Chapter 1

When I opened this shop, I had a boyfriend who would help. He would do the heavy lifting and moving displays. Not that candles, cards, and flowers are that heavy, but the flower displays did get heavy.

Now I have a new shop and he has a new girlfriend. I’m five feet four inches tall, one hundred ten pounds, with auburn hair to the middle of my back and brown eyes. But for some reason, I cannot keep a guy. So, Claudia’s Cards and Candles are all I have. And it’s wearing me down.

My business started with a bang and has had continued success. I didn’t think it would grow so fast, but the Fates have been good to me, but I need someone to make my life happy. Here at work and at home. I have a parakeet, but he isn’t a great date on a Saturday night.

The holidays are the worst. Either I have a new guy or no guy. And my mom lets me know I need to settle down. But I need someone to settle down with. Dad on the other hand tells me loves me and that things will work out.

It’s Monday morning and it’s brought a bone-chilling rain. I won’t have enough business to put the key in the lock. But I can get some cleaning done and any bookwork that needs to be done. So, I’ll take my larger thermos of coffee.

For some reason, I want to be alone today, anyway. I’m just not in the mood for people. Losing George must have had a bigger impact than I thought. But I have enough to worry about. Tomorrow I will be up to MY two lips and deep brown iris’ with my be-monthly delivery.

Just passed eleven, the front door opens. In walks, a guy probably in his mid-thirties, who has jet-black hair, and my knees are getting weak already.

“Good morning, I’m Claudia. How can I help you on this bright sunny morning?”

“If you have a place like that hidden, I’ll do almost anything for you to take me there. Oh, I’m sorry, that was rude. My name is Paull Jacobs. I’m looking for part-time work. I can work three or four days a week, any day. I’m not looking for fifteen dollars an hour, just some extra money.”

“Paul, are you psychic? I am in real need of help, and I can’t pay fifteen dollars an hour. I have some coffee, well I call it coffee, in my thermos. Would you be willing to sit down and talk?”

Paul agreed to the sit-down. I pulled up two stools behind the counter and we started the corporate negotiations.

We settled on ten bucks an hour, Tuesdays are just about mandatory because that’s when my order arrives, but any other three days he can. Paul has such a calm demeanor, he would be perfect with my customers. He was average-looking, but good-looking if that makes any sense.

Tuesday morning at eight on the dot, Paul walks in the front door. Smiling like a Cheshire Cat and dressed for work, but very neat. I wasn’t surprised. What happened next took me a bit off guard.

“Claudia, may I take the broom? You are the shop owner; I am your employee. Sweeping is one of my jobs. You tend to your customers like the entrepreneur you are. I am your backup. And proud of it.”

I’m losing my mind. Is this my Guarding Angel or has someone replaced my sugar with another white substance? Paul was outside washing the windows when a lady approached. He stopped what he was doing, opened the door for her then greeted her with a wide smile and ‘Good morning’...

When the delivery man arrived, Paul was just as cheerful. He talked with Dave, the driver, for a minute or two and they got to work. All I did was stand there and tell Paul where I wanted the boxes. Dave showed Paul how some of the plants had to be handled. Paul took the instructions to heart.

These two guys were hitting it off. I was elated. I was having one problem. Trying to keep my growing feelings for Paul under wraps. He never mentioned if he had a girlfriend or a partner. And I sure as hell, didn’t want him walking out because I insulted him.