The Signs Written on the Wall
The sound of the shovels in the early morning light was poignant. There was no other sound, no other motion, just the rhythmic sound of earth freed and shifted. Amber smiled as Dan stopped and measured the far end again.
This would be a deeper end, and they had already decided how they would create places for the fish to hide. The shallow end was essentially done and lined; Amber smiled again at the thought of lily pads and water plants there to draw in frogs from the lake. Dan had really thought about the project carefully. She had already gone to look at the fish and snails he picked. Her mind reeled with how beautiful some of them were.
An obtrusive thought entered her mind—Jessica. Amber pursed her lips. Her sister had shown her true colors once again. Amber was pretty sure Jessica was incapable of true change.
"A penny for your thoughts."
Amber Ann smiled at Dan and then smirked. "You've been saving that for a while."
He smiled broadly. "I have always wanted to say it." He frowned thoughtfully. "I always thought a penny was a pretty shabby payment for a thought."
Amber shrugged as she went back to digging her designated area. "Oh, I don't know. A mere thought really has no value. It is the action it incites that is of true worth. Besides, oftentimes we have the same thoughts—where is the value in duplication?"
Dan had paused and was looking at her with a smile. She blushed. "Sorry. I do rattle on, don't I?"
Dan shook his head in disagreement. He wanted to kiss her so very badly. He smiled as her blush deepened. He blew her a kiss and began to spread out one of the liners at the deeper end of the pond. "You are just extremely intelligent. There is nothing wrong with being knowledgeable."
She watched him adjust the huge liner so that it sat down in the nooks and crannies they painstakingly created. It had been a lot of work, and seeing it all take shape was rather rewarding. "I always thought my scientific mind was an annoyance. Virginia and Jessica are so different."
"It's an asset, Am, and it is okay to be different." Dan looked at the liner with a complicated expression. "To be honest, both of your sisters are a bit unhinged."
Amber Ann let loose the most beautiful, bubbly laugh he had ever heard. He paused and smiled at the liner. He wanted the moment to be just for him. He wanted to always make her laugh just like that.
He frowned in annoyance when he heard his phone buzz. He sucked his teeth and went to finish laying out the liner so they could begin putting in the rocks. Amber rolled her eyes and went to answer his phone. "It could be important. It's David."
Dan looked up; it might be important—David knew he would be with Amber and would not want to interrupt them. Amber handed him the phone and went back to work.
"Dav, what's going on?"
"We have a few problems at Trace Progressive." David was not just his business partner; he was the COO of Trace Progressive. Dan steadied himself and waited to hear what had been so important as to call him now. "Two of the main social media sites have put us under investigation. There are reports of inappropriate conduct and exploitation. Three of our properties have been vandalized. One was actually complete and on the market—but now we will need to replace the windows and doors before we can sell. This all has the potential to strain our cash and affect the construction at Blue Serene and the funding of the foundations."
Dan sat in silence for a long while. Amber looked to him with a frown. "Bad news?"
Dan looked to her, shock and anger mingling on his face. "I think Jessica is trying to sabotage Trace Progressive."
Amber narrowed her eyes, her grip tightening on her shovel. David spoke in Dan's ear. "Jessica? Why would you say that?"
"Just a hunch. Give me thirty. I will meet you at your place." Dan disconnected the phone and went back to work.
Amber shook her head. "No, Dan. Go take care of your business—maybe you should contact Clarence Dens as well—this will wait."
He looked at her, passion and determination now in his expression. "This project is just for you and I, Amber. I am going to see it through. I will make sure the business is fine—Davie and I will."
Dan finished lining the deeper end of the pond. He looked at his work in satisfaction. Amber came to stand next to him. "I thought this was going to kill us, but your planning and research has truly made it bearable." She reached over and hugged his shoulders, then kissed his neck softly. "Thank you."
He squeezed her arm, words failing him; his mind spun. Jessica was not going to destroy things. He would have Amber, and Amber would have peace.