Free Now and Forevermore by Minx Charmer

flowers into a patch fit for a queen. Will you allow me to offer my services?”
     
    Vivian giggled like a school girl and Summer’s mouth fell open. Aunt Vivian never giggled. Ever. Somewhere along the line, Edith showed up with a calculating gaze and Charles looked on with a morose frown, but Vivian remained enthralled. “Yes, we do need help with the gardens, but are you certain you have the skills to make this place better than it is? Many have tried you know.”
     
    Malcolm shrugged as though carefree. “Not to worry my Lady, I am more than suited to the task. What I will ask is this. Allow me one month and then judge my actions hereafter.”
     
    Vivian put her fingers to her lips in a thoughtful gesture. “Your accent is decidedly British, but your words are foreign somehow. Where are you from?”
     
    Malcolm did not respond directly to the question and waved her concerns aside “Not that far away as it happens to be. Do we have an agreement my lady? Will you trust your flowers to my tender care?”
     
    Summer rolled her eyes going into exasperation mode, but her aunt’s captivated gaze did not falter. “Well now, a man of mystery too. Not bad when I think about it and so respectful. Very impressive indeed. All right, it’s a deal. Summer, see to it that gets a room in the bungalow out back and make sure it is clean. And get this poor man something to eat. He needs some more meat on his bones and don’t forget that I will oversee your work tonight. I want to make sure that those drapes in the drawing room are spotless. Move girl!”
     
    Summer moved as ordered. Eaten up with curiosity, she did her best to keep it in check until she got Malcolm alone. His mischievous smile caught on and she grinned like an idiot in return.  “How in the world did you do that? And how did you know about the gardens to say what you did?”
     
    “Elementary my dear Watson” he quipped in reply.
     
     “Hey I know about detective work just as much as the average person, but that doesn’t answer my question. How did you know precisely what to say to impress Aunt Vivian?”
     
    “It wasn’t hard once I observed her” His reflective tone held a hint of cynicism “I am quite accustomed to judging a character on the spot and being to as many balls as I have, it becomes more of a habit. It is necessary in my home to take stock of a person, before you engage them. That way you know what occasion calls for what action.”
     
    Impressed, Summer complimented his skills. If only she could master that ability, life may be better. “Well it amazed me, but I guess first things first. Now this is the hibiscus bungalow, named after the flower by the way.”
     
    Malcolm nodded as he followed her around. The bungalow sat on wooden stilts, and the stark furnishings mixed a variation of bamboo and pinewood. The door to the bathroom could not open so Summer told him she would run to the house and find the key. One large bed with mosquito netting including two side tables and chairs added to the decor. A closet covered the wall with a large frame mirror in the corner and two paintings of palm trees with a ceiling fan for an added touch.
     
    Malcolm dissolved into childlike antics again, and it took Summer five minutes to pull him off the bed and away from the spinning blades.  He seemed fascinated to know how the entire object worked. She scolded him based on the fear that he would hurt himself in the process. “You will cut off your head or your hand and none of them is a good scenario. You will learn how everything works in good time, but right now you have work to do. You promised my aunt one month to fix this garden, so you better get started, all right? Please tell me that you know exactly how to do that.”
     
    Malcolm’s eager expression changed into one of sober understanding “Yes, I do. My gardens at Thornbrook are renowned for their beauty, and it is my hand that keeps it that way.”
     
    A royal that worked on his