When she hung up, Ethan asked, “What was that about?”
“Barry’s going to do the paths and grass.”Chelsea showed him the videos on social media.“I’m starting some social media profiles for Lilydale to record the restoration.”It was one of the first things on her to-do list.“He’s going to stay in a cabin, so the first step is making sure at least one is habitable.The outside needs a good clean, and I’m hoping the inside will be the same and nothing needs fixing.”
He nodded.“Then what?”
“By the weekend Barry will have done the grass and we can get stuck into the garden.Pruning everything will make an immediate difference, as will weeding and planting fresh annuals.”She could see the end result so clearly in her mind.“I’m hoping the bulbs will still be there if we clear out the weeds from those garden beds.”She showed him her list.“I need to find an engineer to examine the bridge and other structures around the garden, and someone to figure out why the harbour lake is dry.”Maybe it was something as simple as a broken pump.
“The order of the garden beds is so you can open parts of the garden earlier than others?”Ethan asked.
She smiled, not surprised he’d noticed.“Yes.I did the list from memory, so I’ll go out today and confirm I haven’t missed anything.”
“The Japanese garden could be done there.”He pointed.“If we close the path that leads further into the garden.And if the Bali gazebo is safe, a few pillows would make it a nice place to read or chill.”
His eyes met hers.Did he remember the times they’d spent reading together in the gazebo?The occasional brushes of their fingers, the excitement of sharing a good bit in their books?
She shifted a little further away.“I’ll check the tin Aunt Maggie had for gold coin donations is still secure.”
He looked back to the screen, but every nerve on her skin thrummed with awareness.She had to get him on board with the plan and then get as far away from him as possible.
By the time they’d gone through and revised the plan adding some of Ethan’s ideas, her stomach was grumbling.“Do you want something to eat?”She went into the kitchen, cursing her innate manners.She wasn’t supposed to be extending her time with him.“I’ve just got cereal.”
“That would be great.”His easy smile made her insides flutter.
Damn it.She turned to get what she needed out of the cupboard.If she was like this just from sitting next to him, what would she be like when he showered every day in the house?
She frowned.That was a point.She could hardly ask him to do all this work and let him sleep in a swag in the barn.“If you’re going to stay, take a cottage.”And that way he wouldn’t need to come near the house.
“Thanks.I’ll pay you rent.”
“Don’t be silly.”She waved a hand.“You’ll be more than paying for board with the work you do.”Which gave her an idea.If she got enough followers, maybe she could offer opportunities for people to stay for free in return for a few hours of their help in the garden.There were lots of projects on social media which captured people’s attention and made them want to help.She wrote another item on her list to investigate it later.
She placed the bowls, cereal and milk on the table, and Ethan helped himself.
It was time she got over this stupid attraction to him.Perhaps knowing what he’d been up to for the past ten years would help.“Is the friend who’s thinking about getting out of the army with Special Forces as well?”
He looked surprised by the question.“Yeah.My team leader.”
“Does that mean you’ll get a new one?”
“Yeah.”He frowned.
“I know little about the military,” Chelsea admitted.“Does the team leader go on missions?”She cringed, not sure if mission was the right terminology.
“Yeah.”
“Do you have a good team?”
“The best,” he replied without hesitation.“They’re my brothers.”
Chelsea’s heart swelled in her chest.He’d found a family.It would mean so much to him.Perhaps the armyhadbeen a better choice than staying with her.He had multiple people he could now turn to.“That’s good.I’m glad.”
He tilted his head.“You really are, aren’t you?”
She frowned.“Of course.You always wanted a family who cared for you.”
“I thought you’d be angrier at me.”
She pressed her lips together.He wanted to talk about it now?“It was a shock to see you again,” she admitted.“And I was devastated when you chose the army over me, but we were young.”She shrugged as if her entire world hadn’t ended back then.“We’re both different people now.There’s no point holding on to the anger.I’m pleased you’re happy.”It was the truth.There was a confident, settled side to him he hadn’t had when they were younger.
