Cross Springs In Bloom (A Cross Springs Novella)

By Caren Crane

When Cross Springs' biggest gossip, Mindy MacPherson, goes after a mysterious rose grower's secrets, the last person she expects to encounter is her lone one-night stand, Javier Morales Nieto. Mindy had only one regret from her night with Javier: that she didn't have the courage to face him the morning after and see if what they felt for each other was real. Now that she's forced to work with him, all her fears and doubts are back in full force. Except, she's pretty sure Javier doesn't realize who she is. She certainly didn't realize he was her best friend's cousin!

A little criminal trespass, a massive private greenhouse, a dubious rose supplier, a cache of hidden notebooks and a shocking encounter at a quinceañera add to the drama. But will Mindy and Javier solve the mystery of the prize-winning roses and find their way back into each other's arms? Only if Mindy faces her fears and admits to him that their close encounter was of the very best kind. The kind that lasts forever. When the emotional stakes are this high, even cut-throat the Cross Springs In Bloom competition looks like a walk in a springtime garden.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Caren Crane
• Release date: Apr 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311623317

Caren Crane

Having successfully booted the last of my three children out the door to college (children who, hopefully, will never move home again for longer than summer break), I decided watching dust gather was probably not a viable past time. Now, in addition to working a dreaded day job as a product analyst, I ignore the state of my house and work diligently to write and publish heartwarming novels with a healthy dose of humor, a splash of romance and a heaping helping of family.I share my (very dusty) North Carolina home with my darling husband (the most tolerant man in the universe) and the environs around my house with my incredibly feisty young cat, Kimba the O.G. White Lion. Kimba is charming and still more feral than we would like. His favorite things are fingers. He wants to gnaw them. He has many more toys than are recommended and, although he'd tell you otherwise, he gets a ton of attention (whether we want to give it to him or not).

Book preview

Cross Springs In Bloom

A Cross Springs Novella

Caren Crane

Copyright 2014 Caren Crane

Cover Design by Lily Smith, Covers by Lily

All rights reserved

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Dedication

For Ron, my one true love, for making me feel special all these years. Even the ones when we were doing nothing but changing diapers, making bottles and keeping demanding children happy. You are a real keeper!

Chapter 1

Mindy MacPherson carefully sipped tea from a dainty porcelain cup, scared to death she would chip it or drop the equally fragile saucer.

She had never been in Katie Warren's home before and she found it, like Katie herself, a bit intimidating. Fortunately, she had her boss's wife, Connie Burns, with her. Mindy adored Connie, which is the only reason she had said yes to this unexpected meeting. But she had her own reasons that might lead her to agree to the outrageous plan Katie had just suggested.

This is crazy, Katie, even for you, Connie said. I know Ben from the Chamber of Commerce and he's a decent guy. He's a very successful businessman, not some nefarious rose smuggler. Sheesh, you sound like a gothic novel!

Katie smiled serenely, her golden blonde hair highlighted by sun filtering through the picture window behind her, lending her an otherworldly glow. Mindy blinked, slightly stunned by the sheer presence of Cross Springs' social maven.

You simply don't understand, Constance. You've never cared about Garden Club, so you can't know how very crucial it is to establish the ethics of a grower. Especially one who simply appeared out of nowhere—

Or from St. Paul, Minnesota.

"—and snatched the Best In Show trophy right out from under my nose. Everyone knew that when Mother stopped entering the Cross Springs In Bloom competition, the trophy would be mine. Everyone."

Mindy admired Connie's cool in the face of Katie's vehemence. Especially since Katie invoked the even more terrifying essence of her mother, Victoria King.

Connie simply rolled her eyes and sipped her coffee. Not really believing anybody took a poll on that one, Katie.

"It was understood. Then Ben and his enormous greenhouse blew into town—"

A greenhouse, by the way, Mindy chimed in, glad to have something—anything—to add to the conversation, "which had to be added to the original site plan. It took two extra months to finish."

"And voilà! Katie continued, as if Mindy hadn't spoken. Suddenly, I am left standing with the also-rans, clapping for a man who isn't even from Cross Springs and whom no one seems to actually know."

Connie raised her teacup. I just said I knew him.

From the Chamber. That hardly counts, Connie. Katie didn't frown, but Mindy sensed she wanted to. Katie made a tiny facial adjustment as if schooling and smoothing her expression. Have you seen him out at a social function or been to his home?

Connie tapped a manicured nail on the side of her cup. Come to think of it, I haven't. You got any scoop on him, Mindy?

Mindy flipped through her mental files, trying to pull up anything besides the basics on the man in question. Well, I know he custom-built that huge house he lives in. All alone, by the way. Cost him $1.2 million. That greenhouse really is large, too. My friend Bobby helped with the construction and he said it's massive.

As large as my upstairs, I'll wager, Katie said. Any idea what goes on in that greenhouse or who works there?

Mindy shrugged. "I don't recall hearing about anyone working in the greenhouse, but I do sort of know his housekeeper, Consuela. She's my friend Donna's tia. Her aunt."

Do you speak Spanish? Katie asked.

Mindy nodded. Took four years in high school. I thought I might go to college and they want you to have four years of a language these days. The money hadn't been there for college, but she still had hope.

Katie studied her. That could come in handy. Now, have you heard anything about Ben going to parties, dating anyone, entertaining at home? Anything?

Mindy frowned in concentration, though she should probably try not to frown. Maybe it wasn't ladylike or something. Mindy hadn't gone to Cotillion like Katie's daughter, Callie, so how would she know? Anyway, frowning helped her focus. I'm coming up empty, Mrs. Warren. I don't remember hearing any gossip about him since he moved here two years ago.

Katie threw Connie a smug look. "Well, if Mindy hasn't heard anything, I guarantee no one else has."

Mindy knew too well her reputation as Cross Springs' biggest gossip. She wasn't only the receptionist at Cross Springs Skin Care, the dermatology clinic run by Connie's husband Tim, but she served as the hub of the Cross Springs gossip network. It wasn't something Mindy had aspired to, it just happened.

She didn't seek it out at first, but people told her things. When there was no actual gossip being dished, people brought her their speculations and wild conjectures. Not only that, but she put her high school Spanish to good use, so her Hispanic friends like Donna dished to her, too. If Mindy had heard nothing—no gossip, rumors or even crazy theories about the man—something fishy might very well be going on.

Mindy had wondered about her inclusion in this scheme. Katie and Connie hadn't been friends long, Mindy knew. They seemed an unlikely pair, being quite different on the surface. But from what Mindy knew of Connie and had heard about Katie, both were ambitious, competitive and—maybe most importantly—curious. Like Mindy herself. Mindy figured Katie was now counting on Connie and Mindy's insatiable need to know to bring them on board with her plan.

Something odd is happening in that greenhouse, ladies, Katie said. "Something Ben Skrewd doesn't want us to know about. We need to get in there. I need to see what he's up to with those roses of his—if indeed they are his—and I need your help."

Connie's eyebrows rose under her straight black bangs. Are you talking about criminal trespass, Katie? Actually breaking the law?

Katie smoothed an already perfectly-folded cloth napkin with both hands, the picture of innocence, her baby blue eyes wide. Nothing so dire as that. We simply need to get in there. I'm sure three smart women like us can do that.

Mindy was flattered to be included in Katie's plan. She knew Katie only by reputation—the same way Katie knew her—but it boosted her self-esteem to hear Katie considered her a smart woman. Heaven knew few enough people in her life seemed to. Mindy smiled at her, a tacit agreement.

Connie, however, didn't seem to be buying in. I'm going home to walk Tuck before he eats the couch.

Connie's dog, Nantucket, was half Great Dane, half sheepdog, and not the smart half of either breed. Mindy knew he tended to get anxious and chew the furniture if left alone too long. With Connie and Tim's daughter, Desi, at school and Dr. Tim at the clinic, Connie was left with Tuck patrol. Good thing she worked in real estate and could set her own hours. Mindy was due at the clinic herself in thirty minutes.

Come by tomorrow morning, Connie, whenever you get a chance, Katie said. I'm making cinnamon pecan rolls.

Connie placed her delicate cup and saucer on the serving tray and sent Katie a wry smile. "I know a bribe when I hear it. I'll give you a call after I check my schedule. Mindy, I can't make up your mind for you, but you're