Love blooms in the second novel in Nora Roberts''s celebrated
Bride Quartet series. As little girls MacKensie, Emma, Laurel, and
Parker spent hours acting out their perfect make believe "I do"
moments. Years later their fantasies become reality when they start
their own wedding planning company to make every woman''s dream day
come true. With perfect flowers, delicious desserts, and joyful
moments captured on film, Nora Roberts''s Bride Quartet shares each
woman''s emotionally magical journey to romance. "In Bed of Roses,"
florist Emma Grant is finding career success with her friends at
Vows wedding planning company, and her love life appears to be
thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn''t found Mr.
Right. And the last place she''s looking is right under her nose.
But that''s just where Jack Cooke is. He''s so close to the women of
Vows that he''s practically family, but the architect has begun to
admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into
much more than friendship. When Emma returns his passion-kiss for
blistering kiss-they must trust in their history...and in their
hearts.
內容試閱：
CHAPTER ONE
Since details crowded her mind, many of them blurry, Emma checked
her appointment book over her first cup of coffee. The back- to-
back consults gave her nearly as much of a boost as the strong,
sweet coffee. Basking in it, she leaned back in the chair in her
cozy office to read over the side notes she’d added to each
client.
In her experience, the personality of the couple— or often, more
accurately, the bride— helped her determine the tone of the
consult, the direction they’d pursue. To Emma’s way of thinking,
flowers were the heart of a wedding. Whether they were elegant or
fun, elaborate or simple, the flowers were the romance.
It was her job to give the client all the heart and romance they
desired.
She sighed, stretched, then smiled at the vase of petite roses on
her desk. Spring, she thought, was the best. The wedding season
kicked into high gear— which meant busy days and long nights
designing, arranging, creating not only for this spring’s weddings,
but also next.
She loved the continuity as much as the work itself.
That’s what Vows had given her and her three best friends.
Continuity, rewarding work, and that sense of personal
accomplishment. And she got to play with flowers, live with
flowers, practically swim in flowers every day.
Thoughtfully, she examined her hands, and the little nicks and
tiny cuts. Some days she thought of them as battle scars and others
as medals of honor. This morning she just wished she’d remembered
to fit in a manicure.
She glanced at the time, calculated. Boosted again, she sprang
up. Detouring into her bedroom, she grabbed a scarlet hoodie to zip
over her pjs. There was time to walk to the main house before she
dressed and prepared for the day. At the main house Mrs. Grady
would have breakfast, so Emma wouldn’t have to forage or cook for
herself.
Her life, she thought as she jogged downstairs, brimmed with
lovely perks.
She passed through the living room she used as a reception and
consult area, and took a quick scan around as she headed for the
door. She’d freshen up the flowers on display before the first
meeting, but oh, hadn’t those stargazer lilies opened
beautifully?
She stepped out of what had been a guest house on the Brown
Estate and was now her home, and the base for Centerpiece— her part
of Vows.
She took a deep breath of spring air. And shivered.
Damn it, why couldn’t it be warmer? It was April, for God’s sake.
It was daffodil time. Look how cheerful the pansies she’d potted up
looked. She refused to let a chilly morning— and okay, it was
starting to drizzle on top of it— spoil her mood.
She hunched inside the hoodie, stuck the hand not holding her
coffee mug in her pocket, and began to walk to the main
house.
Things were coming back to life all around her, she reminded
herself. If you looked closely enough you could see the promise of
green on the trees, the hint of what would be delicate blooms of
dogwood and cherry blossoms. Those daffodils wanted to pop, and the
crocuses already had. Maybe there’d be another spring snow, but the
worst was over.
Soon it would be time to dig in the dirt, to bring some of her
beauties out of the green house and put them on display. She added
the bouquets, the swags and garlands, but nothing beat Mother
Nature for providing the most poignant landscape for a
wedding.
And nothing, in her opinion, beat the Brown Estate for showing it
off.
The gardens, showpieces even now, would soon explode with color,
bloom, scent, inviting people to stroll along the curving paths, or
sit on a bench, relax in sun or shade. Parker put her in charge— as
much as Parker could put anyone else in charge— of overseeing them,
so every year she got to play, planting something new, or
supervising the landscape team.
The terraces and patios created lovely outdoor living spaces,
perfect for weddings and events. Poolside receptions, terrace
receptions, ceremonies under the rose arbor or the pergola, or
perhaps down by the pond under a willow.
We’ve got it all, she thought.
The house itself? Could anything be more graceful, more
beautiful? The wonderful soft blue, those warm touches of yellow
and cream. All the varied rooflines, the arching windows, the lacy
balconies added up to elegant charm. And really, the entrance
portico was made for crowding with lush greenery or elaborate
colors and textures.
As a child she’d thought of it as a fairyland, complete with
castle.
Now it was home.
She veered toward the pool house, where her partner Mac lived and
kept her photography studio. Even as she aimed for it, the door
opened. Emma beamed a smile, shot out a wave to the lanky man with
shaggy hair and a tweed jacket who came out.
“ ’Morning, Carter!”
“Hi, Emma.”
Carter’s family and hers had been friends almost as long as she
could remember. Now, Carter Maguire, former Yale prof and current
professor of En glish lit at their high school alma mater, was
engaged to one of her best friends in the world.
Life wasn’t just good, Emma thought. It was a freaking bed of
roses.
Riding on that, she all but danced to Carter, tugged him down by
his lapel as she angled up on her toes and kissed him
noisily.
“Wow,” he said, and blushed a little.
“Hey.” Mackensie, her eyes sleepy, her cap of red hair bright in
the gloom, leaned on the doorjamb. “Are you trying to make time
with my guy?”
“If only. I’d steal him away but you’ve dazzled and vamped
him.”
“Damn right.”
“Well.” Carter offered them both a flustered smile. “This is a
really nice start to my day. The staffmeeting I’m headed to won’t
be half as enjoyable.”
“Call in sick.” Mac all but purred it. “I’ll give you something
enjoyable.”
“Hah. Well. Anyway. Bye.”
Emma grinned at his back as he hurried off to his car. “God, he
is so cute.”
“He really is.”
“And look at you, Happy Girl.”
“Happy Engaged Girl. Want to see my ring again?”
“Oooh,” Emma said obligingly when Mac wiggled her fingers.
“Ahhh.”
“Are you going for breakfast?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Wait.” Mac leaned in, grabbed a jacket, then pulled the door
closed behind her. “I didn’t have anything but coffee yet, so . .
.” As they fell into step together, Mac frowned. “That’s my
mug.”
“Do you want it back now?”
“I know why I’m cheerful this crappy morning, and it’s the same
reason I haven’t had time for breakfast. It’s called Let’s Share
the Shower.”
“Happy Girl is also Bragging Bitch.”
“And proud of it. Why are you so cheerful? Got a man in your
house?”
“Sadly no. But I have five consults booked today. Which is a
great start to the week, and comes on the tail of the lovely end to
last week with yesterday’s tea party wedding. It was really sweet,
wasn’t it?”
“Our sexagenarian couple exchanging vows and celebrating
surrounded by his kids, her kids, grandchildren. Not just sweet,
but also reassuring. Second time around for both of them, and there
they are, ready to do it again, willing to share and blend. I got
some really great shots. Anyway, I think those crazy kids are going
to make it.”
“Speaking of crazy kids, we really have to talk about your
flowers. December may be far away— she says shivering— but it comes
fast, as you well know.”
“I haven’t even decided on the look for the engagement shots yet.
Or looked at dresses, or thought about colors.”
“I look good in jewel tones,” Emma said and fluttered her
lashes.
“You look good in burlap. Talk about bragging bitches.” Mac
opened the door to the mudroom, and since Mrs. Grady was back from
her winter vacation, remembered to wipe her feet. “As soon as I
find the dress, we’ll brainstorm the rest.”
“You’re the first one of us to get married. To have your wedding
here.”
“Yeah. It’s going to be interesting to see how we manage to run
the wedding and be in the wedding.”
“You know you can count on Parker to figure out the logistics. If
anyone can make it run smooth, it’s Parker.”
They walked into the kitchen, and chaos.
...
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