A Arrangement for Rose

by Michelle Rene

  “You mean ex-husband.”

  “Whatever, I still care about her. Now get out of my way!”

  “You care for her? Seriously?” Alek raises his voice, followed by an indignant huff, “Like you cared for her when you were married? Last I knew cheating on the woman you are supposed to care about, kind of gives the opposite impression. But don’t worry, I’m loving her and taking care of her exactly as she deserves.”

  Todd doesn’t reply, or if he does, it’s low enough I can’t hear him. The next voice I hear is Alek’s.

  “I’ll let Rose know you stopped by, but don’t bother doing it again.”

  The front door closes and shortly after I hear a car door slam followed by an engine roaring to life.

  Footsteps ascend the stairs and Alek runs his hand through his thick dark hair when he sees me leaning against the wall.

  His eyes find mine as he blows out a frustrated breath, “Your ex-husband stopped by.”

  “I heard. Thank you for handling that.”

  His hands find my hips and he pulls me into his chest resting his chin atop my head. “My pleasure. I enjoy being your knight in shining armor.”

  I smile against his chest, “Well then, Sir Alek, how do you feel about carrying the laundry basket downstairs for me?”

  Alek steps back and performs a sweeping bow, “Anything for you, M'lady.”

  I follow Alek downstairs, and start the washing machine while he adds the detergent and the clothes. It’s still too early to start dinner, but the perfect time for me to do some rearranging upstairs so I can surprise Alek. He sits the basket on the floor and follows me out of the laundry room.

  “Do you mind if I get some practice in?”

  “Not at all. I have a few things to do upstairs anyway. Besides, I love to hear you play.”

  “Okay, nothing strenuous though,” he says, raising a brow at me.

  I smile as I raise up on my toes and kiss his lips, “I promise.”

  I hurry upstairs and walk back into my bedroom. I do a quick check, and decide to clean out the chest of drawers for Alek. Most of the items in the drawers, I can either transfer into the closet or donate since I haven’t worn it in a while.

  As I empty out the drawers I create two piles on the bed. The soft sounds of Alek’s violin drifts through the air. He’s already warmed up with the piece he was playing the night we met, and is now playing a Bach piece. When that one ends he begins to play one I don’t immediately recognize at first. As he plays I realize this is the piece he created, the one he said I inspired.

  Moments after the music ends, Alek walks into the bedroom. “What’s all this?”

  I know what he’s asking but I decide to play coy. “This pile is going in the closet, and that one I’m going to donate.”

  Alek steps farther into the room, “Okay, but where did it come from?”

  “Well I was sorting the laundry, and I realized that you didn’t have anywhere to put your clothes. I didn’t like the idea of you being here and still living out of a suitcase, so I cleaned out the chest for you to use.”

  He looks at the bed then back at me, “All of this was in the chest, and you cleaned it out for me?”

  I nod my head slowly, “It’s the least I could do with all you’ve done for me.” He continues to look at me, as if he still doesn’t understand and I’m beginning to second guess my decision. I begin to pace back and forth to the closet adding things to hangers as I begin to ramble. “If this is too much, you can keep using your suitcase. I was just trying to make you more comfortable. If you’d rather I can clean out the one in the spare room for you. Maybe I’m being too presumptuous that you even want to stay any longer than necessary. I mean our circumstances are a little unusual and you have a life and tour to get back to. I shouldn’t presume that…”

  I’m so inside my own head rambling, that I don’t notice Alek has blocked my path until I collide into him. Strong arms steady me then move to cup my face as his mouth descends on mine for a breath-stealing kiss.

  Ending the kiss, Alek pulls away smiling, “It’s perfect. And like I’ve told you before, I’m exactly where I want to be.”

  “Yeah?”

  His smile widens, “Yeah. Now how about I help you with the rest of this stuff?”

  “I’d like that.”

  Chapter 18

  Alek

  It’s been one month since Rose's fall and subsequent surgery. Her four week follow-up appointment shows she is progressing well, and that the shoulder fracture is almost completely healed. She no longer needs to wear the sling, and she has traded her traditional arm cast to a softer, though rigid version.

  The doctor has allowed her to return to work on limited duty, which means I too am spending time at the flower shop. Of course, unbeknownst to Rose, my role is twofold. Not only do I do the heavy lifting, I’m able to make sure her ex-husband doesn’t show up to harass her. He's left her alone since the day he stopped by the house, but I still don’t trust the guy not to show up and start trouble.

  I’m helping put away their weekly delivery when my phone rings. Fishing it out of my pocket, I see Vince's name on the display.

  “Take it,” Rose says from beside me. “I promise I won’t lift a finger.”

  I lean over and kiss her cheek and she smiles, “I won’t be long.”

  “Tell Vince I said hi,” she calls as I walk toward the door.

  I answer the call as I step out the back door. “Vince, what’s up?”

  “Just checking in on my favorite client. How’s everything going? How’s Rose doing?”

  I’ve spoken with Vince at least once a week since I left the tour, and kept him up to date on her recovery. And yet it still impresses me that he asks about her each time.

  “She’s good, almost a hundred percent. I’m helping her out at the flower shop today.”

  He chuckles through the phone, “Domesticated and doing manual labor. Who would have ever believed it?”

  “Laugh all you want, I’m enjoying every minute.”

  “I know you are, and I’m really happy for you.”

  Over the years Vince has become more of a friend than a manager, so I can recognize the sincerity in his voice. “Thanks Vince. And thanks for not pushing to reschedule the missed dates, even though I know we need to. I haven’t brought it up to Rose yet, but I will this week.”

  “Just let me know when you are thinking.”

  “Will do. There’s one more thing I want to run by you.”

  “Okay, what’s up?”

  “I’ve been working on some new pieces, and I was wondering if you could get me some studio time?”

  Vince is quiet for a beat, most likely shocked at my admission. “New pieces as in original compositions?”

  I smile at his question, “Yeah, I seem to have found my inspiration in the past few months.”

  “I’d say. It’s been nearly two years since you’ve written an original piece.”

  “Yeah, guess I just needed to find my muse.”

  “Yes you did. I’ll see what’s available as far as studio time and get back with you.”

  “Sounds good, thanks Vince.”

  “My pleasure. Say hi to Rose for me.”

  “Will do. Talk to you later.”

  I end the call, slide my phone back in my pocket and head back inside. Rose looks up as I come through the door.

  “How’s Vince?”

  “He’s good. He was happy to hear you're doing so well, said to tell you hi.”

  “That was sweet of him.” She glances up from the arrangement she’s creating, “Does he have anything scheduled for you?”

  I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, before kissing her temple. “Why are you trying to get rid of me?”

  “No, but I’m sure he’s chomping at the bit to reschedule the shows you missed.”

  I turn her in my arms and tilt her chin up so I can look in her eyes, “Yes, I do need to reschedule those dates, but Vince wor
ks for me and I get to decide when they get rescheduled. And that’s not going to be until you are either one hundred percent or can come with me. Okay?”

  She smiles softly at me, “Okay.” She wraps her arms around my waist drawing us closer together. “Just out of curiosity, where are these shows that need to be rescheduled?”

  I fight to hide my smile, loving the idea of her going with me. “Texas, California, Oregon, and Washington.”

  “I’ve never been to the west coast, it might be nice to visit before I jump back into work head first.”

  “Are you sure? I know you’ve been anxious to get back to work.”

  She gives a little shrug, “Only because that’s what I’m obligated to do. The girls have done an excellent job at handling things while I recovered so I’m sure they can handle it a while longer.”

  Her casualness at leaving the business in the hands of her employees surprises me a little. I tighten my arms around her, “Tell you what, I’ll have Vince feel out the venues and see what dates they have available and then after your final doctor appointment, we’ll get everything finalized.”

  “I like that plan,” she says with a smile. “Of course, I like any plan where I’m with you.”

  My lips softly brush across hers, “Me too.”

  The next week, during Vince’s check-in call, I give him the go ahead to schedule the shows I had to cancel.

  “Do you want me to schedule as usual?”

  In the past, I’ve travelled alone, driving from city to city staying a few days before moving on to the next show. This time I have Rose to consider, and while she’s already said she trusts her employee implicitly, I don’t want to keep her away from her home or business too long.

  “See what you can block together. Rose is just getting back to work, and I’d rather not keep her away more than two weeks at a time.”

  “Got it. Now about that studio time you wanted.”

  I take a seat at the dining room table, “What did you find out?”

  “I know you normally use a studio in New York, but I did find a couple that are closer to Charleston, if you’re interested.”

  “Yes, that would be great.” I grab a notepad and pen off the counter and write down the names of the studios so I can research them further.

  Vince and I talk a little while longer before ending the call. I’m scrolling through the site for one of the studios when Rose walks into the room.

  Seeing the notepad, she stops beside my chair. “What’s this?”

  I sit my phone down on the table, wrap my arm around her waist and pull her down into my lap. Rose automatically puts her arm around my neck and I reach up to kiss her before I explain.

  “Those are the names of a couple of, somewhat local recording studios.”

  She looks at the list and points to the first name, “Since this one has peach in its name, I’m guessing it’s in Georgia. Where’s this one located?”

  “You would be correct, that one is in Atlanta, the other is in Orlando.”

  “Have you used either one before?”

  I shake my head, “No, I usually record in New York.”

  Her brow furrows as she looks at me, “So why would you want to record somewhere new?”

  I smile as my hand cups her cheek. “So I can be closer to you.”

  She melts into my touch before leaning in to kiss me. “Alek, I love you, and I appreciate the consideration, but don’t change where you record or who you work with because of me.”

  This woman amazes me. I love the fact that she is so unpretentious and so considerate of those she loves.

  I tighten my arms around her waist, and nuzzle her neck, the whiskers of my beard tickling her delicate skin. “What if I’m not doing it for you? What if I’m doing it because I’m a selfish bastard that doesn’t want to be away from you?”

  Rose giggles while wrapping both of her arms around my neck as she teases in a dramatic voice. “Well then, that’s something entirely different and you should take me with you everywhere you go.”

  “That can definitely be arranged,” I promise as I stand with her in my arms and begin walking toward the stairs. “First stop on the tour, our bedroom at the top of the stairs.”

  Rose giggles before her lips find my neck, "I think I'm very much going to enjoy being part of this tour. Very much indeed," she says as I kick the door closed, ready to show her just how much I love her and this life we are creating together.

  Epilogue

  Rose

  One year later

  Sitting at my desk I go through the order line by line ensuring that I have everything entered before I hit send, when Janet pops her head through the doorway.

  “This is your final fifteen minute warning.”

  I laugh and shake my head, “You’ve been giving me warnings since the top of the hour, are you sure this is the last one?”

  Janet steps farther into the room hands on her hips. “Hey, don’t kill the messenger, I’m just doing as instructed.”

  I glance over at her and smile, “I know you are, and I love you for it.”

  I click send on the order and print the confirmation, before shutting down the program. “Finished, and I have ten minutes to spare.”

  “Great! Getting you out of here earlier will keep me in Alek's good graces,” she says as she hands me my purse from the desk drawer.

  I roll my eyes and tease, “Like you could ever get on his bad side.”

  Over the past year, Alek has spent as much time at the flower shop as I have. He insists on being here on delivery days to help lift and store items for us, and took it upon himself to hire a couple of high school boys to help out when he’s away. During that time, he’s also managed to charm all of my employees. And when it comes to organizing surprises for me, they are more than willing to do his bidding.

  I’m fairly certain he has something planned for tonight, but I’d never ruin his surprise. It means too much to me that he goes out of his way to make me feel special.

  “Are you going home to change?”

  I take my purse, dig out my keys and put it over my shoulder. “No, Alek insisted I could change at the venue, so he took everything with him when he headed over there.”

  My hand is on the doorknob when Janet stops me.

  “Don’t forget this.”

  She hands me the basket I still need to deliver, making me smile as I take it from her. “No, I wouldn’t want to do that.”

  She smiles as I open the door, “Have a great time tonight, I want to hear all about it tomorrow.”

  “Will do,” I reply as the door closes behind me.

  I unlock my car and place the basket in the back seat along with my purse, before climbing behind the wheel and starting the engine. I pull out of the parking lot and turn my car towards the performing arts center.

  As I drive across town, I think about how we’ve spent the past year. I’ve gone from being a divorcee trying to survive on her own to being in a committed relationship with a world-renowned violinist.

  Alek is amazing. Most days I still can’t believe that he tracked me down after his concert to ask me out. That first date turned into one of the best years of my life, although I could have survived without the broken arm. Then again, Alek and I might not be where we are now.

  Once the doctor cleared me, Alek had Vince reschedule the performances he missed. Taking my business and me into consideration, Alek insisted the shows be scheduled in three blocks over two months. Our trips to the west coast were incredible, and seeing Alek in full performance mode was a remarkable sight.

  Over Thanksgiving, Alek took me to Virginia to meet his family, which I immediately fell in love with. Since then, his parents have travelled to Charleston to visit and both his sister and sister in-law have begun texting me on a regular basis. I even did the “right thing” and introduced him to my mother on our way home from his parent’s.

  While I stay busy at the shop creating floral arrangements, Alek has written s
everal new musical arrangements of his own. It’s those new arrangements that we're celebrating tonight. Alek recently finished recording a new album and insisted that the first stop on his new tour be here, in Charleston, where we met.

  He often tells me that I’m his muse, and without me he’d just be a washed up has been. I don’t believe him, but it’s sweet of him to say.

  I catch a glimpse of the gift basket in the rearview mirror and smile. It’s an exact replica of the one I delivered to Alek the night we met.

  I pull into the parking lot of the performing arts center and drive around to the back entrance. I park my car and exit the vehicle. I open the back door to retrieve the basket and my purse, and tuck one final item into the basket. Closing the door, I click the lock and head for the performer’s entrance.

  I ring the bell and a moment later I’m greeted by Ben.

  “Evening Rose,” he says as he opens the door wider for me to step through. “I wondered what time you’d be showing up.”

  I smile as I turn to him, “I’m earlier than usual, had to give myself plenty of time to get dolled up before the show.”

  Ben laughs, he and Lola have been married for years so he understands. “Well I better not keep you then.”

  “Thanks. Dressing room number one?”

  Ben nods his head and chuckles, “Yes, ma’am.”

  I make my way down the hall, each step bringing me closer to the music I hear drifting on the air. I stand outside the door and just listen for a moment. It’s the same piece I first heard him play the night we met. I quietly open the door and place the basket on the table while I listen to him play. When he’s finished, he places his violin in its case and turns to me.

  In two long strides Alek is standing in front of me, hands resting on my hips, “Hello beautiful.”

  I roll my eyes at him as I wind my arms around his neck and look down at my work clothes, “Please, I’m a mess.”

  He smiles as he draws me closer, “But you’re my beautiful mess.”

  “That I am,” I whisper before his mouth captures mine.