Bouquet: Sequel to 'In Full Bloom': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 3) Read Online Free

was indeed happy to know he had found it, but the absence of any one of the three females within the cabin, watching for his return, made him feel wanting.  The emotion was powerful and the more he thought about it, the more he fumed.  Their obvious lack of concern for him smarted as he stared at the opened back door.
     
    How would they possibly know of your heroic deed? his inner voice reasoned.  Their focus would be on the returning dog.  He envisioned them seeing Molly’s state and then rushing to ensure the dog’s comfort.  He could see them in his mind doting on Molly — drying her, warming her, cuddling her.  A wry smile crossed his face; he knew that he would not receive the same mothering treatment when he crossed the threshold.  He would be lucky if he was not yelled at for tracking water into the cabin.  Shaking his head, he trekked the last couple of yards. Stepping onto the snowy stoop, Mark again lost traction and fell forward.  “These have to got to go,” he yelled as he turned and yanked off his gloves and then his shoes, tossing them in the general direction of the door. 
     
    “Mark?” Grandma Jo’s voice called from further in the cabin.
     
    “Yes,” Mark replied angrily, getting to his stocking feet and climbing the rest of the steps.  
     
    Rounding the edge of the half-wall that separated the living area from the kitchen, Grandma Jo took in Mark’s overall disheveled appearance.  “Strip,” she ordered, “to the shower.”  Mark looked at Grandma Jo strangely.  “Do it!” she ordered. 
     
    So much for a warm greeting , Mark thought as he concentrated on removing his coat. 
     
    Seeing Mark’s bare chest and the blue tint to the skin, she softened.  “Go,” she directed softly, turning and walking to the hall.  “I’ll get you dry clothes.”
     
    Mark dropped the coat and the wet sweatshirt on the floor and followed her in his wet socks.  Reaching the main room, Mark saw Sami cuddling with Molly in front of the fire with her back to him.  I could use your body warmth , he thought as he headed to the bathroom.
     
    At the bathroom door, Mark saw Grandma Jo exit his bedroom with his dark-blue sweats in her hands. “Will these do?” she asked.
     
    “Yes,” Mark said, taking the clothes.  “Socks?”
     
    “Here,” she said, pulling a pair out of the pocket of her coat.  “Stay under the spray until you feel warm.”
     
    “I don’t think there is enough hot water to do that,” he said selfishly. 
     
    Shaking her head, she laughed softly.  “I will make you some hot tea.”
     
    “Thanks.  Be out in a minute,” he answered, seeing her head to the main room.
     
    Mark turned and closed the door.  Dropping the dry set of clothes and socks on the counter, he quickly removed the iced jeans, underwear and socks before stepping into the shower.  Adjusting the water spray to the hottest tolerable temperature, he stepped into the shower and planted his hands on the tiles around the shower head and allowed the water to cascade over his frozen body.
     
    Emerging from the bathroom, Mark still felt chilled to the bone.  He eyed the doorway to his assigned room.  He wanted to climb into the bed and pull the covers over his head.  His feet felt like two blocks of ice; even the thick socks did little to warm them.  Sticking them into the roaring fire might be a possible solution, but he needed his feet thawed, not barbequed; he personally liked his feet.  Curling his toes in the thick socks told him they were not lifeless, but the thought of the toasty fire did appeal to him.  Besides, he needed to check on Molly and Sami.  Before moving, he glanced over his shoulder at his wet clothes which he had hung on the shower rod.  They have weathered the icy dip better than me , he thought. 
     
    Turning into the living area, he spotted Sami who was still hugging her dog.  “How is she?” he asked.
     
    Sami rolled her head in his direction.  “She