Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“Oh.” Ellen rested her hands on the counter. “What kind?”
Bianca automatically began listing the things she loved working with. “Roses, definitely. Climbing ones if possible. Lavender. Peonies. Maybe some delphinium along the fence lines. Coneflowers. Black-eyed Susans. Snapdragons, if they’ll take here. Foxglove. Shasta daisies. Oh—and hydrangeas, though those might be tricky in this climate.”
Ellen nodded along, though a faint smile crept onto her face as Bianca kept going.
“Salvia would be great,” Bianca continued, warming to the subject. “And maybe lupine along the edges. There are already marigolds in place.”
“Well,” Ellen said finally, “I mostly sell cut flowers and potted plants here. You want to check out Boyd’s nursery on the outskirts of town. It’s kind of between here and Billings. They’ve got some beautiful roses this year.”
A nursery so close. That would be perfect. Bianca rested her hands on the counter. “Boyd owns a nursery?”
“Yeah.” Ellen shrugged. “He has a few businesses, mostly construction. But the nursery has been in his family for generations.”
Bianca nodded absently, though her mind had already wandered back to the real reason she’d come in. “I was wondering about something else. I received more roses today.”
“You did? From Adam?”
Bianca blinked. “Why would you think they’re from Adam?”
Ellen lifted a brow. “Aren’t you two dating?”
Bianca shifted her weight. They’d had one night together. One night that still made her skin warm just thinking about it. “It’s amazing how fast rumors travel in a small town.”
Ellen only smiled.
“But I’m wondering,” Bianca continued slowly, “is there any chance my secret admirer sent the flowers from here?”
“Sorry,” Ellen said. “Nobody bought roses from me today. I wish.” She rested her chin on her hand. “So you and Adam, huh?”
Well, the man had kissed her right by the coffee shop, so it wasn’t a huge secret. “Um, yes.”
Ellen chuckled. “He’s the most eligible bachelor in the entire county, I think. You’d better hold on tight.”
Bianca chuckled. “I won’t be here long enough to hold on at all.” Why did that make her feel like someone punched her in the solar plexus? She moved toward the cooler along the wall where several bouquets waited, ready to be sold. Red roses filled one metal bucket. “These are pretty.”
“Thanks.” Ellen stepped closer. “Those are Crimson Glory roses.”
Bianca studied the blooms. The petals were deep red, almost velvet in color, though still a little lighter than the roses she’d received the other night. Hers were a different kind. She had to figure out who was messing with her. “Do you have a list of florists in nearby towns?”
“Sure. I can print it out for you.” Ellen shrugged. “Sometimes I have to call around when my inventory is low. But I already gave the list to Mrs. Schiller, just so you know.”
“Oh.” Bianca rubbed one eye, feeling suddenly tired again. “Mrs. Schiller said she was having fun playing detective.”
Ellen laughed. Her phone rang then, and she grabbed it off the counter. “Ellen’s Extravaganza.”
Bianca gave her a small wave and headed for the door.
Outside, the rain had stopped completely. The air smelled bright and clean, the kind of freshness that made the mountains look closer than they really were. Sunlight broke through the clouds in thin stripes, lighting the wet pavement. She walked toward the end of the street.
Just as she reached the corner, the door of the crafts shop opened and three familiar women stepped out together. Mrs. Hudson, Mrs. Schiller, and Mrs. Poppins all held bags full of yarn.
“There you are,” Mrs. Hudson said immediately. “Dear, you must be going to Adam’s.”
“I am.” Bianca’s gaze flicked toward Mrs. Schiller. Did everyone know about the newest creepy note?
Mrs. Schiller gave the slightest shake of her head. Good. At least somebody could keep a secret in this sweet town.
The door of the yarn shop opened again behind them and another woman stepped outside. She had thick blonde hair that curled loosely around her shoulders and long lashes that made her brown eyes look even darker. Her shirt was tight enough to show off generous curves, and she wore dark jeans tucked into stylish boots that definitely hadn’t been worn in a muddy pasture.
“Bianca Estrada, this is Joan Daniels,” Mrs. Schiller said, turning to introduce them with the formality of someone presenting guests at a garden party.
“Hi,” Bianca said politely.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Joan murmured. Her gaze traveled slowly over Bianca from head to toe in a way that felt more like an evaluation than a greeting. “I take it you’re going to Adam’s with all of us?”
Bianca hesitated. “Is this… a thing you all do in the morning?” Did the bar serve breakfast?
“You bet it is, sister,” Mrs. Hudson said cheerfully, sliding her arm through Bianca’s before she could escape. “Let’s go.”
Bianca stumbled half a step as she was pulled along and then fell into stride with them. “Do you have more flowers to deliver?” Nobody seemed to be carrying anything other than yarn.