Lyndsey Cole - Lily Bloom 01 - Begonia Means Beware (5 page)

Lily was feeling much better after her conversation with Geoffrey. He gave her interesting information about his family. She had to admit to herself that Geoffrey did seem normal. And he acted quite smitten with Daisy.

Her contented feeling flew out the window when she saw Ryan’s police cruiser at her shop.
What does he want now?

Iris and Ryan were seated in the backroom enjoying a cup of coffee. “There you are
, Lily. Ryan and I were just having the most interesting conversation about guns.”

Lily
stood with her hands on her hips. “Of course you were. You really should let Ryan get back to work. He has an important murder to solve.”

“That’s why he’s here waiting for you. I’ll go help Daisy so you two can talk.”

Ryan got up from his chair and handed a coffee to Lily. “Peace offering?”

“For what?” She wasn’t going to make this easy for him.

“I was frazzled this morning after having to deal with that—well, never mind what I’d like to call him. It was so nice having dinner with you last night. Keller knew how to push all my buttons to ruin my good mood.”

“Is that an apology?”

“Yes. I don’t know how else to say I’m sorry.”

Lily sipped the coffee, making Ryan sweat some more. She coyly smiled. “Apology accepted.”

Ryan relaxed back into his chair. “That envelope wasn’t at your mother’s house.”

“What?”
Coffee spilled onto Lily’s jeans as she lurched forward. She looked down at the dark spot.
Why does this always happen around this guy?

Ryan handed her a napkin to blot up the coffee
, trying to hide his grin. “Did you notice if anyone followed you last night?”

“I don’t think so. Where did you look
for it?”

“On the coffee table. Your mom said you two were sitting
in the living room looking at the papers when you got home.”

Lily settled back into her chair. “I took them into my room and stuck them in the bedside drawer. Mom didn’t know that.”

“Do you have time to find them for me? I would like to get them into a safer place. I think that may be important evidence.”

Lily beamed
as she stood up. “Since you asked so nicely, let’s go.”

It didn’t take Lily long to find the papers and get back to the shop.
Daisy was up to her elbows in flowers. Arrangements were lined up around the whole work area.

“Geoffrey asked me to give you a message
,” Lily said when she got back to work.

“When did you talk to Geoffrey?”

“We had a nice chat when I picked up the flowers at the greenhouse.”

Daisy looked concerned. “Chat about what?”

“His family.” Lily moved some arrangements into the cooler. “You.”

“Me?”

“I think he likes you. A lot. He wants you to meet him after work. Said he’d be waiting.”

Daisy blushed and smiled. “Doesn’t he seem normal? Unlike the rest of his clan?”

“I have to agree with you about that.” Lily paused at Daisy’s work space. “Did you know that Clifton loaned him money to get his business going?”

“No. We don’t talk business when we’re together.” Her face changed to a deeper shade of red.

Lily chuckled. “Don’t tell Mom or she’ll want all the gory details.”

“Speaking of M
om, she said to remind you to meet her at the shooting range at four.” Daisy arched an eyebrow. “I thought you gave up guns after that accident?”

“I did
, but she thinks I could be in danger and wants me to brush up on my skills.”

“You were the best shot in town. Do you think you ever forget how to shoot a gun?”

“No. I think it’s like riding a bicycle. I’ll just do some target practice. It’s about time I get past that accident anyway. Let’s get these flowers put away. How late can you stay?”

“Five. Will you come back to close up?”

“I can do that. Daisy, thanks for being so reliable. This murder has me running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I have to figure this out before someone comes after me.”

“
Are you serious? Why do you think that?”

“Clifton was murdered in my house. Why was he there? Maybe the murderer thinks I know something. It’s a little creepy.
And those begonia flowers were a warning.”

Daisy elbowed Lily. “At least you have a cop living next door.”

“And I can’t figure out what he’s thinking half the time. Plus, I always manage to do something stupid around him. Like shut my skirt in the car door or spill a drink all over myself. This is all getting so complicated and confusing.”

“In my opinion? The cop likes you. Go with your instinct. That has always served you well.”

“Yeah. It serves me well until it doesn’t.” The last flower arrangement was in the cooler. Lily shut the door. “I’m going to head to the shooting range now. See you in an hour.”

Lily parked her minivan
away from all the oversized trucks. She saw her mom’s scooter which was dwarfed by a big Harley on one side and a giant black pickup truck on the other side. Lily squared her shoulders, tossed her head back and marched to the shooting range. Iris was in the thick of the activity.

“Lily. Over here.”
She tried to ignore that voice of her last boyfriend. “I thought you gave up guns after you shot me in my leg?” All the boys around him laughed and punched Sam in the arm. “You’d better warn that new boyfriend about your gun history.”

Lily whipped her head around. “Watch it Sam
, or next time it won’t be your leg.”

Sam sauntered toward Lily. “Is that a threat, Lily Bloom?”

Lily was silently kicking herself for letting Sam bait her. “Not a threat at all, Sam. Just the truth. Now get out of my way.”
Just put one foot in front of the other. You can do this. Keep your head high. Don’t let these creeps see your fear.

Iris
pulled Lily away from all the commotion. Smiling, she stared at Sam and whispered in Lily’s ear. “Breathe. Good. Now that’s behind you.”

“I don’t think I can do this.”

“Do what? You’ve done exactly what you needed to do. Show these bullies that they can’t intimidate you. They all know you’re the best shot around. Look at me.” Iris tilted Lily’s face up. “Listen to me. They’re scared of you. Now, we’re going to stare right back at them and walk to the parking lot. Tall and straight. Ready?”

Lily looked deep i
nto her mother’s eyes. “Thanks Mom. I’m ready.”

Ryan’s cruiser was parked next to Lily’s minivan.
This is awkward
.

“Brushing up on your shooting skills?”

“No shooting for me today. Just dealing with some unfinished business.”

“Oh?”

Lily walked to her van door, but before she could open it and escape from Ryan’s prying eyes, he had has hand on her arm.

“You are full of surprises. What unfinished business?”

She kept her back to him. “Nothing important.”

“Maybe I should ask that group of young men about your unfinished business.”

Lily turned suddenly and glared at Ryan. “Go ahead. Talk to any of these people. They won’t tell you anything anyway. They don’t trust you. They’re all friends with your predecessor.” She pulled her arm loose, slid into the van and backed out.

As soon as she was out of view, tears spilled over the rim of her eyes.
Why does he always say stuff to make me feel defensive?

Iris’s
scooter was already parked in front of the shop when Lily got there. In the no parking spot, Lily noticed and smiled.

Daisy was gathering her things and heading out the door.
“I’ve got to stop at my apartment, shower and change.” She was glowing. “Oh. I almost forgot. Your cop stopped by and said you could go back to your house.”

“
My
cop? Did you tell him I was at the shooting range?”

Daisy paused at the door. “He asked where you were. Was it supposed to be a secret?”

Lily sighed. “Not really. I thought it was just a coincidence that he showed up but maybe he was looking for me.”

Daisy glanced at Iris.
“I get the impression that it didn’t go well.”

“He always makes me feel
like I’m doing something wrong. Then I blurt out something stupid.” Lily shook her head. “I don’t feel in control when I’m around him.”

Iris laughed. “Sounds like trouble.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll figure it out.”

Iris was heading out the door too. “Are you going to pick up Rosie from my house before you go home?”

“Definitely. I need some company in my house after what happened.”

“Do you want to borrow a gun?”

“No. I’ll take my chances. I’m going to clean up here. See you in a while.”

Lily looked around at all that Daisy had done while she was gone. After everything was in the cooler, she checked her list and realized that all the arrangements were ready for the charity event. It was a little less work than it would have been for the wedding. No bride’s bouquet, corsages or boutonnieres. She closed the cooler door and felt a cool breeze on her face. The shop door slammed and made Lily jump.

“Hello. I’m in the back.”
No one answered. She heard footsteps. “Hello?” Sam appeared in the doorway. Lily’s nerves tingled. “What do you want?”

Sam casually leaned in the doorway.
“Your new boyfriend was asking around about you.”

“I don’t have
a boyfriend.” Lily looked toward the door.

Sam blocked the exit. “Really? He seemed awfully interested in finding out more about you.
Especially about your shooting abilities. Kind of a coincidence that Clifton Harris was shot in your house. Don’t you think?”

A chill went up Lily’s spine.
Did people think she was the murderer
? “There are a lot of people in town that know how to shoot. You for instance. Where were you when Clifton was murdered? You know your way around my house. Clifton was never on your best friend list.”

Sam’s mouth twitched. “At least I don’t have a history of shooting people. Like you do.”
Sam absentmindedly rubbed his leg where Lily had shot him a year ago.

Lily decided to try
a different tactic. “What do you know about the casino plans for Misty Valley?”

Sam relaxed slightly. “Great
proposal for Misty Valley. Too bad Clifton turned on the group and put his support into the hospital instead. That pissed off a lot of people.”

Lily was excited to hear this information but remained expressionless. “I bet it did. Who do you think was the most upset?”

“My money would be on Tyrone Biotchi. He was going to make millions from that project.”

“Tyrone? What about the others?”

“Why so interested? Trying to find the murderer? Better watch out or you could be next.”

“
You need to leave. Now.”

Sam took a step closer to Lily. “I can help you with those buckets of flowers. Like I used to.”
             

“No. I’m all set.”

The bell above the door jingled. Lily looked to see who was coming in.
Perfect timing
.

“I was hoping to find you here Lily.” Ryan looked from Lily to Sam and saw the tension in her eyes. “Everything okay here?”

Sam glared at Ryan. “Everything’s fine. I’m just leaving.” He rushed past Ryan, knocking his shoulder into Ryan’s arm.

“What was that all about?”

“Old problems.”

“I just wanted to be sure you got the message that you can go back to your house.”

“Daisy told me. I have to pick up Rosie.”

“Okay then.”
Ryan stared at Lily. He opened his mouth as if to say something else, then turned and left. She watched his muscular back disappear from view.

Why didn’t I say something to him about my behavior at the shooting range? He must think I’m a
n utterly crazy person.

She locked up the store, picked up Rosie and headed home. At least Rosie loved her no matter what. Rosie waited at the back door for Lily to let her in. Everything seemed the same but different.
Would it ever feel the same after seeing a dead guy in her bathtub?

The sweet smell of freesias found her nose.
Where did they come from
? Lily saw the vase with pink and white freesias and a card underneath
. Freesias are pink, freesias are white, if you get lonely, stop over tonight.
Ryan

Lily couldn’t help but smile to herself.
A little silly but it’s the thought that counts. He must have remembered when I told him freesias were my favorite flower.