Page 43 of Coming Up Roses
Then she won’t need me anymore.
Who would need an aimless guy who couldn’t even commit to a job promotion because he was too scared of the responsibilities?
I don’t often let my mind wander in this direction. I didn’t want the farm manager position, so I turned Henry down when he offered it to me almost a year ago. After I declined, he found Dallas to take on the role and that couldn’t have worked out more perfectly.
So, I know that job wasn’t meant for me. If I’d taken it we wouldn’t have Dallas and Sadie here. Katie probably wouldn’t have stuck around.
I’m happy with my choice. I like things the way they are, with me not being in charge.
But if that wasn’t for me … then what is?
22
ABI
What Flynn is saying isn’tstupid corny like he thinks it is. It’s amazing.
They’re a chosen family. They choose to be on this team together, and while Violet and Olivia are the owners of the property and officially the bosses, it doesn’t feel like that. They’re all as invested in this place—and each other—as the person beside them.
I love that.
I’m just not used to it. And definitely not used to being a part of something like that.
I’m an only child, but with the surprise arrival of Sadie, to a guy my parents didn’t really approve of—for reasons I still can’t figure out because Dallas is one of the best guys out there—our relationship fell apart.
When everything went wrong for me with Sadie and Dallas, I went grovelling back to my parents. I’ve got to hand it to them, they handled it well. They helped me out, got me intotherapy, gave me a place to stay and supported me until I got back on my feet.
They’ve come to terms with being grandparents now, and I think they’re hoping they can be a part of Sadie’s life, once I get the relationship between me and her settled.
But even with their support, it’s still been a solo venture for me. There is no team. There’s no unwavering acceptance.
I clear my throat. “Okay,” I say, my voice raspy. “I’m not used to it.”
He gives me a quick, short nod, the corner of his mouth barely tilting up. I’m a little surprised by the reaction. I was expecting one of his big, easy smiles. I’m so used to seeing his features light up with those grins that to not get one now, when I’m agreeing with him on something so monumental, is jarring.
I pick up a rose from the table nearest me and twirl it. It’s a stunning flower; the colour a deep, smooth red, the scent subtle and refined, the petals perfect.
I glance up at Flynn, holding the flower between us like an offering. “Will you help me? Pretty, pretty please?” I bat my eyelashes and give him a coy smile. I stop before pouting my lips though, because that seems like a step too far.
We’ve already blurred the lines between us and while Flynn’s made it perfectly clear he doesn’t want to go further, I can’t deny that I do.
He’s a wonderful human, and an incredibly good-looking guy.
I remember the first time I laid eyes on Flynn. He sped up on his bike, hair dishevelled and eyes worried after Olivia sent him an SOS text, because they couldn’t find Katie. Flynn and Ididn’t speak that day, and I didn’t think I’d ever see him again. I didn’t think I’d end up working here, and when I took the job, Flynn hadn’t crossed my mind.
Then, on my first day, when he found me mid-panic attack, there was no space in my mind to appreciate him. I was too worried he’d tell Dallas I’m not fit to be around Sadie, and too panicked about coming face-to-face with my daughter—a daughter who didn’t even remember me.
But as far as I can tell, Flynn hasn’t told anyone about that day and the state he found me in.
And now he’s standing in front of me, staring down at me with clear hazel eyes, and he looks like a dream.
A really, really, excellent dream.
He watches me for another moment, his face expressionless. I shouldn’t have spoken to him like that. I shouldn’t have been silly and flirty. I’ve got a job to do and things to prove and making Flynn uncomfortable by flirting with him isn’t the way to do it.
I want to turn away from him, but his gaze has me trapped. I’m still holding the flower between us, but my hand is dropping. I suck my bottom lip in and sink my teeth into it. I need to extract myself from his allure and get to work.
Flynn’s fingers brush mine as he takes the flower, his tense expression from a moment ago softening. “Of course, I’ll help you,” he says. “Anything you need, Abigail. Just show me what to do.”
