A Forever of Orange Blossoms (The Merriams Book 5)

by Ava Miles

  He barked out a laugh. “High praise for a man of eighty.”

  Her phone buzzed, and Arthur rolled his eyes.

  “I’m only going to see who it is,” she said, inching her hand closer to the phone she’d set on the table.

  “Clara, you’re addicted to that thing. Goldarn it, woman, can we not have a peaceful cup of coffee?”

  She flipped the phone over and grinned, seeing her nephew’s face flashing on the screen with his number. “But it’s Flynn! Arthur, I have to take it. He had his meeting with that business owner in Ohio this morning. You remember? She makes those hair and skincare products he and Quinn were gaga about.”

  “How am I supposed to keep track of everyone when I can barely remember where I put my shoes?” he barked as she picked up the phone.

  “Hello, my dear! How was your meeting?” From the moment Flynn had mentioned his plan to visit Annie’s family farm, she’d gotten a matchmaker tingle down her spine. There had been something in his voice. Truth be told, she and Hargreaves had already looked the woman up online. She had three adorable daughters, which had stirred Clara’s curiosity further. And yet, she didn’t feel the woman was married anymore. Don’t ask her why she felt that, but having spent some time with her nephew Trevor’s dear wife, Becca, in Ireland recently, she’d learned to trust feelings that couldn’t be explained.

  “The meeting was epic, Aunt Clara,” he said without preamble. Then he exhaled sharply. “I’m not going to beat around the bush. I know it might sound crazy, but Annie is my soulmate. I knew the moment we met. I’ve never felt anything like it—it was that whole coming home sensation people talk about. I think she felt something too, but there’s some work to do on that front.”

  She grabbed Arthur’s arm, maybe pinching a bit too hard in her excitement, judging from the way he flinched. “Flynn’s found his soulmate.”

  “What?” He lowered his spectacles, the ones he only seemed to wear in Dare Valley out of habit. “Without our help? Well, good for him, I suppose. Tell him I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “We’re thrilled for you, dear,” Clara said into her phone, her heart glowing warmly in her chest at the thought of his happiness. He’d been feeling lost lately, something she’d experienced personally and didn’t want for him. “I thought something was up when you talked about going to see her.”

  “Must be something in the Merriam genes. It’s like our internal compass hits true north and that’s it.”

  She looked at Arthur. Yes, she knew that feeling.

  “Aunt Clara, I know there may be a long road ahead for Annie and me, and I could use some help from you and Uncle Arthur and Hargreaves.”

  Since he hadn’t even started to court the woman, he was wise to recognize it would take work, soulmates or not. “But of course.”

  “I’d like you to come to Ohio to help me and Annie with the holiday baskets Quinn needs. She’s going to make at least half of them. I promised her trusted help for the easier products, but I’m also going to need someone to cook some meals for her and the girls, and the like. Would Hargreaves be agreeable?”

  “You know Hargreaves would do anything for the family, dear.”

  “I was also hoping Uncle Arthur wouldn’t mind looking after her youngest, who’s at home with her, and maybe her other daughters when they return from school. Is that crazy?”

  Clara worried her mouth as Arthur gazed at her over his coffee cup. He loved children, but how would he take to this request?

  “Oh, no.” Arthur shook his head slowly. “He wants our help, doesn’t he? For heaven’s sake, Clara. If he’s found the woman, what does he need us for?”

  “Tell Uncle I heard that,” Flynn said with a laugh. “You can tell him I need your help making time with her and winning her affection. Something hurt her. I mean, she’s open and friendly, but there’s a deep hurt under the surface. Maybe it was losing her husband. I don’t know how yet, but I’m sure she’ll tell me once I win her trust.”

  Sometimes it wasn’t losing the husband that caused the hurt, Clara thought. Sometimes it was the husband himself.

  Maybe it was just personal experience—from her first marriage—that had her thinking like that, or it could be another wave of intuition. She wouldn’t know until they arrived. “You’ll win her trust, Flynn. I know you will.”

  “Thanks! I promised her I would be one of her assistants in making the extra products for the baskets. That way I can spend time with her and show her I’ve got her back. Aunt Clara, I know it’s a lot to ask, especially since you’ve just gotten home from helping Connor in Chicago, and it’s right before the holidays, but it would mean the world to me.”

  “Flynn, darling, you know we’d come on a dime for you.” She placed her hand on Arthur’s arm and gave him her best soulful look.

  He chuckled darkly. “You making eyes at me, Clara?”

  She nodded. Arthur knew how important her nieces and nephews were to her, especially since she’d only recently reconciled with her family after a decades-long dispute caused by her first husband.

  “I can go alone, Arthur, if you’re too tired to travel,” she whispered, cupping the phone’s receiver.

  He leaned in and gently kissed her cheek. “I couldn’t sleep a night without you, and I wouldn’t want to even if I could. Tell Flynn we’re coming. I can’t wait to meet the woman who’s stirred him up so. Then again, one’s soulmate is supposed to stir things up.”

  “Thank you, Arthur,” she said, reaching for his hand. “You’ve given me the only Christmas present I could ever want.”

  “Oh, my dear,” he said, “I’d do anything to make you happy.”

  Yes, she knew that, and she treasured him all the more for it. “I can’t wait to show you how much I love you.”

  “Tell Boy Wonder we’ll pack our suitcases then, and finish up your cappuccino.” He gave her one of his cheekiest winks.

  “Flynn, dear, we’ll be there as soon as we can,” she said, smiling when he gave a shout of joy on the other end.

  “Thank you, Aunt Clara. Truly. Tell Uncle Arthur and Hargreaves how much I appreciate it before I can tell them myself.”

  “Text me the kinds of things Annie will need us to make, and Hargreaves and I will start doing some online tutorials to be ready. Goodness, it’s going to be fun to learn how to make something new. Perhaps I’ll even be able to give some for gifts.” Her knitting could wait.

  “You’ve got it,” Flynn said. “I can’t wait to get started. Oddly, I’m really excited about everything. Annie is incredible, Aunt. I mean, she went to one of the world’s finest makeup schools in London and seems to have a deep connection to Europe. Right now, I have no idea what happened to bring her back to Ohio, but she’s… She’s wonderful and smart, Aunt. And her littlest girl, Amelia, melted my heart today. Oh, and she has the cutest pony named Carrot. I’m sending you a picture once we end our call. You’re going to love them.”

  He had it bad. It was sweet to hear. “I can’t wait to meet them all. I think Arthur would be a great choice to watch over the girls, and I will inform Hargreaves about the meals. I expect he would make an excellent assistant with the products as well. He’s a marvel.”

  “Help with what girls?” Arthur asked, his gray brows slamming together. “Dammit, Clara, what are you volunteering me for anyway? Girls? I thought you said he’d found his soulmate. Is Boy Wonder becoming a polygamist?”

  “Don’t be silly, Arthur.” She could talk him through the plan later. “Anything else, Flynn?”

  “No, I have a million things to see to, but I’m walking on clouds right now. I found my soulmate. Today. Just like that. Aunt Clara, who would have thought it would happen so quickly? I mean, only a few days ago, I was wondering what I could do to give my life more purpose, and bam, the Universe answered. This is the biggest miracle of my life.”

  “It’s wonderful, Flynn,” she answered. “Enjoy the clouds. We’ll see you soon.”

  “You’re the best aunt
ever. Bye.”

  He clicked off, and she knew he was smiling from ear to ear. “Amazing.”

  “Sometimes it happens like that,” Arthur said, taking another drink of his coffee. “Now tell me about these girls.”

  “Arthur, you’ve always been good with girls.” She drank her cappuccino, compiling a mental list of everything she and Hargreaves needed to do when she got home—after she took a “nap” with Arthur, of course. She never passed up an opportunity of that kind.

  “Confound it, woman, I want to know now.”

  His bellow had patrons turning their heads in their direction. Since he bellowed often, she just smiled at them and pointed to Arthur as if to say, it’s only another day with the town legend. “Annie has three daughters who will need some looking after while the rest of us help with the Merriam holiday baskets.”

  “You want me to babysit?” he bellowed again. “Woman, I’m the Matchmaking Jedi. Babysitting is not in my job description.”

  “You don’t have to help if you don’t want to, dear,” she said, patting his hand. “I could ask Hargreaves to see to those duties, but I wasn’t sure you’d like to make hair and body products.”

  “Bah, back in my day, we put lard in our hair.”

  Of course he had. “Personally, I’m looking forward to a new challenge. Who needs Sudoku to keep the mind sharp when you have the Merriam nieces and nephews?” They were always opening her mind and teaching her new things.

  That’s also why she really wanted to help Flynn.

  Discovering your life purpose was as important as finding the person who was meant to share it.

  Chapter 4

  He’d met his soulmate.

  Thank heavens the Merriam matchmaking trio had agreed to help him. He had a feeling he was going to need them.

  Next he had to call Caitlyn.

  While he waited for the call to connect, he paced his room in the bed and breakfast he was staying in about fifteen minutes outside of Nemo. The small downtown didn’t offer much in the way of accommodation, and the ancient motel at the town limits wasn’t his style. The hospitality at the B&B so far had been wonderful. The place was owned by the Wingates, a couple in their sixties, and the breakfast had been delicious and hearty with bacon, eggs, and hash browns. He’d already asked if she could arrange an epic dinner for him and Annie, knowing she wouldn’t let him down. She had a dining room in the inn, and the food service menu was much more extensive than he would have expected from such a small B&B.

  When his sister picked up, he said, “You aren’t going to believe it! I just found my soulmate. The one I want to soul kiss for the rest of my life.”

  She let out a happy squeal and shouted the news to her fiancé, Beau, before saying, “Oh my God, Flynn! This is huge. The Ohio lady with the luscious body products, right? Tell me everything.”

  When he was finished, she gave a heartfelt sigh. “You always were lucky. I wish I fell into things as easily as you do.”

  “You did pretty well with Beau.” He laughed. “I seem to recall you falling for him straightaway after your first business meeting.”

  “I’m coming to help you guys!” she said, shocking him. “If my brother needs help wooing his soulmate, I’m there. Like you were there for me with Beau.”

  He had to take a moment as his throat closed up. “God, you’re going to make me emotional. Are you sure you can afford the time off? I know you’ve been busy with the perfume.”

  “I can be there next week,” she said. “Is that okay?”

  He gripped the phone. “I’ll take it. Caitlyn, it will be so great to have you here. You’re going to love her.”

  “We all will if you feel like this. How do you feel about the girls? I know you don’t do things small, but it’s a big family already. I know you wanted your own kids someday.”

  He’d always thought so, and perhaps Annie would be open to the idea of having more children. If not? Well, he’d always known he wanted a family, but the faces in his internal picture had been blurry. Now they were coming into focus. He said as much.

  “I’m still walking on air,” he continued. “I love that Annie’s so family focused. She wants to inspire her kids. Runs a business to take care of them, which I would respect even if we didn’t have a family business ourselves.”

  “Me too. It sounds like you two have that in common, Flynn.”

  He knew there was more to build on. “Oh, Caitlyn, I know it’s not conventional, but when I saw her… It all felt so right. I loved Amelia. I know I’ll love the twins. Assuming Annie goes for me, but I’m trusting she will.”

  “Why wouldn’t she? You’re wonderful!”

  He could always count on his best friend. “You are too.”

  “Ah… I’m blowing you a kiss. When do you plan to tell everyone about her?”

  He hesitated. “Don’t you think some of the others will wonder if I’ve gone—”

  “Off the deep end?” She made a raspberry sound. “We’re not the only two siblings who’ve fallen for someone on a dime. I say you let the cards roll.”

  He laughed. “It’s roll the dice, I think. But I get your point. It’s not like they won’t hear about Aunt and Uncle coming out to help.”

  “Right! Everyone will know matchmaking is afoot. Besides, this is the chance to stand up as your own man. Declare what you want and all that. Don’t let the older ones intimidate you.”

  It sounded great in theory, but his brothers liked to poke fun of his joie de vivre on occasion or, worse, call him shallow. Why couldn’t they understand that he didn’t want to deal with life-and-death matters daily? For Flynn, life was a dance—he’d sit out a round or two if life threw something especially hard at him, but he always stepped back in.

  “Speaking of… You need to call Quinn and update him, and I have to run. Ibrahim and I have a late meeting with a bottler from Milan for the summer line. But I’m so, so happy for you, Flynn.”

  “Thanks, Caitlyn. Tell Beau and Ibrahim hi for me. Oh, you’re going to love their Shetland pony. His name is Carrot, and he could give Buttercup and Beau’s goat a run for their money.”

  “Send me pictures! Okay, gotta run. Love you.”

  “Love you too,” he said, clicking off and immediately dialing Quinn.

  His brother answered on the third ring. “How was your meeting?”

  “Hello to you too. The presidential pants are making you grumpy, man.”

  Quinn’s growl vibrated on the line. “I had seven hundred and twenty-three emails when I got up at four this morning. No wonder Connor… Never mind. I’ve gotta figure something out. There isn’t enough time to do anything well. Being a vice president should have prepared me, but Connor took on so much. I had no idea. All right, I’m going to stop this rant. Tell me how your meeting went.”

  “It went great. Annie is terrific, and you’re going to get half the holiday baskets you need. I’ll handle the other half, don’t worry.” He already had a few ideas on that front.

  “Me and my future shrink thank you. Anything else? I don’t mean to be curt, but my assistant is standing in the doorway, waiting for a signature.”

  He was glad he wasn’t Quinn. Being top dog had never appealed to him. His older brothers loved the business with a passion. Flynn loved tech, but it had never been a passion in that way. But somehow finding Annie today had showed him what he wanted: a home with her and her girls. He knew when he was being impulsive, and this wasn’t it. Caitlyn was right. He needed to trust himself and stand his ground.

  “Something you should know… I know this might sound crazy, but Annie is my soulmate. I knew it the moment I met her, like Mom and Dad and a few of our siblings have talked about. So you’ll need to have someone else go through her operations and offer her a fair price for her company should we want to buy it, which I have a feeling we will. I don’t want anyone to cry foul since I’m not impartial.”

  Dead silence permeated the line for a beat. “Are you messing with me, Flynn?”<
br />
  “No.” He fought the urge to blurt out another qualifier.

  “Well, hell… If you think so, I’m happy for you. She comes with three girls if I recall right. No husband then?”

  “He passed away. I don’t know the details yet.” She didn’t seem like she was still grieving, and there was something else… He couldn’t put a finger on it, but he knew in his gut there was more to the story.

  “How do you feel about having a ready-made family?” Quinn asked.

  He was grateful he’d already talked through it with Caitlyn. “It’s not what I expected, but I’m cool with it. I spent some time with her youngest today, and we’re fast friends.”

  “Stepdads aren’t friends,” Quinn said in that older brother tone that gave Flynn hives. “Well, you know what you’re doing.”

  That endorsement surprised him, but happy surprises were the wine of life. “I appreciate that.”

  “Well, I appreciate you letting me know you wouldn’t be impartial on the offer. I’ll see who I can send.”

  “Someone nice and easy,” Flynn said. “This is her baby. I won’t pressure her either way, Quinn. You need to know that. I have her back however she decides.”

  “No repeat of things with Trevor and Becca then,” Quinn said, speaking of their brother who’d needed to take a stand against the family to protect his soulmate. “Fine with me. I don’t want any more strife in our family.”

  Neither did Flynn. There had been too much of it lately, and they’d only just gotten past the worst of it. “I’m also going to initiate some budget spending on this project, Quinn. I’ll need at least thirty-eight grand for the other half of the baskets, so let’s say about eighty grand to get things going. I’ll write up a memo with the specifics. I might not be doing your baskets conventionally, but they’re going to rock. I’m even bringing in Aunt Clara, Uncle Arthur, and Hargreaves, and Caitlyn has volunteered to help for a while. They know this means a lot to me. Any objections, I need them now.”

  “If you’re handling all five thousand baskets, I’ll give you some leeway and trust your judgment. I have bigger fish to fry. The blowback on selling off our pharmaceutical arm is kicking my butt, internally as well as publicly, beyond the changing of the guard from Connor to me. We’ve got some pretty powerful enemies saying our leadership is in trouble. I’m afraid the stock drop-off might not kick back to normal as soon as I’d hoped.”