A Wildflower Summer

by Caroline Flynn

  Not only had the manager at the Starbucks in Chicago called that morning to sternly advise that the barista position couldn’t be held for her any longer, but the daycare spot she had secured for Eden in the city had also been tugged out from under her a few hours later. At least the woman from the daycare had been apologetic about it and said she would put her on the waiting list for the next available spot, but it was still another thread of silk in a spiderweb of complications.

  If only that was where the complications ended.

  You deserve a fairytale.

  Those four simple words had haunted her for the past two days. Mostly because they were the furthest thing from simple, and because they weren’t true. Contrary to Jason’s belief, fairytales were just that—fabricated stories deeply rooted in myth. Which, to Lily, was just a fancy way of saying that fairytales were lies.

  She had dealt with enough lies to last her a lifetime.

  Still, having a tall, dark, and handsome man show up on her doorstep with a garbage bag of toys and clothes for her daughter, while spewing pretty words about her fashion design talents and gazing intently into her eyes on the scenic front porch of a gorgeous Victorian home … it was about as close to any fairytale as she was going to get.

  Which was precisely why she had gasped when she realized how close he was—how close she was to him. One minute her mind was full of the fabric swatches and hem detailing she was explaining to him, the next she was totally, utterly consumed by the way his lips curved and parted as he watched her, waiting, wondering.

  Lily had to keep her head out of the clouds. This was not the time to get distracted or read too much into one trivial moment that might have been nothing. The more she played Tuesday night over in her mind, the more uncertain she was that she was even recalling it accurately.

  And that was fine. She had more important things to think about than the way Jason’s dark eyes glinted in the golden porch light, or the way his deep voice had so softly swept away her pessimism for a fleeting moment and made her believe his whispers.

  So much complication.

  And then there was the phone call. The one she hadn’t expected. The one she had got closer and closer to giving up on as each day went by.

  Lily’s phone rarely rang, so when it rang two days ago during her shift at the coffeehouse, it had momentarily stunned her. Seeing the 312 area code had completely undone her. As a woman who had spent the greater part of the last six months looking up the office addresses and phone numbers of fashion design companies online as part of her research, she knew a Chicago area code when she saw one.

  It didn’t make her any less nervous as she dove into the back room and answered the call. Lily was pretty sure she only heard every third word from Magda, the personal assistant of Lilo Ashby, CEO of Lash Fashion. Her pulse pounded so loudly in her ears that she had to ask the woman to repeat her question a second time.

  ‘For the design intern position,’ Magda said again, just as bubbly and bright. ‘Ms. Ashby would like to schedule a telephone interview with you. Are you available on Friday afternoon at two o’clock?’

  Lily had agreed to the interview as coherently as she could manage. Goodness, the personal assistant probably thought she was as socially awkward as they came.

  But it was Lash Fashion. Lilo freaking Ashby, one of the biggest up and coming formal designers in the Midwest, wanted to interview her for a paid internship. Lily was equal parts thrilled and mortified. Thrilled because she couldn’t imagine anyone better to learn from in the industry, and mortified because she now only had one more day to shed her fanatical fangirl skin and reveal the eloquent and articulate creative being beneath it. A series of broken sentences and gushing compliments wasn’t going to cut it during the interview.

  No, she couldn’t get distracted from what mattered. Soon, Lily would have what little cash she had made during the past week to put toward the car repairs. While Jason fixed her car, she could work on finding another backup job and securing another daycare spot for Eden. Then, she would be Chicago bound. That was where her life was waiting, and it was where she would find her own happiness. Now was not the time to lose sight of that. She was following her dream. Working at a small-town café was not a part of the bigger plan.

  It was part of today’s plan, however. Despite Lily’s string of protests, Nancy had graciously offered—or more accurately, insisted—to keep an eye on Eden while she worked the opening shift so that the little girl hadn’t had to get out of bed before dawn. With only two hours left to go before Allison was due back from the florist appointment in North Springs, Lily was already daydreaming about the moment she would be able to lay her head down on the pillow that night.

  It was barely afternoon, but there had been a steady line of patrons waiting for their favorite caffeinated beverages since before ten-thirty. It was probably the only reason Sonya hadn’t mentioned Jason Forrester in her presence yet as she worked alongside her, pressing buttons on the cappuccino maker and frothing milk with expert precision.

  Sonya was a barista on steroids, every movement efficient and flawless. Lily felt like she floundered in the woman’s wake. If she could figure out half of what the older woman knew and manage to execute the knowledge into something that resembled capability, she would thank her lucky stars. Then again, not having to fend off Sonya’s meddlesome curiosities for the second day in a row was worth thanking her lucky stars over, too.

  ‘Well, well. What can I get you?’ she heard Sonya say from somewhere to her left. Lily shook a hint more cinnamon on top of the frappé she was concocting.

  ‘Something with an electric dose of caffeine … and some of that hazelnut flavoring.’

  Lily snapped her head up to come face to face with Jason. Eyes sparkling like polished ebony, he raised his eyebrows at her in greeting.

  Either her lucky stars just blew a breaker, or they were shining brighter than ever—she couldn’t decide.

  ‘Oh, hey,’ she said feebly. ‘I didn’t see you there. Rough day?’ Asking for caffeine in an electric dose had to mean something.

  It also had to mean something that she hadn’t heard from him since their awkward moment on Nancy’s front porch two nights ago. Or maybe that was just her own brain playing silly tricks again, allowing her to think there was a moment at all, something worth remembering.

  You’re doing it again, she thought to herself.

  ‘One of those days that never seems to end. I figured you must be pretty busy here. I texted you earlier.’ In the same instant, both he and Lily cast worried glances in Sonya’s direction, but the woman was too busy being a barista extraordinaire to pay attention, having side-stepped past Lily to place a lid on the frappé in front of her. Sonya handed it to the waiting customer, then began to put Jason’s order together. It left Lily with nothing to do but switch places with her, taking up residence in front of the cash register.

  In front of Jason.

  Which reminded her that Sonya was a shrewd, guileful con artist. Just because she wasn’t staring at them both with wide eyes didn’t mean she wasn’t aware of every word and action taking place between them. Jason obviously remembered that as well because he added, ‘It was just about your car. I wasn’t expecting a quick reply or anything.’

  But he was expecting a reply or else he wouldn’t have mentioned it. ‘Sorry, I didn’t realize.’ Pulling her phone from her back pocket, sure enough, an envelope icon showed up on the screen, indicating an unopened message. She pressed it.

  I wanted you to know, I went ahead and ordered Cruella’s new parts. One of them was backordered, so I ordered it from an aftermarket company. I know you said to wait, but I just didn’t want to see you stuck. I should have her running like a top by Tuesday. By Monday, if I can get some time this weekend. I hope you’re not mad.

  So, her lucky stars hadn’t burned out completely, though guilt swarmed her as she considered Jason’s generous gesture. ‘You ordered the parts? You didn’t have to do that.’
>
  ‘I did. With backorders and stuff, I was worried they wouldn’t show up in time. So, I made the order,’ he explained solemnly. ‘And they arrived in this morning’s shipment.’

  ‘You have the parts?’ Her eyes grew wider.

  ‘Ready and waiting.’ He gave a halfhearted grin. ‘I hope that’s all right.’

  It was more than all right. She was one giant step closer to finally being able to continue on her way to Chicago. Only a few more days.

  Considering the interview with Lash Fashion was tomorrow, Lily thought she would feel happier about it.

  ‘I’m okay with it if you are,’ she said carefully, mentally trying to calculate the funds she had accumulated so far. ‘I’m sure you’re ready to be done with my car by now.’

  ‘On the contrary. I love working on ancient Toyotas with more issues than a weekly magazine subscription.’ A wink followed, and Sonya slid an extra-large paper cup in his direction. ‘Thank you, Sonya.’

  Lily rang up his order on the cash register, painfully aware of Sonya’s pursed-lipped grin in her peripheral vision. ‘Anything else I can get you?’ It wasn’t that she didn’t want to participate in banter with him, she just didn’t want to give Sonya or anyone else within earshot any more ammunition to further their misguided ideas. By the time she got off work at two o’clock, Nancy would undoubtedly know every word that had passed between Lily and Jason before Lily even stepped in the door of the bed and breakfast.

  ‘That’s everything,’ Jason replied, slapping a five-dollar bill on the counter. ‘Branch and Benji can fend for themselves today.’

  ‘Oh, harsh.’ Lily pressed a hand against her chest, feigning pain.

  ‘Those guys have consumed two pots of coffee at the garage already today,’ he explained as he waved away his change. ‘They don’t need me to enable them, that’s for sure.’

  Two pots of coffee. She wondered if that meant Jason had come there to gauge her reaction to the fact he’d taken it upon himself to go ahead and order the auto parts. Maybe her lack of response to his text had worried him. Lily left the coins on the counter between them. ‘And I thought I was a sucker for a good cup of coffee. Anyway, thank you, Jason. I mean that. Have a good rest of your day.’

  Jason stood there, one hand on his coffee cup. He stared at her unabashedly, the smallest of grins tugging at his lips. Then, he swung his glance in Sonya’s direction, nodding a silent thanks to her as well. He waited, holding her gaze with the same relentless intent, unblinking. He raised his eyebrows.

  To her credit, Sonya quickly turned and made herself busy with wiping down the counter.

  Jason stole the chance to lean in without Sonya’s prying eyes on him. ‘Check your phone in a couple minutes.’ His voice was somewhere between the quietest whisper and inaudible, simply mouthing the words. Lily thought she got the message, but it was difficult to completely understand anything when he looked at her that way, holding not only her gaze but her mind, too, with his own personal brand of mischievous intent.

  ‘Enjoy your day, too,’ he said, louder than necessary. Eyes sparkling with hidden laughter, he held up his cup in a parting gesture and slipped back out onto the sidewalk. Lily couldn’t help herself—she watched him until he disappeared past the sun-drenched windows that faced Main Street.

  Lily turned around, fighting to keep her expression neutral. Finally, something Sonya Ritter didn’t know about. Something she could keep to herself. It wasn’t much, but it was hers. Lily didn’t know which she found more thrilling, having a secret from Sonya, or having a secret with Jason.

  Surprisingly, the older woman remained silent, topping up the stack of paper cups near the coffeemaker and wiping down the cappuccino machine until it glistened. Lily followed suit, but it only took a couple minutes for her to be wishing for the lineups of customers they’d been dealing with most of the day.

  Silent Sonya was even more disconcerting than Speaking Sonya.

  Sucker for punishment that she was, Lily leaned against the counter, watching the way the older woman tapped the toe of her scuffed Reebok in time with the jazz music that hummed throughout the café. ‘Is … something wrong, Sonya?’

  Sonya kept scrubbing at a nonexistent smudge on the counter. ‘Nothing at all, dear.’

  Lily crossed her arms. She had never met anyone who could say nothing but mean everything.

  She swore she heard Sonya add under her breath, ‘Goodness, what is with children these days?’ She would have laughed if the poor woman hadn’t been so incorrect as to what she obviously believed, and if she wasn’t blatantly referring to them both as children who weren’t doing as they were told.

  ‘Sonya, whatever you think is happening—’

  ‘I don’t think,’ she corrected. ‘I know.’

  ‘There’s nothing to know,’ Lily argued, emphatic.

  Sonya stepped forward, and instinctively Lily had the urge to step back. The counter behind her prevented that, leaving her nowhere to go.

  ‘Lily,’ Sonya began, her tone soothing and apologetic, ‘this isn’t about knowing or not knowing. I don’t know you well, but I don’t have to. And you don’t have to know Jason well. Knowledge comes with time. But a kindred connection? That’s not known, it’s felt.’

  Lily couldn’t seem to get an adequate breath in. Sonya was a lot to handle on any day, but something about her lecture was hitting home, smacking her square in the chest and forcing her to sit up and take notice. She wasn’t talking about romance, but a connection. Lily wouldn’t admit it to her, but she understood it. She felt it. ‘You obviously do know Jason well.’

  A glimmer of amusement flashed in Sonya’s eyes. ‘Well enough to know he doesn’t come in here to get coffee in the middle of the day without ordering for his friends, too.’ She paused, letting the point of emphasis sink in. ‘He didn’t come here just for coffee, Lily.’ With a nod, she stepped away. ‘Now, no more nonsense. And check your phone. It’s bleeped twice in the past two minutes.’

  Lily pulled out her phone, harboring the suspicion that the woman knew exactly who was sending her texts.

  Carlie and I are going to the drive-in movie tomorrow night. Carlie wants to know if Eden would like to go with her.

  The second message was sent immediately after the first.

  I’d like to know if Eden will bring her mama along, too.

  She read the texts again. And again, giving herself a moment to compose herself. Lily didn’t dare look up to see if Sonya was watching, or if Sonya knew she was right.

  But she had to be right, because Lily couldn’t see how she could feel so much from a few typed words. As she stared at the screen, another text appeared.

  I would’ve asked you face to face, but the question wasn’t meant for Sonya.

  No, it was meant for Lily. Only Lily. And the way he had asked, playfully including her daughter in his suggestion, meant more to her than she could explain. It was fun, and fresh, and made the question seem like something more. Like it wasn’t simply a friend asking a friend. Like it might actually be something more. Like a kindred connection.

  Like a date.

  Her heart was pounding furiously, an anxious bird trapped in a cage. Lily, however, was surprised to realize that she didn’t think it was from fear. At least, not all fear. There was just as much anticipation in the heady mixture stirring within her bloodstream as there was uncertainty.

  There were so many logical reasons not to go. So many memories of what happened when she let someone in and let her guard down.

  No rules existed for her to know what this was or what Jason truly meant by asking, and there wasn’t an instruction manual as to how she should feel or what the right decision was.

  It took a fraction of a second for her to realize she didn’t want to be governed by that kind of fear. Not anymore. It was a drive-in movie with the Forresters. She wanted to see Jason, and Eden would welcome the chance to do something fun with someone her own age.

  She knew she wanted to go.
Beyond that, at the moment, she didn’t know anything else. But, as Sonya had so eloquently put it, she didn’t need to know right now. She just needed to feel.

  Lily tapped the screen, the corners of her mouth upturned.

  We’d love to.

  ***

  Danielle, Lily’s best friend from Sherman, had always told her she was better at showing people the kind of person she was—strong, determined, willing to learn, and a darn good eye for the little details; Danielle’s words, not hers—rather than explaining it.

  ‘You wear your confidence and abilities proudly when you’re part of a hands-on project. There’s not a person who can rival you when you’re doing your thing, girl. But when you open your mouth, all your confidence goes out the window like a popped balloon,’ Danielle had told her time and time again. ‘You can show people how amazing you are, and you can do it flawlessly. You just can’t seem to explain it very well.’

  Lily had been best friends with Dani since childhood. She knew she meant well with her brutal honesty. But the all-encompassing truth of her statement had never rang as true as it had on this day.

  Two o’clock on Friday afternoon had arrived too fast for Lily’s liking. Try as she might, she hadn’t been able to nail down exactly what she thought she should say once she got on the phone with the folks at Lash Fashion. Heck, she didn’t even know if the interview was with Lilo Ashby herself or with her assistant as a proxy. Lily had been so stunned when Magda called to request the interview that she had forgotten to ask.

  It didn’t matter, though. The moment her phone rang, showing the Chicago area code, the Queen of England might as well have been on the other end of the line. Both Lilo and Magda shared the line on speakerphone. Friendly, concise, and enthusiastic, the two women had done everything in their power to ease Lily’s obvious anxiety.

  Nothing could save her from herself, however. Every question put forth was one Lily had an answer for, she just couldn’t seem to get the full answer out without tripping over her own words and tangling her thoughts as she tried to verbalize them. At one point, Magda even tried to help her out, offering to call Lily back in a half hour to give her time to collect herself. Lily had stumbled her way through, promising she was fine.