A Rose in Bloom Page 7

  “With pleasure. Come on, guys.” He grabbed their elbows.

  “Wait,” Carrington shook off his grip. “I’m not the one who was trying to start a fight. I only offered to buy Elyssa a cup of coffee.”

  “She doesn’t need to go out for coffee," said Scotty. "She needs to go home and get some sleep.”

  “I can make my own decisions, Scotty.” Her voice came out in a warning growl.

  “Sure, you can make your own decisions, but look where it got you? In the hospital, that’s where it got you. So maybe it wouldn’t hurt to listen to me from time to time. Anyway, this guy isn’t your type.”

  “Oh, really?” Elyssa set her hands on her hips.

  “Yes, really.”

  “Well, I think you don’t know what my type is. In fact, I think I’ve changed my mind. Baron, you’re welcome to stay, and I’d be happy to get a cup of coffee after I’m done.”

  Carrington stretched his lips in a smug grin.

  Jaxon balled his hands into fist. Why didn’t I break his nose five years ago when I had the chance?

  *****

  “… and that’s when the cops showed up, and we all ran for the hills.”

  “Mmmm…”

  “You’re falling asleep aren’t you?”

  “I’m sorry, Baron. I’ve hardly had any sleep in the last twenty-four hours.”

  “It’s not great for my ego when you nod off during my best story.” He chuckled.

  “I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have come, tonight. I was just mad at my controlling brother.”

  “That makes me feel a lot better. You only came out with me to spite your brother.”

  “Oh, that didn’t come out right.”

  A wide lazy smile appeared on his face. “That’s okay, I’ll take what I can get. And you can make it up to me.” His fingers reached across the table, feathering across her hand in a delicate swirl. “You have the most beautiful skin.”

  She jerked her hand back with an awkward chuckle. “Not so beautiful, really. I’ve got cuts and scrapes all over my palms.”

  “Yeah, I noticed the bandages. What happened? Trying to fend off McCall?”

  “No, some crazy guy broke in my shop last night. I live in the apartment upstairs. I think he might've killed me if I hadn’t escaped out my window.”

  “My God! Did you call the police?”

  “Oh yeah, the police came and they got the guy. I woke up in the hospital with a concussion.”

  “He hit you?”

  “No, I kind of fell off the fire escape. So I’m sore all over, but nothing’s broken.”

  “I’m glad you’re okay. All that happened and you still showed up to do the flowers for my sister?”

  “Of course I did. What would she have done if I hadn’t brought the flowers?”

  “Ha! She would’ve thrown a royal fit, I suppose.”

  “And my reputation would’ve been shot.”

  He leaned forward across the table, lowering his voice. “I can think of a lot more fun ways to ruin your reputation.”

  “No, thanks. I’d like to keep my reputation intact.”

  “You’ve ruined it already if you were engaged to McCall. I’m glad you came to your senses before it was too late.”

  “What do you have against Jaxon?”

  “Let’s just say he’s a bad sport. We were once interested in the same girl, and he talked a lot of trash about me trying to win her over.” He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “It didn’t work, though. She chose me over him, and he still resents me for it.”

  “So you were married?”

  “Married?”

  “To the girl? The one you’re talking about? The girl who chose you over Jaxon?”

  “No way. She turned out to be a little schemer—trying to trap me into marrying her. But it didn’t work.”

  “Oh.”

  “Are you ready to go?”

  She covered a huge yawn with her hand. “Yes, I’m so tired. Thanks for the coffee.”

  “I’ll follow you home and make sure you’re safe.”

  “I’ll be fine. My brother got the door replaced today and hired someone to clean everything up.”

  “I insist. It’s the least I can do for the girl who crawled out of the hospital to save my sister’s wedding.”

  *****

  Jaxon drummed his fingers on the leather steering wheel in time to the music on the radio. He checked the time again. How long did it take to drink a cup of coffee? And why did he care anyway? She’d totally blown him off. Broken their engagement. Wait. What am I thinking? We were never actually engaged. Why am I here? I dodged a bullet tonight. I should be out celebrating.

  Lights flashed in the alley. He slumped down in the front seat as Elyssa’s van pulled into her parking spot behind the flower shop. The engine stopped. A car door slammed. Another slam. Two doors? Was Carrington with her?

  He edged his head up until he could see over the dash. Two figures stood outside the doorway in the dim streetlight. The door opened, and they disappeared inside. Now what? He’d only waited to make sure she got home safely. And she was home. But she wasn’t safe. Not as long as she was alone with Carrington. She was way too innocent to deal with a guy like him. She was even more innocent than Shelly. Unbidden tears came to his eyes.

  *****

  Even five years later he could still see her mascara-smudged face as she told him about the baby Carrington refused to claim. Even after the man kicked her out, insisting she get an abortion, she still loved him. She could have proven paternity, but she simply couldn’t live with the fact he’d rejected her. The paper had carried a two-inch story in the obituaries, buried on the bottom of the second page. Sixty words. The suicide wasn’t mentioned, of course. And neither was the pregnancy. And neither was Carrington. Despite the fact they’d lived together for six months. No testimony of her devotion. No expression of sorrow. Her entire existence reduced to sixty words.

  And the worst part was he’d warned her about Carrington, but she refused to listen. She was swept off her feet with his smooth talk and lavish allowance. Fancy clothes, fancy dinners, fancy people. She truly believed she was Cinderella and Carrington was her handsome prince.

  Jaxon tried to help. That night when she’d spilled the story and bared her broken heart to him. Theirs had never been a romantic relationship, but he’d offered to marry her. And he meant it. But she turned down the proposal with a kiss on the cheek. If only he’d known she was kissing him goodbye for the last time.

  *****

  The last time.

  Never again.

  Before he knew what he was doing, the car door was open and he was out. Slamming it behind him, his determined stride carried him down the dark alleyway. His eyes were fastened on the back door of her shop. On the last place he saw Elyssa before she went inside with Baron Carrington.

  I won’t let Carrington destroy another girl I love.

  Part 22: A Little Too Hot

  “OKAY. THANKS for the coffee, Baron. And thanks for making sure I got home safe.”

  “It was my pleasure. Are you sure you don’t want me to check out the upstairs? I should make sure it’s safe before I leave you here alone.” He strolled through the shop, touching everything in sight.

  “That’s okay. I feel perfectly safe since I’m inside. I’ll just lock the door behind you.”

  “Aren’t you going to offer me a cup of coffee?” He lifted a vase of everlastings, sniffed, and wrinkled his nose, before returning them to the shelf.

  “We just got home from having coffee. You want more?”

  “No, I just want you to offer.” He gave the smug smile guys give when they’re accustomed to being admired, a slight lift of the chin, just enough squeeze on the cheek muscles to allow a dimple to show on one side.

  “Sorry, I’m fresh out of coffee. Come on—time to go.” She grabbed his elbow and gave an ineffectual shove toward the back door.

  “You know, I think I might li
ke to buy those flowers on that shelf over there.”

  “The shop is closed. Come back Monday.” She used both arms to push on his back. It was like shoving a house—he didn’t budge.

  He swiveled in place, and caught her hands, holding them to his chest. “Why are you in such a hurry to get rid of me?”

  “Ow! My hands…”

  “Sorry, I forgot you were injured.” He released her hands, only to shift his grip to her arms. He pulled her toward him, pushing her arms down around his sides, tugging her closer until a sharp object jabbed her ribs.

  “Ow!”

  “Sorry. What’s this lumpy thing? Oh… Don’t you want to take your purse off your shoulder?”

  “No. I’m happy with it on.” As she attempted to worm her way out of his grasp, he circled his arms around her back, squeezing the purse between them.

  “Baron, what are you doing?”

  “I’m trying to kiss you, but you’re playing a little too hard to get. If you’re not careful, I’m going to lose interest.”

  “Good. I don’t want you interested.”

  “You don’t?” His shocked expression was genuine.

  Good grief! I’m a magnet for egotistical men. “No, Baron. Believe it or not, I don’t feel like being pawed and slobbered on, no matter who you are.”

  “Pawed and slobbered-on? That sounds like McCall. You’ve obviously never been kissed by me.” He wagged his eyebrows.

  “And I don’t intend to be. Now go.”

  She rummaged in her purse for her handy-dandy can of pepper spray. That ought to scare him off. But a loud thumping startled her from her task. The persistent noise emanated from the back of the store. Was someone trying to break in the back door? Was it the guy from Friday night? Her mouth went dry, and she turned wide eyes toward Baron.

  “Are you expecting someone?”

  She answered with a silent shake of her head. Her hands were trembling as she followed him into the back room where the relentless knocking continued.

  He patted his pockets, and cursed. “I don’t have my gun with me tonight.”

  “That’s all right. I’ve got this!” She whipped the pepper spray from her purse, brandishing her weapon with pride.

  *****

  Jaxon heard a man’s muffled voice yelling through the door, his words unintelligible.

  “Let me in, Carrington!” Jaxon bellowed.

  The answering words were louder, but still indecipherable.

  He reinstated his barrage on the door, adding in a few kicks. “Open this door! I mean it!”

  The door swung toward him, almost knocking him down, and he stumbled back behind it. He grabbed the handle, swinging it out of the way, and bounding through. “Ely—” His words were cut off by a blast of moist spray. And his face caught on fire.

  Part 23: Tears

  “JAXON? OH MY GOD! I’m sorry, but I didn’t know who was at the door. I thought you were that creep who attacked me.”

  “Ahhhhh!” Jaxon let out a long stream of garbled screams and curse words, fumbling blindly into the room as tears poured from his eyes. “Where’s the sink?”

  “That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen!” Baron howled with laughter.

  Elyssa led Jaxon to the utility sink, and he turned the water on, first splashing water on his face, and finally sticking his entire head under the faucet.

  Baron roared again, laughing until he fell, with limp muscles, into a chair.

  “Let me get you some paper towels.” She ran to get a roll, and returned to find Jaxon still under the stream of water.

  “It’s not coming off. I need soap.” He spoke without taking his face from the flow.

  “Here—here’s some soap. Hold out your hand.”

  He rubbed the soap on his face and rinsed, repeating the process multiple times with Baron’s cackling accompaniment in the background.

  “Stuff it, Carrington!” Jaxon stood, dripping, blotting his face with the paper towels.

  Elyssa cringed at sight of the swollen skin around his half-closed watering eyes. His entire face and parts of his neck glowed Rudolph-red. “Oh my gosh—your face looks terrible.”

  “He hears that all the time. Right, McCall?” Baron broke out in uncontrolled mirth.

  Jaxon’s face grew even redder as he glared at Baron. He looked like he might attack him right there in the shop. She stepped in front of him. “Jaxon, I’m so sorry. I had no idea it was you. What are you doing here?”

  “I came to save you from this murdering criminal. You don’t know him like I do.”

  The chair scraped the floor as Baron leapt to his feet. In a blink he had the front of Jaxon’s shirt balled in his fist. “You shut your mouth, McCall, or I’ll shut it for you.”

  *****

  Jaxon felt an odd sense of calm. He didn’t care if Carrington hit him. He didn’t care if he smeared his reputation. He was finally going to speak the truth, no matter the consequences. He ignored the burning sting of the pepper spray.

  “What’s the matter? Are you afraid I’ll talk about what really happened?”

  “Shut up!” Baron growled.

  “You kept your dirty little secret from most people, but I know the truth.”

  “You’re a lying, scheming little vermin. No one’s going to listen to anything you say, especially not now, after five years.” Baron shook him by his shirt, emphasizing his words. Jaxon offered no resistance, letting his body shake like a rag doll.

  “How can you live with yourself? Don’t you even feel a tiny bit of guilt for abandoning her?”

  “I didn’t abandon her. I was still giving her money.” Baron dropped his hands and took a step back, his face turning pale.

  “Yes, you did, and you know it. You kicked her out, and she couldn’t live with it.”

  “Shut up.” Baron’s voice cracked.

  “You told her you didn’t want her—her or the baby. You drove her to suicide.”

  “Shut up. Oh God, shut up.” He pushed the heels of his hands into his eyes. “Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.” He staggered back until he was against the wall, and slid down to the floor, burying his face in his arms.

  Jaxon went in for the kill. “You murdered her and your unborn child. You used her and then discarded her like a piece of trash. She loved you, and you didn’t deserve it. She was too good for you.”

  “Oh God, it’s true. She was too good for me,” he keened, rocking and sobbing. “But I loved her so much. I loved her so much…”

  Part 24: Remorse

  “YOU LOVED HER?” Jaxon was floored by Carrington’s comment. “You had a funny way of showing it!”

  “You don’t know my parents. They hated Shelly.” Carrington’s hands still covered his face.

  “So you let your parents control you? You were, what, twenty-three years old and you let your parents tell you who you could date?” Jaxon’s voice was bitter, but he didn’t care. Carrington deserved his judgment.

  “I loved her. For once in my life I didn’t care what my parents thought. When Shelly got pregnant, I was going to marry her. You may not believe me, McCall, but it's true."

  Elyssa knelt on the floor beside Carrington and spoke in a gentle tone. “What happened?”

  “It was the baby that did it. They didn’t care if I dated her but, in their minds, Shelly wasn’t good enough to bear a ‘Carrington’ child. And she refused to have an abortion.”

  “But you’re the one who asked her to get an abortion,” Jaxon accused. “You told her you didn’t believe you were the father.”

  Carrington looked up with red-rimmed eyes. “They were going to destroy her! I didn’t care if they cut me off. But she was a photographer—a real artist. Photography was her life. They were going to spread rumors about her and use their influence to ruin her business and her reputation. My parents are so vindictive. I knew they’d do everything in their power to devastate her life. So I convinced her I didn’t love her. I knew she could find someone better than me—someone
who could make her happy. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and the worst mistake of my life.”

  “You really think that’s an excuse for what you did?”

  “Of course not. I live with that guilt every day. I hate myself. Why do you think I’ve tried every extreme sport invented? I’m just too damned unlucky to die.” Carrington let his head drop back against the wall, as tears continued to pour from his eyes. Either he actually meant his words, or he was a really good actor.

  Jaxon noticed Elyssa’s face was wet with sympathetic tears as she patted Carrington’s shoulder. I wish one of those extreme sports had killed him.

  *****

  Elyssa wiped her face on her sleeve, weeping for poor Shelly. She felt sorry for Baron too, after his heart-wrenching confession, but it didn’t change her opinion of him. If anything, the story confirmed everything she suspected. Like all men in her experience, he told lies and manipulated women. And even though he now claimed to have loved this girl, he called her a ‘schemer’ an hour ago. That’s why she knew she didn’t need a man in her life. She’d never met a single guy she could trust. Well, maybe her brother was okay, but even Scotty tried to control her life.

  “Carrington, I think it’s time for you to leave.” Jaxon’s unforgiving expression spoke volumes. He must have really loved Shelly. Elyssa had a lot more sympathy for him than she did for Baron. Maybe Jaxon was still in love with Shelly, even though she’d apparently committed suicide five years ago. And maybe that’s why he regretted kissing her immediately after he’d done it. Was that only twenty-four hours ago? It feels like an eternity. It was much more flattering to think his heart still belonged to Shelly than to think he’d been using physical attraction in an attempt to acquire her building.

  To her surprise, Baron pulled himself to his feet without protest. “Goodnight, Elyssa. And thank you for going out for coffee. I hope you’ll still consider going to see the play with me.”