Page 53 of The Floral Arrangement

“Manure management?” Roz wrinkled her nose. She held up a hand before I could elaborate. “Actually, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.” She eyed the overalls, her lips pursed. “I haven’t worn overalls since I was a kid. I’m not going to start now.”

“They’re very practical. They’ll keep you manure-free.” I grinned.

“Okay, fine,” Roz said, snatching the clothing out of my hands. She peered at the label. “They should fit.”

“These work pants would be a good idea too.” I pulled them off the rack and handed them to Roz. “Oooh, and flannel. You definitely need some flannel.” I grabbed some red and blue flannel shirts and piled them into Roz’s arms.

“You’re enjoying this far too much,” Roz murmured as we made our way to the changing room.

I laughed as Roz swished the changing room curtain closed. I hovered outside the changing room like a shop assistant working on commission.I couldn’t wait to see what Roz looked like in my hand-picked outfits.

“Is everything all right in there?” I asked after a minute or two of hearing Roz mutter under her breath.

“Yes, fine.”

A few moments later, the curtain flew open, and Roz emerged, dragging her feet. The navy overalls and a red flannel shirt perfectly fit her slim frame. The colors suited her too, complementing her blue eyes and blond hair in a way her usual monochrome wardrobe did not.

I blinked. “Wow.”

“What?” Roz snapped.

I swallowed. “You look… good.”

Roz stared at me, unconvinced.

“No, seriously. If I was meeting you for the first time, I would hardly believe that you hadn’t spent your whole life on a farm.”

The overalls really brought out the blue in her eyes, sharp glare aside. I jerked my gaze away, rubbing my neck.

I needed a distraction. “We should get you some proper boots as well. I’ll grab some while you try on the rest. What size are you?”

“Nine,” Roz replied, arms crossed. Good lord, it was as if she was handing over a state secret under duress.

“I’ll be right back.” I selected a few pairs of sturdy boots in the footwear section. On my way back, I passed a row of fleece jackets and grabbed one for her too, along with a selection of hats.

I pushed the jackets and shoes under the changing room curtain.

A few minutes later, Roz reappeared, this time wearing a blue flannel shirt, tan work pants and a pair of dark-brown work boots.Damn. I’d never thought of farming clothes as particularly sexy before, but this fashion parade was showing them in a whole new light. I pictured Roz in a barn, tossing hay onto a wagon. Her eyes locked with mine and she dropped the pitchfork on the ground and pushed me onto a hay bale, ripping off my dress.Oh god.

“Nice.” I cleared my throat. “You look like you’re ready to get your hands dirty.”

Roz raised an eyebrow.

“In a good way, of course.” I tugged at the collar of my dress.

Roz wriggled around. “They are surprisingly comfortable. I can see why farmers wear them. And they aren’t as ridiculous as overalls.”

I stared at her like we were on an episode ofQueer Eyeand I was Tan France. “Hmm, something’s missing.” I grabbed a brown wide-brimmed leather hat from the pile of headwear I’d collected and carefully placed it on her head. Her soft breath tickled my face. I dropped my gaze to her shirt. One side of her collar was tucked in. I flipped it out, my fingers tingling at the contact with the soft skin of her collar bone. My breath hitched.

I pulled back, my heart racing, and clapped my hands. “There! I’d trust you with my cows any day of the week, Farmer Roz. And if I was Fred, I’d trust you with my money.”

Roz chuckled. “Let’s hope Fred feels the same way.” She slipped back into the changing room. When she came out again, her face was barely visible over a pile of clothing.

“Do you want me to return anything while you pay?” I asked.

“No, I think I’ll grab it all. And I’ll pick up a few more pairs of pants and flannel on the way to the counter.”

My eyes widened. “Even the overalls?”

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