Flowers for the Gardener

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

So Richard Gardener was back. Ethan almost shook his head but the action might provoke Richard, staring at him, to ask for his thoughts. He should inquire what spun through Richard’s mind, instead. Beat the twit at his own mental games. An attempt to control his twitching lips proved harder than keeping his mouth shut. Did a smirk reach his face? Did it show? The man might expect Ethan to suffer contempt more than any other emotion. To call their past relationship fraught would be an understatement. Odd the memory wiped his face clean of expression faster than icy water from the hose. He stepped outside, filled a watering can, and carried the container back into the shed. He poured water into a basin.

“Sorry it’s cold, but I got soap and a nail brush. If you wait, I’ll boil up. I take it you won’t want your mother seeing you mussed.”

Ethan didn’t expect an answer and didn’t receive one so he switched on the kettle. The cabin needed a proper sink, but it didn’t take long to walk to the staff cottage if he required anything. Speaking of which, the supply of teabags was low.

Sounds of splashing made Ethan glance over his shoulder, witness to Richard’s ineffectual efforts to clean his hands. While the kettle worked away making a noise in the corner, Ethan tore off a few sheets from a roll of blue paper, tougher than the type intended for kitchen use, and handed over the wad.

“Wipe yourself with this first and pull back those sleeves. I’ll change this.”

He took the bowl of now-dirty liquid and tossed it out. By the time he walked back, the pot—always so-called by his father—started the little familiar jig before clicking off. Time they got a new one but no point asking for such things. No one up at the house would pay for them while those who worked on the estate could ‘make do’. Ethan must wait until the appliance blew up or died. He made busy pouring out cold and hot water before handing over a small screwdriver.

“You might wanna dig out some soil if the brush don’t get rid of it all.” Not to say a little dirt on Richard Gardener wouldn’t be an improvement.

Much improved by the view of things. Those grey-green eyes were brighter than Ethan recalled. The boy now a man and broader in the shoulders, and…a quick glance to make certain and, yes, Richard filled out his trousers well. A number of people might find it strange Ethan noted Richard’s eyes before giving his body and crotch a once-over—many people believed a person’s eyes a female preference—but a bright gaze always attracted Ethan.

He set to making tea, including one for Richard, though he didn’t bother asking if his boss wanted any. The man needed brains more than tea. Damn fool to come out without a jacket in this weather, which…fine, so had Ethan, but he worked, built up a sweat, and he didn’t react to winter’s bite like the rich boy, more used to it. The reason Ethan gave Richard warm water was owing to how red his fingers were; so, too, his cheeks. Digging into the soil with bare hands…the i***t was a walking invitation for frostbite.

“Sugar? Or are you sweet enough?”

Well, damn. Richard flushed. Ethan tried to hide his amusement, unable to tell whether he succeeded. “You can sweeten it as you like, or not.” He put the mug near the other man, who eyed it, gaze narrowed, lips pursed under a lowered brow. No doubt he suspected he’d find it laced with weed killer. Didn’t take it, but he was preoccupied, still cleaning his nails. Be no surprise, though, if the tea went untouched. All because Richard didn’t trust him. Might be worth his while to do something about the dislike.

“Remember last time you stood here?”

Richard became a statue, revealing he recalled, all right. So many emotions flittered over his face. Back then, the little Lord of the Manor washed more than his hands. The memory flashed vibrant, the clear sky on a chilly afternoon transformed into the blistering heat of high summer by his father’s fury. Regardless of age, Ethan’s dad had dragged both of them in, one to clean up and one to wait until the other left, intending to give Ethan a hiding, or so Ethan had believed. Turned out his old man didn’t have it in him to hit his son, though the margin was narrow. Understandable, with his father afraid of losing his job and livelihood.

The promise—never to touch Richard again—Ethan kept, for the most part because of a lack of opportunity.

Last time when Richard stood in this hut, the boy wiped blood and mud off his face before running back to the house. This time, Ethan planned not to let Richard escape.