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wonderful story about how his wife loved fresh flowers in the house. So, every week, he would show up and buy her a bouquet of bright blooms. The man was full of interesting stories, and he was an incorrigible flirt. If Rachel had to guess, she’d place him mid seventies.
    “And what would Mrs. McClusky have to say about that? Hmm?”
    “Oh, don’t you worry about her, Rainbow. She doesn’t have to know you took an old man out for coffee.”
    Laughing at the nickname he had given her, Rachel handed him the large bouquet. “But I would know, and I just wouldn’t feel right.”
    “Well, at least tell an old man something fun. What color is next week?” he asked, gesturing to the blue tips that were curled over her shoulders this morning.
    Rachel cocked her hip and placed a hand on it, pretending to think it over carefully. “You know what? I haven’t thought about it yet. Any suggestions?”
    She had to hold back a full-on giggle as the old man in the green tweed coat looked her over very seriously.
    “Red. I see you with red.”
    Rachel thought about that for a moment as she walked around the counter toward the man she now absolutely adored.
    “Red, huh? That’s bold.”
    With a mischievous grin, he held out the crook of his arm to her. Rachel couldn’t help the wink she gave him as she slipped her arm through his. He patted her hand as they walked toward the front door.
    “Don’t try and tell me you aren’t an outgoing young lady. I see that twinkle in your eye.”
    “Oh, you do, do you?”
    “Yes, missy, I do. My Clara has that twinkle, too.”
    Stopping at the front door, Rachel reached out and twisted the handle. When she pulled it open, the bells chimed above. She leaned down and laid a gentle kiss on the man’s cheek. “Well, I will take that as a compliment. Your Clara is a very lucky lady.”
    “So, red?” he suggested again as he let go of her arm. He made it down two steps and then turned back to look at her standing in the doorway.
    Rachel nodded and waved. “Come back next week, and see for yourself.”
    “I think you just asked me on a date.”
    As he turned and pushed his free hand into his pocket, Rachel couldn’t help the warmth that spread in her chest. Incorrigible indeed .
    Making her way back into the shop, she headed over to the counter where Tulip was lying beside her laptop. She now kept it handy for orders and to update the website she had designed for the store. This morning, she had placed an ad for some part-time help, providing her email address and the shop’s phone number for applicants.
    Clicking open her inbox, she was happy to see she had received six emails since the ad had been posted two and a half hours ago. Good. Maybe I’ll find some half-decent help , she thought as she opened the first inquiry.
    Bonnie Sampson. Work experience: McDonald’s and babysitting. Education: high school diploma, currently enrolled at Midwestern University. Looking for morning part-time position.
    Okay, so that one could work, but I really needed an afternoon person , Rachel thought as she closed it and moved to the second email on the list.
    Kate O’Neal. Work experience: O’Malley’s Pub. Education: high school diploma, currently attending the University of Chicago. Looking for a part-time job in the afternoons.
    This one looks like a good possibility as well , she thought. So far, so good.
    She wrote down two numbers on her notepad. Rachel clicked on the next message, and she was about to read it when the shop phone started to ring. Minimizing the screen, she answered the phone with the usual greeting.
    “Precious Petals. This is Rachel. How can I help you?”

    You can come to my office, and let me take off all your clothes , Cole thought as he stood. He stared out the large window in his office as Rachel’s smooth voice flowed through the phone.
    When he didn’t say anything, she repeated, “Hello? Can I help you?”
    “Hi. I’m here. I’m actually calling about the ad