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

Stupid. The whole disagreement. The last quarter of an hour. Richard Gardener might walk out and arrange for Ethan’s dismissal. Worse, they might never speak again. Hard to admit, but Ethan didn’t want either outcome.


The man reached for the latch as Ethan snapped out, “Wait.”


Richard spun around. “It’s Rich.”


“My name. I go by Rich these days.”


Took a few seconds to make sense. “You go by…But…” No. Too priceless. Ethan laughed.


The question made him chuckle more; his eyes watered. “Sorry. It’s…” Oh God, he snorted. “It’s…” No, he still couldn’t find enough air. “To think…It’s too hysterical. Rich Gardener. Poor gardener.” Ethan flapped a hand, wishing the action might wave away his giggles. “You and me. What a pair. Rich man, poor man. Oh so…So silly.”


Thank goodness Richard smiled…and leaned against the door, staying awhile longer.


Chapter 6