Free The Samurai's Garden by Patricia Kiyono Page B

with the Widow Nakamura had given her the confidence to accept Hiro and Ginjiro's proposal to build a home in exchange for their food, lodging, and "instruction". She knew this agreement would be followed by a hard decision about marriage, but practicality was behind her decision to accept the offer to build. No matter how successful the harvest, she still would not have enough money or time to build a barn for her animals. Taking the offer would ensure her animals would have protection from the harsh winter.
    She had not told Hiro or anyone else about the amazing discovery of her mother's family. After all, the Nanbu Clan had disowned her mother and would probably not acknowledge her. Hiro would not be impressed at her noble lineage, especially since her mother had chosen a nobody, who had not been able to keep up this small farm. No, if Hiro really wanted to marry her, he would have to accept her lowly status.
    For now, she would concentrate on getting her farm up and running to the point where she could go on alone. Nakamura-san had told her that the agreement Hiro and Ginjiro had drawn up was fair, and she trusted the woman. The agreement gave her the means to build the structures necessary for her animals, and a warmer, safer home for herself.
    This would be enough. For now.
    "Hana-chan."
    The deep voice never failed to excite her. Hearing him shorten her name with the endearing "chan" suffix sent warmth down her spine. She rose and turned to see him, his hair tousled and his chest gleaming with sweat. She quickly turned her gaze downward. Another mistake. The rest of him was just as appetizing.
    "What is it, Tanaka-san?"
    She saw his body tense, as if insulted by her formality. His broad chest expanded as he took a deep, calming breath. Fortunately, he chose to put her response aside and go on. "Come with me, please. The builders need your opinion on something." He turned and strode away, leaving her to follow.
    For the next hour, she followed him around the site, listening to explanations as the head builder related the choices to be made. Hanako was lost. She had absolutely no understanding of what she was asked to choose. What did it matter to her whether the panels on the shoji screens were decorated with cranes or plants, or whether the weave in the tatami mats went in one direction or the other? She had never lived in a home with either luxury.
    Seeing her distress, Hiro asked, "What would you recommend?"
    The craftsman, obviously pleased to have the customer defer to his expertise, made recommendations. After thoughtful consideration, Hiro nodded in agreement.
    The experience gave her further proof she was not fit to be a wealthy man's wife.
    When the outer walls of the new home were erected, Hanako insisted the two men should move to the larger structure. Since they did so much of the farm work, she felt guilty about them staying in the tiny hut. If and when she and Hiro married, she would move to the larger home. If not, Hiro would leave eventually, and the home would be hers anyway. Now plans were drawn for another house, this one for Ginjiro.
    She had expected the progress on the buildings would be slow, since her "apprentices" continued to spend a considerable amount of time in the fields with her. But each day, a crew of men arrived, checked in with Hiro, and went to work on the new structure. Instead of the circular, reed-covered walls common to the area, straight walls of fine lumber were erected, higher than she had ever seen except in pictures of the great temples. The interior was divided into sections. Having lived in a one-room hut all her life, she wasn't sure she could become accustomed to so much space.
    Hiro said they needed room for their children. Children. She would love to have children. A little boy, a strong, miniature version of Hiro. Or a little girl she could dress in lovely clothes. She would sing lullabies to them and cherish them. There would be happiness, and laughter.
    But what if