Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 24266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Convinced my eyes were playing a trick on me, I focused on the address.
Maybe the phone number has a typo, and there’s another “Carmen Reese.” One who lives in Eads River and not New York…
After searching for the address, I discovered it belonged to 'Hannah Reese.'
I knew I shouldn’t pry and do precisely what the receipt said and let it be, but I couldn’t resist seeing if this was a coincidence.
I called the customer.
“Hello?” he answered on the first ring.
“Hello, this is Dahlia from Blooms & Letters,” I said. “I’m calling about a few issues with your order.”
“Oh, god,” he said. “Please don’t tell me you’ve run out of lavender roses. You’re the only place that sells them.”
“Not at all. We have plenty of those, sir.”
“Okay, great. What’s the problem?”
“Well, for one–” I hesitated. “There’s a slight misspelling on your card, and I’d like your permission to correct it.”
He laughed. “Of course. I’d appreciate it. What else?”
“I also wanted to verify that the address you have for ‘Carmen Reese’ is correct. 242 Hartsong Lane?”
“Yes, it’s uh—probably not popping up with her as the owner because it’s her mother’s home.”
“I see. Well, thank you so much for your time, sir. I’ll…” I wasn’t quite ready to let this go; I needed a little more. “One last thing, um…This is not an upsell or anything, but I happen to have some extra anniversary blooms available. Would you like me to add some to your bouquet?”
“That would be wonderful,” he said. “I’ve been seeing her for about six months now.”
“Six months?” I leaned against the counter; then I cleared my throat. “Well, that calls for a mix of pink and purple daisies. I’ll insert them and get it right out.”
“Thank you so much, Miss.”
I waited for him to end the call and shook my head.
“Stay out of it, Dahlia,” I whispered to myself. “It’s none of your business, so stay the hell out of it.”
A couple of hours later
“If you look to your left, you’ll see where we keep a collection of Jack-in-the-pulpits.” I spoke into the mic, leading a small group on a walking tour. “Those aren’t native to us in Tennessee but—”
My mother loved them, so she found a way…
“What was that, Miss?” A woman smiled at me. “I think your mic cut off after you said those aren’t native.”
“They’re so beautiful!” Another guest chimed in. “Do you all have any for sale?”
“We do.” Aunt Gertrude was suddenly behind me. “And the late owner of this place always found a way to make every bloom work here, native or not.”
She subtly took my mic and headset and motioned for me to return to the shop.
Grateful for her intrusion, I took my time walking back.
“Oh my gosh! Yesssss!” I looked up as a woman in an all-white suit rushed toward me. “I got the call from Miss Gertrude minutes ago and am so glad you’ll still be able to work with us on this wedding.”
“What wedding?” I asked.
“The wedding.” The woman smiled. “The one everyone in this town will be talking about for years!”
“Is it for a celebrity or something?”
“Funny.” She laughed and slid me a notecard. “One of the most successful men on Wall Street is finally settling down, and he wants to make it a hometown affair.”
The moment I spotted Everett’s name next to Carmen’s, everything became a blur.
The thought of a woman cheating on him after experiencing one taste of his lips, the way his strong hands gripped hips, was too hard for me to fathom.
“None of my business,” be damned.
Before I knew it, I was sending him an email.
He deserved to know.
FOUR
Everett
Subject: Please Open Me in Private…
Dear Everett,
Long time, no write.
It truly pains me to pen this letter (Okay, not really, but I’ve seen book reviewers write that before they launch into their 1- and 2-star reviews. *laughing emoji*) but…
I can’t tell you *how* I know this, but take my word for it: The woman you’re about to marry is a cheating, two-faced skank.
You should probably call off the engagement.
You’re welcome for saving you from the heartache.
Forever Writing You,
Dahlia
Subject: Re: Please Open Me in Private…
Dear Dahlia,
I haven’t heard from you in years and now you pop up and tell me to “take your word for it” when it comes to my upcoming wedding?
How cliche and typical of a scorned ex…
But since you want to bring up things that are painful to ask, did you and the-guy-you-left-me-for ever work out? Or did he realize how emotionally unstable you are and save himself?
In the unlikely event that a wedding invitation makes it to your old house, don’t open it.
Thank you for reminding me how immature you can be.
Never Write Me Again,
Everett
Subject: Re: Re: Please Open Me in Private…
Everett,
I really wasn’t trying to make things personal.
I’m just trying to help you.
Dahlia
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Please Open Me in Private…