Page 32 of Stars Shine In Your Eyes

“It’s a dream job. I’m so lucky to be able to work in one of the greatest gardens in the world.” She gave Josie a little smile. “Of course I want more, though.”

Josie laughed. “Sounds reasonable to me.”

Alice looked dreamy as she said, “I just always loved the manor house grounds, even as a little kid. I would run around, and could see how they used to be, even before I had any training. I’ve actually been collecting old documents and books that talk about the gardens here, even if it’s just a passing reference or a single picture. When Mari said that the owner was allowing her to lease the cottages for reading retreats, I was hoping she would ask me to help. And now that all of you have taken me on board, I’m just bursting with ideas.”

As they were walking, she pulled some colorful drawings out of her bag. “Here is what the gardens originally looked like,” she said, pointing to what looked to be a photocopy from a book. “Wouldn’t it be fun to use the original garden design as a jumping-off point and incorporate areas that are inspired by books?”

“I love that,” Josie said. Gardens and reading and stories just seemed to go together.

“I was hoping you would. Here.” She pointed to one of the drawings. “We could create a seating area that merges into the secret garden. And then over in this section—” She pointed to another drawing. “—we could have a mystical area straight out of Alice in Wonderland, with oversized chairs and bright fabrics. Because when you get lost in a story, it’s always a bit like slipping down a rabbit hole into a new world.”

“Yes,” Josie agreed. “That’s exactly how I feel.”

When Josie almost stumbled over a large rock, Alice said, “Sorry, I should have waited until we got there to show you this. We can go over it once we’re there. I’m just so excited about the possibilities.”

“Oh, no, I’m glad you’re excited, and there’s no need to wait. I actually perfected walking while reading a long time ago. And I almost never trip.” They laughed together at that.

For the next few minutes, as they walked and talked, Alice showed her other ideas that she had for the gardens, all of them brilliant.

“I don’t know that I have the authority to tell you to go ahead and do everything on your plan,” Josie said, “but I want you to know you have two thumbs-up from me. It’s going to be absolutely incredible. And I really am thrilled that you’re involved with this project.”

Alice gave her a hug. “Me too. I feel like we’re friends already.” Alice glanced back at her brother and then, lowering her voice, said to Josie, “I hope it’s been okay staying with Malcolm. I understand he can’t get into his flat in the city for a while, so you’re stuck with him on the houseboat. But if it’s uncomfortable in any way, you know we can find you somewhere else to stay.”

Josie tried not to betray any reaction to the idea of sharing River Star with Malcolm—or not. If Josie blushed or giggled or got too serious, Alice might guess that something was up. She tried her darnedest to keep her response in the same tone as the rest of their conversation as she said, “Oh, it’s great having him right there. It’s made it easy for us to go over all the details for this big cleanup at the cottages.”

Alice looked a little more closely at her. “You know, the one thing that’s a little strange about it is that Malcolm has been glued to his office for as long as I can remember. It’s surprising that he is suddenly willing to take an extended vacation to do grunt work on Elderflower Island.”

“I’m not exactly sure what his motivations are,” Josie said carefully, “but it sounds like he already had a vacation planned, and this is how he wants to spend it. Mari is definitely lucky to have him on board.”

“She is,” Alice agreed, “but I still have to wonder about his huge change of heart. Honestly, this morning it’s like he’s a different person. He’s not normally so smiley and easygoing. Usually, you can’t tear him away from his phone or computer.” Alice gave her another little smile and nudged her arm as they walked. “I’m starting to think maybe he has a crush on you.”

Josie couldn’t help but give an awkward little laugh. Which felt like it gave the whole game away. “I doubt it. I don’t think I’m his type. He probably dates models and starlets in London.”

Alice rolled her eyes. “I hate all his girlfriends. They do tend to be models, and honestly, I know there are lots of women who model and are interesting and intelligent and kind. But he doesn’t pick those ones. It’s like he chooses someone who will look good on his arm and never challenge him. I don’t know why he thinks he has to live out some cliché of the-billionaire-and-the-supermodel.”

That nearly stopped Josie in her tracks. “Billionaire?”

“Oh yeah,” Alice confirmed. “He’s insanely rich. He’s always trying to get me to take his money to start my own garden center. And he’s offered to buy the old music hall on the island for Tom as a silent partner, and he’s offered to help Mari financially with the bookshop. But none of us feel right about taking his money. I know I don’t. He earned what he’s earned on his own. And I, for one, want the satisfaction of doing the same for myself.” She grinned. “We’ll all happily take his free labor, though.”

Still at little winded by this billionaire bombshell, Josie nodded and tried to gather herself together. “There is a great deal of satisfaction in building something from our dreams and turning them into reality. But at the same time, it’s also nice to let people lend a hand, especially if they’re well meaning. Malcolm has mentioned your love of gardening to me several times already, and I get the feeling he’d love to be a silent investor if you would consider it.”

Alice grew quiet for a moment, the longest period of silence since Josie had met her.

“I suppose you’re right. I could still have the pleasure of creating something magical while sharing that pleasure with somebody I really care about and who cares about me,” she said. “I’ll think about it.”

By this time, they’d reached the cottages. Josie focused on their future beauty while Alice only had eyes for the grounds. “These gardens. I still can’t believe I get to bring them back to life. I’ll take some measurements and more notes before I dash off in half an hour to get to work.”

“Do whatever you need to,” Josie said. “And anything you need, let me know, and I’ll try to make it happen.”

As Alice walked away, her spiral notebook already filling up with her notes, Josie joined Malcolm and Fiona. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore you,” Josie said to Fiona.

“Don’t worry about it at all. I’m sure Alice was talking your ear off about the gardens.”

“Her ideas are brilliant,” Josie confirmed. “I told her I wasn’t sure I had complete authority over things and that she should also check with you and Mari, but she has two thumbs-up from me for everything. She’s planning to use the historical garden plan as the springboard and then create several special spaces that connect to gardens in popular books. It’s a brilliant idea and one that I haven’t seen anybody do before.”

“She’s very good at what she does,” Fiona confirmed. “I’ve recommended her to a couple of friends who needed gardens designed, and they’ve been extremely pleased.” She gave a small smile. “One of them has a hundred-acre estate in Scotland and tried to hire Alice to be her full-time gardener. But even though she kept escalating the salary, Alice wasn’t interested.”

“I had no idea she’s been turning down offers like that,” Malcolm said.

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