Page 30 of Morning's Light

“Me? Stopping to smell the roses?” Elon set down the bouquet. “I don’t know what would give you that impression. I’ve been working steadily through the afternoon.”

“Presentation is half the battle. Remember that, Mr. Fayer,” she said, pleased with the progress.

Aisanna continued behind the counter, bending at the waist to search for her ever-ready stash of baby’s breath. At the touch of his hand on her spine, she froze.

It struck her then. They were standing very close.

“You need to rest before you pass out. Please, sit. Let me handle this.” He reached past her and grabbed the carton they needed.

“I don’t like being coddled,” she said irritably.

Elon walked back to their prep table, set the baby’s breath down. “I wouldn’t dream of coddling you. You’re a strong woman, Aisanna. I’m here to help you when you don’t think you need it, and when you don’t ask for it. I can see the secrets you try to hide.”

“I don’t want to talk about secrets. There’s too many. And it’s not your concern.”

“I’m not asking you to talk about it. One day, if you feel like you can, you’ll tell me.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I’d rather talk about me and you.”

“There is no me and you.”

He peered at her, his fingers working on their own accord. Pieces filled in under his ministrations and the arrangements practically completed themselves. “There may be if you give it a chance. There’s something here between us. I know you feel it, too.”

“I don’t need a man in my life. Not in any serious capacity. I have nothing against you, Elon. I’m just not looking for anything,” she answered slowly. “You’re a handsome guy. Take the compliment and leave it alone.”

Elon recognized her discomfort. He knew she would rather talk about anything else other than the chemistry between them. And try as she might to deny it, he knew.

It was there.

“Stop getting your hackles up over silly things,” he observed and continued working. “Thank you for the compliment. It means you’ve considered me. Some men want a woman who will cave and give up the fight immediately.” He shrugged. “Not me. It seems an arrangement like that would get boring quickly. No spark, no flame. No passion.”

She shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, the mention of sparks and flames igniting a curious feeling in her chest. “Can we stop talking? I don’t want sparks.”

“Everyone does. Even me.” He paused, his voice low. Measured. “If you don’t give in to those sparks every now and then, you could miss something great. If you didn’t put the flames into your flowers…then your business wouldn’t be half as successful. Don’t you agree?”

She knew he would not give in, would not back down easily. He would continue the topic of conversation whether she wanted him to or not. Loath to admit it, part of her enjoyed the back and forth. The mention of flames brought Israel to mind. She tucked him away, knowing he had no business there. Not then.

“Maybe. You think you’re clever, don’t you?”

He grinned. “I have my moments. You know, if this were a real date we would have a meal in addition to these beautiful flowers.” Elon gestured at the spread. “We’d be stuck inside with the snow falling, a fire roaring, and a blanket wrapped around us, maybe a couple of mugs of hot chocolate to keep us toasty.”

“Sounds comfortable. Would we be at a ski lodge?”

“Depends on whether you’d like watching me fall down on the slopes.”

“I could go for some hot chocolate,” she admitted.

“One day. A better date, I think, would include nicer weather a little closer to home. We might take a walk by the lake, look at the stars overhead, and see where the evening takes us.”

“Ah, there you go again.” Aisanna leaned on the counter and shook her finger at him. “The magic word is if. Or date, rather. Two magic words. It will never happen.”

“Never say never. Maybe one day I’ll get up the nerve to ask you out for real. And maybe then you would say yes.”

She couldn’t think of a compelling reason to refuse him. Yes, maybe. One day she wouldn’t need to tell him. Oh, it would be nice, she thought, then shook herself at the realization.

Needle points of ice and snow pelted against the shop window. Midmorning turned into afternoon and soon it would be time to load their wares into the van and head across town.

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