Page 151 of Whispered Sins

“May I make a suggestion?” I heard Armand say.

I turned around and saw him standing there hesitantly. I thought he had stayed in the car, but here he was trying to help me.

“Please do,” I said.

“Well, blue hyacinths are a representation of ‘making peace’ and they are slightly more unexpected than roses, although when mixed together can make a beautiful bouquet.”

I looked at him in surprise.

“I’ve had a few bicker matches with my wife.” He shrugged before giving me a smile.

He knewexactlywhat I was up to.

“How did you fix it?” I asked.

He sighed and looked thoughtful for a moment.

“Communication,” he said. “It seems so small. Such a small gesture. But talking to each other is what really works. What really matters.”

I nodded as I thought about his words. Everything I had done in the past had just been a Band-Aid. A monetary quick fix. A large check and prettily wrapped boxes wouldn’t get us to the heart of the issue. I realized I had relied on my money out of fear. Fear that the words wouldn’t come out right or that they wouldn’t be enough. I wondered when I had become that person.

“Flowers help, too,” said Armand with a wink.

For the next twenty minutes, I followed him through the flower market and he began explaining the different ones to me. He told me the meaning behind each one, and I started to wonder if he was a florist in a previous life. We began pulling various flowers from their fresh water containers. With Armand’s help, we put together a bouquet of blue hyacinths, pale pink roses, and white orchids. While each had their own meaning, they all had the same message of “I’m sorry.” And I owed Heart a big one.

As I looked around the market at the bustling morning crowd, I wondered how many of these people were trying to make things right too. I knew flowers wouldn’t be nearly enough, but I hoped they would be a beautiful reminder of how I wanted to be in Heart’s life. And in our baby’s life.

As we walked back to the car, I put my hand on Armand’s back, making him turn to face me.

“Thank you, Armand. Really. I mean that,” I said gratefully.

“Of course, Mr. Jacobs.” He nodded.

He looked hesitant for a moment before speaking again. “If I’m not being too bold, Mr. Jacobs…”

“What is it?” I asked.

“That one was special. I have never seen you like that with any other woman.”

I gave him a soft smile, realizing we had never really ever talked about anything personal. In all the years he had worked for me, this was as deep as we had ever gotten. I guessed I never realized all the time we actually spent together. All the things he knew about me and had witnessed over time.

“She was special.Isspecial,” I corrected myself.

“Let’s go get her,” he said, putting his hand on my shoulder.

I laughed and got in the car. This man was getting a big bonus at the end of the year.

As we began our drive to Brooklyn, I suddenly thought of something as I realized where we were.

“Armand,” I said, leaning forward in my seat hurriedly.

“Yes, Mr. Jacobs?”

“One more stop, please.”

“Where to?”

“The coffee shop. The one with the tea. You know the one.”