Wildest Hearts

him.”

    “If you say so.” Bolt reached down to pick up her suitcase.

    Annie stepped into the ebony and gold foyer and started to strip off her raincoat. “Where is he?”

    “In the study.”

    “Thanks.” Annie handed her coat over to Bolt and went purposefully down the hall to the closed door of the study.

    She knocked once and opened the door.

    Oliver was sitting at his desk. His expression was perfectly controlled, as usual, but the glare of the halogen lamp revealed the tension in his face. Annie could not decide if he looked triumphant or merely coldly satisfied. She smiled wryly.

    “Hello, Oliver. I'm back.”

    “You're just in time for dinner,” Oliver said quietly. He got to his feet and walked around the desk.

    “Oliver, you are such an idiot at times. I know you love me, but you can't bear to let down your guard for even a minute, can you?” Annie chuckled. “You're going to infuriate me from time to time, but that's okay. I love you anyway.”

    “I'm glad,” Oliver whispered starkly. He opened his arms.

    Annie walked straight into them.

    Oliver lay awake for a long while that night. Annie was sound asleep beside him. Her soft, warm body was curled trustingly into his own. She was back where she belonged, safe in his bed. He had won. Everything was under control again.

    He stared into the shadows of the darkened bedroom and wondered why being completely in control no longer gave him the satisfaction it once had.

    Four days later Annie returned from lunch just in time to see a delivery van pulling away from the curb outside Wildest Dreams. She went forward eagerly in hopes that the shipment of art deco torchière lamps had arrived a few days ahead of schedule. Stanford J. Littlewood was waiting for one.

    She opened the door of the shop and came to an abrupt halt. The boutique was crammed with ferns. Wildest Dreams had been turned into a jungle.

    There were ferns everywhere. They filled the room until there was barely space in which to move. Maidenhairs and staghorns hung from every available hook. Pots overflowing with luxurious green fronds of every imaginable shape and size sat on the counter and on every display table. Lady ferns and sword ferns lined a narrow path that led to her office.

    “What on earth?” Annie looked around for Ella. “What's going on here?”

    “Beats me.” Ella poked her head out from behind a magnificent billowing maidenhair. “They started arriving just after you left for lunch. They've been pouring into the shop for the past hour.” She grinned. “There are a lot more in your office.”

    Dazed, Annie made her way slowly through the miniature rainforest. The warm, earthy scent of rich soil and lush greenery filled the air.

    This was Oliver's doing, she realized in growing wonder. Joy crashed through her. He had finally found a way to tell her of his love.

    And what a way it was.

    Some men would have sent dozens of red roses. Oliver had sent masses and masses of beautiful ferns.

    There was an odd flickering light coming from inside her office. Annie went toward it as if drawn by a magic spell. When she pushed open the door, she saw that the office was crammed with greenery.

    The flickering light was coming from a garish neon sculpture that sat on the top of her desk. The brightly glowing tubes of light spelled out three simple words in a glaring shade of purple.

    Annie stopped in the doorway and read the words over and over again. Tears of happiness formed in her eyes.

    I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.

    “What do you think?” Oliver asked softly from the corner. “Is it art? Or is it just tacky?”

    Annie looked at him. She had not dreamed she could be so happy. “Who cares? It's perfect.”

    Oliver started to smile. The smile turned to laughter. The laughter reached his rain-colored eyes making it easy to read the love there.

    “Oh, Oliver,” Annie whispered, “whoever said you had trouble communicating?”

    “I want you more than I've ever wanted anything else in my whole life, Annie. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I'd be lucky enough to find you. I love you.” He said the words easily, naturally, with no hesitation at all.

    Annie went into his arms knowing she would hear those words from him every day for the rest of her life.