Nip it in the Bud (Bunch-A-Blooms 3)

Drew pulls out of the driveway, and the conversation fades as we hit the highway and music fills the cab.

***

I can’t hide my excitement over the flowers as we step inside the massive greenhouse with a giant Monarch butterfly. The theme changes yearly, but Monarchs have always been my favorite.

“I bet you girls anything, Willow is going to geek out over the flowers,” Drew teases.

I laugh. “Yeah, I’m kind of in my element.”

“Look at the butterfly sculptures,” Ilana exclaims as she points up at the neon green, pink, and blue butterfly hanging above our hea

d.

“I wonder what they’re made of,” Neomi replies.

I meet Drew’s gaze, and he grins.

“How do they get them in here?” Ilana asks.

“I’m not sure,” Drew states.

“It’s a combination of the right flowers that attract and provide food, and if you look at the dishes they have out, butterfly food,” I answer. The greenhouse is a magical wonderland full of colorful flowers, butterfly art, and the stars: butterflies. A Monarch flutters over and lands on Ilana’s shoulder.

“Oh my gosh, take a picture, Drew,” I whisper.

He snaps a few as she beams.

“Sissy, it likes you,” Neomi whispers.

“We have to enter that into the contest they have going. Maybe we’ll win,” I say. The Monarch moves on to a flower and the magical moment passes.

“Ms. Willow, what kind of flowers are those?” Ilana points to the pink flowers with yellow centers.

“Oh, those are Asters.”

We move deeper into the greenhouse, careful to explore every nook and cranny, so we don’t miss anything. I enjoy answering their flower questions. It breaks the ice and places us on common ground. Seeing Drew with his daughters shows another side of him that’s easy to love. He gives them his full attention and the adoration in his eyes is a beautiful thing. I snap a few shots of them as they all examine a pretty blue and brown butterfly. The girls are polite and precious. Intelligent, and sweet-natured, Neomi has more sass, while Ilana seems more introverted.

“I think this is going well,” Drew says as we wait for the girls to return from the restroom.

“I think so, too.” I tilt my head up, and he gives me a sweet kiss. “I was nervous.”

He hugs me to his side. “You shouldn’t be. You’re doing great with them.”

“Yeah?”

He nods. “If they didn’t like you, you’d feel it, believe me.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment then.”

The girls return, and we step away from each other. I don’t miss their narrowed gaze. They’re not used to sharing their dad.

“Are you guys getting hungry? I thought we could go somewhere for an early dinner,” Drew says.

The girls exchange a look. “I guess we could eat?” Ilana says as Neomi nods.

“Willow?” Drew turns to me.

“I’m starving.”