Page 34 of Kiss Me Now
I opened it to find Ian on the porch, Miss Lily next to him. He held a hand-drawn sign that read, “I’m really sorry. I hope you like the flowers,” while Miss Lily waved cheerfully.
Then when I didn’t say anything, Ian looked down at his grandmother and shrugged. She only answered him with a smile and a pat on his arm before leading him from the porch and out of sight.
What was that about?I squinted at the app but couldn’t see any flowers. Puzzled, I drove home, curious against my better instincts to figure out what Ian’s note had meant. Had he left me a vase of flowers?
But no. I was wrong. Very wrong, I saw as I pulled into the driveway. Four large planters fired with a beautiful blue glaze now lined my front walk. I recognized them as the expensive showpieces from Grace’s garden section. Each burst with dahlias, zinnias, and begonias. It was a dazzling display.
I hurried to the front door and found a card tucked inside the frame.
Hi, Brooke.
I’m sorry. I guess it’s a job hazard for me to see fraud where there is none. I spoke with Ellen Brown. You’re the real deal. It should have been enough for Gran to vouch for you, but I’m very protective of her. I’m sorry I dug into your past. It was none of my business.
I asked Gran what I could do to make it up to you. She said you’ve been too busy with school to put in the flowers you wanted so you were waiting until next year, and she suggested I do it instead. I planted them in these tubs so I can take them away next weekend if you don’t want them. I thought it was safer than digging up your yard and putting them in.
When I asked Gran what your favorite flowers were, she said I should guess based on what I know of you. So this is my best guess. If I’m wrong—and why would I be right at this point?—I will happily replace them with different flowers next week.
With sincere regret,
Ian
I stared out at the flowers again, then walked back down the path, stopping to study each ceramic tub. The flowers were perfectly spaced and arranged with a good eye for color, all except the zinnias which were a riot of color as zinnias should always be. I wondered if Miss Lily had tutored him in all of this. I could sense her fine eye in their display.
But if he had also chosen thetypesof flowers himself, he’d succeeded in picking all my summer favorites. It must have taken him several hours. The intensity of the project was exactly why I’d put off doing it myself until next year.
I reached the end of the walk and turned to study the effect. It was lovely. All four pots lined one side of the walk, and while I would have staggered them with two on either side, other than that, they immediately brightened the yard and made it more inviting.
Ian’s car was still parked in Miss Lily’s driveway. I considered for a split second going over to say thank you, but the stress of his accusations was still too fresh. I’d endured much of the day with that acidic feeling in my stomach that had characterized my final month in the senator’s office, and I wasn’t ready to deal with the man who’d brought that back after two years.
But Ianhadmeant his apology. Even if Miss Lily had pressured him into making it—I sensed he wasn’t used to being wrong—I could also sense his sincerity, and DC had taught me to value sincerity above everything.
I wandered back up the path and let myself into the house. I would forgive Ian. No question. I just needed time.
Chapter Thirteen
Ian
