She ran lightly down the stairs to the kitchen and glared at Cleo who was eating a bowl of oatmeal with Nutella. Cleo grinned and motioned toward the pot on the stove.
“Sore?”
Rayne rolled her eyes and grabbed a bowl out of the cupboard, dishing herself up some oatmeal before answering. “You enjoy torturing my body and you know it.”
Cleo laughed and pushed the Nutella toward her. “I don’t deny it. But I will say this. You’ve made a lot of progress since the first time I met you. When you signed up for my yoga class you had no muscle tone at all, you thought a good diet meant eating protein bars all day and you couldn’t even run a half a mile. Now? You’re toned, you eat like a champion, and you can kick box anyone into the ground. I feel sorry for anyone who thinks they can mess with you.”
Rayne smiled, feeling slightly mollified. “Then why am I so sore today?”
Cleo took a sip of her Almond Milk and smiled. “Probably because I wanted you to be. We have to break you down to build you up and you’ve been plateauing lately.”
Ivy walked in yawning and pointing toward the front of the house. “Can you tell the landscapers not to arrive before ten o’clock in the morning please? They’re making so much racket I couldn’t sleep.”
Rayne lifted an eyebrow. “Ivy, you know you’re an adult right? You can’t sleep until twelve every day for the rest of your life.”
Ivy waved her hand in the air and wandered over to the stove to scoop up some oatmeal. “Well, I never got around to calling Asher last night so I guess I could just go find him outside.”
Rayne smiled happily. “That’s right, you have an audition to schedule. And don’t forget, you two are supposed to be flirting like crazy with Garrett so I know if he’s worthy of my interest.”
Cleo frowned and glanced at Ivy who was frowning too. “Hmm, maybe we can just trust your judgment on this one,” Ivy said innocently as she put two big heaping spoonfuls of Nutella in her oatmeal and swirled it around.
Cleo cleared her throat lightly and crossed her legs, smoothing her hand down her maroon colored capris. “It was a dumb idea, Rayne. I mean, you’re an adult, we’re adults, Garrett’s an adult. There’s no reason to play games.”
Rayne smiled to herself as she took a sip of her milk. “But I thought you two had a really good point. I mean, why go through the effort with Garrett if he’s not worth the time? Honestly? You and Ivy are the only two people in this whole world who have my back. I mean, if I can’t trust you two to flirt with the man I want to date, then who can I trust?”
Ivy squinched up her face before running her hands through her pink streaked hair. “Yeah, well here’s the thing Rayne. On my little walkabout yesterday with Becket I came to the realization that as honorable as it would be to flirt with Garrett, I’d much rather be flirting with his friend.”
Cleo smiled in relief. “Yes! And I’d rather be flirting with his little brother.”
Rayne bit her lip to keep from laughing. “So you’re going to just turn your backs on me? Dang, I’ve heard of selfishness, but this . . . this is brutal.”
Cleo and Ivy frowned at her and then looked at each other with twin looks of dismay. “Well, if it means that much to you,” Cleo said as she stared at her oatmeal.
“It does, it really does,” Rayne murmured.
Ivy sighed loudly. “Fine, but if Becket hates me after this I won’t come to your wedding.”
Rayne laughed at that and took a big bite, feeling much better about her sore muscles knowing Cleo and Ivy were now going to have to flirt with Garrett.
“Trust me, wedding bells are not ringing.”
The sound of large machinery had all three women running to the front living room and looking out.
“Rayne, they’re not cutting down Grandma’s tree are they?” Ivy asked in horror.
Rayne’s eyes were huge with shock. “They better not be,” she breathed out before sprinting for the door. She ripped it open and ran full out toward the side yard where the tree her grandmother had planted when she was first married to her grandfather was about to become sawdust.
“Stop!” she screamed, waving her hands in the air like a madwoman. The engine of the saw hooked onto the end of the bobcat was so loud that no one was paying her any attention though.
“Stop!” she screamed again and put on a burst of speed. It was a Douglas-Fir and although not the prettiest tree in the world, it had been planted by her grandmother.
She finally reached the bobcat and pounded on the side and immediately the engine turned off and the blades came to a stop. Becket Lowell frowned and stepped down taking off his safety goggles and not looking happy.
Rayne felt Ivy and Cleo join her as she fought to catch her breath. “You’re not cutting down that tree,” she wheezed, pointing to the large sloppy looking tree that towered over the house.
Becket sighed loudly and rubbed his forehead. “Actually, I am. Yesterday you signed a contract approving the landscape plan and taking out this tree is the first thing we need to do before anything else.”
Rayne’s mouth fell open in surprise. True she’d spaced everything Garrett had been saying yesterday but in her defense she’d still been reeling from seeing Graham on her doorstep.
“I signed off on this?” she asked staring up at the tree her grandmother had loved.
Becket nodded patiently as he crossed his arms over his chest. “To be honest, the thing is a monstrosity. It’s right in the middle of your side yard and it ruins the symmetry. Garrett is going to put a walkway through the middle that leads to your new gazebo over there,” he said as he turned and pointed.
“Gazebo?” she asked stupidly.
Becket raised his eyebrows at her and shook his head before grabbing his phone. He slid his finger across the screen and pushed a few numbers.
“Garrett, I’m over here at the Nyman’s and we’re having a little tussle over this Douglas Fir. Rayne wants to keep it . . . I know it’s ugly . . . I’m not sure she’s aware . . . No way man, this is not my fight, and I mentioned the gazebo and she has no idea what I’m talking about. You need to head over. If I’m not taking down this tree, I’m just wasting money over here. I could be over at the Latham’s digging out the trench for their waterfall.”
Rayne stared moodily at Becket as he talked for a few more minutes before hanging up. When he did, he didn’t look any happier than she felt.
“Garrett will be over here in five minutes,” he said as if that fixed everything.
“Fine, I’ll just wait over on the porch for him,” she said with as much dignity as she could muster and turned and walked away. Cleo fell in step with her, but Ivy was leaning up against the bobcat and pointing to the different gauges while Becket patiently explained them to her.
“Sounds like they’re not a big fan of Grandma’s choice and placement of trees,” Cleo said dryly.
Rayne grit her teeth and nodded. “Well, I’m not a fan of people who want to chop down perfectly beautiful trees for no reason. Symmetry? Who needs it?”
Cleo grinned at her and sat down on the top step of the porch. “Yeah, who needs symmetry, or a gorgeous yard? Add a few flowers and no will even notice the jolly green giant staring down at everyone.”
Rayne glared at Cleo and then sat up as Garrett’s truck turned into her driveway. “That was fast,” she said, swallowing nervously before standing up.
Cleo sighed and stood up too, pushing her in the back lightly toward the truck and the large and irritated looking man who was hopping out of it.
Rayne straightened her shoulders and walked toward Garrett who was striding toward her purposefully. She licked her lips nervously and then glanced up at the tree. Maybe it wasn’t worth it?
“You’re kidding me.” Was all he said as he came to stand in front of her and she immediately felt like a naughty little girl.
She glared at him. “Do I look like I’m kidding? You can’t just cut down my grandmother’s tree,” she said crossing her arms
over her chest and stepping forward as her eyes narrowed.
Garrett turned and looked at the tree and closed his eyes as if he was praying for patience. “Then we might as well go back and get all those pansies you hate so much because nothing we do is going to help this yard look better until we get rid of that tree. It’s an eyesore right in the middle of everything and it needs to go, Rayne.”
Rayne frowned and looked back at the tree again. He might have a point but it was her grandmother’s tree and she didn’t want to see it go.
“Well then you’ll just have to be creative and make my yard look beautiful anyways, because it’s not going anywhere.”
Garrett ran a hand through his hair as he stared at her. “You can’t be serious. I sat in your living room just yesterday and walked you through everything we were going to do. You nodded your head and told me that it sounded wonderful and then you signed the contract. First I bring the pansies and a crew over here just to be sent back for the day. Rayne, I pay those guys by the hour. I had to discount all of those plants and I’ve lost a lot of money because of it. You pull my guys off this job again after we brought all the equipment and scheduled the men and I’m out again. What is going on?” he asked in quiet but serious tone.
Rayne bit her lip feeling horribly guilty now. “I didn’t know that . . . about the money. I’m sorry and I’ll add in a bonus to cover your expenses, but Garrett, that’s my grandmother’s tree. I can’t just let you cut it down.”
Garrett frowned and looked at the tree again, wincing automatically. “You’re the boss, but it’s hideous, it blocks the light all of your new flowers are going to need and its smack dab in the middle of your yard. Rayne, let me cut it down.”
Rayne looked at her feet and shook her head. “No.”
Garrett growled low in his throat and turned and stomped away before turning around coming right back. “Give me one good reason other than the fact that your grandmother liked it,” he demanded.
Rayne pursed her lips and looked up at the tree. He had some valid points, but she couldn’t imagine this old house without the big ugly tree in the middle of everything.
“I like it?” she said hopefully, looking up into his hard, pale blue eyes.
Garrett gritted his teeth and shook his head. “That was a question which means you don’t like it. Rayne, what are you doing? Are you just bored? Are you playing games with me?”
Rayne’s eyes widened and she stared at Garrett as if he’d slapped her. “You mean, am I some bored little rich girl who has nothing better to do then pull men off of their work because I’m so spoiled and like to get my way all the time?” she asked in a soft voice that had Garrett blinking in surprise.
“Now don’t put words in my mouth,” he began but she held up her hand and stopped him.
“You are such a jerk. Fine, go ahead and tear the thing down,” she said and stared at him for a long, cold moment before turning and walking away.
She could see that Ivy and Cleo were deep in conversation with Becket so she ran in the house and grabbed her purse and keys and headed back outside to her car. She could see Garrett now talking to Becket and knew he was probably smiling, not that she could tell from where she was.
She pulled out of the driveway and drove away as Cleo and Ivy waved at her. She was so mad she could spit. It was either leave or throw a temper tantrum. Or kick Garrett.
She drove mindlessly down the road and noticed a bakery. Belinda’s Bakery. That was the place Cleo went to all the time. Their brioche was amazing. She prayed they had something sinfully decadent to get her mind off of murder.
She parked and walked up the steps, opening the door and was immediately surrounded by the scents of chocolate and vanilla and everything that went with it. She felt some of her tension ease and she smiled a little as she noticed there were four people in line in front of her. She wandered over to the glass cases and stared at everything as she waited for her turn. It was still morning, and she’d already eaten half a bowl of oatmeal. Okay, she’d put Nutella in it, but there was just enough room for something heavenly. And after the morning she’d had, she deserved it.
By the time she got home, she was going to see her yard without her grandmother’s tree. She glared at the case, not seeing cupcakes now, but seeing Garrett’s determined frown. She’d never met a man so determined to have everything his way. He’d insisted on paying for lunch and so he did. He insisted on taking out her tree and now he was. How in the world had she ever been attracted to Garrett Murphy? The man was a menace.
“You look mad enough to eat a dozen cupcakes. That or stomp on them.”
Rayne whipped her head up and found herself looking at a beautiful young woman with a cute little pregnant tummy. She had gorgeous, long brown hair and bright, warm brown eyes the color of chocolate.
“Oh um, no. I wouldn’t stomp on them. I might throw them at someone, but I wouldn’t stomp on them,” she said, blushing and walking over to the case of éclairs and scones.
The girl laughed and followed her. “You’re very wise. Diffusing anger with chocolate is a time honored tradition here at Belinda’s Bakery. Mrs. Jenson comes in at least once a week. I would swear that our mint brownies have saved her husband’s life many times.”
Rayne found herself smiling at the girl and relaxing. “Well, I’m not married but if you sell me something that will save the life of my landscaper than I’d very much appreciate it. Or he will, not that he’s aware that I’m plotting his death.”
The girl grinned and walked over to a case by the cash register. “We just began making cronuts and today I made a batch with drizzled chocolate.”
Rayne smiled and stared at the puffy looking donut. “It looks like a donut. I don’t think that’s going to stop me from killing a bug.”
The girl shrugged, still smiling. “You doubt me. How about this. It’s time for my break. I’ll give you a sample of our new cronuts and you can sit and talk to me. I’m bored to tears and need to get off my feet. Mandee can watch the counter for me.”
Rayne blinked in surprise, but smiled shyly. She was used to living in a world where her companions and friends were chosen for her. Her social circle was so elite and so small that she always felt lonely. Ivy and Cleo were her only real friends if she was being honest.
“I’d love that.”
The girl picked out two cronuts as she called out to the back room. A large, older woman wearing an apron and a bright red handkerchief over her hair came out and took her place. They walked over to a table by the window and sat down.
Rayne reached for the light donut drizzled with chocolate and grinned. “I should get mad more often. This looks amazing.”
The woman smiled and picked up one too. “You’re going to eat your words. I promise you won’t even feel like stepping on an ant after you’re done.”
Rayne laughed and took a big bite, closing her eyes as the light buttery donut overwhelmed her senses. “Oh my word,” she whispered reverently. “What did you say this was called?”
The woman wiped a smear of chocolate off her lips and smiled. “It’s called a cronut. It’s a donut made out of a croissant. I call it Heaven. I’d have to say the fifteen pounds I just gained are all cronuts.”
Rayne grinned and took another bite. “I’m pretty sure your baby accounts for most of that weight. By the way, I’m Rayne Nyman and I just moved here last week. What’s your name?”
The woman sat back and ran a hand over her stomach. “My name is Jane Matafeo and I’m glad to meet you.”
They talked about Fircrest and Rayne asked her about running a bakery and heard the fascinating story of how Jane and her sister’s came to inherit Belinda’s.
“So tell me about the life I just saved. I’m curious. You look like such a calm, decent person. Who could possibly drive you to murderous thoughts?”
Rayne glared out the window and blew out a breath. “The most annoying man I’ve ever met in my entire life. He always has to get his way. Granted
, he’s gorgeous and tall and strong and has that super male essence that yells authority and all that garbage, but it’s like he doesn’t even hear me. The other day I wanted to pay for lunch and he just bulldozed right over me. Today, I told him I didn’t want him to tear down my grandmother’s tree and what do you think he’s doing? He’s tearing it down.”
Jane’s smile faded as she tilted her head and looked at her. “Wait, so this guy’s a landscaper? Oh no. You’re not talking about Garrett Murphy are you?” she asked looking uncomfortable for some reason.
Rayne paused and looked at her in surprise. “Yes! Garrett Murphy. He’s like the man of my dreams except he’s such a macho, I have to have everything my way kind of guy.”
Jane smiled weakly and picked up her cronut. “I kind of know him.”
Rayne frowned and took another bite. “Aaaannd?”
Jane cleared her throat and grimaced. “I dated him for a while but I kind of broke up with him because I was already in love with Tate, the man I ended up marrying. Garrett hates Tate’s guts and he’s not that fond of me now either.”
Rayne’s mouth fell open as she stared at Jane. “Wow. You dated Garrett. This is perfect,” she breathed.
Jane blinked. “Perfect?”
Rayne nodded. “You can help me figure him out. Like, what the heck do I do with him?”
Jane snorted and wiped her mouth again. “Do with him? I thought you hated him.
Rayne sighed. “Most of the time I want to walk on the beach with him, have midnight picnics with him and listen to him recite poetry to me. But then there are times like today when I feel like pulling a Solange elevator kick on him.”
Jane held up her hands and shook her head. “No way. Uh uh. You cannot ask me for romantic advice on how to deal with my ex-boyfriend. Way too weird. Really.”
Rayne frowned and slumped in her chair. “Oh. I guess that would be weird for you. But what if I told you I was in desperate need of help? Like what if I was so inexperienced with men, that I was practically helpless? Would that change your mind?”
Falling for Rayne: Book 1 in the Love and Flowers Trilogy Page 6