Jack McReady had fallen in love with Daisy in one-hour increments. How many men could claim that? he thought as he swung his Mazda into the diagonal slot in front of her flower shop, his palms sweaty against the leather steering wheel.

This wasn't his ordinary way of seeing her. Usually she came into his office to talk — hence the one-hour increments. It was the reason he knew more about Daisy than most, even their mutual friends.

But today he was getting flowers for his secretary, Gloria, as tomorrow was Administrative Professionals' Day. Sure, he could've phoned the order in, but then he would have missed a prime opportunity to see Daisy.

Entering the shop was always a full sensory experience. The bells tinkled out a welcome as the cool, bright fragrance of flowers rose to his nostrils. The colorful array of flowers and knickknacks, so artfully arranged, begged the shopper to stop and touch and appreciate.

"Be with you in a minute!" Daisy called from the back.

The sweet sound of her voice made Jack's heart thump harder. He knew she'd be working alone because today was Tuesday. Her mom was out delivering flowers, and her grandma only worked half days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He knew — and retained — way too much about Daisy, he thought with a rueful shake of his head.

Jack stuffed his hands into his Docker pockets and perused the shop. When he was inside Oopsy Daisy he always felt as though he were meandering through the garden of Eden. Everything was arranged so perfectly, displayed so creatively. Who but Daisy would think to use an antique bicycle basket or a mailbox to display a lovely bouquet of flowers? Or an outdoor fountain to showcase a cascading arrangement of flowering vines? Everywhere he looked was another inspired idea.

"Pastor Jack!"

He'd given up on getting her to drop the title. Her appointments had started two years ago, rarely scheduled but always delightful. He loved that she was a little overly sensitive, and he knew no one more conscientious than she. It was one of her finest qualities.

His heart fluttered at the sight of her silky blond hair and the faint spray of freckles that dotted her nose.

"Hello, Daisy. How are you this afternoon?" His tongue felt thick and uncoordinated.

"Just fine. I'm working on an order for a Cinco de Mayo party, believe it or not."

"Sounds intriguing." Was it just him, or was it hot in here? He tugged at his collar.

"I can't believe we're almost to May," she said.

"Step out onto the sidewalk; you'll believe it soon enough."

Her laughter was like a melody that plucked the strings of his heart. "I hear you." He let his gaze drift around the shop. "It's beautiful in here, Daisy. Every time I come in I'm just astounded by your displays."

"Oh, it's nothing really." She waved a hand as she reached the glass counter that separated them.

She was the worst at accepting a compliment. He gave her a long, steady look, as he was in the habit of doing when she tried to sell herself short.

"What? Oh, right. I'm supposed to be working on that." She pasted on a sweet smile. "Thank you ever so much, Pastor Jack. That is so nice of you to say."

"There, was that so hard?"

"You'll never know." She tilted a smile up at him. "So let me guess — you're here for Secretaries' Day."

"Got it in one."

"I'll fix Gloria up with a nice bouquet. Maybe some roses and daisy poms, some asters and purple delphinium? I have a large blue mason jar she'd just love. I can tie a nice big bow around it."

He loved the way her green eyes sparkled when she talked flowers. He fought their magnetic pull and was grateful for the umpteenth time that his olive skin wasn't prone to blushing. "Whatever you come up with will be perfect."

Daisy wrote up the order as Jack signed a card for Gloria. His secretary had been with him since he'd taken the job seven years ago. He'd be adrift without her, and they both knew it.

"You want to wait while I make it up or should we deliver it for you tomorrow?" Daisy asked after he'd swiped his credit card."

Whatever's easiest for you."

The bell tinkled as the door opened, allowing the entrance of a tall, slender woman with straight brown hair. She was well dressed and looked to be in her early thirties.

"Welcome!" Daisy said, peering past Jack with a friendly smile. "Let me know if I can help you with anything."

"Actually, I'm just looking for a bouquet. Maybe you can point me in the right direction."

Jack stepped back from the counter, nodding at the woman before turning back to Daisy. "Go ahead and help her. You can just deliver the flowers tomorrow."

"Sounds great. Thanks, Pastor Jack."

* * *

"Sorry if I butted in line," the woman said.

Daisy's eyes slid from Pastor Jack to her new customer. She looked as if she'd stepped straight out of a Dove soap commercial with her creamy complexion and natural beauty. Intelligence flashed in her blue eyes as she took in the small shop.

Daisy smiled. "Not at all. We were finished. Would you like to look at our fresh bouquets, or did you have something specific in mind? I'm Daisy, by the way — one of the owners."

The woman gave her a crooked smile. "Ah, Daisy ... hence the name of the shop. I'm Julia."

"Nice to meet you. The name wasn't my idea, believe me. My grandma started the place when I was young enough to think having a store named after me was the best thing since sliced bread. Can I help you find something?"

"I'm not really sure what I want. Let me look a minute, I guess."

Julia wandered over to the floral display case, grace in her movements. She wore quality black slacks and a trendy top. The bag and shoes looked like designer wear. In other words, she wasn't from around here.

Daisy wiped the lacquered counter and restocked the floral cards and envelopes. When she was finished, the woman was still perusing the case.

Daisy stepped out from behind the counter. "What's the occasion, Julia? Maybe I can help."

"Well ... I guess you could say they're for an old friend."

"Man or woman?"

"Man, but ..."

"Hmm. Something cheery, maybe? Spring's a great time for colorful blooms." Daisy slid open the case and pulled out a cellophane-wrapped arrangement of yellow roses, white lilies, and blue delphinium. "What do you think? This one isn't too feminine. I love the lemon leaf with the roses."

"That's the very one I was eyeing."

She smiled. "You have great taste."

"Let's do it then."

Daisy carried the bouquet to the counter and began ringing up the purchase. The cellophane crinkled as Julia picked up the bouquet and took a whiff.

"What brings you to Copper Creek? Just visiting your friend?"

"Kind of. I'm just passing through. I've never been to Georgia before. To be honest, I didn't even know there were mountains here."

"It's all we have up north. The Appalachian Trail starts not far from here. We get a lot of people passing through town, especially in the summer."

"It's a lovely town."

"Well, it's small, but it's home. I love the people and the familiarity of it all. You know how it is ... Everybody knows everybody."

"And their business?" Julia gave her a wan smile as she pulled a bill from her wallet.

"Sometimes." Daisy laughed. "Okay, most of the time. But the pros outweigh the cons, to my way of thinking. Where are you from?"

"North Carolina, the...