself up on crutches. A boot covered the lower half of her right leg. Straight, light brown hair hung forward, blocking his view of her face.

  “You have a delivery.” The guard nodded toward Joel again.

  She turned, still looking at her phone. “What is it?”

  Joel cocked an eyebrow. Really? Finally, she looked up. “You have some flowers, ma’am. However, there was a bit of confusion, so I’d appreciate it if you’d open the card before I leave so I can verify you’re the intended recipient.”

  Clari didn’t roll her eyes, but Joel knew she’d been tempted. Or maybe she wanted to hit him with a crutch.

  After opening the small envelope, she read it aloud. “Clari, you have the day off, and a surprise awaits you at the end of your journey. Verify with your supervisor, grab your things, and drive to the place you got the scar on your knee when you were four.” She held it out to him. “What’s this supposed to mean?”

  Joel shrugged. “Just what it says, I guess. Look, lady. I didn’t send the flowers. I’m just the Yfir Delivery driver who dropped them off.”

  She hadn’t been listening to him as she put the phone to her ear. “Kim? Do I have the day off?”

  The office door opened, and a woman with an earbud walked in. “Yes. You do.” She pressed the button on the side of it and held out a coat and bag. “Now get out of here. You have a surprise waiting for you.”

  The two women talked for a minute though Joel didn’t hear what they were saying. He didn’t try. He hadn’t gotten the tip yet, and they were blocking his access to the outside. Finally, Clari turned, working on her phone again.

  “Will you drive me? I’ll pay your Yfir rate, but I clearly can’t drive.” She motioned to her right leg and its boot.

  He stifled a sigh. “Sure.” With nothing else lined up, he might as well.

  A few minutes later, they were in his car. Clari chose to sit up front next to him. He handed her the colorful bouquet of Eyjanian wildflowers. After she put her seatbelt on, she held out her hand. “I’m Clari.”

  “I know.” He didn’t shake it.

  “Why are you being rude?”

  He gave her a side glare. “You started it.”

  “How?”

  “You didn’t have a conversation with me inside. You talked in the general direction of your phone and hoped I heard you too. And you didn’t tip.” He wouldn’t have let her. Not with the tip the florist had already promised, but she didn’t know that.

  “Why would I tip?” she challenged. “I had no idea flowers were coming. How do you know I even have any cash on me?”

  “The Yfir app will let you.”

  “Fine. I’ll give you a tip when we’re done, but at least tell me your name so I can request you as my Yfir driver.”

  In less than a minute, the app paired them up. “The Akushla Skating Rink?” That’s what his app said. “You got a scar there?”

  “I fell, and another kid hit my knee with his skate.”

  Whatever.

  He put the car in drive and slowly left the palace grounds. Joel wanted to ask what it was like working for the Queen Mother, but he wasn’t sure he wanted that much conversation with this woman.

  The ten-minute drive passed in silence though Clari spent most of it on her phone.

  “Can you come in with me?” she asked. “These crutches aren’t easy to maneuver on.” For the first time, he sensed uncertainty and hesitation. “I’d appreciate it.”

  Reluctantly, Joel nodded. “I’ll let you off here and find a place to park.” Once in a spot, he trotted toward the entrance where she waited. “Let’s find this clue.”

  Clari struggled to hold back tears as she hopped along behind her Yfir driver. He held the door for her, but that and driving seemed to be all he was good for besides being cute with dark, curly, Josh Groban hair. Clearly, he had no clue what this was all about and didn’t seem inclined to be overly helpful with the clues.

  They went to the skate rental desk. She introduced herself, but the bored teenager didn’t have a clue what Clari was talking about. He slouched his way to the office and talked to another man. Clari watched them through the window. Finally, the older one rummaged through the piles on his desk and handed over a full-sized envelope. The kid walked over and gave it to Clari.

  She slid her finger under the flap and pried it open. The card had a stick drawing of a cat on it, but no words.

  The inside was similarly without a verse, but a square piece of paper with words typed on it had been pasted in place.

  Clari,

  Head to the spot where you got your first kiss.

  First kiss? Her real first kiss or her six-year-old first kiss?

  Which one was closer? That mattered less than which one was easier to get to from the car.

  “Where next?” Joel seemed resigned.

  “Alfred the First Primary School.” Start with the six-year-old kiss.

  With a sigh, he pushed off the counter. “Let’s go. I’ll pick you up out front.”

  He hurried away, but at least there was a purpose, and that purpose would benefit her. She crutched her way out the door as Joel pulled his car to the curb. He got out to open the door so she could toss her crutches in the back.

  “Thanks.”

  Joel mumbled something that may have been “you’re welcome” but might have been “chew your gum.”

  Neither one of them said anything as he drove halfway across Akushla to her elementary school. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw an envelope taped to the fence near the playground.

  He put the car in park. “I’ll grab it for you.” Bef
ore she thanked him, he was out of the car and trotting toward the envelope. In less than thirty seconds, he was back in the car. “Where next?” he asked as he handed it to her.

  “Do you really not have any idea who this is from?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  Stifling another sigh, she opened the card.

  Clari,

  This place always gets your seal of approval. Remember when your class took a trip when you were seven?

  “Where to?” Joel asked her.

  “The Akushla Zoo.” As a girl, she’d loved the seals and sea lions.

  “Not too far. Are you going to need to go in though? Borrow one of those wheelchairs?”

  “I’ll be fine.” She wouldn’t be. The seals were on the far side of the park. Though not big by zoo standards, it would tax her already sore arms.

  This time, when they arrived, Joel didn’t pull up and wait for her to get out. Instead, he walked straight to the entrance and talked to the attendant. He returned with one of their loaner wheelchairs.

  How would she maneuver it by herself though? Maybe one of those motorized scooters would be a better idea.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  So the guy had gone from grumpy and reluctant to grumpy and helpful? Whatever. She wouldn’t complain. Not when he was going to wheel her to the seal exhibit.

  She tried to arrange herself in the wheelchair so that it was remotely comfortable. About the time she got the feet platform things situated, Joel returned.

  “The entry fee has already been taken care of,” he told her as they headed for the gate.

  “So whoever set this up thought of everything?” She pulled her coat a bit tighter around her as he pushed through the gate held open by the employee.

  “Looks like it.”

  It only took about five minutes to get across the zoo. The handler was getting ready to do a feeding show with the seals.

  Clari held up a hand before he got started. “Excuse me. I think you have something for me.”

  The guy grinned at her. “Are you Clari?”

  “Yes.”

  He winked at her. “I do have something for you, but not yet. Come closer.”

  When her chair was as close as it would go, he handed her a bucket filled with partially thawed dead fish.

  “Miss Clari is going to be my assistant today.” A group of school children was gathered around. “Who wants to feed Benji?”

  A chorus of “me” sounded around the area along with waving hands covered by mittens. He picked two who joined Clari near the rock wall enclosure.

  For nearly ten minutes, he regaled the crowd with tales about King Benjamin the First Seal. Benji would do a trick then Clari would hand a fish to one of the kids who would toss it to the seal. In all, six of the children helped feed King Benji.

  Finally, the presentation ended. The children who’d helped washed their hands in a nearby sink while Clari handed the bucket back to the caretaker.

  “And as soon as you wash your hands, I have something for you,” he told her.

  Clari waited for the children to finish then Joel helped her over. Once her hands were dried by the powerful air dryer, she put her gloves back on and took the envelope from the caretaker.

  “Thanks for your help.” His grin widened. “Hope you have a great day.”

  She opened the card and read the words inside then groaned. “Do you know how to knit?”

  Knit?

  “Can’t say that I do.” Joel pushed the wheelchair through the seating area toward the entrance. He’d enjoyed watching her with the kids. She looked like she was good with them.

  His phone buzzed. Probably his sister again - and the reason why he made his attitude improve, at least outwardly. Her recent struggles with life in general reminded him that being a Yfir driver for a day with a nice lady wasn’t anything to complain about.

  He went on. “My sister does, though. I can call her if you need me to.”

  Clari held up the card though he couldn’t read it. “I have to go to Rachel’s Raveling Repository and complete a task she has for me.”

  Joel threw his head back and let loose with his biggest laugh. “Would you believe Rachel is my sister?”

  “Not really, but why would you make something like that up?”

  “I wouldn’t. I will text her and tell her we’re on our way in a minute, though.” He left Clari in her wheelchair near the entrance and trotted off to get his car.

  You won’t believe this, he typed. I’m Yfir driving your treasure hunt person. We should be there in about twenty minutes.

  A minute later he got an LOL back.

  When he arrived at the curb, one of the zoo employees had helped Clari to it. She got situated, and he pulled out.

  “I want to apologize for earlier.” He looked for oncoming traffic then turned. “I didn’t sleep well. I was told the flower delivery would take half an hour tops from the time I got to the florist shop. I’d planned to go home and go back to bed.” He hesitated. “It’s been a long week, but the friend who was supposed to deliver it wasn’t able to, and since I’ve been cleared for palace deliveries before, he asked if I could. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

  Clari had turned to study him as he drove. “Thank you. I appreciate the explanation and the changed attitude. I have no idea who set this up, but they must not know I broke my ankle a few weeks ago.”

  “What exactly do you do at the palace, if you’re allowed to tell me?”

  “I handle all of the Queen Mother’s social media presence. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram mostly, but as others pop up, I look into whether or not the queen needs an account. I usually make one immediately, then set it to private and don’t use it unless it becomes a viable platform.”

  “So you write most of the posts, too?”

  “A lot of them, but not all. Some come from other offices in the palace. She writes a few a week herself. They are always signed with QME.”

  “You actually work closely with her then?”

  He sensed hesitation on her part. “Somewhat. We meet occasionally, but she wouldn’t consider me part of her inner circle or anything like that.”

  “I’m just curious,” he reassured her. “I would never presume to ask a favor or anything.”

  “You’d be the first,” she muttered.

  “You get asked stuff all the time?” he asked, hoping he wasn’t right.

  “Like you wouldn’t believe.”

  He thought about placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but held back. “What about the rest of the family? Have you met them?”

  “Most of them in passing, but that’s it. I doubt any of them, but the Queen Mother and maybe Princess Genevieve, would recognize me if I ran into them on the street.”

  Joel wondered about that. Weren’t some people really good at remembering names and faces? That seemed like it would be a good skill for members of the royal family to have.

  He pulled into a spot near Rachel’s store. “Maybe you won’t actually have to knit. Maybe it’ll be something easier than that.”

  Clari opened her door and turned to the side. “Not with my luck.”

  Joel rushed around the car to help her, but she was already on her feet and reaching for her crutches over the seat. “Wait for me next time. Let me help.”

  She didn’t say anything but Joel was almost sure he saw tears in her eyes. Why? Was it that hard on her and her arms?

  He made sure she got onto the sidewalk safely then hurried ahead to open the door.

  His sister’s only employee greeted them. “Hey, Joel! And you must be Clari.” She held out her hand. “I’m Anabelle.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Clari smiled at Anabelle. “Do you have something for me?”

  “I will. But first, have a seat.” Anabelle motioned toward the cozy area in the front corner.

  Clari sat in the big green chair while Joel took her crutches to set them aside.

  “Joel!” He turned
to see Rachel coming out of the back. “It’s been forever.” She gave him a big hug. “We live ten minutes apart. I should see you more than once a month.”

  “You only see your sister once a month?” Clari asked from her seat.

  “How often do you see your family?” Joel asked, leaving his arm around Rachel’s shoulders.

  “Every Sunday for dinner. We all go to my grandparents’ house. Sometimes it’s somewhere else, and not everyone makes it every week, but there’s always at least two dozen of us there.”

  Joel tightened his grip on Rachel’s shoulder as she stared at the ground. “That’s great, Clari. How many kids does your grandmother have?”

  Clari started talking about her grandmother’s five kids, and their kids, and how she was the only biologically related female in the bunch.

  Anabelle brought a basket out of the back. “That sounds a lot like one of our customers’ family. Mrs. T has a ton of kids and grandkids, but only one granddaughter.”

  A grin crossed Clari’s face. “Mrs. T is my grandmother. She loves your shop.”

  Joel felt Rachel straighten her shoulders and move away from him. “And we love her. But now you have a task to complete.”

  Clari watched Joel and his sister out of the corner of her eye while she tried to organize the mini-skeins of yarn in rainbow order.

  What color should she start with? Red seemed like as good a point as any.

  She tried to give them their space by not staring, even though they were on the other side of the shop.

  “They’ll be fine.” Anabelle sat next to her. “It’s been a rough year. They’re pretty much the only family they have left, but they tend to work opposite schedules since Joel’s finishing university. That makes it hard for them to get together as often as they’d like.”

  Clari wasn’t sure what to say, so she just kept rearranging the mini-skeins until she thought she had them in the right order. “How’s this?”

  Anabelle smiled at her. “Close enough.” She reached behind the counter and picked up a card. “Here’s your next clue.”