“They are wonderful aren’t they?” Austin’s Mom, Amelia, says with so much pride. “It was just so beautiful! This one is my favorite, the one of you two on the patio in front of all the flowers and sparkle behind you. It looks so magical.”
“Thank you all so much for all the hard work and time you put into making our wedding so amazing. You will never know how much it means to the both of us.” Aiden says pulling his new wife close to his side and kisses her temple. “That one is our favorite too Mom. We are going to have it blown up and framed for your wall and one for ours. Austin these are for you to use however you want at Stampley’s. They show just what an amazing job you did.”
“It was just another day on the job. You do know I do flowers for a living right?” Austin says smiling at his little brother. “I am actually thinking of talking to Jack about buying Stampley’s. These will definitely help win him over.”
“Austin, that would be great! How long have you been thinking about this?” Amelia asks with so much excitement for her son.
“I sat around the wedding before the guests arrived and it just kinda hit me. I love doing this and have been for so long that I needed to take the next step. I am planning on talking to Jack about it soon. Do you really think it is a good idea?” Austin asks of his family members present.
“Of course we do! You did such a wonderful job with our wedding flowers and I have seen those you have done other places. You have a gift and you should secure it because Jack won’t be around forever.” Karlie says squeezing Austin’s arm from beside him.
“She’s absolutely right Austin. You know what you are doing and what you want to do for the rest of your life. Go for it. We all know Jack wouldn’t want anyone else to take over the nursery.” Amelia says smiling at her sons and daughter in law.
***
“The wedding was beautiful, Jack. I wish you could have seen it in person.” Austin says to his boss and owner of Stampley’s Nursery where he worked while showing him photos from the wedding. “All of the flowers we did just made it more beautiful.”
“I am so proud of what you did Austin. I have heard nothing but wonderful feedback from those that attended last week.” Jack says to Austin. “You really are the best part of the nursery now that I am an old man.”
“I was wondering what you thought about me buying it from you.” Austin asks not sure how Jack would take it. “You have been gone so much lately anyways that it might be a relief to you.”
“Austin, are you sure you would want the burden of it all on your shoulders? You are a young man and need to find a nice girl to settle down with and start a family.”
“All I know is this nursery, Jack. I have worked here since I was young. I love this place already as if it were my own. You have taught me everything I know and wouldn’t know what to do if I wasn’t coming here every day.”
“Your brother just married that Doone girl and is happily in love. Don’t you want to find a girl to marry too? You aren’t getting any younger.”
“Easier said than done Jack. I would love to find a girl and settle down, but I just haven’t found her yet.” Austin says shaking his head knowing Jack will keep this subject up if he didn’t find something to change it. “Don’t you think I have been looking all these years?”
“What about Leah?”
“Your granddaughter? She hasn’t been back here in years, why would you even bring her up?” Austin asks confused. He hadn’t thought of Leah in years.
“I always thought you two would get together and make me a proud great-grandfather!”
“I’m sorry to burst your bubble or smash your lovely dream there Jack, but Leah and I don’t even know each other that well and I haven’t seen her in years. That is out of the question. Sorry old man.”
“We will see about that young man.” Jack whispers to himself and smiles while following Austin into the office.
Down to the Creek- Book 1 of the Colvin Series Page 16