Page 15 of Until We Weren't

“How’d you get into landscaping?”

Destiny chuckled. “Jake and I were in high school together. He had a lawn mowing business in the summers and I worked for him.”

“No way,” Monica exclaimed. “How have I not heard this before now?”

Destiny laughed. “Several of our clients came from Jake’s mowing business. When I decided to open my own landscaping company he’s the first person I called.”

“But mowing yards and doing the kind of landscaping we do aren’t the same thing,” Monica said.

Destiny nodded. “One day I was sitting in my office and looked out my window where a crew was putting in a flower bed. I was so tired of numbers and spreadsheets and it hit me that the job I really enjoyed was working outside in those yards. I did a little research, took a few classes in landscape architecture, and started a new career.”

“Wow,” Monica said. “So you got into this business because you love it.”

“That’s right,” Destiny said. “I don’t make near as much money, but I quickly learned money isn’t everything.”

“So now you’re happy to come to work every day,” Monica said.

Destiny smiled. There was a time when she was a lot happier to come to work every day than she was now. When she and Faith were working together, those were the best days. Happy days. A shadow of sadness fell over her face as she remembered those days with Faith. If she ever got the chance to work with her again, Destiny vowed she’d cherish each day and appreciate it.

“Hey,” Monica said. “What’s wrong?”

Destiny looked over at Monica and raised her brows. “Nothing.”

“You look really sad.”

“I was just thinking about another time,” Destiny said, looking back at her computer.

“With Faith?”

Destiny cut her eyes over to Monica and sighed. “Faith and I shared a lot of happy times when we worked together, but that was a long time ago.” She stood up. “Now, I’m sure it will take a while to tour the business complex, so I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I’ll lock up the office and check with the crews before I leave,” Monica said.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“Go win us that big job, boss.”

Destiny chuckled. “This is just the beginning.”

“You’ve got to start somewhere,” Monica said.

“Okay then,” Destiny said, chuckling at her exuberance. She got her things together and went out to her truck.

It was a twenty minute drive to the work site and Destiny couldn’t help but think of Faith as she drove near her shop. She wondered if she got her tire fixed on the trailer and then chided herself.

“What do you care,” she muttered. “It’s none of your business.”

Destiny sighed. Now that Faith was in her head she’d be there the rest of the day.

Her contact at the business complex had said they would give them a tour of the facility so they could prepare bids. Destiny knew Faith would be bidding on the project, but doubted they would be on the same tour. There were landscape companies from all over the state bidding on the large job.

She pulled into the parking area and immediately noticed Faith’s truck.

“So much for not being on the same tour,” she muttered.

6

Faith walked up the street towards the main building in the complex. There was a parking lot on either side of the street then it wound around to the smaller buildings that made up the office park. Each building would have their own landscaping as well as walkways that connected to the main building.