She looked up warily. “Perhaps so.”
“This is remarkable news.” He held out his palm to her, his smile wide. “I yield.”
After a brief hesitation, she laid her palm against his. “Thank you.”
Their gazes clung, and even though they didn’t exchange words, it felt like they were communicating volumes.
I stepped closer. “I think you’ve forgotten me.”
They broke apart and turned.
“While it was fun to witness your debate, I’d like to know where I fit in.”
“What do you mean?” Grant asked.
“It’s my case. Don’t I get a say?”
Camarin nodded. “Of course.”
“Good. We’ll wait for Scott. Let’s take a break.”
Another hour passed before we heard the crunch of gravel. Scott parked his truck and strolled over to us, a delighted grin on his face. “Another great job, guys. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” I said. “What do you want us to do next?”
“I think this is enough for today, but I’d like you to start on a rain garden tomorrow. The least visible one, so that if we have any trouble getting it right, it won’t be as noticeable. There’s heavy rain predicted for this weekend. I’d like to see how well my design holds.” He nodded at Grant. “I’ve got the materials in my truck. Would you help me unload them?”
When Camarin opened her mouth to object, I shook my head. Her mouth closed.
Grant grabbed his gloves. “Certainly.”
As uncomfortable as it made me to be alone with her, this opportunity allowed me to explain something that she clearly didn’t get. Once the guys were out of range, I said, “Scott’s not going to let you help with the heavy stuff.”
“Why not? I am as capable as Grant.”
“You showed up wearing boots with heels, and you’re not sporting any muscles under your designer clothes.”
“I do not care for the inference. Scott owes me the courtesy of proving my worth.”
“No, he doesn’t.” I smiled to take away some of the sting. “Scott loves getting his hands dirty. He loves turning land into living art, and he wants it done well. He knows he can trust Grant’s strength and ability to follow instructions. Scott doesn’t know that about you yet.”
“Does he not want to finish a job in the best way it can be?”
“Depends on your definition of best.”
“Scott chose a rain garden for our next project, just as I suggested earlier. Had we started—”
“Stop, Camarin. The important thing here is to have Scott running things. Not us.”
“Most of my human masters have preferred for me to anticipate their needs.”
If she typically served masters on health-related cases, then anticipating needs made sense. It didn’t here. “Is that how you worked with my brother?”
“Yes. I wanted to prevent his pains, so that he was free to enjoy as much of his life as possible.”
“I’m grateful for that, and there is a place for your style of handling cases. There’s also a place for Grant’s. Why do you push him? Listening to what he has to say doesn’t mean you have to change your mind.”
“Perhaps.”
