When Strangers Wish

d as Juliette entered the shop. Her arms were

er heel, struggling to steady t

he window. She leaned in awkwardly, gently dropping the stems on the pale

delivery truck broke down two streets away. And she co

d and carefully gathered them. While straightening, she pushed a separat

alled again, lo

ck!" came

ed onto a stool that she pulled from under the counter and l

, you worry too much. Yes, I'm taking too many risks. But it's for us. I'm doing it fo

rnings. This was something

sound like tending

the faint green smudges from the stems she

her mind. She wondered how lon

out her boutique? Or cared how the business was surv

d Claire emerged, carrying a cra

e peony arrangement?" Juliette ask

the crate onto a counter. "She want

s the third t

ctable. I would like coral. Or som

does she expect us to source them and

ulip bulb into another crate. "I told her we'll see wh

rearranging her tomorrow's sched

e Lefevre always complains about being overbilled.

mers and their hassles

r about Mada

curious brow. "Wha

et meant for her ears only. "She caught her husband sneakin

to laughter. "Wha

hen he ran off, she chased him down the street, cursing. S

said, "Claire, you're such a gossip. Shame

. "Someone passing would think you're

tte replied s

o death over Madame Lefevre's peo

ed man with a demanding air walked in. Claire hurr

ing a little better. She started cut

ear me?" The man said aggressively

majestically. He wore a dark brown suit with pinstripes. The fi

nsieur, but your order was for seasonal blooms. Ra

uted, "I do

ervene. The man was full of himself. He never wan

e trusted Claire to d

y. But they may not be available today." Claire remain

hen tapped his feet on the floor, irrita

He said, with an arrogant counten

d stormed ou

erk!" Cla

customer?" Juli

ghed. "Yes

stalk she just pruned

with the feedback. "Ne