by Joya Ryan
“The woman is a pain in my ass, and it’s getting worse,” he said.
Erica smiled, clearly loving his torture.
“You like her,” she said.
“Just a crush that dies hard.”
“I’ve never seen you this riled over a woman before. I like her already.”
Jake shook his head. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am. And I think you’d do a great job running the company, but Laura clearly doesn’t know anything about the warehouse.”
“Exactly!” he said. Finally someone was seeing things his way.
“Which is why she’s working so hard at the floral shop, I bet. Think about it. That’s what she knows. Just like you work so hard to avoid it. You stay in your comfort zone. It’s human nature. Also a sign of stubbornness.”
“Yes, she is stubborn,” Jake agreed.
“I was talking about you, smart-ass.”
Shit, Jake hadn’t thought of that. He never took time for the flower shop because there was no point, and Walt had never seemed interested in it anyway. Come to think of it, Jake hadn’t thought of a lot of things. Like why Walt seemed sad whenever it came to that part of the business. But Walt was happy when Laura was there running it. And he also hadn’t thought of how her eyes had gotten so wide and her shoulders had sunk a little when he’d been harsh with her earlier today. But Laura Baughman was tough. Nothing could get that woman riled, he was sure. Except riled for her claws to come out.
But hurt?
No way. She was strong. She was out to do her thing and driven as hell. Always had been.
“Whatever her reasons,” Jake started, “it doesn’t change the fact that she could seriously damage the business.”
His sister nodded. “I know you care about Walt and the company, but she’s his daughter.”
Jake closed his eyes for a moment and heard the squeak of the fifth wheel outside. Laura was home, likely walking around in there. Maybe getting ready for the engagement party tonight? He didn’t know, and he couldn’t get sucked into her feelings or any of that. He had to treat this like a business. Because it was. Wanting her and lusting for her were different than feelings.
“You look like you’re going to throw up,” his sister said.
He might. He just might. Because he had the sneaking suspicion this wasn’t going to get easier. He had three weeks until Walt would step in and make some kind of decision.
He needed a shower and at least a few beers to numb this kind of thinking. Good thing he was heading to a party at a bar tonight. Complete with booze, friends, and now flowers. Baughman Home Goods flowers.
He couldn’t escape Laura’s presence even if he tried.
Chapter Ten
Laura had spent the last few hours pacing in her camper, only to stop to sit down and work on a little home project.
After an hour and a glass of wine, she looked over her work of art and decided it was good enough. But she wanted it perfect.
So she grabbed one more flower, placed it in the vase, and . . .
“Yes!” She clapped happily at her work. She had a few flowers left over from the centerpieces and had decided to make her own arrangement.
Dusting her hands off on her jeans, she unrolled her long-sleeved sweater and glanced in the mirror, deciding quickly that she needed some lip gloss. Not that she had a big date or anything. In fact, she had zero plans other than finishing the bottle of Riesling in the fridge.
But she did have something she needed to make right.
With a final breath, she picked up the vase and walked out of her camper and up the porch steps until she was faced with Jacob’s front door.
It seemed so quiet inside, but his truck was still there. So he couldn’t have left for the party yet. She hoped the bar looked great and people liked the centerpieces. Part of her wished she could be there to meet people and try to give off some kind of good impression. Since she was coming up short lately in that department.
She knocked on Jacob’s door and heard his heavy footsteps coming from the back of the house. Her heart picked up in pace and she gently tweaked one of the dark purple flowers when the door opened.
He was fresh out of a shower, and she was instantly engulfed with the spicy scent of his soap. He was clean shaven and wearing dark jeans and a red-and-black-checkered button-up that looked like it was made of soft flannel.
She wanted to touch him so badly to find out.
“Hey,” he said and looked between her and the vase of flowers she held.
She cleared the cobwebs of lust away and held out her offering. “Having something alive in your house makes you live longer.”
He grinned and took the vase. “My first choice would be for you to be in the house. For the sake of my health and all.”
“I never said I want you healthy . . . ,” she teased.
He laughed, and the deep, musical sound made her warm, and she smiled.
“This is really nice looking,” he said, turning it in his hands to examine it. “You made this?”
“Yes.”
He nodded and then leaned in to smell the flowers. He looked as if he actually appreciated the gift.
“They’re beautiful. And so different.”
“Actually, they’re dahlias. All dahlias.” She pointed to the large purple one, then to the smaller red one. “They come in different shapes and sizes, but they’re the same flower. Which is why putting them together is so fun.”
“You’re clearly good at it, too,” he said.
It was the first real compliment he’d given her regarding her work. And she liked how it made her chest feel a little fuller.
“I just wanted you to have that and to apologize for earlier today. I didn’t realize the gravity of the delivery schedule, and I hope you didn’t take it out on Mannie or the other men, because they were just doing what I asked.”
She glanced at her feet, and her throat closed around the rest of the speech she’d prepared. Instead, her thoughts and words betrayed her.
“I want to do better. Be better,” she said, not realizing she’d actually admitted that out loud until she saw Jacob’s face. He was looking at her with a soft gaze.
Jacob looked like he was about to say something, but his phone chirped. “Sorry,” he said and pulled it from his pocket and read a text. “I have to get going to the engagement party.”
“Oh, of course,” she said trying to sound as breezy as possible. Jacob set her vase down on a small table by the entry and then followed her out. He headed her off by his truck.
“Thank you for the flowers. They’re really well done.”
“You’re welcome.”
She turned to walk into the camper and he called out, “Come with me?”
“Excuse me?”
He walked up to the passenger side door of his truck and opened it, motioning for her to get in. “Come to the party with me.”
“Oh, I wasn’t invited.”
“I’m inviting you,” he said. “It’ll be fun. And you’ll get to see all your hard work enjoyed by others.”
It would be nice to go. Not just to see if everyone did in fact like the flowers. But to be with Jacob for an evening. Like he said, showing a united front was smart. But deep down, she knew going with him tonight had nothing to do with the business. It had to do with him.
“I’m still not dating,” she said, only she didn’t sound convincing even to herself.
“Just dinner, flowers, dancing, and drinks. Nothing datelike about that,” he teased.
It was then it hit her as hard as her smile. She liked Jake. A lot. He worked hard. Cared about her father and the business. And she respected him.
“Okay,” she said and got in the truck.
The short drive was silent but not tense. As if both of them were lost to thought and neither broaching a subject of what a messed-up situation they were in. Sleeping together, working together, living together—kind of—and also technically in competition for
their place at the business. Right now, he felt like a friend. One she wanted to spend time with. Confide in. Maybe kiss a little.
Okay, kiss a lot.
“It’s like déjà vu,” Jacob said, pulling into the parking lot of Goonies. It really was, since both of them had just been there earlier that afternoon.
“Hopefully circumstances are different tonight,” she said.
He parked, turned off the truck, and turned to look at her. “They are.” With his hand resting on the back of the seat, he trailed a fingertip along her ear, gently tucking a piece of her hair behind it. “You never need to be anything better than what you are,” he said softly.
She looked into those blazing blue eyes, and the warmth in her chest bloomed another degree.
“Many people would disagree,” she said.
“Then they’re idiots.”
She glanced at her hands in her lap and gently shook her head. It took her a full minute to work up the guts to say what they both knew was true. “I may be my father’s daughter, but he loves you, Jacob.” She gave a sincere smile. “How could he not? You’re something special. And you run the warehouse really well. Have for a long time, while I wasn’t here.”
She opened the truck door and got out, and Jacob called her name and rounded the truck to catch her just as she closed the door and walked toward the bar.
“Hey, Laura, let’s talk about this.”
She shook her head. “There’s nothing to talk about. I’m sorry about today. I’ll try harder, and maybe we can figure out a schedule or peace treaty or whatever that can work for both of us.”
She started for the bar again, but he grabbed her hand. “I mean, let’s talk about what you said.”
“Not tonight. Please.” She glanced between him and the rowdy bar, where music was blaring and people were laughing and talking. “I’m here now. I can’t make up for the mistakes of the past. And things are the way they are. I don’t want to dive into things I can’t change.” She also wasn’t in the mood to admit out loud how lacking she’d become in the past decade. How she was trying to build her self-esteem back. How badly she wanted to do something right by her mother’s memory, by her father, by herself.
“Can you just take me inside and enjoy the night?” she asked, and if she were honest, there was a slight plea in her voice.
“Yeah, of course,” Jake said, and with a hand on the small of her back, he led her to the bar and inside.
Music and people and commotion were all in full swing. And the flowers on all the tables and gave pops of color to the entire room; Laura saw a woman lean in and look at one centerpiece closely, then nod happily to her friend and point.
Looked like a good review.
She turned to tell Jacob and realized that he’d gotten swallowed by a crowd of people giving him slaps on the back and talking his ear off. One guy handed him a beer. The man hadn’t even made it all the way in the door yet and he was engulfed like a celebrity.
Must be hard being so well liked . . .
He met her eyes and tried to make his way toward her, but she shook him off with a smile and motioned that she’d be around. They weren’t dating—no reason they had to stay together. So she wandered around, checking on the vases. The flowers were holding up nicely, and after getting a glass of wine from the bar, she settled in a corner and watched.
She didn’t fit in. She knew it. Thank God she was in jeans and a sweater, at least, since she was learning quickly that the standard attire around Yachats was casual. At least she didn’t stick out in a bad way, but she wasn’t embraced like Jacob. Not that she expected to be, after she’d only been in town for a couple of weeks. No, what worried her was that she might never be embraced.
“Hello there again,” a sweet older woman’s voice called.
“Tilly?” Laura said as the woman came to stand by her. “I haven’t seen you since book club.”
“You’ve kept up with the reading?” Tilly asked.
“Not exactly,” Laura admitted. She’d been busy with the shop, not to mention having her own steamy scenes with Jake.
“Well, that’s all right. We’ll catch you up. I see you’ve been busy. These centerpieces are lovely.”
“Thank you,” Laura said. She was glad she knew a friendly face.
The old woman smiled and looked around. “I’m so glad that you’re reviving that shop. Your mother would have been proud.”
Breath stuck in Laura’s lungs. The idea that her mother would have been proud was a gift to the goal she’d been chasing. And yet, it hurt as much as it warmed her entire chest. Because she wanted to make her proud. So much. Almost as much as she missed her.
“Thank you,” Laura said softly. “I’m happy to be doing it.” She looked at Tilly. “I’m glad you’re here, too.”
“Well, I have to be, dear, I’m the mother of the bride.”
“Congratulations!” Laura said, happy for her. Tilly ran a hand through short gray hair. Her smile was one of pride and dark purple lipstick.
“My daughter hasn’t picked a florist yet for the wedding, you know?”
Laura’s eyes went wide with shock and happiness.
“I could give her your card?” Tilly offered.
Embarrassment set in. “I don’t have a business card yet. But I can give you the number to the shop or you can come by anytime. I’d love to chat with you and your daughter about what she’s looking for.”
Tilly smiled and nodded. “That’d be great. I’ll check with her schedule and we’ll pop in. In the meantime, try to get some reading in. You look like you could use some good fiction.”
Laura smiled. Just as Tilly turned to leave, she mentioned, “I work over at the senior center. We could sure use something pretty in the entryway. Maybe a fresh large arrangement once a month?”
“Yes,” Laura said with excitement. “I’d be happy to put together some options and work with you.”
“Do you deliver and set up?” She glanced around the bar.
“Yes, absolutely.”
“That would be wonderful, then!” She leaned in and nudged Laura’s shoulder. “I have a budget of two hundred dollars a month for office upkeep, and I think that brightening up the place with some flowers is the way to go.”
“Tilly, thank you so much.”
“Don’t thank me, you earned it. Look around you. You’re the woman behind this beauty.”
It was the one of the kindest things she’d heard in a while and exactly what Laura needed right then. Tilly waved to someone across the room.
“I’ll see you soon, dear,” she said.
“Yes, I look forward to it,” Laura said, and Tilly waved back to her as she walked toward a group of women calling her over.
Laura glanced at the centerpiece on the closest table and felt a twinge of pride. Not for what she’d done, but because someone remembered her mother, remembered the shop when it sold flowers, just like Laura remembered. And Laura had just been hired on merit. On her work and her flowers.
Maybe she could keep her mother’s memory alive in a way after all. Jacob had the warehouse and everything he and her father had built together. Maybe this missing piece really was Laura’s to carry on. A part of her mom that she could build on. Success to earn.
The music slowed and several couples were dancing in a large spot in the center of the bar that had been cleared of tables. It really felt like a community here. Everyone knowing everyone. Laughing and enjoying themselves. Laura wished Hannah was here so maybe she’d have someone to talk to. But no luck.
“Pretty thing like you in the corner by yourself is a shame,” Jacob said, coming to stand by her and looking at the same crowd she was.
“Aren’t you just full of flattery,” she said.
He shot her a wink and took a drink of his beer. There was a casual air between them. Calm. Playful.
Between the almost admission and half details about her past, plus the secret sex she’d been having with Jacob and the not-so-secret fight
s that came before and after, she didn’t really know what they were. Surely not together. But not really enemies, either.
“Looks good in here,” he said and pointed to a centerpiece. “But I have to admit, I think I have the best one at home.”
“Yours was the cheapest to make,” she teased.
“Still the best,” he said with a grin. He set his beer on the bar behind them and took her glass of wine and set it down as well.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Well, I’m looking to do a lot of things, but I wanted to start with a dance.” He held out his hand, and for the first time since she’d gotten to that small town, she felt wanted.
At least for a moment.
She took his hand, and he led them to a spot on the floor. He twirled her once and pulled her back. She laughed and enjoyed that little spin and then settled close, her hand in his, while he led her around the floor with a strong palm on her side.
“You should do that more often,” Jacob said against her ear.
“Do what?” she asked.
He spun her out again, twirling her, and another laugh broke free right as he tugged her close once more.
“Laugh,” he said. “You should laugh more.”
She smiled up at him. “There’s a lot I should do more of.”
“I hope I’m on that list,” he said with a wink.
“No, you’re not.”
“Ouch.” He faked sadness, but they both knew all he had to do was get her in a private room with his mouth on her and she’d likely turn into a puddle for him.
“I have a new customer—Tilly. She’s the mother of the bride,” Laura said.
“Yeah, she’s a good lady. I’m glad you’re drumming up more business.”
“Me, too, but you’re right. I need to look at Baughman Home Goods as a whole, not just the flower shop. Which is why I have an idea.”
“Oh?” he asked and pulled her a little closer, keeping perfect stride with the music. “Let’s hear it.”
“I want to be your shadow,” she said.
“I’m liking where this is going.”
“I mean at work. I want to see what you do in the warehouse, and learn.”