Garrett worked all afternoon on the drawings for Rayne but when he was finished he smiled in satisfaction. Miss Rayne Nyman was going to be impressed or he was going to die trying. He loved the new software that would allow Rayne to get a better feel for what she was going to be getting. And since money was no object, he was going to have a little fun with it too. He couldn’t remember ever working with someone who wasn’t on a strict budget, so to be given free reign was incredible. Instead of looking for the cheapest options, he could be creative and design a landscape that would be beautiful for years to come.
“Hey man, you need a break? We’re heading down to the gym for a little boxing.”
Garrett looked up and grinned at Becket. “That’s exactly what I need. I deserve a break after my afternoon,” he said and stood up, grabbing his wallet and keys.
They walked out to Becket’s truck and he hopped in just as Asher walked slowly toward them as he talked on the phone.
Becket groaned. “Great, now we’ll be here for another fifteen minutes while he chats to his latest girlfriend.”
Garrett sighed impatiently but had to smile as he studied his younger brother. He was everything their father had wanted him to be. It had been Dave Murphy’s greatest wish that his sons get a college education. He had gotten a two year degree in landscape design but Asher had gone all the way and gotten a bachelor’s in business management. He was going places and he was taking Murphy Landscaping with him.
“He broke up with Erin last week. Now he’s trying to find a lead singer for his rock band to take her place.”
Becket snorted and honked the horn lightly. Asher looked up and smiled and held up a finger making both of them groan loudly.
“I get first dibs at pounding the smile off of his face,” Becket said menacingly.
Garrett shook his head. “Sorry Beck, but he’s my kid brother. No one gets to pound on him but me. Besides, you’d kill him,” he said glancing over at his friend.
They’d served in the same platoon for five years and they were as close as real brothers could be. He’d trust him with his life and had on a few occasions. They had the same strong build, but where he had brown hair and blue eyes, Becket was blond with brown eyes. He spent so much time outside now, his hair was bleached white at the tips. Becket never had to go looking for a date that was for sure.
Becket sighed and glanced over at him. “Fine, you’re way too happy. I guess I’ll have to settle for wiping the smile off your face.”
Garrett grinned. “You can try. You haven’t been able to yet.”
Becket laughed and leaned his head back, relaxing in his seat. “That’s debatable. So what’s the newest project? I’m finishing up the Phillip’s wall tomorrow so I’ll be ready for the next job.”
Garrett turned in his seat so he could see his face. “Becket, picture your dream job. I’m not kidding, this lady I had lunch with today is giving me free reign to plant the most gorgeous flowers you can imagine. I’m going to turn her house into a show place. But there’s this one huge fir tree right in the middle of the yard. It makes no sense. It’s like someone just saw this beautiful yard and said, you know what, I’m going to stick a tree right in the very middle. So you’re going to have to remove that sucker first thing and then I’m going to talk to her about adding some curbing. What I’d really love to do is replace her crumbling cement steps with those beautiful red flagstones you used on the Johnson job last year.”
Becket smiled and shook his head. “You’re dreaming if you think someone’s going to pay for all of that. You’re talking a small fortune.”
Garrett sat back and shrugged. “Fine, don’t believe me.”
Becket looked intrigued and sat up. “I say this calls for a meeting of minds. When are you meeting with this lady again?”
Garrett wished he was meeting with her that night he was so excited to show her the drawings. “I just texted her and set up an appointment for tomorrow at her house at one. You and Asher should come with me. I want Asher there anyways to explain the contract and the deposit and if she has questions about the tree removal or anything else it would be good to have you there.”
Becket smiled and started his truck. “I’ll be there.”
Garrett scooted over so Asher could jump up beside him and they drove out of the nursery parking lot and down the road to the gym. Garrett spent the next two hours boxing with Becket and Asher before working out. Even though he wasn’t in the Marines anymore, he still didn’t feel right about getting out of shape. He was the man he was today because of the US Marines and he didn’t want to forget it.
Asher insisted they go out for Mexican food before heading home. Becket had a date later that night so he dropped them off at seven with a wave and a honk of his truck. He and Asher spent the rest of the evening watching movies as Asher talked on the phone to his drummer and bass player about whether or not they’d be able to keep their rock band together.
“Is your band still called Murphy’s Law?” Garrett asked with a smile as
Pacific Rim
came to an end.
Asher groaned. “I don’t even know anymore. I don’t know anything. I should just call it. You can’t do much without a lead singer.”
Garrett nodded his head and stood up, stretching. “True that. Give it another week. You never know what will pop up around the corner. And don’t forget about tomorrow at one at the Nyman’s house. And bring the contract, okay?”
Asher nodded and slumped down in his chair. “Hey Garrett, I got another email from Mom.”
Garrett paused and stiffened before turning around and looking at his brother. “
And?”
Asher shrugged and looked away. “She just wanted to know what we were up to.”
Garrett raised his eyebrow and waited. Asher reddened and sighed. “And she wants five hundred dollars. She says it’s to pay for the deposit on a new apartment.”
Garrett ran a hand over his short brown hair and shook his head. “Yeah, and if you believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.”
Asher picked up the DVD case for the movie and studied the edges as if they were fascinating. “She’s clean now Garrett, but I think the guy she’s been seeing lately is into gambling.”
Garrett walked a few steps back into the room. “What’s going on Ash?”
Asher stood up and put his hands on his waist. “After that last loser she was seeing busted her face up, I decided to check up on her. I’ve been keeping tabs on her. She’s living down in Reno waitressing now, but the guy she’s seeing is a real loser.”
Garrett sighed. “Why do you do this to yourself, Ash? She walked out on us. You were a little kid in Kindergarten and she never once looked back until she found out we’d started a business and figured out we were good for a few handouts. That’s all we’ll ever be to her, is just a hand out.”
Asher nodded and rubbed a hand over his face. “I feel so bad for her though. And if this is all I can give her, then fine, I’ll give her some cash. I mean, say what you will about her, but I’m here because of her. And because of that, I was able to grow up with the best brother and best dad in the entire world. I feel so bad for her that she missed out on you and dad.
And me
,” he said softly.
Garrett sighed and then hauled his brother up for a hard hug. “I’ll split it with you, but don’t send the five. Send her two-fifty and tell her that’s the end of it. If she wants anymore, she’ll have to come visit you and you can do a mommy son play date or something.”
Asher grinned and punched him in the arm. “You’re such a softie Garrett.”
Garrett grumbled and walked out of the room, but smiled as he walked upstairs. Asher was the softie, but if their mom kept pushing him for money, he was going to have to have a little talk with Angie Jackson Murphy Anderson Porter Brown. She was busy working on getting husband number five, but he didn’t want Asher to get his hopes up. Asher liked to feel needed. But their mom just liked to use people. Not a good combination.
Rayne checked herself in the mirror and then sighed. It was bad enough knowing she was going to be getting teased by Ivy and Cleo mercilessly if she went out of her way to look nice. She settled on pulling her hair up into a ponytail with light makeup. She’d agonized over what to wear and had finally settled on her faded jean shorts and a plain white t-shirt since they were just going to be walking around her yard. She didn’t want to give him the wrong impression.
She wandered downstairs and stopped in surprise to see Cleo and Ivy lounging in the living room looking curiously gorgeous. Her sister had decided against her usual ratty ponytail and had taken the time to make gorgeous loose waves throughout her multi-colored hair. She was wearing a short black skirt over colorful leggings and a silver t-shirt.
Huh
. Cleo didn’t look too shabby either. Gone were the yoga pants and tank top and in their place was a cute skirt and polo shirt that would look perfect on any golf course. She looked classy and very pretty with her tawny hair down around her shoulders and her eyes perfectly highlighted.
Looks like she had some competition.
“Did I not make myself clear? I believe I called dibs,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest and staring her sister and friend down.
Cleo jumped up and motioned toward Ivy. “Ivy decided that we should do a science experiment. If we can get Garrett to flirt with either one of us then he’s not for you. If he doesn’t flirt? Then he’s a candidate for your next boyfriend.”
Rayne shook her head and walked over to stand in front of her sister. “So what you’re saying is that you’re going all out beautiful and planning on flirting with a man I may or may not be interested in for my own good?”
Ivy laid down her Rolling Stone magazine and shrugged lazily. “We’re doing you a favor. I saw the way you were looking at that guy. As a matter of fact I’ve
never
seen you look at a guy like that before. So we’re here to save you time and heart break. If this guy is a loser, we’ll know it now instead of six months down the road. Look, I’ve been through too much Rayne. I can’t deal with you being unhappy and heartbroken on top of everything else,” she said, sounding almost like she was being honest.
Rayne frowned and studied her sister. Ivy stared back, her green eyes clear and serious and she sighed. “
Fine
. Flirt yourself crazy but if Garrett does ask you out and you go and then fall in love with him and get married, I’ll run over your guitar with my car.”
Ivy’s mouth fell open in shock. “Touch my guitar and you’re dead,” she said standing up and smoothing her skirt down. “No man is worth ruining a perfectly good guitar over and
seriously?
Like I would do that to you. And what about Cleo? What if
she
snags Garrett and rides off into the sunset?”
Rayne and Ivy turned as one and stared at Cleo who held up her hands innocently. “Hey, while I agree Garrett is hot, I would never poach. You’re my friend. End of story.”
Rayne relaxed and grinned at her little sister and Cleo. “You guys had me worried there for a minute. I finally meet a guy I might like and here you two are looking like you’re ready to do battle for the last man on the planet.”
Ivy snorted and flipped her hair. “And here you are looking very understated to put it nicely. Trying to impress Garrett by looking like a normal, down to earth girl?”
Rayne turned away and walked over to the window as she glanced at her watch. “What a thing to say. I
am
a normal, down to earth kind of girl.”
Cleo laughed and sat back down, grabbing Ivy’s magazine. “You are hilarious Rayne. Acclaimed pianist lauded for her ability to bring an audience to tears? Millionaire and owner of a successful shipping business? Is that considered down to earth these days?”
Rayne glared at Cleo over her shoulders and rolled her eyes as Ivy began laughing. “Do you see what I’m up against? How am I ever going to date someone I actually like,
someone normal
if they find out about all of that? I’ve always dreamed of meeting a guy who didn’t know who I was and falling in love without all of the baggage.”
Ivy twirled a pink strand of hair and slouched against the wall. “Good luck with that.”
Rayne sighed and walked over to the couch. “Right back at ya Ivy. You’re just as stuck as I am because you’re just as rich as I am.”
Ivy shook her head. “Not really, Rayne. My OCD and stint in rehab along with my eating disorder kind of negate anything good about me. What guy would want to take me on?” she asked quietly as she studied her nails.
Rayne sat up and felt like she’d been punched in the stomach. “
Ivy
, come on. Your OCD is under control now and you’ve been in recovery for over two years. You’re gorgeous and smart and you’re one of the most talented singers I know. If you’d just do a concert with me everyone else would know that too.”
Ivy smiled sadly and shook her head. “Nah, my therapist doesn’t think it would be good for me. Too much stress and too many expectations. No, I’d rather just sing in dreary little coffee houses with five other people surrounding me so no one’s really looking at
me
. I don’t know how you play on that stage with thousands of people staring at you. I get panicky just thinking about it.”
Rayne smiled and leaned back against the couch cushions. “Well it’s a shame that you’re not singing for anyone. Why don’t you and Cleo look into some local bands?”
Cleo laughed and started stretching her back out. “
Me?
Don’t even think about it. I don’t have a single musical gene in my body. And don’t say I can do the tambourine either.”
Ivy grinned and began to say something when the doorbell sounded. “Time to get your flirt on Cleo. On your mark,” she said and hurried to open the door.
Rayne stood up and laughed a little as she realized just how nervous she was. Her hands were sweating and she felt a little shaky as she walked toward the foyer. Ivy was pulling the door wide open and two men she didn’t recognize walked through the doorway. She glanced at Cleo nervously but she was already frowning and moving forward, her hand going to a pocket in her skirt where Rayne knew she always kept her mace.
She stared at the two men silently but didn’t recognize them. They looked too friendly for assassins in her opinion. One of the men was tall and hard looking which was at odds with his golden handsomeness. He could have been a surfer from California easily except for his hard jaw and the serious glint in his eyes. But he held himself easily and nodded to them as if they knew each other. The other man was gorgeous and had an easy going smile on his face and looked very familiar. He was wearing nice jeans and a blue and white striped button down shirt. His hair was longer than normal and wavy and by the way he kept looking over his shoulder she wondered if he was nervous.
Since Cleo was just standing there, Rayne walked forward, smiling politely. “Hello gentlemen. What can I do for you?” she asked stepping in front of Cleo.
The blond man stepped forward and held out his hand. “I’m Becket Lowell and this is Asher Murphy. We’re part owners of Murphy landscaping. Garrett had an appointment to meet with you at one but he’s been held up. He should be here any minute though.”
Rayne relaxed immediately and smiled at the men as she shook their hands. That was why Asher looked so familiar. He had to be Garrett’s little brother.
“I’m Rayne Nyman and this is my sister, Ivy and our friend, Cleo McCarthy. Why don’t you come in and have a seat while we wait for Garrett?” she offered.
Asher smiled and moved to follow her, but Becket shook his head. “Actually I’d like to get a head start and look around your property if that’s okay? Would one of you ladies like to show me around?” he asked glancing at all three of them briefly.
Rayne bit her lip and looked at Cleo and Ivy who had been surprisingly silent throughout the introductions. Ivy was part owner of their home so she motioned to her sister.
“Ivy can show you around.”
Ivy glanced at her quickly, looking a little nervous but nodded her head and smiled at Becket. “Just follow me,” she said and opened the front door and walked out onto the large front porch.
Becket disappeared after her, leaving her with Cleo and Asher. She motioned toward the living room and smiled as she noticed Asher staring at Cleo. She was glad now that her friend had dressed up a little. Cleo was the only person she knew who was completely comfortable in her own skin whether she was dressed up in pearls and a formal or wearing yoga pants and no makeup.
“So Asher, I didn’t realize that Murphy Landscaping had two other part-owners. You seem kind of young to be a business owner.”
Asher sat back comfortably and smiled. “I have a degree in business management and I’m over that end of things. Garrett is over landscape design and Becket is over all the heavy lifting. He does rock walls and anything that has to do with a back hoe. We just opened our nursery last month so we’re excited to expand.”
Cleo cleared her throat and crossed her legs. “That’s pretty impressive. Most guys your age are still partying and working at Starbucks.”
Asher glanced at Cleo and smiled slowly. “My brother raised me to be a man not a boy.”
Cleo smiled back at him as Rayne blinked in surprise. “Wait, Garrett
raised
you?”
Asher tore his eyes away from Cleo and nodded. “My dad was a trucker and my mom took off when I was five. Garrett’s been looking out for me my whole life. When he joined the Marines he sent back every penny he could and paid for me to go to college. I’d be a little ungrateful if I just turned around and wasted my life and everything he worked so hard to give me.”
Rayne felt her heart warm and she smiled at Asher. “How old are you Asher, if you don’t mind my asking?”
Asher shook his head. “Not at all. I just turned twenty-six. Garrett’s three years older than me. He’s the best brother anyone could have.”
Cleo stood and walked over to Asher, sitting down next to him on the couch. “That is so sweet. I’m an only child and I always wanted a brother or sister. Hanging out with Rayne and Ivy is the closest I’ve ever come to it.”
Rayne smiled and then jumped up as she heard the doorbell. She left Cleo and Asher talking and hurried to the front door. She opened it up, an easy smile on her face.
“Hi Rayne. You’re looking beautiful as always.”’
Rayne felt panic slam into her chest as she stood face to face with her half-cousin, Graham Mitchell. He looked exactly the same as he had the last time she’d seen him at her parents’ funeral. Smooth, stylish and handsome. He wore an expensive suit that fitted his position as CEO of Mitchell Co., a company that manufactured soaps and bath gels. But she knew that underneath the handsome veneer was a bully and possibly a murderer. He looked tan and fit and had taken to shaving his head, making him look even more dangerous. His eyes held an appreciative glimmer that made her want to cover her legs and grab a coat.
“
Graham
… what are you doing here?” she said in a tight voice as her hands clenched at her sides.
Graham stepped forward, making her step back automatically as he leaned on the edge of the doorway. “I was in town and thought it would be nice to stop in on my favorite girl. It’s been a while.
I miss you
,” he said in a low voice that had her swallowing hard and looking away.
Graham had always been annoyingly flirtatious with her ever since they were teenagers. He’d even sent her an email one time telling her that in California it was legal for half-cousins to marry.
“How did you even know where I was? I haven’t told anyone,” she said, wishing Cleo or Ivy would come and save her.
Graham shrugged and reached out to push a wisp of hair off her forehead. “When I didn’t get an answer to any of my emails or texts I had my secretary make some inquiries. I know you and Ivy have had it rough since your parents died but darling, it’s time to start living again. Shutting out all of the people who care about you isn’t healthy. Come out to dinner with me tonight. I’m in town for business but I have some time later today. We need to talk.”