Grant’s gaze met mine in the rearview mirror, his eyebrows rising with reproach.
I fixed my attention on the road. “You didn’t say it was a secret.”
“Thank you for your concern, Camarin. I rested well enough. Occasionally, I find myself taking an excess amount of time to fall asleep.”
“Did you bring a hammock?” she asked.
“I did. However, the problem is mental, not physical. I become too engrossed in recording notes from my day.”
“Perhaps—”
“Camarin, please.”
She huffed and straightened in her seat.
“Do not worry about my health any longer.” Grant’s voice was polite, but it retained an underlying edge. “Indeed, I expect its rapid improvement. A day’s supply of nutrients awaited me this morning. Is that your doing?”
“Of course.”
“Has my exception been approved?”
“All will be well now.”
Not exactly an answer to his question. I shot a quick look at her. She stared ahead, her face prim.
Once we arrived at the B&B, we found Scott kneeling by the flagstone patio at the rear of the house, the ground around him littered with flats of perennials.
After placing two more plants, he stood and waved us over. “There are a couple of projects for you today. The first is easy— planting this bed. I have everything positioned.”
We nodded our understanding.
“Okay, then.” He slipped his left arm into its sling as he led us to his truck. “The second project is more complicated. We’re creating two new beds, which will provide a border at the back of the lawn.” He reached into the cab and grabbed the plans. “The trail to the wedding site will bisect the beds. Mrs. Milton wants them to be pretty without being splashy.”
We followed him to where the lawn met the woods. The outline for the new beds lay clearly on the ground, curving in gentle sweeps.
“What are we to do?” Grant asked.
“One of my crews will be building a stacked stone wall. They might be out here tomorrow, although it’s more likely to be Saturday. I’d like you to prep the trench, so that it’s waiting on them.”
Camarin gestured at the pallet of stones sitting nearby. “We could build the wall.”
Scott struggled to contain his smile. “No, thanks. My guys already have it on their schedule.”
“But—”
“Camarin.” Grant shook his head. The silence vibrated with tension before she gave a sharp nod.
Scott adjusted his sling as he surveyed the yard. “Any questions?”
I turned toward the patio. “I’d like to handle the flowers around the patio. Do I need topsoil?”
“The bed is ready for you to plant. When you’re done, water everything from the cistern.” He gave me a big grin. “Other than that, keep it pretty.”
“Yes, sir.” I loved his attitude. Polite, willing to trust, and always in charge.
Grant gestured at the outline on the grass. “Camarin and I shall take the wall project.”
“Agreed,” Camarin added. “I’ll fetch what we require to dig a trench.” She went back to Scott’s truck with Grant one step behind her. While she hoisted an armful of shovels and rakes, he loaded bags of crushed rock into a wheel-barrow.
