Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Daisy’s heart sank as she watched the men each pick up a bouquet and bury their nose in it, deliberately crushing the delicate blossoms. One proceeded to create his own bridal path as he yanked petals from his arrangement to scatter over the ground. The others destroyed theirs in various ways to leave the floor covered in crushed floral carcasses.
“I hope the bride lives happily ever after,” the leader laughed as the crew tromped through the back door.
Freed from her frozen position, Daisy flew to the back door to click the bolt into position. Fumbling for her phone, she dialed 911 as she raced to the cooler for more flowers. There was no time to cry. She still had so many bouquets to make and now her job was going to take even longer.
“911, what’s your emergency?”
“Four men just walked in the back door of my floral shop and destroyed bouquets when they couldn’t find any money,” Daisy reported, blinking furiously to stop herself from crying as she grabbed a form to start a replacement bouquet.
“Do you have someone who can come stay with you? I’m sending officers to take a report, but they won’t be there for a while,” the operator asked. She must have heard the emotion in Daisy’s voice.
An immediate image of a muscular man popped into her mind. Daisy always felt safe with him around. “I’ll call a friend,” she promised the operator.
After thanking the emergency responder, Daisy searched her phone to find a number she’d saved. It rang twice, and she hung up. I don’t want to bother him. He’s probably busy.
Daisy set the phone on her workbench with a shake of her head. Tarson Kirkwood—everyone called him Bear—took care of everyone at Blaze. He wasn’t her personal security force.
When her phone buzzed loudly on the table, Daisy snapped the stem of a carnation in half as she jumped. Snatching the phone up, she automatically answered, “Blooms by Daisy.”
“What’s up, Daisy? Are you okay?” Bear’s deep voice sounded concerned.
“I’m sorry, Bear. I shouldn’t have called. My shop was just vandalized by a group of men.” Daisy tried to keep her voice steady, but a quiver betrayed her.
“Did you call the police?” he demanded.
She could hear something rustling through the connection. “I did. The police are coming to file a report. The dispatcher suggested I call someone to stay with me. For some reason, my fingers chose you to call. Then I realized how stupid it was to disturb you, so I hung up. I’m sorry.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll call you when I’m at the back door.”
“No, Bear. Really. I’m okay,” she reassured him as she dropped her forehead down to rest on the cool counter. Daisy tried to pull herself together.
“I’ll make sure of that myself. Five minutes, Little girl. I’ll be right there.”
Daisy stared at the cellphone. He’d hung up. Glancing at the clock to estimate what time he would be there, she worked quickly to create another bouquet. With each flower and stem of greenery she added, Daisy forced the panic to stay at bay. After four minutes, her phone rang again.
“Bear?”
“I’m here, Daisy. Come let me in.”
Daisy flew across the work area, threw the door open, and stared at the muscular man dressed in grey sweatpants and a blue T-shirt. Unable to stop herself, she rushed forward to press herself against him. His arms wrapped around her to hold her close. Daisy closed her eyes and laid her head on his broad chest.
“Thank you for coming. I was so scared.”
His hands glided over her back to reassure her. “I’m glad you called. Let’s go inside and you can tell me what’s going on.”
When she didn’t move, Bear lifted her easily in a giant hug and walked forward, allowing the door to slam behind him. He set Daisy’s feet back on the ground and turned to flip the lock back into place. Scanning the debris cluttering the floor, he nudged a destroyed bouquet with his toe.
“That has to be bad luck for the wedding,” he suggested with an arched eyebrow.
Daisy backed away from him self-consciously. “I got this big order. Their scheduled florist went out of business right before the wedding. I was working on the bridesmaids’ bouquets when four men came in the door. This is what they did when I didn’t have any money for them to steal.”
“What can I do to help?”
“Could you just stay with me until the police get here? I’m here all the time alone, but I’m…”
“Not alone now,” he finished. “Work. I’ll take some pictures. After the police leave, I’ll clean up this mess.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she protested.
“Work. Make something beautiful like you always do.”
Nodding, Daisy dashed back to her work area. Bear repeatedly drew her attention as he strode through the mess on the floor to check the door and look outside. When the police knocked and announced themselves, he opened it and showed the officers inside.