Daffodils and Danger (8 page)

“And now?”

“I still feel I’ve had my fill, but something’s holding me firm. I can’t put my finger on it, but when I think of leaving again I feel this overwhelming sense of dread, like I’m boarding a plane doomed to crash.”

“Then, why are you fighting it so?”

“I suppose I’m being selfish.” He shook his head. “I know it’s wrong, but I can’t seem to help myself.”

“You need to get over it, Wyatt.” Kami turned on him, felt a bite of temper flare. “I understand what you’re feeling. I feel it too, with the restaurant. I’ve spent my life there, grew up talking to customers and watching Dad experiment with recipes and menus. Laughter and love, that’s what fueled me for all those childhood years, at least until Mom died, taking the laughter with her. The restaurant is a chore now, something I’m beginning to despise. At once it’s both not enough and too much, with Dad hiding in the kitchen and Jada unpredictable at best. Fred has been a help, but he’ll probably move on to his own place soon enough, with the way he and Dad butt heads over the smallest things. We need changes badly, more employees to help carry the load while I keep the books and take care of stock and marketing like Mom used to do. And, at least for now, a more streamlined menu would be sensible. But Dad can’t focus on anything beyond the cooking and sadness. While he does that, the rest falls apart. He’s stuck in a time warp and we’re in danger of losing it all, Wyatt. The very thought scares me to death. What then? What comes next? Unlike you, I don’t feel the urge to board that doomed plane. I want to stay here. I want to
fix
things.”

“Maybe it’s not for you to fix.”

“And maybe it
is
.”

“Wait a minute.” Wyatt reached for her hand, his forehead furrowing into the telltale crease she’d begun to know only appeared when he was troubled. “Now I’ve made you mad, too. I’ve upset you.”

“Yes, you have.” Kami’s heart softened just a bit at his distress. “Doesn’t it mean anything to you—all of your Dad’s sacrifice and hard work, what your family has so painstakingly built? Can you just walk away again so easily, with all that’s transpired? Don’t you feel even the smallest desire to hang onto it, to help the nursery thrive once again? Don’t you care even the smallest bit to stay close to those who—who love you?”

Wyatt stood speechless, as if her words were a flash of lightning that struck him to the core. The furrow at his brow deepened to a line across his forehead, temple to temple.

“No come-back?” She turned, paced. “No quick-witted response? It’s hard to crunch numbers when you’re dealing with emotions, isn’t it?”

“I came back to Clover Cove, to the nursery and my family, didn’t I?” His words coiled like a snake. “I can’t help it if I’m confused. I’ve been working on a plan for the nursery. I unveiled it today. Mom and Reese both seemed to like it. I think they’re on board, which means I’ll stay, help see it through.”

“But you’re not sure that you’ll remain beyond that? Not one-hundred percent positive?”

“No. I’d be lying if I said I was. I can’t lie to you, Kami. I’ll never lie to you.” He reached for her once more, drew her close. “But I do know, with one-hundred percent certainty deep down to my soul, that I care about you. I think I’m even…falling in love with you.”

“Well, then, I suppose you have a problem.” Tears filled Kami’s eyes, turning the moonlight to shimmering glass. “I suppose I do, as well.”

****

Wyatt padded to the kitchen, filling his coffee cup for the third time since he’d returned home for the night. If his heart didn’t explode from the caffeine, it would be a miracle. He should wean himself off the stuff or at least switch to decaf, but the very thought mortified him.

The house was quiet—too quiet. Maybe he should look into adopting a dog. The local shelter overflowed with abandoned mutts desperate for a home. Why not rescue at least one?

But a dog would mean roots and a home. It would mean staying.

“Well, then, I suppose you have a problem…I suppose I do, as well.”

Kami’s words echoed through Wyatt’s mind. What a mess he’d made of things. That was one area he seemed to excel at…making messes. He glanced out the kitchen window and saw Kami’s house was dark. Of course it was dark—she’d be up at the crack of dawn and off to Pappy’s to help Anthony prepare for customers once again.

“Laughter and love, that’s what fueled me for all those childhood years, at least until Mom died, taking the laughter with her. The restaurant is a chore now, something I’m beginning to despise.”

The words were an icepick to Wyatt’s heart because, in them, Kami’s grief mirrored his. Yes, being the eldest he’d shouldered the lion’s share of responsibility for his younger siblings, often taking the blame for things beyond his control. He’d wanted out, wanted freedom. But at least he had siblings to argue with and to lean on when he needed them. And his mom, although most certainly filled with grief, had managed to carry on admirably, despite her loss. Kami was alone, without siblings, carrying a father who was consumed by his own grief with little or no regard to hers.

It hadn’t taken Wyatt long to realize that, after leaving Clover Cove, his newfound freedom came with greater responsibilities and a boatload of drawbacks, as well.

No family close by. Just a closetful of suits, a loaded appointment book, and a boss who expected him to sacrifice his personal time for the good of the company. Sure, the money was nice, but, as Kami had pointed out, money wasn’t everything. Plus, he missed bantering with Reese.

Yet, money sure did make the world turn a lot more smoothly.

Wyatt took his coffee out onto the back deck. Crickets serenaded as a gentle breeze kissed the treetops, nudging leaves into a slow, swaying dance that brought Kami to mind once again. The feel of her in his arms, the soft scent of her perfume, awakened a longing in Wyatt that was difficult to tuck away in his heart, to write off as if it didn’t exist. He’d need to face it—and soon. Moonlight bathed the white slats that surrounded his yard in a milky glow, and reminded him it was time to get quit riding the fence and move forward into his future—however uncertain that future might be.

9

The staccato clack of heels along the planks of his front porch set off an alarm in Wyatt’s head, but the numbers flashing in a neat spreadsheet across his computer screen monopolized his attention and rendered him immobile.

Until a trio of raps on the front door were followed by a shout.

“Wyatt, open up.” Kami’s voice was tinged with annoyance. Trouble, for sure. “I know you’re in there. Your car’s in the drive.”

“It’s open. Come on in.” He peeled his gaze from the computer screen and stood from the rolling desk chair, taking a moment to stretch kinks from his spine before heading from his make-shift home office toward the living room. The office had been a spur-of-the-moment act of brilliance. His Mom and Reese, with their incessant chatter, made it nearly impossible for him to accomplish anything at the nursery. So he’d hauled the small kitchen table into an empty bedroom, set up his laptop and printer, and gone to work. Great plan, except now he was lacking a table on which to eat. Didn’t much matter, by his way of thinking, since he usually stopped off at Pappy’s in the evening to grab a bite to eat before heading home.

And to see Kami.

“Wyatt Cutler,” Kami’s voice sailed down the hall, rising as she neared. “I have a bone to pick with you.”

“Pick away.”

He forced a grin as she strode through the doorway, her green eyes a flash of flames. A bit of humor might stave off the flamethrowers.

“I’m wearing my armor.”

“What do you mean, going to see my dad? He told me what you did, told me everything.”

“So now it’s wrong for me to ask permission to date his daughter?”

“You might have asked me first. And those flowers—”

“Daffodils, yes.”

“They’re gorgeous. But you shouldn’t have.”

“Yet, I did.”

“I’m mad at you. I need to sit down. I—” She paused as a tiny, pitiful whimper reached her ears. “What’s that?”

“That would be Moe.”

“Moe?” The flames simmered a bit as she slipped around the desk, found the ball of fur huddled at his feet. “Oh my goodness, look!”

“Yeah, that’s Moe.” Wyatt watched her fall to her knees and lift the chocolate lab mix from the wood floor. “All fourteen, furry pounds of him.”

“He’s so cute. But how? Where? When?”

“Extinguish your flamethrowers and give me a minute here.” Wyatt laughed as Kami nuzzled Moe to her chest. The puppy squirmed and whined, burying his muzzle in her neck. “I made a visit to the animal shelter this morning. Moe and I found each other. The bond was instantaneous—love at first sight.”

“You saved him.” Kami kissed Moe’s fur and Wyatt couldn’t help wishing those lips would wander his way. “But I’m still mad at you.”

“Why? Because I sent you flowers?”

“Because you’ve made me, despite all odds, fall in love with you.” She jabbed an index finger into his chest. “And I don’t like the feeling—not one little bit. I’m sure I’ll like it even less when you take off for New York again.”

“I’m not going to take off again.”

“And to top it all off, you introduce me to this little guy. That will only make it harder. And—” She paused for a breath, his words registering. “What did you just say?”

“I’m not planning to leave, Kami.” He took a step toward her, pressed a palm to her warm cheek as Moe squirmed between them. “I plan to stay right here in Clover Cove to help Mom and Reese run the nursery—and to win you over to my team.”

“I didn’t…well, I didn’t expect that.”

Wyatt leaned in, sidestepping the puppy, to claim her lips. The kiss was light, gentle and filled with the heady promise of more. “I’ll bet you didn’t expect that, either.”

“No.” She stepped back, her gaze glossed with surprise, and pressed a finger to her lips. “I don’t know, Wyatt. I can’t think. It’s too much, too soon.”

“Take your time, then.” He inched toward her, claimed her lips once more, then her temple, before settling along her brow. “I’m not going anywhere.”

****

Kami’s head was spinning with an overload of emotions. Her heart, full and pulsing, felt as if it might burst with every breath. Potted daffodils on the counter beside the register reminded her why.

Wyatt.

“Kami, sweetie, I’d like a splash of coffee.” Mrs. Baker held up her cup, waving it like a white flag of surrender in an attempt to draw Kami’s attention. “And another basket of those delicious garlic knots should hit the spot, although my waist says otherwise.”

“Coming right up.” Kami took Mrs. Baker’s cup, set it on the table, and filled it to the brim. “Are those new earrings you’re wearing? They’re lovely.”

“My daughter-in-law, Susan, sent them from Milwaukee for my birthday. She has impeccable taste, owns her own boutique.” One hand went to her fleshy lobe. “I was touched that she remembered. Susan’s always been a sweetheart. You remind me of her, you know.”

“Thank you. That’s really a sweet thing to say.”

“Just stating the truth as I see it. I’ve noticed that Wyatt Cutler’s been coming around lately. Good to see he’s home. Nice man, but restless. He’s got an eye for you though, yes he does.” She winked. “Just be careful, you hear?”

“I’m always careful, Mrs. Baker.” Kami took up the empty bread basket. Indeed, careful seemed to be her middle name. But, where Wyatt was concerned, she needed all the caution she could muster. She’d fallen in love with him, but that didn’t mean he felt the same for her. Words came easy, the actions that backed them up, not-so-much. Time would tell, but in the meantime, she plastered on a smile. “Don’t you worry about that.”

Kami turned from the table as the bell over the entrance door chimed and Hattie Cutler came through, carrying a mesh bag sporting Cutler Nursery’s emblem.

“Hattie, it’s so good to see you.” Kami gave her a quick hug, allowing the scent of Shalimar to enfold her. “What can I get for you?”

“I came to see your dad. He phoned the nursery a while ago, looking for fresh herbs. I brought him over a few containers from a delivery that just arrived—some parsley, thyme and rosemary from the greenhouse, along with a few others.”

“He’s in the kitchen. Would you like me to take them back for you?”

“No, I’ll go myself. Thank you, dear.” She started that way. “You go ahead and take care of Mrs. Baker. I know how impatient that woman can be, bless her heart.”

“How did you know—?” Kami turned back at the telltale clack of a spoon against wood. “Ah, yes…there it is.”

Hattie laughed. “Like I said, I’ll bring this to Anthony while you take care of Alice Baker. We’ll meet back here in a few and share a slice of apple pie a la mode, how’s that?”

“Sounds heavenly.”

“Yes, it certainly does.”

10

A memory wrestled through Wyatt’s subconscious. His head snapped up as, in his mind, the shriek of an emergency siren grew closer. Lights flashed along with the wail, flooding the nursery’s office in a patchwork quilt of reds and blues.

In the nightmare, Reese skidded through the office door, his dark hair flying. “Wyatt—come—quick. Something’s up at Pappy’s.” His voice was a cluster of staccato gasps.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. Mom just went over to bring some herbs to Anthony, and now an ambulance rushed into the parking lot.”

The thought of Kami pushed all else from Wyatt’s mind. Was she hurt? Did she need him?

Fear had stabbed Wyatt as he yanked reading glasses from the bridge of his nose and tossed them onto the desk blotter. Of course, whatever had happened, Kami needed him. The feeling nudged like Moe’s cold, wet snout. He shoved back from the desk and matched stride with Reese as they hurried from the nursery to cross the road.