She nodded even more enthusiastically. He was officially her favorite person in the whole world at that exact moment. He was Angela’s too.
“Have you seen the frog pond?” he asked Madison. She didn’t answer; she was rather occupied with her new snake.
“You guys come with me,” he told them as he led them to the bridge going over the stream leading up to the frog pond. Angela held on to Madison’s hand as they made their way to the edge of the pond.
“Look, you might see some tad poles or pollywogs,” Michael told Madison, kneeling very close to the edge.
“So what are you doing working in the garden?” Angela asked him, curious. She knew he had a gardener.
“I like to get a workout. I have a gym in the house but I only use it in the winter. It’s much more fun to be out in the sun. I think it’s a good work out.”
It definitely is… it’s certainly working.
Standing right behind him; she couldn’t help but stare at his back. Heck, maybe she should start gardening; get toned a little.
“Hey Madison, you know what we have here; snails,” he told her with wide eyes as he got up and set out to search for the tiniest of little creatures. Madison eagerly trailed behind.
“Look, there’s one,” he picked it up in his hand, kneeling to show Madison the tiny creature the size of a pea. Madison inspected it closely; a swirly shell with a tiny almost microscopic head squirming. Madison wasn’t the only one fascinated; Angela was too as she leaned down; three heads huddled together.
“See the little guy in there?” Michael asked Madison who nodded a big yes.
“We should let it go back to its home,” he said as he let the snail escape back to the comfort of the garden. “Let’s look for empty shells.”
After searching through the garden for a while, Angela was the first to make a discovery. It was a shell slightly larger then the previous one, its inhabitant nowhere to be found.
“I found one!” Angela said, much more excited than she would have imagined being in such a situation. Michael had the knack of making her appreciate the smallest wonderful details of life, much like a child would.
Michael and Madison ran towards her to take part in her discovery. Madison was quite excited when Michael told her she could keep this one. A snakeanda shell; it was a good day.
At the end of their journey through the garden, they made their way to the birdhouse where they spotted a cardinal.
“Well, thanks again Michael,” Angela said, looking down, averting her eyes from his chest.
“No problem. It was nice seeing you Madison.” He kneeled down to say his goodbyes and she ran over and gave him a big hug. Michael was taken aback but quite happy and gladly huggedher back. The sight was so sweet; it almost brought tears to Angela’s eyes.
Lucky girl… I wish I could do that.
The following Monday, Angela had to reschedule her weekly meeting with Dot since she had a meeting in town, at the Crafter’s Workshop, about boutonnieres. She hadn’t been doing much on her wedding at all; her heart wasn’t into it. Dot had suggested they meet over lunch instead; Ellie would make them something yummy. Angela had agreed and wondered if in doing so, she would avoid Michael. She figured it would be for the best if she did.
Angela was at the door at eleven o’clock sharp, as discussed. Dot greeted her at the door herself. It was quite unexpected to see Dot at the door. She was quite chipper, dressed more casually than usual; wearing blue jeans and a white cotton top.
“You seem well today,” Angela told her as she took off her shoes. Angela was still peeved at her for missing yet another session the previous week but decided to turn the other cheek and not mention it.
“My arthritis is not acting up today.” She led her down the hall. “But I’m still a wee bit slow on my feet.”
“It’s great that you’re feeling well.”
They walked very slowly over to the study. Dot grabbed her book from the table and settled herself into her chair. Angela took her usual seat opposite her.
“I haven’t read any further since we last saw each other,” she told her, handing her the book, opened at chapter ten.
“You’ve been busy.”
“I’ve been out with my friend Paul,” she told Angela, smiling.
“That’s great. So that’s his name.”
“I’m sorry. Last week, I was with him when I lost track of time.”
