Page 56 of Crazy In Love
“Hey, I’m thirty-five, and I’m trying to stay hip.” She chuckled.
“You’re the hippest mama I know.” I gave her a quick hug. “Go home to that sweet hubby and baby of yours.”
“Okay, drive safely.” She waved as she walked backward toward her car. “I guess you will, with your new fancy tires.”
I laughed as I slipped into my car and quickly cranked up the heat. I loved this time of year so much. All the storefront windows and light posts had just been changed out from being fall-themed to winter-themed. There were white and red bows on every light post on Main Street, with hanging baskets filled with holiday flowers.
I’d just finished designing our window this week, and I’d pulled out the antique sleigh that I kept in storage all year just for this occasion. I’d filled it with faux wrapped gifts and white poinsettias.
I’d strung twinkle lights around the window frame, and I’d created fake snow on the ground beneath the sleigh out of this sparkly fabric. Beatrice had helped me make dozens of snowflakes that we hung from the ceiling, so it truly looked like a winter wonderland.
A window competition was held in December every year, and whichever business won received a free full-page spread in theRosewood River Review. You’d think it wouldn’t be a big deal for me, considering my family owned the paper, but a full-page spread was a big deal, and even with my parents owning thepaper, we’d never done an advertisement of that size for the flower shop. I was as excited to win as the next gal. I’d never won, and I was hoping this year would be my year.
I was meeting Henley and Lulu for dinner at the Honey Biscuit Café. They were going to give me some tips, as I’d agreed to sub on their pickleball team tomorrow night. Luckily, we’d be playing on the indoor courts, since it was far too cold to play outside now.
I wasn’t exactly the most coordinated person, and I knew the Chadwicks took their pickleball very seriously, so I’d been hesitant to say yes.
But Eloise had begged me, and I would do just about anything for that girl. She was traveling with Clark this week for an away hockey game, and they needed another sub.
I pulled the door open when I arrived. Lulu waved me over, since Henley was looking down at her phone.
Edith greeted me with a big smile. “Hey, girlie. The last floral arrangements you did for us are still going strong. I think that was your best work. They were a real showstopper. I need to get in there and place an order for some more flowers for the café this week.”
“I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying them. And we’ll be open all week, so stop by any time.”
“Can’t you just do fake flowers?” Oscar grumped as he walked up behind us while she led me to the table.
“We aren’t doing fake flowers, you broody old man,” she hissed, and I used my hand to cover my mouth to keep from laughing.
“Fine. Let’s go broke paying for flowers that just go off and die a few days later,” he said. “No offense, Emilia.”
I shrugged and forced a smile. What was I going to say to that?
I ran a flower shop. I couldn’t very well encourage him to switch over to fake flowers.
“None taken,” I said as he stormed away.
“Hey,” I said as we approached the table, and Edith took our drink orders and hurried off. “How are you guys?”
“Well, it’s freezing outside, so I’m happy to be out of the cold,” Lulu said.
I tugged off my hat and mittens and set them beside me in the booth.
“Same. But it’s so pretty, isn’t it?” Henley asked. close to the flower
“It is,” I agreed. I’d grown up in this weather, so it didn’t bother me. Aside from driving on the icy roads. “And I just got my car back.”
“Thank goodness. You can’t be walking in this weather.”
I chuckled, because I’d still walk most days, just because I lived close to the flower shop, and I didn’t mind the walk. Edith came by and took our orders, after setting our hot cocoas down in front of us.
“So, I’m a little surprised because my car was returned with snow tires on it,” I said, once Edith had stepped away. “I’m not sure how to handle that.”
A wide grin spread across Henley’s face. “Bridger had the car sent to Bert’s auto shop, right?”
“Yes. And there was no bill because he said that Bert owed him a favor. But that shouldn’t be used on my car repairs, nor should my snow tires be his expense.”
Lulu laughed, her head falling back against the booth. “I swear that man is impossible to read. He’s such a grumpy bastard, but then he does these things, you know? Really nice things. He’s so misunderstood.”
