AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Darned if I know,” said Dawson. “Let’s be methodical about this. We know the clues could be around the city. We know that Margaret Smith updated them from time to time.”
A frown creased Piper’s brow. “But this is a huge city with lots of history. Every single suburb and district has its own story, too. How on earth can we follow clues when we can’t even work things out?”
Her heart started thudding in her chest, as panic started to creep over her. Ultimately, this was about the gardens and greenhouses round about Margaret Smith’s old home. That place could be wonderful again—just as wonderful as it was when Margaret Smith showed it to her the first time. Her family knew it had been the start of things for her, but no one else really knew that, she’d kept it hidden. All that beauty could slip away, because she couldn’t solve some clues. Her breathing quickened and her skin prickled. What if the land was given to some developer? What if the greenhouses and gardens were destroyed? The attorneys hadn’t told them what might happen if they didn’t solve the clues. She tugged at the collar of her shirt. This place was getting stuffy.
Dawson stared at her for a few moments and his steady gaze made her feel self-conscious. “Take a breath,” he said quietly. “We’ve both had a shock, and”—he paused for a second—“While I’m curious about the gardens and the land…” He was choosing his words carefully, she could tell. “I think it probably means more to you, than it does to me.”
Piper blinked, not quite sure what to say. “But it’s for both of us.” Her words came out quite squeaky and she cringed inside.
“It is, but do you think Margaret Smith knew that her tour had inspired you to pursue a different career?”
Piper was stunned. “How could she even know? I didn’t even realize the impact it had on me at the time. All I knew was that my interests changed. I became more interested in biology and chemistry than math and English. I started growing things for myself at home. I started watching documentaries on the cable network about plants and the environment.” She gave a slow nod of her head. “I guess I started to see the beauty around me that I hadn’t noticed before.”
“Whoa.” Dawson had a broad grin on his face. “Well, you’ve sold me.”
“Sold you into what?”
“Trying again. Solving these clues.” He put a hand to his chest. “I have to admit. When I thought of what Margaret might have left us, I thought of the space. The land there would be enough for a training pitch for kids. A safe place to run around. But I know you’re more interested in the gardens and greenhouse.”
Piper nodded. “Absolutely. I live somewhere I have a small garden, but the chance to own and work in a place like Margaret’s is like something I would put on my Santa list as a kid. There’s so much more work I could do if I had greenhouses like the ones Margaret has. I don’t even care how in disrepair they are. It’s the space that counts. I could do something that matters there.”
He leaned back, looking thoughtful. “So, I have something I’d like to do, and so do you.” He regarded her carefully. “I think those ideas could work together. What do you think?”
She nodded slowly as the barman set down their coffee. Her breathing was settling again. The thudding against her chest wall slowed down. Maybe coffee wasn’t the best idea after all.
“You could be right.”
The earlier abrasiveness was gone. This was Dawson with the edges rubbed off. Before, she couldn’t have imagined them working together on anything. But this had purpose. This felt as if it was something to strive for.
Piper breathed in slowly through her nose, then back out through her mouth. Last thing she wanted him to think was that she’d had a momentary wobble. But Dawson was staring off into space, it was clear he had his own ideas right now.
“I think we should be partners,” he said.
She blinked. “I thought Margaret Smith had already decided that for us.”
He lifted one shoulder. “Maybe. But there’s a difference between being told what to do and deciding to do it for yourself. I think it’s always important to agree on our end point.”
“Our end point?”
Dawson McLeod put both elbows on the table and leaned toward her. Whether he meant to or not, she now had the clearest view of those green eyes. Last time she’d been this close to him had been when he’d pushed his face up next to hers as a kid, telling her she’d stolen his interview from him. They’d been angry, upset, and tense.
Now, they were curious. There was an extra twenty odd years behind those eyes. A life lived. Experiences, highs and lows, and a whole lot of other things she couldn’t possibly know. Could she really trust Dawson McLeod?
“What do we both get out of this?” he said in a low voice. “This might have been sprung on us, this might have been a shock, but I already know what I want do, now this opportunity is in front of me.”
She bit her bottom lip. “Okay, what is it you want to do?”
His gaze didn’t waver. “No, you tell me what your end point is first.”
Was this some kind of trick? What happened if he didn’t like her answer? “I want the greenhouses and the gardens,” she said without hesitation. “I can sort out a business plan to budget for them. But, if I have the greenhouse space, I can take on some bigger projects, some bigger contracts that I can’t do right now. I could take on another employee and train them while they study horticulture.”
“And the gardens?”
She pressed her lips together. He was pushing for answers when he hadn’t revealed what he wanted yet. This could all go horribly wrong.
“I want the gardens to be maintained. I want to continue the slight wildlife element of them, but ensure they remain colorful and inviting to the people who stay round about.” Something was uncoiling in her chest. Now that she was talking, she could see the whole vision unfurling in her imagination. “I’d like it to be a few things. A place to be enjoyed. Maybe even a place of remembrance. A place of learning for those who don’t know much about garden plants.”
“You have big ideas.”
