Carol Lynne Read online

  A Total-E-Bound Publication

  www.total-e-bound.com

  The Last Bouquet

  ISBN # 978-1-906811-93-8

  ©Copyright Carol Lynne 2009

  Cover Art by April Martinez ©Copyright February 2009

  Edited by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

  Total-E-Bound Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2009 by Total-E-Bound Publishing 1 The Corner, Faldingworth Road, Spridlington, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 2DE, UK.

  Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

  Cattle Valley

  THE LAST BOUQUET

  Carol Lynne

  Dedication

  For my friends, Chel, Chris, Kelly and Deb.

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Honda Civic: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

  Desperate Housewives: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

  Chapter One

  With Puccini blaring in the background, Tyler Manning stared at the heart in his hands. Unlike most floral shops, Tyler had waited until the first week in February to decorate the front windows of his store for Valentine’s Day.

  The homemade decoration wasn’t fancy, red velvet glued front and back to a big piece of cardboard. He’d found the most exquisite lace in Sheridan and had applied it around the perimeter of the four-foot heart.

  Feeling the sudden urge to rip the heart down the middle, Tyler set it aside. Maybe decorating with a broken heart wasn’t such a good idea. Visions of Hearn came to mind. Tyler gazed at the refrigerated case holding the weekly bouquet he made for Mitch’s grave.

  How had he managed to fall in love with a man who was already taken? “Fuck!” he yelled, kicking the heart at his feet.

  Sinking to the floor, Tyler buried his face in his hands. Crying had become a regular habit lately. Since the accident that had killed Hearn’s partner, Mitch, his friend had barely given him the time of day. If it weren’t for the standing order of a bouquet of flowers, Tyler doubted he’d see Hearn at all. Why? It still didn’t make sense to him.

  Before the wreck, he and Hearn had become almost inseparable. Then Mitch had been killed and…nothing. At first Tyler worried that Hearn had picked up on his more than friendly feelings, but he no longer thought that was the case. It wasn’t just Tyler that was being given the cold shoulder. Hearn had withdrawn so deep into himself and his charity work in Sheridan that no one ever saw him.

  A hand on his shoulder startled Tyler, making him jump. “Easy,” Hearn’s smooth voice soothed.

  Tyler gazed up into the same brown eyes he saw in his dreams every night. The concerned expression on Hearn’s face as he knelt beside him melted Tyler right then and there.

  “Are you okay?” Hearn asked over the loud music.

  Feeling like an ass, Tyler nodded and wiped the tears from his face. “Yeah. Sorry.” He stood and walked behind the counter to reduce the volume on La Boheme. Taking a deep breath, he turned to find Hearn standing right behind him.

  “What’s wrong?” Hearn asked.

  Knowing he couldn’t out and out lie to the man he loved, Tyler gestured around the shop. “Valentine’s Day.” He shrugged. “Depresses me every year.”

  The corner of Hearn’s mouth rose slightly. “Kinda in the wrong business then aren’t you?”

  Unable to resist that sexy grin he enjoyed so much, Tyler smiled. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”

  Hearn put both hands on Tyler’s shoulders and squeezed. “You’ll find someone.”

  “I already have,” Tyler admitted.

  A look of dark emotions passed momentarily over Hearn’s face before disappearing. “That’s good, Ty, real good.” Hearn released his hold on Tyler. “But if you’re still feeling down enough to cry maybe this guy isn’t the one for you.”

  “He is. He just doesn’t know it yet.” Tyler broke eye contact and walked towards the refrigerator. “Your flowers are ready,” he announced, pulling out the large daisy and rose bouquet.

  Hearn took the flowers, and just like he did every week, put them to his nose and inhaled. It was the moment Tyler both loved and hated every time. For that brief few seconds, all Hearn’s problems seemed to melt into the background, leaving the gentle peaceful man Tyler had come to love.

  “Bill me?” Hearn asked, opening his eyes.

  “Of course,” Tyler agreed. Trying to buy himself a few more moments in Hearn’s company, Tyler scrambled for something to say. “Have you heard about Quade?”

  Hearn stopped on his way to the door and turned. “No. Did something happen?”

  “I’ll say. He quit. It was announced earlier. I guess my cousin George is taking over for him until a special election is held.”

  Hearn whistled. “Wow. Why the hell didn’t I see that one coming?”

  “No one did. Quade decided to move to Oahu to be with that guy, Kai, he met last year.” Tyler shifted from foot to foot. “I was thinking. Maybe this would be a good opportunity for you.”

  “Huh?”

  “Well, you’re always complaining the city doesn’t have enough activities to keep the kids busy during the summer months. Maybe this is your chance to do something about it?”

  “What. Like run for Mayor?” Hearn asked, dark brown eyes going wide.

  “Yeah.”

  “I don’t know the first thing about running a town.” Hearn took several steps to stand on the opposite side of the counter from Tyler.

  “You do so,” Tyler disagreed. “You have a business degree. You run the entire park system like a well-oiled machine. You can do this,” he implored, reaching out to grab Hearn’s hand.

  “I can’t. Scheduling the sports fields and making sure the gazebos are cleaned isn’t the same thing as running an entire town,” Hearn said, shaking his head.

  Tyler focused on the dark brown locks of hair as they fell back into place. Hearn had let his hair grow. He didn’t know if it was by choice, or lack of caring, but Hearn’s hair reached just past his shoulders to fall in a shaggy cascade.

  “Tyler?”

  “Yeah?”

  “It makes me feel good to know you believe in me, but I’m honestly not qualified.” Hearn pulled his hand out of Tyler’s grip and held up the flowers. “I’ll see you in a week.”

  Tyler watched Hearn walk out the door and pounded his fist against the counter. “Dammit!” Why couldn’t Hearn see in himself what Tyler saw? The answer came to him with a bitter taste. “Mitch.” The asshole who’d berated Hearn over and over for wasting his college education being a glorified groundskeeper. Why couldn’t Hearn see that he’d been so much more than that to Cattle Valley?

  Pushing away from the counter, Tyler turned the music back up and went back to work on his display. He’
d figure out a way to undo all the years of damage living with Mitch had done to Hearn.

  * * * *

  Hearn stopped his pickup in the usual spot and gazed out over the small cemetery. He couldn’t get the things Tyler had mentioned out of his mind. Mayor? Hearn shook off the fanciful thought and reached for the bundle of flowers at his side.

  After zipping his coat, he opened the door and stepped onto the still-frozen ground. It was another cloudy dreary day, but it seemed to fit Hearn’s mood perfectly. He’d spent the morning doing what he did every morning, driving to Sheridan to volunteer a couple of hours at the children’s home.

  Although he loved spending time with the kids, their sad eyes seemed to follow him home each day, especially that day. Gracie had managed to lose her one and only toy, a doll given to her by Hearn. The two of them had spent nearly two hours tracking down the little blonde-haired baby doll. Seeing the joy on Gracie’s face had been worth the effort, but it had driven home the need to find the sweet girl a family of her own.

  Before he knew it, Hearn stood at the foot of Mitch’s grave. He bent over and picked up the dead arrangement and replaced it with the fresh one. What would the town think of him if they knew he brought flowers out of guilt, rather than love?

  Walking away from the grave, Hearn tossed the dead bouquet into the trash on his way back to his truck. Forget the town. What would Tyler think of him if he knew the truth? Knowing the fight he’d had with Mitch that night had not only led to Mitch’s death but put Tyler’s life in danger as well, still shamed him.

  Hearn shook his head, surprised to find himself in his truck with the engine running. His head was so full of Tyler Manning he barely had time to think of anything else. Seeing those brown puppy dog eyes crying earlier had almost sent him over the edge. All he’d wanted at that moment was to scoop Tyler from the floor and protect him against the world. The news that Tyler was interested in someone came as a shock. He didn’t know why. Tyler was the sweetest man he’d ever known, the kind of man who deserved to find love. So why did it hurt so much? Because I want to be that man.

  * * * *

  Stepping into Brewster’s, Tyler spotted a group of his friends and made his way across the room. “Mind if I join you?” he asked the group from the EZ Does It.

  “Not at all,” Wyn replied, gesturing to an empty chair.

  Tyler smiled and sat down. “I haven’t seen you and Ezra in here in months,” he observed.

  Wyn gestured towards the bar. “We like the new owner. He’s been up to The Grizzly Bar a time or two, so we thought we’d return the favour.”

  “Well you won’t be disappointed. Sean makes an excellent burger.” He signalled to the waitress. “Can you grab me a cup of coffee when you get a chance?”

  “Sure thing,” Kitty said.

  “So how’re things going?” Wyn asked.

  Tyler had liked Palmer Wynfield the first time he’d met him. The older man had taken him under his wing and introduced him to every store owner on Main Street. “Okay. I’m hoping business picks up for the fourteenth.”

  “It will,” Wyn nodded. “But I was asking about you, not the shop.”

  “Oh.” Tyler shrugged and peered down at his hands in his lap. Wyn was one of the few people who knew about his feelings for Hearn. “No change in that department. Hearn still takes flowers to Mitch’s grave every week, and I’m still left out in the cold.”

  “I can’t believe Hearn’s still carrying a torch for that sonofabitch,” Ezra scowled.

  Tyler glanced up to see several people were staring at him. Evidently he’d spoken louder than he’d realised. The look of pity on the faces of his friends made him groan. “Am I that transparent?” he asked, unable to meet anyone’s gaze.

  Logan’s tattooed forearm reached across the table and tilted Tyler’s chin up. “There’s nothing wrong with caring about someone.”

  “Yeah. Except when the one you care about is still in love with a dead man.”

  Jax surprised him by scooting his chair back and leaving the table. Tyler followed the man’s back until he disappeared into the restroom. “Did I say something wrong?” he asked Logan.

  “No. You might’ve just said something right.” Logan stood. “If you’ll excuse me.”

  Tyler watched Logan follow in Jax’s footsteps. “Are they having problems?” he asked Wyn and Ezra.

  “Not that I know of,” Wyn replied.

  Tyler was almost finished with his hamburger when he spotted an obviously upset Jax walking out of the restroom on Logan’s arm. Instead of coming back to the table and their now-cold dinners, Logan led Jax out of the bar.

  He noticed the expression on Ezra’s face as his foreman left. Whatever was going on, Ezra knew about it. Tyler glanced to Wyn, who still appeared oblivious to his partner’s worried stare. Ezra caught Tyler’s gaze and held it. “I think we need to talk.”

  * * * *

  With his car idling in the cold winter’s night, Tyler waited for Jax and Logan to immerge from Hearn’s house. He knew if he had bigger balls, he’d walk right up to the front door and knock with the two visitors still inside, but he was a chicken.

  Hell, he’d always shied away from confrontation. It was probably the reason he’d allowed himself to be used by so many men in the past. Face it, Manning, you’re a pussy. As a kid he’d been beat up by practically everyone in his class at one time or another, both boys and girls. His father had tried on several occasions to teach him how to defend himself, but Tyler never could bring himself to fight back.

  It wasn’t that he was afraid of getting hit. It was the anger he couldn’t stand. Whenever someone started yelling, Tyler’s gut immediately began to cramp. On more than one occasion, he’d actually thrown up before the first punch knocked him to the ground.

  So here he sat, all five-foot-five-inches of himself, waiting for Jax and Logan to leave. He didn’t know what he’d say to Hearn once the two men were gone, but he knew in his heart he needed to be here for his friend.

  A lump formed in his throat as he watched the front door open and the two men get into their truck. Staring at the silhouetted forms embracing, Tyler felt like an intruder. He knew it hadn’t been easy for Jax to come clean with Hearn about his affair with Mitch, but just then, Tyler didn’t give a fuck about Jax. He just needed the men to leave so he could check on Hearn.

  Finally, after another ten minutes, Logan pulled the truck out of Hearn’s driveway. Tyler waited until the taillights rounded the corner before getting out of his five-year old Civic.

  By the time he crossed the street and walked up the porch steps, Tyler’s stomach was in knots. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea? What if Hearn didn’t need him?

  Pushing his fears away, Tyler took a deep breath and knocked on the door. When Hearn didn’t answer, Tyler leaned over and watched through the living room window. Hearn sat on the couch, his hands balled into fists, staring straight ahead.

  “Hearn?” he finally called out, knocking on the glass.

  The much bigger man blinked several times before meeting Tyler’s gaze through the window. “Can I come in?”

  Hearn gazed at him for several moments before standing. Tyler straightened and stood in front of the door. Hearn’s facial expression when he opened the door scared Tyler. He felt the bile rise from his stomach to his throat.

  “What do you want, Ty?” Hearn asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  “Can I come in?”

  Hearn stepped back and Tyler squeezed past him and into the living room. He didn’t know how to break the news to Hearn that he knew what Mitch had done. “I…I was at Brewster’s when Jax and Logan left.”

  Tyler tugged off his stocking cap and jammed it into his coat pocket. “Ezra told me about Mitch.”

  “He had no right!” Hearn exploded.

  With a hand held against his queasy stomach, Tyler nodded. “Ezra was worried about you. He thought you might need a friend.”

  Hearn’s gaze met Tyler’s
for the first time since he’d opened the door. “Are they laughing at me?”

  “No!” Tyler exclaimed, rushing to Hearn’s side. “I told you, they’re worried. News that the man you loved wasn’t faithful…it would devastate anyone.”

  Hearn started to chuckle, confusing Tyler. When the chuckle turned into a full-blown belly laugh, Tyler started to get scared for the sanity of the man he loved.

  “I haven’t been in love with Mitch for years,” Hearn confessed, knocking a vase off the nearby table.

  The action made Tyler jump. The obvious rage inside Hearn was more than Tyler’s stomach could handle. Cupping a hand over his mouth, Tyler sprinted towards the bathroom. He barely got the toilet seat up before he lost his entire dinner in the bowl.

  Resting his head on the cold porcelain, Tyler tried to calm himself. He knew Hearn wasn’t mad at him, it was Mitch Hearn hated at the moment.

  A large hand landed on his back. “Are you okay?” Hearn asked, all traces of anger gone.

  God, he felt like an ass. Here he’d come over to comfort Hearn and he was the one being comforted. “I’m okay,” Tyler lied, flushing the stool. “I’ve never handled anger well. Stupid, I know.”

  From their position on the floor, Hearn reached up and wet a washcloth. After wringing it out with one hand, he began cleaning Tyler’s face. “Nothing stupid about that. I let myself lose control, and I’m sorry you suffered for it.”

  “You’ve earned the right to lose control.”

  Hearn tossed the washcloth to the side and reached for a bottle of mouthwash, passing it to Tyler. “You’re right. I have earned the right to be angry with Mitch, but that doesn’t mean I should take it out on you.”

  Tyler took a big swig of the minty mouthwash before spitting it into the toilet. “Don’t apologise for that. I came over because I thought you might need a friend.”

  “Can you stand?” Hearn asked, getting to his feet.

  “Yeah.” With Hearn’s help, Tyler stood. In the small space provided, Tyler was practically sandwiched against Hearn’s tall frame. He hadn’t stood this close to the man since the night of Kyle and Gill’s wedding reception, when Hearn had danced with him.