Guns & Tulips

Chapter 3: Sometimes Suprises are Good...

***Penni***

I smile, he doesn't look like a Westly. "Well, Westly, you gave me quite a scare! I thought you were a dead man!" he frowns a bit. I sigh and rinse the wash cloth, again, and wipe his face. He has bright red hair, green eyes, and a northern accent. He'll stand out like a sore thumb, but I wonder why the Hillis' would attack him...

"Thank you, again." I smile. "No, it was my natural instinct! Well I had a doctor look at you, and he said you are to have plenty of fluids, and bed rest. So I'm going to get some lunch and I'll bring you back a drink. Anything you want in particular?" he shook his head and smiled. I blush and head out the door to the kitchen.

I walk into my little kitchen, and I see him trying to fix his perpetually crooked tie. I laugh, and go help him. "Thanks again." I say, re-tying the black tie. Kiven's outfit today was black slacks and tie, with a dark purple shirt, and of coarse the lab coat that marks him as a doctor. "Did Benny pick a fight with you?" Kiv just sticks his tongue out, and I giggle. I get Westly a glass of water and laugh as I watch Kiven dodge Romeo, even though his fur is black. "So, what's his name?" I pick Romeo up and put him on the couch. "Westly Wood." Kiven wiggles his eyebrows and heads down. I slap his butt and head back to Westly. I give him the glass and hand him the remote to my T.V. and pile a couple books by his side. "The phone is on the nightstand if you want to call someone, and so help me if I find you out of bed today!" He chuckles at my threat. "Well anyway, I have to open my shop, so if you need anything call this number." I hand him my business card and leave.

I quickly head down the stair and flip the sign. I put on my apron and grab the broom. Doing something normal give me some comfort. I hear the door jingle and I turn to welcome the customer. "Oh, honey! You look dreadful!" Benny says and hugs me. "That was my favorite dress too!" oh, I forgot to change...

"Benny! I was going to call you!" He gives me that look that says he knows I'm lying,and sets his giant bag on my little front counter so I amend my sentence, "Eventually." He laughs, but then gets all serious. "So, how hot is this mystery man?" When he said that I blush. "That's beside the point, so what's happening between you and Kiv? I saw he dressed himself this morning." Benny laughs. "Oh, he just wore me out last night." I blush and face palm, which makes Benny laugh. "No, really I was just tiered form work." I want to hear more, but he's really tight lipped about his job. Not even Kiven knows what he does to earn money. I kind of don't and want to know at the same time. I have been trying to find out since Kiven first introduced us.

I pout, and Benny pats my head. "Now, lets go see Mr. Pin-cushion!" I giggle, but pull back as he tries to pull me along with him up stairs. "Not right now. He just woke up, and I just opened the shop. If you want to spend time with me, then grab and apron." I think I played into his hand because he goes to his bag and pulls a frilly pink apron with white lace. "I promise to be a big help!" he says, as he tries to put it on. I sight and help him. "Thanks"

The day goes by pretty quickly. We straitened up the shop, and a man came in at the last minute and bought a bouquet. "forgot the anniversary?" I ask. He blushes and hangs his head in shame. I laugh and pick up some roses, red tulips, pansies, scarlet pinks, an orchid, and peonies. I tell him what each meant as I assemble it. I use baby's breath as a breaker, and give him some advice. "Go home, cook dinner, give her some chocolates, and this bouquet. When you do, tell her what each flower means. She'll love it." he nods and smiles. After that we close the shop, and Benny kisses my cheek. "See you tomorrow, flora!" I cringe at the nickname, and head up stairs to Westly.