Page 12 of The Floral Arrangement

“They may look sweet, but looks are deceiving,” Jenny muttered and then glared at Hannah. “I still can’t believe you even considered joining their team.”

Hannah laughed, lifting her hands. “Oh my god, will you ever let that go? I just suggested it once. Everyone in my book club, except me, is on the team and they were short a couple of people because it coincided with a burlesque show at the retirement home.”

Jenny raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. It had nothing to do with them being the reigning champions and the free drinks they usually win?”

Hannah rolled her eyes.

“Can I just say that I hope the retirement home is still doing burlesque shows by the time I’m ready to move in,” Blake said as she appeared holding a beer. “Sorry I’m late. Work emergency. And I bumped into Dana on my way and convinced her to join us.” Blake stepped aside to make room for Dana, Jim’s second-in-command at Red Tractor Farm. “We need all the help we can get if we’re going to beat our arch-rivals.” Blake narrowed her eyes at The Gran Masters and then pulled over another stool for the tall brunette farmer. We shuffled around to make room for her at the table.

“The more the merrier,” Jenny said as Blake slid onto the seat next to her and kissed her cheek.

I looked at Dana. How was she holding up after Jim’s news? I’d been so caught up trying to work out how I could save Sapphire Blooms that I hadn’t thought to check in with her. While we weren’t close friends, since she’d started working at Red Tractor Farm last year, we’d bonded over our love of flowers, and I always enjoyed catching up with her when I visited the farm. Though her grooming and outfit choices were standard—she had brown hair pulled back in her trademark ponytail and sported brown work shoes, faded blue jeans and a purple-and-red flannel shirt—her make-up-free face looked slightly paler than usual, and there were dark rings under her eyes. I wasn’t surprised. Just like me, she was facing losing her job and being evicted from her home—a cottage tucked away near the back of Red Tractor Farm.

“Hopefully there are lots of horticulture and livestock questions, or I’ll be no use to you, I’m afraid,” Dana said as she took a seat, placing her drink in the middle of the table.

“Dan once asked how many compartments a cow’s stomach has,” George said.

“Four.” Dana grinned.

“There we go.” George chuckled. “If we’d had you here, we wouldn’t have lost to the grannies.”

A man walked into the bar, and his friends, sitting at a table near us, cheered loudly, waving him over. I waited for the noise to subside and then turned to Dana. “Jim told me the news about the farm. I’m so sorry. I don’t suppose you have any updates?”

“Actually, I do,” Dana smiled. “Jim might have found another buyer.”

I straightened and leaned forward. “Oh wow! Who?”

“Someone named Roslyn Kennedy. Apparently her parents live around here.”

I frowned, trying to remember the Kennedy family. Frank and Marie, who would have to be in their early seventies now, had bought flowers at Sapphire Blooms on a few occasions. If I recalled correctly, they’d lived in Manhattan and had both been high-powered lawyers or something similar, but they also had a large property partway between Sapphire Springs and Cloverdale which they’d kept as a vacation home. Had it been about five years since they moved here permanently? I thought their son lived in Cloverdale but didn’t remember anything about a daughter.

“Frank and Marie,” I said. “Does anyone know anything about Roslyn?” I looked around the table, letting my legs swing under my bar stool.

My friends shook their heads. Well, at least they didn’t have anything bad to share.

I turned back to Dana. “Do you know what her plans are?” Would she save the farm?

“Not bulldozing it, thank god.” Dana ran her hand over her smooth ponytail. “Jim said she wants to keep the farm going, but he hasn’t told me any specifics yet—I’m not sure he knows himself.”

I clasped my hand to my chest. “Oh, thank god! Do you know how serious she is?”

“She’s coming to do a farm tour and meet with Jim, but it sounds like she’s genuinely interested, and Jim is eager to sell to anyone who’s got the cash and won’t destroy it.”

“Well, that all sounds very promising.” I raised my glass, giddy with the good news. “To the Kennedys’ daughter. May you purchase Red Tractor Farm and keep it and Sapphire Blooms going for generations to come!”

Everyone laughed and raised their glasses. “To the Kennedys’ daughter.”

I took a swig of soda. While I knew it was premature, gratitude for the woman I’d never met welled in me. If she did buy the farm and saved the flower fields, I’d have to restrain myself from throwing my arms around her when we finally came face to face. I refused to consider what would happen if she didn’t. The Whisk Takers needed my undivided attention if we were going to beat The Gran Masters.

CHAPTERFIVE

ROZ

Two black babygoats wobbled on their feet under the watchful eye of their mother.

Jim smiled, his eyes hazy. “They were only born a few hours ago.”

New beginnings. For the goats and for me. I pursed my lips.Good god, Roz. Don’t get sappy.

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