Lyndsey Cole - Lily Bloom 01 - Begonia Means Beware by Lyndsey Cole Page A

I’ve always wondered if it’s because Mother married for money and not love and she was jealous that Melinda found someone who loves her for who she is. But that’s just my theory.”
    Lily leaned back in her chair. “Not an easy family to be a member of. How have you managed to do your thing?” Lily looked around at all the incredible flowers that Geoffre y had in buckets ready for pickup by wholesalers. Snapdragons, hybrid delphinium, tulips, calla lilies, Asiatic and oriental lilies in every color of the rainbow. And potted geraniums, begonias and impatience.
    “Pot.”
    “Pot? What do you mean?”
    He adjusted his baseball cap. “I make a lot of money with the medical marijuana so Mother tolerates my obsession with growing flowers.”
    “What do you know about the casino project?”
    “Not much, except that it seems to have fallen apart. Somehow the hospital got the land. My father is pretty upset about it.”
    Lily leaned forward. “Do you think that had anything to do with Clifton’s murder?”
    “I wish I knew. He wasn’t the most popular guy in town. It could be anyone.” Geoffrey got up. “I’ll help you load the flowers. It’s too bad about the wedding I guess, but, in the long run, maybe Melinda actually has a chance for happiness now.”
    “And you?”
    Geoffrey grinned from ear to ear. “Oh yeah. I have a real good chance for happiness. Your sister is dynamite.”
    Lily closed the caravan door after the flowers were loaded. “Thanks Geoffrey. You certainly know how to grow the most beautiful flowers around. I’d love a tour of your greenhouses sometime. How did you ever get started in this? I can’t imagine that your parents steered you in this direction.”
    Geoffrey choked with laughter. “I love flowers. I think my parents just gave up trying to change my mind, and when Clifton loaned me the money to get started, they had no control over me anymore.”
    “Clifton helped you financially?”
    “It was his idea. I never asked for the help. It’s built into the loan that if anything happens to Clifton, the debt is forgiven. Sweet deal for me.”
    Lily was surprised. “Yeah. Lucky you.”
    Geoffrey leaned casually against the van. “Can you give your sister a message for me?”
    “Sure.”
    “Tell her to swing by after work. I’ll be waiting.” He winked and went back inside.
    Lily hurried after Geoffrey with one more question. “Did Clifton buy cream tulips from you in the last couple days?”
    “ Clifton? Nope. Jack did. Why?”
    “Melinda thanked me for the beautiful tulips Clifton left in her kitchen yesterday morning. He didn’t get them from me.” Lily chuckled. “I’m just wondering who my competition is.”
    “No worries there. I only sell to friends once in a while. I have no intention of competing with your incredible design ability.”
    I wonder who gave them to Melinda . Did she lie to me?

Chapter 9
     
    Lily was feeling much better after her conversation with Geoffrey. He gave her interesting information about his family. She had to admit to herself that Geoffrey did seem normal. And he acted quite smitten with Daisy.
    Her contented feeling flew out the window when she saw Ryan’s police cruiser at her shop. What does he want now?
    Iris and Ryan were seated in the backroom enjoying a cup of coffee. “There you are , Lily. Ryan and I were just having the most interesting conversation about guns.”
    Lily stood with her hands on her hips. “Of course you were. You really should let Ryan get back to work. He has an important murder to solve.”
    “That’s why he’s here waiting for you. I’ll go help Daisy so you two can talk.”
    Ryan got up from his chair and handed a coffee to Lily. “Peace offering?”
    “For what?” She wasn’t going to make this easy for him.
    “I was frazzled this morning after having to deal with that—well, never mind what I’d like to call him. It was so nice having dinner with you last night. Keller knew how to push all my