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It was a secret place I’d found as a child one day when I’d atteotten far, because I’d known it would likely be days before one, and I could very well be abducted or starve by then

The garden hadn’t looked like it belonged in the coastal town of Roseination, it had been plucked from one of my favorite fairy tales and placed here just for me to escape to, where there had been no country club, tennis lessons, cocktail parties, or endless line of h my house to see my mother Here it had been just me My pretend place where I’d been a beloved princess and my parents adored me

Rush had found me here when he’d returned fro all day, and one down the street callinghad been right again Someone had cared about me Someone had wanted me safe Rush had been my hero then, and he still was to this day

Froarden had been one to stay with his dad He’d always coone along with my silly princess fantasy to appease me He’d always tried to appease me

"I asked around," Major finally said now, as if he wasn’t sure that was the correct answer

He had asked Rush My brother had probably told hih surely he knew that I would guess it had been hi, I opened my car door before the driver could do it forhome I’d missed it and hadn’t even realized howto join me had been tooback over my shoulder at Major "This is perfect" I led the way into the secret haven, and my heart lifted with each step

"You’re welcoain

I stepped into the place I kneell and inhaled the floral scent I remembered, and my princess fantasy came back to one when I was here This was my happy place

I noticed a table set for two, coht We were having dinner here I’d had many picnics with Rush here in the past and tea parties with my favorite dolls Rush ht into this, and my heart melted as I accepted that ive him another chance

I watched as Major walked over to one of the chairs and pulled it out, then turned his baby-blue eyes to me A crooked smile was on his lips, and he was obviously proud of himself for this I had to ado to the lengths he was going to in order to win me back

"Rush told you about this place," I said sireat spot Never i like this existed in a beach town"

"That’s why itslike a silly little girl with a crush

Thiselse ever had I’d never forget it Major had just found his way back into arden had Nan looking at ht hate the bastard, but Cope was one s He researched and did things right For sos to do to win a woman Must be his excessive brains

"This is " Nan’s pleased tone hadup from the bed of walnuts, what looked like questionable cheese, and strawberry slices onat "

Cope had, of course, ht, and he had even arranged for a couple of servers to wait on us This salad looked gross I wanted cheddar cheese, ha This shit did not belong on a salad Hoas I supposed to eat this?

I began to wonder what other things Nan loved to eat I hoped to God it got better than this

"Since ouldn’t have a menu out here for you to choose from, I wanted to make sure you enjoyed yourmyself to eat the shit on my plate Who the hell ate strawberries with lettuce? That just see Where were soht has been perfect so far If you bring out olive salad ht be yours for life"

I was from Texas and had lived near Louisiana most of my life So I knehat the hell a muffuletta sandas However, I wasn’t sure what bruschetta was, and I was almost afraid to find out I also didn’t like olives I didn’t like the way they s out next, I wasn’t sure I would be able to chew and sithout retching

As if on cue, the servers appeared with silver trays full of what looked like toast with olive shit on it Dammit all to hell

"Ahhhh! I can’t believe you knew this!" Nan squealed and actually clapped her hands as they set the nasty-s to keep on h This was going to kill me