“Jesse!” Her smile shone brighter than all those crystal doodads as she threw her arms around his neck and rose on tiptoe to kiss him.
“Sorry I’m late. Francesca had a basil emergency.”
She patted his chest. “I’ll bet she just wanted to ogle the herb farmer. Love the shirt. You’re quite the swashbuckler.” With a sexy little growl, she swirled her fingertip in his chest hair.
Joy filled him like sunshine. God, he loved this woman.
“C’mon.” She tugged him to the display. “Come see what Marquetta made.”
The table was piled high with cellophane packets holding teas, smudge sticks, bath salts, plus herb-infused massage oils, lip balms, and hand creams, all emblazoned with colorful labels readingDel Toro Botanicals.
“I scoured the internet to find the perfect bull. He looks just like you, my sexy beast.”
Jesse squinted at the image, then threw back his head and roared with laughter. If Gemma thought he resembled this curly-haired brute with fiery eyes and steam shooting out its snout, he wasn’t about to argue with her.
“The logo is awesome.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m truly flattered. Where should I unload the plants?”
She pointed to a wooden shelf, then turned her attention to a customer. He finished unloading in time to hear her say, “Del Toro Botanicals, our partner for organic herbs, was a victim of last week’s storm.” She tapped a large jar half-filled with coins and bills. “Any help you can give to the rebuilding fund would be much appreciated.”
The old hippie dude dumped his change into the jar.
“You made a tip jar for me?” He peered at the label, a photo of his hodgepodge crew of helpers in front of the decimated greenhouses.
She shrugged. “The aunties and I want to do what we can to help.”
“Gemma, you are the best.” Tears prickled his eyes as he pulled her to his chest and rocked her, heedless of the crowd.
Zora and Marquetta arrived with a tray of chai lattes, interrupting their embrace. “Oh,” Marquetta cooed. “Look at the lovebirds. It warms my old heart to see you two back together.” She set down the drinks and threw her arms around both of them.
Zora joined the hug scrum too. “I love our little family,” she sighed into Jesse’s back.
Jesse grinned so hard his cheeks ached. All the help he received from Trappers Cove this past week proved they really were much more than neighbors—they were the best kind of family, connected by bonds stronger than blood. Adding Gemma to his clan of the heart was the crowning touch. He truly was a happy man.
“Okay, enough mushy stuff.” Marquetta released him and rubbed her palms together. “Show us your surprise, Jesse.”
“Right.” He blotted his eyes on his sleeve. “I found this collection of old pots in the rubble. Gramps must’ve used them for decorative plants back in the day.” He’d cleaned up the ceramic pots, big and small, shallow and deep, and filled them with whatever herb plants he could salvage after the storm. With a homemade stencil and gold spray paint, he labeled eachGood Vibes Garden.Hand-lettered popsicle sticks identified the herbs in each pot.
“Didn’t have time to research all their magical properties, but I figure you ladies can explain that part to customers.”
The three women couldn’t have looked happier if he’d presented them with a basket of kittens. Gemma clapped a hand over her heart. “But you don’t believe in this woo-woo stuff.”
Jesse shrugged. “Not really, but you do, and that’s good enough for me.” He took her hand and kissed it. “Thank you for showing this stubborn ass a way to expand his market.”
Gemma snuggled into his arms. “And thank you for helping me expand my–well, everything. You taught me something important about myself.”
“What’s that?”
“The value of roots. Guess I had to fall in love with a farmer to learn that lesson.” She pressed her soft lips to his.
Honestly, if she kept on kissing him like this, both his heart and his dick were going to explode.
She purred into his ear, “Of course, I’ll always crave new experiences. It’s my Aquarius nature, you know.”
He squeezed her hip. “Woman, you and your new experiences are going to wear me out. What do you have in mind?”
She giggled. “You look mighty fine in that pirate shirt. How about adding an eye patch?”
He gave her a mock-stern glare. “Okay. But I draw the line at a parrot.”
