ONE
ZOE
Friday, March 7th
Zoe Hart drew a steadying breath as her eyes swept over the flower shop. Ribbons tumbled from drawers and there were buckets of velvety roses and deep green sprigs waiting to be arranged. Her cat Whiskers rested on the counter, one gray paw perilously close to a steaming mug of spiced tea.
The earthy, fragrant air in her shop had always soothed her. But today, her pulse said otherwise. Where on God’s green earth were those wedding flowers?
Rain whispered against the bay window, turning Maple Falls’s main street into a soft watercolor. The town’s mayor would soon be here with his bride-to-be to see their sample arrangements. But the flowers had not arrived.
If she didn’t impress them, Maple Falls’s most high-profile couple would take their business—and her reputation—to Petals and Pearls, the rival shop one town over. Even the name sounded smug.
“This is bad,” she whispered, pressing a hand to her forehead. “Like career-ending bad.”
The rain outside intensified, a slow, steady rhythm that matched the thud of panic in her chest. Her eyes wandered over all the little nooks where dried oranges and cinnamon sticks hung from hooks and candles stood in rustic holders.
The bay window at the front looked out onto the main street, Oak Way. A cushioned bench covered with floral-print pillows sat beneath the glass with a few stacked gardening books. The perfect place to sip tea, watch rain fall and maybe curl up with a good book.
It still amazed her that the shop was hers now. She’d dreamed of running it since she was little, helping her mom arrange bouquets. The Cherry Crush Flower Shop meant the world to her, and now she was about to screw up her most important job yet.
With that job she’d also be one step closer to having the funds to launch the Local Blooms project with her best friend, Jackson. They were so close to making their dream of running nature programs for kids—and for veterans like him—real. But every time they worked side by side, she felt it, a pull she couldn’t ignore.
Wishing Jackson were here now, Zoe took out her phone to see a delivery notification from earlier. “Oh, thank the flower gods.” She raced to the back and flung open the door. There was a box on the mat, soaked from the drizzle, the label smudged.
She dragged it inside, sliced it open, and stared at the seed packets, biodegradable pots, and fertilizer.
“The Local Blooms project,” she breathed. “Of course.”
The delivery meant for Jackson’s farm had somehow arrived here. That meant the wedding flowers were mostly likely sitting over there instead…Gorgeous of course, just completely out of reach. Rather like him, in fact.
Zoe set the box aside, tugged her light brown hair into a messy bun and wiped her damp palms on her apron. Her blueeyes darted to the clock. They’d be here any minute now. Maybe she could stall them with coffee? Or divine intervention?
“Zoe? You back there?” came the cheerful voice of Mayor Bloomfield as the bell chimed over the door.
Oh no. She pasted on a smile. “Coming!”
Mayor Bloomfield came in, rain misting his pastel-yellow suit. His white shirt was embroidered with miniature white daisies. Beside him was Edith, every bit the picture of quirky Maple Falls charm, with her silver-streaked hair tucked neatly into a floral scarf.
“Zoe, dear,” Edith said warmly, untying her scarf. “We’ve been so looking forward to seeing your ideas for our wedding.”
Zoe’s throat went dry. “Y-yes! Of course.” It suddenly felt impossible to tell them the truth. “I thought we could start with…ribbon!”
She ducked behind the counter and emerged with an armful of spools which rolled across the counter. “We have lavender, ice blue, traditional white, or—ooh—ivory!”
Edith picked one up with a smile. “There used to be a beautiful flower this color in Maple Falls. Silvery-blue, with a soft white center. We had a saying, blue as the sky, white as the dove, carry the bloom, be blessed in love.”
The mayor nodded. “Haven’t seen one in forty years. Or more. Back when I still had hair.”
“Magical flowers and honest men,” Edith added. “Both endangered species.”
Zoe grinned. “Perhaps I could try to find it for your wedding?”
“Oh, wouldn’t that be wonderful!” Edith’s face lit up. “Now, could we see those samples?”
Her stomach lurched. “Right. They’re, um?—”
The front door swung open.
