Jorja shot a dirty look her way. “That’s disrespectful.”
“I was making a joke,” Anna Rose defended herself.
Jorja stuck her nose in the air. “Well, it’s not funny.”
Here we go,Taryn thought as she looked up at the clock.Less than ten minutes into the morning, and they’re already arguing.
The bell above the door rang, and Jorja slid off her stool and headed toward the front room of the shop with Anna Rose right behind her.
“I can take care of the customer,” Jorja snapped.
“There are two customers. I heard two car doors slam.” Anna Rose’s tone was even colder than Jorja’s. “Maybe one of them will order something other than pink. And besides, not everyone that comes in here needs you to preach at them.”
“Well, you shouldn’t tell them that you’ll meet them at the bar on Saturday night, either,” Jorja hissed under her breath.
“Aren’t you the peacemaker?” Clinton whispered.
“Not anymore,” Taryn told him. “I’m tired of it. I’m only supposed to call Nana Irene if there’s blood or broken bones—her words, not mine. They’re grown women. They can hate each other or make up and act like cousins. I’m tired of being the go-between for them.”
He kept working on the casket piece. “Miz Irene told me that the three of you didn’t get along, but that Anna Rose and Jorja particularly don’t like each other.”
“What else did she tell you?” Taryn asked.
“You are the oldest. Anna Rose is next, and Jorja is the baby of the group. Anna Rose likes to party. Jorja likes to pray. And you are the peacemaker. What did she tell you about me?”
“That she had hired someone to deliver flowers on a part-time basis and that you were a veteran. I learned today that you are living in the apartment above the shop, and that I have to live withthosetwoin the trailer out back, with Anna Rose trying to loosen up Jorja and Jorja trying to save, sanctify, and dehorn Anna Rose,” Taryn said as she finished her arrangement and set it to the side. “That’s all I know. How long were you in the service, and what branch?”
“Air force—ten years,” Clinton answered. “I finished up two years of college before I enlisted and almost finished the second enlistment before I got a medical discharge.”
“I only did one tour of duty, also air force,” Taryn said. “Coming back takes some adjustment. I hated all the rules and regulations. How about you?”
“I didn’t mind the regs, but coming back to civilian life was a big adjustment,” Clinton said.
“More pink,” Anna Rose said with a groan when she sat back down on her stool. “And not even for the funeral. I’ve got to make a vase with sixteen pink roses for a birthday and deliver it before noon to McDonald’s, where the girl works.”
“Do we have that many roses left?” Clinton asked.
Jorja took four white roses from the cooler. “Looks like there’s about two dozen.”
“We should be good until tomorrow, then. I’ll deliver what we have made up and the casket piece as soon as I get it finished, and then I’ll order another two dozen to be brought in on Wednesday morning,” Clinton said. “We’ll have a few last-minute orders for the funeral. Y’all want me to pick up lunch from McDonald’s while I’m out making the deliveries?”
“Double cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate shake,” Anna Rose said as she counted roses in the cooler and whipped around to glare at Jorja. “You said there was two dozen. There’s only sixteen. We’ll be out after I make this bouquet.”
“Count your blessings,” Jorja hissed. “You’re lucky we’ve got that many, after all the orders we’ve had for Leona. She was so well liked in town that everyone wants to send something.”
“Enough!” Taryn said, raising her voice. “We’re all either thirty or looking it right in the eye!” She shot a look toward Jorja. “Act like adults, not bickering teenagers.”
Jorja stuck her nose in the air and looked down at Taryn. “Why are you looking at me? Anna Rose started it—and I can see you haven’t changed much. I’ll have to say an extra prayer for you that you get your temper under control.”
“I’ll need some help loading and delivering this,” Clinton said. “I’m not so good at arranging the flowers and plants in the funeral home, so maybe you could go along with me and help, Taryn.”
“Why does she get to go?” Jorja asked. “I’m good at arranging things. I’ve taken care of the flowers for holidays at my church for the past five years.”
“Hey, wait a minute,” Anna Rose piped up. “I’ve put together more arrangements than you have this morning, so if anyone should get out of this place for an hour, it should be me.”
Clinton picked up the huge casket piece and headed toward the back door. “Because you two are still working on things that aren’t part of Leona’s funeral.”
Taryn could have given Clinton a hug right there in front of her cousins, God, and whoever else might be watching. She had always been the one who had to keep peace, so she surely did appreciate the help.
