this whole mess happened.”
“Sarah, were there flowers in the house when you came in?”
“Bixby asked me the same question. I honestly couldn’t tell you. When I walked in and saw Derek and Jenny and the expressions on their faces, I can’t say I made an inventory of the room. I just wanted to get out of there. When Jenny went to bed, it sounded like a great idea to me, too. Audrey, I’d like to say Jenny never left after that point, but a long day at the gym makes me bone tired. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.”
• • •
No one with a cat ever needs an alarm clock. Six was the absolute earliest I wanted to awaken, and an extra half hour (or two) after such a long night at the shop seemed more than reasonable.
Chester never got the memo. He circled me on the bed with the motor running. When I pulled the covers tighter to my ear, he proceeded to take what cat lovers call love nibbles. Yes, he bit me.
“All right.” I pushed the covers off and he raced to the kitchen. I considered closing the door and going back to sleep, but that would result in persistent paw scratching on the door until I opened it again—another cat habit my landlord was less than thrilled with.
I followed Chester to the kitchen, where he started weaving around my legs and yowling like only a true tomcat can. I refilled his dry food and water before giving him a half can of some rather surprisingly appetizing-looking beef nuggets in gravy.
After a quick shower, I rummaged up some clean working clothes, taking quick inventory in my closet to ensure I had enough to carry me through the next few hectic days. I then grabbed a dress for a bridal appointment later in the afternoon. And sighed.
My worst problems were a busy workday and a destructive cat. But Jenny was sitting in jail. And poor Derek was dead. I drew in a quick breath, exhaled it slowly, and determined I would have a good attitude. I owed it to our customers. And I owed it to Liv and our crew to set a good example. Besides, I could always collapse on Sunday.
After an invigorating two-block walk in the chilly April morning air, I beat everyone to the shop. I even put on a pot of coffee and powered up the radio before shuffling through the stack of funeral orders yet to be assembled.
When Liv arrived, a few minutes later than usual, she looked scary-pale. The only color in her face came from the dark circles under her eyes. I caught the whiff of ginger coming from her travel mug. She propped open the alleyway door to let in the cool air. We spent the next hour or so assembling the remaining orders. The blinking wall phone suggested there were more, but they would have to wait. The Rawlings had requested that their flower deliveries be made only before and after the hours they’d advertised for visitation. Any new arrangements wouldn’t go out until later in the afternoon anyway.
When our delivery team arrived, they loaded the van under Liv’s direction and then packed the remaining overflow into the CR-V we used for smaller deliveries. When I went to climb into the passenger seat, I found a basket arrangement neatly buckled in, instead.
“Should I strap myself to the hood?” I asked, a little more amused than irritated.
“No, the boys and I got this.” Liv buckled herself in.
I looked back at the crowded van and packed CR-V. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, positive. I’d rather keep you here with Amber Lee. And maybe there’s time to get Jenny’s things over to her before your consulting appointment.”
I glanced at my watch. “Sure I can spare the time?”
Liv rolled her eyes and then rolled up the windows before easing down the alley with her floral cargo.
Inside the shop, Amber Lee moved with amazing speed, filling the self-serve cooler and readying the shop for opening.
“So how did you like the Rawling place?” She wiped a few stray smudges from our glass counter.
“Quite a setup,” I said. “Ever been there?”
“Naw, been
“Sarah, were there flowers in the house when you came in?”
“Bixby asked me the same question. I honestly couldn’t tell you. When I walked in and saw Derek and Jenny and the expressions on their faces, I can’t say I made an inventory of the room. I just wanted to get out of there. When Jenny went to bed, it sounded like a great idea to me, too. Audrey, I’d like to say Jenny never left after that point, but a long day at the gym makes me bone tired. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.”
• • •
No one with a cat ever needs an alarm clock. Six was the absolute earliest I wanted to awaken, and an extra half hour (or two) after such a long night at the shop seemed more than reasonable.
Chester never got the memo. He circled me on the bed with the motor running. When I pulled the covers tighter to my ear, he proceeded to take what cat lovers call love nibbles. Yes, he bit me.
“All right.” I pushed the covers off and he raced to the kitchen. I considered closing the door and going back to sleep, but that would result in persistent paw scratching on the door until I opened it again—another cat habit my landlord was less than thrilled with.
I followed Chester to the kitchen, where he started weaving around my legs and yowling like only a true tomcat can. I refilled his dry food and water before giving him a half can of some rather surprisingly appetizing-looking beef nuggets in gravy.
After a quick shower, I rummaged up some clean working clothes, taking quick inventory in my closet to ensure I had enough to carry me through the next few hectic days. I then grabbed a dress for a bridal appointment later in the afternoon. And sighed.
My worst problems were a busy workday and a destructive cat. But Jenny was sitting in jail. And poor Derek was dead. I drew in a quick breath, exhaled it slowly, and determined I would have a good attitude. I owed it to our customers. And I owed it to Liv and our crew to set a good example. Besides, I could always collapse on Sunday.
After an invigorating two-block walk in the chilly April morning air, I beat everyone to the shop. I even put on a pot of coffee and powered up the radio before shuffling through the stack of funeral orders yet to be assembled.
When Liv arrived, a few minutes later than usual, she looked scary-pale. The only color in her face came from the dark circles under her eyes. I caught the whiff of ginger coming from her travel mug. She propped open the alleyway door to let in the cool air. We spent the next hour or so assembling the remaining orders. The blinking wall phone suggested there were more, but they would have to wait. The Rawlings had requested that their flower deliveries be made only before and after the hours they’d advertised for visitation. Any new arrangements wouldn’t go out until later in the afternoon anyway.
When our delivery team arrived, they loaded the van under Liv’s direction and then packed the remaining overflow into the CR-V we used for smaller deliveries. When I went to climb into the passenger seat, I found a basket arrangement neatly buckled in, instead.
“Should I strap myself to the hood?” I asked, a little more amused than irritated.
“No, the boys and I got this.” Liv buckled herself in.
I looked back at the crowded van and packed CR-V. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, positive. I’d rather keep you here with Amber Lee. And maybe there’s time to get Jenny’s things over to her before your consulting appointment.”
I glanced at my watch. “Sure I can spare the time?”
Liv rolled her eyes and then rolled up the windows before easing down the alley with her floral cargo.
Inside the shop, Amber Lee moved with amazing speed, filling the self-serve cooler and readying the shop for opening.
“So how did you like the Rawling place?” She wiped a few stray smudges from our glass counter.
“Quite a setup,” I said. “Ever been there?”
“Naw, been
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