by Ava Wood
“Talia.” Landon saw her smile, but he could sense the nerves behind it. This wasn’t a place she was used to frequenting.
“Well, make yourselves at home. Mary will be in later if you’re still around. I know she’d love to see ya.” He smiled brightly as he placed two beers on the bar and walked away.
“Who’s Mary?” Talia looked up at Landon.
“Mary is Joey’s wife. She was like a mother to me after…” He looked at Talia and decided they should sit down before he started spilling the gruesome details of his past. He took her hand and uttered, “Let’s grab a table.”
“Are you okay?”
He knew she was reading him like a book. “When I’m with you, everything is perfect.” He kissed her hand and led her to a table in the back of the hall, far away from prying ears. “I brought you here because I wanted to tell you about my past. I feel like what’s between us really means something and I feel it wouldn’t be fair to go on without you knowing where I come from.”
“Okay.” Her response came off more as a question.
“I started coming here shortly after my mom died.” He saw shock spreading like wildfire across her face. “She was the most beautiful woman I knew until I met you.” He folded his hands on the table in front of him, trying to put the words in order. “I was in high school when Joey took me in, even knowing I wasn’t legally old enough to be here, but wanting to help out a kid desperately in need. I’d come in all alone, not knowing where else to turn. The neon sign out front just called to me.” Landon paused, remembering that first night he stopped in. He softly chuckled, remembering how Joey reacted to him.
“When I first showed up here, I showed him a terrible fake ID. He took one look at it and threw it at me. There was no way he didn’t know it was a fake, but I guess he saw something in me and he let me stay. I started coming in every night to get away from my father.” He hated mentioning his father. This wasn’t supposed to be about his dad. This was about explaining to Talia why he chose the path he had taken and what made him who he is today. “I kept coming here for nine years, every weekend. Joey and Mary became my family as I gambled my way through pool game after pool game and constantly broke women’s hearts. I didn’t want to even consider making room for another woman after my mom.”
Talia took that moment to reach across the table and grasp his hand.
“When my father got remarried and then quickly divorced, things got worse for him. I was technically still living at home and commuting to college so I could take care of him. I tried to bury myself in my studies, but most night’s my dad was really belligerent, so I would return here for some solace. It was a tough time, but this place got me through every bit.” He stopped momentarily, mustering the courage for what came next; how his father lost everything to wife number two; how he was living here in a storage room in back, working for pennies when he met Ethan; how he was searching for a way to take care of his dad while struggling through college and eventually dropping out for a bigger paycheck; how he used women for one night of companionship. He had to tell her all of it. He was just about to continue when Talia’s phone rang.
She pulled her phone from her jacket pocket and looked up at Landon apologetically. “It’s Sara.” She silenced the phone and put it back in her pocket. “I’m not going to answer it.”
“Are you sure?” He watched her pull her phone back out of her pocket and set it on the table.
“She knows I’m with you. She shouldn’t have called.”
Landon was preparing to continue, but Talia kept looking at her phone. She was evidently conflicted with ignoring her sister’s call. “Talia, just call her back.”
“No. It’s fine.” She shoved the phone back in her pocket and looked back at Landon. Before he said anything, her phone began to buzz again. Talia rolled her eyes, but pulled her phone out of her pocket again. She stared at the readout as her eyes widened. “Shit.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The cooler went out. I’m sorry. I have to call her.”
Landon nodded. He knew how important the shop was to her. “It’s fine. Let’s go outside.” He grabbed Talia’s jacket off of the back of her chair and followed her out as she dialed.
“What happened?” Talia clearly didn’t have time for pleasantries. “Shit. I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
Landon’s heart sank. He hadn’t gotten to tell her anything of real consequence and now his time was up. “What’s going on?”
“Sara said when she was closing up, she noticed quite a few flowers inside the cooler wilted and when she walked inside, it was warmer than it should’ve been. She said a breaker must have tripped, but the damage is already done. I need to get back and take care of this. I’m so sorry.”
Landon pulled the helmet from his bike and handed it to her. “I understand. Your business means a lot to you. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I kept you from something that you’ve worked so hard for.” He jumped back on the bike and took Talia home.
Chapter 11
Heart by Heart
Talia jumped off the bike and ran into the shop. She’d been worried about how much damage awaited her when she finally returned. She couldn’t afford a catastrophe, even with insurance. She had two huge weddings in two days and if all of those flowers were lost, it would take a huge chunk of her savings to replace them. When she bolted through the door, she found Sara sitting on the workroom floor covered in sweat. “How bad is it?” She heard Landon come in behind her as she began to survey the damage.
“We lost all of the lavender roses and blue hydrangeas as well as most of the sweet pea and Queen Anne’s lace.”
Talia stepped over Sara and walked into the cooler to get a better look. She grabbed a clipboard just inside the cooler door and began taking notes. Before long, Sara had joined her inside. “Did you call the wholesaler?”
“Yeah.”
“How long do you think it was off?” Talia was scribbling notes as she talked.
“I’m not sure. I think it must have gone out around the time you left.” Sara leaned next to the cooler door looking crushed. “I’m so sorry, Talia.”
“It’s not your fault. I should’ve been here. I’m sorry.” Talia finished up her notes and left the cooler, leaving Sara standing inside. She dug around in the file cabinet beneath the sales counter and began rifling through files of contacts and information. When she saw Landon’s feet out of the corner of her eye, she stood up in front of him. “You might as well head out for the night. I’m going to be swamped here for a while taking care of this.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“No. It’s all a lot of insurance bullshit now. I need to handle this on my own.” She kissed Landon quickly. “I’m sorry I ruined the evening.”
“You didn’t ruin it.” He held Talia in his arms, rubbing her back.
“You’re really too good for me.” She kissed him on the cheek and sent him away. As he walked out, Sara entered the room smirking. “What’s that look for?”
“Nothing.”
Talia rolled her eyes and returned to searching for the insurance claim forms.
“I called an electrician to figure out what’s going on. He’ll be here first thing in the morning.” Sara quieted, but stood fidgeting in front of her. “And, Talia?”
Talia didn’t like the tone of Sara’s voice. “What, Sara?”
“I called Mason.”
“You did what?” Talia dropped everything to reproach her sister.
“You didn’t answer and I didn’t know what else to do. He said he’d be here in an hour to help with the insurance claims.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Talia pounded out a text on her phone.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m telling him to stay away. I can take care of this on my own.” She pushed past Sara and returned to the backroom with the insurance forms in her hands.
“I’m sorry, Tal. I know how important this p
lace is to you and I did the first thing that came to mind when I couldn’t get a hold of you. He knows all about the business. He’s helped with the claims before.” When Talia didn’t look at her sister, Sara pulled her arm, forcing them face to face. “Please, Talia. I was just trying to help.”
“Calling Mason is the farthest thing from helping you could have possibly done. Just go home. I’ll take care of it from here.”
“I’m sorry, Talia. Really.”
“Just go home.”
When Sara was gone, Talia’s phone began buzzing in her pocket. It was a text from Mason.
I’m here if you need my help.
Talia rolled her eyes. Hearing from him just made the night that much worse. She forced herself into fixing the mess she was in and forgetting that Mason was back in her life, if only briefly.
Things had finally settled down at the flower shop since the insurance money had come through, but Talia seemed to be pulling away from Landon. Things were still great in the bedroom, but everywhere else, Talia was distant. She wouldn’t talk to him about anything outside of how he made her feel. She hadn’t even mentioned their trip to the pool hall and it was draining him emotionally. He wanted to get things back to where he and Talia were before the cooler fiasco. He needed to get her away and show her who he was and where he came from. He hoped it would help her open up. She seemed so stressed the last couple of weeks, but now that things were finally slowing down, he hoped he could whisk her away for the evening to clear her head.
After his final delivery of the day, he cleared an evening getaway for Talia with the girls, much to their apprehension. When Talia returned from a business meeting, Landon pulled her aside to spring his plans on her. “I’m done for the day.”
“Uh-huh.” Talia was busy storing folders in the filing cabinet.
“I thought maybe we could go for a ride.” Landon stood beside her, waiting for her to show some sort of response.
“Uh-huh.” She continued to deposit files, not really accepting Landon’s proposal.
“Talia?”
“What?” Talia finally turned to acknowledge Landon. “Oh, Landon, I’m sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
“I’ve noticed.”
She put her hand alongside his neck and leaned her forehead against his chest. “I really need a break. Ugh.” She stood up, staring back at him.
“Then let’s go.” He took her hand, urging her on.
“Landon! You know I can’t leave. The shop doesn’t close for another hour.”
“And the girls are all here working hard. I’m sure they will do a great job managing without you.”
“But what if Izzy doesn’t know how much to charge for an order?” Talia looked frantically to the front room.
“I’m sure Sara can help her out.”
“What if the computer freezes up?”
“Reina said she’d handle it.”
“But, what if…”
“Talia, the girls have been working with you here for years. If they don’t know how to run things by now, I think you need to hire new staff.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re right.”
“I know.” Landon smirked at her. “So let’s go. We’ll be back later tonight, I promise.” He tucked a stray hair behind her ear, staring deep in her eyes, praying she’d concur.
Talia laughed then finally responded, “Okay. Just let me grab my jacket.”
Landon nodded and watched her run upstairs to get her jacket from the apartment. When she returned downstairs, her hair was tied tight behind her head and a huge grin was on her face. Landon nodded to the girls in the shop before he escorted Talia out the back door.
“So where are we going?” Talia looked absolutely giddy.
“It’s a surprise.” He climbed on his motorcycle and didn’t say any more as she climbed on behind him. When her helmet was strapped on and she was tucked close behind him, he took off, taking them somewhere he hadn’t been in years.
“Where are we going?” Talia sounded mystified as Landon drove toward Highway 75.
“I told you, it’s a surprise. Just be patient.” He was smiling as they journeyed north. He had a present waiting for her and he couldn’t wait to see her reaction, having put so much thought into it. He just hoped she loved it. They drove the rest of the way in silence, Talia leaning against him with her head resting on his shoulder. He loved the way she fit him so perfectly. He couldn’t believe he’d gotten so lucky to have her placed in his life.
When the Harley slowed in front of the bike shop, Talia sat frozen. “What are we doing here?” Disbelief echoed in her voice.
“You’ll see.” He waited for her to get off the bike, but she didn’t budge. “Come on, Talia. This is a good surprise, I promise.”
She finally stood up from the bike, waiting for Landon to join her. When he’d taken the helmet from her head and placed it on his mirror, he took her hand and led her inside. “Landon, please tell me why we’re here.”
He smiled, but didn’t say a word. They headed straight for the service counter and Landon gave his name for pickup. The clerk disappeared behind swinging doors and returned with a box in his hands. “It just came in this morning.”
Landon used his keys to cut the tape on the box and pushed it in front of Talia. “Check it out.”
She stared resolutely at Landon.
“Come on, Petal.” He used the name hoping to persuade her. He was pleased when she finally lifted the flaps and peeked inside.
“Landon,” she gasped. She reached inside and pulled the cellophane-covered half-helmet out. She ripped the plastic free and stared in awe. “It’s beautiful.”
He had ordered the helmet after the cooler nightmare, selecting the custom paint job just for her. A blue rose was beautifully painted on either side. Beneath it lay a single petal with razor edges, giving a sense of strength beyond the petals still attached above it. It was the most nerve-wracking part of the whole ordeal, symbolizing the strength he saw in his Petal. He’d hoped she would love it since he’d designed it just for her. “I wanted something that fit who you were, but it had to have just the right amount of bad ass.” He grinned when she looked up at him.
“It’s perfect. I love it.” She kissed him on the cheek and held the helmet close to her. “Just the right amount of bad ass.”
Landon beamed with pride as he waved at the clerk. “Thanks, man.”
Talia was glowing all the way back to Landon’s bike. She still clutched the helmet tightly in her arms while Landon led her out with his arm wrapped around her. “I can’t believe you bought me a helmet.”
“It seemed like a good idea, since you’ve taken ownership of mine.”
When they were outside, Talia took one more look at the helmet before strapping it on. With it secure, a brilliant smile spread clear across her face.
“You really like it, don’t you?”
“I really do.”
Landon breathed a sigh of relief and took Talia on to their next destination.
Green grassy fields passed by as Landon neared the surprise destination. It’d been years since he’d been back and he struggled to find the location, navigating through miles of new development. He’d hoped the city hadn’t expanded this far north, but the outskirts of the Dallas suburbs were fast becoming one large continuation of the booming city. When his old wrought-iron fence came into view, he slowed his bike, taking a deep breath as he neared the main gate.
“Where are we?” It was the first question Talia had asked since they left the bike shop.
Landon didn’t say anything as he stopped the bike several yards from the entrance. “Hop off.”
Talia harrumphed when Landon didn’t answer her question, but she did as he asked.
He tucked the bike behind a tree, where it was hidden from passersby. “Come on.” He took her hand and walked to the front gate, stopping at the security keypad.
“Landon, what’s going on?”
Optimistically, he
typed in his old security code, remembering how flighty his ex-step-mother was, and delighted when the gate swung open. “Come on,” he said again when Talia stood frozen outside the gate. He tugged her hand and pulled her inside before it started to swing closed again. Once just inside the gate, it closed behind them and Talia froze, refusing to move any farther.
“I’m not taking another step until you tell me what we’re doing.”
“I wanted to show you this.” Landon gestured to the surrounding pasture and the buildings in the distance.
“What is this?”
“This is Bar H Ranch. This is where I grew up.” Landon watched as Talia stared at him, astonished. “I haven’t been here in nearly twelve years.”
“What? Why not?” Talia’s eyes shot open.
Landon hesitated to answer, afraid of what Talia’s reaction would be. “Technically, the house doesn’t belong to my family anymore.”
“What do you mean, technically?” She pulled away from him anxiously.
“The house belonged to my father until his divorce. My dad was so distraught during the proceedings, he allowed his ex-wife to take everything, including his soul.” Landon waited for her response, hoping she didn’t want to turn and run.
“His ex-wife? And she knows we’re here?”
Landon shook his head grimly. “I haven’t talked to her in years, but I know she’s been out of the country. She travels overseas frequently since she has every last dime my father worked for.”
Talia glanced at him momentarily before stating, “I’m not sure about this.”
He gently took her hand in his, staring fervently into her eyes. “Please, Talia. This is as much for you as it is for me. You’ll understand soon enough if you can just do this with me.”