All You Need Is One, Part Four (Short Story)

If you missed Part One, you can find it here. If you missed Part Two, you can find it here. If you missed Part Three, you can find it here.

When his dad’s business friend knocked on the door, Carson stood to answer it. He thought a bit sadly that he might just miss this part of the business. But Valerie’s face came to mind and quickly banished that thought. As a result, he was smiling when he opened the door. 

“Come on in,” he said jovially. He turned from the older gentleman to the young lady standing at his side. His smile soon morphed into shock, mirroring the look on her face. Valerie spoke first, in a voice barely above a whisper. “Carson. Why are you here?” 

His mouth firmed into a line, wariness creeping into his expression. “I should ask you the same thing.”

Sam’s hand was on Carson’s shoulder. “Son, this isn’t the way to treat my oldest friend and his daughter. Let Tom and Valerie in.”

Carson whirled to see his dad, whose face barely hid a grin. “You…know Valerie?” His eyes swung back to meet Valerie’s, but she was hurrying down the hall as fast as she could in a business suit and high heels. 

“Valerie!” Tom called after her. Valerie was already getting on the elevator, anger settling into her shoulders. As the elevator doors closed, the look in her eyes squeezed Carson’s heart like a vise. 

Tom settled into the chair across from Sam’s desk with a deep sigh. “I didn’t expect it to go quite like that.”

Sam looked sheepish. “Maybe we went a little far, Tom.”

Carson’s tone was respectful but clipped. “Can you please explain what’s going on, Dad?”

He listened with disbelief as the men took turns explaining the details that drew the four of them to Sam’s office on Carson’s last day. When they were finished, he turned to his dad with suspicion. “Why did you put Valerie in the cottage right next to mine anyway? Were you trying to set us up?”

Sam shook his head decidedly. “No, son. Of course not. I only have those two cottages, you know. I was just doing Tom a favor.” He looked up at his son. “Would that matter if I had?”

Carson thought of the last seven months he and Valerie had been neighbors. He thought of all the hours they had shared. Of all the single roses he had given her. Of the love he had for her. Instead of answering his dad, he rushed out to the elevator to find Valerie. But he had something else he had to do first.

~~~~~

Valerie sat in her dad’s car, head in her hands. She had been so happy these last seven months. She had trusted and loved Carson. He seemed so different than Ned and the other guys who just wanted her dad’s money. And to think all along he knew! Another guy just after her money. “How could I be so stupid? Again!” She clenched her fists in her lap, but she refused to cry. She had already shed too many tears for Ned. 

The car door eased open. She refused to look at her dad. Stonily, she stared out her car window. “I thought he was different from Ned. I had no idea he knew about me, about my money. He didn’t bring me huge bouquets. He only brought me a single rose at a time. It was supposed to be…special. He said the rose represented Jesus’ love. Even Ned didn’t pretend to love Jesus. I can’t believe Sam told his renter about me. He seemed like such a trustworthy guy. Like you.” Suddenly her heart floundered. “Wait…did you know about this, too?” She whirled to face the driver’s seat with accusation etched into her features. Instead of her dad, Carson sat there quietly, holding a single red rose.

“No, Valerie. I did not know about this. I also don’t know about Ned. It seems like there is a lot we still don’t know about each other.” 

He leaned forward and pressed the rose gently into her hand. She stared at it dumbly, so he went on. “I will go first. Sam is not my landlord. He is my dad and business partner. When my mom died two years ago, I took a break from the business. I was at the office this morning to sign my part of the business over to my dad. He told me about the ten properties he was gaining from his business friend and reminded me I would be missing out on the buy-in and the profit if I insisted on getting out of the business. When I told him I was sure about it, he asked me if I would stay today and give my input one last time before I moved on. I barely remember your father since I was just a little boy when he was our neighbor. I’m sure my dad kept contact with him, but I only knew his name from the paperwork I saw today.”

Valerie’s eyes locked into his, willing him to be telling the truth. “Wh…why were you getting out of the business?”

Sam picked up her hand that was not holding the rose. “Valerie, I want to marry you. I didn’t want anyone to marry me for my money. I didn’t know you were anything but one of Dad’s renters. I wanted…I want to live with you in my cottage. At least it will be all mine once I buy it from my dad. That’s the only property I am keeping. I want to live there with you as my wife. I am going to pursue my gardening business. We won’t be rich, but we will be happy.” He paused and took a deep breath. “At least that’s what I wanted until I found out you are in business with your dad. Tom says you are selling all your properties to my dad. Why are you doing that?”

The tears flowed then. Valerie told him haltingly about Ned’s betrayal. “I never wanted money to be in the way of love again. I’ve never been happier than in my little cottage next door to you. I think the only thing that would be better is to…to share yours with you.” She looked up at him shyly, droplets still clinging to her lashes. 

Carson leaned towards her, pulling her into his arms. Just as he was lowering his lips to meet hers, they sensed movement outside the car. They looked up to see their fathers clapping loudly with huge smiles on their faces. Valerie rolled her eyes and looked at Carson. “Should we forgive them?” Carson grinned slyly. “Let’s. But after this.” He deepened the kiss and drew it out until they were both breathless and laughing. Getting out of the car, they walked towards the two men, who didn’t look sorry in the least. 

~~~~~

The early summer morning could not have been more beautiful. One of Valerie’s bridesmaids put the finishing touches on her hair as another fluffed the long train of her gown. The third bridesmaid looked out the window. “Your dad’s here, Valerie.” She turned and gave her a gentle hug so she wouldn’t wrinkle her dress. “We’ll head out back and give you two a few minutes.”

As they walked out, Valerie turned to meet her dad. His eyes misted as he scanned his daughter. “It’s like seeing your mother all over again,” he said huskily. Valerie disregarded her carefully arranged dress and hair and hugged him close. “Thank you, Dad, for everything. I’m glad I’m still going to work with you. But this,” she gestured to the window, compassing the cottage beyond that would be her home with her new husband, “this is home now.” 

Tom smiled. “I know, and I am so happy for you and Carson. Your mother would love him, too.” He glanced out the window toward Carson’s back yard. “It looks like the wedding party is all set up. I can see a nervous-looking guy out there waiting for you. Are you ready?”

Valerie smiled broadly, lifting a perfect single red rose from the side table. “I’m ready.” Her dad looked around. “Where’s your bouquet?” She lifted the rose to his nose then to hers. “It’s right here. When it comes to roses and love, all you need is one.” 

Thank you for reading my short story. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.