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

Might as well accept the futility of arguing. To argue would make him appear foolish. “Do you want to come or not?”


The double entendre brought heat to Rich’s face.


Funny how Rich forgot, the accusation, expecting Ethan to come on demand, as it were, true. Might be possible a little bigotry controlled some of his actions after all. He owed Ethan an apology and resented being placed in such a position by an employee. Again, the possibility of a hidden meaning made heat crawl up his neck.


“I don’t know. Something.” At this point Rich contemplated helping the man catch up with his work. “If mother notices—”


Chapter 13