Love Is Louder Read Online Free PDF Page B

bar, Bull and Bear, and the florist shop, which was my gift to Meadow so she could pursue her passion for flowers. She loved flowers since she was a little girl. After she died, I handed it over to my mom and my cousin Cindy to run and manage. The business is flourishing just like Meadow envisioned it. She had a talent for business. I wish she could see what Cindy and Mom have done with the place. She would be so proud.
    We changed the name of the place when she died from Lily of the Valley to Lily of the Meadow in order to keep her memory alive. Lilies were her favorite flowers. Even though she never got to be a mom, she would have been a wonderful one. I know it with every cell in my body. Just in the way she played with the kids that came into the florist shop and how she was so compassionate with people.
    I hop into the truck, throw my tool belt onto the passenger seat, grab my iPad, and check off that this service call has been completed. Looks like I won’t be coming back here as I peer back up at the house at the end of the winding driveway. Nothing was needed. There was just something stuck in the drain. Something James could have fixed if he took his head out of his ass. He’s always been the kind of guy that didn’t have to get his hands dirty and had someone else do the dirty work for him.
    When I told Brie the washer was all set, I swear I saw disappointment in her eyes. I hope James is making her happy, because we all deserve a relationship where both people are committed to each other, willing to take a bullet for them and make the ultimate sacrifice. I haven’t found it, but I haven’t been looking either. My businesses keep me busy, but I would not change my life for anything. I love where I am right now, but I do have my moments where I wish I had someone special in my life to share it with.
    My cell rings, breaking my thoughts as I glance at the dash to check the time. It’s a little past two.
    I answer the call and throw my head back onto the seat, relaxing for a minute to catch my bearings. Brie really threw me for a minute. I have to complete the rest of my service calls, but this call right here takes precedence over all things right now.
    “Hi, honey.”
    “Hi, Mom. How are things?”
    “Oh, Mason, I’m running a little late at the florist shop. We’ve been really busy with all these weddings and graduations. Do you mind picking up Lily today?”
    “You know my answer to that. I’ll be there.”
    “It’ll be such a surprise. She’s going to be so happy to see you.”
    “Not as happy as me. I’ll bring her over right after. I have to make service calls today. Micah is laid up in bed suffering from exhaustion.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me? I need to take him some chicken soup.”
    “Mom, he’s twenty-eight, a grown man. He needs to cut back on the late nights.” I chuckle.
    “It doesn’t matter. You’ll always be my babies. I’d do the same for you.”
    “I know that, Mom.”
    “Okay. Well, I don’t want you to be late. You know how she gets. She’s too smart for her age,” she says with adoration. “Just like her mom.”
    We say our goodbyes, and I hang up, tossing my phone onto the seat. My heart warms, thinking about my next engagement. I can’t wait to see her. She’s the one person in this world that makes me smile no matter what. Seeing her is like a pure adrenaline rush. She’s everything innocent and good in the world—a ray of sunshine, a big bowl of M&M’s, so sweet and colorful. I could go on and on about how she makes me feel. She is the reason why I have a smile on my face every morning.
    I pull up in front of the preschool, park, and watch as parents pick up their children. I smile thinking about Meadow and what could have been as I take large enthusiastic strides up the walkway, anxious to hear her voice and hold her in my arms. As I come upon the classroom door, I immediately see her clutching her pink backpack. Her brown curls bounce as she skips