Free Have Bouquet, Need Boyfriend by Rita Herron Page A

her birthday present
    to Grammy.
     
    The next two hours Rebecca lost herself in her work, mixing colors and
    painting details of the lush mountain greenery, then filling the
    mountainside with day lilies and wildflowers. At last her eyes were so
    heavy, she put the paints away and settled down to bed. The hope chest
    glinted in the dim light of the Victorian lamp on her bedside table, the
    items beckoning. She reread her grandmother’s letter, each carefully
    chosen word etched into her memory. Then she raised the antique mirror
    to study herself.
     
    Follow your dreams. Believe in yourself.
     
    She whispered the words over and over in her mind.
     
     
     
    The book of erotic poetry beckoned her, but she refused to torture
    herself with the fantasies they evoked of a night in a man’s loving arms.
     
    Of a night with Thomas.
     
    Instead, she crawled into bed and closed her eyes. That dream would
    never come true. But maybe the other one would.
     
    During the night, she dreamed that the sweet scent of an acacia drifted
    around her. Its soft branches were clothed in pointed, silvery,
    evergreen leaves, the thick double pom-poms of fragrant bright-yellow
    blossoms in full bloom.
     
    The next morning she checked the dream analysis book to see if it
    mentioned dreaming of flowers, acacia especially. She found a reference
    on the third page.
     
    Acacia-to see it bloom or smell its fragrance is a lucky omen for your
    most secret hope, your passion.
     
    Could it be possible? Would her secret hope of having a baby come true?
     
    Or did it mean that she might find the passion she hoped for with a man?
     
    “Rebecca!” Suzanne waved. “Glad you met us.” Rebecca claimed the vacant
    seat beside Suzanne.
     
    All the girls had met outside town at a small cafe
     
    called Ms. Mabel’s. Mimi and Hannah were already
     
    seated with coffee. “Hey, sorry I’m a little late. I got
     
    tied up with customers.”
     
    “It’s been wild at the Hot Spot this morning, too,”
     
    Mimi said. “I’m glad we could meet here or else I’d
     
    be having to get up to help out.”
     
    “Have you heard from Alison?” Suzanne asked.
     
    “They’re enjoying their honeymoon.” Hannah grinned. “I’ve never heard
    Alison so happy.”
     
    “Newlywed bliss,” Mimi said dreamily.
     
    A seed of envy sprouted inside Rebecca. “Will she be back for Grammy’s
    party?”
     
    “Yes,” Hannah said. “That’s one reason we decided to wait until after
    New Year’s.”
     
    “Okay, what do we need to do to get ready for the party?” Suzanne asked.
     
    Mimi pulled out her planning book, and Hannah did the same.
     
    “We’re having the festivities at a little place called the Tiara Room
    near Pine Mountain. They’ve reserved a room for us in the back and will
    provide all the food.”
     
    “Except for the cake,” Mimi said, “which I’ll make.”
     
    “Do they have a real tiara there?” Rebecca asked.
     
    “Apparently, they showcase one for each of their Little Miss Magnolia
    pageants along with pictures of the yearly winners.” Mimi gestured
    toward the top of her head. “Maybe I’ll buy one while I’m there. Then
    Seth will know I’m queen of the house.”
     
    “I’m sure he’s learned that by now,” Hannah said dryly.
     
    The girls all laughed.
     
    “Grammy’s friend, Clara Mae Wilkins, has commandeered a church bus to
    bring all of Grammy’s friends,” Hannah said as their laughter died down.
     
    “Good, I was afraid they wouldn’t be able to attend,” Rebecca said. “I
    know most of them don’t drive.”
     
    “Right.” Hannah tapped her notepad with her pen.
     
     
     
    “Clara Mae has already laid the groundwork for the surprise by inventing
    a bingo outing near the Tiara Room so Grammy won’t be suspicious.”
     
    “Now that we’ve figured out how to get Grammy to the surprise, what are
    we going to do about getting our fathers there?” Hannah asked.
     
    Mimi leaned her