Sean sighed. Considering Matthew’s tight timeframe, he wasn’t confident about anything going to plan. Especially when it was supposed to be a secret.
Two days later,Sean read the sign above the door to the florist’s store. Happy Petals wasn’t far from his favorite café. If they couldn’t provide the flowers for Ashley and Matthew’s wedding, he’d drown his sorrows in a plate of Tess’ famous blueberry pancakes.
The bright red door opened and a woman walked outside carrying a wire stand. She looked as though she knew what she was doing, but she was still struggling with the awkward shape of the frame.
Stepping forward, he reached for the end closest to him. “Let me help.”
Her face lifted to his. “That would be grand. Thank you.”
Sean’s heart pounded. Sparkling blue eyes were framed by rich brown hair that curled to her shoulders. But it was her accent that took his breath away. Her soft Irish brogue pulled at something deep inside of him and left him wanting to hear more.
With a warm smile, she nodded at the stand. “We’ll need to make a move if I’m to fill these shelves with pretty flowers.”
Heat hit his face. “Sorry. Where would you like it?” There was something so sweet and appealing about her that he’d forgotten how to move.
“On the far side of the window.” She led the way, carefully placing the wire rack where she wanted it. “That should do nicely. Thank you again for your help.”
Before she disappeared inside, Sean cleared his throat. “I’m hoping you can help me, too.”
Her brow arched. “If it’s a bouquet of flowers you’d be wanting, you’ve come to the right place.”
“It’s more than one bouquet. My brother’s getting married in six weeks and he needs an entire wedding’s worth of flowers.”
“And he has nothing ordered?”
Sean’s heart sank. He’d already had a similar conversation with the caterers. With weddings booked up to two years in advance, they might be having a barbecue dinner instead of the catered feast Ashley had imagined. “Nothing has been organized.”
Instead of turning him down, a smile appeared on the woman’s face. “In that case, come inside. You can tell me what you need and I’ll tell you whether Happy Petals can help.”
That would have worked really well if he’d known what he needed. “I might have to rely on your suggestions.”
The woman’s hand froze on the doorknob. “Your brother is placing a lot of trust in you. Has your future sister-in-law told you what she wants?”
Sean looked over his shoulder. With only a few steps separating the flower shop from the café, anyone could hear what he was about to say.
“Before we go any further, my name is Becky O’Donaghue,” the woman whispered. “I own Happy Petals, so if it’s discretion you’d be wanting, you’re talking to the right person.” With her gaze focused on the two elderly women walking into the café, she opened the door. “I’ve lived in small towns all my life, but I’m still amazed at how fast other people’s news travels.”
“It’s probably because there aren’t a lot of other things happening.”
“You’d be surprised,” Becky said with a twinkle in her eyes. “Come with me before someone decides they know your business better than you do.”
Pulling his gaze away from her face, he followed her into Happy Petals. Flowers in all shapes, sizes, and colors filled the shelves. He hadn’t been here since his sister married Todd. With the bridal bouquets placed in boxes, he’d said a quick thanks to the woman who’d served him and made a hasty exit back to his parents’ ranch.
He would have spent more time here if Becky had been standing behind the counter.
Taking a pen and notebook out of her pocket, she sent him another dazzling smile. “Tell me what it is you’ll be wanting.”
“My brother asked me to organize a surprise wedding for him and his fiancée. Ashley has been planning the type of wedding she wants for the last year.”
Becky frowned. “Are we talking about Ashley Fisher?”
“We are. Do you know her?”
“I talked to her a few weeks ago about her wedding.”
Hope sprung inside his chest. “So, you know what she wants?”
“She had some photos of other weddings she liked. I’d have to check my notes to look at what she said.”
