Snowdrop Kisses Part Six
A Christmas love story featuring a plucky florist and a tall dark and handsome entrepreneur
Previously…. in Part 5, James and Wendy come up with a plan to fix Harry and Minna up and agree that Love’s Bouquet will do the flowers for LCC’s big holiday party.
Chapter 11
James was unusually introspective as he headed into the office that Tuesday morning. Last night’s date with Norah had not gone well. It turns out that the “teddy” she had bought was actually a teddy bear, with “I Wuv You” written across its chest. James took one look at the stuffed animal and gone into damage control. Luckily he had been able to extricate himself from her house with only a coffee mug and verbal abuse rained upon his head. That’s why he preferred breaking up with women through floral deliveries; it diminished his exposure to flying crockery.
Anyway, today he was putting Friday’s flower mix-up completely behind him. He stopped by Kim’s desk and said with studied casualness. “I swung by that florist last night. I wanted to let the owner know my decision.”
Kim’s eyes widened. “What decision would that be?”
James avoided her question. “In business it’s important to build contacts. Network.”
A grin crept across Kim’s face. “I probably missed this in my Business 101 class... How exactly does having a contact in a small flower-shop help you in your international software business?”
“What are you getting at?”
“Usually when a young woman is involved, you’re trying to lure her into bed, not trade stock tips.”
James cast her a withering look. “As a matter of fact, I’ve hired Love's Bouquet to do the flowers for the party.”
“Really!” Kim exclaimed. “What’s Catriona going to say about it?”
James’ voice held a trace of annoyance. “Catriona’s the Director of Communications, not the president of the company. I’m the boss, and I get to make the decision.”
“I don’t think Catriona got that memo, at least not where event planning is concerned. You’re stomping on her turf .”
“You’re being ridiculous, Kim. Catriona’s a team player, and she’ll be delighted that I’ve helped her find a florist. Now, can you give her a call and tell her about it?” James hurried to his office before Kim could protest anymore.
Kim scrolled through her phone for the number, while muttering. “He’s delusional. Catriona Hunt is less of a team player than the Unabomber. ”
Chapter 12
Later that morning Wendy glanced up from the accounts. Vivienne was rearranging pots of cheery red and white poinsettias in the window, and all was quiet.
She chewed on the end of her pen and stared at the store’s balance sheet. She and Crofton had briefly discussed the details of payment the night before, and she was excited about what the hefty increase in income was going to do to the store’s wafer thin profit margin. His attitudes about relationships might be Cro-Magnon, but Crofton was evolved when it came to fair wages.
Pushing aside her financial statements, Wendy turned to the fun stuff: planning the flowers for LCC’s lavish holiday party. She jotted down ideas about theme, colour, and bouqets. Once she was pleased with her ideas, she called LCC’s Marketing and Communications department and went through a labyrinthine series of receptionists and underlings. At last she got through.
“Catriona Hunt. To whom am I speaking?”
“Hello, Catriona. It’s Wendy Blake. I’m calling from Love's Bouquet.” There was a long silence on the other end of the line. “I’m doing the flowers for the LCC gala.”
“Oh that’s right. Kim told me James wanted to throw your shop some business.”
Had Crofton described her store as a charity case?
Catriona continued. “As I’m sure you’re aware, this party is going to be the social event of the season. There are tons of caterers, musicians and decorators for me to organize. Why don’t you do one nice arrangement, and I’ll have Philippe’s Greenhouse do the bulk of the flowers, as I had originally planned.”
Wendy kept her voice calm: “Mr. Crofton told me that I was responsible for filling Stonehaven with flowers, and that’s what I intend to do.”
Catriona drew in her breath. “I’ve researched your store. I think we need to keep your contribution at a manageable level, don’t you?” The condescension dripped over the line.
Gritting her teeth, Wendy spoke firmly. “Absolutely not. I was explicitly told by LCC’s president that I was the florist for the entire event.”
A long pause. Then Catriona spoke coldly. “Fine. Now, if you listen to what I say and follow my directions to the letter there will be less chance of disaster. Do you have a pen handy?”
Wendy’s grip on the receiver tightened.
Catriona continued, “I see orchids everywhere. I want James’ home dripping with them. Can you handle that?”
“I understand you want to throw the best party possible. So do I, but I’m working with you, not for you.”
Catriona interrupted, “I don’t mean to tell you what to do, but James said you seemed new to the floral business and I’ve got tons of experience.”
For some reason Catriona’s continued references to “James” were making Wendy testy. “I know what I’m doing, and orchids are obvious and over-done.”
The silence on the other end of the line was icy.
Wendy persevered: “Every two-bit politician or business person in this city uses orchids to announce that they’ve got money.”
Catriona bit out a reply: “We carpeted the Chateau Laurier with orchids for our Doorways 3 launch. We got raves on all the socials.”
“That’s what I mean.” Wendy saw her chance to build a good working relationship. ”That event was last year, and since then everyone has copied your fabulous ideas. Don’t you think it’s time to break new ground? You guys are the trendsetters.”
“Well, I suppose we could try white and red roses,”
Wendy threw out a different suggestion. “We could go with something a little less conservative. Mistletoe and ivies could be very pretty. They have less of an environmental impact, too.”
“No.” Catriona replied. “I don’t just want greenery. It will look cheap. During the holidays folks want traditional, cozy and warm. People love the classics.”
“OK,” Wendy said. “We can look at other flowers, things with holiday hues — deep, rich, lush colours signifying stability, success, joy and comfort all while staying simple and classic.”
There was a pause. “OK,” Catriona said grudgingly. “You’re getting it. Keep talking.”
The call continued for another forty minutes and Wendy hung up, exhausted. Catriona challenged her on every point, but despite the other woman’s obvious antipathy, they hashed out a plan. It was a battle, but Wendy straightened her spine. She was up for the challenge.
Ignoring the pile of bills littering her desk’s surface, she started to jot down a list of things to follow up with Catriona: Confirmation of colour scheme, discussion of suppliers, nature of the other woman’s relationship with Crofton.
Wendy stared at the list in horror, frantically crossing off the last item. She had to focus on business, not Crofton. There had been entirely too much sizzle on that park bench last night. She didn’t need to get burned.
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