The Groom Came Back by Abby Gaines

Author:Abby Gaines [Gaines, Abby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Category
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2009-09-04T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

DOWNTOWN PARKVALE WAS positively humming on Tuesday morning. Jack had to park two hundred yards from Callie’s shop, and fight his way through the crowd—two moms hogging the sidewalk with their baby strollers—to get to Fresher Flowers.

The proprietor of Brunello, the new Italian restaurant where Jack had reserved a table for his mom’s birthday dinner, was sweeping his outdoor dining area; he called a greeting as Jack passed. Next to Brunello was R.H. Designs. The sign above the window proclaimed simply Hand Crafted Furniture, but the store was unlike any other in town, or any within a hundred mile radius, Jack would bet. He stopped to admire the simple, masterfully designed tables and chairs and cabinets through the window. They looked comfortable, functional, yet had the kind of detailing that spoke of a craftsman who loved his work.The positive impression created by the restaurant and the furniture store was wiped out by the next two businesses—a dollar store displaying bins of merchandise better suited to the trash can, and a souvenir shop specializing in Parkvale-themed dish towels.

He managed to get past the souvenir shop without succumbing to the temptation to buy, and stopped outside Fresher Flowers. Unlike the dollar store, Callie’s outside displays were classy and attractive. Her logo and the green-and-gray color scheme were as well thought-out as the furniture store’s. If her business wasn’t thriving, it wasn’t because of the look of the place.

As Jack pushed open the door, he remembered the first time he’d come here. When he’d had no idea he was about to encounter Callie, and had been at a loss to explain the florist’s assertive mood.

She’d be a lot happier to see him today. By the time he’d said his piece, not only would she sign those divorce papers, but she’d probably insist on kissing him. He might just let her.

From the counter, where she was chatting with a customer, Callie lifted her hand in greeting. She was wearing a short tan dress, buttoned to the waist and belted sexily low on the hips.

Impatient to talk to her, Jack forced himself to wander through the shop checking it out. The impression he’d had his first day back had been of a space that was cool, fragrant and restful—that last quite at odds with its owner’s nature.

The same ambience prevailed today. Flowers were banked in vases and tubs; the arrangement looked random, yet Jack concluded it was designed to provide color contrasts and soothing patches of green.

By now, he’d worked his way almost to Callie.

Jack waited. Her customer darted several glances at him, until Callie had no choice but to acknowledge him.

“Rachel, this is Jack Mitchell, Brenda Mitchell’s son. He’s back in town for a few weeks.”

Rachel shook Jack’s hand. “You’re the doctor, right?”

“That’s right.” He smiled back at her.

“You’re a heart surgeon, aren’t you?”

“Neurosurgeon,” he said.

She pressed a palm to her breast. “I knew it was something totally impressive.”

Callie half snorted, half gagged.

“Not that impressive,” Jack said modestly, conscious of Callie’s heartfelt agreement.

Rachel put a hand on his arm, and left it there.

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