“I get it. Everybody thinks their project is the most important thing on the planet and every single element has to be finished right this minute.”
“Exactly. I’ve told you about that resort I’m working on down the coast.”
“Hidden Creek. Do you finally have approval for your plan?”
“Yeah. This week. I got a call a few days ago saying they love it and want everything done so that they can open June 1.”
She shook her head in dismay as she scooped a little neck clam from the shell. “That’s hardly a month. Do they think they’re your only client?”
“Apparently.”
“I knew you had more urgent things to do than babysit me. You probably have a million things to take care of right now.”
“Things are progressing,” he said. “But I’ve hit one roadblock on the job and was actually hoping to get your input on it.”
“Of course!”
They often discussed his landscaping projects. She was always flattered that he seemed to value her opinion.
“I’ve got one section that’s giving me problems. It’s south-facing but fairly acidic soil, and the project manager wants a garden that will have visual interest through all four seasons.”
“Tricky.”
“Right? I came up with a plan for it, but I’m not sure it’s going to work, given all the site parameters. I’d love you to look it over and offer any suggestions.”
“Of course! If you want to bring me over the plan and maybe some photographs of the site, I can take a look. If you have drone shots, that would be especially helpful.”
“I do have all that.” He gave her an appraising look. “It would be better if you could make a quick visit out there with me. Do you think you might be up for that, maybe next week or the week after? I think being able to see the actual site would be helpful.”
A road trip. Could she do it? Her pain had begun to recede more every day, but how would she do on a road trip for at least an hour or more?
“I don’t want to push you, though,” Henry said quickly. “I can work on everything else and this section can wait until you’re feeling better.”
“Next week might work. I would just be riding in the car, right?”
“Yes. I hate to ask. Normally, I know you would never have time, especially this time of year.”
“Right now I have nothing but time,” she said, trying not to sound too glum.
“You would be helping me out so much. But I don’t want to push you, if you don’t think you’d be up for it. The drive to the resort takes about an hour. Then I figured we would spend another half hour to an hour looking around, then another hour home. Is that feasible?”
Two and a half hours, roughly. She could make it that long, couldn’t she? “I think so. But I should probably wait until next week to be sure. I wouldn’t want to promise something I can’t deliver. I do feel better every day. Maybe toward the end of next week, I’ll be ready for a road trip.”
“Fair enough.”
“Meanwhile, it would help if I could look over the plans.”
“Excellent. I’ll drop them off later this week.”
They talked about other projects he was working on as they finished the meal while the sun began to slowly dip into the ocean.
A cool wind blew through the trees, making the flowers dance and sway. She shivered a little, which Henry didn’t miss.
“You’re cold. Let’s get you back. Then I’ll clear these dishes.”
She only really needed a sweater or a throw, and she was enjoying the garden so much, she didn’t want to go inside. Still, it was nearly dark and she knew it would only get colder.
He took as much care as before wheeling her back across the packed gravel walkway and into the house.
“Thank you again for the ramp,” she said as he opened the front door for her. “I really would have been lost without it. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to come home. I suppose I would have tolerated a rehab center. They’re all very nice. But this is much better.”
“You belong here at Sea Glass Cottage,” he said gruffly, which she found quite the sweetest thing he could possibly have said.
“Now, I can help you into bed if you’re tired or we can watch the Doctor. Up to you.”
It wasn’t yet 8:00 p.m. Even if she was exhausted, she wasn’t about to go to bed this early.