The Engagement Arrangement (Boots and Bouquets #2) - Jaci Burton Page 0,76
you pick something. For your place.”
“Me? I don’t know a damn thing about flowers, Brenna.”
“I’ll teach you. But first you wander and tell me if something sparks your interest.”
“Okay, sure.”
He hadn’t intended to pick out anything for himself, though now that Brenna had suggested it, he realized the area outside of his house could use something. As he walked around, he zeroed in on one plant.
“I like this one.”
She nodded. “Yucca is a good choice. It has a nice vertical design with straight shoots of flowers that would be interesting against the backdrop of the house. And it takes full sun. I like it. We could plant it on the south side. Let’s get two.”
“Sure.” He loaded those onto the cart. “We’re done now?”
She laughed. “You need some contrast. Keep looking.”
He did, and found the process doubly entertaining when he was the one doing the choosing. With Brenna’s expert help, he ended up with a couple of daylilies, a crepe myrtle, some evergreen shrubs, and a metal dog-shaped yard ornament that looked almost exactly like Murphy.
“He’ll probably bark at it,” Finn said.
Brenna laughed. “But think of how much fun he’ll have doing that.”
“True.”
Brenna looked down at the overly filled cart. “That’ll do for a start. We’ll plant all of these this weekend.”
“Sounds fun. Now let’s go buy this stuff and then we’ll have some beer and wine.”
They checked out and Finn hauled everything to his truck. Once he got it loaded, he met Brenna at the center of the garden, where the bar had been set up. She handed him a beer and she took her wine from the bartender.
They wandered around and listened to the band play country music.
“This was such a great idea,” she said. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
“I’ve been so busy lately, and I needed to buy some plants. They had such a great sale tonight and they had everything I wanted. I didn’t even know about this place.”
“From what I understand they’re somewhat new to the area, so they did this as a way to introduce themselves to the community, drum up some new business.”
Brenna looked around. “Hmm. They really know how to decorate. And their flowers are impeccable. I need to talk to the owner. Hold my wine and find us a seat. I’ll be right back.”
“Sure.
Finn grabbed them a table for two, grateful to be off his feet while he sipped his beer. The band was great, mixing new country with some classic, so the tunes kept him company while Brenna was off planning world domination.
When she came back, she had a satisfied smile on her face.
“Well?” he asked as she took her seat and picked up her glass of wine.
“I told them about us and how we’re always looking for amazing florists and decorators for our weddings. They’re very excited and interested so I gave them my card and took theirs for Honor to get in touch with them.”
“You’re a good person, Brenna.”
She took a sip of her wine. “I just know a good thing when I see it. And it’s great for our business, too. Our clients will love them.”
And in the meantime she’d give a start-up business a big boost. He admired her for that.
Dinner was a buffet of beef and chicken along with pasta and veggies and amazing bread. Finn had worked up a hell of an appetite, so he sampled a bit of everything, and it was all outstanding.
After dinner they thanked the folks at the nursery, then headed back to the house. They unloaded the stuff for the main house first, and Brenna went inside to grab Murphy, who was, as usual, excited to see them.
“Hey, buddy,” Finn said, ruffling the dog’s ears. “Did you miss me?”
Murphy’s tail wagged back and forth so fast it was almost a blur.
“That dog adores you,” Brenna said, laughing as Murphy disappeared to go check out the trees and grass.
“The feeling is mutual.”
She walked over to him and slipped her arms around his neck. “Thank you for the surprise tonight.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’d come home with you but I have an early meeting tomorrow morning and a woman needs her beauty sleep. And if I come home with you, I won’t sleep.”
“Yeah? Why wouldn’t you sleep?”
She smoothed her hand down his chest. “Because we’d be naked. And I’d be on top of you. Or my mouth would be—”
“Dammit, Brenna.” He stopped her from sending his imagination into further overdrive by kissing her. Which didn’t help at all, but