Laney meets with Diana on Friday morning to sign the lease and discuss the changes she’d like to make to the storefront. She shows Diana the paint samples—a rich creamy color for the walls and a subtle yellow-green for the accents and front door.
“I love your choices,” Diana says. “A fresh coat of paint will brighten things up.”
“I’m glad you approve.” Laney stuffs the color swatches in her bag. “A graphic designer is creating a logo for my brand, Laney’s Bouquets. Are you okay with me putting a decal on the window?”
“That’s perfectly fine! And I love the name you’ve chosen.”
Laney’s smile fades. “Thank you again for turning Hugh’s offer down.”
Diana flaps her hand, dismissing her gratitude. “No need to thank me. My first husband was a real jerk. He verbally and physically abused me. I was blessed to have supportive parents. They picked me up and set me on the right path. I hope you have someone you can lean on.”
“I have a friend who’s a good listener,” Laney says about Bruce. “We often text or talk on the phone.”
“Friends are important in troubled times. After my divorce, I found it therapeutic to help other women in abusive marriages. I’ve mentored many over the years. I’d be delighted to do the same with you.”
“That means a lot. Thank you.” Laney moves to the window so Diana can’t see the tears welling in her eyes. “I know how much you want to sell the building. Maybe another buyer will come along.”
“Actually, I’ve taken it off the market. And I’m holding off on renting it through Airbnb.”
Laney spins around. “Why would you do that?”
Diana’s lips part in a sympathetic smile. “I want to keep it open for you, in case you find yourself in need of a place to live. Would you like to see it?”
Laney shakes her head. “I can’t afford an apartment right now, Diana. Maybe in a few months.”
“The rent’s not important. I want you to have a safe place to go in the event something happens.”
Laney thinks back to Monday night. She can still feel Hugh’s hand around her ankle, dragging her down the stairs.
Diana closes the gap between them. “I want to help you, Laney. At least let me show you the apartment.”
“All right,” Laney says in a reluctant tone. “I guess it won’t hurt to see it.”
“Good.” Diana leads her out the back door and up a set of stairs to the apartment.
Laney immediately feels at home when she steps into the sunny living room. Reclaimed pine floors provide a warm backdrop for the neutral furnishings. A sofa and two chairs are slip-covered in white canvas while sheer drapes provide privacy at the four floor-to-ceiling windows. The kitchen is compact but updated with all new appliances, countertops, and cabinetry. Upstairs are two ample-sized bedrooms, each having its own tiled bathroom with a walk-in shower.
“It’s lovely, Diana. And you’re right. Knowing I have a place to escape offers peace of mind.”
Diana presses a key in her hand. “Use it whenever you’d like. Since I’m so seldom in town, you’d be doing me a favor if you’d at least check on things now and then. One never knows when a pipe might spring a leak.”
“I can do that.” Laney wraps her fingers around the key. “I appreciate your generosity. But I can’t ask you to hold it for me indefinitely.”
Diana lifts a shoulder in an indifferent shrug. “We’ll give it until the end of the year. If things have settled down for you at home, I’ll list it on Airbnb in January.”
“You’re so kind. Thank you. Hopefully, I will have sorted out my marital problems by then.”
Diana embraces her. “You’re going through a rough time right now. But I promise there are better days ahead.”
They lock up the apartment and return to the shop. Laney is seeing Diana off at the front door when her cell rings with a call from Love-Struck Vineyard. She waves at Diana and accepts the call.
“Thank heavens I caught you,” Sonia blurts. “Are you by any chance free to do flowers for a wedding tomorrow? I realize it’s last minute, but Sylvia just bailed on us.”
Laney freezes, her hand on the front doorknob. “What do you mean she bailed on you?”
“She has some kind of family emergency. I can’t believe she’d do this. Please say you’re available. I’m freaking out right now,” Sonia says, sounding hysterical.
Laney’s mind races as she paces the floor. She can’t afford to turn down such an opportunity if she wants to build her business. “I need more information before I commit.”
“It’s an average-size wedding, nothing over the top. The bride isn’t picky about the flowers, only she doesn’t want Gerber daisies or carnations. White flowers for the ceremony and autumn colors for the reception. Ten small table arrangements and two large ones for the buffet. Eight bridesmaids’ bouquets and ten boutonnieres.”
“I should be able to handle an event that size. Email me the contract with the specifics.”
In the background, Laney hears Sonia typing on the keyboard. “Coming your way now. I owe you one, Laney. Let me know how I can help.”
When Laney opens her laptop on the counter, the email is waiting in her inbox. She’s blown away by the amount of money she stands to make on this wedding. The vineyard will take a slight percentage, and she’ll have to pay for the flowers, but she’ll easily bank several thousand dollars. Fury surges through Laney at the pittance Sylvia has been paying her for years.
Laney makes a few sketches before placing a call to Claire Davis at Flower Fanatics in Hope Springs. “I’m in a bit of a bind,” she says, and tells Claire about her predicament.
She’s relieved when Claire says, “We can easily handle an order that size. I’ll have it ready for you late this afternoon.”
Laney grabs her purse, locks the back door, and takes off to Hope Springs on a shopping spree. Her mind wanders during the drive, and she thinks about the apartment key zipped into the side pocket of her purse. The situation between Laney and Hugh has gone from bad to worse. They had their nastiest argument to date when she confronted him about making an offer on Diana’s building. Hugh’s patience is growing thin. One whiskey too many will send him over the edge. Thanks to Diana, she has somewhere to flee.
She’s not sure where Bruce fits in, only that he’s becoming an increasingly important person in her life. If she’s not careful, her feelings for him could easily develop into something more than friendship. They have much in common, and he seems to genuinely care about her. The last thing she needs is a romantic affair to further complicate her life. While she can’t stand to be in the same room with Hugh, she’s still his wife, and she would never cheat on him. To make matters worse, Bruce works for Laney’s father-in-law, and she can’t let him risk his career.
* * *
Laney arrives at the vineyard early on Saturday morning and works straight through lunch. When she pushes her loaded cart over to the reception tent, a frazzled Sonia rushes over to help her with the table arrangements.
“These are amazing, Laney. Thanks for coming to our rescue. Here! Let me help.” Sonia snatches up an arrangement, disheveling the flowers.
“I’ve got this,” Laney says, taking the glass cube from her. “I’m sure you have plenty else to attend to.”
“If you only knew the half of it. This job is too much for me. There are so many moving parts.”
Laney offers her a smile of encouragement. “Relax, Sonia. You’re doing a great job.”
“I appreciate you saying that, even if it’s not true.” Sonia busies herself with placing pillar candles in hurricane globes. “By the way, what happened between you and Sylvia? I thought you two were a team.”
“Ha. Some team. I did all the work, and she made all the money.” Laney sets the arrangement down on a nearby table. “I’m not sure she can handle the business alone. If I were you, I’d confirm with her well in advance of the events you have coming up.”
“You know it. After what she did today, I definitely will.”
Laney tweaks the flowers to her liking. “Coincidentally, I’m starting my own floral business. If Sylvia cancels on you again, I’d be happy to take over the contract.”
Sonia gives her a thumbs-up. “For sure. And we will add you to the list for future events. You’re easier and way more fun to work with than Sourpuss Sylvia.” She finishes with the candles and hurries off to attend to another task.
After the arrangements are all in place, Laney pushes her empty cart back toward the storage room.
“Wait up, Laney!” Bruce calls out as he catches up with her. “How’re things going? I’d hoped to get away sooner to check on you, but I’ve been entertaining a group of important business executives all day. I’m free now, though, to volunteer my expert skills in boutonniere making.”
Laney laughs. “Believe it or not, everything is done. I’m going home to spend the evening with my girls.”
When they reach the storage room, Bruce opens the door for her. “Where’s Hugh?”
“He’s playing in a golf tournament. I was supposed to go with him to the dinner afterward, but considering how tense things are between us, I opted out.” She navigates her cart into the storage room. “Besides, I want to get a good night’s sleep. I plan to spend the day working at the shop tomorrow.”
“I’m a do-it-yourself kinda guy if you need a hand with anything,” Bruce offers.
“How are you with a paintbrush?” she asks, a smile tugging at her lips.
“I’ve done more than my share of painting.”
Laney parks the cart in the corner and straightens, one hand on her lower back. “In that case, I may take you up on your offer. My equipment arrives from Charlotte on Monday. With your help, I can knock out the painting tomorrow ahead of the delivery.”
“Then count me in.”
After helping her clean up the storeroom, Bruce walks her to her car. They make a plan to meet at nine in the morning, and true to his word, he’s waiting with two cups of coffee when she arrives at the shop.
They start in the showroom. Bruce brushes a coat of high gloss yellow-green paint on the front door while Laney rolls the interior walls cream.
“How was your evening?” Bruce asks as they work.
“Great! The girls and I ordered pizza and watched 27 Dresses.”
“Any drama from Hugh?”
“Nope. He wasn’t home when we went to bed around eleven, but his car was in the driveway this morning. Let’s not spoil the day by talking about Hugh.”
Bruce smiles over at her. “Fine by me.”
They have no shortage of things to discuss. When they finish the door and walls, they tackle the checkout counter together before moving to the back room. Laney paints while Bruce puts together the commercial shelving she purchased yesterday at Home Depot in Hope Springs.
Laney orders take-out cheeseburger platters from Ruthie’s for their lunches. When they finish painting around five o’clock, Laney cleans up and Bruce goes next door to Delilah’s Delights for pistachio gelato. Upon his return, they stand by the sunny window in the showroom to enjoy their refreshing treat.
“I enjoyed today. You’re fun to hang out with, Laney,” he says, rubbing a smudge of gelato from the corner of her mouth.
She removes his hand. “Bruce . . .”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to kiss you.” He takes her empty cup and sets it with his on the checkout counter. “But I need to say this.” He places his hands on her shoulders. “We have chemistry, Laney. I think you sense it too. But I would never make a move on you while you’re with Hugh. All marriages have their difficulties. I’m a strong advocate for counseling. But sometimes there’s nothing left to fight for. I work with Hugh. I’ve seen all sides of him, none of them good. You deserve to be happy, to be with someone who appreciates you. Whether that someone is me or another lucky guy, save yourself while you can.” He kisses her cheek and disappears through the swinging door into the back room.
Laney’s heart fills with warmth at the same time dread overcomes her. She’s just crossed the line into forbidden territory.
She’s still standing there, with a hand pressed to her cheek where Bruce kissed her, when Hugh bursts through the freshly painted front door. “You need to come with me. Dad has summoned us to Love-Struck for an important announcement.”
“Go without me. I’m not in the mood for your family’s drama.”
Hugh looks down at the two empty gelato cups and back up at her. “I’m not asking you, Laney. I’m telling you.”