The door of Ethan’s car clonked shut as Dan came marching up and snapping out, “There’s something wrong with some fruit trees.”
Huh? Now what? So much for a day off, and what was Dan doing here? Oh yes, the boy had asked to swap one of his week days for half a day on a couple of Sunday afternoons. Not caring why and happy to oblige, Ethan had agreed. Although not in the mood for work, still habit kicked in. “What’s the trouble?”
“The leaves.”
Like they dropped off, it being winter ‘n’ all? He managed to keep the sarcasm to himself. Unfair of him. Dan wasn’t stupid as so many of his predecessors turned out to be, younger gardeners who came and went with disturbing and surprising regularity. Not cos of laziness, either. Some never came back the moment they met Ruby Gardener. “Show me.”
T
