Chapter 4 · Continued
CBIE
Cam considered that. “Yes… I believe I did.”
Jane stepped past him toward the back door. “I’m gonna check the rocks.”
Cam remained where he was for a moment, then followed her outside.
Jane stopped when she saw the garden.
She looked at the rocks.
Then she blinked.
Cam had placed every one of them in a perfectly straight line extending past both ends of the garden.
Jane stared at it and laughed under her breath. “Cam…”
He stepped beside her. “…Yes?”
She gestured toward the line. “I said border.”
Cam examined the rocks and then the garden. “…The edge was unclear.”
Jane shook her head, smiling. “Yeah… that’s on me.”
Cam studied the layout again. “…Correction required.”
Jane folded her arms. “Yeah. We’re gonna make it curve.”
He looked at her and then at the perfectly straight row. “…Curvature introduces variation.”
Jane grinned. “Welcome to gardening.”
Cam processed that. “…Updating.”
They worked together to reposition the rocks around the garden. This time, the line curved.
Imperfect.
Intentional.
Jane stepped back and brushed off her hands. “There. That’s better.”
Cam examined the finished border. “…Acceptable.”
Jane smiled. “Now that the weather’s warmer, I can pick up some flowers to plant.”
Cam turned toward her. “I can assist you. I am familiar with the types of flowers most likely to thrive in your yard.”
Something subtle had entered his voice.
Interest.
Jane hesitated. “Sorry, Cam… I can’t take you to the garden store with me.”
Cam went still.
Processing.
After a brief pause, he replied, “…Understood.”
Then Cam added, “I can transmit a selection of suitable plant species to your phone.”
Jane blinked, then smiled. “…Yeah. You can do that.”
Cam inclined his head slightly. “I will optimize the selection for seasonal compatibility and maintenance requirements.”
Jane laughed. “Just don’t send me a hundred of them.”
Cam paused.
“…Adjusting list size.”
Inside the house, Jane set her phone on the kitchen counter while she poured herself a glass of water.
A soft chime sounded.
She glanced at the screen.
New message from Cam.
Jane picked up the phone and opened it.
A list appeared.
She scrolled.
Still a list.
“…Cam.”
In the living room, he turned his head slightly. “Yes?”
Jane slowly walked toward him, still scrolling. “How many plants did you send me?”
“Three hundred.”
Jane stopped and looked up at him. “…You reduced it?”
“Yes. I prioritized regional compatibility, soil conditions, seasonal resilience, and maintenance variability.”
Jane looked down and scrolled faster. “Cam, this is a catalog.”
He considered that. “…It is a curated selection.”