Engrossed in her sewing, she jumped when the doorbell rang.
“Ouch!” Sarah dropped her sewing. As she walked to the front door, she rubbed the finger she’d poked with the needle. She hoped this wasn’t a surprise visit from Karla. She wasn’t up to another conversation like yesterday’s.
She peeked out the window and saw a florist delivery van parked behind her car. Sarah opened the door.
“Are you Sarah Buckley?”
“Yes.”
“These are for you.” The teenage delivery boy shoved a vase of cut flowers toward her then turned. “Have a great day,” he called over his shoulder.
Sarah balanced the heavy glass vase against her side as she closed her door. The sweet scent of irises delighted her nose. She set the large vase on the end table and admired the spring bouquet of daisies, irises, tulips, and crocuses. Slipping the card from the plastic holder, she dipped her nose into the arrangement and inhaled the flowers’ bouquet. Was this her mom’s or Karla’s way of saying, “I’m sorry”?
Sarah opened the envelope and read the card.
I hope these flowers brighten your day. Sorry I had to break our date. See you tomorrow night, Mark.
Happiness fluttered through Sarah, forcing out a giggle. She read the card again and savored the joyous feeling. She knew she was right about Mark. A man who wasn’t interested would never send a girl flowers.
She removed an African violet from the stand in front of the picture window and set the plant on the floor. She placed the flowers on the mosaic-topped stand that was right in her line of vision from the sofa where she planned to be the remainder of the afternoon, sewing quilt blocks.
Sarah lifted her cell phone from the end table and sat down cross-legged on the couch. She nervously fingered a throw pillow with one hand as she hit the programmed number in her cell phone. She smiled as the connection began to ring. She definitely hoped God included Mark in her future.
The tissue paper Sarah wrapped around her flowers to protect them in the car worked. Not one flower petal was broken or missing. As she stood back and admired the bouquet sitting on the corner of her desk, she shivered with giddiness.
“Hoo-wee, someone’s been a good girl.” Ashley strode up behind her then whistled. “That’s one beautiful bouquet.”
“You won’t get an argument from me.” Sarah giggled.
“Tell Mark he did good.”
“How did you know he sent them? I haven’t shown you the card yet.”
“Sarah, where Mark’s concerned you haven’t a poker face.”
Sarah shrugged and giggled again. She reveled in the lighter-than-air feeling.
“Judging by the flowers, I can tell he’s just as smitten with you as you are with him.” Ashley squeezed Sarah’s shoulders.
Surprised by the happy tears that welled in her eyes, Sarah swiped away the moisture with the back of her knuckle. It felt so good to have someone share her happiness about her relationship.
“Let’s get some coffee, and you can tell me all about your date.”
Ashley headed for the adjoining room. Sarah grabbed her cup and inhaled deeply as she passed her flowers. The spring fragrance tickled her senses. Mark’s gesture delighted her heart.
Sarah held her cup steady while Ashley poured.
“So spill it.” Ashley set the carafe on the warming element.
Ashley pulled a face when she saw Sarah pretending to spill her coffee. “I didn’t mean that and you know it. Tell me about your date.”
Sarah sipped her coffee. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“What?” Ashley frowned and looked out toward the flowers.
“One of Mark’s employees quit with no notice. He had to cover the shift. The bouquet is part of his apology for canceling our date, and he promised to reschedule, so…” Sarah zigzagged her fingers over the textured surface of her gold-toned earring. “I’m sure he really does want to date me.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Ashley’s frown deepened. “Of course he wants to date you—he asked you out.”
It took a minute for Sarah to realize exactly what she said. She waved her hand in the air. “Well, my mom and friend seem to think now that Mark knows I have—” She stopped. She’d never told Ashley that she, Sarah, had MS.
She cleared her throat. “Ashley, I have multiple sclerosis. The people closest to me seem to think now that Mark knows my medical condition, he won’t want to date me.”
“Really? Why would that make a difference? Don’t they want you to be happy? I don’t understand that line of thinking at all.” Ashley slipped down into a chair by the break room table. Her nostrils flared and, as she frowned, deeper creases lined her forehead. She seemed to have skipped right past Sarah’s illness to anger in defending Sarah’s rights.
Sarah furrowed her brow. “You think it wouldn’t make a difference to a man if a woman were sick. If he wanted to date her, he would.”
“Absolutely. Don’t they trust your judgment in men?”
They didn’t, and Sarah couldn’t blame them. They’d helped her pick up the pieces once. Sarah swallowed hard in an attempt to clear her throat of the bitter pill of past mistakes as she responded to Ashley’s question with a slight shake of the head.
“Besides, you look healthy. What does having MS mean, exactly?” Ashley gave Sarah a once-over before taking a drink of her coffee.
“Right now, it means that I lose muscle control in my right arm from time to time. Lots of things can bring on an attack, like the weather, stress, or fatigue. When that happens, I go get a steroid shot and the symptoms usually clear right up.”
“Here’s to modern medicine and a hope for a cure.” Ashley held her travel mug up.
Sarah lightly tapped it with her coffee mug in agreement with the toast. “Speaking of that, I’m taking part in the MS walk. I have a sign-up sheet at my desk if you’d like to sponsor me.”
“Sure.”
Ashley followed Sarah into the office area. As Ashley wrote down her pledge, the office door opened.
Sarah looked up, ready to give her pat “good morning” or “may I help you.” Her heart fluttered. “Mark! What are you doing here?”
Dressed in blue jeans and the green polo shirt that emphasized the emerald flecks in his eyes, Mark held up a box of doughnuts. “Peace offering.”
After polite introductions and small talk, Sarah’s tenant excused herself.
“I won’t get you into trouble just stopping by, will I?” Mark hadn’t realized how much he’d looked forward to his date with Sarah until she’d called to thank him for the flowers.
Sarah shrugged. “My bosses are located in the downtown office, and I’m supposed to get breaks, but I usually work through them. Sometimes my lunch, too, so I think I can take a short break now.”
Mark wrinkled his brow. Sarah should take her breaks if for no other reason than to ward away the fatigue that accompanied MS.
She started across the room and waved for Mark to follow along.
He hadn’t expected such a formal office. The plush carpet and bulky cherrywood desk screamed dignified. No wonder Sarah’s attire was always accessorized and polished.
Today was no different. A lavender linen jacket topped her floral-print dress with a formfitting skirt. The back slit in the skirt might have been designed for easier movement, but it showcased Sarah’s slender, shapely calves. Her spike-heeled sandals, a shade darker than the jacket, added at least three inches to her height.
“Are you coming?” Sarah peeked around the door.
Mark entered the long room. A stark contrast to Sarah’s office area, the office machine room that appeared to double as a break room was decorated in white-and-gray run-of-the-mill counters and clapboard cupboards. He set the doughnuts on the white plastic-topped folding table.
“You look lovely today. You do justice to every color you wear.” Mark took the cup of steaming liquid she offered, savoring the flush that deepened the color of Sarah’s cheeks.
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“Thank you.” Sarah’s black eyes glistened. “Why did you call the doughnuts a peace offering? I’m not angry with you.”
Mark chuckled. “For my conscience. I really hated standing you up yesterday.”
“Well, many thanks to you and your conscience for this treat.” Sarah removed a doughnut from the box and held it up. “And for your surprise visit. You’ve made my day.”
“Likewise.” Mark smiled. Should he tell her she’d been making his day every time she stopped into his store?
“I hope you didn’t go out of your way.”
“Actually, I didn’t. I live in the condos not far from here.” Mark pointed to the southeast.
“In the new development?” Sarah nibbled at her glazed doughnut.
Mark nodded his head. “You sound surprised.” Only two-thirds of his doughnut was left after his first bite.
“I guess I assumed because you were a lifelong resident of Sioux Falls that you’d live in a more established neighborhood.”
“We did, but after Mom passed away I downsized. Unlike Caroline’s fiancé, Rodney, I dislike yard work and snow removal especially after a long day of work, so I sold Grandma’s house and bought a condo.”
“Makes sense. I don’t enjoy those activities, either. I rent my Kiwanis Avenue duplex. The owner and his wife live in the other side. He is very particular about his lawn, so he takes care of those things for me.”
Good, because you shouldn’t be doing that kind of work anyway. Mark broke a sugar-coated doughnut in two and dunked one end into his coffee.
“Thank you again for the treat.” Sarah wiped icing from her fingers.
“I should thank you for indulging me. I thought it’d be nice to have friendly company before I start a long day.” Mark popped the last of his doughnut into his mouth.
“Another one?” Sarah’s dark eyes clouded. “If you want to talk about what happened and why your clerk quit, I don’t mind.”
Was she a mind reader? As soon as it had happened, he’d almost called Sarah to talk. It was the first time he’d wanted to talk to someone other than his mom when he had a problem. He’d actually picked up the phone then reconsidered.
He wiped his mouth and hands on his napkin. “Rachel’s daughter ran into some trouble with the law, so she’s moving her grandchildren to her house.”
“Sounds like Rachel’s family needs our prayers.” Sarah twisted her earring as she shook her head.
“I’d say so. It’s a sad situation, but Rachel’s doing the right thing for the children. She hated to quit with no notice, but given the circumstances she just didn’t feel like she could leave them with a sitter while she worked for two weeks.”
“So now you’re shorthanded.”
“Yes. I’m covering her shifts this week until Terri and I can work out a schedule. I’m heading in to work early so I can get some special orders placed before it’s time to open.” Mark sighed. “Compared to what Rachel’s going through, a few long workdays is nothing, but…”
“You’re not looking forward to it.” Sarah’s eyes conveyed sympathy.
“As much as I like running the quilt shop, I’m not looking forward to several eleven-hour days.”
“It does get tiring. I delivered for UPS for twenty years and pulled long shifts during holiday times.” Sarah’s expression changed to wistful.
“You had to change jobs because of your MS?”
“Yes, the heavy lifting and summer heat made my symptoms flare, so I opted for a climate-controlled job.” She held her hands up, but sadness showed on her face.
“I can tell you miss your old job.”
“I miss being busy and chatting with a variety of people each day. It’s hit or miss most days here on both accounts. Although I’ll find out later today if a large company decided to lease the third floor. If they do I’ll be overseeing the remodeling project.” Sarah’s face brightened.
Mark frowned. He knew how stressful it could be working with contractors, not to mention lessees. She’d be right in the middle of trying to please everyone. Not a good position for an MS patient to be in. “That sounds like a lot of work.”
“I prefer to think of it as a challenge.” Sarah rubbed her palms together.
Mark smiled at her enthusiasm but made a mental note to make sure she took care of herself if the remodel deal went through. “Speaking of challenges, I have my own to handle today. I’d better head to the store and place those orders before it’s time to open.” Mark stood. “And I’m sure I stayed longer than I should have.”
Sarah waved his comment off. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll eat my lunch at my desk. And as you can tell, the phone hasn’t rung once since you arrived.” She put their coffee cups into the kitchen sink and followed Mark into her office area.
Mark slowed his steps to stretch their last moments together. He reached for her hand and cupped it the way he had the night he demonstrated the sewing machine. He felt the familiar curves where the back of her hand met her knuckles, her short, plump fingers, the feathery softness of her skin.
He stopped by the door and searched her face. The soft curve at the corner of her lips beckoned to him. He licked his lips in an attempt to stop the nervous quiver that urged him to kiss Sarah. It didn’t work. He leaned toward her. When their eyes met, hers widened.
He’d never wanted to kiss any woman more than at this moment. He’d never wanted to hold any woman close and feel her warmth like he wanted to do with Sarah. He never wanted to protect any woman like he wanted to protect Sarah.
Her hand trembled in his, reminding him that their surroundings weren’t the appropriate place for a first kiss. He squeezed her hand before lifting it to his lips and pressing a kiss in her palm, never breaking eye contact. He folded her fingers over the spot he kissed.
“Hold on to this for me.” He knew his kiss would be safe with Sarah.
“You are the prettiest sandwich-delivery person I’ve ever seen.” Mark pulled a foot-long sub from a plastic bag.
Sarah giggled. Since Mark kissed her palm she’d been floating in a bubble of happiness.
“Aren’t you eating?” Mark lifted the bag and shook out the napkins. “I can share.”
“It’s all yours. I ate mine on the drive over.” Sarah turned on the demonstrator machine. “I need all the time I can get to try and sew a quilt block on the machine before the class starts. I ended up ripping the last one apart and sewing it by hand.”
Mark brought his sandwich and drink to the middle of the worktable as Sarah spread out her supplies. “Will it bother you if I sit here and watch?”
“No, but it may bother you to watch a woman who has absolutely no idea how to sew since you’re not used to that,” Sarah teased Mark.
He gave her a weary smile. “It won’t bother me. You’re so thoughtful to bring me dinner.”
“I told you I know what it’s like to work long hours. Little things matter.” Besides, she wanted to touch his heart the way he melted hers with the surprise visit to her office.
“I saw the Help Wanted sign in the window. Has anyone applied?” Sarah lined up two pieces of contrasting fabric then tucked them under the presser foot.
“Not yet. I did have a lady inquire, thinking that her daughter may be interested in it. However, Terri’s daughter is home from college in a week. She has a summer internship lined up, but that doesn’t start until the first of June, so Terri’s going to see if she’d like to fill the open position to earn some extra money.” Mark raised the straw to his mouth.
The simple gesture warmed Sarah’s palm where he’d placed his sweet kiss. “That sounds like the perfect solution. Then you can take your time finding the right person for the position.”
Mark nodded as he chewed a bite of sandwich.
The machine whirred as Sarah guided her fabric toward the needle. “Darn.”
“What?” Mark looked over.
“My fabric keeps slipping.” Sarah lifted the presser foot and pulled the pi
eces free.
“You need to pin it together.” Mark wiped his hands on his napkin.
“Then how will I sew it? Won’t pins break the needle?”
Mark shook his head as he stood. Sarah forgot her quilt project as she watched him walk around the table and stop beside her. His navy-striped polo shirtsleeves stretched tight across his biceps. The sharp crease in his navy trousers, a shade lighter from consistent pressing, led down to athletic shoes.
“I knew I’d be on my feet all day.” He lifted one foot. “I wanted to be comfortable in case the Tuesday night special works. My timing wasn’t good concerning the start of that, but…”
“I was just thinking what a smart man you were, wearing practical shoes on a long day.” Sarah thought she saw the circumference of Mark’s chest increase a little as his instant smile pushed all the weariness from his features.
“You”—Mark tapped the end of her nose with his forefinger—“are just what I needed today.”
His intense stare made Sarah hold her breath. Would he kiss her?
Mark leaned toward her, closing the gap between them. The emotion conveyed in his hazel eyes caused a rapid pattering of her heart. His warm breath tickled her cheek. Sarah leaned forward and tilted her chin, ready to receive his kiss.
A light rap on the workroom door broke their eye contact. “Sorry to interrupt your dinner, but it’s time for me to leave.” Terri threw her boss an apologetic look.
Sarah caught the slight tremble of Mark’s hand as he glanced at his watch. Was attraction surging through him, too? Numbing his thoughts and putting his senses on high alert?
“Go ahead and leave.” Mark’s baritone held a bass edge. He cleared his throat. “I’ll go out to the sales floor as soon as I show Sarah a sewing method.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow at noon.” Terri gave them a wiggle-finger wave as she left through the back door.
Dakota Love Page 22
