I know. That’s why I’m telling you.
East
Carl Pruett has lived next to that road for 30 years.
Wade
He has.
East
So this isn't new.
Wade
That is correct.
Why are you only telling us now?
Wade
It escalated.
Phiny
Gross.
Unknown Sub
From the cracked window of the abandoned shed, I watched her through the gathering dusk. She was in there, laughing with them—those thieves who stole her. My fists clenched until my knuckles were white. That fool Alan had been a perfect scapegoat except for the fact that he had been an idiot.
My breath fogged the glass, ragged and hot.
She was mine.
Her voice drifted out, soft and bright, talking about fairy houses and kittens. So close I could almost reach through and pull her back to me. Back to before. She was tainted by that brute Rhodes, his hands on her like filth. No. I’d make her see.
Or I’d cut her hair off, and it’d go in the jar. Then I’d put her in the dirt where she belonged.
My heart slammed in my chest as the voice promised.
She’s yours.
TAKE HER.
Sage
Today was a big day. Kipp might be thinking that he was pulling a fast one, but we’d had a heads-up from Hattie. No way were we missing another Holt wedding. They might have chosen the courthouse, but I was definitely getting Hattie a bouquet to walk down the aisle with. I already had flowers at Rhodes’ too, in case we could convince them to come celebrate there with us for an impromptu reception.
We’d managed to slide all the way into May without any incidents, and I wasn’t sure whether I was more on edge or just desensitized. Rhodes and I had our routine now.
On Mondays, I stayed at my place so I could check on things and talk to my plant babies. Ellis and I ordered in and drank tequila shots together. I even ordered him a pair of plant pants so we could match. He wouldn’t wear them yet, but it was the thought that counted. The rest of the time, I stayed at Rhodes’, sleeping in his bed and falling further in love with him.
I was in a frightful hurry today as I pushed through the doors of my shop. I’d been delegating more work to Cedric than ever,and he had been handling it well, stepping up to the plate eagerly enough.
“There’s my favorite person.” Cedric peeked out from the small area he was working. “I’m just getting these ready to go out front. He gestured to the tall galvanized buckets he was filling with blooms.
During late spring and summer, we had a rack of flowers on the sidewalk where people could make their own bouquets in a 5-for-5 situation. It was a great option when we had extras, and we always sold out.
