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

Thank goodness Ethan headed around the back and tipped the wheelbarrow into the compost heap, burying the nibbled slice of French toast under the fresh pile. The passing seconds gave Rich enough respite to remember how to breathe.


“There’ll be more on top by the end of the day. Buried deep.” Ethan gave him a nod. Reassurance? To indicate he knew what he was talking about? Rich couldn’t be sure. “I’ll store this and we’ll see about getting you clean.”


Rich nodded, dumb with confusion. They disliked each other, so why be helpful?


Chapter 4