“Sympathetic.”
Mila made a happy sound, but before Ethan could ask her what she meant by it, Dobby asked, “Where are you staying?”
“I’m camping in the barn on the property.”
Another happy squeal from Mila.“Then she can’t be holding a grudge.”
Or hadn’t quite processed his presence yet.“I’m free labour.She said I can tidy the garden while she decides whether they’re selling.”
“How big’s the property?”
Dobby’s interest made him frown.“You looking at buying?”
A pause which went on for a good long while before Dobby said, “I’m considering a few things.”
Ethan’s eyebrows rose.“What things?”
Dobby sighed.“I’m getting to the age where command wants me to go into a more leadership position.”
Leadership was code for desk job.“You’d hate it.”
“Yeah, but I can’t deny I’m getting older.I need to consider what I do post army.”
Ethan leaned against the porch post.“You thinking about getting out?”It wasn’t something Ethan had considered, not even with his injury.The army was the only place he felt as if he was worth anything.He glanced towards the house.There and in Chelsea’s arms.
“I’m playing with options.One of those is going into security.”
“So why the interest in the property?”
“We’d need somewhere to train.”
Interesting.Aunt Maggie had mentioned she owned the land behind the garden, but he hadn’t paid attention.“It might be a decent size.I can ask Chelsea.”
“Can’t hurt,” Dobby said.“Let me know how you go.I can come down on the weekend and help.”
“Ooh, definitely,” Mila agreed.“I want to meet Chelsea.”
Mila and Chelsea would get on well together, but he was slightly concerned about what Mila might say to her.“Thanks, mate.I’ll call you.”
Retirement wasn’t an option he’d considered, but if Dobby was serious about starting a security business, Ethan could help him set it up.He’d still be working with his teammate and doing the type of work he enjoyed.
And maybe he’d finally be able to call Lilydale his home.
He shook his head.He was getting ahead of himself.Dobby might not leave.
But that didn’t stop him from considering it as an option for himself…
He stared at the main house.It was mid-morning, so he’d find something to eat and take a break at the garden table where they’d always sat.
And maybe he’d see Chelsea.
He ignored the nerves in his belly as he walked back to the barn.
Chapter 7
By mid-morning Chelsea needed to get away.So much for the bathrooms being easy.She’d found the rubber duck and other bath toys she’d played with as a child tucked away in the back of one cupboard.She’d loved bath-time as none of the rentals she’d lived in had had baths.It felt so exciting to splash around at night after spending hours in the garden.
As she’d grown older it had been completely decadent to soak in the bath reading a book.She’d looked for an apartment with a bath in Sydney but it had been beyond her budget.
