Chapter Fourteen – Dean

They worked well together. There was no need to fill every moment with conversation. Instead they got on with their respective jobs, both aware of the importance of making the garden look perfect.

“Where did you learn to love gardening so much?” Dean asked, as he stood up to admire the neatly edged section of lawn he’d been working on, while Elizabeth banished all weeds from sight.

“When I moved into my present house. We didn’t have a lot of money, I barely scraped the rent together each month, so Suzie and I would spend a lot of time in the garden. It’s not big, but it is brimming with flowers.” She stared wistfully at the tulips that were still clinging onto their petals.

“I’d love to see it.” He wanted to add, before you move in with me. But he let those words go, he didn’t want to remind her of what she would be giving up when she moved to Bear Creek. Elizabeth had enough on her mind without him adding more pressure.

“I’d like that. When the wedding is over, I’ll cook dinner.” She gave him a playful smile. “Pizza.”

“I like pizza.”

“We built a pizza oven. I’ll even let you choose your own toppings.”

“Now you’re spoiling me,” Dean joked.

“We used to spend our evening out there together on the small patio, before Suzie met Kit.” Elizabeth looked at him, and added, “Sorry, I’m taking a trip down memory lane. It makes me sound as if I am jealous of the time Suzie now spends with Kit.”

“It’s understandable.” Dean walked across the lawn to stand next to her, staring at the same tulips as they opened up to the sun. “When Zak came home, my relationship with Louise changed. She used to come home and tell me all about her day, now she tells Zak.” Dean shrugged. “I’m happy for them. Unbelievably happy. But that doesn’t mean I don’t miss those times.”

“Kids grow up. They grow out of their parents, that’s how it should be.” Elizabeth gave him a sidelong glance. “I can be philosophical too.”

“We are a match made in heaven.” He sighed. “OK, let’s move on.”

They worked tirelessly all morning, and by lunchtime the entire garden was finished. Elizabeth stood back and cast a critical eye over it. “I think we’re done.”

“I think we are too.” Dean stood with his hands on his hips as he turned around in a circle. “I can’t believe this was just a patch of grass before you started.”

Elizabeth pulled out her phone and flicked through her photo gallery. “This is the proof.”

Dean looked over her shoulder, taking the opportunity to breathe in her scent. It mingled with the fresh scent of the spring morning, he couldn’t get enough of it.

“You should start a business in garden makeovers,” Dean suggested.

“I couldn’t.” Elizabeth shook her head firmly and put her phone in her pocket. “People and me…that is not a match made in heaven, believe me.”

“So what do you do now?” Dean asked. “Suzie said you worked in a plant nursery.”

“I do.” They turned to walk back toward the house. Karen and Scott had invited them to lunch, but they were a little early. “I suppose we have that in common. You nurture children, I nurture plants.”

“And when you move here?” Dean asked.

Elizabeth paused and let out a long sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll just commute.”

“Or start a nursery of your own?” Dean asked.

Elizabeth rounded on him. “I don’t want to run a business of my own.” She shook her head, her voice firm. “It’s not what I want to do. I know you are trying to help me, but I need space, and time to get used to all this.”

“I’m sorry.” Dean placed his hand on her arm, hating the look he saw in her eyes. “You’re right, I am being pushy. It’s because I’m scared.”

Elizabeth cocked her head and looked at him suspiciously. “What do you have to be scared about?”

“I’m scared that when it comes to moving here to Bear Creek, you will decide to not to.” He stepped closer to her, wanting to hold her, but afraid she would think he was putting more pressure on her. “You don’t have this burning need inside you. I’m scared that I won’t be able to make you want me in the same way that I want you.”

The words tumbled out of his mouth. Every one of them true.

“Dean. It’s going to take me some time. But I’m as committed to this relationship as you are.”

His shoulders sagged forward. “I can’t tell you how much it means to hear you say that.”

Elizabeth moved closer, he could feel the heat of her body, smell the scent of her skin. “I wish I could dive into a new life. I wish I could pluck a thing out of my head and try it. But I know my limitations.”

Dean gazed into her eyes, he wanted to tell her she could do anything, be anything, but no doubt Elizabeth had heard those words before. No, as her mate, he had to show her she could be anything. He had to support her, until she believed in herself, as much as he believed in her.

He settled for cupping her face in his hand and kissing her lips tenderly. “We’re in this together, never forget that.”

“I won’t.” She rubbed her cheek against his, her lips brushing his skin, before she tensed and straightened up.

“There you two are. Lunch is ready,” Scott called.

Dean took Elizabeth’s hand and they walked together to the house. He repeated her words over and over in his head, and allowed himself to let go of his own hang-ups. When she said she was committed to their relationship too, he believed her.

And more than anything, he believed in fate. They would work out how their lives were going to fit together; it was just going to take time.