There was talk in the shop that morning about a new person in town. Kate, already irritable and sweaty from the heat of an Indiana June day, wasn't surprised nor impressed by the gossips that frequented her shop.

The old ladies would stand there gossiping among the plaid paper that their flowers were wrapped in, and the fragrant flowers of Kate's trade, as though it was high tea at the Plaza hotel, and not a flower shop in the middle of nowhere.

"What does it matter?" she called from the counter, where she was wrapping up some flowers. Lake Allen was a tourist town. "There are new people here at least every week."

"No, no, this is different." Mrs. Abernathy declared.

"Yes, this one's staying for the whole summer!"

"Probably unemployed," Mrs. Chisholm sniffed.

Kate rolled her eyes, handing the bouquet of daisies to Mrs. Abernathy. "Don't you ladies have something better to do than stand around and gossip in here?"

They all turned to see her leaning against the counter, remembering that they weren't alone in the flower shop. Mrs. Chisholm broke the silence first, "Well, ladies, I just remembered, I have to meet Gavin down by the docks."

"Taking you on another boat ride is he?" Mrs. Abernathy smirked.

"Well of course, he still thinks he might get a chunk of my inheritance." Still gossiping about the benefits of having summer dalliances with younger men, the trio of women left, the bell tinkling above the door as they did.

Kate sagged back into a seat, trying to relax. She untied the back of her plaid apron, and wondered if ten in the morning was too early to take a lunch break. She turned in her seat, reaching up and turning on the radio. It crackled with static and poor reception, and faded in and out for a second, before settling on her favourite station.

She stretched in her chair, irritable from being cooped up behind the counter. All she really wanted to do was go home and curl up below the blankets again, ignoring the events of the last three weeks. Sleep until fall, when the town dried up again. She closed her eyes, daydreaming. The tourists were just starting to arrive, she had a chance to relax before things really got busy…

The door opened, just as she was humming along to the song playing on the radio. Her head snapped up, her eyes flying open, only to find her best friend shaking her head as she stared down at her.

"You really picked the worst time to take a nap, K."

"Mer," she stretched again. "What time is it?"

"Almost eleven."

"Shit, was I dozing that long?" She stood up, retying the strings of her plaid apron, noticing that her clothes underneath were sticking to her with sweat. First order of business: get a new work uniform.

"Are you sure you're good to work?" Whatever Meredith was carrying, it had the fragrance of food. No doubt from the café.

"I told you, I'm fine. I need the distraction. If I sit at home all summer, then I'm going to lose my mind."

"Why can't Dan or Rachel do it?" Meredith asked, crossing her arms.

"They have their own lives."

"They're supposed to get involved too, Kate. You shouldn't have to do it by yourself."

Kate frowned as she looked at her best friend, self-consciously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She sighed, "One summer won't kill me, Mer. Now, did you bring me food?"

"I did. A nice grilled cheese and a coffee."

"Wow. I love you," she said with such heartfelt gratitude that Meredith laughed.

"I know, I know. I love you too. Hey come by the café soon, okay? Drew and I have a little something for you."

"A one-way ticket to a tropical paradise?" Kate asked, brightening.

"No." Mer handed over the bag, "Don't go eating it all at once."

"Hey. Thanks, Really."

She leaned over the counter and kissed Kate on the forehead, "Take care of yourself sweetheart." And then she was gone, leaving Kate to sit alone at the counter, fighting off the urges to put her head down and sleep.

The phone rang, jarring her out of it. She grabbed at it quickly, her heart pounding in her chest. "Highland Flowers, Kate speaking."

"Is Jean there?"

"May I ask who's calling?" she leaned against the shelves, turning down the radio.

"It's Mr. Alexander. From the Sunshine Cottages? On the lake?"

"Hey, Mr. Alexander. What can I do for you?"

"I was looking for your grandmother, young lady."

"I'm afraid it's just me right now." She laughed, nervously, biting at the edge of her nail as she waited for an answer. It was a nervous response, usually preceding the start of a breakdown.

"Oh… I see. Well… I have a customer here who will be staying the whole summer, and I was wondering if I could send him to you? He inquired about fresh flowers, and your place was the only one I could think of."

"Sure, Mr. Alexander. That's fine. Send him on by this afternoon. Or whenever is convenient. And say hi to your wife for me."

"Thank you Caitlin." He hung up, and she set the phone back in its cradle. From below the counter, she pulled her latest paperback, a ragged mystery novel she'd borrowed from Meredith's husband. Opening the paper bag, she dug into her lunch, before turning the radio back up.

She couldn't sing worth a damn, but she would enjoy herself, damn it. Maybe even treat herself to dinner later that night. Or considering her appetite as of late, she would have a glass of wine and go to bed.

XNCISX

She was going through the fresh flowers, making an arrangement for the restaurant, cursing to herself as she realized she really didn't have an eye for it. She was also singing along to the radio, twirling around with the sunflowers, "Here comes the sun…." she was humming to herself, barely hearing the bell over the door chime.

She whirled around, only to see a man and an adorable young girl, standing in front of her. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, as she stopped singing.

He grinned at her, "Would you be the owner of this fine establishment…" he took in the disheveled clothing and hair, and the plaid apron, "Ma'am?"

"Yes." She stuck out a hand, feeling idiotic, "I'm Kate."

"Nice place to work," he gestured around them, not giving his name, "Surrounded by flowers all day."

"Except during allergy season," she replied dryly.

He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. The young girl with him was looking through the flowers, sniffing a few here and there. She couldn't be much older than ten. "Quite the theme you've got goin'. I was expectin' thistles."

"Hilarious. I've only heard that joke about seven hundred times since I started working here," she leaned against the counter, "You still haven't told me your name, but I'd guess you're the mysterious new man in town."

He was baffled, "What gave it away? The kid with me? The charm?"

"No, the gossipy ladies in the shop this morning. You better not stay here too long," she leaned in, "Or they'll be announcing our engagement within the week."

He looked surprised for a second, and then cleared his throat, "Mr. Alexander sent me. To get flowers. For my cottage." The little girl glared at him, and he amended his statement. "Our cottage."

"So you really do want to stay here all summer? Are you crazy?" The words were out before she could stop them.

"Here until the end of September."

"Your job must have great vacation time."

"Well, we aren't all stuck wearin' plaid aprons, ya know."

"Thanks for the observation, Mr…?"

"Oh. Gibbs." He sighed, as if rehearsing a long speech. "Leroy Jethro Gibbs."

"And what brings you to Lake Allen, Leroy Jethro Gibbs?" She couldn't keep the smile from her face, but he merely smiled back, shaking his head.

"I came to build a boat," he said, looking her in the eye. His eyes were blue, the exact blue of the curtains in her little house.

"A boat? Ambitious."

"Dad?" The girl called. She and Gibbs both turned.

"Yeah, Kelly, what is it?"

"Can we get sunflowers?" she asked.

"'Course we can. Anything ya want."

"I want sunflowers."

"Kelly. That's a pretty name," Kate offered. "To match a pretty girl."

Gibbs' smile faded a bit, but then amped up again when he saw that she'd noticed. "She looks like her mom, not me."

Kate looked at his hand, only to notice that he, much like herself, did not wear a wedding ring. But the living proof of a coupling was right in front of her. He noticed she was observing him.

"Kelly?" she asked.

The girl smiled back at her, "You said your name was Kate right?"

"Yeah. Do you want help picking out your flowers?" she offered.

"No. I've got it."

"Well if you pick ten, I'll give you two for free. A dozen, fair and square."

Kelly smiled, before noticing Kate's book on the counter. "What are you reading?"

"A murder mystery. You like books?"

Kelly nodded, staring with interest at the book. "Yeah. Definitely."

"She made me lug six tons of books here for the summer. Doesn't know the meanin' of the word outside," he ruffled a hand through Kelly's hair, as she grinned and smacked it away.

"Dad!"

"Well, Kelly," Kate started wrapping the flowers she'd picked, "I'll have you know that I have an entire library of books, and if you want to borrow them, you can come anytime. If it's okay with your dad, of course."

"Am I welcome too?" he asked.

"I just assumed you'd be too busy with this boat-building scheme you've got." She handed over the flowers. "ten dollars please."

"For such a nice arrangement? How are ya keepin' afloat when you undercharge for such pretty flowers?"

"Prices are set. Take them or leave them." She said, crossing her arms.

"Daaaad." Kelly sighed, grabbing the ten from her father and smacking it on the counter. "Stop teasing her."

Gibbs shook his head, with an eye roll towards his daughter, before turning to Kate. "Where can I get some good food in this town, Miss…?"

"Oh." She realized she hadn't told him her last name. "Todd. Kate Todd. And you can try the Anchor Diner. They have good food, and the milkshakes are to die for."

Kelly piped up. "Are there mozzarella sticks?"

"Are those your favorite?" Kate asked. When Kelly nodded, she grinned. "Mine too. You have to try them, they're amazing. And they definitely have them at the diner. And if you go them, tell them that you know me. You'll get a great deal." She winked at Kelly, who smiled back.

Until Gibbs had to ruin it. "Ya tryin' to imply that we're some kinda charity case?"

"If I am, I'm only repaying you in kind!" she snapped.

"What's that supposed to mean, Katie?"

"I told you, my name is Kate!" She opened the cash register, stuffing the money in with aggression. "And telling me I undercharge on flowers, when in fact I have owned this business for a whopping three weeks."

"I'm sure you've done a fine job." It was likely meant to diffuse tension, but it only served to make her feel worse.

"Well, y'know," she said, glaring at him, "it's amazing what someone with little business experience can do. And at least I have employment for the summer."

"Touché." He nodded. "I believe this round goes to ya, Kate. See ya around." Kelly followed him out the door, and Kate collapsed against the counter, sighing. Her head was pounding. She hadn't eaten in hours. And her verbal battle with that infuriating man had only delayed closing time. She locked up the shop, deciding it was definitely time to head home.

XNCISX

She was sitting on the back porch, staring out at the sunset, a glass of wine beside her. The wind coming off the lake was chilly, but she didn't feel like moving. The birds were chirping, and the mosquitos would be out soon, but what did it matter?

She was embarrassed about how she'd acted earlier. The only man in town who didn't know her, and she'd likely chased him far away. At least his daughter had seemed friendly.

But what had been up with the ambiguous answer? I came to build a boat.

Who came to a tourist town in the middle of Indiana, far away from any decent pretense of civilization to build a boat? He could probably build one in his own basement, if he was so inclined. And yet, here she was, judging the life of strangers.

Her stomach growled, but she ignored it, deciding instead to go watch a movie. She stood up, only to realize that her back door was jammed. Sighing, she walked the length of the house on the wraparound porch, letting herself in the front door instead. And yet she paused at her door.

Lying on her welcome mat was a single sunflower, a little wilted from the heat of the day. There was no note or anything with it, just a solitary flower lying there like an apology. Or a reproach. She picked it up, walking inside and putting it in a vase on her bedside table.

And then she crawled into bed, deciding that she had had enough for one day. She stuck her nose against the faded quilt of her bed, trying to smell the lingering scent of flowers and lavender hand cream, finding herself close to tears when she realized the scent was fading.

She fell asleep to the sound of waves on the lake, trying not to cry.