Summer on Kendall Farm(29)

“I’ve drawn up a design if you’d like to see it.”

She smiled then. It was a bright, wide smile. Maybe the phone call was forgotten. Jace stepped inside the office and went to the small round conference table that sat near the window. He unrolled a single sheet of drawing paper. Kelly came over and sat in one of the chairs. Jace stood and leaned over her. Her hair was close enough to touch. Jace breathed in.

“This is beautiful,” she said, showing the awe she must have felt.

The idea was simple in nature, a concept designed around a circle in a square. He’d drawn a large square with entrances on all four sides. The floor would be made of tile and outside the perimeter he’d place small shrubs of varying colors. They would change throughout the summer months. In the center of the square was a circle. In its center was a fire pit. Around the inside of the circle was seating. Walkways led to the fire pit that doubled as a table during warm weather. In another area he’d added a gazebo. It would be outlined with lights that would change color or remain constant on one color.

“What’s this?” Kelly asked.

“It’s a large table with chairs. I thought it would be a good place to breakfast on mornings when the weather permitted.”

“That’s a good idea. I love being outside. And it faces the house, so we’ll get to see all the flowers that bloom in the summer.”

“Have you determined a budget to go along with the plans?” she asked.

Jace produced another sheet of paper. It listed all the necessary materials and an estimated cost.

“This seems extremely reasonable,” she said. “Are you sure you can do it for this?”

Kelly looked up at him and he didn’t realize how close he’d moved to her. He was near enough to kiss her and that knowledge removed his ability to speak. All he could do was nod.

Their gazes held, then he moved a step back and the thread between them snapped.

“They’re tearing down some old buildings along the highway. I made a deal with the foreman to take some of the debris they’re throwing out.”

“Is it any good?” She frowned.

He nodded. “It can be recycled.”

She smiled then. “Save the planet. I like that.”

“What about the plants?”

“There’s a nursery not far from here that’s going out of business. They’re selling everything at huge discounts.”

“How soon do you need the money?”

He dropped in the chair next to hers. “I don’t need it all at once. The plants are the big thing. We don’t want to wait in case everything is picked over by the time we need it.”

She checked the cost breakdown again. “I think we can swing this,” she said. “What is this line that says free?”

“Come with me.” Jace got up and helped her out of her chair. He led her over to the window. His arm was around her waist before he realized it. He didn’t remove it. It felt right to have it there. Her body was soft where he rested his hand on her hip.

“Look over there.”

Kelly followed where he indicated. He couldn’t tell how she felt about the physical contact between them. However, she didn’t pull away. He took that as a good sign.

“See the horse stable?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Behind it and along the sides are shrubs.”

Kelly peered at them.

“They’re the kind that grow fast and replenish themselves. I plan to dig up the ones on the back side and replant them around the perimeter of the square.”

Kelly turned and eased out of his grasp. She returned to the table and looked at the drawing Jace had made.

“All right, you have my approval under two conditions.”

“What are they?”

“If the costs are going to exceed this estimate, I need to know immediately.”

“No problem. What’s the second condition?”

“You’ll be finished with this part of the renovation before the open house.”

Jace nodded. “It’ll be right under your window, so you get to see it each time you look outside.”

There had never been a seating area there before, although Jace had once suggested it to Sheldon. Immediately, his brother rejected the idea. Jace had only remembered the notion when he saw Kelly at her office window. He did think the garden needed enhancing, but making the area appealing would please her.

And that pleased him.

* * *

SHELDON WASN’T ONE to talk openly about his feelings. He’d been on his own for years now and he was used to keeping to himself. Audrey, however, seemed to have other plans. He’d run into her or Christian at the oddest times and places. He hadn’t told her his story, and she hadn’t asked about it since that day in the grocery store.