The idea that you could plant a tiny seed at the beginning of spring and it would eventually grow into a plant strong and sustainable enough to produce things that you could actually eat…

It blew my mind every single time.

Miles followed me as I headed towards the vegetable area. “I’m going to regret asking this, but why is nobody talking to you?”

I sighed, picking up the little wheelbarrow and carrying it instead of wheeling it. I was going to hurt myself if I kept bending over to push it. Did I want to spill my woes to Miles? Not particularly, but he was actually talking to me like I existed and sue me for wanting the conversation to continue.

Yes, I had a schoolgirl crush on him. It was ridiculous. I knew that, yet I still had one.

It wasn’t my fault he was extraordinarily handsome with his blue eyes and his dark stubble on his jaw. Not to mention his muscles—gardening was a physical job, and boy, did it show.

Ahem.

Control yourself, Gabriella.

“I, uh…” I put the wheelbarrow down when we reached our destination and looked down at the pathways that were thick with hardened woodchip. “I’ve been secretly taking a horticulture course at the local college. Dad found out yesterday when my tutor called to say I’d left something behind. He’s furious.”

Miles’ brow furrowed. “Why would he be angry about that?”

“I don’t know if he’s angry about me doing it, per se, but more about the fact I kept it a secret.” I shifted uncomfortably. “But he hasn’t spoken to me since yesterday afternoon, so I couldn’t say.”

“Why don’t you just ask him?”

“He’s not talking to me.”

“Have you tried to talk to him?”

“Well, no, but—”

“There you are, then.” He grabbed his own gardening gloves and pulled them on. “You don’t know because you haven’t asked. Instead you’re hiding out here like a disgraced child because you’re afraid of the answer.”

“Okay, Dr. Phil, thank you.” I sniffed and looked away as he shook his head.

He was right, though, wasn’t he? I could go to my father and clear this up in a heartbeat, but I was hiding out here in the garden because it was easier than confronting the truth.

That I’d been wrong to hide it.

I knew that. I’d known it all along, and now, as I thought about it, the only person who could end this stalemate was me.

I had to apologise for keeping it a secret.

“Can you handle that?” I pointed to my wheelbarrow. “I need to find my father.”

“You can’t drop it into the compost pile on the way?”

“I’d rather do this while I still have the courage to do so.”

Miles sighed and picked up a pair of shears. “Go ahead. I’ll take it on my way out.”

“Thank you!” I used the side of the raised bed and got up, peeling off my gloves as I ran towards the house.