A Few Flowers Part 4

Later that morning, more flowers arrived"a small but lovely arrangement of three fragrant blossoms she couldnt identify, surrounded by dainty babys breath. The card was brief and to the point.

A few flowers, as requested.

Monty Cindy frowned as she reread the card. She had not requested any more flowers. In fact, quite the opposite. She told him a dozen was too much and that. . . and that she only wanted a few flowers, like two or three.

Cindy grinned in spite of herself.

Throughout the day, her attention wandered to the vase of flowers on the corner of her desk. While she fought with the piles of paperwork, she continually tried to inhale their delicate fragrance as best she could through her stuffy nose. Every time she looked at them, she thought of Monty.

Her smile faded. That was probably his intention, and she wasnt falling for it.

All day long, she struggled to catch up with the backlog, and by the time she got home, she felt exhausted. Sitting on the couch, she was halfway falling asleep when Erin ran in the door and straight to her bedroom.

Where are you going in such a rush? she called out.

Ive got to change. Troy is going to be here in fifteen minutes, and were going out for dinner.

Cindy nearly dropped the remote control. She headed to Erins room to question her but found her in the washroom, frantically fixing her hair. Youre going out with Troy? That was quick. You just went out with him night before last.

I went out with him last night, too, but you were sleeping and didnt notice, Erin mumbled as she applied her makeup.

Cindy crossed her arms. You watch that man. Hes got more lines than a high school notebook. I should know. He used every one of them on me.

Erin spoke while applying her lipstick. You didnt fall for any of them, did you?

Cindy grinned. Well, no. I thought they were kind of cute. She giggled. And he tries so hard. I think I bruised his ego when I told him I only wanted to be friends. You should see the women at work drooling over him.

Dont worry about me. Erin winked. Im a big girl.

But hes a big boy.

Erin winked. Yeah, I know. Isnt he great?

Cindy lost her smile. Erin, hes an unbeliever. While I like him as a friend, I dont know if the relations.h.i.+p you have in mind with him is such a good idea.

I know. But weve talked a lot about spiritual things, and hes really thinking about it. Trust me, okay? Like, Im not going to run out and marry the guy. At least not yet.

Troy knocked at the door, and they nodded at each other as Erin opened it.

Where are we going? Erin asked as she slipped on her shoes. Remember youre paying.

Troy only grinned and waved to Cindy as they exited.

After they disappeared out the door, Cindy took another dose of cold medication and crawled off to bed.

Stepping out of the office elevator, Cindy immediately noticed a vase containing three flowers on her desk. This time the arrangement consisted of a red fascia, a yellow daisy mum, and a white carnation. Only two words appeared on the card. Guess who? The riddle didnt take much guesswork to solve.

She set the flowers aside and immediately started working. Before long, Robert appeared beside her with more work.

More flowers?

Cindy mumbled her affirmation as she took the file from his hand and immediately started typing.

Robert stayed beside her. He told me he wants to take you out to say thank you.

She made a typo and backs.p.a.ced over it. I know, she mumbled, trying to concentrate on the clients contract. But, I told him just to send me a few flowers, so he did. Im sure h.e.l.l soon forget about me.

Maybe, Robert mumbled, studying the flowers. Maybe not.

Four.

Another bouquet awaited her arrival. Today it was a red begonia, a yellow chrysanthemum, and a white lilac in a thin earthen vase. Lilacs were out of season, and she didnt even want to venture a guess as to how much this little enterprise was costing him. The card mentioned his appointment with Robert, which she noted was unfortunately scheduled just before another visit from the annoying Glen Evans.

She had collected a stack of magazines to keep Glen occupied, but she needed to talk to Monty.

Monty arrived early. He stood in front of her, smiling, not even acknowledging his gift of the flowers on the corner of her desk.

Cindy couldnt look away from his dark brown eyes. The beginning of laugh lines at their corners mesmerized her. She normally wouldnt have a.s.sociated laugh lines with his stark professional image, yet they somehow strengthened it.

She folded her hands on her desk. Thanks for the flowers. Theyre lovely, but Id like you to stop sending them.

I thought you said you liked flowers.

Of course I like them, but youve sent so many that saying thank you doesnt seem like enough.

His smile widened, heightening the little laugh lines. Her breath caught. I said once before that a few flowers would never say all that I wanted. How about going out to lunch with me so I can say everything I need to say? Would today work for you?

She couldnt think with him looking at her like that, so she pretended to study the flowers while she considered his request. If the daily flowers were any indication of his tenacity, she didnt see any other option. Okay, I have an hour for lunch. But dont you have a job to get back to?

He shrugged. Taking a little longer for one lunch wont matter.

Robert buzzed. Send him in.

Monty picked up his briefcase and entered Roberts office.

Cindy busied herself with the stack of work in front of her and was ready to punch in the final total on the current spread-sheet when Glen Evans arrived.

Hi, he purred, standing much too close to the front of her desk for her liking.

She buzzed Robert. Glen Evans is here for his appointment.

Instead of taking a seat, he continued to stand in front of her desk while she attempted to work. She tried to ignore him, but he planted his hip against the side of the desk, half sitting on the corner. She heard the shuffle of his shoes as he crossed his ankles.

So, since I should be finished with Rob around lunchtime, how about joining me?

Sorry, Im afraid Im busy for lunch. She smiled politely, then noticed Monty standing behind Glen, who was still leaning on her desk.

Monty cleared his throat, startling Glen and causing him to stand. The two of them stood facing each other, sizing each other up like a pair of bantam roosters. Cindy bit her bottom lip.

Fortunately, Robert chose that moment to buzz and tell Cindy that he was ready to see Glen.

Montys eyes followed Glen until the door closed, making Cindy wonder what was going through his head. He faced her again. Its only eleven-thirty. Ill be back at noon, if thats okay with you.

Yes, that will be fine.

He nodded, and she watched him until he disappeared into the elevator, praying shed done the right thing.

Monty stood outside the building and inhaled a deep, deep breath of fresh air. He could expand his lungs all he wanted, and it didnt hurt anymore. He smiled with the pure joy of freedom to breathe.

With a quick glance at the time, he pulled his cellular phone out of his pocket. He opened the car door and, sitting with his legs sticking out, rescheduled his lunchtime appointment, called his office for his messages, and caught up on a few calls. At noon, rather than going up and making a pest of himself, in case she wasnt ready, he phoned from the parking lot.

Good morning. Mr. Blackmores office, Cindy answered in the sweet, melodic voice that had filled his dreams since the accident.

Hi, its Monty. Its afternoon now. Available for lunch yet?

Im not sure. One moment please. Music came on the line as she put him on hold. He smiled, admiring her professional phone manners.

Yes, I can go now, and Robert told me to take an extra half hour. Did you have something to do with that?

With the phone against his ear, Monty headed back into the building the moment she said she could go.

Me? Never. Ill be right there, he said, already halfway up the elevator.

Great. Ill need just a couple of minutes to finish what Im doing and . . . She paused for a second. Can you hold again? I have another call coming in. The elevator continued to rise, and the door opened at the same time as Cindy came back on the line. Sorry about that. Ill be ready by the time you get here. Okay?

Fine by me.

He stood in front of her, but she hadnt noticed him yet.

Bye, she said into the phone in her hand as she raised her head. She jumped when she saw him.

Bye, he said into the cellular phone. He snapped it shut and tucked it into his breast pocket.

Cindy glared at the phone in her hand and hastily hung it up. Very funny, she grumbled.

Monty grinned. You said youd be ready when I arrived.

Just for that, I should take that extra half an hour to comb my hair. She reached under her desk to pick up her purse and rose to leave. Monty noticed the other secretaries watching them, smiling. He nodded and winked, causing one of them to blush, then he followed behind Cindy to the elevator.

After she stepped inside the open elevator door, Cindy turned to face Monty, finding herself exactly eye to eye with him. Considering her heels, that made Monty about five-foot-ten. Not that he was short, but after spending so much time with Troy, she wasnt used to it anymore.

He blinked but said nothing.

Monty held the door open as she got into his car. The new blue Mercedes was spotless, inside and out. She ran her hand over the soft leather upholstery. Nice, she mumbled, checking out the rest of the interior. Shed never been inside a car like this before. I guess the yellow one must have been written off by the insurance company.

He smiled at her description of his state-of-the-art car. Yes, it was. I decided to get something with an automatic transmission.

I couldnt help but notice you have a bit of a limp. Will it go away?

His cute little grin disappeared. No. In addition to a number of pins to hold me together, one leg is now a little shorter than the other one. But I can walk, which is more than they first expected. Do you have a favorite restaurant in the area, or should I choose?

Anything you choose is fine. Cindy forced herself to smile. She didnt go out often, especially just for lunch, because this was one way of saving money for her college courses in the fall.

He steered into the parking lot of a restaurant where the price of one lunch would pay for nearly a semesters worth of textbooks.

On the way in, she couldnt help but notice his p.r.o.nounced limp, nor could she stop herself from looking down when he spoke to the hostess. The sole of one of his shoes looked thicker than the other.

Once they were seated and their orders taken, Monty leaned forward in his chair, rested his elbows on the table, and cradled his coffee cup in his palms. This probably sounds like a line, but I want to know everything there is to know about you.

She could understand his curiosity, given the circ.u.mstances. I dont know what to say. I dont really do anything interesting.

Monty smiled, returned the cup to its saucer, and leaned back in his chair. I doubt that. Not everyone would do what you did.

She knew he was referring to that night five months ago. I have my Industrial First Aid ticket, so it was a natural thing to do. In fact, I had my first aid bag right beside me at the time. I was just on my way home from a practice. We didnt win the trophy, but we did place second.

He raised his eyebrows but said nothing, so Cindy continued.

Many companies need employees with industrial first aid certification rather than just simple St. Johns Ambulance training. I dont know how it started, but once a year theres a big compet.i.tion between company teams. We set up phony emergencies to practice, and Im on a team with some of the guys from the last place I worked before Circuits, Inc. Its nice to keep in touch.

He smiled. Yes, it would be.

Again, he didnt comment further, so Cindy prattled on about her first aid team and the funny things that sometimes happened at the practices. His attention never once wavered until their lunches arrived.

Unsure of what to do in front of a stranger, Cindy steeled her nerve and bowed her head despite being in a public restaurant, meaning to pause for a quick moment of silent prayer before eating.

Cindy?

She blushed and opened her eyes. Sorry, I didnt mean to embarra.s.s you.

When he reached across the table to rest his hand on hers, she tried not to flinch. Can we give thanks together? I do have a lot to be thankful for.

Unable to speak, she nodded. He bowed his head and closed his eyes, so she did the same. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze before speaking barely loud enough for her to hear in the public setting.

Dear Lord, thank You for this day, for the blessings Youve bestowed upon us, and for the life Youve given us. We thank You for this food were about to eat and pray for Your continuing guidance and blessings in the days to come. Amen. He squeezed her fingers again, then released her hand.