“Okay,” I said after she’d placed them approximately where I’d planned. “I’ll experiment with our ideas and see what happens. If you don’t like it...” I shrugged.
“We’ll adjust.”
I finished mid-morning. After cleaning up my tools and litter, I grabbed a bottle of water and chugged it down while I admired the bed hugging the patio. I’d have to come back out here next summer, to see what it looked like once the plants had settled in.
Turning, I watched the Beings. Since the Miltons had left twenty minutes ago and Scott wouldn’t be back to check for at least a half-hour, Camarin and Grant had come to an agreement to complete the wall prep at their more typical warp speed.
I moved to stand beside Grant. “This looks amazing.”
“Indeed,” Camarin said, surveying the trench. “What shall we do next?”
Grant arched his eyebrow. “Scott will return soon and give us another assignment.”
“We cannot be sure when that will happen. He has two rain gardens in his plans. We could start on one.”
“Rain gardens are not required for August first. Scott might wish to put us on another project for the wedding site.”
“He mentioned rain gardens yesterday.”
“But not today. We’ll wait until he directs us further.”
She exhaled loudly. “He has not designed them sufficiently large for this property. If we could get one constructed before the next storm, he would see the flaw.”
That sounded like a valid concern to me. “Will we have a big rain anytime soon?”
Camarin nodded. “It will begin Saturday evening and continue through Sunday. There might be enough runoff to provide a test of his design.”
Grant flexed his jaw stubbornly. “Not unless Scott asks.”
“We could make subtle changes at the location.”
“He is observant for a human. He would notice.”
“If he does, he’ll forgive us. Perhaps even be grateful.”
“Although the timing is unfortunate, he has the right to make mistakes. Failure is a profound teacher.” Grant crossed his arms. “Why are you challenging me, Camarin? This is my case.”
“In disagreements between us, someone must have the deciding vote. I think it should be me.”
“You want to take the lead?”
“Yes.”
Her demand would’ve pissed me off. But not Grant. His expression was almost comically bewildered.
“Why should I relinquish control? You have no experience with this type of assignment.”
“I have seniority.”
“We are both principals.”
Abruptly, she tucked her chin and stared at her boots, the intensity of her emotions withdrawing into something remote.
He studied the top of her head with its shiny, dark hair, his brow creased.
The day had come to a standstill. Insects buzzed in the garden. The breeze stirred leaves. The sunlight beat down. And the three of us just stood here, blocked.
His breathing quickened as his expression changed from bewilderment to awe. “Perhaps you’ve acquired ... qualifications of which I was unaware.”
