Bought: One Bride

“I don’t. Put down a substantial deposit today. I want vacant possession of the place, contracts to be exchanged this coming Friday.”

“The owner might not go for that.”

“If she doesn’t, offer her more. Just make sure she doesn’t know either your name or mine. Use my investment company name to do the deal.”

“She? Holly owns this shop, is that it?”

“Nope. Her stepmother does.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Holly manages the shop and lives above it.”

“Now I get it,” Reece said ruefully. “My God, Richard, this is not like you. You’ve become obsessed with this girl.”

Obsessed. Yes. Obsessed just about described his condition at the moment.

“Just do what I’ve asked, Reece,” Richard bit out. “And ring me back when they’ve agreed to the deal.”

Reece sighed. “Okay. But be it on your head if you end up with a flower shop and no girl as well.”

“I don’t think that will happen.”

Mondays were always slow days in the floristry industry. Holly hadn’t had a customer all day. She was sitting behind her work table just after three, trying to write out a word-grabbing résumé when the doorbell tinkled.

Holly jumped to her feet just as her stepmother walked in.

Connie had always been an attractive woman. But she’d turned the clock back ten of her forty-seven years since Holly’s dad had died, courtesy of a facelift done before he’d even been cold in his grave, paid for with his life insurance policy. Katie had had a few things done as well. Her big nose made smaller and her small breasts made much larger.

Holly had long been aware of the fact that Katie envied Holly her breasts. And her boyfriends. It was no surprise, in hindsight, that Katie had stolen Dave. Though Holly suspected it wasn’t Katie’s new big boobs that Dave wanted so much, but her source of money. Connie had never been able to deny her daughter anything she wanted. She was already talking about a big, fancy wedding.

Holly could only hope that, some day, some fortune-hunting man would come along and con Connie, as she’d conned Holly’s Dad. The woman had never loved him. Holly could see that now as well.

Holly looked at her stepmother with genuine distaste as the woman walked towards her with a plastic smile on her plastic face. Even her blonde hair looked plastic.

“Hello, Holly,” Connie said breezily. “I have some wonderful news.”

“Really?” She couldn’t imagine what.

“The shop was sold today, and I didn’t have to drop the price I was asking at all.”

Holly’s heart started thudding. “But…but…nobody’s even been in here to inspect it. Or looked at the books!”

“The buyer probably isn’t interested in it as a flower shop. I dare say he just wants the property. He also wants a quick settlement. Contracts will be exchanged this Friday. Unfortunately, you have to be out of here by then. It’s a vacant possession deal.”

Holly felt as if someone had just punched her in the stomach. She’d thought it would be ages before the shop sold. Months and months.

“But you don’t have to worry, dear,” Connie continued in a sickly sweet, pseudo-conciliatory tone. “I’ve signed a cheque for you for ten thousand dollars. Here it is.” And she placed the slip of paper on the table Holly was now holding onto for dear life. “That should be more than enough for you to live on while you find another place and another job. Which won’t present a problem, I’m sure, since you’re such an excellent florist.”

Holly picked up the cheque, staring down at it before glancing up at her stepmother.

“You think this is enough to compensate for all the work I’ve put into this business?” she ground out. “I’ve worked six days a week since Dad died. I’ve taken a pittance of a salary and done the books as well. I deserve half the business, Connie. You know that.”

Connie drew herself up straight, her tautly unlined face growing haughty at the same time. “I know no such thing. You’ve been paid quite adequately. After all, you’ve had a free flat to live in. Not to mention unlimited use of the delivery van. Free flowers as well!”

Free flowers! That did it. That absolutely did it!

“If you don’t give me what’s due to me, Connie, I’ll take you to court.”

Connie laughed. “Do that and you’ll end up with nothing. Or less than nothing, once you’ve paid your lawyer and court costs. I was married to your father for eight years, missie. Judges are very sympathetic to widows, not vindictive young daughters who have the means to make their own way in life. For pity’s sake, Holly,” she spat, “don’t be a fool!”