Got Love? by Angela Hayes

Runa? When was the last time you were impressed?”
    “It’s been so long I’ve forgotten what being impressed feels like!” the elf commiserated. “Please, Flora,” she begged, “tell me what being impressed feels like so that I may live vicariously through you!”
    An impish smile on her face, Flora did just that.
    ****
    It was a good thing Flora didn’t hold her own breath for Tharin’s call. She had gotten so busy with last minute orders that she wasn’t able to check her phone until nearly three o’clock.
    “Missed call.” She glanced at her phone, recognizing Tharin’s number. Calling up her voicemail, she listened to the message.
    “Hi Flora. Listen, I’m sorry to do this over the phone, but something’s come up. I have to go out of town for a bit on business, and there was no time to come by and tell you in person. I’ll be out of cell range for a while, but I hope to see you in a few days. And if I don’t get to tell you, Happy Valentine’s my sweet Flora. See you soon.”
    “ Snapdragons! ” Flora cursed, snapping her phone shut. Wasn’t that just great. After what they shared, she never figured Tharin for the love ’em and leave ’em type. Opening the phone, she dialed Tharin’s number, not surprised when it went straight to voice mail.
    “Tharin, it’s Flora. I just wanted to let you know I got your message. Have a safe trip. I’ll um, I’ll see you when you get back. Bye.” Well, that was poetic . Flora closed her phone for a second time. No time to dwell on her issues, she glanced up at the bell’s tinkle to see another customer walk in. Duty called.
    “Welcome to A Touch of Wild Flora. I’m Flora. How can I help you?”

Chapter 12
    Ever since the voice mail, Flora tried to pinpoint the reason for her restlessness, but failed. Sure, Tharin could really be away on business, but she didn’t think so. Something in his voice set her intuition off. Recognizing the writing on the wall for what it was, Flora’s usually high hopes were dashed. Her uncanny ability to look on the bright side resolved to a gnawing feeling of panic and gloom deep in the pit of her stomach. She felt desperation looming, and by the looks of things, it wouldn’t be long until she did something stupid and rash.
    Climbing out of bed, she hoped a shower would help wash away the negativity. All it did was feed it, as her gaze once again latched onto Tharin’s mark under her breast, bright and glowing.
    Aware more than ever of the day’s date, yeah—Valentine’s— Whoop, Whoop! Not! Flora pulled on a pair of her favorite jeans, choosing a long-sleeve, pink-hearted shirt over the black turtleneck she really wanted to wear. Wrapping a yellow scarf around her neck, she stepped into her Wellies. She was not feeling very Valentinesy.
    “Morning,” she greeted Fia, walking into the dark kitchen dressed and ready to start the long flower-filled day ahead of her. “Long night?” Flora asked, surprised to see Fia in the same clothes from the day before, nursing a cup of coffee.
    Pouring herself a cup and grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl, Flora went to sit beside her friend, her own problems pushed to the back burner. “Hey, you okay? Tell me about it.”
    Wiping angrily at an errant tear, the banshee shook her head. “Just the usual.”
    “How old?” Flora asked, understanding the sorrow she saw in the banshee’s red-streaked eyes. She usually only got this way when children were involved.
    “Six, ten, and their parents. A whole family. Gone. Drunk driver walked away without a physical scratch. Like that.” Fia snapped her fingers together.
    “I’m so sorry, Fi.”
    “Circle of life and all that.” Fia took a shaky breath.
    “That doesn’t make the grief any less bearable.”
    Fia changed the subject, wiping away another tear. “No. You’re right. Anyway, you’re up early.”
    “I didn’t sleep well.”
    “Worried about today? You’re so organized, Runa would be jealous.”
    “No, not