by Nora Roberts
“It’s really not her—”
“Which is Beans, the bride’s Boston bull terrier.”
“Oh, I’d forgotten about that one.” Emma’s brow creased. “Wait. Did I know about that one?”
“Probably not, as she only told me a couple of days ago. The MOG thinks it’s silly, undignified, and embarrassing. And said so in very clear terms. The bride’s decided her future mother-in-law is a dog hater.”
“Is he wearing a tux?”
Parker’s lips twitched “At this point, just a bow tie. She wants the dog, she gets the dog. So I’ll ask the MOG to have a drink with me—as such matters are best done in person and with alcohol—and smooth this over.”
“Good luck with that. I’m heading into town. I’m going to surprise Jack, cook him dinner, so I won’t be back until morning. But I’m also going to see if you and Laurel left any sexy summer clothes anywhere in Greenwich.”
“There may be a halter top left. Possibly one pair of sandals.”
“I’ll find them. I’m going to the market, and by the nursery. Is there anything you need? I can drop it back by in the morning.”
“Are you going by the bookstore?”
“I’m going to town; what would my mother say if I didn’t drop in?”
“Right. She’s got a book I ordered.”
“I’ll get it for you. If you think of anything else, just call my cell.”
“Have fun.” As Emma left, Parker looked at her BlackBerry. Sighed. And picked it up to call Kevin’s mother.
DELIGHTED TO HAVE A FEW HOURS OUT AND ABOUT, EMMA stopped at the nursery first. She gave herself permission to just wander and enjoy before settling down to the business of selection.
She loved the smells—the earth, the plants, the green—so much she had to order herself not to just buy some of everything. But she promised herself she’d take another swing through in the morning and pick up a few more plants for the estate.
For now, she debated on pots while envisioning Jack’s back porch entrance. She found two slim urns in a rusted bronze color she decided would be perfect flanking his kitchen door.
“Nina?” She signaled to the manager. “I’m going to take these two.”
“They’re great, aren’t they?”
“They are. Can you have them loaded in my car? It’s right out front. And the potting soil? I’m just going to pick out the plants.”
“Take your time.”
She found exactly what she wanted, sticking with deep reds and purples with a few sparks of gold to set them off.
“Gorgeous,” Nina commented when Emma pushed her cart through toward the cashier. “Strong colors, great textures. And that heliotrope smells wonderful. Is this for a wedding?”
“No, actually they’re a gift for a friend.”
“Lucky friend. Everything’s loaded.”
“Thanks.”
In town, she wandered the shops, treated herself to new sandals, a breezy skirt, and thinking of the long-ago summer, a boldly printed scarf to use as a beach wrap.
She swung into the bookstore, waved to the clerk ringing up a sale at the counter.
“Hi, Emma! Your mom’s in the back.”
“Thanks.”
She found her mother opening a recent delivery of books. The minute she saw Emma, Lucia set the shipment aside. “Now this is the best kind of surprise.”
“I’ve been out spending money.” Emma leaned over the box to kiss Lucia’s cheek.
“My favorite activity. Almost. Did you buy something that made you so happy, or . . .” She tapped a finger on Emma’s bracelet. “Are you just happy?”
“Both. I’m going to cook dinner for Jack, so I still have to go to the market. But I found the cutest sandals, which—of course—I had to wear out.”
Emma did a pivot, a turn, showing them off.
“They are cute.”
“And . . .” Emma flicked her index fingers at her new gold dangles to make them sway.
“Ah, pretty.”
“Plus a wonderful summer skirt just covered with red poppies. A couple of tops, a scarf, and . . . so on.”
“That’s my girl. I saw Jack this morning. I thought he said you were going to the movies tonight.”
“Change of plans. I’m going to make him your flank steak. Mrs. G had one in the freezer so I begged it from her and it’s been marinating all night. It’s out in the car in a cooler. I thought I’d do those roasted fingerling potatoes with rosemary, maybe asparagus, a nice chunk of bread with dipping oil. What do you think?”
“Very manly.”
“Good, that was the idea. I couldn’t bring myself to hit Laurel up for a dessert. She’s swamped. I thought maybe just ice cream and berries.”
“A manly and thoughtful meal. Is this an occasion?”
“Partly to thank him for the incredible night in New York, and the rest . . . I’m going to tell him, Mama. I’m going to tell him how I feel about him, that I love him. It seems almost wrong to have all this”—she pressed a hand to her heart—“and not tell him.”
“Love is brave,” Lucia reminded her. “I know when he says your name, he looks happy. I’m glad you told me. Now I can think good thoughts for you, for both of you, tonight.”
“I’ll take them. Oh, and you have a book for Parker. I told her I’d pick it up for her.”
“I’ll get it for you.” Lucia wrapped an arm around Emma’s waist as she walked her out of the storeroom. “You’ll call me tomorrow? I want to know how your dinner went.”
“I’ll call you, first thing.”
“Emma?”
Emma looked over, smiled at the pretty brunette she desperately tried to place. “Hi.”
“It is you! Oh, hi, Emma!”
Emma found herself gripped in an enthusiastic hug and rocked side to side. Baffled, she gave the girl a friendly squeeze in return as she shot questioning looks at her mother.
“Rachel, you’re home from college.” Lucia beamed as she gave her daughter hints. “It seems like last week Emma was heading out to babysit for you.”
“I know. I can hardly—”
“Rachel? Rachel Monning?” Emma pulled her back, stared into bright blue eyes. “Oh my God. Look at you. I didn’t recognize you. You’re grown-up and gorgeous. When did you stop being twelve?”
“A while ago. It’s just been so long, between this and that and college. Oh, Emma, you look awesome. You always did. I can’t believe I ran into you this way. I was actually going to call you.”
“You’re in college now? Home for the summer?”
“Yes. One more year. I’m working at Estervil, in public relations. It’s my day off and I stopped in because I needed a book. A wedding planning book. I’m engaged!”
She held out her hand to show off the sparkle of her diamond.
“Engaged?” Emma pushed through the moment of speechless shock. “But you were playing with your Barbies ten minutes ago.”
“I think it’s closer to ten years.” Rachel’s face lit up with her laugh. “You have to meet Drew. He’s amazing. Of course you’ll meet him. We’re going to get married next summer, after I graduate, and I really want to have you do the flowers, and, well, everything. My mother says Vows is the place. Can you believe it? I’m getting married, and you’ll make my bouquet. You used to make those Kleenex bouquets for me, and now, it’ll be real.”
She felt the jab straight in the belly, hated herself for it, but felt it. “I’m so happy for you. When did this happen?”
“Two weeks, three days and . . .” Rachel checked her watch. “Sixteen hours ago. Oh, I wish I had more time, but I have to get the book and run or I’ll be late.” She hugged Emma again. “I’ll call and we’ll talk flowers and cakes and, oh God, everything. Bye! Bye, Mrs. Grant. I’ll see you soon.”
“Rachel Monning’s getting married.”
“Yes.” Lucia patted Emma’s shoulder. “She is.”
“I used to babysit for her. I used to French braid her hair and le
t her stay up past her bedtime. Now I’m going to do her wedding flowers. Good God, Mama.”
“There there,” Lucia said and didn’t bother to mask a chuckle. “Aren’t you about to spend the evening with a wonderful man?”
“Yes. Right. I get it. Everyone takes different directions. But . . . Good God.”
She managed to put babysitting and weddings aside to finish her shopping. She’d barely stepped out of the market before being hailed again.
“Buenos tardes, bonita!”
“Rico.” Instead of a hug she had both cheeks affectionately kissed. “How are you?”
“Better for seeing you.”
“Why aren’t you flying somewhere fabulous?”
“Just back from a run to Italy. The owner took his family to Tuscany for a little R and R.”
“Ah, the hard life of the private pilot. And how’s Brenna?”
“We broke up a couple of months ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I hadn’t heard.”
“The way it goes.” He shrugged. “Let me carry those for you.” He took her grocery bags, peeked in as he walked her to her car. “Looks like good eating, and a lot better than the Hungry Man dinner I have on tap.”
“Oh, poor thing.” She laughed at him then unlocked the passenger side door. “Just in here. I’m already pretty loaded in the back.”
“So I see,” he said as he glanced at the plants and bags in the backseat. “It looks like you’ve got a busy evening planned, but if you want to change your mind, I’ll take you to dinner.” He trailed a flirtatious finger down her arm. “Or better yet, give you that flying lesson we used to talk about.”
“Thanks, Rico, but I’m seeing someone.”
“It ought to be me. Feel free to change your mind about that, too—anytime—and give me a call.”
“If I do you’ll be the first.” She brushed her lips over his cheek before rounding the hood to her door. “Do you remember Jill Burke?”
“Ah . . . little blonde, big laugh.”
“Yes. She’s single again, too.”
“Is that so?”
“You should call her. I bet she’d love a flying lesson.”
His grin flashed adding a sparkle to his eyes and reminding her why she’d enjoyed spending time with him. She got in, and sent him a wave as she drove away.
Considering the planters, plants, groceries, Emma parked in the back of Jack’s building and as close to the steps as she could manage. She angled her head as she studied the little kitchen deck, then nodded. The planters would do very well there, very well indeed.
Eager to get started, she walked around to the front of the building to use the main entrance. The beveled glass in the door and the tall front windows brought in pretty light, adding a sense of style and comfort to the reception area. He’d been right to keep it cozy rather than sleek, she thought. It projected calm and quiet dignity, while she knew in the individual offices and planning rooms chaos often reigned.
“Hi, Michelle.”
“Emma.” The woman working on a computer at a ruthlessly organized desk stopped to shift her chair. “How are you?”
“I’m great. How are you feeling?”
“Twenty-nine weeks and counting.” Michelle patted her baby belly. “We’re perfect. I love your sandals.”
“Me, too. I just bought them.”
“They’re great. Monday night date, right?”
“Exactly.”
“You’re a little early, aren’t you?”
“New plan. Is Jack busy? I haven’t actually told him the new plan.”
“He’s not back yet. Running late, glitch on a site. Not very happy with the subs or the new county inspector, or, well, anything just at the moment.”
“Oh.” Emma winced. “Well, my new plan is either very good or very bad under those circumstances.”
“Can you share?”
“Sure. I thought I’d cook dinner, surprise him with that and some planters for his little deck. Dinner and a movie at home, instead of going out.”
“If you want my opinion, it’s inspired. I think he’d be thrilled to have a home-cooked meal after the day he’s put in. You can call and check, but he may be in round three with the building inspector.”
“Why don’t we just let that play out? The problem is, Michelle, I don’t have a key.”
There was a beat, just a quick bump of surprise. “Oh, well, that’s no problem.” Michelle opened a drawer of her desk to fish out a spare set.
“Are you sure it’s okay?” And how mortifying is it, Emma thought, to have to ask?
“I can’t think of why it wouldn’t be. You and Jack have been friends for years, and now you’re . . .”
“Yes, we are,” Emma said, deliberately bright. “Second problem? The two planters I bought weigh about fifty pounds each.”
“Chip’s in the back. I’ll send him out.”
“Thanks, Michelle,” Emma said as she took the keys. “You’re a lifesaver.”
She closed her hand around the keys as she started around to the back again. No point, she told herself, in feeling embarrassed. No point in feeling slighted that the man she’d been sleeping with for nearly three months—and had known for more than a decade—hadn’t bothered to give her a key.
It wasn’t symbolic, for God’s sake. He wasn’t locking her out. He was just . . .
It didn’t matter. She would forge ahead with her plans for the evening. Give him flowers, cook him dinner, and tell him she loved him.
And, damn it, she was going to ask for a key.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
SHE SPENT A HAPPY HOUR PUTTING AWAY GROCERIES, ARRANGING the sunflowers she’d brought from her stock for his kitchen counter, then prepping the planters.
She’d been right, she thought, about how perfect they’d be flanking the door. Deep, bold spots of color, she decided as she tucked red salvia behind purple heliotrope. The combination of plants she’d chosen would give him color and bloom all season, and be even showier when the lobelia spilled and the sweet alys sum foamed over the lip.
A nice welcome home, she thought, every time he walked up the stairs. And, she thought with a little smile, a living reminder of the woman who’d laid out that welcome.
Sitting back on her heels, she studied the result. “Gorgeous, if I do say so myself.”
After stacking the empty pots and cell packs, she shifted to duplicate the arrangement in the second urn.
She wondered if he had a watering can, then decided probably not. She should’ve thought of that, but they’d make do until he got one. Happy to have her hands in dirt, she hummed along with the radio she’d switched on. His front entrance planters needed more zip, she mused as she worked. She’d try to pick up a few more things in the next week or so.
When she’d finished, she swept up the spilled dirt, then carried the plastic trays and pots, her gardening tools down to her car. Brushing off her hands she looked up to admire the work.
Flowers, she’d always thought, were an essential element of home. Now he had them. And, she’d always believed, flowers planted with love bloomed more beautifully. If true, these would be spectacular right up to the first hard frost.
When she checked the time, she dashed back up the stairs. She needed to wash up and start on dinner, especially since she’d decided to add an appetizer to the menu.
DIRTY, SWEATY, AND STILL PISSED OFF DUE TO THE DISAPPEARING plumber and a rookie building inspector with an attitude, Jack turned toward the rear of his offices.
He wanted a shower, a beer, maybe a handful of aspirin. If the general contractor wasn’t going to fire the asshole plumber—who also happened to be his brother-in-law—then he could explain the delay to the client. And he could take on the building inspector who decided to throw his weight around because a doorway was a damn seven-eighths of an inch off.
Okay, maybe the aspirin, the shower, then the drink.
Maybe that would smooth out a day that had begun with a call at six A.M
. from a client with a tape measure who’d gone ballistic because the framing for his service bar came in at five feet eight inches instead of six feet.
Not that he blamed the client. He’d felt ballistic himself. Six feet on the plans meant six feet on the job, not whatever the sub decided would do.
And, Jack thought as he tried to roll the worst of the tension out of his shoulders, the day had just gone downhill from there. If he was going to put in a twelve-hour day, at least he wanted to finish up feeling he’d accomplished something instead of just riding around the goddamn county putting out fires.
He made the last turn, telling himself to be grateful he was home, where, since the office was now closed, nobody—please God—was going to ask him to fix anything, negotiate anything, or argue about anything.
When he spotted Emma’s car he struggled to think past the headache. Had he mixed things up? Had they planned to meet in town, go from there?
No, no, dinner, maybe a movie—which he’d intended to switch to carry-out, possibly a DVD, and that after he’d had a chance to cool off and settle down. Except he’d forgotten to call her about that as he’d been hip-deep in crises and complaints.
But if she was in town somewhere, he could just . . .
His mind switched gears as he noticed his back door open to the screen, and the pots of flowers beside it. He sat where he was a moment, then tossed his sunglasses on the dash. When he stepped out of the truck, he heard the music pouring through the screen door.
Where the hell did the plants come from? he wondered as fresh irritation banged against an already full-blown headache. And why the hell was his door open?
He wanted air-conditioning, a cool shower, and five damn minutes to shake off the worst of the day. Now he had flowers he’d have to remember to water, music blasting, and somebody who’d require attention and conversation in his house.
He trudged up the steps, scowled at the plants, pushed through the screen door.
And there she was, singing along with the radio—which was blasting through his aching head, cooking something on his stove when he’d set his system on take-out pizza, and his spare keys sat on the counter beside a vase of enormous sunflowers that made his eyes throb.