“Good.Good, then we can look to get more seedlings in, if they agree.”Ernest handed a plate of cake to Toby, which thankfully didn’t resemble a penis any longer because that might have been a little awkward to eat in front of Rick.“It’ll still take weeks to sort it all out.”
There was a glumness that Toby hated after the delight of moments ago.“I can help, you know, after work.Or maybe take some vacation time.I’m a quick learner, and I promise I’m nowhere near as clumsy as Morty.”Toby had gotten a tour of the planting fields on Wednesday after work while the sun was setting.A lilac sky had given the fields an ethereal feel as they’d wandered hand in hand while Ernest talked about how he’d built up his flower business.There was something peaceful about being amongst the heavenly fragrant earth and seedlings that Toby would never have considered he’d love with his nose being a little too sensitive to strong smells.
Yes, yes, that’s all wonderful, but you promised I would get to meet his elephant today,his animal interjected.
We’re having a nice time and see, Rick is relaxing around us, so you’ll just have to wait.
I’ve waited long enough.An entire week.
Behave!
“You won’t mind getting your hands dirty?”
Rick sounded a little skeptical, but Toby didn’t hold it against him as he nodded.He’d been Pierre’d too!
The man was dedicated, and Toby understood why he was so upset about the damage Pierre had caused.He would be only too happy to help repair it since he had inadvertently caused some of the destruction.
Rick picked up the cake and gave it a sniff.
Toby struggled to hold back another giggle at his nose touching what was the head of a penis.“Nope.I’ve worked in the café for years, and that means cleaning public restrooms… some folks have real dirty habits when out, let me tell you!”He shut off all thoughts of the poo smeared toilet bowl and once up the wall too.Ernest didn’t need to know that.
“You don’t—”
Uncertainty, it was there, coming at Toby from Ernest.How Pierre hadn’t seen what a treasure Ernest was, totally baffled Toby, although he was grateful for that blessing because it meant Toby had nothing to worry about.“I want to help.What’s important to you is important to me.I think it’ll be fun to work among the plants.And learning about what you love will just make me feel closer to you.”Toby fluttered his eyelashes at Ernest flirtatiously.And it’ll be fun watching all those muscles of yours getting a workout… a type of foreplay, don’t you think?
Oh, my…
The sexy groan that followed was all in Toby’s head.
So when Rick murmured, “Exactly,” softly Toby had a moment of panic he’d spoken aloud.But when he glanced at Rick there was nothing to suggest that, so he assumed that agreement was about him helping and released a relieved breath.
“This is a fantastic cake.”Rick munched away, his gaze traveling back to the box as Ernest and Toby sat.
“Morty is a great baker.And if there are any leftovers—those won’t be penis cakes, I assure you—then we take them home.”Toby giggled at the look of relief Rick wasn’t quick enough to hide.
He patted his shirtfront, where there wasn’t any sign of a bulge.“I can see I’ll need to be careful.”
Ernest snorted loudly.“With all the manual labor we do, you’ll have little to worry about, my friend.”
The conversation turned back to work, and Toby listened with interest.The two men were clearly very comfortable with each other and at times finished each other's sentences.
Ernest made an effort to include Toby in the conversation, making him grin when he was somewhat clueless about fertilizer and seeding regimes.
Amid a talk about which suppliers they needed to use for a Christmas delivery, Rick paused and glanced towards the open back door, a deep scowl forming.“You hear that!”
Toby’s bird’s hearing was good but evidently not to the same extent as Rick’s.Ernest got up right as Rick did, both marching towards the door in a rush.
He wouldn’t dare show up!
That came at Toby in a wave of panic, and he ran after the two men onto the back porch, only then catching the sounds of a fast-approaching car.
Toby squinted into the distance at the trail of dust left in the wake of the fancy car heading their way.A sinking feeling came from Ernest that matched Toby’s when he realized who was in the car—Ernest’s car.
Having seen Pierre twice, he was unforgettable, and Toby went and slipped his hand into Ernest’s.He was never known for being the most confident when it came to confronting someone, but in defending a friend and now his mate, Toby was all in.
He stood up straight to ensure he looked as tall as he could.Being short was a disadvantage, but he was fast, and his animal side had a mean beak if riled, like he was now.Don’t worry, we’ll show him he’s not welcome here.
Yes, we will,his bird affirmed to Toby.He won’t get to upset our mate again.
