Читать книгу The Bridal Bouquet - Tara Randel - Страница 12

CHAPTER FOUR

BY THREE O’CLOCK Tuesday afternoon, Kady had interviewed four women for the front-counter position. After her parents agreed to let her hire help, Kady had called her friend at the local newspaper to place a want ad. She’d also posted the position on employment websites and been pleased by the quick responses.

Until now.

Of the four, one had sales experience, but very few hours she could work. Another was just out of college and wanted an administrative position. Kady scratched her head at that one. Her posting had clearly stated it was a sales position. The last two were local teens looking for part-time jobs. Not exactly what Kady was hoping for.

Thankfully, her parents opted out of the interview process. Kady’s mother had managed to book a cruise that sailed out of the Port of Tampa on Friday. She was busy shopping and getting ready to hit the high seas. Her father decided to wean himself from coming to the shop so he didn’t suffer withdrawal while they were gone. Only been a few days in, but so far, so good.

Leaving Kady alone to pick out their newest employee was a huge sign of confidence on her folks’ part. They’d kept their word and let her assume control of the business. As long as Will didn’t stop by too often and interfere, she was golden.

Glancing at the wall clock, she realized her final interview for the day was to arrive soon. She tidied up the worktable after finishing her last arrangement, just in time to hear the shop bell ring. Hurrying up front, she was met by a smiling woman close to her age.

“Hi. I’m Kady Lawrence,” she said, holding out her hand.

“Christine Wallace.”

As they shook, Kady observed her newest recruit. Shoulder-length curly blond hair, sparkling blue eyes and a megawatt smile. Average height. The girl-next-door look customers would respond to.

Kady got right down to business. “You know this is a sales position?”

“Yes. I’ve worked in retail, so I’m aware of how to engage customers. I’ll work hard to represent your business and help increase productivity.”

Okay, finally someone who understood. But by her word choices, Kady got the impression Christine had done far more than sales. Was she too good to be true? “What kind of other relevant experience do you have?”

Christine rattled off her management and office skills from time spent with respectable companies.

“I have to ask, why this job? You’re overqualified.”

“I just moved to the area. To be honest, I’ve done my time in the nine-to-five grind and I want a change. I love Cypress Pointe and plan on settling here. This job would be perfect for what I have in mind.” She grinned. “And I like flowers.”

“Perfect answer.” On instinct, Kady made a quick but firm decision. “How soon can you start?”

Christine blinked. “That was fast. And I can start as soon as you want.”

“I have a good feeling about you.” She paused and bit her lower lip. “There is one thing.”

“Okay.”

“My parents are a bit...challenging to work with. They’re very picky about the shop. I feel it’s only right I give you a heads-up.”

Christine seemed to consider Kady’s words. “I’ve worked with a variety of...shall we say, temperamental bosses in the past. I’ll be fine.”

Kady let out a breath. “Great. That said, my folks are leaving on a cruise and I’ll be attending a florists’ convention here locally, so I’ll be in and out of the shop. Think you can handle it?”

“Absolutely.”

“My older brother will be around, too. He doesn’t work here, but pops by occasionally. I’ll make sure you meet him and he can get the info he needs for his bookkeeping. During the convention, I’ll be in early in the mornings to complete orders before attending the workshops.

“But for today, let’s go over your duties and I’ll give you a rundown of the shop.” Kady smiled. “Welcome to The Lavish Lily.”

* * *

ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, Kady stepped away from the registration table at the Grand Cypress Hotel, her convention packet in hand. She looped her name tag, which was attached to a lanyard, around her neck. The buzz in the hotel lobby ramped up the energy level as people checked in and caught up with old friends. A poster, propped on an easel right inside the front door, announced the upcoming floral competitions in which Kady was already registered. After her parents’ bombshell several days earlier, she had to make the most of this conference, which meant winning the wedding-bouquet category.

To her relief, Christine had taken to the job immediately, easing any concerns Kady had about leaving her new employee alone at the shop for a few hours without Kady there to guide her. Will promised to stop by and check up on things sometime during the day. While she was glad he was on her side for once, she could tell something was off. He was distracted and edgy. More so than usual. She thought about asking what was up, but then she doubted he’d confide in her anyway. They hadn’t been close for a long time, not since he opened his own accounting office and she finally stopped wandering around trying to find aim in her life. Do-no-wrong Will could take care of himself, as he’d always done. Without her.

Groups of attendees mingled in the huge lobby, excited chatter echoing off the marble floors. For the next several days, anything and everything floral-related would be focused upon within these walls.

In the years Kady had been attending the conference, it had always been located in different cities in Florida. When it was announced that this year’s event would be held right here in Cypress Pointe, Kady couldn’t believe her luck. On her home turf, maybe she could beat the reigning queen of wedding bouquets and finally win first place.

She waved to a few women she knew as she moved to a quiet corner of the lobby to take a seat and go over the itinerary. Scanning the workshop schedule, she discovered the next few days were packed with all sorts of interesting topics. This year, organizers added actual hands-on workshops for newbies to experience floral designing. Interesting. The welcoming reception was tonight and the awards ceremony would cap off the convention on Sunday evening. At each previous convention, she’d held her breath at the ceremony, waiting to hear her place in the competition. And each year, she’d missed out on being number one.

She had three days to worry about her entry. This year, the competition held an extra perk, thanks to a new feature the convention committee developed. All day Sunday, the entrants in different wedding categories would display their floral designs to the public, specifically targeting brides-to-be. The open house had been publicized around town and all over the Tampa Bay area, in order to lure prospective brides to the showcase. That meant a day’s worth of publicity for The Lavish Lily. Kady would be able to show off her bouquet entry, as well as connect with potential customers she needed to grow her wedding business.

Her drawings were hidden away in her apartment. The flowers she’d ordered would be delivered by her wholesaler early Sunday morning, ensuring her entry would be fresh for display. She’d established a contingency plan, just in case, and was totally prepared to beat her competition this year. Nothing was going to stop her.

There were only a few workshops scheduled for this afternoon. For the most part, it was a day to catch up with other florists. Kady checked off two topics she thought might be interesting. How to Improve Your Business was scheduled in ten minutes. Later, she’d stop by Floral Tips 101, then have time to run home, change into something dressy and return for the reception.

Pleased with her first decision, she stood, smoothing the designer jeans she wore with a jade green top and high-heeled black boots, the picture of a successful businesswoman. Or so she hoped. She dropped the convention packet in her large tote bag, which held a notebook and several pens, then hitched it over her shoulder, ready to move on to the first meeting room. When she looked up, her gaze collided with the handsome guy she hadn’t been able to get out of her mind since Saturday.

His low drawl sent a familiar awareness through her. “Surprise.”

Her eyes went wide, but she quickly regained her composure. “Dylan? What are you doing here?”

“Attending the conference.”

“I thought you were in town for the wedding.”

“And the conference. Double duty.”

She blinked. “I...”

His spicy cologne grabbed her attention and she forgot her next words. Today he’d dressed in a light blue, button-down dress shirt and black trousers. The loafers made his outfit casual, yet he carried it off with sophistication.

“Why didn’t you mention you’d be here when we were together the other night?” she finally ventured.

He shrugged, his metal-colored eyes hooded. “I’m a man of mystery.”

“That I believe, because you don’t seem like a florist.”

There was an edge about Dylan. She couldn’t see him patiently creating a floral arrangement. No, more like he needed action in his life.

He chuckled. “I’m not, but it is a family business. Just like everyone else here, I’m ready to learn more about the floral industry.”

She glanced down at his chest and back. “Where’s your name tag?”

“You caught me. I haven’t picked it up yet.”

“You can’t get into any of the workshops unless you have one.” Did she come off as stuffy as she sounded?

“Which I’ll rectify right now. See you around?”

“Sure. I hope so.”

Shaking her head, Kady went to the designated meeting room. Why hadn’t Dylan told her he’d be here? Not that he needed to announce his schedule to her. They’d only bumped into each other a few times. Of course, this was Cypress Pointe. If he was going to hang around town, she’d eventually run into him.

As her mind worked out the logistics of Dylan’s presence at the convention, Kady nearly missed the room. Clearing her mind, she entered, determined to concentrate on the speaker, not Dylan’s motives. Glancing around, she noticed a few early birds scattered about in the empty seats. She chose a row in the middle, a few seats in from the aisle. A few minutes passed and someone took a seat beside her. Dylan.

“Are you stalking me?”

“No. You’re the only person I know here. And I can always learn how to—” he glanced at the workshop schedule and read “—improve my business.”

She slanted a look his way. “You own a floral shop?”

“My mom. I help her out occasionally by coming to these conventions.”

“So you don’t actually work in the floral industry?”