Her Reason to Stay by Anna Adams Page A

revealing their relationship. An eggbeater took a quick stir at her innards, and Daphne smiled and let it go.
    “Yes. I’m Daphne.”
    “We spoke on the phone. I’m Miriam Burke. Do you mind if I finish?”
    “Go ahead. I’ll enjoy watching.”
    Miriam flashed a quick smile. She continued placing greenery and stems until she stood back with a last rose. In it went, and the arrangement looked perfect.
    “Did you always know how to do that?” Daphne asked. “Or can it be learned?”
    “Would you like to learn?”
    “I think so.”
    “Good.” Miriam wrapped up the scraps, dumped the paper and cuttings in a bucket and then eased the vase to a safe corner on the counter. “Did you bring a résumé?”
    “I did.” It contained nothing that made her a sure bet for a florist’s shop, but she’d worked hard during college and after. And she’d had some retail experience.
    Nevertheless, she took the envelope from her purse and slid it onto the counter. Miriam took out the pages and scanned them.
    “You’re a jury consultant. Why would you want to work here?”
    “I haven’t worked as a jury consultant for eighteen months.”
    “Why?”
    She’d always ducked that question. Did it need to be asked for this kind of job? “It wasn’t a good fit. As you can see, I’ve done retail work, and I’ve had a variety of positions so I can learn new skills.”
    “I’m not suggesting you need the criminology degree.” She glanced at the résumé again. “But the variety of jobs you’ve held makes me wonder if you’d stay long enough to be worth my while.”
    Everyone in this town was as blunt as a sledgehammer. “Yes,” Daphne said, and she had no trouble meeting Miriam’s pale blue eyes because she was telling the truth. “I’ll be here.” She’d alienated her sister, but Honesty was home unless Raina refused to see her again.
    “When did you move here?”
    “A few days ago.”
    Miriam’s mouth twisted. Those jury consultant skills hadn’t entirely deserted Daphne. She’d learned good instincts about people in ugly situations, and she could read Miriam’s doubts.
    “I’m not drifting,” she said. “I plan to stay.”
    Her résumé seemed to require all of Miriam’s concentration. Translation, she was considering taking the leap.
    “Your interest in staying in Honesty has something to do with the way you look?”
    Daphne touched her own cheek. “Maybe I love the idea of a small town.”
    “Okay.” Miriam’s smile was knowing, but she went on without pushing for more information about Daphne’s resemblance to Raina. “Most newcomers your age come bearing the requisite two-point-something children and a puppy.”
    “And a spouse.” The town was too picture perfect to go without.
    “The spouse is not always required.” Miriam shrugged. “I’m looking for someone with a driver’s license, and I get that you don’t want to share your personal business.”
    “I just want a change.” The lie came easily.
    Miriam eyed her with continued indecision. “You can’t be worse than the high-school kids who’ve dumped me for a pep rally or a debate-team weekend.”
    “Debate team?”
    “I know. That’s as hard to believe as you wanting this job.” Miriam’s smile flashed. “It looks good on college apps. Shows they’re critical thinkers.”
    “Wow. A plan in high school.” Other than escaping foster care, she’d had none.
    Miriam moved down the counter to pat a huge, hunching gray machine. “This is my cash register. It’s old. I bought it secondhand, and it has a few quirks.”
    Just like that, Daphne found herself employed. Miriam took her through the refrigerators where she stored flowers she ordered from out-of-town suppliers. She was more excited about the small greenhouse at the back.
    “After I built this, I couldn’t afford a state-of-the-art cash register, but I have live plants, and I get to play whenever I want. I love it.”
    “I envy your passion.” She’d loved