Don't Touch My Petunia

by Tara Sheets

  “You must be Kat,” Molly said, beaming.

  Juliette made the introductions, glad to finally have Kat meet Emma and her friends. Not only was Kat the best employee she’d ever had, Juliette genuinely liked her. They just got each other, and it was uncanny how easy it was to be around her.

  Kat picked up Hank and introduced him to the girls.

  “I love your style.” Gertie gestured to her outfit. “We need some of that around the salon. Do you do hair?”

  Kat laughed and pointed to her head. “Does this not speak for itself?” She tried smoothing it down with one hand, and it bounced right back.

  “You have one of the most gorgeous heads of hair I’ve ever seen,” Gertie said with feeling.

  Emma gave Hank a pat on the head. “That’s a huge compliment. Gertie knows hair. It’s kind of her magical talent.”

  Kat’s green eyes lit with interest. “I heard there was magic on this island.”

  “Well, you heard right. But it’s not me, it’s these two.” Gertie pointed to Emma and Juliette. “She bakes sweet charms into cupcakes, and she has garden magic.”

  They all looked at Kat to gauge her reaction.

  “Thank goodness,” Kat said with relief. “I was getting really bored hanging around a bunch of Hollywood people who think they’re magically gifted, but aren’t. You have no idea how happy I am to finally meet the real deal.”

  Emma looked at Juliette. “I like her.”

  Juliette grinned. “I knew you would.”

  * * *

  Later that evening, Juliette stepped onto her back patio with a steaming cup of Earl Grey. She inhaled the rich scents of bergamot and lemon, contemplating what the following day would be like.

  Romeo would show up, be dazzled by all the gorgeous new changes, and tell her what a marvelous job she’d done. No, he’d congratulate her and Logan, and tell them what a marvelous job they’d done, together.

  Was all her hoping for nothing? Was Romeo going to let her take over the shop, with his beloved nephew in the picture? Juliette paced the small back patio, Luna watching her quietly from underneath a stone birdbath.

  For years, all she could think about was how much she wanted to be able to support herself comfortably with a job she loved. The retail boutique with Minerva hadn’t been a good fit. The woman fired Juliette after two weeks because she was too honest with the customers. “You can’t say, ‘Yes, that makes you look frumpy,’” Minerva had scolded. “That’s not how you sell clothes.” And then there was the lifeguard job she got one summer after high school. Months of classes and swim tests, only to find out she hated it. All those hours in the burning sun. The smell of suntan lotion and chlorine and wet concrete, and not a plant in sight. Just the scorched weeds that grew between the pavement cracks. When she’d started her small at-home business of making bath products and herbal remedies, it had been a nice reprieve from job hopping. The income was enough to live on, but things hadn’t been easy.

  Juliette sipped her tea and wandered into her garden, taking comfort in the soft grass beneath her bare feet and the scents of honeysuckle and roses and green things growing. This was what she needed to be truly happy, and after several years of floating from one job to another, she’d finally found her place.

  Walking into Romeo’s Florist Shop was like going home. She’d started working there and never looked back. Once Romeo realized her ability to make things grow and thrive, Juliette’s job was secure. He’d been hinting about retiring for a while, and all Juliette could think of was how badly she wanted to own the shop. She was the best candidate for the role; she knew it down to her bones. When Romeo announced the renovation project, she’d been elated, thinking this was her moment to finally prove she could run the business on her own.

  But then came Logan.

  Juliette sat under the maple tree in the corner of her garden, letting her head fall back against the trunk. “There’s no getting around it,” she whispered to Luna, who had followed her to the tree. “I’m in over my head with him.”

  The cat flicked an ear.

  “I mean it,” Juliette said. “I’ve really gone and stepped in it now, because I care about him.”

  Luna sat on the grass in front of Juliette and stared up at her.

  “I’m not going to discuss it with you,” Juliette said. “All you get is this simple truth. I care about Logan O’Connor. There. It’s done. I can’t change it. So now what?” A mixture of worry and anxiety washed over her. She drew her knees up and hugged them to her chest. “I’m screwed, is what.”

  Luna walked over and nudged her head against Juliette’s shins.

  Juliette ran her hand down the cat’s sleek back. “I don’t like caring about him. It’s too complicated. I find myself missing him when he’s not around. This entire past week, all we did was hang out together. Eat dinners together. Watch old movies, lounging at his house, or mine.”

  Her cat nudged her again, staring up at her with bright, golden eyes.

  “He made me vegetarian lasagna,” Juliette continued, scratching Luna behind the ears. “And I helped him clean up his yard. We went out on his boat, too. And did you know the other day, I got the best idea for an organization shelf at the shop? An organization shelf, Luna.” She shook her head. “The first thing I wanted to do was jump up and run to tell him.”

  Luna began to purr.

  “No, that’s not good. It’s bad. Don’t you get it? I’m starting to get used to him being around. And it’s not going to last. Sooner or later, he’ll move on or something will happen, and it will be over. And then guess what? It’s just going to be you and me. All over again. Like always.”

  Luna let out a soft meow.

  “Deny it all you want, but it’s true. And I for one am not going to just sit around and wait for the crushing blow. I’m going to just focus on the important things, until this whole silly”—she gestured to her chest—“thing I’m feeling fades away. I’ll just wait for it to fade.”

  The cat had obviously heard enough. She turned away and walked past the lilacs to the corner of the garden.

  “You don’t understand—” Juliette called after her, then stopped.

  There was something odd about the corner of her garden. She stood slowly and walked to the climbing rosebush. The tumble of coral blooms weren’t trailing on the ground. The stems weren’t tangled in a broken lattice like they usually were. In fact, the broken lattice was gone. In its place stood a gorgeous arched frame. The climbing rosebush was now twined around and through the arch, its dark green leaves dancing in the wind. The flowers had turned their golden faces up to the sky, as if basking in their newfound home. They were happy and content. She could feel it.

  So why was she so . . . unsettled? Juliette stared at the smooth paving stones beyond the archway. They formed a charming footpath that led into the woods, just like she’d always wanted. Logan had taken one of her dreams and made it a reality.

  Luna meowed.

  “I know he did it,” Juliette whispered.

  The cat started off into the woods, looking over her shoulder at Juliette.

  “I’m not going to thank him. Not right now.” Juliette backed away and strode into the house. That was the thing about Logan. He was always making things different. Better. But it was one thing for him to fix up the shop, another thing entirely for him to steal into her yard and fix something in her garden.

  She set her mug in the kitchen sink, insides roiling in confusion. Part of her was grateful, but a bigger part of her was bothered that he’d done it without asking. Her garden was a private haven. It was hers from the time she could walk. It had been her joy and her solace. When the world fell apart, Juliette had her plants and they had her. It was a bond forged by Mother Nature that no one could change. No one should change.

  The phone rang. Emma.

  Juliette picked up the phone and plopped down on a kitchen chair. “Hey, Em.”

  “What’s the matter?” Emma asked. Her cousin always
knew when something was wrong, no matter how much Juliette tried to hide it.

  “Nothing. I just had a long day getting the shop ready for Romeo’s return.”

  “Okay . . .” Emma paused. “What’s really the matter?”

  “He drives me crazy,” Juliette blurted.

  “Romeo?” Emma was smiling. Juliette could hear it in her voice.

  “Shut up. You know I’m talking about Logan.”

  “What did he do this time?”

  “He secretly built a new trellis for my climbing roses,” Juliette said.

  “The peach-colored ones? In the corner near that broken thing?”

  “Yes. I just discovered it now.”

  Emma made a soothing noise. “I’m so sorry. What a complete jerk. I mean, who would do that?”

  Juliette pursed her lips. “You think I’m being ridiculous.”

  “A little.”

  “And that I should thank him for building it.”

  “Yes.”

  “And that I should just be happy that we’re together and not worry about the future and not care that someday he’s going to rip my heart out of my chest and leave and then I’ll have nothing. Again.”

  Emma paused. “Juliette, I love you. You know that.”

  She closed her eyes. “I know.”

  “In a few weeks I’m getting married to a man I never thought I’d find. I didn’t even like him at first, remember?”

  Of course Juliette remembered. When Hunter came to town with his fancy new restaurant and bakery, Emma had been devastated. She and Juliette had even gone so far as to create a magic spell to try to get him to leave the island forever.

  “I thought he was the worst person in the world,” Emma continued. “And then I changed. He changed. We realized we were right for each other, all along.”

  “So what, you’re saying you think Logan is right for me?”

  “I’m saying I think he’s right for you, right now. Maybe don’t worry too much about where it’s going. We can’t walk around our entire lives guarding our hearts so we don’t get hurt. Trust me, I know. The thing is, it’s okay to fall. It’s okay to let go and fall for someone, even if it means someday you’ll get hurt.”

  “I disagree,” Juliette said in a huff. “Nobody wants to get hurt.”

  “That’s not what I’m saying. Of course nobody wants to feel heartache. But sometimes you just have to let go, and let yourself be vulnerable. It’s the only way to really live. Otherwise, you’ll always just be watching from the outside. I know it’s scary. And there are no guarantees. But I’m here, and I love you and always will. If you get hurt, I’m here.”

  Juliette stood and began pacing the kitchen. “I know, Em. I just don’t know how to handle this. I’m afraid of what it means.”

  “It means there’s a boy who likes a girl, so he built her a trellis for her flowers. It’s as simple as that.”

  “But what does the boy want from the girl? What if they don’t want the same things?”

  “Hmm,” Emma said. “Maybe the girl should just enjoy the moment for what it is. Maybe the girl will find out she wants to go to the prom with him, after all.”

  “Or, maybe . . .” Juliette said, peering out the kitchen window at the new trellis. “Maybe she should just tell him that she’s willing to make out under the bleachers, but she’s not interested in wearing his letterman jacket.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  Juliette turned away from the window. “No,” she said quietly. “I’m not sure about anything. I’m so confused. Being with him has been . . . unexpected. He makes me crazy. He makes me laugh. We have fun together, and I’m not just talking about sexy times.” She wandered into her living room and sank into an overstuffed chair, slumping sideways to let her feet dangle over the armrest. “The truth is, I don’t remember the last time I ever felt this way about anyone. I like being with him. I think about him whenever he’s not around. And he’s done so much for the shop to make it better. It’s like I can trust him to always do the right thing, you know?” Juliette took a deep breath and let it out in a rush. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

  “Don’t you?” The smile was back in Emma’s voice.

  That unsettling mixture of worry and anxiety washed over Juliette again. She sat up straight and cleared her throat. “Never mind me. I’m so scattered right now. It’s probably just nerves because I want the shop to look perfect tomorrow.”

  “You’re going to have to thank Logan for the trellis, sooner or later,” Emma said.

  Juliette lifted a hand to massage her forehead. “Then I choose later. I’m too tired to deal with that right now. Romeo’s coming back from his trip in the morning. And I have to find a way to bring up buying the shop.”

  “Word of advice? Maybe don’t bombard him with that the minute he walks through the door. Let him take a couple of breaths, first.”

  “I’ll let him have a few,” Juliette said. “But once he sees the place, he has to understand that I’ve got things under control. He has to see that I’m the right person to take over.”

  “And he will,” Emma said soothingly.

  Juliette hoped, more than anything, that Emma was right.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “My god, look at this place,” Romeo said as he breezed through the front door. “It got a red carpet makeover.” His dark hair was sun-streaked, and his face was tanner than usual. Even after a nine-hour flight and a one-hour ferry ride, he looked as elegant as he always did in slacks and a crisp linen shirt.

  Juliette jumped off the stool and ran to give him a hug. It was eight o’clock in the morning, and she’d arrived early to make sure everything looked perfect. Romeo and Caleb’s flight came in at 6:00 a.m. and she knew they’d stop by the shop on the way home.

  “It’s insane,” Caleb said, standing in the middle of the floor with his hands on his hips. “Just gorgeous. It doesn’t even look like the same place.” Unlike Romeo, Caleb was lobster red, his faded blond hair standing out in little wisps on his head. He wore Bermuda shorts, a wrinkled linen shirt, and a seashell necklace.

  “Wait until you guys see the greenhouse out back,” Juliette said. “And the patio Logan built is even better than the one we wanted.”

  “Not so fast; I want to take it all in.” Romeo strolled through the new and improved shop, smiling in admiration. “You painted the walls?”

  “Logan did,” she said. “But I picked the color.”

  “Nice choice,” Caleb said. “Spring green with a slight tint of blue. Lovely.”

  “And the mirrored shelves.” Romeo shook his head. “Pure genius.”

  “If you think that’s amazing, brace yourself.” Juliette walked to the closet she used to fill with boxes of seeds and planting equipment. Logan had taken off the door, and she’d hung a curtain panel embroidered with green leaves. What was once a jumbled mess of boxes she had to dig through was now a perfectly organized wall of shelving, with seed packets in neat rows, arranged alphabetically.

  When she drew the panel aside, Caleb gasped. “Oh, my darling, beautiful girl. You organized?”

  “Yup,” she said with pride. They didn’t need to know about the fight she’d had with Logan. One morning she’d arrived at work to find that he’d tossed all her boxes into the middle of the floor and put up shelves without asking. She didn’t want to admit it, but once she started organizing, she began to realize she kind of liked it. There was something almost therapeutic about having a place for everything. Who knew?

  Romeo gave a low whistle. “I’m so impressed.”

  The back door swung open and Juliette gathered her courage. Showtime. She had to pretend that everything between her and Logan was strictly business.

  “Oh, hey, Logan.” She forced her voice to go up a notch, all cheerful cheery cheerleader. “Your uncle and Caleb just got here.”

  They greeted each other with warm hugs and slaps on the back, then Logan led them outside to see the greenhouse a
nd patio.

  She felt his eyes on her, but she couldn’t look at him. Later, she’d thank him for the trellis. For now, she had to remain calm and collected. It wasn’t easy when she kind of wanted to hide. She went to the back kitchen and busied herself with her inventory list.

  Caleb popped his head in. “Aren’t you coming?”

  “I’ll be there in a minute,” Juliette said.

  “Something’s up with you.” Caleb tilted his head, staring at her like he was trying to read tea leaves. “You look different.”

  She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’m wearing a different mascara.”

  “No, that’s not it.” Caleb tapped his finger against his lips, eyeing her closely. “It’s something else.”

  Juliette felt her face grow hot. Surely he wouldn’t be able to tell that she and Logan were tangled up in a “thing.”

  “I’m just excited to see you guys,” Juliette said quickly. “I feel like you’ve been gone for ages.”

  “Huh.” Caleb looked unconvinced. “I don’t know what it is, but it’ll come to me.”

  Hopefully not. “Shall we?” Juliette gestured to the door.

  When the two of them joined Romeo and Logan outside, Juliette was grateful for Caleb’s chatter. She hid behind it like a shield.

  “You two amaze me,” Romeo said. “This place looks incredible.”

  Juliette beamed with pride. Even though she knew Logan had done most of the work, it made her happy to be included in Romeo’s praise.

  “I want you both to come to dinner at our place on Tuesday,” Romeo said. “We’ll celebrate the successful remodel.”

  “I’ve got a new eggplant parmesan recipe I’ve been wanting to try,” Caleb added. “Juliette, you can eat that, right? It’s vegetarian.”

  “Yes,” she said hesitantly. “I can.” The real question was, did she want to? She’d heard stories about Caleb’s less than appetizing culinary skills.

  Logan looked at her and winked. “Sounds delicious, Caleb.” To Romeo he said, “I’ll bring lots of wine.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight