A Bouquet of Love

by Janice Thompson

  We ended the call a few minutes later, and I toyed with the idea of talking to Marcella about what Bella had said. Only one problem—with so many customers coming and going, I didn’t find an opportunity to do so.

  About half an hour later, Alex finished up his work and joined me behind the counter. “You hungry?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “Hadn’t thought about it.”

  “It’s almost your lunch break.”

  “Lunch break? This early?”

  “It’s not early. It’s ten till twelve. Besides, I know of this great little Greek place just a few blocks down. Great gyros. Family atmosphere. I really think you’re gonna like it there.”

  “Ha. Well, as long as you don’t take me back to Parma John’s, I guess we’re okay. Last time I nearly risked my inheritance sneaking into that place.”

  “Yeah, I keep forgetting to ask how your dad reacted after I left the other night. Did he blow like a top?”

  “Weirdly, no. He acted perfectly normal . . . only quieter. Totally bizarre.”

  “Wow. Maybe God’s working on him.”

  “Or maybe . . .” I shivered. “Maybe he’s like a volcano, just waiting to blow.”

  This seemed to concern Alex. “Do you think it’s worth the risk going back there for lunch then? I’m dying for a gyro, but not if it’s going to be awkward for you.”

  I was dying for a hero too, but didn’t say so out loud. Besides, it looked as if one had already come my way, one intent on riding the trolley from the florist shop to my family’s restaurant. Go figure. This guy just couldn’t seem to get enough of that trolley, could he?

  Less than five minutes later we sat side by side on the trolley. Alex couldn’t stop talking about the new Super-Gyros sign on the side of it. I still couldn’t stop shivering in spite of the warm air outside. Alex slipped his arm over my shoulder and I nestled close. Very close.

  “So, tell me more about that conversation I sort of overheard a while back,” Alex said. “About roses.”

  “About roses?”

  “Yeah, the one about waiting for the rose to open up.” The edges of his lips curled up in a delicious smile.

  “Oh, that conversation.” I bit my lip and pondered what I would say. “A lot of work goes into getting a rose—fertilizing, growing, pruning, budding, blossoming.” I stopped and shrugged. “I have no idea why I’m telling you all of this. Roses are your business. I’ve never even grown one myself.”

  “You should try it sometime. You’re right, it’s a process.”

  “Well, what you overheard me saying to Marcella is that I look at love the same way. It’s a process. One minute God is doing a work in your heart, planting seeds of hope that there will one day be a blossom. The next day he’s tilling the soil. Then relationships begin to grow, like the rosebud coming to life on the vine. And then one day—when the timing is just right—that bud blooms.”

  “And that’s how love is?” His eyes sparkled with mischief.

  “I’m guessing. I’ve never actually . . . well . . . been in love before.” A lengthy pause followed and my heart skipped a beat as the reality of how I felt about him kicked in.

  “I see.” He gave me a pensive look. “Never . . . ever?”

  “I, um, well . . .” My face heated up. “Anyway, I guess what I’m saying is that it will be worth waiting for. In the end, that rose is gorgeous. You never think about how long it took to get it to that point, you only see it for what it is in the moment.” The trolley bell rang as it jolted to a stop. I did my best not to tumble out of the seat.

  “I like the way you think.” Alex leaned over and gave me a little kiss on the cheek, then stood and led the way up the aisle as if nothing had happened.

  Had that really just happened? Here? On the trolley? In the middle of the afternoon?

  I followed behind him to the door. Alex got off the trolley and extended both his hands. I reached to take one of them, but he swept his hands around my waist and lifted me to the ground. A little squeal came out—I couldn’t help it.

  “Catch you off guard?” he asked.

  “A little.” My breath caught in my throat, but I finally managed to get hold of my senses. Not that Alex had released his hold on me. Nope.

  I continued to gaze into his beautiful brown eyes. Crazy how the expression I found there made me want to throw my arms around his neck and give him a kiss square on the mouth.

  I felt my face grow hot at the very idea. Seriously? Kiss him? Here on the Strand? In front of my father’s place of business? With a banner advertising the new meatball sandwich waving in the breeze?

  I had the strangest feeling Alex was thinking the same thing, if one could judge such things by the twinkle in his eyes. Well, not the part about the meatball sandwich, but the kissing in front of my family part.

  My heart slowed its pace, but neither of us moved. Or spoke. We stood like department store mannequins in the middle of the road, both of us grinning.

  Well, until Eva hollered at us from the Greek side of the street. “You two gonna stand there all day and get run over by the next trolley? I’m no good at CPR.”

  “No CPR necessary.” Alex released his hold on my waist as he hollered back his response.

  Easy for him to say. I could’ve used a little intervention right about now. Maybe some oxygen to help steady my breathing, at the very least.

  I tagged along on his heels into my family’s shop, willing my heart to stop the strange little dance it had begun seconds earlier.

  The next half hour was spent in giddy delight as I took Alex behind the counter at Super-Gyros and put him to work making his own gyro. Turned out he was pretty good at it. So good, in fact, that Babbas—who hadn’t spoken a word to me since the Splendora Sisters ratted me out—offered him a job. Without pay, of course.

  “There you go,” I whispered in his ear. “You’re really one of the family now. Working for no pay is the highest form of flattery around here.”

  Alex laughed, then ate his sandwich and offered to help with the lunch crowd, which was larger than usual now that school had let out for the summer. Babbas asked him to make a gyro for an incoming customer. He did an admirable job.

  “Not bad, not bad,” Mama said and then gave me a little wink. “I think this one’s a keeper, Cassia.”

  Yes, he was a keeper, all right. I thought back to our conversation on the trolley. Strange sensations drizzled over me as I reflected on what we’d both said. Something was blooming, for sure. No denying the obvious anymore.

  A quick glance at the clock reminded me that I needed to get back to the flower shop. Babbas didn’t even seem to mind. He was so thrilled with Alex’s help that he had nothing but flattering words to say. Go figure. Either the man had forgotten what the Splendora ladies had told him, or God had truly worked a miracle of biblical proportions. I’d take it, either way.

  After saying goodbye to the family, Alex took my hand and we headed to the corner to wait on the trolley. Once on board he led the way, not to a seat, but to the platform in the back. We stood in silence waiting for the trolley to start moving. Alex slipped his arm around my waist and drew me close. I turned to face him, my heart once again doing that crazy clang, clang, clang thing.

  Alex brushed his index finger along my cheek to push a loose hair out of my face, and I found myself leaning into his palm. He left his hand resting against my skin and drew me even closer. My eyes fluttered closed and I leaned into him.

  What happened next would’ve made an excellent scene in a Judy Garland movie, though Alex made a hunkier hero than any Hollywood hottie. He tilted my face upward and I opened my eyes, heart nearly dancing.

  Gazing up at him, I noticed the joy in those gorgeous eyes of his. They gave me the courage to do what I’d been dying to do for hours. With no one around to tell me otherwise, I flung both arms around the boy’s neck and gave him a kiss that nearly sent both of us tumbling off the trolley platform and onto the street below.

  Bliss!
Joy!

  The sound of Gina’s voice rang out, and I realized she was watching us from the sidewalk. “They’re kissing!” she hollered out with such enthusiasm that the patrons at both Parma John’s and Super-Gyros looked our way.

  I felt my face grow hot and wanted to hide. Judging from the way Alex tipped me backwards and planted a big one on me, he had a completely different plan for dealing with the onlookers.

  By the time I stood upright, a crowd had gathered around the back of the trolley from both sides of the street. Babbas and Mama. Bella and Aunt Rosa. They all watched us as the clanging of the trolley bells rang out.

  “Something you two want to tell us?” Mama asked after a moment.

  Alex nodded. “Yes. Yes, actually, there is.”

  I looked at him, wondering what he would come up with. The trolley started moving and he held me close to keep me from falling. He made a broad, sweeping gesture and hollered, “Rigas Roses are in bloom, people!”

  I knew what he was implying. Reflecting back on our earlier conversation, I had to conclude his little statement meant more than the obvious. Not that I had time to think about it. The trolley zipped along, my family and friends growing farther and farther away.

  I giggled before I could control myself. Alex put his arms around my waist. Then, face-to-face, with half the population of Galveston looking on as we buzzed down the Strand, he gave me another kiss worthy of a moment on the big screen.

  21

  Get Happy!

  You might be Greek if you think that everyone who is in the selling business is a crook and everything is always overpriced.

  Babbas’s behavior over the next several hours was strange, to say the least. We could hardly get the man to say a word, good or bad. I had a feeling something big was brewing in that mind of his, and I half expected him to blow at any moment. I got my answer on Tuesday morning, when he placed a written manifesto on the door leading from our apartment down to the shop. I paused to read it and got a sick feeling in my stomach.

  “What is it?” Eva whispered as she took a step closer to try to read it.

  “Apparently it’s an ultimatum for all Pappas family members. We’re not allowed to talk to, socialize with, or share a meal with anyone who is connected to the Rossi family.”

  “Puh-leeze.” Eva ran her finger along the words of the manifesto and then slapped herself on the head. “Well, that takes the cake.” She began to rant about how she would go back to California before she would ever submit to anything that ridiculous, but I found myself distracted, thinking about cake. If we couldn’t get Babbas calmed down, I’d never get to taste Scarlet’s Italian cream cake.

  Darian looked wounded as he read our father’s stern words, but the person who seemed to take this manifesto the hardest was Mama. She took one look at the piece of paper and erupted in tears, then headed downstairs to bake. I had a feeling some pretty awesome baklava would come out of her angst.

  The timing of the manifesto was particularly awkward for me, what with the fact that I needed to be at Club Wed for my photo shoot in a few hours. If Babbas found out, there would be a huge price to pay. Still, someone in the family needed to stand up to him.

  Listening to Judy croon “Forget your troubles, c’mon get happy” all the way from the Strand to Broadway soothed my troubled nerves. That, coupled with the breeze in my face, turned my attitude around. What was the worst that could happen if Babbas found out I’d gone to Club Wed to meet with Bella? He’d fire me? Cut back my pay? Ask me to move out of the apartment? Fine. I’d figure out a plan. I’d been socking away money from the florist shop, after all. What would be so bad about getting my own place? The more I thought about it, the more hopeful I felt.

  By the time I pulled my bike into the driveway at Club Wed, I’d almost forgotten about my woes. I slowed to a halt and stared at the Rossis’ huge Victorian home next door to Club Wed. Beautiful. Who lived in a place like that?

  After climbing off the bike, I parked it at the front steps and pulled off my helmet. No doubt my hair looked frightful. Who showed up for a meeting with the island’s most important wedding planner looking like the bride of Frankenstein?

  Bella didn’t seem to notice or care. She greeted me with her little girl on one hip and a cell phone pressed to her ear. After she gestured for me to follow her into Club Wed, I tagged along on her heels, trying to focus on the decor, not her conversation with her mother.

  As we walked through the foyer, the strangest sound greeted us. A loud “rat-a-tat-tat” rang out and I stopped in my tracks. The little girl started to cry as the noise continued. Bella pulled the phone away from her ear and shouted, “Enough, Guido!”

  I realized the noise was coming from a colorful parrot perched on an indoor tree to my left. The rowdy creature let out a shriek and then hollered, “Go to the mattresses!” The child’s wails became ear-piercing at this point.

  Bella ended her call, turned my way, and said, “Welcome to my world.”

  Wow. And I’d looked down at her from my window, thinking she had such an easy, ideal life. Maybe we all had our problems.

  “Before we go into my office, I want you to see our vendors’ area—Vendors Square.” Bella took me into a small room to the left of the foyer, where I saw some terrific displays for Hannah’s photography studio, Scarlet’s bakery, and Gabi’s dress designs.

  “Guess who’s next!” Bella said. She shifted her daughter to the other hip and tried to soothe her. “You do so many interesting floral designs that I’ve never seen before. Do you have a portfolio?”

  “I usually take pictures of the bouquets as I make them. They’re on my phone.”

  “That’s fine. Let’s combine them into a portfolio book. People will love looking through it.”

  “Sounds great.” I looked around Vendors Square, drawn in by everything I saw.

  “Hannah will be here soon to take your pictures,” Bella said, “but I’d like to meet with all of you for a few minutes first to share some news.”

  We didn’t have time to carry the discussion any further because the other ladies arrived. Bella passed her daughter off to Aunt Rosa, who’d appeared from the house next door, and we went into Bella’s office to meet. She gestured for us to sit, and I took the chair nearest her desk.

  Bella sat behind the desk, looking more official now that she’d handed off her daughter. “Two things I want to let you know before we start the photo shoot. First, I’m opening a wedding facility in Splendora.”

  “No way.” Hannah put her hands to her mouth, clearly stunned.

  Scarlet clasped her hands together. “I knew it!”

  “You’ve talked about it for ages,” Hannah said. “You’re really going to do it?”

  “Yep.” Bella nodded. “It makes perfect sense. I’m calling it Town and Country Chapel—the best of city luxury with the quaint feel of country living.”

  “Perfect!” Hannah clapped her hands. “I love the idea.”

  “The longer I’m in this business, the more the Lord seems to be linking me to Splendora. It’s D.J.’s hometown. His parents still have a place up there. Twila, Jolene, and Bonnie Sue are there. D.J.’s uncle Donny. Even Scarlet’s aunt Willy lives up there, and you guys know she’s the best baker in the state. She’ll be perfect to help out.”

  Scarlet cleared her throat.

  “Best baker in the state next to you, Scarlet, of course.” Bella chuckled.

  “Nah, my aunt’s light-years better than I am.” Scarlet laughed. “I’m not offended.”

  “Well, you get my point.” Bella nodded. “We’ve got some great connections up there, and they will give the place a professional feel.”

  Gabi looked a little concerned. “But they’re not wedding coordinators. You’ll need someone to manage the place, right?”

  “Wait a minute.” Scarlet paled. “Is that what you’re getting at, Bella? Please tell me you’re not moving away. I don’t think I could handle that.”

  “No.” With
a wave of her hand Bella seemed to dismiss that idea. “That’s the fun part. I’ve been thinking of asking someone else—actually, a couple of someones—to work for me. They could run the new facility.”

  “Who?” Scarlet asked. “Oh, let me guess . . . Twila and one of the other ladies?”

  “No.” Bella laughed. “I can’t even imagine what they would do with the place. They’ll help me grow the business, I’m sure. They’re so well known and loved by their community.” Her eyes sparkled. “But that’s not who I had in mind to run it. I was thinking of Alex’s sisters, Lily and Jasmine.”

  “Oh, Bella.” I could hardly catch my breath. “That’s an awesome idea. Does Alex know you’re thinking about this?”

  “No. I haven’t told him yet, but I think he’ll like the idea,” she said. “I like it too, but I want to pray about it before asking the twins. I’m not a hundred percent sure how they’ll do working together since they’re nothing alike. On the other hand, they’re young and ambitious, and I know they could potentially bring in great clients.”

  “Would they ever!” I agreed.

  “You might not know this, but Lily has a business degree,” Bella said. “She’s been dying to start her own company, so this will be perfect. She’s so graceful and sweet.”

  Hmm. I’d only seen her in mad-at-my-sister mode, so I couldn’t really comment on the sweet part. But she had come off as graceful for sure. And the business degree was definitely a plus.

  “This will be great for Alex’s family too,” Bella added. “They’ll have business around the clock at the new wedding facility. And we can have a great vendors’ area up there too.”

  “Speaking of which, have you tasted Jasmine’s candies?” I asked. “She’s got a whole line of wedding-themed chocolates. They’re so good.”

  “Oh yes.” Bella rubbed her stomach. “The last time I went to Splendora she gave me a gift basket as a thank-you for recommending her to one of my clients. She will definitely keep on making her candies.”