Chapter 10
Chelsea studied Ethan. While an extra pair of hands would be useful, she hadn’t examined how she felt about him being back in her life.
The attraction was still there. He’d grown into a very handsome man and sitting next to him at the table, she had an almost electrified awareness of him.
He didn’t seem to feel the same, his glances friendly and open, but nothing more.
Though he was the one who had broken up with her.
That in itself should have her shoving him out the door. “What about your injury?”
“It’s fine.”
She hesitated. She could arrange it so they didn’t even see each other in the sixteen- acre garden if she wanted.
The thought gave her peace. Lilydale had a special place in both of their hearts. This was a simple business arrangement.
“All right. I’d appreciate all the help I can get.
” She pulled her laptop towards her, waking it out of sleep mode.
“I spent last night working out the priorities in my plan to bring people back to town.” She turned the computer so he could view the screen and he shuffled closer, his warm arm brushing hers.
Her skin tingled, and she pulled her arm away.
An email notification dinged and her heart jumped.
“Let me check this.” Chelsea clicked on the email from the lawnmower man Lauren had suggested.
She’d emailed him as soon as she’d arrived home last night with photos of the garden, and a request for a quote.
She’d outlined the problem and what equipment she had.
His response was short. I’m up for a challenge. Had a cancellation for Friday so could come then. His number followed the message.
“Yes!” She called him, and within five minutes she’d received his quote and arranged for him to come down Thursday night so he could start early Friday.
When she hung up, Ethan asked, “What was that about?”
“Barry’s going to do the paths and grass.
” Chelsea showed him the videos on social media.
“I’m starting some social media profiles for Lilydale to record the restoration.
” It was one of the first things on her to-do list. “He’s going to stay in a cabin, so the first step is making sure at least one is habitable.
The outside needs a good clean, and I’m hoping the inside will be the same and nothing needs fixing. ”
He nodded. “Then what?”
“By the weekend Barry will have done the grass and we can get stuck into the garden. Pruning everything will make an immediate difference, as will weeding and planting fresh annuals.” She could see the end result so clearly in her mind.
“I’m hoping the bulbs will still be there if we clear out the weeds from those garden beds.
” She showed him her list. “I need to find an engineer to examine the bridge and other structures around the garden, and someone to figure out why the harbour lake is dry.” Maybe it was something as simple as a broken pump.
“The order of the garden beds is so you can open parts of the garden earlier than others?” Ethan asked.
She smiled, not surprised he’d noticed. “Yes. I did the list from memory, so I’ll go out today and confirm I haven’t missed anything.”
“The Japanese garden could be done there.” He pointed. “If we close the path that leads further into the garden. And if the Bali gazebo is safe, a few pillows would make it a nice place to read or chill.”
His eyes met hers. Did he remember the times they’d spent reading together in the gazebo? The occasional brushes of their fingers, the excitement of sharing a good bit in their books?
She shifted a little further away. “I’ll check the tin Aunt Maggie had for gold coin donations is still secure.”
He looked back to the screen, but every nerve on her skin thrummed with awareness. She had to get him on board with the plan and then get as far away from him as possible.
By the time they’d gone through and revised the plan adding some of Ethan’s ideas, her stomach was grumbling. “Do you want something to eat?” She went into the kitchen, cursing her innate manners. She wasn’t supposed to be extending her time with him. “I’ve just got cereal.”
“That would be great.” His easy smile made her insides flutter.
Damn it. She turned to get what she needed out of the cupboard. If she was like this just from sitting next to him, what would she be like when he showered every day in the house?
She frowned. That was a point. She could hardly ask him to do all this work and let him sleep in a swag in the barn. “If you’re going to stay, take a cottage.” And that way he wouldn’t need to come near the house.
“Thanks. I’ll pay you rent.”
“Don’t be silly.” She waved a hand. “You’ll be more than paying for board with the work you do.
” Which gave her an idea. If she got enough followers, maybe she could offer opportunities for people to stay for free in return for a few hours of their help in the garden.
There were lots of projects on social media which captured people’s attention and made them want to help.
She wrote another item on her list to investigate it later.
She placed the bowls, cereal and milk on the table, and Ethan helped himself.
It was time she got over this stupid attraction to him. Perhaps knowing what he’d been up to for the past ten years would help. “Is the friend who’s thinking about getting out of the army with Special Forces as well?”
He looked surprised by the question. “Yeah. My team leader.”
“Does that mean you’ll get a new one?”
“Yeah.” He frowned.
“I know little about the military,” Chelsea admitted. “Does the team leader go on missions?” She cringed, not sure if mission was the right terminology.
“Yeah.”
“Do you have a good team?”
“The best,” he replied without hesitation. “They’re my brothers.”
Chelsea’s heart swelled in her chest. He’d found a family. It would mean so much to him. Perhaps the army had been a better choice than staying with her. He had multiple people he could now turn to. “That’s good. I’m glad.”
He tilted his head. “You really are, aren’t you?”
She frowned. “Of course. You always wanted a family who cared for you.”
“I thought you’d be angrier at me.”
She pressed her lips together. He wanted to talk about it now?
“It was a shock to see you again,” she admitted.
“And I was devastated when you chose the army over me, but we were young.” She shrugged as if her entire world hadn’t ended back then.
“We’re both different people now. There’s no point holding on to the anger.
I’m pleased you’re happy.” It was the truth.
There was a confident, settled side to him he hadn’t had when they were younger.
“Thanks, Chels. The army did help me.”
She acknowledged the hurt that she hadn’t been able to help him and let it slide away.
“What about you?” Ethan asked. “You’ve got new siblings since we saw each other last.”
“They’re hardly new,” she said. “I was at university staying on campus when they were born. They’re great, but I didn’t have time to go home very often and Ezra never warmed to me.
I don’t think he likes the reminder Mum had another life before him.
” She’d been happy for her mother. Ezra doted on her and she hadn’t had to work.
She’d enjoyed being able to stay home and watch her new babies grow.
“It must have been rough, feeling like you weren’t welcomed.” His voice was low, and understanding shone in his eyes.
Of course he would understand. He’d lived with so many foster families over the years.
“Mum always welcomed me, and the kids were pleased to see me. I was happy Mum found someone who loved her so much.” She shrugged.
“I was so used to moving from rental to rental every couple of years that it wasn’t a big deal. ”
Chelsea glanced around the house. She’d spent every school holiday here, because her mum couldn’t afford childcare.
In winter she’d explored the house with its dusty attic and myriad boxes and cases.
She and Aunt Maggie would play cards, or checkers, or bake something to keep them warm.
Lilydale had been her real home. She couldn’t remember why she hadn’t made the time to visit Aunt Maggie more regularly.
Sadness slid through her, so she stood and collected their dishes, pushing away the memories. “I’m going to review the garden against my plan. Do you want to come?”
“Sure.” That easy agreement again. As a teenager his agreement had been quick, as if not wanting to give someone a reason to be unhappy with him. He hadn’t trusted they wouldn’t turn on him and kick him out.
She picked up her tablet and went outside. On the way over to the cabins, she made notes about what needed to be done to garden beds or plants.
The cabin gutters needed cleaning before they had guests, and the garden beds outside needed weeding, but aside from that, and maybe a quick pressure wash of the outside, the cabins looked good.
She unlocked the door to the first cabin and then screwed up her nose as a waft of mustiness enveloped her.
The light switch clicked as she turned it on and she scanned the main room; a cosy couch for two, a kitchen nook and a table that looked out over the garden.
The walls were a pale cream and the kitchen cabinets were of a yellowing pine.
Not modern, but still in good condition.
She opened the window to let in some fresh air and then checked the bathroom and bedroom.
The smoky looking tiles were from the nineties, which was when the cabins had been built, but it would cost too much to replace them. It would have to go on a later to-do list, after Lilydale started making money again.
She turned on the tap, letting the water flow to flush the pipes while she checked the shower and toilet. The shower head had spray coming out at every angle due to a calcium build up so she added options for a cleaner or a replacement to her list.
“It looks pretty good,” Ethan said. “Just a clean and airing.”