We spent the next hour going over everything I had started to pull together the night before. I showed her what I’d intended from our original meeting a few weeks ago using the flowers that did arrive, then the things I was considering based on what I had.
Casey made some suggestions that I thought were excellent, and by the time I opened the store, we had a few really good choices and some options that blended everything together and would keep most guests from figuring out there was anything different.
“Do you want me to call her?” Casey offered.
I shook my head. “It’s my responsibility. I’ll do it. I think I’m going to call Omar first, though. See what he says. He might want to pick her up and bring her here.”
“That’s a good idea.”
I tapped Omar’s name and waited for him to answer. When he did, I could hear the smile in his voice and knew I’d be destroying it.
“Morning, Landon. How are you?”
“Um, not great, actually. There was an issue with the flowers, and I’ve had to make some changes.”
“What issue?” Omar asked, all serious.
“Half of them didn’t arrive like they were supposed to. I have enough flowers with what I have in stock, but it’s going to change the overall look of everything. I want you and Natalie to approve the changes before tomorrow. I know you’re both busy.”
“We’re actually off today, so we aren’t that busy. We were going to pack for our honeymoon and relax for the day. We can be to you in fifteen minutes, if that’s okay.”
“Yeah, absolutely. I’ll see you both then. Thanks, Omar. And I’m really sorry about this.”
“Not on you. I’m sure whatever you came up with is excellent.”
“I hope so. See you soon.” I hung up and met Casey’s curious gaze. “They’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”
“That’s good. Then they can look at everything, and you will know how to proceed.”
I drew a breath. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Apparently, we make a good team.”
“Yes, we do.”
The door opened up front, pulling me away from her. She stayed in the room while I went out to help the customer.
“Morning,” Justin said. He came in every other week to get flowers for his wife’s grave. After thirty-two years of marriage, he lost her to cancer, but he still visited her every day and took her flowers all the time.
“How are you, Justin?”
“I’m good. Not such a great day.”
I wrinkled my nose. “No, it’s not. You need something that’ll hold up in the weather?”
“Yeah, if you’ve got something like that, I’d appreciate it.”
“Sure. Let’s take a look. I had to pull a few things out thanks to a mixup with the delivery and the mayor’s wedding, but I should have options. You go for pinks, reds, and green, right?”
“If you’ve got them. It can be tough this time of year to find those bright colors.”
“I think we can find a few things.” I went to the case and pulled out a few options for Justin. Pink zinnias and poppies, red carnations and lilies, and green ferns all matched the colors Justin liked to bring to his wife. I grabbed the bins with each of them and set them out so he could choose a few.
“Those pink ones are beautiful. Nancy would have loved those.” He pointed to the poppies.
“They’re great flowers. Do you want a bunch of those or to mix a few things in?”
“I like these red ones, but I’m not sure how they look together.” He caressed the lily petals.
