Page 18 of Broken SEAL'S Secret Baby
“Your dog is going to need a place to go, and so is your cat,” I point out. “You don’t want to deal with a cat that is angry about litter box problems.”
“We have a rooftop garden,” he says. “It’s pretty big, and fully enclosed so nothing and no one can fall off the edge. We should be able to set something up for the animals. I’m willing to work with you to schedule study times, if you are willing to take on the extra duties.”
“All right,” I say. “On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You take care of your spaces — your office, your bedroom, your bathroom. If you don’t mind eating easy prep foods, I can make meals for all of us. But I’m not anyone’s personal maid.”
“I think I can handle that,” he says. “Could you do one more thing?”
“It depends,” I say, not wanting to sign on for a mystery job.
“Take care of the garden. Just basic care. Keep it watered, that kind of thing.”
“I like gardens,” I say cautiously. “I know more about vegetables and herbs than ornamentals.”
“Then you are going to love this,” he says with the mostenthusiasm I’ve seen from him so far. “Come on, I’ll show you before Cece wakes up.”
I leave my cup and notebook on the table and follow Charles through a spacious living room. The carpet has pile so deep, my feet sink into it as if I’m walking across a meadow. The furniture is puffy, overstuffed couches and chairs arranged in conversation nooks. The effect is comfortable and warm, not stiff, and formal like so many luxury apartments.
One corner contains a low-pile carpet printed with a design of roads and farms. I realized with a start that it is a Google map of the City and surrounding topography. Several large toy chests stood along one wall. Along the other wall is a child-friendly bookshelf, filled with picture books and plush picture book characters.
Mr. Emory sees me looking and smiles. “Cece’s play corner,” he says. “The carpet is easy to clean, and it keeps the gum and candy out of the regular carpet. Less embarrassing if I’m hosting a business dinner — fewer diplomats or potential customers with gum on their shoes.”
I giggle at that. “Did it happen?”
“Oh, yes,” he says. “Fortunately, the fellow was a family man. I think it might even have helped land the contract.” Reaching a curtain, he pushes it aside, twirls a plastic rod, opening vertical slat blinds, and slides a glass door open wide enough to allow us access to the outside.
And I forget about everything else. The city is spread out before us. There is an unobstructed view all the way to the horizon. A golden mesh dome arches overhead — completely adequate to keep anyone or anything from going off the edge or even climbing up and falling over a barrier.
I have to text Grace about this and send pictures.
Pathways meander through lush beds of lavender, basil, jonquils, hostas, and plants I can’t identify. Bees buzz in andout of various blooming plants, including a trellised tunnel of sugar snap peas. A bank of kale in all sorts of colors and shapes wraps around the central house.
“I’ll pay you double if you can at least keep this watered,” he was saying.
This is a garden paradise. A lovely blend of ornamentals, herbs, and even vegetables. It is what I would have designed for myself, if I’d had the money and imagination to plan it.
Without stopping to think, I fling my arms around Mr. Emory and kiss him on the cheek, just as I might my brother. “To work with this, I would almost do it for free.”
Then I drop back from him, both of us shocked by the contact.
Chapter eight
Charles
The kiss caught me completely off-guard.As did the hug. It wasn’t romantic — just a quick peck on the check and an enthusiastic squeeze, similar to the kind of embrace I might get from Cece, or a sister if I had one.
It is over before I can even put my arms around her. My body, sensitized from the dream, is fully awake and aware, and I can’t stop the galant reflex. The brief contact told me that she was lightly muscled, like a dancer or runner. She smelled like coconut and lemon.
But now she is backing up from me, one hand lifted to cover her mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean . . . it’s just . . . this is glorious! It reminds me of the one time I saw the ocean, or the time we drove through Arkansas and saw the Arkansas Grand Canyon. I hope you don’t think . . .”
She is blushing and looks scared. I have to fix this and fast! “It’s quite alright,” I say, wishing I’d worn a jacket or robe. “I wish I’d had a camera. The look of on your face paid me back for all the expense of planning the place, the extrareinforcement to make it possible to have the weight of all those beds up here at the top of the building.”
“Oh, that’s a relief,” she says, her cheeks still rosy with an embarrassed blush. “I thought I’d for sure I’d messed up my chance to work in this garden.”
“Not in any way,” I assure her.But you sure do have my attention. And I should be ashamed of myself. Em’s ashes are scarcely cold, and here I am, latching after you like some slum scumbag. “I take it as a supremecompliment.I wish all my work would get that kind of response. You enjoy gardening?”
