Carnations in January Read Online Free PDF Page B

sure she used to love God as much as you and I do now.”
    “So are you planning on killing her with kindness until she gives in and goes back to church?”
    “Something like that.”
    Joel pushed away from the wall and crossed over to him. “Caroline wants me to have Bradley this weekend. Is that OK?”
    Elliott raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
    “She’s going away with Bryan and doesn’t want Bradley around. She’ll bring him down after school on Friday.”
    “You should file for full custody.”
    “I don’t have a house.”
    “So buy one.”
    “On what I earn? Yeah, right. Besides, I’m happy here.” He sighed. “I’m one story short for this book, and I’m out of ideas. And before you suggest going for a run, it’s raining.”
    Elliott laughed. “You could always help me with this.”
    Joel laughed with him. “Only if you want it lopsided.” Then, he sobered. “Be careful with your heart, El. Don’t give it to the wrong woman.”
    “Not every woman is like your ex-wife, Joel. And, of course, we can have Bradley this weekend. We’ll take him to the match. I’ll book another ticket as soon as I’ve done this.”
    Joel smiled. “He’ll like that, thank you. I’ll text Caroline back and let her know.”
    He nodded and turned back to the shelves. “Some coffee would be good if you’re making some.”
    “Sure. Coming right up.”
    Elliott sanded the shelf harder than necessary.
    What was it about Grace that drew him ?
    ~*~
    By Saturday morning, Grace was exhausted. She’d plastered all the fissures she could find in the bedroom and begun to strip the paper in the hallway. Only to find more cracks—some large enough to fit two fingers in. She’d filled them as well. In the remaining few minutes she had between closing and going over the accounts each evening, she barely had time to eat. She’d thought sitting behind a desk all day was tiring. Right now, her old desk looked very appealing.
    She ran across the road to open the shop, in what seemed to be constant rain. Had it actually stopped since she moved in? Now that she paused to think, she didn’t think it had. She unlocked the door, shook the water from her coat, hung it out the back, and then checked the order book.
    The bell signaled Shana and Mandy had arrived. “Morning.”
    “Morning, boss,” they chorused. “How’s it going?”
    “I just got here. We have that arrangement for the church and two deliveries to the hospital—one to maternity and one to the cardiac unit. Mandy, when you get a minute, can you contact the supplier and order the flowers for the wedding on the twenty-eighth, please?”
    “Sure. I’ll do it soon as I’ve hung up my stuff.” She tilted her head. “Can we order uniforms, too?”
    “Uniforms?”
    “We’re the only flower shop in town without them. Just a t-shirt or something so I don’t have to stop and think each day what I’m going to wear. Not fussed about the color, but navy blue or pink. Not white.”
    Shana laughed. “Not with the amount of water you manage to get down your top each day.”
    “That’ll be a waterproof apron for Mandy.” Grace winked. “That’s a brilliant idea. Either pink or navy blue work. How about having the name of the shop and some flowers embroidered on about here?” She pointed to the left of her shirt.
    “Design a logo,” came a familiar voice from the door. That man really did have impeccable timing. “That way you can update the sign outside, as well.”
    Grace snorted. “I can’t draw to save my life. But I’ll ask my sister, Faith. In fact I’ll do it now.”
    Elliott smiled and put the take out cup of coffee on the counter for her. “Am I going to be in the way if I fix those shelves up now? Only I’m out this afternoon.”
    “That’s fine.” She dialed Faith’s number. “Going anywhere nice?”
    “Football.”
    “I’ll have to disagree with you on that one. Football and nice don’t exactly belong together—and definitely not in the