Maria awoke to a vexing scratching sound. The blinking clock on the night stand dispelled all thoughts of sneaking in more sleep to her already weary body.

She grudgingly threw the warm covers off her and swung her feet to the carpeted floor. She grabbed the cotton robe hanging from the closet and wrapping it around her pajama clad body, Maria walked out of the room and down the stairs intent on finding out where the incessant scratching was coming from.

Her searching eyes were immediately drawn to the porch light seeping into the dark hallway. Maria cautiously dragged her feet towards the light. She slipped her feet into a pair of fuzzy slippers and stepped onto the porch where she pulled her robe closer to her body to ward off the morning chill. Turning towards the noise, her eyes landed on Joyce who was bent by the side walk a steel garden rake in her hand as she hauled a pile of leaves off the gravel.

"Joyce?"

The raking stopped as the lady turned to watch her bewildered boss.

"Oh, morning Mrs. Mukhisa. You are up early. I haven't even started on breakfast yet." Joyce pulled herself to her full length with a weary sigh.

"Its 6am actually, what are you doing?"

"I thought I should get started on the garden before any of you woke up. There is a lot to do." She pointed toward the sprawling yard.

"While I think that is very thoughtful of you, your work is in the house. It will be too overwhelming trying to do both yard work, house chores and watching the kids. Believe me, I have tried and I was almost hospitalized by the stress of it all." Maria released a small chuckle. "I have been meaning to hire someone for the yard but I need to find the right man for the job, a task that may take a while. I do not know any agency that recruits gardeners, so, I have to do the interviews myself." Maria watched as Joyce collected her tools and joined her on the steps.

"I can help out."

"Oh no, I cannot impose on you. You have been amazing this past week, plus I have a very specific idea of the kind of yard I want."

"Oh, I didn't mean sit through the interviews. I wouldn't know where to start." Joyce waved her hand dismissively. "I meant that I know someone. He does amazing garden and yard work and I can get you his number. He is the brother to my former boss."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, I can even have him come through today, he owes me a favor."

Maria beamed at the thought of having her dreadful interview process shortened, "I have a staff meeting this morning, have him pass by the store at midday, I can squeeze him in during my lunch hour."

"Certainly Mrs. Mukhisa, now I need to get breakfast started. The twins have been asking for waffles for two days now." The Lady and her employee walked back into the house their bodies appreciative of the warmth within.

***********

Maria flipped the file on her desk to a new page and continued pouring over the new proposals. She had been at it since the staff meeting ended that morning and was nowhere near finished with them. Several new companies were interested in having her carry their merchandize at the store and their proposals were now sprawled on Maria's desk.

"Maria, your midday appointment is here." Maria looked up from her file and watched as Mwangi sauntered into the office followed closely by a gentleman whose jean and t-shirt clad body easily towered over the store managers' frame. Maria dragged her gaze to his face where a peppered stubble was easily overshadowed by his dazzling smile. "This is Mr. Matthew Mungai," Mwangi gestured to the gentleman whose light grey eyes held Maria's jaded ones. "Mr. Mungai, this is Mrs. Maria Mukhisa the store owner." Mwangi showed the gentleman to a seat and then excused himself.

"Good morning Mr. Mungai. What can I do for you?" Maria sat back in her long-backed seat grateful for the moment of reprieve.

"Joyce called and said that you needed a gardener." Matthews' modulated tone filled the room.

"Oh, that's right! I completely forgot. Uhm sorry, I had a lot to do this morning and it completely skipped my mind."

"It's okay. I have only a few minutes myself. When Joyce asked me to meet you, I couldn't deny her."

Maria let out a slight chuckle, "she did say that you owed her a favor. Mind if I ask what that is about?"

"Joyce worked for my family since I was in high school. She wasn't that much older than me when she started but she always held that five-year gap over my head. Almost every conversation we had ended with a competition over who was right because apparently older meant always right. That led to many dares over the years and by the time I left for college she and I had grown really close and she was now working for my brother. The last dare we had was whether my sister in law was pregnant with a boy or a girl. Stupid, I know, but she won so many other bets before that at this point, I would have taken any dare just to even the score. I lost, of course, and smart woman that she is, she has milked that last one for quite a while and I still owe her a couple more favors." Mathew leaned back into his seat a smile cracking his well sculptured features.

"Interesting story. So, you and Joyce, is there more to your relationship? I ask because if both of you are going to be working for me, I'd like to know where all the cards lie."

"I understand, but no, nothing but friendship. She is like a sister to me."

"Okay, now let's talk about the yard. Do you have a portfolio for me to look through?"

Matthew pulled out a folder from his backpack and handed it to Maria who proceeded to scan through the impressive designs. "Ooh, I love this shaded sitting area. You did this?" She looked up into Mathew's silver eyes and watched them light up with excitement as he took in the design between them.

"Yeah, last year. This couple had this magnificent yard they didn't know what to do with and so they challenged me to impress them. The lady is fond of colors and loves to entertain and so I came up with that setting. Best gig I ever had, after that I have had back to back clients, all referrals from them."

"This is wonderful, I had ideas of my own but after seeing this, I am inclined to give you free reign. You have a keen eye for design. And the way you blend these colors is..." A knock on the door pulled both their focus away from the image in question.

The door opened to reveal a willowy woman whose lean frame was adorned in a flowy blue dress which stopped just in time to reveal a pair of red strappy heels. A designer purse which rested on the crook of her arm matched the heels and the meticulously arranged headscarf on her head. A smile lit her delicate visage reminding Maria once more of how exotic her beauty was.

"Rose!"

"Hi Maria. I was running errands around town and thought I'd come steal you for lunch." Rose's silvery voice said.

"Oh, that is wonderful, uh..."

"It looks like you are in a meeting though."

"Yeah, I am hiring a gardener, you saw what my yard looks like," Maria giggled.

"I didn't know you were looking for someone, I know a great guy." Rose sauntered into the office and stood behind the vacant chair on Mathew's right. "He does my yard and was looking to expand his clientele. I could give him a call if you like."

"Actually, I really like Mathew's portfolio. I think I will give him a chance."

"Oh, its just that with all that you have been through lately, wouldn't it be wise to hire someone who isn't a stranger? Or at least someone who comes highly recommended by a friend?"

"Uhm, I think it will be fine. Mathew comes highly recommended by a friend too. Plus, he seems to be the right fit for what I have in mind for my yard. Thank you though, for offering."

"Okay, I'll leave you to it." Rose turned towards the door.

"Uhm, we can have lunch tomorrow and discuss that new business you mentioned last week." Maria called after her.

Rose turned and smiled at her new friend, "certainly, I will come by at noon." She walked out of the office leaving its two occupants gazing at the shut door.

"That was interesting." Said Mathew after a while.

"Yeah, it was. She is a new friend so I don't know quite what to make of it. Anyway, you are hired Mathew. When can you start?"

"First thing Monday morning. I have to finish this project I am doing this week then I am at your disposal for as long as you need me."

"Awesome. Can you come by over the weekend though? I need to walk with you through the yard so you can share your plans of it."

"Yes, I can come over on Sunday in the afternoon. Does that work?"

"Certainly. I'll see you then."

Maria closed the folder and handed it to Mathew as he lifted himself off the chair. "Here is my business card, call me so I can give you directions when you are ready."

"I will." It was nice meeting you Mrs. Mukhisa." Mathew stretched his hand out for a handshake.

"Likewise. But please call me Maria." She took his hand for a firm handshake.

"In that case, call me Matt." He released her hand and took his leave.

*********************

We finally meet Mathew!!!

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Love,

June