Shannon read them again. “Update the front landscaping with new plants that work with the existing hedges. Tear out the side yard plants and run grass to the fence line.” She looked at him. “They want to put play equipment there for their kids?”
“That’s what she said.”
“I don’t know that grass is a good solution. It would be safer to get those thick play mats instead. I was reading about the ones that don’t absorb the heat, which is important here in the summer. They’d cost more than just putting in grass, but they wouldn’t need any maintenance, like mowing or watering. We could leave the sprinkler system in place, but cap it at the main line. That way if they ever change their minds and want to put the yard back in, they don’t have to worry about the sprinklers.”
They were in his trailer office, sitting at the small conference table. Aaron smiled as he relaxed back in his chair. “That’s a great idea. She’ll love it. What about the rest of it? Can we do it?”
“We can. We have to have another conversation with the owners to clarify what they want to do with that side yard, but for us it doesn’t matter which way they go. We’re perfectly capable.”
She picked up his phone and scrolled through the pictures ofthe front yard. “The hedges are in good shape, and the house is really cute. I wonder if they’d be interested in us adding color every four or five months. Just a few flats of pretty flowering plants. I can work out some ideas and bids for that.”
Aaron relaxed. “So we’re good?”
“We are. This is going to be a fun project.”
“Only because you’re going to help me with it. I couldn’t deal with this on my own.”
Her stomach immediately twisted with nerves as she recognized the opening she’d been waiting for. While her plan wasn’t complete, she was far enough along that she felt comfortable talking to him about it. Assuming she could grow a pair and find the courage.
“I want to talk about that,” she said, pulling her tote from the chair next to her. “About us and the business.”
“Sure. What’s up?”
She told herself Aaron loved her and that they worked well together. She had to trust him and trust herself to handle whatever he had to say when she was done.
“I’ve finally figured out what I want to do with my life, careerwise.”
His eyes brightened. “Yeah? Good for you. Tell me.”
“I want to work with you.”
She watched him as she spoke, looking for signs of concern or annoyance. Instead he grinned at her with obvious delight.
“You do?”
“Yes, but I want you to hear me out because I’ve been coming up with a plan.”
“I’m listening.”
She pulled out the brochure for the technical college, then opened her laptop.
“I want to get my AAS in environmental horticulture. It’ll take two years, but I think it’s smarter in the long run than just getting a growing certificate.”
She opened Excel and walked him through her spreadsheet. “I still have the rest of my college fund, so the tuition is pretty much paid for. I have savings. I can start in September, which means I can give my mom plenty of notice before I quit. I figure while I’m in school I can work for you or get a part-time job if you’d rather.” She looked at him. “What do you think? I mean, I know it’s your business, so maybe you don’t want me—”
He stood and pulled her to her feet, then hugged her tight. “You’re amazing,” he said, his arms strong and steady, just like him. “You’re trusting me with your future.”
She kissed him. “I’m marrying you, so that’s pretty much a given.”
“That’s different, Shannon.” He drew back a little and took her hands in his. “You’re trusting me with everything. I want this. I want us working together. We’ll be great. You know a different side of the business. When you get your AAS, we can talk about expanding.”
She nodded. “I want to start looking for a freelance landscape architect. Once we have someone we trust, we can look for bigger projects. I can be the point of contact and handle all the details of that, while you take care of the physical work.”
Happiness flooded her, making her giddy. There was so much to do, so much to look forward to.
“I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before,” she told him. “It makes sense for us to work together.”
“It’s been on my mind,” he admitted. “But I didn’t want to push or anything.”
