Title: The Right Touch
Rating: K
Category: Romance
Disclaimers: Not mine but I do enjoy borrowing them on occasion.
Author's Note: Thanks for the feedback. This is something different than being on a case. And there really is a last chapter for F&L but it's being edited. Hang on, Colby!
A/N2: Italicized words indicate sign language or words on the computer/Blackberry device.
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Chapter 2
Early Evening
"Manning." Bobby answered his phone cradling the receiver on his shoulder as he worked on the latest revisions for the Peters' building in his office.
"Thank you for the flowers."
He immediately recognized his girlfriend's voice. "Does this mean I'm forgiven?"
"I think I must be out of my mind but yes, I do forgive you—this time," Darcy answered. "However, I must warn you, Mr. Manning, one day your gifts of apology will not work. I'm getting tired of taking a backseat to your job."
"I'm sorry," he said contritely. "It's just that we're swamped at the firm."
"And the fact that you're one of the few unmarried members gets you assigned more projects than the married members of the firm," she pointed out.
It was an old argument. He could never make her see that everyone carried their fair share at the firm—married or not. So, she'd been hinting perhaps they should get married but he was comfortable with their relationship as it was. He had vague thoughts that maybe one day that would happen, but not now. He wasn't ready.
"How 'bout dinner?" he suggested to change the subject.
"I won't be free until after eight."
"Perfect," he said. "That'll give me time to finish up these changes. Shall we meet at the usual place?"
"Fine. See you at eight thirty." She hung up.
Bobby replaced the receiver with a smile. The flowers worked! He'd give the florist a call tomorrow to let her know. Cheerfully he went back to his drawing board looking forward to dinner with Darcy.
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Next day
R/M Designs
"It worked, Jack," said Bobby sticking his head in his friend's office. "Tell Tara thanks for the tip. Those flowers must have been fabulous."
"Great," smiled Jack. "Glad to hear everything worked out for you. I'll let Tara know."
"You do that," said Bobby. In a good mood, he jauntily strode to his office two doors down. As he hung his coat and jacket, he glanced at his wall clock. Eight thirty. The florist opened at nine. He'd call later to let that woman Sue know the flowers had the desired effect—he'd been forgiven. Her voice sounded warm and friendly and she sounded genuinely interested in finding out if the flowers would work their magic. In the meantime, the changes in the Peters' building still had to be completed. Dan Peters would be coming in later this afternoon to see if they were done.
He rolled up his sleeves and picked up a pencil when there was a knock at the door. "Come in."
Dimitrius Gans, the senior draftsman of the firm, walked in. "Saw you coming in," he said. "The boss man wanted me to check how the changes were coming along on the Peters' building," referring to Mark Roberts.
Bobby pointed to the section of the building in question. "Another two...three hours and I should be finished."
"Need any help?"
"Thanks, mate, but I've got it covered," assured Bobby.
"Well, I'm only a shout away if you run into any problems," Dimitrius smiled. "I'll check back in an hour or so to see how it's going."
Bobby focused on the area he had to change. In a few minutes he was totally engrossed in the work.
He loved designing things for as long as he could remember—houses, buildings, furniture—you name it, he'd have an idea for it. It was a highly competitive field but he'd been fortunate to wind up at one of the better firms in town. Originally an architectural firm, because of the requests of many of their clients, the partners had decided to branch out to designing furniture and such that would complement the interior of their structures. It had been a successful experiment.
A slight crick in his neck had Bobby stop and stretch his lanky frame. His eyes fell on the clock—ten forty! He eyed his plans and decided he was far enough along to take a short break. He was about to get a cup of coffee when he remembered his idea to call the florist to thank her for her efforts.
"The Right Touch," answered a different feminine voice. "How may I help you?"
He hesitated for a brief moment. "Is Sue there? May I speak to her?"
"Yes, she is," the voice replied. "Just a moment." Lucy covered the mouthpiece and waved to get the attention of her friend working in the back. When Sue didn't notice, Lucy called out, "Levi, get Sue." The golden retriever got up and laid a paw on his mistress' lap.
"What is it, Levi?" asked Sue looking down. Levi turned towards Lucy.
"Phone call," signed Lucy.
"Okay," Sue responded as she reached for the microphone. "Got it."
"Hello?"
"Sue?" appeared on her screen.
"Speaking."
"It's Bobby Manning."
"Bobby Manning?"
"You know. Yesterday, you sent a bouquet of apology for me."
"Oh, I remember," she said with a smile, "How did it go? Did the flowers work?"
"Like magic," was the prompt reply. "We had a fabulous evening."
"I told you we're good," she said confidently.
"Yes, you are. From now on, you're the only florist I'll call," he assured her.
"A faithful customer—that's what we like," the smile was apparent in her voice.
"That's me—Old Faithful. I'll be calling soon. Thanks again."
"Any time. Bye."
Lucy eyed her friend. "Who was that?"
"Remember I told you about the guy ordering an apology bouquet?"
Lucy nodded.
"That was him," Sue nodded in the direction of the computer. "Said the flowers worked and he'll be calling again soon. Just what we want—a repeat customer."
"A repeat customer that pays his bills," Lucy expounded.
"Right," agreed Sue. "What did Myles say when you went over the books with him?"
"Right now, we're barely breaking even but for a business that only opened six months ago, we're doing well," Lucy replied. "He did say our gross profits have been increasing at a steady rate so he thinks we'll actually be making money in another three to six months."
"That's great," remarked Sue. "We'll be a year ahead of schedule if that comes true."
The two women smiled at each other recalling the risk they took when they gave up their lucrative jobs to open the florist. With the financial and business savvy of Lucy's friend, Myles Leland, they were able to avoid many of the pitfalls new companies frequently fell into. It also helped that Myles' family operated one of the largest nursery businesses in the state. He'd gotten them the same prices that older, more established florists received.
"Just think, Sue," said Lucy excitedly, "we'll be able to hire people to help us in the shop besides Howie. We can actually take days off!"
"That would be wonderful," she sighed.
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