1. Chapter 1

I adjusted the dried pampas grass and fluffy bunny tails and held the bouquet out to examine it. The dusty rose and cream arrangement was soft and subtle. Muted colors might not have been my choice, but it was lovely and what the bride wanted for her boho wedding. Really, that was all that mattered.

I'd been at the winery all morning to ensure the horizontal centerpieces and the flower arch were perfect. My team had done a fantastic job, it wasn't that I didn't trust them to do everything as I had designed it, but I still felt an obligation to check each detail personally. Well, most of my team could follow my designs. Harper, who had become one of my besties, helped out sometimes when I had bigger jobs. I loved the man to pieces, and he was a hard worker who knew how to care for my plant babies, but he did not have an artistic eye .

He once showed me the mangled mess of yarn that was meant to be a crocheted granny square that his boyfriend, Collin, had been helping him with. It had been a challenge not to bark out a laugh at the sight of it, especially after he told me he'd worked on it for hours, and it had been his fourth attempt. That was okay, though, what he lacked in creative skills, he made up for in dedication, intelligence, and best-friended-ness. Harper loved getting his hands in the dirt as much as I did. While there wasn't really dirt to deal with at a wedding, there was a lot of work to do that he was awesome at helping with. Plus, I got to spend time with him, so that was always nice.

"Wow, Marley. You've really outdone yourself with this one. Everything looks amazing." Harper snuck up behind me and threw an arm around my neck.

Looking around, I took it all in, mentally checking off the list of requests from the bride. Everything we had discussed in meeting after meeting appeared before me. It was exactly how we planned it. The final touch was in my hand, ready to be delivered to the bride, who was hidden away in a room at the winery with her bridesmaids as they prepared for the event.

Leaning into Harper, I let out a yawn as the long morning caught up to me. "Thank you. This is the biggest one I've done so far. It's been a huge undertaking, but it is so satisfying seeing it all come together."

"You should be proud, and I have no doubt that the couple is going to love it. Just think, every time they look back at their wedding photos, your beautiful work will be a part of their memories."

A smile stretched across my face at the thought. The fresh flowers might not survive long, but the memories of them would last a lifetime. It was its own sort of magic.

Turning to face my friend with his medium-length brown hair held back by one of the headbands Collin made for him, I asked, "Are you heading out?"

"I sprayed all the flowers and checked the water so everything should be good to go. Unless you need anything else from me, yeah, I think it's about that time."

Harper had come up with his own natural preservative spray to help keep flowers fresher longer. It worked as well as the name brand used by most florists and it was a fraction of the cost.

"The only thing left to do is deliver the bouquet to the bride, so I think we're good. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it."

Harper gave me a hug. "I'm happy I could help somehow. I'll talk to you later. Love ya."

"Love ya, too, bugaboo."

I'd gotten really lucky when I ran into Harper about a year ago. It was a totally random occurrence when I met him at his old job at the farm supply store. He had given me a tip about natural pest repellent. A simple interaction, but there was something about him that compelled me to return. Harper had been sweet and helpful, but he had this look in his eyes; he'd seemed a little lost.

I had a soft spot for lost things: abandoned plants, discarded furniture, displaced people. Perhaps I was a bit of a collector, but I also genuinely was interested in getting to know him more. It wasn't long before he became a friend, needing someone to talk to about his reunion with the man who took his V-card. I always had room for more friends, but I didn't expect how important he would become to me.

With one final examination of the bride's bouquet, ensuring everything was perfect, I made my way to the winery's main building. The staff knew me from the times I had come with Carmen and her mother to scope out the place and get a feel for the layout and the aesthetics. It was all well and good to come up with a floral design on its own, but if it didn't match the vibes of the location, it wouldn't feel or look right. With a nod from the owner, I headed down the wing that led to the private meeting room, which was currently acting as the bridal suite. There wasn't any lodging on site, but they made up the room to give Carmen and her crew everything they needed for a relaxing place to get ready.

Giving a light tap on the door, I held the bouquet behind my back .

"If it's Steve trying to sneak a peek at his bride— again —it might be time to rethink the wedding. Bad luck, that is. Not how you want to start your marriage, is it?" Carmen's mother shouted through the door.

Again ? I chuckled at the image of a relentless groom trying to break in for a look at the woman who would be his wife. A soft sigh escaped me. To have a man so desperate to see me, it might be worth risking all the bad luck for a moment like that.

"It's just me, Marley."

The door opened slightly, and a very suspicious older woman pressed her face through the crack. She looked past me, making sure I wasn't being followed. Quite the guard she was. Seeing no one else, she met me with a smile and pushed the door open.

"Marley, how is everything going? Is it all set out there?"

"It is, Mrs. Marten. It looks beautiful, if I do say so myself. I can't wait for you all to see it. I just have one final touch before I'm done." I winked as I kept my hands behind my back.

Her watery eyes rounded as she held her hands up to her mouth. With the question in her gaze, I simply nodded. She fanned her hand in front of her face to try to stop the happy tears from breaking free.

"Do you mind if I deliver it in person? "

She shook her head and forced herself to calm down. Before letting me in, she called over her shoulder, "Cover up your bits, ladies, and Adam, we have a guest."

Carmen's mother pushed the door open to let me in. The room had a couch and a couple of armchairs, along with a long, skinny table lined with mirrors and stools in front of them. Bottles of sparkling wine were open, and champagne flutes with varying levels of liquid were on every surface. Three women and a young-looking man were lounging, half-dressed, laughing and smiling. It made me happy to see and feel the joy in the room.

The bride wore a cream corset and petticoat. Her long black hair was half up, pinned in little rosettes atop her head, while the rest flowed down in loose ringlets. Her eyes caught sight of me and my magenta hair in the mirror and she launched out of her seat. Running across the room, she threw her arms around my neck.

"Marley! It's finally here. I'm actually getting married."

Keeping the bouquet behind my back, I freed one hand and clasped her with it. "I'm so happy for you, sweetie. And I have something for you."

"You do?" She pulled away from me with an excited and confused expression. "You didn't have to get me anything. You've already done so much."

A smirk of amusement fought to break free at her not realizing what I was there for. But she was forgiven for being a little scattered; it was her day, and a lot of time and energy had gone into it. Now I kind of wished I had something more to give her than what she contracted me for, though. That thought vanished the moment I pulled the cream and dust rose arrangement out and her eyes locked onto it.

Carmen's mouth fell open and her eyes simultaneously twinkled and teared. Gasps sounded from around the room. The bride's mom came to her daughter's side and held her.

"That's even more perfect than I imagined," Carmen whispered reverently.

"I'm so happy you like it."

She reached out to take them but stopped, as if nervous to hold them. I hadn't done a lot of weddings, but I knew enough that every person about to walk down the aisle handled things differently. Carmen had never once shown any doubt, nerves, or cold feet. She was ecstatic to be marrying her best friend—well, second best friend, as her man of honor had been quick to point out, claiming that spot for himself. I knew she wasn't worried, but I understood how seeing a certain element can make everything fall into place. Excited or not, this was a big moment.

Gently grabbing her hand, I led her to stand in front of the full-length mirror and placed the bouquet in her hands. She stared at herself in her undergarments, holding her wedding bouquet, and her entire demeanor changed. Carmen looked like she might float to the ceiling as she beamed at the image in her reflection. Her eyes swelled, and I quickly brushed a tear away.

" Shh , don't cry, not yet. Save those happy tears for when you are standing with your man and confessing your love and commitment."

At that, she sniffled and straightened her back, lifting her head high with determination. Still, a sweet smile spread when she met my gaze. "I can't possibly thank you enough. I feel like I'm in a fairytale. It's perfect, beyond perfect."

"All I did was accent the beauty that is already there."

Carmen faced me and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "You're the best, you know that?"

I shrugged, even as my own mouth stretched into a smile. "I'm honored that you let me be a part of your special day."

She gasped and grabbed my arm. "Stay!"

Startled by the suddenness of the action, I barked out a laugh. "What?"

"Oh my God, Marley, you have to stay for the wedding."

My heart fluttered at the thought. I loved weddings, loved the magic and hope of them. As tempted as I was, I probably shouldn't. "Thank you, Carmen. That is so sweet of you to offer, but I don't want to intrude on your big day."

"There's no intrusion. You're a friend, and I want my friends and family here with me to celebrate."

I tried to stifle a grin. We had spent enough time together planning for today that it felt like a friendship had been building, but then I felt that way with most of my clients, too, collecting them along the way.

"I would love to, but are you sure? It's really fine if it doesn't work out; I know you have everything planned out carefully."

Carmen shook her head with mock exasperation. "Of course, it'll work out. I want you here. We have enough food, right, Mom?"

Mrs. Marten nodded. "Yes. I saved a spot, just in case your brother actually used his plus one. But…he didn't." She sighed heavily. "Anyway, Carmen is right, we would love to have you."

It just so happened I had a change of clothes in the van. It was a must when working outside, especially with summer coming. "Alright, thank you so much. I can't wait. I better leave you all to finish getting ready." I squeezed Carmen's hand. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. I'm not even in my dress yet, but I cannot wait to see Steve's reaction to it."

I chuckled. "Me too."