Chapter
Thirty-Four
Iwas neck deep in dahlias the next morning, humming a happy little tune. I’d been too distracted by everything to keep up with orders, and Moira and the others had to take up the slack. This morning, I arrived two hours before opening to get set up and make some seasonal bouquets.
My Floromancy hummed in my veins, happy to be used in the way it felt natural. The flower heads stretched toward me, and I stroked the tips of their petals, sending a nutrient boost all the way down to the roots. I’d been remiss in communing with my land, remiss in shifting, and remiss in everything but my own self-pity.
So what if Caelan was lying to me? Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe the lie was small. Or maybe he really was after Thalia’s power. Would it be so bad to be selfish for a little while and stay with him because I wanted him? Because I loved him?
I set the handful of dahlias down and groaned.
Yes, it would be bad because I’d be going against my own morals, everything I stood against, everything I’d fought so hard for in a partner. If he was lying to me, I deserved to know why and I deserved to know the truth.
Then I could make my decision on what I wanted to do.
Until then, I’d do my best to give him the benefit of the doubt. He deserved that much from me.
Moira and Tess came in not too long later and joined me at the table after they fixed their drinks.
“Is Ash coming in today?” I asked.
“You used to know the schedule like the back of your hand,” Moira said with a laugh.
“Everything has skidded off the rails,” I agreed.
“He’s coming in at eleven today. I think his uncle is coming in for a visit or something.” Tess wore several sparkly barrettes in her hair today, and a cute pink dress with matching shoes.
“You look adorable today,” I said.
Her cheeks colored. “Thanks. I met someone at the coffee shop the other day. He’s taking me to lunch.”
Moira gasped. “You have a date?”
“Not a date,” Tess corrected. “Lunch.”
“Ah. Okay.” Moira grinned. “I hope you enjoy your not date.”
“Thank you.”
We worked for a couple of hours, catching up on all the new bouquets and a few of the standing orders before the first customers came in. Tess excused herself and went to help them.
Moira leaned over. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. But I’m stalled on the swans.”
“No trace of Nadia?”
“Not a one.”
“Have you asked Caelan?”
I sighed. “He’s been texting like crazy, but I’ve fobbed him off by claiming we were swamped at the shop.”
Moira snorted. “We are, but it’s nothing we can’t handle. He won’t wait too much longer.”
“I expect him on my porch when I get home this evening.” I wanted to see him, but I didn’t want to fight. And I knew we would when I started pressing him for answers.
“Dad showed up and made everything worse,” I grumbled.
