"That's great, but Dale, I needed twelve dozen, not one." Mina Pickett groaned in frustration. "Fine, fine, but get them here as soon as you can. It's almost Halloween."
"Problems?" A masculine voice questioned.
"Only a few. Dale only sent twelve pumpkins, instead of twelve dozen, Johanna quit, and Clara is up to her old tricks again." Mina put her face in her hands.
Greg, her best friend from high school laughed. "That's all?"
"Yep." Mina peeked at him from between her fingers. "She hid the ribbon in the back of the toilet. Said it'd be safe there. From the Nazi's."
"Now, why didn't Anne Frank think of that?" Greg adopted an innocent expression.
"Hell if I know." Mina dropped her hands. "Then she put all the mums on the decorative bales of hay."
"That sounds like an okay idea."
"Without taking the shrink wrap off the bales, and after she took the mums out of their pots."
"I'm pretty sure she got that backwards."
The duo smiled at the thought.
"Sometimes, Greg, I'm not sure I should be doing this." Mina stood and walked to the window, watching the wind terrorize the trees.
He came up behind her and rested his hands on Mina's shoulders. "Yes you should. You're damn good at it, and people in this town love you. You're making a killing."
Mina turned and kissed his cheek. "Thanks hon, sometimes I need to hear it. Well, I'm out of here. Think you can handle it?"
"I'll be fine. I've just gotta finish up Mrs. Patterson's arrangement, then I'm done."
Mina went to the back room and grabbed her purse. Calling out a good-bye to Greg, she headed for her car. She had to laugh to herself; Greg was a friend from school, big, burly, muscular, a deep voice that sent women's hearts aflutter, and ice blue eyes that had the ability to melt a glacier. But he was a gentle giant. He appreciated classical music, rarely watched football, and he moonlighted at her floral shop for extra cash. He enjoyed his part time work, but Mina couldn't help but smile watching him arrange a bridal bouquet. And she laughed aloud each time a customer found that a man, let alone such a manly looking one had done the arrangements for their wedding, birthday, or a funeral.
They'd been friends since the sixth grade, and dated briefly in high school. They decided that a relationship wouldn't work, but all it did was draw them closer.
Mina was a country girl with a dream. Ever since she was little she wanted to be around things that could grow. Things that were green. Watching the corn grow taller than she was always amazed her. Seeing trees stretch their arms to the uppermost reaches of the sky had the ability to astound her. Being able to witness flowers bud and bloom staggered her.
So, when the opportunity came along for her to buy a floral business from an old family friend, she didn't hesitate. Once into it however, she had her share of doubts. But Greg was right- she was good at it, and people did love her. Plus, she bought the name and reputation right along with the inventory. It was a small town, the shop was already in good standing, and buying an established business was probably the smartest thing she could have done. Profits were up twenty percent, but Mina was rarely home to enjoy herself, let alone have the time to find a boyfriend. At twenty-eight, her biological clock was ticking, and there were no prospects in sight.
At that thought, Mina frowned and pulled into her driveway. As she unlocked her front door, her cell phone began ringing. It was Greg.
"What could go wrong in seven minutes?"
"Nothing. Don't be so paranoid." He laughed. "I'm heading out, and I'm starving. Care for some food?"
"Hmm. You do know how to tempt a girl." It was a quarter after eight, and Mina wasn't exactly looking forward to a dinner of popcorn or chips and salsa.
"I always have. Change your clothes and I'll be over to get you in a few."
She flipped the phone shut and let herself into the house. She turned on the hall light, and hummed to herself as she made her way to the bedroom. A plump white cat uncurled itself from her pillow and meowed a greeting.
"Evening Michael. Keeping my bed warm for me?" Mina laughed as she slipped her dye stained shirt over her head. Her jeans were next. She ruffled through her clothes in the closet, undecided. Thinking of the autumn chill, she grabbed a fresh pair of jeans, slipped a pair of clogs on her feet, and wriggled into a tightly fitted black sweater.
"I liked it better the other way."
Mina gasped and flew around.
"My God, Greg, I almost wet myself!"
"That would have been entertaining also." He flashed a grin.
"Get that lecherous look off your face, ya pervert."
"Quit acting like I've never seen you naked before."
At a stalemate, the pair eyed each other. Then they smiled.
"Will I do?" Mina extended her arms and twirled.
"You'll do. I had a clean shirt in the car, but my jeans are a lost cause."
Mina walked to the door and switched off the light.
"You smell like eucalyptus." The corner of her mouth quirked upwards.
Greg leaned towards her with a seductive smirk on his lips, and for a second Mina thought he would kiss her. But his words stunted the arousal she was feeling.
"You smell like fertilizer."
"You ass!" Mina slugged him in the shoulder.
