“I own half a dozen.”
“Armani?”
“A couple, and others by designers who are equally fine, but they’re just suits. They’re not me. Why don’t you call your dad, tell him you’re seeing an itinerant musician, and see how thrilled he is.”
While she wouldn’t call her folks just yet, she found his down-to-earth sensibilities endearing. She reached up on her tiptoes to kiss him good night, and he responded with a playful sweetness rather than the passion she craved. She closed the door behind him and leaned back against it.
“Definitely too good to be true.”
On her way to bed, she checked out the kitchen and was pleased to find it cleaner than Griffin had found it. He’d even swept the floor. Clearly his mother had raised him right, but she wasn’t used to men who cleaned up after themselves so beautifully and, just like the strange computer-filled room, warning bells rang in her head.
Tuesday morning, Darcy met with her second client on Ridgecrest. Charlotte Peavey was a tall, willowy blonde, as was her daughter Michelle, the bride-to-be. The pair loved her ideas for picking up the peach tones of the bridesmaid’s dresses in flowering shrubs and borders.
“Could you do all the flowers for the wedding?” Charlotte begged with clasped hands.
“Do you mean the bouquets, corsages and centerpieces?” Darcy inquired.
“Don’t forget the boutonnieres,” Michelle added.
Darcy had worked for a florist while in high school and at least knew the basics, but bridal bouquets were now works of art. It would be a stretch, but Christy Joy would be there to help. Still, she paused to look up at the Peaveys’ sprawling modern home as she considered the surprising request. All glass and stone, the stark house sparkled in the morning sun, but in her view, it was in dire need of more elegant landscaping.
“I’d like to discuss handling the floral work with my partner before I give you a definite answer, but I’ll get back to you before the end of the week.
The yard will be no problem at all to transform, but I’ll not promise anything I can’t deliver.”
“I wish bakers were as honorable,” Charlotte replied. “We’ve yet to find one who’ll prepare the wedding cake we envision for less than a thousand dollars.”
Christy Joy baked delicious pastries, but Darcy didn’t think her partner would want to attempt a wedding cake without a great deal of practice, and neither of them had any time to devote to their culinary skills.
“Sorry, we can’t help you there,” Darcy replied. “I’ll prepare a formal estimate and bring it by for your approval tomorrow afternoon.”
As she left the Peavey residence, Darcy couldn’t resist driving on up the hill to cruise by Griffin’s. As she rounded the curve, a silver BMW turned into his driveway and, appalled, she did a quick U-turn and headed back to Defy the World.
Apparently Ms. Randall didn’t give up as easily as Griffin had expected. It was a quality any client would admire in an agent, and Darcy couldn’t discount it in a rival. She absolutely hated feeling jealous. It was petty and mean-spirited, but jealous she was, and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it.
Early Wednesday morning, Darcy joined Christy Joy and Twink on Jeremy Linden’s sport fishing boat, the Great Escape. Christy Joy had brought hot chocolate and sticky buns, which they ate as Jeremy steered the powerful boat out of the harbor into the open sea. The sky was overcast, but just as the sun broke through the thick marine layer, they spotted a pod of California gray whales making their way south to Mexico.
“You brought us luck, Twink!” Jeremy shouted, and the little girl squealed with delight. He handed over the wheel to one of his crew and came to stand beside Christy Joy while he provided Twink with some fascinating facts about the whales.
Darcy hung on to the rail and observed the whales with equal wonder. She knew quite a bit about the marine mammals, but she was still impressed by the care Jeremy took to help Twink appreciate them. She also noticed how often Jeremy’s gaze strayed to Christy Joy. It was clear the captain was more keenly aware of her than the whales, which made Darcy feel doubly alone.
They returned to the docks within the hour, finished up the hot chocolate and sweet rolls, and then Christy Joy took Twink to preschool. The brief cruise had been an exhilarating adventure for the little girl, and she skipped down the street at her mother’s side.
Darcy thanked Jeremy again. She hesitated briefly, tempted to encourage him to pursue Christy Joy, but then thought better of offering the shy captain advice on his love life. She settled for a friendly wave as she reached the end of the dock, then walked along the Embarcadero to Defy the World.
It was still early, and she went into her office to straighten up before opening the nursery. Christy Joy had been eager to accept the challenge of creating the bouquets and floral arrangements for Michelle Peavey’s wedding. Wanting to know the latest fashion in flowers, Darcy had bought a copy of a bridal magazine for inspiration.
George, however, took one look at the magazine lying on Darcy’s desk, shoved back his hat and chuckled. “If you don’t mind my saying so, it might be too soon to begin planning your wedding.”
“It’s not my wedding I’m helping to plan, George, so erase the smirk.”
“Well, just who is getting married, then? Anyone I know?”
Darcy told him about the Peaveys’ request and shrugged. “I’d like to do the flowers for the whole event, but this is probably a poor time to begin taking on new challenges.”
“You have to take them when they come,” George advised. “You can’t just prepare yourself and expect one to fall into your lap.”
“That’s a good point.”