Falling for Rayne: Book 1 in the Love and Flowers Trilogy

by Shannon Guymon

  Rayne closed her eyes and laughed as Garrett wrapped her in his arms and hugged her tightly. “You’re kind of fun when you’re mad,” he said before kissing her firmly on the lips and walking back to his truck to hunt for a rag to clean his shoe.

  She was held tightly against his side as they walked into the dark and hazy bar. She caught sight of her sister immediately and shouted as she waved her arms in the air. Cleo saw her first and waved her over.

  “She’s got three more people ahead of her and then it’s her turn. She can’t decide on what song she wants to sing and it’s driving me crazy. Go talk to her.”

  She glanced over her shoulder but Garrett was already deep in conversation with Becket and Asher and a few other scary looking guys with multiple tattoos, piercings and long hair.

  The band. Yikes.

  She walked over to her sister and touched her shoulder as someone began to scream a Nickleback song very badly.

  “What are you thinking of doing? Katy Perry or Lady Gaga?” Rayne asked.

  Ivy looked up in surprise and grinned in relief. “I was hoping you’d make it. Holy cow, I’m so glad you’re here. Help me pick a song. I’ve got it narrowed down to Black Horse and the Cherry Tree by KT Tunstall or Chasing Pavements by Adele or maybe even I’m with You by Avril Lavigne.”

  Rayne frowned and shook her head. “Nah, too easy. Let’s show them what you can really do. I say, Second Chance by Shinedown.”

  Ivy blinked in surprise and then grinned. “Perfect,” she breathed in excitement and then promptly ran over to the man in charge and gave him her selection.

  “I don’t know what you just did, but thank you. I was scared she was going to run screaming for the door and back out because she couldn’t decide on a song,” Cleo said with a relieved laugh.

  Rayne shrugged but then felt a large, calloused hand on her shoulder turning her. She smiled up into what was supposed to be Garrett’s face. But it wasn’t.

  “You’re the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen in that dress. I want to buy you a drink.”

  Rayne stared into the bleary eyes of a man well on his way to being drunk. He looked to be in his thirties and was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt that said, Cool story Babe . . . now make me a sandwich. She knocked his hand off her shoulder and stepped back. “No thanks,” she said and turned her back on the man.

  Cleo glared at the man and straightened up as Rayne felt the calloused hand turn her around with enough force that she staggered and fell into him, forcing her to put her hands on his chest to catch herself.

  “Hey!” she yelled as his bad breath enveloped her in a cloud that had to be the color green and brown.

  Cleo pulled her out of the man’s arms and pushed herself between them. “My friend said no. Now back off or I’m going to have the bouncer throw you out,” she said, reaching for the smooth metal cylinder hanging from her hip.

  Rayne knew she was breathing hard and stepped back as the man pushed Cleo out of the way. “Get out of my way and mind your own business. Me and the princess are going to have a drink,” he said angrily and made to grab her.

  Cleo growled and flicked out the cylinder into a long, metal wand that she promptly hit the man across the back with making him screech in agony. He turned on Cleo in a rage but then was promptly lifted into the air by Becket and Asher as Garrett rushed to her side.

  “I turn my back for a second and you start a riot? You rich girls are nothing but excitement,” Garrett said, running his hands down her arms and touching her cheek gently.

  Cleo collapsed her baton and fit it back on her belt. “Idiot wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

  Garrett’s jaw tightened as he stared after the drunk who was still yelling as he left the bar. “I’ll be right back,” he said in a deadly voice that had Rayne and Cleo both jumping in front of him.

  “No!” Rayne yelled pushing her hands onto his rock hard chest. “No violence please. Plus I’ll miss my sister sing if you get arrested,” she said, pouting.

  Garrett closed his eyes and looked as if he were counting silently in his head before he opened his eyes and nodded his head. “Fine. No violence. I hope you hit him hard Cleo,” he said and pulled her back into his arms, holding her securely against his chest as he leaned down and kissed her lightly.

  Cleo laughed and patted his arm. “No worries Garrett. I am her bodyguard, you know.”

  Garrett smiled and nodded his head in thanks. “And I’m grateful. There I was yapping away about a job for Monday and ignoring the fact that my girlfriend is being grabbed. Makes a man want to break something.”

  Rayne sighed, but had to admit that standing there with Garrett’s arms around her, she’d never felt safer. “I’ve got some crumbling concrete you can go at with a jack hammer if you’re still mad.”

  Garrett grinned and leaned down to nuzzle her neck. “Good idea.”

  Ten minutes later, Ivy took the mic and stepped onstage, looking calm, confident and excited. Rayne grinned proudly as Ivy’s eyes shone brightly. She glanced over at Asher and pushed him in the arm. “If you don’t hire my sister as your new lead singer you’re crazy.”

  Asher grinned and crossed his arms over his chest. “We’ll see,” was all he would say.

  Cleo was already screaming and jumping up and down and Ivy laughed and shook her head as the music began and suddenly she was all business. Rayne watched as her sister expertly let the song build, working the stage as she sang to the crowd. The words always hit close to home and knew they did for Ivy too. Breaking away from a parent’s expectation was sometimes the hardest thing to do, but the only right thing to do. Ivy let her voice soar as she sang the last line, Sometimes goodbye is a second chance and Rayne felt her eyes tear up with pride and love. If her sister could just see herself right now, she’d never have another insecure thought in her life. She was magnificent.

  She sighed happily as Ivy let the last note fade off and jumped up and down with Cleo as they both screamed their approval. Ivy laughed happily and handed the mic to the next guy as everyone not too drunk clapped for her. Rayne glanced over at Asher and was gratified to see that he was grinning and talking excitedly to his other bandmates.

  “Looks like your sister just joined a rock band. What’s up with you Nyman sisters? It’s like you’re going wild,” Garrett said with a smile in his voice.

  Rayne nodded her head happily. “And it’s about time.”

  They spent the next two hours, talking and dancing. Asher insisted that Ivy sing again and everyone in the bar agreed with him. She and Cleo ended the night with a duet and sang Something to Believe In by Parachute. She knew she couldn’t sing like Ivy and Cleo could barely carry a note, but they had fun and Garrett, Becket and Asher clapped just as hard for them.

  As Garrett drove her home, exhausted from having the time of her life, she closed her eyes for a moment and wondered if it was all a dream. Because dancing and singing and holding hands with a man like Garrett Murphy could only exist in a fairytale.

  If it was, she never wanted to wake up.

  Chapter 12 – Church

  Rayne took Jack for a walk the next day and realized it was Sunday as she walked past a few churches. It was still a couple hours before any services would be starting. Rayne paused to let Jack sniff around the flower bed of the church and looked up at the tall spire and the sign that said, Everyone Welcome. She had to admit she was a little curious. Growing up with her parents, she and Ivy had never gone to church. If asked, she would say that she thought of her parents as good people, but definitely not spiritual.

  She began walking again and gnawed on her bottom lip as she thought about maybe going home, getting ready and going to church. She was making a lot of changes in her life. She was doing things she’d never dreamed of doing. And she loved it. She felt more alive and happier than she’d ever felt. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to broaden her spiritual horizons as well.

  She nodded her head, decision made and turned around and began walking quickl
y back toward her home. She noticed as she reached her yard that Cleo and Ivy were up now and getting ready to walk the other dogs.

  “You look like you’re in a rush. Where are you headed?” Cleo asked curiously.

  Rayne paused and blushed a little wondering if Cleo and Ivy would make fun of her. “I’m going to church today. I just decided. There’s a little church down the road and it said everyone was welcome. I want to go try it out.”

  She blushed as Ivy’s mouth fell open. All the way.

  “You’re kidding me. We never go to church. Not even on Easter or Christmas. We always worship God from the bottom of a ski slope or while boating.”

  Rayne reached down and petted Jack as she tried to figure out how to explain what she was feeling. “There have been so many experiences that I’ve missed out on. This is one of them. I’d like to know a little more about God. That’s all.”

  Ivy blinked slowly, her eyes wide with shock as Cleo smiled and patted her shoulder. “Back home I always went. It’s good for the soul. Let’s go Ivy.”

  Rayne raised an eyebrow at Ivy and watched as she looked conflicted. Ivy might not be the most spiritual person she knew, but she had a big heart and she was always curious about everything around her.

  “Sure, why not? Let’s go check it out,” she said in an offhand way that had Rayne grinning.

  “Excellent. While you guys walk the dogs I’ll make omelets. Sound good?”

  Cleo and Ivy grinned and headed down the sidewalk. She smiled to herself as she turned and noticed all of the flowers that had been planted. Murphy’s Landscaping still had a long ways to go but they’d made a good dent. Monday Garrett was having the curbing guys show up. Her yard was on its way.

  Rayne rushed to get ready for church, picking a conservative long navy skirt that flared at the knees, simple white sandals and a fitted white sweater. Although it was summer, it could still get a little chilly in the mornings here in the Pacific Northwest. She twisted her hair up in a loose bun before applying a little makeup. She checked herself in the mirror and smiled. She looked just like anyone going to church. No one would ever look at her and know she’d never been once in her life.

  She hurried downstairs and began chopping peppers and mushrooms for the omelets. She glanced down at her white shirt and frowned. There had to be an apron or something in one of the drawers. On the fourth try she found a small drawer filled with old fashioned and faded aprons. She picked up a pale cream apron with light pale pink roses and smiled, missing her Grandmother for a moment. She slipped it on and tied the back as Cleo, Ivy and all the dogs walked in.

  The barking and howling subsided as Cleo got them water and Ivy filled their food dishes. Rayne smiled and began whisking the eggs and was happy for the noise. She liked it.

  “Would you look at that Cleo? She looks like she stepped out of a 1950’s magazine,” Ivy said sounding slightly horrified.

  Rayne glanced down at the apron and shrugged. “I didn’t want to get anything on my sweater. I think it’s cute. I bet it belonged to Grandmother,” she said as she poured the egg mixture over the hot, bubbling butter.

  Ivy tilted her head and looked at her. “It fits you, Rayne. I like it. This whole life fits you.”

  Rayne paused and turned back to look at Ivy. “This life fits me? What do you mean?”

  Cleo ignored them and hurried out of the room while Ivy took a seat at the counter. “You never looked happy rushing everywhere to play concerts. You were always so busy and grim looking. You smile now. You laugh and sometimes you even have fun. This is a good place for you,” she added with a nod of her head.

  Rayne smiled and flipped the omelet before sprinkling the cheese, peppers and mushrooms across the top.

  “I think you’re right. I mean, I love San Diego, I always will, but living here and being with you and Cleo and our dogs, it feels good. I think for the first time in my life I’m relaxing. I honestly wouldn’t mind staying,” she said softly before glancing quickly at Ivy.

  Ivy was looking out the window with a faint smile on her face as Kenya walked over and touched her knee with her head. Ivy looked down at her dog before speaking.

  “I’m relieved to hear you say that because I’m never going back to California. I want to live here, Rayne. I want to leave everything behind and start over. Here, with you and Cleo and our dogs.”

  Rayne smiled and slipped the omelet on the plate and handed it to her sister. “Well, I’m all for your plan but Cleo might not want to stay. I’m paying her to be here and guard you, . . . us, and she might want to go back home. Doesn’t she have family back in San Diego?”

  Ivy shook her head. “No, her family is from Arizona. She was out in California all by herself. She could stay if she wanted to.”

  Rayne started the next omelet and smiled. “I could still do concerts, just not so many. I could schedule the ones I want to do. I wouldn’t have to be gone constantly. Maybe just a few times a year.”

  Ivy frowned and got up to get a glass of juice. “I think having mom and dad as your managers must have been rough. You can’t exactly tell them no. I remember you tried that one time when you were sick a couple years ago and they came back at you with all the guilt trips. But people are depending on you. We paid for all your piano lessons. We’re not asking very much from you,” she said in a good imitation of their father’s dry, nasal voice.

  Rayne frowned at the bad memories and shrugged as she sprinkled the mushrooms and peppers and cheese over the omelet. “That’s all in the past now, Ivy. I have a new life now. One I control. Which means, it’s up to me now. I’m choosing happy.”

  Ivy grinned and took another big bite as she watched her. “You’re so different now, Rayne. I mean, I always loved you. I never got to see you, but I always loved you. But now that we’re here together and you’re relaxing and having fun and dating, I like you. Which makes me love you even more.”

  Rayne slipped the omelet on the plate and set the pan down as she walked over to her sister. “Don’t get freaked out Ivy, but I’m going to hug you.”

  Ivy laughed and shook her head. “We don’t hug. We’re the Nyman’s. We’re soulless robots with big bank accounts and no hearts.”

  Rayne shook her head. “You’re confused. That’s the Old Nymans. We’re the new version. We’re the Nyman’s with hearts and souls and we like to hug.”

  Ivy blushed and pushed her hair over her shoulder. “Fine, just one little hug though.”

  Rayne laughed and pulled her sister into a tight embrace and rubbed her back as she swayed slightly back and forth. She could feel her sister’s arms wrap around her waist and she let her head rest against her sister’s for a moment.

  “See that. Not so bad,” she said softly and leaned back to look at her sister.

  Ivy wiped something under her eye and sniffed a little before looking up and smiling brilliantly. “Not so bad.”

  Rayne hugged her again and walked back to the stove as Cleo breezed in looking surprisingly sophisticated in a pale gray suit and high heels.

  “What in the world?” Rayne said as she handed her the plate with the omelet on it.

  Cleo shrugged and took her plate to sit down next to Ivy. “I have many sides my friends. Just because I choose to wear yoga pants every day doesn’t mean that I have to.”

  Ivy snorted and took a sip of her juice. “So we’re starting fresh here Cleo. Me and Rayne are staying. You should stay too. Start up your yoga classes here. It’ll be fun.”

  Cleo frowned and stared at her before turning and looking at Rayne with a raised eyebrow. “Permanently?”

  Rayne nodded her head. “I’m thinking so.”

  Cleo took a bite of her omelet and frowned. “This wouldn’t be just because you’re dating the cute landscaper is it?”

  Rayne frowned and shook her head. “No, although that’s been wonderful. It’s more than that Cleo. I’m happy here and so is Ivy.”

  Cleo glanced at Ivy who smiled widely at her and rolled her e
yes. “I’ll think about it.”

  The women finished breakfast and then hopped into Cleo’s Mini-Cooper to take the quick drive down the road to the church.

  Rayne and Ivy walked in and stared at everything as Cleo waited patiently for them. They’d arrived fifteen minutes before the service started so they took their time picking out the perfect spot to sit in. They then turned around and looked at all the people now filling the church. Rayne saw a lot of families come in together, moms and dads holding the hands of their children as they greeted people they knew. Rayne sighed lightly and closed her eyes as she turned around.

  “Kind of looks nice, huh?” Ivy whispered in her ear. “Look at the kids. They look so happy,” she muttered sounding jealous.

  Rayne smiled and picked up a hymn book and automatically glanced through the music curiously. Hmm, she’d have to play through a few of these when her piano arrived in a few days.

  “Rayne!”

  Rayne lifted her head and saw the girl she’d met at the bakery last week. What was her name? Jane!

  “Hi Jane,” she said smiling at the happy pregnant woman, glowing as she held the hand of a gorgeous man who had to be her husband. He looked Mexican. No, maybe something else. She wasn’t sure though.

  “This is my husband, Tate Matafeo. Tate, this is my new friend, Rayne,” she said presenting her husband.

  Rayne stood up and shook the man’s hand and smiled into his big brown eyes. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your wife is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. She took one look at me, guessed I needed immediate intervention and provided the perfect cronut to fix my problem.”

  Tate laughed, his brown eyes glowing with love as he glanced at his wife. “Jane is very gifted.”

  Rayne felt the tug on her skirt and glanced at her sister. “Oh sorry, Jane, Tate, this is my younger sister, Ivy and this is our friend, Cleo. This is our first time at church,” she admitted quietly in case anyone was listening in.