Full Bloom

tracked down the guy who was holding her for ransom five years ago."
    "Is that right?" Jacob studied Diane more closely, and then he smiled his cryptic smile. "Did she tell you that when I came through the window all set to deal with a crazed maniac wielding a gun. I found Emily playing gin rummy with her kidnapper? He had put the gun down on a table and Emily was keeping score. Everything was so calm and ordinary that I thought I'd broken into the wrong cabin."
    "No," Diane murmured with great interest, "she didn't tell me that part. But Emily has a way of charming the strangest people. Who won the gin game?"
    "It wasn't funny," Emily said reproachfully. "I felt very sorry for that poor man. He was mentally ill, but he never really meant any harm. He was just feeling alone and desperate."
    Jacob shook his head. "Amazing, isn't it?" he said to Diane. "The guy kidnaps her at gunpoint, holds her for nearly forty-eight hours and then she says she felt sorry for him."
    "Well, I did feel sorry for him," Emily muttered. "But the main reason I started the gin game was to get him to put down the gun. I was getting nervous having it pointed at me all the time."
    "I can imagine," Diane said, shaking her head with the same disbelieving air Jacob had used. "You're right, Mr. Stone. It is amazing. Good night, you two." She picked up her purse and headed for the door. "Hope you both have a great time playing in the soap suds. See you, Emily." She was out the door before Emily could think of an excuse to get her to stay. The shop seemed very quiet after she left.
    "I thought you'd be back in Portland by now," Emily said as she put the jonquils in the cooler.
    "I flew back Saturday morning, picked up some things and drove back to Seattle today." He was watching her intently.
    "Just to make sure I follow orders regarding Damon Morrell? You really do go above and beyond the call of duty, don't you?"
    "I came back to see you, Emily," he said steadily
    "Did you?" She realized the strange feeling she felt inside herself was from some new and alien form of excitement. It was as if she had been anticipating Jacob's arrival all day, which was patently ridiculous. Desperately she tried to calm herself.
    "I had to take care of the Morrell situation for your family first, Emily. Then I thought I'd give you a day or so to put things back into perspective. Do you understand about Morrell?"
    She thought of what it must be like as a trusted employee to receive a direct request from the boss. What else could Jacob have done except agree to handle Morrell, she wondered. "Yes, I understand."
    He nodded, clearly relieved at her unexpectedly reasonable attitude. "I knew you would once you'd had a chance to think about it. Your relationship with him was dangerous for you. But that's all behind us now." He hesitated and then said bluntly, "I'd like to take you to dinner tonight."
    "Jacob, I—"
    He cut her off quickly, his brows forming a heavy, intent line. "I know you're probably still a little upset with me for my part in that business with Morrell, but you're an intelligent woman, Emily. You know I only did what I had to do. So did your family, for that matter. Let me take you to dinner." He smiled bleakly. "I owe you that much, at least."
    Emily scowled at him, not liking the way he had phrased that last part. It reminded her too much of his situation with her family. "I suppose you're the kind who always pays his debts?"
    He gave her an odd look. "Sure."
    "How unfortunate for you," Emily said, being deliberately evasive.
    "Dinner, Emily?"
    She studied him. Jacob Stone trying to be gently persuasive was an interesting sight. It was obviously very difficult for him. It was also strangely endearing in a way Emily could not quite explain. She had harbored a secret passion for him for so long, she reflected in quiet wonder. How could she possibly turn down an invitation from him?
    "All right," she agreed rashly. "Maybe you do owe me a meal." She stuffed several more bunches of flowers into the cooler and closed the sliding glass door. "What time do you want to pick me up?"
    "Seven?" His gray eyes, normally so cold and bleak, were lit with the fires of a latent anticipation now.
    She smiled wryly. "You're in luck. As it happens, I'm free at seven tonight."
    There was definite satisfaction in Jacob's expression as he nodded his head. "Thanks, Emily."
    "For what?"
    "For giving me a chance." He turned and started to walk out of the shop. A fern caught his