The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(86)

Hannah carries a tray of cupcakes out, adding them to the case. It’s full now and ready to go, with more waiting in the back.

“Take a deep breath,” she tells me, sensing my worry. “Enjoy today. You’re going to want to remember it.”

I know she’s right. “Thanks.”

Georgia and Michael arrive with the kids, and I let them inside. “This girl is giving me a run for my money,” Georgia says, setting down the carrier. Michael is wrangling the two boys, telling them they can’t run around the store. “Where’s Thayer?” She looks around, not finding him.

“He should be here any minute. He was picking up Seda.”

“The store opens in ten minutes.”

Does she think I don’t know that?

“It’ll be fine.” I don’t know who I’m trying to assure—her or me.

With only two minutes to spare, they arrive. Seda runs up to me with a bouquet of peonies. “These are for you, Mommy.”

I crouch down to her height. “Thank you, baby.” I take them, kissing her cheek.

“They’re from Dad, and me too.”

Thayer grins that crooked smile I love so much. “And this too.” He hands me a Diet Coke and I laugh. “I have to keep you sane.”

“Thank you.” I look around at my family gathered. “All of you—thank you. I couldn’t have done this, any of it, without you.”

Georgia points a warning finger at me. “Don’t get sappy on me now. I did my makeup and that’s rare. I can’t have it smeared all over my face.”

I laugh, looking up at Thayer. The clock hits noon.

He bends down, whispering in my ear, “Show time.”





“I did it, I actually did it.” I jump up and down, still on a high from the grand opening. It’s evening and everyone else has left. Caleb even showed up, which was nice of him, and Seda went home with him since she was tired of being at the store.

“I knew you could.” Thayer finishes counting the cash in the register. “I wish you believed in yourself as much as I do—as much as everyone around you does.”

I lower my head. “I’m working on it.”

Sometimes it’s difficult for me to understand that I’m capable of anything I set my mind to. I spent a long time lost, not knowing what I wanted or who I wanted to be, and that confusion led me to believe that maybe I wasn’t good enough or smart enough. I guess, you could say, I’m my own worst critic.

Thayer tilts my chin up with the soft touch of his finger. “I know you are, or you wouldn’t have done this.” He looks around the shop. “But you did.”

We finish cleaning up the shop and lock up for the night. I have to be back early in the morning to get started on fresh cupcakes for the day.

Thayer’s truck is parked out back near the shed I make my candles in.

The sun has long since set, the sky dark with the moon and stars bright in the sky.

It’s cold out and I shiver despite my coat.

“What are you doing?” Thayer asks, locking up the shop. “I started the truck it should be warm. You don’t have to stand out here.”

“I know. But the stars are so beautiful tonight. They seem extra bright for some reason.”

Thayer stops beside me, looking up as well. “Hmm,” he hums. “They do look brighter.” A soft smile touches his lips.

“How do you feel?” I ask.

His gaze lowers to mine, immediately knowing I’m asking since it’s Forrest’s birthday. “It’s always a bittersweet day.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’ll see him again one day. I feel it. Somehow, someway, I will. I have to believe that.”

We stand in the cold for a minute longer, taking in the night sky before we get in the truck and drive home.

Home.

The house I used to sneak over to, is my home now, but that’s also just a shell. It’s framework and drywall, while the man at my side is my real home.

As long as I have him, I’ll have a place I belong.

The house is dark and quiet since Seda is with Caleb. Winnie and Binx watch us from the couch with annoyed expressions for disturbing their beauty sleep.

“We should eat something,” Thayer says as I follow him into the kitchen.

“We probably should,” I agree, biting my lip, “but…”

“But?” He turns around, looking me up and down.

“I want you.”

He doesn’t hesitate. His mouth is on mine in an instant. I melt beneath his touch. He lifts me up, legs going around his waist. He carries me up the stairs and straight back to our room.

My back hits the mattress and he undresses me slowly, kissing every part of my skin as he exposes it. I try to reach for his shirt, but he steps away from me. “Not yet.”

“Not yet?” I whine.

He shakes his head, his eyes dark with desire. He loops his arms around my legs, pulling me to the edge of the mattress. Dropping to his knees, he wastes no time. He licks my pussy like he’s been waiting all day to taste me.

“Thayer,” I pant his name.

He licks and sucks, drawing out every moan and curse word he can from me.

He brings me right to the edge and stops. “Thayer!” I cry out his name in a pleading tone. “I need—”