All They Need(38)

She wiped her hands dry and folded the tea towel over the oven handle. “Good. Great. I’ll go put the porch light on so they know which house it is.”

“I should probably wait outside, anyway,” he said.

“Sure.”

She led him to the front door, flicking on the outside light before opening the door and stepping outside.

It was chilly and she automatically crossed her arms over her chest.

“You don’t have to wait with me, it’s too cold,” Flynn said with a frown.



“I’m fine.” For some reason she was having trouble maintaining eye contact with him.

“Thanks for tonight, Mel. For everything. I really appreciate it.”

“Thanks for my new garden design.”

Two sets of headlights cut through the night as the taxi and her sister arrived from opposite directions. Her sister turned into the drive while the taxi parked out front.

“That was fast,” Flynn said.

“A new record,” she agreed. Her shoulders relaxed a notch. Sixty more seconds and he would be gone.

“Before I forget, don’t buy any plants for your garden without talking to me first, okay?” Flynn said. “I know a few guys who can help you out with wholesale plant stock.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks. That’d be great.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, sliding a business card from one of the slots. “Email me with a list of anything you’re thinking of and I’ll run it by my contacts.”

“I will.” She looked at his card, running her thumb over the raised lettering of his name. When she glanced again Flynn was watching her, a warm, intent look in his eyes.

“I’ll see you later, Mel.” He leaned close, aiming a kiss at her cheek.

She was so startled by the unexpected gesture she flinched and his mouth dragged across her cheek an inch or so before winding up somewhere near her ear.

“Sorry. I wasn’t expecting…” She laughed, the sound high and horribly nervous.

For God’s sake, Porter, it’s just a kiss on the cheek.

“Then I’ll give you fair warning this time.”



She went very still as his hands landed on her shoulders and he leaned forward again. This time his kiss landed square in the middle of her left cheek.

“Look after yourself, Mel.”

She watched as he stepped away. Justine was coming up the walkway and they crossed paths, Flynn giving her a small smile as he passed her by.

“My God. Who was that?” Justine asked the moment she hit the porch. Her sister shared the same slim, slight build and straight dark hair as their mother and her grin was wide and curious as she waited for Mel to answer.

“His name is Flynn Randall. He’s the guy who bought Summerlea.”

The interested, speculative look dropped from her sister’s face like a rock. “The rich guy?” She said rich as though it was a dirty word. “What was he doing over here?”

“Something came up for him today and I helped him out.”

Justine’s mouth thinned. “Don’t do it, Mel. Don’t get sucked in by another one of those I-own-the-world *s.”

Mel frowned at her sister’s motherly tone. “I’m not getting sucked in by anyone. He’s moved into the area, I was helping him out. He’s interested in gardening, I’m interested in gardening. That’s all it is.”

“Gardening.”

“Yes. Gardening.”

“Are you sure?”

“Just, if you’d seen me scuttle away from his house the other night when he told me he’d broken up with his girlfriend, you would know exactly how ridiculous this conversation is.”



“What were you doing at his house?”

“My God, you’re nosy. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“I’m protective. There’s a difference.”

“You don’t need to protect me. That’s my job.”

“Okay. Just make sure you do it this time.”

Mel flinched. Justine’s face creased with instant contrition.

“Jesus. Sorry. I’m not sure where that came from.”

Mel did. Her sister had urged her to walk away from her marriage half a dozen times before Mel had finally bitten the bullet and done it. But it was always easier to make big, brave calls from the sidelines. Especially when you hadn’t been demoralized by years of put-downs and criticisms.