To Catch a Leaf (37 page)

While I practiced my deep breathing, Marco tried to get more information out of them, but, as they seemed to be in on it together, they said good night and everyone scooted off.

“This is bad, Marco. Very bad. You know what my mom's surprises are like. Think dancing naked monkey table. Think giant bowling pin hat stand. Think of the many possibilities of how bad this could be.”

“I've got a better plan. Let's go back to my place and think of ways to make it seem like a bad dream.”

Best idea I'd heard all day. “And guess what? I still haven't collected on my bet.”

“Your time is coming, baby,” he growled, pulling me against him for a long, searing hot kiss. “That's just for starters.”

 

Before we headed to Marco's, I had to make a stop at Bloomers to retrieve my jean jacket that I'd left that afternoon in my rush to get to the Newports. While Marco waited outside, I shut off the alarm, turned on the lights, and then went through the purple curtain to get my jacket off the back of my chair.

I stopped in surprise. A three-quarter-length red twill coat was hanging on the back of my chair.

I glanced around but saw no sign that anyone had been there. I tiptoed to the kitchen for a look around, checked the bathroom, and came back to peer inside the giant coolers. It wasn't until I returned to my desk that I spotted a note.

What was she thanking me for? I ran my fingers over the fine twill material. At least I had proof that Lindsey existed. Angels didn't wear coats.

I set the note aside and took the garment off the back of the chair, wondering where my old jacket had gone. I was about to try on the red twill when the bell over the door jingled.

“Hey, what's keeping you?” my impatient groom-to-be asked, coming into the room.

Ah! That was the reason for the jingling. I showed him the coat. “I told you Lindsey existed. She left this for me.”

“She left you her coat?”

“Yes. She even wrote me a thank-you note.” I turned to get it, but it was no longer on the desk. I got down to look underneath; then I crawled under the worktable and finally stood up and scratched my head. “I left it right here on the desk.”

“Okay, Sunshine, let's get you home. It's been a long day and you've had a close call. I'll bet things will look better in the morning.”

“I'm not making it up, Marco. I know what I saw. That note is here somewhere.”

But ten minutes more of searching didn't produce it.

“I'll bet you picked up Nikki's coat by mistake this morning and forgot.” Marco held up the jacket so I could slip my arms into the sleeves.

“This isn't Nikki's,” I said. “Her sleeves would have covered my hands. Lindsey must have stopped by and left it for me.”

But it had to be Nikki's. I mean, seriously. A guardian angel?

“Ready?” Marco asked, as I finished buttoning the front.

Ready for a cozy evening with my hot and hunky groom-to-be? He had no idea how much I was looking forward to it. I locked up the shop and took Marco's arm. “Okay, Salvare, time to put this case to rest and collect my bet.”

“Whatever it takes, Sunshine,” he said, smiling into my eyes.

What it would take was erasing all thoughts of forgeries and missing cats and possible angel sightings, and instead, focusing solely on Marco.

As we walked toward the street, I thought I heard the faint jingling of the bell inside the shop.

 

Abby's planning a wedding when murder interferes, in

 

Night Shade On Elm Street,

 

the next Flower Shop Mystery, coming in November 2012 from Obsidian.

Kate Collins

The National Bestselling Flower Shop Mystery Series

 

Abby Knight is the proud owner of her hometown flower shop. She has a gift for arranging flowers—and for solving crimes.

 

 

 

Available wherever books are sold or at
penguin.com

S914

 

The Bibliophile Mystery Series from

 

Kate Carlisle

Meet Brooklyn Wainwright, rare book expert—and crime solver.

 

 

 

 

—Maureen Child, author of
Beguiled

 

 

Available wherever books are sold or at
penguin.com

 

 

OM0054

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