Free Garden of Dreams by Patricia Rice

the boy’s mother knows he’s all right. I want her address, too, in case the cops pick you up and the boy is stranded. I don’t want him handed to Social Services if I can prevent it.”
    He looked startled and suddenly wary. She couldn’t blame him. She knew she looked like a pushover. She had this dumb- blonde face, and her lack of stature compounded the childlike impression. She supposed if she wore three-inch heels and grew her hair out and wore it in a bun she might garner some respect, but she had this dread of turning into her aunt.
    She couldn’t really fear him when he stood there, balancing against her worktable with his one good foot, a huge white bandage covering the gash on his forehead. He looked like a war veteran. She doubted if he could top the lies her students came up with when they missed class or didn’t do their homework. Kids were smooth, but she could see through them. Just as she’d seen through this one.
    â€œI’ll give you the address and phone number if you promise not to use them except in an emergency,” he said cautiously.
    Nina nodded agreement. “I’d suggest you hire a lawyer if you want custody of the boy, but that’s your business and none of mine.”
    For a moment, she thought she almost saw a glimmer of respect behind his eyes, but then he picked up his spiel again, and she nodded impatiently, waiting for him to go away so she could work.
    â€œI’ll get you the rent today. I’ll see how damaged the computers are first. Once I have this program under control, I can begin on your idea for the garden, so start putting your facts together. You’ll need aerial photographs and copies of your deeds, I suspect. I can arrange for that as soon as I get a computer up and running. Be detailed and don’t overlook anything. If you’re not a landscape professional, you should start considering who else you want on the project. I’d suggest drawing on local people, maybe professors from the regional university.”
    Perhaps her tapping toe gave him some indication that she wasn’t listening. JD stopped; then a dangerous light gleamed in his eye. Nina wasn’t prepared for the strong hands suddenly clasping her waist. Before she could even consider screaming, he kissed her cheek.
    â€œThank you, you’re a lifesaver,” he murmured.
    â€œNina!” Dottie’s shrill voice carried faintly through the thick air. “Nina, I saw your car. Are you in the greenhouse, dear?”
    Dazed, amazed, Nina pushed away and stared at the terrifying whirlwind who had just swept into her life. She backed away, as if he might reach out and sweep her up again. She knew she should say something. She knew she should stop this right now.
    Instead, she took to her heels and ran out of the greenhouse as if the hounds of hell chased after her.
    JD followed her progress with equal amazement. He knew he didn’t understand women, but more often than not, they ran after him like lemmings to water. He’d never had one actually run from him. Then again, he’d never had a pixie turn him into a toad before, and that was precisely what he felt like now as he hobbled after her. One big ugly horny toad.

Chapter 6
    â€œMy, my, you look flushed, dear.” Dottie clasped and unclasped her flower basket handle. She wore a loose flowered cotton dress over her slightly humped and thickened figure. A sound pair of SAS brogans completed her gardening ensemble. “It’s much too warm for working in that greenhouse.” Her eyes widened as she peered over Nina’s shoulder.
    Nina didn’t turn around to see what prompted her curiosity. Catching Dottie firmly by the elbow, she steered her toward the rose beds. “The heat is opening the blooms too quickly. I’ll fetch a bucket of water. You’ll need to immerse the roses as soon as you pick them. I have some gorgeous Oriental lilies that might fill out