Her ex was such a control freak. Little things like leaving a mug in the sink or her hairspray on the counter set him off, and they’d end up fighting for hours. Then came the frigid chill of him icing her out for days after, punishing her for mistakes that weren’t mistakes at all.
What if he followed her to Willowbrook?
But why would he show up after all these months? He never bothered after she fled that night.
She rushed through closing the shop, double-checked the locks and drove home, her fingers a little too tight on the wheel. Inside her house, she kicked off her shoes, leaving them wherethey fell in haphazard disarray. Then she took off her socks and left them balled up on the floor too.
In the kitchen, she checked the sink for the coffee mug she’d left in it earlier that day, fingers tingling with relief when she saw it was still there.
That didn’t stop her from checking all the window locks just in case. She was just changing out of her garden clothes and into comfortable jeans and a top when she heard the buzz of a text.
With no friends to speak of, she only ever received texts from Marla and a few clients she’d done landscaping for. Her stomach knotted, until she saw it was Willow.
Hi, Fern! I can’t wait for you to get started on the garden. I’ve sent you a deposit for supplies. I’ve also placed Crew in charge, and he will help you with anything you need. When you have time, he can go to the garden center with you to gather supplies for your plan.
Seeing those four little letters,C-R-E-W, should not make her stomach flutter that way. But the thought of seeing him again—being cozied up in a truck beside him—had liquid heat slipping low in her belly.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. It would be nice to get out of the house, and out of her head after what happened at work.
The rest of her Saturday was free…but she felt more than a bit nervous about spending time alone with Crew.
What else would she do with her day? She usually visited the farmer’s market in town for fresh ingredients for a soup. Because she loved soup and her ex didn’t.
She forced Chris out of her mind and contemplated Willow’s request.
As anxious as she was right now, it might be nice not to be alone.
She stared out the kitchen window at the beautiful summer day that was just perfect for a trip to the garden center an hour away.
A sharp engine backfire cracked on the street outside. She jumped, shoulders snapping forward as her body reacted faster than thought, curling in on itself for protection. A rasping cry escaped her.
God, she wasreallyin her own head since those things happened at the shop. Such silly, insignificant things, but they triggered a response inside her that she didnotwant anymore.
Making up her mind, she texted Willow.
I’m free this afternoon.
She responded immediately.I was hoping you’d say that! He’ll pick you up.
She swallowed hard. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Crew—in addition to his insanely good looks, he only gave her positive vibes about his character. But if he picked her up at her apartment, it might feel too much like a date.
We can meet at the greenhouse.
Got it. Half hour?
I’ll be there.
She set her phone down and immediately picked it back up, checking the time as if it might’ve changed in the last three seconds.
Half an hour.
Plenty of time. Too much time.
She exhaled and headed for the bathroom. When she caught her reflection in the mirror, her eyes looked a little too bright, her pulse still leaping under her skin.
She wasn’t going on a date with Crew. It was a garden center run. Checking out hardscape options. Landscaping stones. Pavers. Practical things.
Still, she smoothed her hair, then stopped and laughed under her breath.Don’t be ridiculous.
