“That's true, but it's not my preference.Did the girls like them?”She asked.
“They like them plain, but I'm sure they'll grow into adding things to them.Honestly, they prefer regular pancakes, especially the ones with fruit in them.”He admitted.
“You did too when you were a tot.”Flo threw in.
“The girls aren't tots anymore.”He added.
“No, but they didn't get these when they were younger.This is something new for them.”Flo mentioned.
“Did you have anything planned for today for the girls?”Darren wondered.
“I hope they might help me plant the garden,” Flo observed.
“I remember working in the garden well, even though I haven't done it in many years.”Darren reminisced.
“Maybe you should get out there with us and get your hands dirty,” Flo suggested.
It was hard to imagine the suit-and-tie gentleman out in the garden getting his hands dirty.Even though he had dressed more casually yesterday, he had still not been a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy.He dressed more like someone going out to play golf.
“I must catch up on my work.I put in a lot of hours, but if you have the girls do schoolwork this morning, maybe I can get enough done that I can take some time off this afternoon.”He agreed.
“That's a deal.”Flo agreed, and the girls clapped in excitement.
It was clear they loved their dad and wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.Lottie went ahead and got the girls started on grammar, then worked on her computer for a little while.Since they were working on simple sentences, neither of them had any trouble.The two girls were very smart and willing to work to earn the time off with their dad.They worked hard until lunch and covered half the subjects they normally cover in a day.Since they had been doing some schoolwork every day, they were still at the same level as before.She didn't want them to get behind since they were both in such a good position with their schoolwork.
Everyone went to the dining room table to have lunch.Lunch was simple: tomato basil soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, or ham sandwiches if someone preferred.It was a lunch that she had found most people loved.
“Now that lunch is done, everyone needs to get into the clothes that they work in, put on boots, and get their gloves,” Flo ordered.
Lottie and the girls did as they were told while Darren talked with his mother.When Darren and Flo joined them outside, Darren was in jeans and a T-shirt.The jeans didn't fit perfectly, and she suspected Darren had borrowed them.They still looked good on him.Flo had a wheelbarrow full of things that needed to be planted.Flo got the girls started right away and handed Darren and her some seeds they needed to plant, too.
They each worked on a row next to each other.They were planting pumpkins next to the roses that had been planted earlier.She wasn't sure if these were the same kind of pumpkin or different ones.This was a large garden with a lot to plant, and they worked hard.
“I didn't realize you were a gardener,” Darren commented.
“Most witches are.Many of us have our own garden, and some of us have our own store where we sell our herbs and flowers that are used in potions.”
“The magic thing is very hard for me to deal with and accept.I've spent years denying it.”
“I'm sure that's true, but you've seen enough signs of it now that you no longer can.”Lottie declared.
He didn't have much to say, so she knew he still hadn't completely accepted the paranormal world, even though he was now part of it.It was something he would have to deal with on his own, and no one could help him.For the sake of his girls, he needed to understand her world and help them to understand what they needed to do as part of it.
“I have my row.down so I think I'm going to go plant some cabbage.”
“My row is done too, so I think I'll go with you.”
She'd meant to get away from him, but he had just followed her.They spoke some, but she didn't feel like she knew him any better than she had when they started.The garden was coming along well, but she knew it would soon be supper time.
“Finish up so we can go clean up before it's time to eat.”Flo urged.
That's what they did, and it was time to go.They had gotten a large amount done, and Flo wouldn't have much left to do in the garden.Now it was time to clean up and get ready to eat.She took the girls to the mud room to remove their boots and drop their gloves.Next, it was time to clean up so they would be ready to eat.Flo and Aaron must have gone to another bathroom because she didn't see them until they got into the dining room, where food was being served.
“You seem like a very nice girl, Lottie,” Darren observed.
“I like to think I am.”She was confused.
“I’m glad my mom found you to take care of the girls.Not every guard will get in the dirt to get the job done.”He smiled, and she smiled back.
