The Ripple Effect Read Online Free Page B

realms of craft and became spiritual expression. One day she’d go to Japan and study Ikebana properly. Her savings were growing slowly but surely.
    But right now this arrangement had to be finished and loaded into the little delivery van with all the other orders to be scooted about town by Tracey. Then they all had to prepare the Lanzini wedding flowers, for as long as it took and well into the night at the rate they were going, because in the morning a nervous and excited Lucia Lanzini would be expecting everything to be ready for her big event. Or heaven help them all. She’d seen the Lanzini temper in action.
    Clang. Clang.
    Joelle shuddered. Why on earth had Tracey thought an Indian cowbell was a good idea?
    “It’s an original,” she’d announced proudly as she’d held it aloft. “I bought it in a bazaar in Bombay.”
    “It’s big,” Joelle had said dubiously, eyeing the monster bell. It wasn’t even attractive like their previous cluster of little silver chime bars. The Indian bell was a dull brown with dents here and there where, presumably, the sacred cow had trodden on it. But Tracey had fastened it above the door somehow and Joelle had promised to see how it went for a while. The while had lasted two days and was fast running out of goodwill.
    “Hello, can I help you?” she asked. Half-turned, the customer had frozen in place by the door. “Sorry about that,” she added. “I think we’ll have to take it down before a customer dies of fright.” He glanced up then closed the door gently, minimising the din.
    The man turned to face her. He smiled and Joelle’s stomach reacted the way it did when she went on the Big Dipper at the showground—a plummeting fall followed by a lurch and a bounce. He was crossing the floor towards her and saying something. She knew because his mouth was moving but she couldn’t hear a word over the roaring in her ears and the chaos in her chest, which had something to do with the way her lungs had seized up.
    “Are you all right?” he asked.
    She heard that. Joelle blinked and placed a steadying hand on the counter. He was mere feet away now, watching her through the most gorgeous pair of dark brown eyes, she’d ever seen in her life. Her mouth opened and closed, air rushed into her lungs and she gasped, swallowed and laughed all at the same time.
    “Sorry. Yes, yes, I’m fine. I just…I don’t know. I just…” She stopped in confusion. How could she say she’d been knocked off her feet by his smile? How could she say he was the most handsome, sexy man she’d ever laid eyes upon and when he looked at her, her whole body simply ceased to function? “Can I help you?”
    “I was just wondering the same thing,” he said gravely. His gorgeous brow creased in concern. “Can I help you? Are you sure you’re all right? I’m a doctor so if you’re not feeling too good…”
    “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with me,” Joelle stated firmly. “I just—something went down the wrong way, that’s all. I was eating and a crumb went the wrong way.” Brilliant.
    “I see.” He continued to stare at her. She knew he knew she was lying but he wasn’t bothered enough, or interested enough to call her on it. What would he care? “Umm. I want a bouquet. Something medium sized, not too fancy but nice.” He looked around the displays. “Like that? Or that?” He pointed to the mixed bunches.
    “Would you like something made up specially? You could choose from what we have here already.”
    Joelle walked around to his side of the counter and forced herself not to stand too close and gaze into his face adoringly. Tanned skin from being outdoors, the type of body that had developed its strength and physique through rough and tumble sports rather than a gym. A doctor, he’d said. Smart as well as sexy. A lethal combination, he must have female patients queuing up for physicals. Imagine those strong fingers sliding over your skin…
    “Could you mix a couple of