Page 7 of Ripple Effect

My muscles all lock. “Excuse me?”

He backs away. “Now, Cal, I just meant in terms of matters of this. You’re a badass.”

Fucking right I am. “Better run, Sam. If I catch up, there’s going to be hell to pay,” I warn him in a lethal voice.

He takes off in a sprint.

I take a moment to rub my hand over my chest where the shot he landed aimed true. I am a coward when it comes to Libby Akin. I want her so damn much, I’m afraid of what will happen when I have to leave.

And I always do. There’s always more risk, another mission, another life to protect.

I just wish I could take a piece of her with me.

Jogging after Sam, I see him a few hundred yards ahead with his head between his legs. When he sees me, he straightens before sprinting away. Even though I hadn’t planned on educating him on evasive techniques this morning, it looks like Sam’s about to get a small lesson in it.

* * *

Every Sundaysince I started working here last semester, there’s been a local farmer’s market in town. Normally, I go first thing in the morning so I can beat the students who end up coming down later in the day. But now that I’m training Sam, I don’t make it until 10:30. I race through, picking up fresh fruit and vegetables for the week, before I make my way for the exit.

I freeze in place when I see Libby. Juggling my packages, I manage to get my phone out and snap a picture of her surrounded by flowers. It may be my imagination, but she laughs at something the elderly woman says, and the sunflowers seem to reach for her. “Beautiful,” I murmur aloud.

Libby accepts a bouquet of purple flowers wrapped in cellophane with another smile before turning her back and walking away. In her arms she’s also managing a cake box with a carefully wrapped present on top.

Dialing quickly, I hear, “Didn’t you torture me enough this morning?” growled by Sam in my ear.

“Is it a special occasion for Libby?” I ask without answering him.

“Not that I know of.” He sounds confused.

“Birthday, anniversary of an important date? I can find out, but I’d prefer you think.”

“It’s not her birthday, Cal. That’s October 1st.”

I commit the date to my memory and then ask, “Then why is she carrying a cake, a bouquet of flowers, and…”

With a yelp, Sam yells, “What kind of flowers?”

“I don’t know. They were purple.”

“They were irises, Cal. It’s Iris’s birthday! Shit, I can’t walk, and I need to go to her birthday dinner at Libby’s.”

“Go take a shower. I’ll pick up some flowers for you to bring to her and drop them by with some Tiger Balm.” His relieved sigh worries me a bit. “Are you going to be able to let her go?” Sam’s growing feelings for Libby’s best friend are starting to concern me.

“Let her go? I don’t have to. You tagged her to be recruited as well. Remember, one of your colleagues is training her” is all he says before he hangs up the phone.

Huh. I forgot we don’t have a no-fraternization policy. But now I’ll have to do some deeper digging on Ms. Iris Cunningham when I get back to my apartment to make certain recruiting them both isn’t going to be a colossal mistake. In the meanwhile, I approach the same flower vendor Libby just vacated. “Hello. I need a bouquet of flowers for a birthday.”

“Seems to be the specialty of the day.” The woman smiles. “Do you know what kind of flowers?”

“Something unique but lovely.” The woman nods before turning away. Soon, she presents me with a bouquet that Sam will be proud to give Iris. I’m pulling out my card to pay when suddenly I ask, “Can you also make me up a bouquet of sunflowers?”

I must be crazy. That’s the only way to explain it.

“Of course. Give me just one more moment.” Soon, I have a gorgeous bunch of sunflowers in my arms. A smile spreads across the woman’s face as she runs my card through. “They’re such a happy flower.”

“Hmm?” I’m too busy looking at the bright cheerful flowers in my arms. In their own way, it’s like holding a piece of Libby.

“Sunflowers. They symbolize adoration, loyalty, and longevity, but overall they just make people happy,” I’m informed.