Chapter 32

32

F aith and Destiny had split up that morning, each meeting with their own customers. They planned to go rock hunting this afternoon. Anytime they came across a rock that would be suitable for their purpose in the rock garden they grabbed it. But now they needed flat smaller rocks that could be stacked in creative formations.

The landscaping around the main building was almost complete and the garden with the fountain only needed mulch added to the flower bed floor. Everything was coming together.

Faith was on her way back from the Hutto housing development to pick up Destiny when a For Sale sign caught her eye. It was in front of a commercial building with a fenced area around the perimeter. She quickly exited the highway and pulled into the parking lot in front of the building.

"This might work," she mumbled. She pulled up to the sign and took a picture so she'd have the contact information for the realtor, then continued on her way.

"Hi, honey." Destiny greeted Faith as soon as she walked into the office.

Faith smiled, leaned up, and kissed Destiny on the lips. "Hey, babe."

"I've gotten used to working with you every morning," Destiny said, kissing Faith back. "I missed you."

Faith chuckled. "We've got it bad."

"Yes, you do!" Monica exclaimed from her desk. "But it's cute," she added, wrinkling her nose. "I've seen a change in both of you. Kim and I were talking the other day, we thought you were perfect for each other before, but things happened. Don't mess this up. We were right from the get-go."

"We're not going to mess this up," Destiny said.

"You mean, I'm not going to mess this up," Faith stated.

"Let it go, Faith," Monica said. "What happened wasn't your fault."

"It doesn't matter because we've made it through," Faith said, putting her arm around Destiny's waist.

Destiny smirked. "She says that because she's worried I'm planning a revenge plot to get Gloria back."

Faith smiled. "We're stronger and closer than ever."

"Yes we are," Destiny said. "Our best revenge is living happily ever after."

"Would you listen to that," Monica said. "I almost believe you."

Faith chuckled. "We'd better get going. I have something to show you before our rock hunt."

"I'm all yours," Destiny said.

"Lucky me." Faith took Destiny's hand and led them to the door. "See you later, Monica."

"Bye, y'all."

"So what do you have to show me?" Destiny asked.

Faith left the shop and drove them back towards the building that was for sale. "I came across a place that might be perfect for Fields of Green," she said, glancing over at Destiny.

"Oh really?"

"Come on," Faith said. "I know you've thought about combining our businesses into one. It's our dream, remember?"

"Of course I've thought about it," Destiny replied. "I'm always thinking about our dream."

Faith smiled and reached for Destiny's hand. "I know we've been busy and stretched thin. We agreed to get the project done before we did anything else. But…"

"I'm getting the idea you like this place," Destiny said.

"I haven't really looked at it," Faith replied. "I wanted you to see it with me." She squeezed Destiny's hand. "We're at our best when we're together."

Destiny grinned. "We are one helluva team. Gloria is finding that out."

Faith raised her brows and glanced over at Destiny.

"I didn't do anything," Destiny said, holding up her hand. "I heard she was trying to sell those shrubs to anyone who would take them."

Faith chuckled. "She'll leave us alone now that we've cost her money. She's all about the profit."

"Still…"

"Un huh," Faith said warily. "We are not the revenge type of people."

"Well," Destiny said, drawing the word out.

"Des."

"I'm kidding, babe." Destiny laughed. "I was serious about living happily ever after."

Faith smiled. "That's what we're doing."Faith pulled off the highway and into the parking lot of the building. "It looks big enough," she said. She drove around to the back of the building and they got out of the truck.

"Those bay doors in the back will open up into the shop," Destiny said.

"We could fit all of our equipment inside," Faith said.

Destiny stopped and scanned the property from one end to the other. "Where do you want to put the tiny house?"

"Well," Faith said, walking over and standing next to her. "Do you see how the property borders that residential area?"

Destiny nodded as she looked to her left.

Faith rested her hand on Destiny's shoulder. "I thought we might build a house over at the property line. We'd be away from the business, but still nearby."

Destiny looked at Faith and furrowed her brow. "You want to move out of the tiny house?"

Faith smiled. "Someday."

Destiny looked back over to where Faith envisioned the house.

"Do you remember why we stayed in the apartment after I moved in instead of getting a house together?"

"Yeah," Destiny replied. "We didn't want to come home and work in our own yard after working in other people's yards all day."

"What if we built the house so we could have our own private garden in the back?" Faith said. "Designed by us."

Destiny looked over at her and Faith could see the delight shining in her eyes.

"I like that idea," Destiny said. "Once we get it the way we want it then there wouldn't be much maintenance to it. All we'd have to do is enjoy it."

"Together," Faith added.

"You've been thinking about this haven't you?" Destiny said, turning to face Faith.

"I couldn't help dreaming, babe. We've jumped into this project together and even though there have been struggles, we've made it through them together. Just like we're doing with our lives."

"What about the tiny house?" Destiny asked. "You know I love it."

Faith nodded and smiled. "We won't be able to build a house for some time. That's our future. We'll move the tiny house over here and keep living in it until we're ready for the rest."

Destiny smiled. "When did you become such a thinker and planner? That was my thing."

Faith chuckled. "I had to when you became so creative, suggesting things like rock gardens with cairns."

Destiny laughed. "We really have changed."

"I don't think so," Faith said, putting her arms around Destiny's neck. "We've become more open and with that all kinds of ideas and possibilities can flow."

"God, I love you," Destiny said.

Faith was smiling when Destiny's lips crashed into hers. She expected Destiny to be open to the idea, but her excitement was suddenly intoxicating. The intensity and passion with how their lips and tongues melded together left Faith breathless.

"Mmmm," Faith mumbled. "We have to go find rocks, but we're going to continue this later."

Destiny smiled. "I'm going to have Monica call and find out the info on the property while we gather rocks. Then we can discuss what she finds out tonight."

"I'll text her," Faith said. "I have the realtor's info."

"You were pretty sure of yourself," Destiny said.

"I was sure of us," Faith replied, sending the text. She put her phone back in her pocket and looked up at Destiny. "I could see us here."

"Don't get too far ahead," Destiny warned. "Let's see if we can afford it."

Faith nodded. "Come on, babe. We have rocks waiting for us." She took Destiny's hand and they walked back to the truck. "I'm going to build you a special cairn. You'll see."

Later that night Faith was still awake with Destiny pressed into her side. Her rhythmic breathing and quiet snore made Faith smile. They had an appointment with the realtor to tour the property tomorrow. She was confident they could make it work by combining their companies, consolidating their equipment, and moving into one place.

The thought of their dream becoming a reality made it hard for Faith to fall asleep. She'd been thinking about all they'd been through and how they'd gotten to this point.

When they were together before, Faith always had a sliver of doubt living in the back of her mind. It would remind her from time to time that she couldn't trust anyone. Sooner or later the people she loved always let her down. Her love for Destiny was stronger than this ingrained doubt and she could usually push it away when it decided to come to the surface.

Living with something that picked away at the scars around her heart was exhausting. That's why the video of Gloria had devastated her so. But the night the truth came out in that little shack, Faith's mistrust and doubt disappeared. All along her heart knew she could trust Destiny and it won that night.

It crushed her to know she'd hurt Destiny so badly, but it also made her realize she could trust her heart. Since then her heart had been opened to imagine and believe the dreams they shared could really come true.

Faith wondered if Destiny had extinguished all her doubts. A smile grew on her face and she suddenly had an idea of exactly how to bury any doubts once and for all. She knew what to do and exactly where to do it.

She held Destiny a little tighter and kissed her forehead. Faith closed her eyes. There were nothing but sweet dreams in this bedroom tonight.

Faith and Destiny explained to the realtor what they were trying to accomplish and he put together a deal to sell both of their properties while they made an offer on the building. The sellers accepted their bid and the realtor went to work selling their properties while they went through the closing process on the new home for Fields of Green.

They were putting the final touches on the flower beds of the massive project when Faith walked over to where Destiny was working in the rock garden. "Hey, babe," Faith said. "The fountain is working beautifully. It's better than I imagined."

"Oh, good, I'm finishing up a little design. What do you think?"

Faith looked over at the stacked rocks and smiled. "That looks great. Are we going to change the design when we mow and weed every week?"

"Of course," Destiny replied. "We have to keep it fresh."

"Maybe we should have rocks at the shop to practice with," Faith said. "Some of these designs are interesting, but hard to do."

Destiny stacked the last rock and looked up at Faith. "That's a great idea. It could be a stress reliever for us and our teams, too."

Faith tilted her head. "I don't know about that," she said warily. "They might want to throw the rocks at us instead of stacking them."

Destiny laughed. "You have a point." She got to her feet and looked around the garden. "I think it's finished."

"I'd like to walk around all three buildings one more time and be sure everything is as perfect as we can make it," Faith said.

"Okay."

"There are a couple of plants that don't look good at the back of the main building," Faith said. "Mark is going to change them out tomorrow and finish up with the mulch."

"We can do our final walk-through after that," Destiny said.

"How about we do it at sunset?" Faith's heart began to speed up at the thought of what she had planned tomorrow for Destiny. Once the idea came to her she'd asked Mark, Amy, and Monica to help her with the surprise.

"At sunset?" Destiny said, turning to Faith.

"Yeah," Faith said. "We love to watch the sunset together. Let's do it here."

"It can be our farewell to a job well done," Destiny said.

"Yep, we'll turn it over to the project manager the next day."

"You've got a date, babe." Destiny grinned and gave Faith a quick kiss.

Oh, this is going to be so much more than a date, my love.