Where Love Blooms ~ Part Three by Jannine Gallant

Dahlia stood in front of the mirror with the blow dryer blasting on high and wondered if her hair would ever get dry. Holding the unwieldy blower in one hand, she applied eyeshadow with the other. She wasn’t brave enough to attempt mascara. The way her luck was going today, she’d blind herself. Deciding she could live with slightly damp hair, she turned off the machine and set it on the counter.

While she finished her eye-makeup, she pictured her savior from the snowbank stepping out of the shower and drying off as he got ready for his date. While her imagination was working overtime, she added six-pack abs and a sprinkling of dark, silky chest hair. Her reflection took on a distinctly pink hue. Despite the heavy jacket, she’d bet money he had those abs she’d dreamed up. Not that I’ll ever get the chance to find out if I’m right.

With a sigh, she pulled her hair up into a high ponytail, quickly braided one section, and wrapped it around the band, then pinned it in place. The rest of her mane cascaded down her bare back past her bra strap. Simple but elegant was the look she hoped to achieve since she didn’t have time for fancy. She added long, teardrop earrings then headed into her closet. Her go-to black cocktail dress could be dressed up or down. She added strappy black heels guaranteed to make her feet hurt and adjusted the neckline for an off the shoulder look.

Pausing to glance in the mirror, she made a face. Not bad considering the time crunch. At least she wouldn’t embarrass her date. She scooped up a soft white wrap she’d dropped on her bed and snapped off the bedroom light just as a knock sounded at the front door. Score one for being ready on time. She fist-pumped the air.

At least he hadn’t caught her still in her underwear.

She hurried toward the entry and carefully lifted the boutonnière she’d made earlier in the day off the table where she’d left it. Too late to change my mind about this date now. Pausing to take a steadying breath, she threw open the door.

The man waiting on the other side wore a smoke-gray suit that stretched across broad shoulders. Dark hair brushed his collar, and warm brown eyes stared at her from a freshly shaven face. Her jaw sagged a little.

“What are you doing here?” she blurted. “Did you follow me home?”

The warmth faded. “Do I look like a stalker?”

“No, you look like...” She swallowed the words on her tongue…a wet dream. “Never mind.” Her cheeks heated. “I’m a little confused. I was expecting my blind date.”

The twinkle in the chocolatey brown depths returned. “And I’m here to pick up mine for the Christmas Eve party.”

She glanced down at the familiar orchid corsage he held as her heartrate quickened. “I guess that’s not for your girlfriend, after all.”

“Not yet.” His smile returned. “We’ll see how the evening goes.”

Her knees weakened. “It looks like my luck has finally changed, but there’s one thing I don’t understand.”

“What’s that?”

Stepping back, she waved him inside. “Why the heck would you need a blind date? You’re…” She gave him a slow perusal. “Okay, I’ll just say it…extremely hot. Any single woman in town would probably pay to date you.”

He grinned as he shut the door behind him. “I haven’t met any of them yet.” He reached for her hand. “You’re so pretty, you take my breath away. I could ask the same question. Why would you agree to a blind date?”

She shrugged. “After the last guy I went out with mentioned he still lives with his practically ex-wife, I decided to take a break from dating. I only agreed to go tonight because Joanie wouldn’t take no for an answer.” She licked suddenly dry lips. “I’ll have to thank her for her persistence.”

“I doubted Rob when he told me you were a knock-out. I should have had more faith in my cousin.”

Dahlia let out a long breath as anticipation filled her. “I guess we should go to the party.”

“Not until I put this on you.” He slid the band holding the flowers over her wrist. “If I hadn’t stopped to get a corsage, I’d still be nervous right now. As it is, I feel like we’re old friends. We’ve helped each other out, and I already know plenty about you.”

Stepping closer, she pinned the single white rosebud accented with a fern frond to his lapel and glanced up. “What, exactly, after being acquainted for a couple of hours, do you think you know about me?”

“I know you have a kind heart and can’t resist a person in need.”

“I could say the same about you.”

“Okay, I know you can swear like a sailor.”

She felt another blush creeping up her neck. “I only swear when I’ve exhausted all my other options.”

“Getting stuck in a snowbank certainly qualifies.”

“I thought so.”

“I also know you have a delicate touch.” He stroked the soft orchid petal at her wrist then closed his hand over her fingers.”

“I’ve learned a few things about you, too. I know you aren’t afraid to go after what you want. You didn’t let the closed sign stop you.” She broke off when he tightened his hold on her.

“Just so you know, I planned to come by the flower shop again after Christmas.”

She looked into his eyes. “You did?”

He nodded. “I didn’t think hitting on you when I was buying flowers for another woman was a good idea. Plus, you had a date.”

“I certainly do.”

“The best blind date ever. A Christmas miracle.” He touched her cheek. “Dahlia?”

“What?” Her voice was breathless.

“Do I have to wait until this date is over to kiss you?”

Her heart stopped then surged ahead like a galloping horse. “So far, our relationship has been pretty unconventional, so I don’t think we need to follow any hard, fast rules.”

“Thank God, because I’ve wanted to kiss you ever since I saw you standing in your store, surrounded by flowers, looking even more beautiful than all the roses on your Christmas tree.” He bent closer and touched her lips with his.

Dahlia raised a hand to the back of his neck as he deepened the contact. He smelled fresh, like the forest, and tasted even better. When he finally pulled back, she grabbed the entry table to steady herself. “Wow.”

“Yeah, wow. Thank you for that.”

“Thank you.” She stared into his eyes and saw promises reflected there. “Merry Christmas, Zane.”

“Merry Christmas, Dahlia.”

* * * *

I hope you all enjoyed WHERE LOVE BLOOMS. For more information about my books, visit my WEBSITE. Please visit us tomorrow for part one of Christine DePetrillo's story, GINGERBREAD HEARTS!

Where Love Blooms ~ Part Two by Jannine Gallant

Zane Waters carried four bulging bags of groceries through the grocery store parking lot and loaded them into the backseat of his pickup. Snow was falling harder, decorating the entire town in a fresh coating of white. Under the glow of the street lights, Main Street look like a scene Norman Rockwell might have painted. With the Rockies towering over them, he couldn’t imagine anyplace more beautiful. Living in the small town of Nugget beat the hell out of surviving in Denver. After years serving and protecting, he was happy to turn his efforts toward helping wildlife instead of people. He didn’t take nearly as much crap from the deer.

He climbed into the truck cab and slammed the door, then started the engine and pulled out of the lot. After a month on his new job spent mostly alone out in the mountains, he was ready for some human interaction…preferably with someone soft who smelled good.

An image of the redhead from the flower shop materialized. He wasn’t sure how she smelled, since the whole shop had reminded him of his grandma’s rose garden, but she’d certainly looked soft. All that beautiful red hair had slid over her curved cheek and long neck when she flicked it back, and he’d itched to bury his fingers in the thick mass. Every now and then a flare of heat in her blue eyes made him think she might be interested, too. But hitting on one woman while he was buying a corsage for another had seemed like bad form. He just hoped Joanie’s friend was half as pretty.

Zane slowed to a stop at the only stoplight in town and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.

Despite his cousin’s assurance his date was hot, he had his doubts. The fact that she was alone on Christmas Eve and willing to go out with a perfect stranger must mean something…but then, the same was true of him. At this point, he’d be content with a woman who was good company. Funny would be an added bonus. The redhead had made him smile more than once.

When the light changed, he cruised down the street, easily navigating the slippery pavement. The conditions worsened as he left the downtown area behind and turned into the sparsely populated neighborhood where he’d rented a house. Apparently, the plows hadn’t been out this far yet. Up ahead, something pink caught in the beam of his headlights, and he took his foot off the gas.

The Flower Power van was pointed nose-first into a snowbank. The redheaded owner of the shop stood on the street with her hands on her hips. Even through the closed window of his truck, he could hear her swearing. A grin formed. Maybe she wasn’t as sweet and innocent as she looked.

He rolled to a stop some distance behind the van and turned off his engine but left his lights on. When she spun around and met his gaze through the windshield, her eyes widened.

Zane got out and slammed the door. “Need some help?” Stupid question.

Apparently, she thought so, too. She waved a hand toward the dark bulk of the mountains. “No, I thought I’d set up camp out here and wait for the moon to rise.”

He laughed out loud. “Let me rephrase that. I’m here to help. I have a shovel in the back of my truck and kitty litter. We’ll have your van free in no time.”

“God, I love a man who’s prepared. Sorry for being sarcastic, but this day couldn’t get any worse. No, I take that back. It probably will get worse, but I’d be eternally grateful if you’d help me out.”

“One good turn deserves another. That’s how karma works, and you certainly went above and beyond for me.”

“Speaking of which…shouldn’t you be at home getting ready for your date right now?”

“I’m on my way. I bought a week’s worth of groceries after I left your shop, so let’s get you unstuck before my ice cream melts.”

“At the moment, the whole world seems to be on ice.” She blew on her hands. “In fact, my guess is hell just froze over.”

“Good point.” He reached into the bed of his truck and pulled out a shovel. It looks like you skidded over a good-sized hump of snow, which is probably why you can’t get any traction to back up. I’ll shovel it out, and you can give it another try.”

“Thank you. The only good news is I don’t think I dented my van. The snowbank was pretty soft where I hit it.”

He scraped hard-packed snow away from the front tire and then rounded the back of the van to work on the second one. “It’s deeper over here. Just a heads-up, your tires don’t have much tread left.”

“I have an appointment to replace them next week. My bad for putting it off for so long.”

Bending low, he worked to dig out the icy snow. When he backed up, he bumped into her. “Oops, sorry.” He turned and slid an arm around her when she swayed. “I didn’t know you were behind me.”

She definitely smelled good, but not like flowers. Vanilla. He took an extra moment to enjoy the scent and feel of her, despite her bulky jacket, before he stepped back.

Her cheeks were pink when she met his gaze. “I was going to offer to get the kitty litter.”

“I’ll grab it. The bag is heavy.” He grunted as he lifted the sack out of his truck, then pulled a pocket knife from his jeans to slit open the bag. “I haven’t had to use any yet this winter, but with all the off-road driving I do, I’m sure this won’t be the last time.” Once he’d sprinkled litter behind both of her front tires, he returned the bag to his truck and smiled at her. “That should do the trick.”

“Thank you so much for stopping.”

He stuck his hands in the pockets of his down jacket. “Can’t leave a lady in distress by the side of the road.” What he wanted to do was reach out and touch her rosy cheek with his warm palm. “Well, I could, but I was raised better.”

“Your parents would be proud. Tell you what. Next time you need flowers for your girlfriend, they’re on the house.”

“I don’t…” He broke off. It really was cold out, and she looked like she was freezing. She didn’t need to stand around shivering while he confessed his date was actually someone his cousin’s wife had scrounged up. “Sounds good. See if you can back up now. I’ll wait to make sure you’re okay before I go.”

“Thanks again. One more delivery before I can head home.” She pulled out her phone and glanced at it. “Damn. I’m going to be so late,” she moaned. “I’m out of here.”

He waited beside his pickup while she got in her van and started the engine. The taillights flashed on, and the tires skidded a little before catching hold. She backed slowly then rolled down the window and gave him a thumbs-up.

“Have a nice time tonight,” he called.

“You, too. Just so you know. Whoever your date is, she’s a lucky girl.”

He stood on the street without moving as her van disappeared into the darkness. His date wouldn’t be lucky at all. He had a feeling he was going to spend the entire evening thinking about the blue-eyed beauty who’d just driven away.

* * * *

Stop by tomorrow for the exciting conclusion of WHERE LOVE BLOOMS. If you'd like more information about my books, visit my WEBSITE.

Where Love Blooms ~ Part One by Jannine Gallant

Pulling this off would take a Christmas miracle.

Dahlia Green surveyed the row of flower arrangements, wreaths, and poinsettias waiting to be loaded into her van for delivery, then glanced at the clock that hung above the cooler filled with cut flowers at the back of her shop. Good thing she was already closed for the day. She had exactly two hours and twenty-three minutes to drop off all her orders and dress for her date.

Her blind date. What the heck had she been thinking when she agreed to go out with a man she’d never met? Obviously, she’d lost her mind.

The guy would probably turn out to be a serial killer.

When the bells over the door jangled, she groaned. Couldn’t the new customer read simple English? She was positive she’d flipped over the sign hanging in the window after she brought the van around front to load.

“I’m sorry, but we’re closed,” she called out.

A man stepped around the pine tree she’d decorated with flower garlands and roses. Not just any man. A prime specimen of manhood…if one liked the rugged, outdoorsy type. Dahlia definitely did. He wore faded jeans, a puffy down jacket to ward off the freezing temperatures and thickening snow flurries, and a wool cap with earflaps over shaggy dark hair. Brown eyes that reminded her of rich, melted chocolate regarded her from a handsome face covered in two-day-old scruff.

“I saw your closed sign, but took a chance and tried the door since there was a light on inside.” He gave her a pleading look. “I have a date.”

“Congratulations.”

His firm lips turned upward in a quick grin. “Thanks. We’re going to a Christmas Eve party, and I just found out it’s sort of fancy. Not tuxedo fancy, thank God, but dig out the suit I bought for my cousin’s wedding three years ago fancy. If I don’t want to look like a total shmuck, I should probably bring her a corsage.”

Of course, he has a date. The guy is gorgeous. Her chances of meeting a handsome, unattached man in this town were lower than the tree branches brushing her tile floor.

“I agree about the shmuck part, but you should have ordered flowers in advance.” Dahlia made a point to glance behind her at the clock. Time was ticking.

“Couldn’t you whip something up for me.” The man gave her a hangdog look he probably practiced in the mirror and knew was irresistible to women.

Her solid resolve wavered slightly.

“Please. I’m desperate here.” He pointed at her floral-clad Christmas tree. “Maybe I could take one of those roses.”

“They wouldn’t work for a corsage.” She let out a sigh. “Fine, I’ll help you out. Do you know the color or style of your date’s dress?”

“Not a clue.”

Dahlia rolled her eyes. “Then you should give her a wrist corsage to be safe. White goes with pretty much anything.”

“Thank you.” A charming smile replaced the hang dog look. “Has anyone ever told you you’re flat out awesome?”

She refused to be charmed. “On occasion.”

He leaned against the counter while she scrambled to put together white orchids and baby’s breath with a satin ribbon. “I really appreciate this.”

“No problem.” Her fingers fumbled with the flowers under his intense scrutiny. The man was unbelievably hot…

Forget it, Dahlia, he has a woman waiting for him. You’re too smart to make the same mistake twice.

She quit fidgeting with the corsage to glance up at him. “Actually, it’s kind of a problem since I’m going out tonight, too, and I have deliveries to make first. That’s why I closed up a little early.”

He pointed toward the poinsettias and wreaths laid out on the table next to the counter. “Are you delivering all those?”

Pushing her long, red hair over her shoulder, she nodded. “I’m in a bit of a time crunch. In hindsight, offering free delivery in the spirit of the season probably wasn’t the smartest idea.”

When he smiled, her heart flip-flopped in her chest.

“Do you want me to load those into the pink van parked outside while I wait? I noticed the Flower Power logo on the side.”

“If you don’t mind, that would be extremely helpful. The van is unlocked. I’ll be finished with this corsage in about ten minutes.”

Her attention focused on his denim clad backside as he carried two potted poinsettias toward the front door. Tearing her gaze away, she cut florist tape to wrap the flower stems. When her cell rang on the counter next to her, she glanced at the display.

Joanie. Her soon to be ex-best-friend if tonight’s date turned out to be a nightmare. On the other hand, maybe she was calling to tell her the guy had bailed. Dahlia snatched up the phone. “What’s up? Did Rob’s cousin cancel?”

“Why would he do that? Rob told him you’re gorgeous. He’s excited about this date.”

“No one is excited about a blind date unless they’re a total loser. What’s wrong with the man? Is he going to bore me into a stupor or try to grope me under the table? If he turns out to be a pervert—”

She broke off as her last-minute customer returned for a load of wreaths. His eyes widened, probably in response to her pervert comment, but he kept quiet as he left the shop again. With an effort, Dahlia focused on what her friend was saying.

“—not a pervert, for heaven’s sake. I wouldn’t do that to you. He’s simply a nice guy who’s new in town. His work has been keeping him busy, and he hasn’t had time to meet many people yet.”

“You said your husband got him a job as a county employee…” She pictured a guy in an orange jumpsuit stabbing trash alongside the road.

“Zane is our new game warden. He’s been out busting poachers, which doesn’t leave him a lot of time to socialize.”

“Isn’t hunting season over in Colorado?”

“Yeah, but there are still idiots in the woods shooting at anything that moves. Zane has nailed a couple of the bastards already. Why these jerks think they’re above the law is beyond me.”

Not a convict on work release. A hothead with a gun…

“I guess that means he likes animals, and not because they taste good. That’s a plus.”

“You two will get along great. I have a good feeling about this.”

Dahlia fastened the flowers to the wristband while holding the cell to her ear with her shoulder. “That makes one of us. You know I’m not a big fan of surprises, but I said I’d go tonight, so I intend to make the best of it.”

When Mr. Hottie with the Date came back inside and brushed snowflakes off his jacket before picking up two cut-glass vases filled with red tulips and winter berries, she smiled at him. He smiled back, and her knees weakened as he left the shop with the final load.

“Hey, I have to go. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay. I guarantee you’ll have fun.”

“Let’s hope so. Bye, Joanie.” Dahlia set down her phone and finished constructing the corsage. Holding up the orchid, she admired the simple elegance.

Her customer returned a few moments later. “Wow, that’s really pretty.”

“I think your date will love it.”

“I hope so.” He pulled out his wallet. “How much do I owe you?”

“Thirty plus tax.” She rang up the sale when he handed her two twenties, and gave him his change.

“Thanks for being so accommodating.”

“And thank you for loading my van for me. I hope you have fun tonight, despite having to dig out your only suit.”

He grinned. “A definite drawback, but I’ll probably survive wearing a tie. Have fun on your date, too. Whoever he is, he’s a lucky guy.” After flashing another heart-stopping smile, her last-minute customer walked out of the shop.

Dahlia let out a long, slow breath. “Just my luck. I meet Mr. Tall, Dark, and Sexy, and he’s already taken. Story of my life.”

* * * *

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you enjoyed part one of WHERE LOVE BLOOMS. Stop by tomorrow for the second installment, and for more information about my books, visit my WEBSITE.