“She was a good woman. She helped me get this garden started. It’s only fitting a part of her is here.”
Oh, crap on a cracker. Moisture has started to gather at the edge of my eyes.
“You cryin’, Prudence?”
I look up at his face. It’s a combination of perplexed and concerned.
“You surprised me. That’s all.”
“She was a joyful lady. She wouldn’t want you to be sad.”
Nodding, I continue my stroll with Nate talking the entire way. When I weave around a tree, I’m amazed to see a bench beside a small pond. “Are those fish?”
“Koi fish, yeah.”
“In Iowa?” I can’t imagine they’d survive an Iowa winter.
“Yep. It’s deep enough for them to make it through the cold.”
Sitting on the bench, I lean forward and watch the orange fish swim around. “I can’t believe this garden exists in the middle of Oakdale, Iowa.”
“You should see my sister’s place.” He chuckles. “She lives outside of town. Her garden is twice the size of this one.” Nate takes the seat next to me. The bench isn’t all that big, so we’re up against each other from our thighs to our shoulders. That tingle like the one from earlier reappears, this time, it covers the entire side of my body. The one pressing against his.
“You have a sister?”
“And a brother. He lives in Florida. What about you?”
“Nope. Only child.”
“Your parents still around?”
“Yes. They live in eastern Iowa. A small town close to Council Bluffs.”
We watch the fish for a minute or two more, then I stand. Nate does the same.
I slowly walk on asking, “What other secrets do you have here?”
“Well, our old cat, Felix, is buried over there.” He points to the back corner of his garden. “And two hamsters named Harry and Ron are over there.” He gestures to the other side of the garden, near an old shed.
That makes me giggle. Not that they died but that they’re named afterHarry Pottercharacters.
“You hungry yet?”
I nod. “Sure.” Back on the deck, Nate fires up the grill, then retreats to the kitchen for several minutes. When he returns, he’s holding a cookie sheet with two of the biggest steaks I’ve ever seen. I’d love to tell him I can’t possibly eat all that, but I don’t bother. “Can I help with anything?”
“Just talk to me while I cook.”
The song changes over to something I recognize. It’s one of my favorites. “You played The Bee Gees?”
“Thought I should let you have one or two.”
“Well, thank you, Nate.” I chuckle. “I appreciate that.” He has no idea how much. Does this mean he’s accepted the fact my music is awesome?
“Don’t get used to it.”
Well, dang.
ChapterTen
