Love In Bloom

Authority or Expertise

The walk back to the mansion was much quieter than Scarlett had expected.

She had imagined leaving the gardens feeling accomplished after her first morning as project supervisor.

Instead, all she could think about was one infuriating man.

"Flowers don't care about deadlines."

The words replayed in her mind like a stubborn melody she couldn't silence.

She hated that he had challenged her.

She hated that he hadn't been intimidated by her family name.

Most of all, she hated that a small part of her wondered if he was right.

As she climbed the marble steps leading to the front entrance, Mrs. Collins spotted her through the open doors.

"There you are," the housekeeper said warmly. "How was your first morning?"

Scarlett forced a smile.

"It was... educational."

Mrs. Collins chuckled.

"That's an interesting choice of words."

Scarlett handed her the project file before dropping onto one of the sofas in the grand foyer.

"I met the head gardener."

Mrs. Collins' eyebrows lifted knowingly.

"Mr. Hayes?"

"So you've heard of him."

"I've known Liam since the day he started working here."

Scarlett leaned back against the cushions.

"Does he always talk to people as if he's in charge?"

Mrs. Collins laughed, the sound filling the quiet room.

"No."

Scarlett folded her arms.

"He ordered me not to step on the flowers."

Mrs. Collins nodded thoughtfully.

"Well... were you about to step on them?"

Scarlett hesitated.

"...Maybe."

"And would you have ruined them?"

Scarlett looked away.

"...Possibly."

Mrs. Collins smiled gently.

"Then he was only doing his job."

Scarlett stared at her in disbelief.

"You're taking his side?"

"I'm taking the side of the roses."

Scarlett let out an exaggerated groan.

"I can't believe this."

Mrs. Collins sat beside her.

"Liam can seem blunt when you first meet him."

"When I first meet him?"

"He's not trying to be rude. He simply cares about those gardens more than almost anything else."

Scarlett remembered the way he had carefully brushed the soil around the young rose bush.

The memory irritated her for reasons she couldn't explain.

"Well," she said, standing, "he's going to have to learn that this project answers to me."

Mrs. Collins smiled but said nothing.

Somehow, her silence felt suspiciously like amusement.

Scarlett adjusted the sleeves of her blouse and looked out through the tall windows toward the gardens.

In the distance, Liam was already back at work.

Without once looking toward the mansion.

Without once looking toward her.

Scarlett frowned.

"Ignore me all you want, Mr. Hayes," she murmured.

"I have six weeks to change your attitude."

Far beyond the windows, Liam straightened from a flower bed and, as if sensing someone's eyes on him, briefly looked toward the mansion.

For a heartbeat, their gazes met across the sprawling gardens.

Neither smiled.

Neither looked away immediately.

Then Liam turned back to his work, leaving Scarlett strangely unsettled.

A knock at the study door interrupted Scarlett's thoughts.

"Come in."

James stepped inside, his posture as proper as ever.

"Miss Monroe, your father would like to see you."

Scarlett glanced once more through the window before turning away.

"Did he say what it's about?"

"I'm afraid not."

She sighed.

"Of course he didn't."

A few moments later, she stood outside Richard Monroe's study. The heavy oak door was slightly ajar, revealing shelves lined with leather-bound books and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the estate.

"Come in, Scarlett."

Richard didn't look up from the documents spread across his desk.

She stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

"You wanted to see me?"

"I've already received the morning progress report."

Scarlett frowned.

"It's barely noon."

"I don't wait until evening to know what's happening on my estate."

He signed a document before finally meeting her eyes.

"So... how is the project?"

Scarlett hesitated.

"The gardens are beautiful."

"I didn't ask about the gardens."

She drew a slow breath.

"The head gardener is proving... challenging."

Richard leaned back in his chair.

"Liam?"

"He refuses to follow my instructions."

Richard remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

"He questioned the restoration schedule and practically dismissed me in front of the other gardeners."

Instead of looking angry, Richard's expression remained unreadable.

"What exactly did he say?"

Scarlett repeated their conversation, leaving out none of it.

When she finished, Richard was quiet for several seconds.

Finally, he spoke.

"If Liam said the roses aren't ready, then they aren't ready."

Scarlett stared at him.

"You're taking his side?"

"I'm taking the side of experience."

"But I'm supervising the project."

"And he's spent five years bringing those gardens back to life."

Richard folded his hands on the desk.

"Your authority doesn't replace his expertise, Scarlett."

His words stung more than she expected.

"I suggest," he continued, "that instead of trying to command Liam Hayes, you learn why he makes the decisions he does."

Scarlett's jaw tightened.

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

She turned and walked out before he could say anything else.

As the study door clicked shut behind her, only one thought echoed through her mind.

For the second time that day..

Liam had won.

Scarlett left the mansion before the frustration inside her had a chance to settle.

Instead of returning to her room, she walked straight back toward the gardens.

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, bathing the estate in shades of gold. Gardeners moved between flower beds, carefully watering plants and trimming hedges. The peaceful atmosphere only made Scarlett's irritation grow.

She spotted Liam near the center fountain, kneeling beside a bed of white hydrangeas.

Without thinking, she walked over.

"Liam."

He looked up briefly before returning to his work.

"Miss Monroe."

"I've just come from my father's study."

"I assumed you had."

She frowned.

"You knew I'd complain."

He gave a small shrug.

"It seemed likely."

Scarlett folded her arms.

"You don't seem worried."

"Should I be?"

"My father knows exactly how you've been treating me."

Liam finally stood, brushing the dirt from his gloves.

"And?"

Scarlett's confidence faltered for the first time that day.

"And... he agreed with you."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Liam's lips before it disappeared.

"I'm glad he still trusts the gardens."

The calmness in his voice made Scarlett even more annoyed.

"You enjoy proving me wrong, don't you?"

"No."

He picked up a watering can.

"I enjoy keeping things alive."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The breeze carried the sweet scent of roses between them.

Then Liam glanced at the project file tucked beneath Scarlett's arm.

"If you're serious about supervising this restoration, meet me here tomorrow."

Scarlett raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"We start at six."

She nearly laughed.

"Six in the morning?"

"The flowers don't wait for people who like to sleep in."

With that, he walked away, leaving Scarlett standing speechless.

She watched him disappear behind a row of climbing roses before looking down at her expensive watch.

Six o'clock.

She had never willingly been awake that early unless she was catching a flight.

A part of her wanted to refuse out of pure pride.

Another part wanted to prove she could do the job.

As she turned toward the mansion, a determined smile slowly crossed her face.

"Fine, Mr. Hayes," she whispered.

"I'll be here."

What Scarlett didn't realize was that by accepting one early morning in the gardens...

She was taking the first step toward a love that would change both their lives forever.