Send Me No Flowers by Kristin Gabriel Read Free Book Online

too. Besides, her hair didn’t look that bad. It was a little poofy. And kind of flat on top. But he liked the way it made her appear taller. Statuesque. Even with that hair, Rachel Grant was a knockout.
    Too bad she was a kooky knockout An angry, kooky knockout, judging by the sparks in her big brown eyes. He never should have agreed to surprise her on the show. But when the station had called, asking if he’d like equal time to comment on this Valentine’s Day boycott, how could he refuse? Especially since the Chamber of Commerce had held an emergency meeting yesterday. The merchants of Love were worried about the economic repercussions if this boycott grew in popularity. And they all expected him to do something about it.
    Except they didn’t know Dr. Rachel Grant. So far, she’d thwarted his every attempt to discuss this boycott in a reasonable, rational manner. Even refused to return his telephone messages. Just to get her to listen to him, he’d had to resort to this surprise ambush of her on television.
    “These are for you,” he said, hoping she’d accept his conciliatory gesture. They’d gotten off to a rocky start. She’d believed he was impotent, and he’d believed she was a kook. He still thought she was a kook. But maybe just a misinformed kook.
    Candi squealed. “ Oooh, just look at those beautiful roses!” She turned to the camera. “Courtesy of Fiorelli’s Florist at Ninth and Baltic. Fiorelli’s can make your Valentine’s Day a rosy one. Stop in and take advantage of their Sweetheart Specials.”
    Drew inched the bouquet closer to Rachel, feeling even more foolish when she folded her arms under her breasts and glared at him. How long did she expect him to stand here?
    “Don’t they make a cute couple?” Candi gushed, while the audience hooted and clapped. “Mayor Lavery, why don’t you tell us what Valentine’s Day means to you?”
    He cleared his throat, eager to take advantage of this opportunity. “Valentine’s Day is vital to our economic prosperity, Candi. Hundreds of couples come from all over the state to celebrate the most romantic day of the year in Love.”
    Candi whirled around to Rachel. “What do you have to say to that, Dr. Grant.”
    Rachel leveled her frosty gaze on Drew. “I’d say that Mayor Lavery sounds more interested in the city’s pocketbook than its citizens. A recent study shows that some holidays, especially Valentine’s Day, can trigger feelings of loneliness and depression in a significant percentage of the population.”
    Candi turned to Drew. “And your response, Mayor Lavery?”
    “We all know studies like that can be biased. But numbers are black-and-white. If we want our city to prosper, we can’t afford to give into a bogus boycott just to indulge some bleeding hearts.”
    “Bleeding hearts?” Rachel echoed, her voice rising. “I’ll have you know that the supporters of this boycott are tax-paying citizens who deserve to have their voices heard in this city. Especially when those taxes go to support an overblown Valentine’s Day budget that includes extravagant decorations and sponsoring a sexist beauty pageant.”
    Drew dropped the bouquet onto her empty chair, ready to do battle. “Listen, Rachel, that pageant is the highlight of the celebration. Little girls all over Love dream about becoming Miss Valentine.”
    She rolled her eyes. “I think you mean little boys dream about Miss Valentine, especially when she’s wearing a red-hot bikini. In the middle of February! And that includes all the little boys sitting on the judges panel.”
    The audience gasped. Everybody in Love knew that the mayor headed up the judges panel.
    Drew wondered when he’d lost control of this debate. If she wanted to fight dirty, he’d oblige her. “Jealousy is not a sound reason for a boycott. Not every woman can be Miss Valentine.”
    “Jealousy?” she sputtered. “I’m not jealous. The only thing those contestants get out of the pageant is