Authors: JEAN AVERY BROWN
“Have you talked with him?”
“Yes, and he was glad to hear the information. He asked how I knew about the situation. I told him I had to keep it confidential. Thankfully, he understood. He wanted to know why I hadn’t reported it to the Sheriff. I told him there were two people missing in town and as far as I knew the sheriff didn’t put out a missing person report.”
“That’s good, that’s good. Ella repeated herself.
“What’s he planning to do ?” Ella asked.
“His agents will stake out the house and watch the comings and goings of the people before busting the drop-house. They are hoping the leader will show up. If they start to load the Mexican men in the van the agents will go in on them.”
“What about the poor men being tortured in that house?”
“He’s very concerned and wants to act as soon as possible. He told me the men will not be killed. They need to keep them alive until they receive the ransom money from the families.” Frank said Agent Parker told him.
“Okay, I think I’ve done all I can do to help these men.” Ella told Frank.
“I’m going to stay around a few days and see if anything happens. Maybe snoop around town talking with the town folk. You never know what people will tell a stranger.”
“Thanks Frank for helping me. I feel much better now.” Ella said as she wrapped her arms around Franks firm body.
Ella slipped out of her nightshirt and put her clothes on.
“You sure you don’t want to spend the night?” He asked with that boy twinkle in his eyes.
“I can’t, I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow. The Grand opening is next Friday and there’s still lots to do.”
Frank walked Ella to her car. Ella locked the passenger side doors and rolled her window down. Frank leaned into the car and gave her a nice kiss back up waving good-bye.
The hotel was on the opposite side of town from Ella’s home. It was a nice fall evening. Ella drove toward the lodge home. As Ella drove down Main Street, she thought, this street needs better lighting. I’m going to complain at the next and my first city council meeting. She chuckled to herself.
Ella was deep in thought she didn’t notice the large car following her. As she drove out of town she noticed car lights behind her. Turning off the main road into her drive she looked in her rear view mirror and saw the blue sedan pass.
“Am I being too suspicious of everything?” She said to the night. Cutting the lights she parked in the half circle and used the front door. If someone was at the end of the drive they couldn’t see her enter the front door. Ella was so nervous she dropped her keys and frantically search for them among the leaves on the step.
“Dang,” she said, “Where are my keys?” About that time her finger caught on the key ring. She grabbed the keys unlocked the door and entered her safe haven.
SEVENTEEN
Ella was glad the refrigeration service man finished up yesterday. Perfect timing for the fresh flowers Tony would be delivering today.
Ella had much to do and felt like she needed to concentrate on her personal business. Frank had put the FBI on to the drop-house and she was sure they would take care of everything.
A knock at the back door and in walked the flower delivery man.
“Good morning ladies and gentlemen.” Tony greeted as he walked in with his arms loaded down with bundles of fresh flowers wrapped in newspaper. The fragrance of flowers followed Tony into the shop.
“Finally,” Ella said, “this place smells like a flower shop.”
The guys helped Tony carry the flowers in as Ella took inventory marking off each item as they came through the door.
There were so many green plants. Ella looked at the plants and was amazed at the healthy condition they were in. There were many plants Ella didn’t recognize but she bought a book with pictures and names of plants and their care.
The room was filled with fresh flower. Their fragrance permeating the shop.
Alicia spoke up, “Okay everyone listen, all these flowers need to be processed and no better time than the present for everyone to learn.”
Alicia showed them how to mix the preservative in the buckets of tepid water. Then how to strip the leaves from the lower stems, how to cut the stems at an angle, and how to strip the thorns from the roses. There were a few, “dang, I pricked my finger,” coming from the crew. But soon everyone was in a routine and before long the flowers were all drinking up the water. After the flowers drank for a while they were given a home in the cooler box.
After Alicia’s on the job training Ella joined in.
“Everyone listen up.” Ella began for the first time running a flower shop. Ron, Susan and Juan you will be cleaning and dressing the green plants.”
“Ella, I don’t know how to dress a plant. What do you mean, dress a plant?” Susan asked.
“Ella you’re gonna have a job training all these people. But I’ve got faith you can do it.”
Alicia chuckled in the background.
“I will show you. It’s actually very easy after you get the hang of it.” Ella assured everyone.
Ella took the three aside and showed them how to clean the green plants. The guys got stated on cleaning the plants.
“Alicia, you and I…” Ella stopped in mid sentence as Alicia spoke over her.
“I’m one step ahead of you honey.” Alicia said pushing a piece of foam in a designer bowl she previously cut.
“Susan, I’m going to teach you how to make a bow.” Ella said while rolling a long piece of ribbon from it’s spool.
Ella showed Susan how to hold the ribbon. Susan tried over and over to hold the ribbon between her forefinger and thumb. Dropping it again and again.
“You’ll catch on soon.” Ella laughed.
“I don’t know Ella my fingers are already sore.” Susan said holding up her thumb and forefinger both with blisters.
Alicia gave out her hardy hew haw laugh. “Girl, you’ll catch on and be the best bow maker around. Take a roll of ribbon home with you tonight and practice. By tomorrow you’ll not only come to work with band-aids on your fingers you will know how to make a bow.” Alicia assured her.
“Susan drop the ribbon and I will teach you how to dress a plant.” Ella told her pulling a roll of colored foil from the work table.
“First you clean the plants. Then cut the foil to fit and wrap the foil around the pot, like this. Ella cut a piece of ribbon long enough to go around the pot and tucked it in the front holding the foil in place.
“That doesn’t seem so hard.” Susan said as she set a potted plant on her table, cut the foil, cut the ribbon and efficiently secured the ribbon to the front of the pot.
“Susan you are a natural.” Alicia told her giving her a wink.
Alicia and Ella began making beautiful floral arrangements. Alicia and Ella’s designs are different but both are very good. Ella took a class in floral design while she was in college. She learned the care and design of fresh flowers. Alicia learned her designing techniques from a lady in Los Angeles. She started working at the flower shop when she was sixteen doing some of the delivery and cleaning. Soon she was designing floral arrangement and competing in the local and state floral design shows.
Ella asked Susan to place the green plants around the shop. Susan was the official merchandiser for the shop. Susan strategically placed the plants to compliment the shop. Tomorrow the bows would be added to the plants.
Susan displayed vases, beautiful ceramic container and many other gift items through out the shop. She make a window display that could be seen in any big town flower shop.
Everyone worked all day. Each doing their on thing. It seemed everyone and everything fell into place. Ella’s crew seemed to run like a well oiled machine.
Ella kept her mind busy. Trying not to think about the men in the drop-house. At the end of day everyone was totally exhausted.
“Let’s call it a day.” Ella announced.
“Juan, if you will take Ron and Susan home that would be nice.” Ella told him. “And let Maria know I won’t be home for dinner.”
Frank was expecting Ella at the hotel after work. There was a knock at the door and Frank opened the door to a tired looking but beautiful woman. He gave her a kiss. Ella started stripping her sweaty clothes from her slim body as she made her way to the shower.
“Hey lady, where are you going?” Frank teased pulling Ella back to his arms for one more kiss.
“To the shower, where’s my night shirt?” She said as one foot was entering the shower.
“You won’t be needing a night shirt.” Frank said pulling his trousers off hopping all the way to the shower.
Ella was already wet when Frank joined her in the shower.
“Just what are you doing, Mr. smith?” Ella said splashing water in his face giggling.
“Well Ms. Smith, I’m taking a shower with a beautiful woman.” He said moving in behind her wrapping his arms around her soft body and holding her soft body. Frank
lathered the soap in his hands and massaged Ella’s body. Ella loved the feel of Franks hands on her body. Ella squinted her eyes as the water hit her face allowing the water to rinse the soap from her body. Frank rinsed off.
Frank pulled the shower curtain to the side and took a towel from the towel bar. He wrapped it around Ella as she stepped out of the shower. She gathered a towel in her hand and wrapped his waist in sarong style.
Ella put on the night shirt as Frank called for pizza and ordered a large combination to be delivered to the room with two cola’s.
“You remembered my favorite.” Ella said as she hopped in the middle of the bed setting with her legs crossed Indian style.
“I remember everything about you.” Frank said with a loving grin.
“Come here.” Ella said as she stretched her arms out to hold him.
“You are so good to me. How could I have divorced you?” Ella said as they kissed.
A knock at the door broke the pleasure of their passionate kissing. Frank quickly put his pants on and was buttoning them when he opened the door.
“Pizza delivery.” The young man yelled.
The delivery guy handed Frank a bill as he set the pizza and drinks on the table. Frank looked at the bill, pulled money from his wallet and said. “Keep the change.”
“Wow! Thank you sir.” The young man said looking at the money in his hand.