Page 134 of Wisteria and Cloves
I ran my fingers over the embossed leather, touched by Nicolaus's thoughtfulness. Even in his absence, he'd found a way to be present, to add something meaningful to this experience.
"That's so like him," I murmured, opening the journal to find creamy blank pages waiting for my thoughts. "Practical but sentimental in his own quiet way."
Miles smiled, watching me trace the pages. "He researched which wildflowers grow in this area at this time of year. There's a guide in the back for identifying them."
Of course he had. That meticulous attention to detail was so perfectly Nicolaus.
"So," Miles said, settling onto the picnic bench and patting the space beside him. "What would you like to do first? We could explore the creek, start a fire, or just sit and enjoy the quiet. Your choice.”
I settled beside him, our shoulders brushing as I considered the options. The freedom of choice felt luxurious after a lifetime of structured days.
"Let's explore the creek first," I decided, drawn to the sparkling water. "I've never gone wading before."
Miles's eyebrows rose. "Never? Not even as a child?"
I shook my head. "Water activities were limited to proper swimming lessons with instructors. My mother worried about waterborne parasites in natural bodies of water."
He laughed, the sound warm and incredulous. "Well, I can promise this creek is parasite-free. My grandmother had it tested regularly for the farm."
"Then let's go," I said, already unlacing my boots. The excitement bubbling through me felt childlike and pure.
Miles removed his shoes and socks as well, rolling up his jeans to mid-calf. I followed suit with my jeans, trying not to feel self-conscious about my pale legs as we made our way to the water's edge. The grass was soft and cool beneath my bare feet, and I could already feel the mist from the creek kissing my ankles.
"Careful," Miles warned gently, taking my hand as we approached the bank. "The stones can be slippery."
The first touch of water against my toes made me gasp—not from cold, but from the unexpected sensation of smooth pebbles and gentle current. It was nothing like the chlorinated pools I was accustomed to, nothing like the sterile environment my mother had always insisted upon.
"It's perfect," I breathed, taking another tentative step into the creek. The water swirled around my calves, clear enough that I could see minnows darting between the rocks like tiny silver arrows.
Miles watched me with a tenderness that made my heart swell. He stood ankle-deep beside me, his hand still firmly holding mine as I found my balance on the creek bed.
"Look down," he said softly, pointing with his free hand. "See the little crayfish hiding under that rock?"
I followed his gaze to spot a tiny crustacean, its claws raised defensively as it peered out from its shelter. "It's adorable," I whispered, fascinated by the miniature creature.
"My grandmother used to tell me they were the guardians of the creek," Miles said, his voice warm with memory. "That they kept the water clean and the bad spirits away."
I glanced up at him, charmed by this glimpse into his childhood. "Did you believe her?"
"Every word," he admitted with a soft laugh. "I used to leave little offerings for them—acorns and smooth pebbles I thoughtthey might like. Once I even tried to build them a tiny castle out of twigs and leaves."
My heart melted at the image of a young Miles carefully constructing a home for creek creatures. "That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard."
He shrugged, though his cheeks colored slightly. "I was an imaginative kid. Grandmother encouraged it—said imagination was more valuable than any education money could buy….which my mother and her side of the family favored."
"She sounds wonderful," I said, carefully taking another step deeper into the creek. The water now reached just below my knees, cool and refreshing against my skin.
"She was," Miles agreed, his voice soft with reverence. "She would have adored you, you know. She always had a soft spot for people who were finding their way."
I looked down at our joined hands, at the clear water swirling around our legs, at this moment I felt at peace. These men were letting me grow into a new person and I was loving it…and couldn’t help but grow, with them by my side.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Lilianna
The sun climbed higher as we spent the morning exploring the creek, and I found myself relaxing in ways I hadn't known were possible. Miles showed me where the water pooled deepest, where the best skipping stones could be found, and how to cup my hands to catch the tiny minnows that darted between our feet. Each new discovery felt like a small revelation—proof that there was an entire world of simple pleasures I'd been denied.
"I think I understand now," I said as we finally made our way back to shore, my jeans damp and my feet pleasantly cool from the water. "Why you come here when you need the escape."
