Free A Week for Love to Bloom by Scarlet Wolfe

exactly, but thinking of you r smile made it better. I’ll try to call you tonight. Have a good day, Justin.”
    Afte r hanging up with Lauren, he suspected he was going to go another day without seeing her. Right then he thought of a way to change that.
    ***
    In the afternoon, Lauren was making assorted flower arrangements in hanging pots when Justin came walking into the greenhouse.
    He saw Lauren's eyes light up. “What are you doing here?”
    “ I’m starting to think you sleep in one of these greenhouses. I talked to Andrew on his lunch break. I remembered him mentioning that he took care of the grounds here. I told him I wanted to take over for a while.”
    “ Oh, that’s not necessary.” Lauren continued working. “I pay him, and I think he’s saving money for the wedding.”
    “ Actually, he sounded relieved. He said he could use a break.”
    “ Andrew said that?”
    “ Yes, now let me do it. You can’t pay me, either. I want to help you out, and secondly I get to see you this way.”
    “OK, the tractor is near the barn, but do you know how to operate one?”
    “There you go again with the manhood shit. Really, Lauren? I didn’t grow up in the city. It’s not funny this time.”
    Lauren giggled. “I haven't seen you this aggravated with me since I tossed you out of my truck.”
    Without warning, Justin pulled her body to his and saw her eyes fill with uncertainty. “ Woman , are you planning on making fun of me forever?”
    “ Um, if you stick around ... forever.”
    Justin realized what he said and pulled her into a tight hug. His heart was racing.
    “I like the sound of that, and I’m not aggravated at you.” He pulled back and gazed down at her. The intensity in his eyes mimicked the intensity of his feelings for her. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me, Lauren. I don’t know how I could ever stay mad at you.” He took her face into his hands and kissed her softly.
    ***
    Lauren followed him out of the greenhouse, admiring him as he walked away. She found him sexy in jeans and work boots and stood gawking as she fantasized about how hot he must’ve looked tanned and sweating on the oilrig.
    “ Are you admiring something, honey? Or should I say someone? I still can’t believe he’s a Garrison,” Claire said as she walked up, startling Lauren.
    “ I like him because he doesn't act like it.”
    “You’ve been happy since you met him.”
    Lauren stood staring at Justin on the tractor. She brought to mind his “forever” comment and dreamed about the possibility of a future with him.
    After the nursery closed, Lauren took Justin some iced tea. “I see you’re almost finished. Would you want to hang out with me after?”
    “Of course .”
    “Cool, I’ll get us something to eat.”
    Lauren picked some blueberries for them to eat before she took their supper to the blanket she laid out. Justin sat next to her.
    “Thanks again for today, but you really don’t have to,” Lauren said.
    “I want to, and besides, I’m not getting the exercise I’m used to, so doing work around here will be good for me.”
    “True, and I’d hate to see these muscles go away or that lovely tan,” Lauren said, gliding her fingers down his sweat covered arm.
    “I noticed last Saturday that besi des Andrew, you have some other help around here, and he looked protective of you. I have to admit, I realized I liked you because I didn’t like him.”
    “Oh, Brett. He works weekends. He’s had a crush on me for a long time, but he’s only an employee. He’s leaving for college, too. It appears most men want to leave Masonville after high school.”
    After eating , Justin stretched out on the blanket and lay his head on Lauren’s lap. She ran her fingers through his warm hair.
    “I’ ll be glad when I finish school, so I’ll have a job again. I swear I’m a hard worker.”
    “Justin, I know you are, or you wouldn’t have lasted that long on that rig. You’re obviously smart. I’ve