"I hope she likes it," Hudson said.
"She might hate it," I said, refusing to look in the direction of the shop where I knew Belle would be talking to a customer or stocking the shelves.
He raised a brow."I don't think I've met a woman who wouldn't be thrilled that a man made a fountain for her."
"I hope you're right."I helped him pack up his tools and then sent my crew home early.I had a few other things to do before Belle closed her shop for the day.
I went to the nursery and filled my truck with pots of flowers for her patio.I knew she wanted a garden feel, and she hadn't talked to the landscaper yet.Plus, they would add to the big reveal.
I set the pots on the patio.The tables and chairs were already in place.Then I hung lights.
It was getting dark, so I turned them on.I was itching to uncover the fountain and turn it on.
The back door to the shop opened, and Belle stepped outside."You wanted to show me something?"
"I was just setting the scene."
She took a few more steps and then stopped.
We stood a few feet from each other, but it felt much farther.The distance I'd created in the last week seemed impenetrable.
She raised a brow."I don't remember ordering lights or flowers."
I stepped toward the fountain."They were something I added."
"For?"Her tone was cautious, and she didn't move any closer.
"I created something that wasn't in your design for your fountain.I can remove it if you don't like it, but I hope you do."I untied the tarp, then stepped onto the wall of the fountain, facing her.I wanted to see her reaction.
My heart beat hard, and I pulled the tarp off slowly, then tossed it aside.I turned on the fountain.It took a few seconds for the water to start moving.I jumped down and backed away just as the water erupted out of the watering can.
I looked over at her.
Her hands covered her mouth, and her tears were shiny."It's my drawing."
I moved closer slowly, a little worried I'd spook her."She reminds me of you, how you might have looked as a little girl."
A tear spilled out, and I wished that I could wipe it away.
"It reminded me of how your daughter might look.She's carefree and happy, escaping into a garden or into a world of words."
"I can't believe you did this."
I couldn't tell if she liked it or not."Do you like it?"
She dropped her hands, and her gaze finally moved from the gurgling fountain to me."I love it."
I let out the breath I'd been holding."I planned this before your mother visited.I took a picture of your drawing and built it in my workshop.I wanted it to be a surprise."
"That's where you are when you're not here?"
"I wasn't sure if you would like me veering away from what you'd planned."
"I never would have thought of doing something like this.It's absolutely perfect.Thank you."
"I also wanted to apologize for being a jerk this week.Your mom wasn't thrilled that you're dating me.That isn't an excuse.But it hammered on every one of my insecurities.That I'd never be good enough for you."
She sighed heavily, and I hoped I wasn't losing her.
