A Few Flowers Part 16

Its really late. I think Id better be going.

Despite the fact that his romantic evening didnt go as planned, Monty thought they still had a pleasant time together. Wait. Before you go, I want to give you something. He led her into the dining room and picked up the vase of flowers. These are for you.

Thank you, theyre beautiful. Roses are my favorite flower. She bent her head, closed her eyes, and touched the roses gently to her nose, inhaling their natural perfume. Without raising her head, she opened her eyes wide and looked up at him. Ive been meaning to ask you, why are they always these same colors?

He smiled, remembering word for word what hed said in his original note the first time hed sent her flowers at the office. A few flowers will never come close to what I wanted to say, he quoted himself, so heres what I wanted to tell you.

He plucked the yellow rose from the vase and handed it to her. Yellow is for the car, the place G.o.d chose to put us together. He pulled out the white one and gave it to her as well. White is for you, the very human angel I thought Id never find, but G.o.d put in my path once again.

He set the vase back on the table, then ran his fingers along her cheek while he handed her the last one. And red is for the blood of Jesus, the third and strongest bond.

If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Tears glistened in her eyes. Oh, Monty, thats beautiful.

Thats Ecclesiastes 4:10"12. This bond, designed by G.o.d, will never be broken. I love you, Cindy.

She burst into tears. Oh, Monty, I love you, too, she sobbed. Without warning and still holding all three flowers, she threw her arms around him and pressed her face into the side of his neck. Her whole body shook as she cried.

Monty trailed his fingers up her back, then pulled her close. The flower stems stabbed him in the back and drops of water soaked through his s.h.i.+rt, making a cold wet spot. He didnt care. He loved Cindy, and she loved him back. He was happy.

When her crying subsided, Cindy backed up, then dabbed her cheeks with the back of her hand. Im sorry. I dont know what came over me. I think Id better leave before I make a worse fool of myself.

Monty kissed her cheek, then reached for his cane. Ill walk you to your car.

Just as Cindy hung up the phone, Robert buzzed through the intercom. Can you see me in my office?

Cindy groaned and grabbed her half-empty coffee cup on the way.

Fortunately she felt better today than she had a few days ago. After she got home from Montys Sat.u.r.day night, shed gone straight to bed and stayed there. Instead of showing up at her door Sunday morning, Monty had phoned to check up on her first, which was a good thing. Shed been so sick she hadnt gone to church, nor had she made it out of bed all day except to go to the washroom. Shed also slept like a log all night.

Today, she felt like a new person.

She paused just long enough to run her fingers over the petals of the latest vase of flowers. Yellow, white, and red.

Cindy tried not to get misty-eyed over the thought. She had feared that it would be her worst nightmare if Monty declared any feelings of love for her. Instead, the moment had been the happiest in her life, despite the fact that shed cried her eyes out at the time. She loved him, too, and now that her worries about his motivations and interpretation of the circ.u.mstances had been laid to rest, they could date like normal people, carry on a normal relations.h.i.+p, and see if there was a future for them, which she had a feeling there would be.

Next time she saw Monty, this time for sure she would tell him to stop sending the flowers, only this time for a different reason. Now that she knew what they meant, she couldnt afford to break into tears in the middle of the office or sit and stare at them all day while her work piled up.

Robert dumped another ma.s.sive volume of work on her, in addition to another huge pile of urgent correspondence that had to be done before she went home for the night. Cindy sighed, buried her face in her hands for a few seconds, and shook her head in resignation. It was going to be a long day.

The clock showed seven oclock by the time she finally finished the last letter. She had just closed her drawer when Robert sauntered up to her desk.

He smiled, then crossed his arms over his belly. Were finally finished. I appreciate your staying so late, and to make it up to you, if you dont have plans, and since its my wifes bowling night, let me buy dinner.

Shed been hoping to spend the evening with Monty, but after playing telephone tag with him all day yet never getting the chance to actually speak to him, she knew he was as busy as she was, and he was probably still working, too. Sure, a quick dinner sounds good. Im starving.

As she picked up her purse, Roberts cell phone rang. Cindy took advantage of the slight delay to run to the ladies room. When she returned, Robert was tucking the phone into his pocket.

That was Glen. I have to talk to him about something, so hes going to meet us there.

She tried not to groan out loud. Glen Evans was the last person she wanted to see today, but she couldnt bow out now without looking ungracious.

Once inside the restaurant, Cindy expected to sit back and listen to Robert and Glen dominate most of the conversation, but instead, Glen focused his attention on her, despite her efforts to move the conversation back to business. Finally, she came right out and told Glen that she was seeing someone and was not interested. Instead of leaving her alone, he laughed and insisted that he was next in line when her present relations.h.i.+p ended. Cindy remained silent and left as soon as they were finished eating.

Unfortunately, Robert paid the bill and rushed off, probably thinking she was in good hands.

Ill see you safely to your car. Glen grinned.

Cindy gritted her teeth. At five-foot-nine, plus heels, she doubted that she would be a likely candidate for any trouble. I have to be on my way. My boyfriend is probably waiting for me at home.

Why do some men have all the luck? His sappy grin worsened.

If Cindy gritted her teeth any harder, she would probably crack a filling. She slipped into her car as quickly as she could, waved good-bye to Glen, and then she turned the key. Instead of the roar of the engine, only a click sounded. With a sinking heart, she realized shed left the lights on, and the old battery didnt have enough juice left in it to start the car.

She rolled the window down. Do you have jumper cables? I loaned mine to my roommate, and she forgot to give them back. The first thing she was going to do when she got home was have a little talk with Erin about returning what she borrowed promptly.

No, but Ill drive you home and come back and give you a boost.

She smiled politely, even though it hurt. She didnt want to be indebted to Glen Evans when she was trying to get rid of him. Thanks for offering, but Im sure my boyfriend, she emphasized the word, will be more than happy to come back with me. But I do appreciate the ride home. She knew Monty wouldnt really be there, but likely Troy would, so her problem would be solved. Glen wouldnt know any better, and Troy would happily play along.

As they walked to Glens car, he lightly rested his fingers on the small of her back, a gesture she did not care for. She walked faster, grateful for her new low-heeled shoes.

Glen made pleasant conversation on the drive, but she wanted nothing more than to get home and phone Monty.

When they pulled up in front of her house, Cindys heart skipped a beat. Instead of Troys car, Montys car was parked in front. She bolted from Glens car. Thanks for the ride, Glen.

Unfortunately, Glen walked with her to the door. When she opened it, his fingers rested on her shoulder. Monty and Erin sat on the couch, laughing. At the same second that Monty turned his head, Cindy pushed Glens hand away. Judging from the sudden loss of his smile, Monty had seen Glen touch her.

She turned to Glen. Thanks for the lift home. Ill see you sometime at the office.

Youre more than welcome, Darling, he replied far too gallantly.

Cindy nearly made a scathing remark, but before she could open her mouth, Glen lifted one hand to her chin and started to bend his head, like he was going to kiss her cheek. Cindy stiffened and began to raise her hand to slap him if his slimy lips actually touched her, but he backed up first.

Cindy gritted her teeth. Even though Glen was a business client, as well as her bosss friend, he didnt have the right to make such advances. She glared at him, fully intending to have a long talk with Robert in the morning.

Instead of acting chagrined, Glen smiled, winked, and blew her a kiss before he closed the door.

Cindy seethed. She turned to Monty to say something, but his expression stopped her dead in her tracks. It briefly registered that he didnt have his cane.

Erin said you were working late, he said, his tone low and accusing. But you werent working, were you?

No! Cindy retorted, too angry with Glen to care that she was shouting. I mean yes, I was working. But I went out for dinner after. I didnt know youd be here.

I think thats rather obvious.

Two beeps of Glens horn sounded as he drove away, another reminder of his unwanted and unwarranted familiarity.

If Id known you were going to be here, I wouldnt have gone with Glen. If she had known, she would have called Monty from the restaurant and waited for him there instead of accepting Glens ride home.

Monty glared at her in silence.

Cindy stared back. Too late, she realized that what she said hadnt come out like she meant.

Without another word, Monty stormed out, slammed his car door shut, and drove off in a screech of burning rubber as Cindy stood in the doorway, her mouth hanging open, trying to piece together what had just happened.

Erin appeared beside her.

Cindys throat tightened. I cant believe I said that, she squeaked out. Ive got to go after him, but my car wont start. Thats why Glen gave me a ride home. I think Id better phone him.

He didnt answer his cell phone, but Cindy left a message trying to explain what happened. Although after the display Glen made, she doubted Monty would believe she had no feelings for Glen.

Erin jingled her keys in the air. Lets go get your car. And dont worry about Monty. After he calms down, h.e.l.l see youre telling the truth. h.e.l.l get over it.

I dont know, Erin.

Everything will be okay.

Cindys lower lip quivered. She hoped Erin was right.

Fifteen.

Monty shoved the door closed with more force than necessary, then stood in the center of his living room, unable to shake the sense of shock that gripped his heart like a vise. Hed listened to Cindys voice message and couldnt believe she would try something like that. Maybe she thought he hadnt noticed the obvious familiarity that pa.s.sed between Cindy and the other guy. His advances toward her had seemed so natural, like he knew they would be welcomed.

He faced the couch, where the vision of holding Cindy as she fell asleep in his arms flashed through his mind. Sat.u.r.day night she said she loved him. He didnt know what had changed, but something had, although he couldnt think why. All hed done was leave her alone on Sunday because he knew she wasnt feeling well.

He turned and took one step to the closet, looked into the dining room, and thought once again of his pathetic attempt at a romantic evening. Even inside his own home, all he could think of was Cindy. He couldnt even look at his own door without remembering how she arrived uninvited, banging on the door until she let him in.

Monty closed his eyes, his fists clenched. She was seeing someone else. Although not a violent man, he wanted to hit something to vent his anger and frustration.

Instead, he threw his suit on the bed, changed into his bathing suit, and headed for the pool, hoping that a hundred or so laps might dull his thoughts.

He returned completely exhausted with his leg throbbing, but his mind still raced. He still loved her from the depths of his soul, and he knew he always would. Unable to ignore the pangs of his heart, he flopped down on his bed, not caring about his wet swimsuit. He rested his arm over his face, squeezed his eyes shut, and poured his heart out to G.o.d, praying for an answer.

Cindy sat and stared at the flowers that had just been delivered to her desk. Today it was three tulips in the usual colors.

With a shaking hand, Cindy reached out and ran her fingers along the soft petals. A few flowers had never meant so much as they meant today. Her fingers lingered on the white petals. Shed never felt less like an angel.

What did he send today, Cindy? Melindas voice drifted from beside the window.

The backs of Cindys eyes filled with hot tears, and she couldnt blink them back. She had to talk to him, but she couldnt wait until the end of the day. Robert owed her so much time by now she could take a vacation, but she only needed one day. And that day would be today.

She buzzed his office. Ive got to go, she blurted out, not caring what she sounded like. I wont be back today.

Uh. . . Roberts voice trailed off. Uh, sure, thats fine.

Cindy grabbed her purse and ran for the elevator, frantically pus.h.i.+ng the b.u.t.ton repeatedly until the door opened. She sped all the way to Montys office, left the car parked crooked, and ran into the building.

She pushed the main door open too fast, causing Agnes to stop typing and stare at her over the tops of her gla.s.ses, which were perched efficiently on the end of her nose. She didnt bother asking for permission to see Monty. Instead, she turned to his office, but before she took her first step in its direction, she froze in her tracks, her heart pounding. The office was spotless, the desk was clear, and the light was out.

He phoned in sick, Agnes said.

Cindy felt sick herself. Thank you, Agnes, she mumbled, and ran back to the car. She knew where she was going, and she was going to do it in record time.

Monty leaned back on the couch, arms and legs splayed, his head flopped backward, staring at his living room ceiling. He yanked his tie open, then let his hand drop down on the cus.h.i.+on.

He had meant to go to work. He really had. He was dressed and ready to go, but never made it past the living room. After being awake most of the night, hed slept in for the first time since he started his business. On his dash to the door, hed stopped to phone the florist before he left, and that had been his breaking point. After ordering the flowers for Cindy, he couldnt motivate himself to get off the couch.

Monty slouched forward, rested his elbows on his knees, and buried his face in his hands. He wouldnt have thought it possible, but Cindy was seeing another man. Hed seen it himself.

Bits and pieces started falling together, starting with the first time hed seen that particular man leaning on her desk when hed come out of a meeting with Robert.

Monty shook his head, his face still buried in his hands. Hed never felt closer to another human. They were soul mates. Two short days ago shed said she loved him.

Monty sat upright, tugged off his tie, and threw it into the center of the room in frustration, then stared blankly at the crumpled heap in the center of his carpet.

His mental ramblings were interrupted by a knock on the door. His heart skipped a beat, then pounded in double time at the possibility that it could be Cindy. No one had rung for access, but hed given her his access code so she wouldnt need to buzz him before coming up.

Monty hurried to the door, inwardly cursing the limp that slowed him down. With one hand on the doork.n.o.b, he drew in a deep breath to calm himself and opened it. But, instead of looking eye to eye with Cindy, he had to look down. A pet.i.te, gorgeous blond in a string bikini stood in the doorway.

He blinked twice. Can I help you with something? he asked.

Hi, she said in a slow, husky voice. My name is Sharon, and I live a few floors down. I was wondering if I could borrow a cup of sugar? She smiled sweetly at him, then batted her eyelashes.