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“Anyway, back to the signs,” Mom continued. “So, one, he’s been coming into the store more than ever before. Two, Macy asks you to get more involved with Founders’ Day and the event is being held at Tate’s place and you have to work closely with him. Three, you kissed him and you find him attractive. If they aren’t all signs, then my favorite flower isn’t the calla lily.” Mom crossed her arms over her chest, and nodded her head once.

Kelly recognizedthatsign—her lecture was over. Did she want to believe what Mom was saying? That the universe was giving her some big arrows pointing her in the direction of Tate?

If she did follow the path, how would it end? In glitter and rainbows? Or would it be dark clouds and endless rain? Taking that next step, the step into the dating pool again, scared the crap out of her.

Out of the blue, anger consumed her. How could she let one man ruin her future? Why would she do that? Kelly had no doubt that Edwin hadn’t given her another thought when she broke it off. In fact, he’d probably replaced her three weeks after she’d kicked him to the curb. So why was she still letting Edwin stop her from experiencing the joys of love?

Not that she was in love with Tate or believed that she would fall in love with him. But she didn’t have to deny to herself that she liked the guy. Enjoyed spending time with him. Their dinner had been fun and relaxed and one of the best times she’d had in a long time. She wanted more of that. How many times had she looked at Macy and Gavin or Charlotte and Gage and wished for what they had? Someone to share the ups and downs of their day with. Someone to share the burden when things got too hard.

Kelly was never going to get that if she continued to hide behind her flowers and her shop. Her business was profitable. She had a ton of online orders and her reputation was spreading for her fine floral arrangements.

Why shouldn’t she enjoy the other parts of her life?

Just like Mom had done moments ago, Kelly nodded firmly. “You know what, Mom? You’re right. I have hidden away too long. Not anymore. From now on, I’m going to be open to the signs and grasp them with both hands.”

Mom’s arms came around her and she relaxed into the embrace. “You go, girl.”

Chapter Seven

The crunch ofgravel permeated Tate’s concentration. Looking up, he blinked twice, sure that his eyes were playing tricks on him. He recognized the ice-blue Chevy coasting to a stop in front of the house.

Placing his tablet on the small squat table on the front porch, Tate got up from the swinging chair. The sun was setting behind the house, making the front porch a nice place to sit and go over the day’s figures from the harvest. He was exhausted, but it disappeared the second he spied Kelly exiting her car.

Ever since their kiss last week, he hadn’t been able to keep Kelly from insinuating herself into every aspect of his life. She was there in his dreams, her beautiful hair spread out over his pillows, a large welcoming smile on her face as he lowered his head to kiss her. The leftover wildflowers on the side of the road as he turned into his house reminded him of her, too. He’d been hoping to see her when he went in for some flowers, but she’d been out, so again, her mom had served him.

Now here she was, standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at him. “Kelly. This is a nice Monday night surprise. Did we have a meeting?”

She pulled a bottle of wine from behind her back. “No, but I thought I’d bring you dinner.”

He smiled. “Wine for dinner? That’s different.”

She laughed. The tinkle floated around him, and he wanted to hear it more often. Wanted to be the one who made her smile like she was now. He cocked his head to the side. There was something different about her. She appeared lighter, as if her worries had disappeared.

“No. I’ve got food in the car.”

Tate skipped down the three steps. He breathed deeply, inhaling her floral scent. It reminded him of the roses and lilies he’d smelled at her shop. Everything in him wanted to scoop her up against his chest and kiss her hello, but he didn’t have that right.

Instead, he reached out to take the wine from her. “Do you need some help with the food?”

“Thanks, but no, it’s all in a carry bag that isn’t too heavy. I’ll be right back.”

She turned, and her pretty pink sundress floated around her legs, giving him a little glimpse of her firm thighs.

Desire, deep and strong, assaulted him and he gripped the wine a little tighter. Tate had no idea what had prompted her to bring him dinner, but he wasn’t going to complain about it. It was as if she’d read his mind. He’d considered going into town and seeing if she was eating at Betty Lou’s Diner again. The chance of her being there was slim, but the urge to see her had become too much for him to ignore.

The beeping of her alarm engaging brought his head back up from his study of the ground. Geez, she must think he was flighty as hell, standing here holding the wine like a statue.

In her hand, he spied the familiar logo of the very place he was thinking about. “Please tell me you have some of Betty Lou’s famous fried chicken in that bag.”

“I cannot confirm nor deny what I have in the bag,” she said cheekily. “Be prepared to be surprised.”

“Well, you being here is a surprise, so I don’t think what’s in the bag is going to top that.” Oh man, did he sound corny, but he wouldn’t take the words back. Not when he meant them.

“Thank you. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind me turning up out of the blue. It was a big risk to come here. You could’ve been out having dinner somewhere else, with someone else.”

The last words were spoken in a rush and so quietly that he wasn’t sure he heard her correctly. But he wanted to reassure her that he was most definitely single. Even if she did believe he was buying flowers as a kiss-off gift. “The flowers aren’t for girls. They’re for the residents at my dad’s rehab center.”

He hadn’t meant to say that at all. But now that it was out there, he was glad. Everything in him wanted to see where this attraction between him and Kelly was headed. The only way that could happen would be if they were totally honest with each other.