Hearts in Bloom

by Mae Nunn

  Becky Jo took another sip and nodded in thought.

  “That’s more like it. I was pretty sure Drew wouldn’t do a dirty thing like that.” She stared him down. “But then you haven’t burned me like you have Jess.”

  Drew turned in his chair to get a better view of the bountiful woman beside him.

  “You want to explain that comment? How have I burned Jessica?”

  “For starters, there was that ambush down at your garage. Too bad, because I really liked the old guy till he helped you set Jess up.”

  “We did not set her up.”

  “Did you take her for a ride, buy her ice cream, kiss her and then tell her to clean up her business practices?”

  “Yes, but I didn’t mean to insult Jessica. I was giving helpful suggestions.”

  “Looked more like a tactical maneuver to her. In other words, you set her up.”

  He appealed to Valentine for support. She gave a “no dice” shake of her platinum head. Guilt inched up his back as he faced reality. Jessica had seen right through his careful “plan.”

  Becky Jo popped a chip piled high with salsa into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully.

  “You were with her on one of the toughest nights of her life when she visited the ADT for the first time after her accident. You didn’t warn her about your long lost love, who just happens to be the Wicked Witch of the South. Then you left her to entertain your sister while you and Amelia smooched it up in the aisle, right?”

  “Well, that’s an abridged version of what happened.” Guilt stopped inching and shot straight through him at the scene she must have endured. “I had no idea Jessica saw us.”

  He steeled himself for the story about Jessica hiding in his closet. When they only continued to give him the evil eye he silently thanked her for keeping it quiet.

  Drew mumbled his thoughts. “When you put things in her perspective, I guess it’s not so hard to understand why she jumped to the conclusion I let her down. Again.”

  “Jessica’s father was a five-star jerk when it came to living up to his word,” Becky Jo confided. “She doesn’t trust men easily, especially if they come complete with a uniform.”

  Becky Jo’s words echoed those of Pastor Driskell.

  “And I’ve been confirming what she believes about men.” Drew stated the fact.

  “So what are you going to do about it now, dahhhlin’?” Valentine hiccuped.

  “Yeah, Rambo, what’s your next move?”

  “I’m going to give you girls a ride home and then give our friend a hand. That is, if she’ll let me.”

  The thick beef burritos were still warm when Drew set the carryout sack on the plywood tabletop. They’d make a hearty breakfast when she woke up.

  Jessica was already covered by the patchwork quilt. Earlier he’d noted the tired slump to her shoulders. There were dark circles under the emerald eyes and her dancer’s posture was bent with fatigue. She slept soundly now, one hand clutching the cover to her chin, the other a resting place for her cheek.

  Once again he studied the room appreciatively, but noted also how much work was left to do. There was even more dirt on the floor than before, a sign of the frantic activity that had been taking place. He counted the number of completed gardens and then the remaining empty pots. She was definitely on the back side of her mission.

  For Jessica’s sake, he was thankful the wedding would be over in a few days so she could rest in her own bed. He glanced again at the completely exhausted form under the frayed covering. His heart flip-flopped in sympathy. An invisible fist reached right into his chest and squeezed hard.

  Lord, I want so much to obey Your will for my life. I’ve disappointed my father and upset the entire Crockett family, but I believe You’ve led me to this moment. My heart is so full of warmth when I’m near Jessica. Please demonstrate to her that she can trust Your guidance as much as I do.

  Drew noted a few ways he could get away with helping on the spot. He’d trust God to show him the rest later.

  Drawing upon years of stealth training, Drew moved about the room like a phantom, never making a sound. He braced the middle of her worktable more securely and lifted the heavy pots, careful to position them just as she’d arranged the others.

  It took great restraint, but he resisted the desire to organize all her blooms and sweep up the loose potting soil. Before calling it a night, he paused curiously over her long “to do” list, rubbed his palms together at a crossed-off notation and slipped away.

  When the alarm clock shrilled at 5:00 a.m., Jessica rolled over on the hard floor and groaned. Her never-ending list of chores seemed insurmountable on four hours of sleep.

  Years of self-discipline kicked in, and within fifteen minutes she was at it again. She stood at her worktable, gently rotating her painful shoulders and twisting side to side to eliminate the night’s stiffness. Becky Jo would be along shortly with a thermos of strong hot coffee. Meanwhile, Jessica dug in to the fragrant carryout sack and groaned with pleasure at the first mouthful of tender beef and refried beans.

  As she chewed, grateful for the unusual breakfast, she noticed minor changes in the room. The heaviest pots waited on the makeshift table, positioned perfectly for painting to begin. She smiled as she finished the tortilla. Of course. Becky Jo must have come back last night and set up for today’s work. Jessica made a mental note to thank her friend, used a broken screwdriver to pop open a fresh can of gold paint and got to work.

  “Caffeine, anyone?” Becky Jo stood in the doorway, holding a thermos and a steaming mug of coffee.

  “Thanks for the help with the heavy stuff.” Jessica accepted the mug with one hand and motioned toward the workbench.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You didn’t do this when you brought the food last night?” Jessica’s insides began to squirm.

  “Heck, no. Drew offered to bring it over.”

  Jessica took in the scene again. The heavy work that would have stressed her knee was done. Her gut twisted anxiously and she didn’t even consider blaming it on the burrito. Then things got more complicated.

  Becky Jo’s face lit up. “Oh, I haven’t told you yet! Valentine said Daniel Ellis was the person who complained about Living Colors. Didn’t Drew tell you?”

  “No, I never even knew he was here.”

  She flinched at the idea of herself asleep on the floor, mouth hanging open and drool on her cheek. Becky Jo’s last comment saved her from dwelling on the disgusting picture.

  “What’s this about Daniel Ellis?” Jessica asked.

  The dinner conversation was replayed. When her friend finished with a smile, Jessica knew Becky Jo was pleased her instincts about their neighbor had been correct.

  “So why would Ellis do that if you’re friends?”

  Jessica scratched her head. “I don’t know. I’ll have to work on that when I don’t have to worry about so much else.”

  The memory of how she’d treated Drew surfaced. Jessica hid her eyes behind both hands.

  Oh, God, show me how to make this right, she silently pleaded.

  Recalling Drew’s face when she’d slapped his outstretched hand and told him to stay away, she grimaced. “I am such a creep! I can’t believe he’s still speaking to me.”

  “Much less trying to help you.”

  “Oh, thanks.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  “Well, that’s something else I’ll have to work out after this weekend.” If not for the sand streaming through her imaginary hourglass, she would have dealt with it right away. Jessica sighed heavily, wondering if she’d ever find the right words to apologize for misjudging him so badly.

  Becky Jo checked her watch and headed for the door. “You gonna be okay here today?”

  Time to snap out of it. “Sure, and thanks again for your help yesterday. I wouldn’t be this far along without you.”

  The short woman cast her gaze astutely around the room. No trace of the arrangements she and Valentine had
produced remained. Instead, everything once again had Jessica Holliday’s special touch.

  Becky Jo smiled wryly. “Yeah, right. You’d be another day ahead if not for all our help. Well, don’t worry. I have a full schedule today and Valentine’s getting her hair done. So if you need anything, call Metro Muscle.” She smiled as she turned to leave.

  “What about Frasier?” Jessica suddenly remembered to ask.

  “I’m on my way to drop him off at the groomer. Probably won’t ever want to come home, the ungrateful mutt.”

  The heavy door fell closed and Jessica was alone. She leaned elbows on plywood and thought about Drew. Obedient son, doting brother, practical businessman, understanding friend, trusting Christian. The man would be an incredible partner.

  The wriggling in her stomach became a fluttering in her chest. She picked up her paintbrush and went back to work with a fresh load of determined hope and fifty-six hours till the couple said, “I do.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jessica woke in her own bed after sleeping like the dead. She’d done it! Ten hours till the wedding and everything was on schedule. She’d managed to fill all of Madeline’s special requests, with only one exception. And that was so outrageous that no one could be expected to take it seriously. Butterflies, for goodness sake!

  She pulled on yesterday’s clothes, knowing she’d allowed time to shower and dress before the wedding. Needing one last check on everything, just to calm the pounding of her heart, she opened the security door and stepped out into the early light of the still-quiet morning.

  Nestled in the rec room, her magnificent work waited to be unveiled. Pots of azure monkshood, brilliant stargazer lilies and scarlet pelargoniums were poised to become the splashes of color in an otherwise monochromatic garden. Large urns, planted with classic topiary, would provide formal symmetry to the informal patios. Each piece was as heavy as it was splendid. Jessica was grateful for the muscular arms and strong backs that would position the container gardens.

  Returning by the front pathway, she noticed a large note taped to the outside door. The scrawling message instantly ruined her morning.

  “Miss Holliday, we think Daddy had a stroke last night. He’ll be okay, but Mama and us boys are at the hospital with him today. He asked me to come tell you he was sorry to let you down. I’m sorry, too. Sam’s boy, Noble.”

  Jessica stared numbly at the paper. “Poor Sam,” she said aloud as she read the note two more times, absorbing the impact of the words. The covered truck she needed to get the flowers safely to the reception site wasn’t coming. Neither were the men who would lift and carry the arrangements she’d poured her heart into for the past week.

  The fit of emotions that threatened would have to wait. She hurried toward her home, clutching the bad news and fighting down panic.

  “Beej!” Jessica began to call the moment the door sprang open. On the third shout, her friend’s groggy face appeared around the doorway as Becky Jo hurried down the stairs.

  “What is it? Who’s dead?”

  “I might as well be.” Jessica handed over the note.

  “Oh, no, Jess.” Becky Jo stared down at the message. “Who else can we call?”

  Jessica shook her head. “On this short notice? Nobody I can afford.”

  “Go ask Drew. He’s got that big truck and more muscles than the law allows. And he’s offered to help.”

  “After what I did? No way!” Jessica threw her palms up and backed away from the suggestion.

  “Calm down and listen to me.” Becky Jo caught Jessica by the hand, hauling her over to the sofa.

  “This is no time to be stubborn. Your future depends on how things go today. You don’t have time for pride. So don’t look a handsome gift horse in the mouth.”

  Becky Jo always had been able to read Jessica like a book. Her friend had caught the guilt vibes she radiated

  “Look, Jessica, he made mistakes. You made mistakes. We all make mistakes. He’s a control freak and he wants to help. Make his day.”

  Jessica studied the toes of her ancient sneakers. What choice did she have when it came right down to it? She’d worked her fingers to the bone on this job and if she had to go begging for help, so be it.

  How hard could it be?

  Besides, she wouldn’t see him again after the wedding, anyway. Amelia would see to that.

  The decision made, Jessica stood. “Okay. You’re right.”

  She squared her shoulders, focusing as if she were about to step onto the stage for the biggest performance of her life. With her hand on the door-knob, she turned back and raised crossed fingers. Becky Jo did the same and then shooed her with both hands.

  As Jessica raised her fist to knock on Drew’s door, she noted the time. Seven o’clock. Nine hours to go. She rapped sharply and waited. A shadow blocked the peephole.

  “He’s here! Thank You, Lord,” she whispered.

  The door opened an inch, but Jessica didn’t see anyone through the crack. Then movement below eye level caught her attention and she looked down to see Amelia.

  “What do you want?”

  Jessica was mortified. Begging was going to be much harder than she thought. “I need to speak to Drew.”

  “Well, he’s in the shower.”

  The thought of Amelia with Drew pushed Jessica closer to tears. She swallowed her hurt feelings and remaining pride. Being humble was highly overrated.

  “I’ll just wait next door. Will you tell him it’s an emergency? Please?”

  The door closed in her face. She heard the dead bolt and wondered if her message would get delivered. There was no choice but to wait at home and find out.

  Drew heard the front door close as he walked out onto the landing, completely dressed, hair still damp from his shower. He watched as Amelia sprinted back into the kitchen and continued to pull breakfast pastries from a white bakery carton.

  She fidgeted with the doughnuts. “Would you like breakfast while we talk?”

  “No, thanks.” He took the mug she offered, but waved away the starchy sweets. “It’s too bad you didn’t call first. I could have saved you a trip, because I’m on a tight schedule today.”

  “You’re right, of course. I shouldn’t have shown up like this,” she conceded. “But I still think we can work things out, Drew.”

  He ushered her toward the door, put her pocketbook in her hands, grabbed his own keys and locked up behind them. He helped Amelia into her convertible and stepped away. “There is nothing to work out. There never was.”

  Jessica’s breath caught in her throat when she heard the rumble of Drew’s car. She snatched up her cane and reached the parking lot just as he was pulling away. She hurried out into the middle of the driveway waving furiously to get his attention above the thundering engine.

  “Drew!” She waved frantically. “Drew!”

  He never slowed as he passed under the ornamental archway. She leaned forward, her hands on her knees, unable to bear the weight of the moment. The tears sprang from deep inside, rushing hard, choking her with their force.

  Oh, God, please do something. I can’t handle this alone anymore, she begged.

  Her lungs burned and she pushed upright to take in oxygen. Through her tears she saw a blur of red brake lights and Drew Keegan running toward her.

  He caught Jessica to his chest, muscular arms wrapped protectively around her.

  She’d never felt such relief in her life. Suddenly there was a sense of completeness where there had been a huge void. When she lifted her eyes, she knew they were shamelessly full of apology and need. She could only stare through the tears that would not stop.

  He pulled a fresh bandanna from his pocket, wiped her face and planted a tender kiss on her forehead.

  “What on earth is wrong?”

  “The wedding is less than nine hours away, my work crew just canceled and I can’t even begin to tell you what’s at stake today. I know I don’t deserve it, but if you’ll help me, Drew, I promise I’ll e
xplain everything tomorrow.”

  He smiled, dimple and all, and guided her to the sidewalk.

  “Let me make a couple of phone calls. I’ll meet you in the Commons in five minutes.” He ran his hand down the back of her hair as she turned to walk away.

  A glance over her shoulder sent a thrill of hope through her heart. He was still watching, tenderness etched in his features.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said quietly.

  “Me, too.”

  Spilling over with a riot of blossoms, the last mosaic planter took its place in Madeline Shure’s backyard. The result of Jessica’s planning was spectacular. A stately yard of boxwoods was transformed into a field of living color.

  “You did it!”

  Drew was close. She could feel the heat radiating from his chest. She turned to face him.

  “I hope you know how grateful I am for all your help.”

  “I can see that.” He smoothed runaway blond strands out of her face. “But really, I don’t deserve much credit. I just did the heavy work.”

  “But if you hadn’t—”

  He touched the tips of his fingers to her lips, silencing her. She rested her hand on the back of his, inhaling his scent, wanting so much to kiss the fingertips.

  She pulled his hand away. “Please, let me thank you. You tried to be a good friend and I misjudged you terribly.”

  “That’s an apology, not a thank-you. And I have apologies to make myself, so why don’t we do them justice later?”

  She nodded her agreement.

  His eyes widened at his watch. “I have a very important errand to run and it can’t wait much longer.”

  “Oh, sure.” She stepped back, suddenly conscious of their closeness. “I’ve already taken up enough of your day.”

  “No, that’s not what I meant at all. My time is your time. I just have to take care of an important detail and then I’m all yours again.”

  She cocked her head, puzzled.

  “I mean, would you mind if I come with you tonight, just in case you need me for any last-minute heavy work?” he explained.