“Not if you have some of these yummy treats.” Andrea walked into the workroom holding another box. “I had a feeling you’d be here super early, so I made everyone breakfast.”
Paris smiled at her friends. “You guys are amazing. Thank you.”
“That’s what friends are for.” The bacon and egg croissant Andrea handed to Paris smelled divine. “You should open your own café. This looks incredible.”
Jackie handed everyone a glass of champagne. “I can guarantee it will taste even better. Let’s make a toast. To Paris and her wonderful flower shop. May you have all the success you deserve and lots of customers who adore your arrangements.”
Andrea smiled. “And some great publicity from the Kingston’s wedding.”
Paris clinked her glass against her friends’. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“I’m glad we could help.” Andrea bit into a croissant and smiled. “If I don’t say so myself, this is delicious.”
Paris suddenly remembered they were missing two little somebodies. “Where are the boys?” she asked Andrea.
“Katie organized a weekend writing retreat at The Welcome Center. They won’t be home until Sunday morning.”
“Your house must have been quiet this morning.”
“That’s one of the reasons I’m here so early.” Andrea picked up her glass of champagne. “The house doesn’t feel the same without them.”
Paris hugged her. “Don’t worry. They’ll be back soon, and then you’ll wish you had a few minutes to yourself.”
“In the meantime,” Jackie said with a grin, “let’s enjoy breakfast and then help Paris. What do you still need to do?”
She picked up her clipboard. “I still have two garlands to make for the Kingston’s wedding and a few posies for the shop. After that, all I need to do is get everything ready for a nine o’clock opening.”
“I’ll make the garlands,” Andrea said. “Is it the same design as the ones we did yesterday?”
“It is.”
Jackie wiped her hands on a napkin. “I’ll make the posies and help open the store.”
“Just you wait and see,” Andrea said. “Today will be so much fun.”
Paris didn’t know if ‘fun’ was the word she’d use, but it was better than ‘a disaster’. Especially when two hundred people were descending on Sapphire Bay for the wedding of the year.
Richard looked over the heads of the people waiting to get into Paris’ store. The Flower Cottage had only been open for an hour, and the line of customers was through the door and halfway to the general store.
While he was waiting outside, he’d only heard good things from the people who’d already been inside. They were blown away by her displays and the gifts they’d bought. If everyone continued to support her, she wouldn’t have to worry about staying in business.
His gaze wandered along the eight cottages standing side-by-side on Anchor Lane. Remodeling Paris’ store first was a wise decision. From the discussions going on around him, some of the people who’d come to the opening were interested in renting the other buildings. That would make Penny extremely happy.
He knew how much it cost to make the buildings functional and attractive. Without interest from prospective tenants, the county could decide to limit the funding they were providing.
“Richard? What are you doing standing in the line?”
He smiled at Jackie. “I’m waiting to see Paris’ amazing store like everyone else. I thought you’d be at the Kingston’s house by now.”
“We’re leaving in a few minutes. I told Paris I’d check how many people are still waiting to come inside.”
Richard looked over her shoulder. “Lots.”
“Well, there’s one less now.” Jackie grabbed his arm and led him inside. “I’m glad Paris asked a couple of the people from her adult flower decorating class to help. So far, she’s sold out of all the local crafts we unpacked, and she has enough flower orders to keep her busy for the next month.”
He couldn’t have been happier for her. “I can’t believe there are so many people here.”
“That’s small-town life for you. Everyone wants to help make The Flower Cottage a success.”
