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

The day loomed but he didn’t want to add to his mother’s woes yet. One issue at a time, and prior to walking away from the firm, he must decide what to do with it. Before then, he needed to work out the best course for his mother and his sister. “If you could be anything you want, what would you choose to do?”


Her gaze narrowed, nose crinkling, lips curling up. “I’m glad you asked. I might surprise you.” She rubbed her hands together. “If you’re agreeable we’ll need a battle plan. A first-class one always starts with pizza.”


After walking around for a couple of hours, and drinking a bottle of water and two further coffees at the risk of becoming jittery, Ethan headed back, making one more stop for petrol and to use the toilet. By the time he got on the road, a diversion forced him into a queue of traffic so he took a longer route. While trundling along Leatherhead High Street the heavens opened, but the drops amounted to nothing more than a light drizzle.


Chapter 38