I hadn’t managed to get any rest, as I’d spent most of the night wrestling with my emotions. First, I had to deal with the guilty thrill of seeing Matthew again. I’d never stopped loving him. That was a fact. He was literally ‘the one that got away’—or more correctly, the man I’d walked away from.
Secondly, I wondered what he was doing in William’s Ford. Had he taken a teaching position at the University? Was he visiting his family? Lexie had said she was ‘taking the Bells home’. Home where? Was he living in town? It shouldn’t matter, and yet it did. Back and forth my mind had gone, from guilt, to shame, to anger, and crazily to hope.
I staggered out of bed, and assessed the damage in the bathroom mirror. My narrow face was too pale, and the circles under my blue eyes were pronounced. However, I couldn’t hide in my apartment all day, I had flowers to do. I drug my cosmetics out and got to work, being careful with my makeup and liberal with the concealer.
The cool braided hairdo Marie had done for me was still holding, so I’d fluffed the top a bit and secured the rest into a low ponytail. Other than the hair, it was regular old me today. The only concession I’d made to displaying my crappy mood was the 80’s rock I had blasting in my ears, and my purple sweatshirt that read, I can’t adult today. The snarky sweatshirt was mostly covered up by a green work apron, otherwise I’d never get away with wearing it.
Three hours and three cups of coffee later and the two bridesmaid’s bouquets were finished and resting in stands on my work station. All of the boutonnieres were completed, and I’d started on the bride’s bouquet. Carefully, I began to build the bouquet, one stem at a time. The bride had chosen well. The red roses, sprigs of goldenrod, orange Gerbera daisies and golden sunflowers were cheerful, autumnal and charming. Humming along with Joan Jett’s, “I Hate Myself For Loving You”, I tucked in some red hypericum berries, rotated the bouquet and added seeded eucalyptus.
I felt my friend let herself in the backdoor, more than I heard her. Autumn’s personal energy was vibrant and cheerful. I reminded myself to relax. Otherwise she’d pick up on—
“Violet?” Her hand dropped on my shoulder.
“Hi ya,” I said, tugging an earbud out with my free hand. “Be with you in a minute.”
“No worries.” Autumn considered the work station. “Wow, you got an early start.”
“We have a wedding tonight,” I said.
“How was your Black Friday?”
“Awesome.” I clicked off the music and set the iPod aside. “We broke our sales records.”
“That’s great!” Autumn said. “Hey, did you know that you’re all over the town’s website this morning? That Sugarplum Fairy costume was a huge hit.”
“Really?” I struggled not to be embarrassed. “I had no idea.”
She unbuttoned her royal blue coat and pulled off her gloves. “Did Marie do your makeup?”
“She did.”
“Tell me about the lost child you found.” Autumn winked and set her coat aside, revealing a bright red sweater.
“How’d you know?” I asked.
“Your picture wasn’t the only thing that was on the town’s website.”
“Aw Jeez.” I shut my eyes against embarrassment.
“Meet Violet O’Connell.” Autumn deepened her voice. “Mild mannered florist by day—Sugarplum Fairy and witchy hero by night.”
“Yeah, that’s me.” I added another sunflower to the bride’s bouquet. “I guess the girl was wandering Main Street hunting for the Sugarplum Fairy. Anyway, I spotted her, and brought her inside. Got her warm and called the police.”
“I heard Lexie was the officer that responded.”
I tucked more berries in the bouquet. “She was, and she had the girl’s father with her.” I managed to make that statement casually, and was pretty damn proud of myself.
“Ooh...” Autumn came closer to see the bouquets. “Look at those fall flowers!”
“You can pick one up if you like,” I said.
Autumn gently lifted a bridesmaid bouquet. “So, was the father careless, or did the little girl simply wander off?”
I shrugged. “He didn’t stay long enough for me to get any details.” I secured the bouquet’s arrangement with floral wire and set it in a holder to rest my hands.
Autumn sniffed the maid’s bouquet. “Well I’m sure he was very grateful that you found her.”
“I wouldn’t know. He never even said thank you.”
“Seriously?”
“He scooped her up and left without a word.” I heard the slightly bitter tone and could’ve bitten my own tongue.
“What’s wrong, Violet?”
Damn it. I worked up a smile. “Nothing. I only wanted to get a jump on the flowers for tonight, so I could enjoy the bridal consult with my friend.”
“You’ve been at it a while to get all of this done,” Autumn pointed out. “And I can tell you didn’t get any sleep last night.”
“So much for my under eye concealer,” I joked. At my friend’s bland stare I added, “I had a hard time winding down after Black Friday.”
“Violet, are you okay?” Autumn asked quietly, and replaced the bouquet in its holder.
“I will be,” I assured her.
“Talk to me.” Autumn put an arm around my shoulders. “You were there for me when I faced my feelings for Duncan.”
I leaned into her for a moment. “Do you remember when I told you about the man from my past?”
“Yes, of course I do.” Autumn nudged me to the little consult table. We sat across from each other, she set her purse aside, and waited patiently.
I steeled myself. “The missing child’s father, was Matthew Bell.”
Her green eyes were round. “Your ex?”
“Yes, my ex.” I blew out a long breath. “He’s back in William’s Ford.”
“What did he say when he saw you?” Autumn asked.
“Nothing. I don’t even know if he recognized me. Like I said, he scooped her up and walked straight out the door,” I reminded her.
Autumn adjusted her glasses. “Your makeup was very elaborate, Violet. He
