A warm-hearted rich man's son, Richard Gardener needs to overcome three obstacles: find a way the family business can run without him, help his mother cope with grief, and stop butting heads -- and other parts of his anatomy -- with the gardener.<br><br>Ethan Fields has worked for the Gardener family for many years. He’s struggling with debt and the desire to leave, and has loved Richard far longer than the man would believe. Ethan can cope with most things, but his anger with Richard’s mother won’t fade. Until that and his feelings for Richard are resolved, he feels trapped and, alas, the idea that sex will get Richard out of his system isn’t working.<br><br>To make the situation worse, both men assume too much and don’t say the right words, and Ethan’s offer of ‘just sex’ grows more complicated by the day. Can Richard and Ethan stop getting their wires crossed before their paths diverge?

Flowers for the Gardener

Should he first dispose of the evidence, or hurry inside? If he grabbed a coat, he could return to his walk, which he now desired, and take the time to enjoy a stroll. Not once since his return had he walked these paths. The icy breeze helped to calm, if not ease, his mind, or at least blocked any thoughts unrelated to the concern of freezing to death. If he dressed appropriately, a half hour ramble might relieve tension. The one thing he still liked about Oxshott was the views. The five acres of land with the mansion was like owning a piece of countryside.


No bins on the grounds gave him a single solution: to bury the toast. A spot beneath a hedgerow with softsoil would do. Should be easy.


Chapter 3