by Cindy Kirk
“Not until you’re ready.” Lindsay closed her hand around his.
Owen nodded and slipped an arm around her shoulders. “I saw you speaking with Madame Gitana after the reveal. Looked like a rather intense conversation.”
Bright patches of pink dotted Lindsay’s cheeks. “We were talking babies.”
Owen raised a brow. “Did you tell her about ours?”
“She already knew.”
“Eliza must have told her.”
Lindsay shook her head. “Eliza wouldn’t tell anyone without my permission. Gladys also knew we’re having a girl.”
“Maybe the woman really does have a third eye.” Owen chuckled as if he’d made a joke.
“She mentioned Mindy.”
Owen inclined his head.
“She told me”—Lindsay cleared her throat—“that Mindy loves rose petals.”
The tension that had gripped Owen eased. “Everyone in Good Hope knows pink roses were Mindy’s favorite flower.”
“Gladys said that, just like coins, finding rose petals can be a sign that a loved one is watching over you.” Lindsay spoke quickly, as if afraid he’d interrupt. “Apparently, petals can seem to point you in the right direction.”
“I don’t believe in this kind of stuff.” Owen’s voice sounded harsh and unyielding, even to his own ears. He took a breath and let it out slowly. “I wish Gladys had seen Mindy and that my daughter might try to communicate with me. But I learned long ago that wishing for something doesn’t make it so.”
They continued to swing back and forth in silence, the darkness closing in around them.
Petals can point you in the right direction.
The words kept circling in Owen’s head. What was the right direction? He’d thought he and Lindsay were moving in the right direction, but now he feared he’d taken a wrong turn.
Sleeping with Lindsay had been a mistake. It had brought all those feelings for her that he’d suppressed to the surface.
Owen would be there for her and their daughter, but the pain he’d felt at the cemetery had been a potent reminder. He couldn’t survive losing someone he loved again.
Twenty-Six
“I love the energy.” Lindsay breathed deep, as if attempting to inhale the festive atmosphere in the town square.
Owen had stopped by her booth and asked if she wanted to walk with him to the church for the opening of Mindy’s Closet. While part of him wanted her at his side, another part wished he was alone.
All around them, residents of Good Hope shopped at stands of fresh vegetables and fruits. With Halloween fast approaching, there was an abundance of pumpkins, gourds and cornstalks.
Even in inclement weather, the farmers’ market was a draw. Today, with sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures hovering near fifty, tourists and year-round residents flooded the town square.
The laughter and conversation scraped against Owen’s raw nerves. As Lindsay finished giving Izzie last-minute instructions, Owen made sure not to let his irritation show.
“Your booth looks nice.” He’d spent last evening helping Lindsay put together a collage of her fall collection—bouquets featuring sunflowers and pumpkins that sprouted mums in autumn hues. There was even a centerpiece with cattails and pheasant feathers.
“I wish I could set out the arrangements. But forty-eight is too cold for fresh flowers.” Lindsay’s lips lifted in a rueful smile. “Still, a lot of people are entering the drawing, so that’s a positive.”
Lindsay had decided that everyone who subscribed to her mailing list by dropping a business card or piece of paper with their name and email address into the glass bowl would be entered to win one of the arrangements.
She heaved a sigh. “I wish I’d had more time to push the wedding business.”
“When I walked up, there was a woman and her daughter flipping through the book.” Owen pointed to the table where, even now, two young women were intently studying the pictures. “The blonde already put a coupon in her purse.”
Last night, Lindsay had showed him the book she’d compiled. It contained photos of past wedding bouquets and arrangements, along with a price sheet and a coupon for twenty-five percent off for any wedding floral arrangements booked by the end of the year.
Owen was amazed at all she’d accomplished in such a short time. Earlier this week, she’d approached her nephew, as well as local artist Izzie Deshler, with a proposed business arrangement.
In order to compete with the Enchanted Florist, Lindsay had decided she needed to offer more than floral arrangements. Joining forces with local artists was a first step.
Which was why the three were sharing time in today’s booth. In a nod to the season, there were gourds painted with quirky scarecrows and black cats, as well as elegant ones with hand-carved autumn leaves. Orange pumpkins sported scary or funny faces, while white pumpkins were festooned with sequins and fur.
“The pumpkins and gourds are a big hit.” Owen shook his head. “On my way to your booth, I ran into Cory White. He had three of your pumpkins in his arms.”
“What can I say? Izzie and K.T. are übertalented.” Lindsay’s eyes sparkled as if she found as much pleasure in their success as her own. “Eliza is cool with us adding unique art to my corner of her store. Though she’s not charging me rent, once I’m on my feet, I’ll pay her for use of the space.”
“What about the wedding stuff?”
“I have exciting news on that front.” Lindsay’s face lit up. “You know Piper Ambrose.”
“Of course.” He smiled, finding her excitement contagious.
“She and I reached an agreement this morning. I’m going to base my wedding business out of her store. Piper wants to make Swoon a one-stop shop for brides. Bringing my business under her roof is a first step.”
“You’ll work for her?”
“I’ll be an independent contractor and pay rent on the space I utilize. She wanted a percentage of my profits, but I told her that was a deal-breaker.”
Owen’s head spun at the thought of how many irons Lindsay now had in the fire. He wondered when she planned to sleep, or take care of herself and their child. “Don’t forget you’re having a baby.”
Lindsay’s feet came to an abrupt stop. She narrowed her gaze and studied him with unblinking, blue eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just be careful not to overcommit.” Owen recalled those first couple of years after Mindy’s birth when sleep became a luxury. A baby’s schedule was exhausting. “I have to hand it to Tessa. Though she still carried a full load at school, she made sure not to take on any unnecessary, additional projects.”
Lindsay stiffened, and her eyes turned cool. “Good for her. But unlike your ex-wife, I have to support myself.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Baby stuff is expensive.”
“I’ll take care—”
“No.” Lindsay spoke the word through gritted teeth. “While I appreciate you doing your part, I have to be able to do my part, too.”
“You don’t have to—”
“We’re not married, Owen,” she snapped. Closing her eyes for a second, she inhaled deeply. “I’m sorry. There’s no need for rudeness.”
He met her troubled gaze and wondered how to make her see that a baby—their baby—would need time more than stuff. If she’d only let him shoulder more of the load. “We could marry. My offer is still on the table.”
Lindsay shook her head. “I—"
“Why are you standing here?” Fin called to Owen as she hurried over. She gestured to the side entrance of the church where a large crowd gathered. “I need you up front. We’re ready to begin.”
“My fault.” Lindsay lifted a hand. “I distracted him by talking about my new business.”
“Which is going to be a smashing success.” Fin spoke as if that was a given. “I want to hear all about it. But not now.”
With a resigned sigh, Owen followed Fin to the front of the crowd where Dan stoo
d. Along the way, Lindsay broke off to speak with Eliza and Ami.
Owen hoped Lindsay wasn’t angry with him. But darn it, he’d built a business from the ground floor. He knew the time involved. The last thing he wanted was for her to bite off too much, too fast. He still regretted spending so many hours away from his wife and daughter in those early years.
When he saw the white sign fastened to the side of the church, Owen forgot all about Lindsay.
The hot pink lettering read “Mindy’s Closet.” Izzie—he recognized her work—had dotted the “i” in Mindy’s name with a sparkly pink flower.
Owen was thankful the minister and Fin were slated to speak first. At the moment, he didn’t think he’d be able to choke out a single word.
He took a steadying breath while Dan spoke about Good Hope’s neighbors-helping-neighbors mentality. The minister gestured widely with one hand to those assembled and said how proud he was to live in a community where, once a need was identified, the citizens rose to meet that need.
“Fin Rakes would like to say a few words about why this particular project holds a special place in her heart.” The minister handed Fin the microphone.
Standing tall, and looking every inch the PR executive she’d once been, Fin surveyed her audience. As if understanding an expensive, tailored suit would have been out of place in a group composed primarily of citizens who’d fallen on hard times, she’d dressed simply. Under a long, open-front cardigan that fell to her knees, Fin wore a skirt the color of merlot with a tan sweater and boots.
“The pastor did an excellent job giving you the background on this project. I’m here to put a face to the effort.” As she continued to speak, the brightness in Fin’s smile dimmed.
Owen clenched and unclenched his hands, knowing what was coming.
“I want to take a few minutes to tell you about Mindy Vaughn.” Fin glanced at Owen for the briefest of seconds. “I became acquainted with eight-year-old Mindy when I was back in Good Hope for a visit. Under the program Your Wish Fulfilled, Mindy—who suffered from an inoperable brain tumor—had requested an early Christmas. I had the privilege of helping make that happen at Rakes Farm.”
Jeremy stood near the front. When Fin’s voice faltered, he offered his wife an encouraging smile.
Fin cleared her throat. “I fell in love with Mindy. Despite her circumstance, she radiated joy. She loved life and she loved people—old, young, in-between, it didn’t matter. Mindy was a good friend, a loving daughter and a caring citizen of Good Hope.”
Off to the left, Brynn began to cry. Hadley tugged her close while her father stroked her hair.
Owen gritted his teeth.
“That’s why, when we were thinking of what to name this project, Dan and I agreed we had to involve Mindy.” Fin’s lips trembled before she firmed them. “She was a girl who would offer a bright smile even when she was hurting and who would give you the clothes off her back. Mindy’s Closet. The name fits.”
Fin waited for the applause to die down, then motioned to Owen. “Owen Vaughn, Mindy’s father, is here with us. We’ve asked him to say a few words.”
Owen took the microphone from Fin. She’d assured him he didn’t need to talk long, and he was holding her to that promise. “My daughter would be proud to have her name on something that represents the best of Good Hope. She would be exceedingly pleased with the pink lettering on the sign.”
Laughter rumbled through the audience.
“Thank you for honoring my daughter in this way.” Owen paused, not for effect, but to regain his composure. “It means a lot to me.”
He thrust the microphone back into Fin’s hand and stepped back to applause. His heart hammered as the doors behind him were flung open.
He moved to the side as the crowd surged forward.
Owen jerked at the touch on his arm, but relaxed when he saw it was Lindsay.
“That was lovely.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t say much.”
“What you said was lovely and just enough.”
He glanced in the direction of the door. “I suppose we should go in.”
“I don’t believe that’s necessary.”
Hope tap-danced across his heart. “You don’t?”
“You did your part.” Her hand stroked his arm. “Why don’t we go for a short walk, breathe in the fresh air?”
He gave a little laugh. “Do I look that bad?”
“You look like you could use a walk.” Lindsay slipped her arm through his. “With a friend.”
The first thing Lindsay noticed when she stepped into First Christian for the wedding of David Chapin and Hadley Newhouse were the flowers.
Lindsay tightened her fingers around Owen’s suit sleeve and inhaled the pungent scent of evergreen and the sweet smell of roses. “It looks and smells wonderful in here.”
Owen said nothing.
Lindsay pretended not to notice. Ever since the opening of Mindy’s Closet earlier this afternoon, Owen had been unusually quiet. His somber mood had continued when he picked her up for the wedding.
Lindsay studied the ends of the pews decorated with tulle and white roses interspersed with evergreen and baby’s breath. It was a lovely arrangement. At the front of the church were two pedestals with huge bouquets of white roses.
Max, Ami’s brother-in-law and one of the ushers, offered Lindsay his arm. He wore a gray tux with a deep royal blue tie. His normally unruly blond hair was perfectly groomed.
Lindsay slipped her hand into his. “You look very handsome tonight, Mr. Brody.”
The accountant grinned. “I was about to say the same to you, Ms. Lohmeier. Except, I’d substitute lovely for handsome.”
“The church is beautiful.” Lindsay’s gaze swept the interior that was already nearly full. “I didn’t expect this many people. For some reason, I thought Hadley wanted small and intimate.”
“I expected a crowd.” Max lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “She and David have lots of friends in Good Hope.”
Lindsay wondered briefly how it would be if she got married, then shoved the thought aside as of no consequence.
When Max stopped halfway down the aisle, she slid into the pew and Owen slipped in next to her. He’d barely settled into his seat at the end of the pew when he frowned at the floor.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered.
When he didn’t respond, she followed the direction of his gaze. She inhaled sharply. At his feet was a single pink rose petal. Undoubtedly from last night’s rehearsal, although it seemed strange they’d use real petals for a rehearsal.
Lindsay remembered the pink ones Mindy had tossed at Fin’s wedding and knew Owen must be making the same connection. She wrapped her hand around Owen’s bicep and found the muscles rock hard. She longed to comfort and soothe, but didn’t know what to say.
The music shifted.
Owen’s gaze was now focused straight ahead.
Lindsay shifted in the pew to watch Lynn Chapin Bloom glide gracefully down the aisle. Resplendent in a silver lace jacket dress with a scalloped hem, David’s mother continued to the front of the aisle.
Once she’d taken a seat in the first row, David appeared at the front. He looked incredibly handsome and more than a little nervous. No, Lindsay corrected, not nervous. Eager.
Shifting her attention to the back of the church, Lindsay saw David’s sister, Greer, and Beck begin their trip down the aisle. Greer’s dark hair was the perfect foil for her cocktail-length dress in royal blue.
The dress, a floral stretch lace over a smooth, soft, stretch jersey fabric, flattered Greer’s trim figure. But Lindsay knew one of the big selling points for Hadley had been that the dress came in a maternity style for Ami.
Once the two were at the front, it was Clay and Ami’s turn to make the trek as best man and matron of honor.
Lindsay hadn’t believed the tension in Owen’s arm could grow any tighter, but as David’s brother and Ami neared the front, the muscles turned to granite.
Apparently, like her, Owen had attended enough weddings to know what—or rather, who—came next.
As Hadley and David had elected to forgo a ring bearer, Brynn walked the aisle alone. Her white lace dress sported a tulle skirt and a royal blue satin sash. She carried a satin basket filled with rose petals.
Lindsay hid a smile. She could almost hear the child counting in her head in order not to rush. With each step, Brynn flung white petals onto the aisle in front of her.
As the child passed their pew, Lindsay’s gaze was once again drawn to the perfect petal at Owen’s feet.
For a second, she considered asking if seeing the petal gave Owen comfort. The grim look on his face and tightly clenched jaw had Lindsay swallowing the question.
As soon as Brynn reached the front, the child rushed to her father.
David bent and gave his daughter a hug. Whatever he whispered in her ear had Brynn nodding and smiling before skipping to sit beside her grandmother.
The music changed again, and everyone rose to their feet.
Hadley stood at the back of the church. From her wedding-competition days, Lindsay recognized the dress as an off-the-shoulder mermaid lace. The beautiful baker wore no veil. Instead, Marigold had fashioned Hadley’s hair into a braided-crown style and woven baby’s breath through the blond strands.
Her bouquet held blue and white roses with baby’s breath and greenery. The stems had been wrapped in lace ribbon that was tied in a bow. Lindsay could practically guarantee that Shirley, rather than one of the twins, had designed the gorgeous bouquet.
As Hadley’s father had died years ago, it was Steve Bloom, David’s stepfather, who offered his arm to Hadley.
The bride paused for an instant, her gaze searching the front of the church. When she found her groom, Hadley let her lips curve in a slow smile.
Lindsay’s heart swelled at the look in David’s eyes. It was all there. The promise. The trust. Most of all, the love.
Blinking rapidly, Lindsay cleared the tears that wanted to fall.
This wedding had come at just the right time, Lindsay thought as she watched Hadley walk down the aisle to join her life with the man she loved. It was a reminder to hold fast to what you knew was right.